Everyone says that the best day of your life is your wedding day, birth of your children, or perhaps retirement. As I, like many, reflect on this last day of 2014 the past year (and a little of 2013) you could ask me that question and try to force an answer from me but I would be unable to provide an answer. Let me explain, I'm not trying just to be the passive 'Minnesota nice' I mainly grew up as.
On November 2nd, 2013 (yes I know, you many say 2013 is not allowed in a 2014 year in review, but I'm a Texan now, so tough luck!) I married the most amazing woman God could have ever made me for me and who I am. She knows who I am and respects that but provides pushback when needed and knows how to stretch and prod me to grow myself and expand who I am.
January saw the beginning of conversations of a job transfer with Swatch. I had been working 3 part time jobs for the last year or two, enjoying all three things I was doing but knowing it wouldn't be able to last in regards to both my health and sanity as well as for my new family. I was at this time working part time for Swatch at the Mall of America, coaching youth soccer, and working at a church plant with my former youth pastor overseeing the Life Groups. I was working 50-60 hours a week and my wife was managing a coffee shop, needless to say we didn't have as much time together as we would like nor probably needed.
In March we found out that God was blessing us with our own child. At the time it was very much a shock discovery but my wife and I leaned into those we looked up to and who mentored us. We also had to make a decision now as well, would we still consider a job transfer and move? As I'm sure you deduced from above that answer was a yes. The yes was one of great thought, prayer, and counsel with others but ultimately was answered by what we felt God was telling us.
In July I finished my time coaching soccer and my job at the church and Amy wrapped up her coffee career. Thankfully I also had Amy to wrap up most of our things as well in preparation for the move. We filled a POD with nearly everything we owned except for very basic necessitates that we could fit in our 2 door sports car, sold our SUV, and prepared for another great adventure God had in store for us.
August 2nd we drove away from my parents house in Burnsville, MN and said goodbye to Minnesota and everything we had known and become comfortable with. We drove to Kansas City, spent a night in a hotel, and finished our drive to Texas the next day. What a whirlwind of adventure we were on! I need to give.a giant thank you to My wife's aunt and uncle who let us stay in their house for many months and welcomed me completely into the family.
I started that next Monday at my new Swatch store, all alone and knowing that being alone was the only guarantee of this first day at work. I am so thankful to the staff who welcomed me and made me feel not like an outsider. It was nice only working 40 hours each week. This was the first time I had only worked 40 hours a week in several years and I found myself with plenty of free time, which I filled up with swimming in my aunts pool and looking at housing options.
November 11th my beautiful baby daughter was born. I had been coaching girls soccer for 5 years for many ages and levels so I was not surprised when we had found out months previously our baby was a girl. That precious little bundle of joy melted my heart instantly, and now 7 weeks later it is hard to watch her growing every day and doing new things knowing those things I will never get to experience again. She is what God has called me to in nurturing and developing her along with my wife and I couldn't be happier.
The day after Sarabeth was born we signed on our first house. It had been completely remodeled and was exactly what we were wanting and needing. It is by no means a project less house, but when internally the biggest things were buying a washer/dryer, fridge, and putting up curtain and shower rods, I call that a win! We are still in the process of finishing unpacking but it is becoming a home more and more each day.
As I sit here 30,000 feet in the air on my way home to Texas I can say without a doubt Texas is now home and not just where I live and work. I am returning from a few days in Minnesota where we got to spend time with both families and celebrate belated Christmas and as I drove by so many families places I had driven by many times before without even thinking about it they felt weird. Recognizable but not familiar. Known but mysterious.
My favorite (and least favorite part as well, being that I don't like change) about this past year has been adventure! Here's to much more adventure here in Texas in 2015 and would love to have you visit us in our guest room at some point in the year! Sarabeth would love to see you! (And us too)
Adios 2014 and Aloha 2015!
