Tulips in January

So…… yeah, it feels like the finish line has moved a few times.  (Mom put it so well in the latest blog)  But can I just SHOUT it from the mountain tops?!.....I see the finish line! GOD IS SO GOOD!!!!!!  First of all…..Thank you everyone for your support and encouraging words since my last blog entry.  You have no idea how much your love, prayers, and uplifting words blessed my heart and gave me hope.  You have hugged me across the miles with your support.  

The other day we went to Trader Joe’s for some groceries.  Love that store!  Well, we walked in and right there in the center of the store was a huge display of fresh cut flowers.  I LOVE fresh cut flowers!  But my favorite flower in all the earth doesn’t come around until spring time.  I don’t know if spring flowers are more dazzling than summer one’s because they are the first to come out after a long winter or if they truly are the most beautiful.  Walking towards the flowers, Kai tugs at my arm gasping, ‘Mommy, look at ALL the flowers! Oh, we have to get Gigi some flowers!’  Her enthusiasm totally makes the sunshine brighter.  And she pulled out a bunch of yellow tulips.  Tulips are my FAVORITE!  God gave me tulips in January.  TULIPS in JANUARY!!!  Helloooooo!  And it was that day, the rest of spring started to show up…….that was just a little over a week ago.

This morning I woke up like it was the first day of school.  Earlier than usual, and feeling not as tired as I should, because….today is the day we get the keys to our new home!  And sooooooo……drum roll please……..the VINEYARDS have it!  Ding ding ding!  The rolling hills and vineyards will be our next resting place in central California.  Of all the dozens of houses we drove by, inquired about, and the few we looked at, 2 homes caught our eyes and both of them wanted our family to live in them!  It was a miracle by far….Paso Robles, in the northern part of San Luis Obispo County was a place we hadn’t considered until now.  But when we looked at homes here it seemed that all arrows were pointing this direction.  Looking back I am baffled.  We seriously drove by SO many houses that we saw were for rent in Paso.  Of those 2 dozen or so, we got into 3. And of those 3, 2 we LOVED and could see ourselves totally living in.  Knowing the difficult process we had to go through to even be considered, I have to say I wasn’t very optimistic!  I mean really, no jobs and a dog are pretty good strikes against ya when you’re looking to rent. And it seems in these parts, its first come first serve.  So if you aren’t the first qualified person to look at something, it’s pretty much gone by the time you inquire about it….AUGH! But as God would have it, He not only provided one house for us, but actually gave us two to choose from.  They both wanted us!!! 

So this little house in the vineyards is a 2-story 3 bedroom, 2 ½ bathroom in a nice neighborhood.  Everything is clean and fresh and recently renovated.  It’s located central to shopping, the highway, town down fun….AND wineries! It has a great river walk around the community and a playground taboot!  I feel like it’s more than I knew I needed.  It has lots of running space for the kids, a huge back yard for Bailey, a master bedroom with a walk in closet that is bigger than the bathroom in our PA home!  I feel totally spoiled!  Isn’t it just like God to give us more than enough, and a little extra, just because!  So this will be our home for the next few months or year or so as we explore and discover our new area.  This is my temporary ‘pot’…..it’s a nice pot!  

Looking into 2013, I feel that this year for us is about exploring, discovering and having lots of fun doing it!  There are so many places in the area I’m looking forward to discovering.  And to start with, Paso Robles is home to over 300 vineyards and wineries!  Its home to California’s mid-state fair.  The beach is a half hour away. And…there are avocado farms 15 minutes from here – YUM!!!!  Farmers markets and community events….and so much more to learn about.  I don’t have to get hung up on having everything perfect or planting roots now.  It’s just a season of fun and freedom to explore! I’m excited!  WE are excited! 

Derek & I watched The Hobbit the other night and what Gandalf told Bilbo before they left for their adventure was so right on. He said, “I can’t promise you’ll return. But if you do come back, I guarantee you won’t ever be the same.” We can totally relate!

It’s been an amazing journey!  Thank you God for dreams come true, adventures and tulips in January. 

   Here’s to the next season and to filling the next pages of our story with NEW adventures.