living the {suitcase} life...still

That's right. I humbly admit that we are going on 7 weeks of living out of a suitcase, hanging out with my parents, lost in a terrible holding pattern we'd like to call our transitional disaster plan. In my mind, I had anticipated that our move would have gone much smoother, but I guess in the real world things always take more time and more headaches than you originally plan. I thought for sure that by the beginning of August and certainly by Labor Day we would both be gainfully employed first-time homeowners. Wishful thinking? Brace yourself. It's time for some therapeutic blogging as I spill out the contents of my confused little life...

Not even sure where to begin with this story and how we've gone from plan A to B to spiraling into plans C-F without completely crumbling...But I believe I have some genuine explaining to do. Four weeks ago, we both had decent jobs lined up and were a heartbeat away from making an offer on the cutest little cottage you ever saw...just 1 block away from my parents' house. It seemed like such a safe & secure plan. We were about to settle down, raise our perfect little family, and lead a simple, small-town existence. We would have a big, bright backyard where Graham could lead a charmed childhood, run around and catch bugs. Jeff was going to work with the very reputable photographer in town, in his well-established studio. I was all set to work 20hrs/week evenings and weekends in the E.R. to help make ends meet for a few more years. It seemed that God had opened up perfect opportunities for us and I felt so at peace with all of that; even if it meant living 60 miles away from the nearest craft store or classy restaurant.

And somewhere along the line God threw us a complete curve ball. We began dreaming and scheming in different directions. Either coming to our senses or going completely crazy--we couldn't determine. Jeff began feeling an even stronger pull to go out on a limb and start his own business. I began to see us living elsewhere for a million other reasons, not the least of which was the craft store factor...I could fully recount the pros and cons of this whole tangled mess, and run through every possible situation/scenario with you, my friends, but there seriously aren't enough hours in the day...

So a million prayers, internet searches, and a few humiliating phone calls later, we are rewinding. We are following our hearts big time, taking epic risks, trusting God and beginning again. We are plunging into building a future in Jeff's photo business and are heading to the Twin Cities where {hopefully} a greater market and opportunities abound. We have hung up our house-hunting hats for now and are searching and settling for another simple 2-bedroom rental. (To me, that alone was heart-wrenching after I had mentally/emotionally moved-in and redecorated the aforementioned cottage.)

The uncertainty on the road ahead is maddening, but the possibilities and opportunity are exhilarating. As much as I want to break down and panic every day, I just keep praying for more patience and wisdom to make sense of it all. We are blessed right now with a comfy place to live as we transition and the potential to work hard and work things out. We're still young with relatively few commitments and G is still highly transplant-able. {All the kid needs right now are clean diapers and warm, familiar arms.} And you know, he'll probably even end up with a big, bright backyard and a jar full of lightning bugs before we even know it. Can't wait to look back on all of this with a contented smile and a laundry list of blessings...

This too shall pass.