A Mountain Retreat

Last week we were able to shed the stress of our "normal" (ha ha ha) life and head off to the mountains for some time catching up with friends and family. Jon and I spent some much needed time visiting with dear friends in Asheville, and the kids had a blast staying with their Nonnie and Poppie in Tennessee.

Hannah with Nonnie and cousin Daisy

It was incredibly refreshing to be once again back amidst the strikingly beautiful backdrop of western North Carolina and east Tennessee. The weather was rough during the start of our trip, but it returned to being beautiful as the week unfolded.

Enjoying Lunch at Cades Cove

Referring back to my comment about having a "normal" life, even in typing that one word I think that there is enough irony to pack a real punch - one that either makes you laugh hysterically or simply cry and I've done both. As far as normal goes, Jon and I have experienced a total of nine months of what most people consider to be normal. That nine months began when we started dating and ended the day his brain tumor was discovered. Since then, it seems that life has been a roller coaster full of all sorts of twists, turns, corkscrews, and yes, dark tunnels as well. I've always enjoyed a good thrill, but sometimes this roller coaster has just plain scared me with its unpredictability.

In the same way that a roller coaster always comes back to its original starting point, it seems that we too will be making a return of sorts to a starting point. Two weeks ago our tenants gave their 60 day notice, letting us know that they will be vacating our home on April 30th. This notice came on the heels of our seeking God, asking Him where Jon needed to pursue his BSN and if we needed to stay in Atlanta or not. At this point, it looks like we will be returning to our home in Tennessee and finishing school there.

This is has been another faith journey for us. We are in so many ways right now at the mercy of God and His provision, especially with Jon being in school. We are still in pursuit of our goal to complete nursing school, but it now appears that we will be coming full circle and returning to a place we left almost 2 years ago.

Enjoying Time with Daddy

One of the best and most beautiful parts of a roller coaster is the feeling you have once you've left the ride and are walking away back to 'normalcy.' One cannot and will not be the same - impossible. The experience, wether thrilling and wonderful, or terrifying and horrible will forever be part of you and you cannot be the same person. I believe our leaving TN was a necessary and needed experience, we have lived as we have never lived before and we have made cherished friendships along the way. We have grown and changed as a result of the journey. We will not and cannot be the same people we were before we left - it is impossible.

Life is an adventure... we married each other with this motto, and it has in so many ways carved out what life has held and looked like for us until now. I don't believe life will ever be exactly 'normal' for us, more adventures are still to come. And though not every adventure is a happy one, I welcome them nonetheless.

I wonder what will come along next?