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Right now we are back in the midwest visiting my family in Ohio and Luke’s family in Indiana for two weeks.

We got here on Friday night after a four hour flight into Chicago. Little bitty did well on the flight, but lost it in the car on the way to Luke’s parent’s house. I don’t blame her … it was a loooong travel day!

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But the hours en route were soon forgotten when we were with our families. We pack a lot into our trips home, and so far this one has been no different. We’ve already had my nieces first birthday party, my birthday, Lila’s first baseball game (go Mud Hens!), her baptism and some swimming.

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_MG_0109Since we’re staying for two weeks though, we are making time for some good relaxing too.

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Today Luke is golfing with my dad and brother while I hang with my best friend and Lila’s godmother, Julia, along with her little boy Liam (my godson). Then tonight it’s off to my brother’s for dinner with his family and Lila’s cousin Reagan, who is just a few months older.

Then on Saturday it’s off to Indiana to spend the rest of our trip with the Batman’s.

There’s nothing better to me than getting some good family and friend time. Living on the other side of the country means my in-person time with my closest people is limited, so I’m soaking it all up.

It’s wonderful to see Lila around so many people who love her too. So far she’s a little unsure of all the attention. She must get that from her dad. ;)

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_MG_0137I truly believe that some of the greatest happiness we get from life is from our relationships with the people we love. And over these next two weeks, I’m planning to fill up on lots of smiles, long talks, hugs and laughs with my tribe.

 

Wanting It All

This weekend was a disapointing one. I was set to go home for my godson’s (my best friend’s son) baptism in my hometown of Toledo, Ohio. It was short trip, just Fri night – Mon am, but I was so excited to get just a few days with my family and best friend. I haven’t seen any of them since September.

Unfortunately snow in Chicago caused my flight to be cancelled on Friday and the earliest they could get me into Toledo was 11pm on Saturday night. Since I had to leave Monday, it just wasn’t going to work out. I decided to refund my money on the flight to use for another time when I can stay longer.

Driving away from the airport, I had tears in my eyes. Situations like this, when I am missing something important to the people I love because of distance, makes me feel terribly homesick.

I still haven’t figured out a way to balance the amazing lifestyle we have here in Tahoe with the distance it puts between us and the people we love.

On one hand I imagine us starting a family out here and not having anyone there for first birthdays or baptisms or summer days at the beach. That is so sad to me.

On the other hand I imagine life in Ohio and see jobs we aren’t excited about and a lifestyle that is missing on all the things we love to do like skiing, hiking, being on the lake etc.

I want it all and that is impossible it seems.

When I got home, I found Luke sitting on the couch by the fire. I curled up in his arms and told him about all the worries I was having. He let me talk it through and empathized with how I felt. I appreciated that he didn’t try to “find a solution” but instead just said:

“Babe – there’s just no way to know where life is going to take us right now. But I do know that life is about being happy and we’ll do whatever we need to do to feel that way. So let’s just see what happens and not worry too much about things down the line.”

Then we talked about how I could go home more often to see my family and to make sure I’m able to be there for special moments I don’t want to miss.

I love that just when I’m feeling sad and filled with worry, Luke is able to calm me down and help me see that nothing is permanent or binding. And that together we’ll figure it out.

I feel like having him by my side is going to mean that I will always be able to be happy no matter where we are.