Change

I've missed blogging.  I  feel like the last six months were lost in some black hole.  A maniac took over while we were building the house.  We just got internet a week ago after a month of not having it.  I didn't even know it was humanly possible for me to go a month without internet!  I must be super human.  Basically, they run a racket here in Provo.  And we live in some black hole where our only options were a super-slow speed from one company or pay a $600 install charge for another company that would install high-speed.  We kept trying to find another option but there isn't one.  Bleh.  The monthly fee is the same so I finally talked myself into paying the $600 by reasoning that it's just an extra $5/month for the next 10 years.

Another racket...our area code.  Apparently, they ran out of 801 numbers so ours is 385.  Gross.  I feel, like Elaine, cheated and so annoyed.  I'm from UT.  I lived here before they even had 435 as an area code.  I don't want no stinkin' 385 area code.  When internet and the phone line were installed it was exactly like this Seinfeld episode minus the deaths threats at the end.  But then Elaine perseveres and gets her 212 area code back because an old lady in her building dies.  Would it be wrong to ask any of my elderly neighbors if I can inherit their phone number when they pass away? Because I will have an 801 area code!

I created this blog when we moved to Singapore to keep in touch with family and friends back home.  I found it was actually a nice outlet and great way to journal our family happenings.  When we first moved back I thought, "I'll change the blog name 'awaiting winter' when the first snow falls because our wait for winter would be over."  But I could never think of another name.  Then the cold came but it has still barely snowed.  What is up with rain in January?!  Cold rain is no fun at all.  And I have to admit I TOTALLY get why people don't like winter--it's COLD!!  Cold is a lot more work with coats, socks, (how do you keep track of those?!) scarves and boots.  I don't know why everyone considers setting the thermostat to 72 as turning the heat up.  I'd turn it to 80 if Ben would let me.  Thankfully, January came and we've started skiing regularly, which has reminded me why I like winter.  Skiing makes my soul happy. There are fun things you can't do without the cold.  And freshly fallen snow is so beautiful.

I love change.  I love learning or doing something new.  I've always been more of a nomad than a home body.  But I also struggle with the adjustments major change brings.   Singapore was challenging and a learning experience for us in many ways but it was also equally rewarding.  There were definitely moments when I wished 'the experience' was over, but I tried to appreciate that the challenges were temporary and that they presented wonderful opportunities and adventures. One of the best compliments I received was in a note from a photo client/friend who wrote, "I live in Singapore, but you experienced it."  I've always struggled with fully living in the now.  I start to feel down if I don't have a trip to plan or something on the calendar to look forward to.  And I have definitely felt that way since moving back.  The day we moved into our beautiful new home I was overwhelmed with so many different emotions.  We've been on this path to the professorship job with real benefits and a retirement plan and owning a home for 10 years.  I thought I should feel nothing but joy that "we've arrived at our final destination".  But instead I was thinking, "we really aren't going back to singapore.  This this was our goal...our dream?!  I have to clean this place! I have a real kitchen so I have no excuse but to cook regular healthy meals."  Long before Ben and I started on our path together, seeing the world and photographing it was my dream.  Easily and affordably traveling to new places, experiencing new cultures and the photo opportunities in Singapore were all so amazing and ideal.   But I have to trust and know that the travel and cultural experiences I want will come again in another season.  And we are very lucky to have experienced all that we have.  It's been strange to think of possibly being in one place forever or at least knowing this move isn't temporary because so much in our married life has been.

I decided that I didn't need to change the name of the blog after all from "awaiting winter"-- just the subtitle from "The tropical adventures of a little family who loves winter" to "Our family adventures through every season"(or something similar but maybe not as cheesy sounding....suggestions welcome).  Enjoying the now and every season of life (because there are benefits to them all, except teething) is my goal.   I'm working on finding the right balance of appreciating the past and looking forward to the future but living in the present.  I need to enjoy the simple happy moments of everyday life with my sweet little girls, who will all too soon be grown.

And to those who aren't asleep yet and have asked about the house, pictures really are coming.  My battery charger has been lost since we moved in but I finally found it.

Our new view--I forgot how beautiful the sunsets are here!