Run A'ground

So our trip across the high seas has ended and we have officially found land. Granted, it's a bit deserted and still lacking a 'home', but nonetheless there is ground beneath our feet. Of course, I'm being sarcastic... we didn't travel by boat to get here, we traveled by four rubber wheels on asphalt. And we don't have sea legs after our trip, but we are certainly a bit wobbly and feeling out of place.

For anyone who is just catching up, Josh, Noa, and I are living in a quaint little cabin (yes, "really") on the Glen Eyrie property in Colorado Springs. We've been here since arriving. My parents helped us move by driving Shooter (our 4Runner) and following us in Max (our Maxima) while we drove from Dallas to C.S.

*Quick note: Several people have told us that folks in Colorado Springs just refer to it as "The Springs". So naturally I decided to follow the trend. Well, after being made fun of by a few locals (Oh you just moved to "the Springs", eh? Which "Springs" is that?), I've decided to not join the club. Phooey on trendy nicknames. I don't like being made fun of. So I'll just make up my own nickname if I'm short on time, thank you very much.

So, back to us. Here we are now in Colorado. The transition has been as tough as the true mountain folk are said to be around here. An appropriate welcome I guess! When I try to put down in words all of my woes, I just feel silly. They are the typical complaints of anyone making a cross country move... with a baby... a newborn at that... amidst losing a house that was supposed to be our home.... and giving away our cat. As you can tell, I've become really good at pointing out the obvious, painful facts lately. I was probably already good at it, but I'm definitely honing my skill. So, to be fair to the hand that we have been dealt, I shall practice a new skill - observing beautiful things...

1. Our daughter Noa. Of coures, she is the first beautiful thing that comes to mind. I wish you all could see her right now. (But you can't, because this Nazi internet network connection that I'm leaching off of prohibits photo sharing, viewing, etc.) She's laying beside me as I sit on the couch in our cabin with the laptop in my lap (appropriately) and our iTunes keeping us company. She's happy because Mom pulled out a new toy - it is a boppy with nifty bars that attach to it and hang pretty toys overhead. It was given to us by friends back in Dallas - the Segrests (thank you!). So, she's content with her hiccups and her toys and me at her feet. Lately, though, she has not been so quiet! She has discovered that her little lungs can pack a mean shriek. It's quiet entertaining to watch - she smiles, opens wide, and squawks with delight. I think she's just as impressed as we are with the noises that come out of her mouth!

2. My husband, Josh. He never fails to find a way to shed light on a dark situation. Thankfully, his work environment is very positive and edifying, and he is being faithful to share as much of that with me at home as he can. He's a determined soul, and right now his determination lies in making the best of our obstacles. He has borne the brunt of many difficult decisions lately and has managed to glorify God and his grace through them. He knows that life is difficult right now, and instead of undermining my complaints and struggles, he does anything he can to share the load of mothering. And he gives me lots of hugs.

3. This place. Our cabin is located on the Glen Eyrie property, which is just next door to the Nav's headquarters office. Since I'm having trouble posting photos to the blog, I'll just let you explore the link to find pictures. Unfortunately, there aren't any of our little abode, but you get to see some of our surroundings. Wild big horn rams, turkeys, mule deer, and other critters love to lounge around this place. No one bothers them and they don't bother any body. Whenever Noa is just generally unhappy, I can always step outside with her and count on the trees, mountains, and breeze to calm her immediately. She loves to gaze upward and just soak in all the new sights. No sounds of cars or traffic or city noise here! Just birds and wind and the faint knocking of the big horn rams in the mountains nearby. There is a little bookstore/coffee shop on the premises that we take walks to regularly. It's a good opportunity to mingle with other people without having to hop in the car!

4. Pillows. And by that I mean we actually have warm beds to sleep on and a roof over our heads. This, of itself, is a testament to the many things we have been given by family, friends and acquaintances since moving here. Not only do we have beds, but Noa has warm fall clothes to keep her snuggly at night and during the cooler days (thanks to the great shopping spree that Grandma and Grandpa Hughes went on when we first arrived!).

5. Friends with phones. I am reminded every day that I am not alone as friends and family call just to say 'hi'. New mom friends and 'experienced' mom friends (*wink*), dads, sisters and buddies - all have provided good laughs and comforting words.

It is these things and many others that teach me some truths about this life. It isn't easy for any one of us, but the difficulties are not the point. Motherhood, moving, working - they're all mixed bags that you don't get to peak into before they're opened. Like Uncle Buck rummaging through his messy closet, I've felt overwhelmed by clutter and hit over the head with a few bowling balls. This season of change that I'm in began with a painful birth and is continuing through painful stages of growth. But since the beginning of it all, I have been given miraculous, glorious proofs of life. Little sips of clean water to give me just enough energy to move onto the next leg of our journey. It probably won't be easy (that would be out of character now, wouldn't it??), but it is necessary, I guess.

So, enough philosophizing for now. I'm off to change a pooey diaper and laugh at Noa as she smiles through it all (the bigger the mess, the bigger the smile!).

(If you've read this entire post, I'm really impressed.)

Love and peace.