My Happiness…

I haven been thinking a lot about home these last few weeks.

What does home mean to me?

I have been worried about our kids not having a “home” and roots.

…but what is a home really?

We have moved around so much I feel like the kids don’t have any roots.

The day we walked out of our home in Arkansas…. I was heart broken.

I loved that house, and I will miss the memories made there.

It has taken me over a month to come to terms with not having a home.

I felt like someone had fired me from my job the day we left that house. 

My whole life and who I am centers around the home.

I am a stay at home mom.

My home is my office.

After a month of soul searching… I have discovered that not having a home doesn’t mean I can’t be a great mom, and make great meals, and create beautiful things.

I am responsible to create the feelings of warmth and love no matter where we are.

That is my job.

I am back on the map; and ready to be awesome again.

I am feeling more like myself then I have in months. 

I began mourning the move from our home months before it happened.

I will NEVER do that to myself again.

Heavenly Father has taught me many great lessons.

My Happiness does not reside in a beautiful home; it resides in my heart.

After all this soul searching, and putting my happiness back where it belongs; I have realized what matters most.

This last week, I have been trying to make the most of my time with these cute little people.

We are having a great summer. 

I am enjoying the little moments with them, and when I do I realize that they really make me laugh.

I am also treasuring every phone call, and text from my best friend.  He can’t be with me right now.  Oh, how I miss him.

He is working so hard for our family right now. 

Only 1 1/2 weeks left in his four year residency.  I can hardly believe it. 

I am so proud of him and all his hard work the last 4 years.  He is awesome.

We love you Daddy!!

What I have learned?: Sometimes Satan clouds our view so much, we can’t see the great blessings that our right in front of us.

What do I say to that?: “Get out of my way Satan, Heavenly Father has great blessings and responsibilities in store for me.”

I stumbled upon this in my darkest hour.

Elder Busche’s little secrets helped pull me through the dark clouds.

I think everyone who is feeling dark and sad should listen to his words. 

It is six minutes of some of the best advice I have ever heard.

His words, along with Heavenly Father’s love helped put my happiness back in my heart.

I am thankful for the reminder that love is not in things; it is in people.

Speaking of home and things….

Jonathan found us a really fun home in Pennsylvania. 

We will only be there for a year; so it is a rental.

Boy, oh boy was that a process.

It was so hard to find something to fit our family, in the right location, and at the right price.

Once again, Heavenly Father blessed our path.

I have been enjoying looking  at pinterest and thinking of some fun new ideas for our new house.

Here are a few spaces that inspire me:

Can you tell that I am excited about our new playroom? We will have space for one in our new home.

Color makes me happy.

Even though I don’t have a home, I can find happiness in just looking at pretty things.

Speaking of pretty things, I have enjoyed going to the parade of homes with my mom and sisters.

The parade of homes is full of pretty things.

In the past, I would have been depressed that I don’ t have my own home.

Instead, I went with the intent to just enjoy the time with my mom and sisters.

We had so much fun, and laughed the whole time.

There was one moment that I thought, man I miss these girls and just hanging out with them.

We were all inspired by several of the houses.

There is one house in particular that I just fell in love with. 

I took a lot of pictures.

I even dreamt about that house one night while I was sleeping.

When I woke up, this thought came to my mind:

“I love pretty spaces, and I love pretty homes.  I am so blessed to have pretty people in my life; an awesome husband, fun family, and amazing children to spend my days with.  A pretty home to share with them is just icing on the cake, but not where my happiness lies.”

This is all a good reminder that happiness is in living life, and just enjoying it.

Happiness is not in what we own.

I know I will have a house again soon.

I also know that I enjoy being home with a routine.

I enjoy creating in my home, making meals in my home, and spending time with my family at home.

I enjoy making my home beautiful.

I am also grateful that I found where true happiness lies, before we move into a our new home.

That way I can be happy no matter my circumstance.