Today marks one month since we embarked on “Phase Two” of this crazy journey we’ve been on for the past several months. One month ago, we packed up what remained of our belongings and began driving West in search of our new home. With the promise of a temporary job for Brian, we left on a wing and a prayer, unsure of what the road ahead would bring.

Looking back, what stands out for me the most was all the noise in my head. Constant questions and critiques swirled through my brain regarding our utter lack of doing the responsible and predictable thing, the sanity of our current choices, and how in the hell I planned to function without my Tribe (family, friends, community).

Gradually all of that noise in my head has subsided for the most part, though I still have moments where the old ego flares up to remind me how little of a “life plan” we actually have.

As you probably know, I’m currently homeschooling the kids. No need to get them settled into a new school just to potentially rip them out and move several hundred miles away. Last week I began to get a little antsy. The day-to-day routine of math, Spanish, silent reading time, lunchtime documentary, etc. was getting the best of me. So I sat down to pull myself together and formulate a new plan.

Just then, I looked out the window, seeing the glorious San Juan Mountains with the Aspen trees shining their brilliant gold in their peak of fall glory and the solution was simple.

Go outside.

The boys and I had a very frank discussion that day that basically went like this:

Me: “I am going a little crazy here, kids.”

Boys: “Ooookaaaay???”

Me: “Here’s the thing, we’re here in this beautiful place, the weather is perfect and we are getting ourselves outside on a more regular basis. This means hiking (not their favorite activity), biking, strolling through town, I don’t care! It is way too nice not to be exploring more while we are here, the weather is good, and we have the time.”

Boys: ” Ooookaaaay???”

The very next morning we drove to the top of the mountain here in the San Juan National Forest and treated ourselves to a self-guided nature hike, learning the names of the peaks surrounding us as well as their elevations, native plants and animals, saw a forest of lichen and learned how it grows.

It. Was. Awesome.

In the midst of the hike, my mind was quiet. Quiet like it used to be before our lives got turned upside down.

Quiet enough for me to hear that sweet whisper from my soul.

Wanna know what it said?

“You are exactly where you are supposed to be right now.”

Until next time, much love to you!

xo- Beth