Bittersweet Part 2

I went to start a new blog today because I was liking the idea of writing out some of my chaotic thoughts and happenings of the last little while. I went onto blogger, and realized that I never did write part 2 of my bittersweet post. So here is Part 2. When I wrote the last post we had sold our home at 23 St. Remy Dr. and were moving into what had been our rental home. We have now been at our "rental" home for just over 1 year. It's crazy what can happen in a year. And the craziest part is that I didn't even realize all we had done until I have begun to sit back and ponder what to write for this post.

The bitter part of our move was that we had to move at all. I loved that house, it had been our first family home. Both Clayton and Cooper our 2 older boys were born while we were there. And we had begun to make it into a home that we really loved and could see ourselves living in for a long time. Over the past year or so, Clayton has said a couple of times that he misses that house. When I ask him why, he usually says because it was bigger and he had more space. Which are very good reasons. We definitely downsized...I miss our backyard, and all of the gardens that we had. I miss the pool for the boys, I miss our "mancave'. Like crazy, I miss our neighbors. They are some really incredible people. I miss having a babysitter right there, who was AMAZING. It was a good place to be.

However there is a sweet part too. We had to move, largely because of financial reasons, we had gotten ourselves into a really bad spot, and the best solution at the time was to sell the house to be able to use the equity to be able to pay off as much debt as we possible could. And that we did!! We paid down a lot of our debt and were able to start saving. Which is awesome. It feels really good to be able to breath again financially.

Ben and I were both also really feeling the need to simplify, and that has been sweet as well. While we were living at St. Remy, we both had a lot on our plates. Ben was in the middle of building a business, he was working a lot, and learning a lot about what being a business owner really meant. I had 2 small babies at home, which in itself is crazy! We were running the B and B, which was awesome, but again it took time and energy. And we still had a rental property. We didn't really have a lot of time to breath and something needed to give. When we moved into our Baseline property, life did become simpler. We no longer had a B and B or a rental property. The house is smaller and therefore it is much easier to clean and maintain!!! But I think more importantly Ben and I have used our "free" time to think, to be with our family and to really get to know what it is that we actually want out of our life. Ben and I have had a tendency to chase the next shiny thing that came our way that sounded good, but I really believe that over the last year we clarified who we are, what is important to us and what we are going to do to achieve our dreams and goals. Knowing these things is incredibly freeing. It has allowed us to grow and become stronger.

I have had a chance to read some really good books. There is nothing like a good book, a cozy blanket and a hot chocolate. While this may sound trivial,,,I honestly had not been able to sit down and enjoy a good book for the last 2 years. I have been able to grow and spend time with the relationships that are so important to me; friends, husband, kids and family. We have had the time to repaint and decorate the house the way that we want it to. I ran a 1/2 marathon. Ben has been able to totally focus in on his business and has had his best year yet!  The boys have been able to get out skiing. Clayton played soccer this summer. Both of the boys have been able to enjoy swimming lessons. And we have had a new baby girl!! Ally Joan, joined our little family December 23, 2014. We started going to new church, which has been one of the best changes we have made this year. It has really challenged and strengthened our faith.

So yes while we did have to leave a home that we loved, I think that the sweet parts have totally outweighed the bitter parts. I am truly thankful for all of the lessons that we have learned over the last 2 years, and I don't think that we would be where we are today without the challenges that we faced. The sweet parts have become what is truly important to us, and we have actually been able to devote our time to them. I do thank God for the way that he has brought us to where we are today and I can't wait to see what the next 2 years will bring our family!!!!!

"I know for sure: your journey begins with a choice to get up, step our and live fully." Oprah Winfrey