Tuesday, August 19, 2008

The ABC's of Where I Am...Continued

Okay, so where was I??? I believe we are at F.

F. Finally. It has been said that change is the only constant thing in this world but in the safe confides of our cozy home our day to day was our constant. I didn't feel like it changed much at all. The little noises, visiting lizards, the waiting extra long for hot water in the kitchen sink, the noise from the air conditioner, the neighbor’s light turning on in the middle of the night when he got home from working the night shift, the hum of the garage that sounded different from different parts of the house but that always let us know when daddy was home, the sound sprinklers kicking on at 5:00 a.m. reminding me that it was almost time to start a new day. The list could go on and on but these constants and so many more were our normal, they were our indicators that our little world was still ours and still spinning around the little, tiny axis of our lives there in that house. They were the quirks of our sanctuary that made it uniquely our own. I didn’t pay much attention to them until I was here, at our new house, and this house began letting me know of it’s Constants. I was here alone painting before we moved in late into the night and a monsoon came passing through. I was suddenly, keenly aware of the noises of our old house that aren’t here. I didn’t feel scared but, instead, very out of place. I locked up the house and headed home, eager to be surrounded again by the familiarity that my home offered me. As I walked through the door, I sighed a sigh of relief and through tears offered a prayer of gratitude for the way that our Home had served us. Through good times, and bad, sickness and health, potty training and an MBA, our home had been a constant refuge. As we packed up all of our belongings and the house became more and more empty with each passing day, the feeling of Home never lessened. I was back at the old house cleaning late one night after we had completely moved out and again a monsoon came passing through. Again, I didn’t feel scared, but sort of like my heart was neither here nor there. There is something about a raging storm that makes you want to go Home. And with each clap of thunder, I realized in that I was in the wrong house. That, in fact, it wasn’t the quirks of that house, or the comfortable smells and sights that made it my home. So I locked up and drove Home. And walking through the door that night and smelling a house that doesn’t yet smell like ours, hearing noises that weren’t familiar, fumbling with light switches and finding my way upstairs I became aware that this house too will rise up and serve us well. That it, too, will see us through potty training and sickness and health, and heaven help us, not another MBA. It is starting to feel like Home here. Finally.
G. Gratitude. “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” –Melody Beattie
Right now, I am filled with gratitude for all of the kindness that has been shown us by family and friends alike. You came, you saw needs and you met them. You all know who you are and I hope that you all know that I feel closer to God because of the fullness of gratitude that has filled me since your coming. Never do I feel closer to Him than when I am filled with Gratitude. Thank you especially for that Gift, for it is truly a gift to feel closer to Him. Thank you all for all that you did to help this move be a little bit easier. Gratitude is my favorite emotion. Thank you all a million bajillion times.
H. Holy Matrimony. I mentioned forever ago that Cole and Remi got married in June. That was my favorite part of summer. I got to spend time with my Brandi, Jahde and Daysen, see family and friends and see two delightful people take that leap into the unknown with a perfect brightness of hope that it would all work out. Two months into it and all is well! Click on their names above to see their blog documenting their sweet story that is still being written. I do love them so.

***All of the wedding photos were taken by an amazing photographer. Check him out!http://www.russdixonphotography.com/

More Alphabetization later.

9 comments:

Lindsey said...

Glad to see you are doing well and being well taken care of. Best wishes for unpacking and if it makes you feel any better... I am STILL unpacking. :)

Steph said...

Holy Cow! Cole is married? I can't believe he isn't still an adorable little boy. He certainly is a handsome fella and his wife looks lovely as well. It was great to see the photo of Brandi. You are such beautiful sisters.

Christy Hiniker said...

Natalie, you are absolutely beautiful, inside and out. I'm better for knowing you!

ali said...

Great pictures of the wedding! Your SIL has an absolutely beautiful wedding dress and veil, it's so nice to see something different!

Your "F" made me all teary. It's hard to leave a home sometimes isn't it? I'm usually excited and fueled by newness, but some things are hard to leave.

It reminded me of two years ago when my parents decided to move out of the home that they had had for 23+ years and that we were all raised in. I went there to say goodbye to it after all of the furniture was gone and it was totally empty. Somehow, I couldn't make myself feel sad even though there were things that I missed--it just wasn't "home" without my family in it.

jessica said...

I can't imagine leaving my home. While reading your post I all of the sudden became very aware of the "constants" of my home. I don't ever want to leave it!

Beautiful wedding photos...

Abby said...

moving is a funny thing. i desperately want to move but know i will be so sad when we leave.

i love checking your blog and getting the info on you as well as the rest of your cute family! (such beautiful wedding pictures.)

Dawn said...

Natalie, you have a beautiful way of expressing yourself; I really enjoyed your thoughts on your old and new houses. I wanted to invite you and Ryan and your darling children over on Sunday evening, if you're going to be visiting Roger and Gloria; we are celebrating Clint's birthday. Dan and Alicia will also be here this weekend, and I think your kids would have fun playing with their kids! If you're in the area...please stop by...we'd love to see you! Dawn
ps we're so happy for Cole...she looks like a beautiful girl!

Jaime said...

ahhh...I miss my home sweet home. I promise there is a good spirit that abides there, but I know what you mean. When you get all settled I know you will feel the peace. Are things going ok? Call me if you need anything at all.

Tiffany said...

I just love reading your cute blogs! You always inspire me to look for the good things and I can't help but feel such gratitude for stumbling upon your adorable blog! You're darling!