boiled peanuts, southern food buffets, churches, history, heat index, pregnancy, welding, bugs, potty training regression, beaches, sand, poison ivy, splash pads, lush state parks, gators, hospitality, serenades of nature at night...
For every life change that has upset the rhythm of life as we have known it, there has been a perk that I am not sure how we ever lived without.
While Scott was finishing up the last job in Salt Lake City, we began investigating the options for travel based -jobs available across the country. Michigan popped up, Minnesota, Wisconsin...North for the Summer sounded ideal. However, as we looked at the best timeline and prospect based on our needs, Georgia was the logical choice. Oh, how I did not want to go to Georgia with a heat index of 109! I was already frying in the dry heat of Utah.
However, the lifestyle that we have chosen, does not leave much room or time for contemplation of the next stop. It was time to go and everything seemed to be falling into place. The travel began the evening of the 29th, and the first stop in Wyoming had us parking at WalMart at 3:30am. The next day was the longest, hardest day of travel. Three girls and a pregnant mom results in a lot of stops, we were lucky if we were able to get 2 hours straight of drive time in. Once we woke up in Nebraska and headed to St. Louis the girls were already in a rhythm of get up and drive to the next destination. It was a grueling schedule, but the anticipation and adrenaline seemed to keep us going. It's a little weird to be staying still right now. We were able to visit with my sister and my brother without veering off course. One of the highlights for Shiloh, Jocelyn, and Selah was enjoying a bubble bath at Aunt Jacki's. Once we hit Tennessee we were able to slow down a bit with 4 and 6 hours drive days versus 10 hours. I think my favorite spot was Chattanooga. Although, the Southern heat was nearly unbearable at that point. It is amazing the stamina and pace that I have been able to keep while traveling pregnant. I have never pushed myself so much during a pregnancy. I am grateful for all the answered prayers.
What the hell have we done? The momentum of go, go, go came to a screeching halt when we arrived in our little campground out in the sticks of Georgia. We loved that we were finally out of a city rv park and resort living was not really our style, but we were not prepared for our new environment. The first adjustment was the steam bath that we were constantly walking around in. I literally braced myself for opening the door each time to the heat wave outside. Not to mention the swarm of flies that would enter our home upon each door opening...and the aggravating, agitating, annoying, pesky, pesky gnats. Then, when Scott went to find his job site, he was not prepared for the amount of country road driving and the length of time that would be spent on the commute. Selah surprised us with her forehead covered in poison ivy within hours of arrival and total potty training regression. The first 3 days, especially with the pressure of the welding tests and uncertainty about a start date, were a difficult adjustment. However, whenever we have questioned our decision to embrace this lifestyle or started to feel like we are out of our minds, God usually sends a stranger to talk us of the ledge. And we found that in a neighbor who is traveling for pipeline work.
We are now past the welding tests, we have a start date for work, we are reviewing options for a closer campground, the humidity while still not fun can be bearable, we have been told about a few tricks to relieve ourselves of the constant bug attack, and in the event we really find ourselves in the midst of self pity...Southern Food. Scott has been asked to share his testimony with a new friend's struggling family member, we are attending a local church tomorrow...Southern Church y'all, and God is using all these development opportunities to grow our family spiritually, and mentally, and physically.
I am not sure what is in store for our future as we embark on our journey. But I do believe our family needed this. It was hugely necessary to work our way into this lifestyle a little at a time while being surrounded my our supportive fRamily for a year. The rug being pulled out from under us as we found out about our first out of state job location and having to get there quickly was probably the only way to get a good dose of courage and just go for it. And we needed to be in a place that brought us so far out of our element to see what our marriage and family were made of, where we as individuals could expand and grow outside of our comfort zone, and to test our faith just enough to know that we truly are held.
I must also point out that our kids have been amazing! They have taught us so much about perseverance, having a positive attitude in the midst of change, and being content regardless of circumstances. Although, if they let one more fly inside, they may be getting a one way ticket back to Utah. :)
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