Do you like change and new beginnings? I personally do not thrive with big changes. I prefer consistent routines that are smooth sailing. Well this last year has brought about significant new changes for our family and me personally. 

Roller Coaster Changes

Within a year and a half we have successfully sold and bought a house. Moved to a new city with 4 kiddos, 2 of which started a new school. I have successfully started 3 new jobs and now am officially on job 4, praying it’s the 4th and final. We have had 3 sitters to keep our littles as well as the littles starting a new preschool two days a week. Did I mention my husband started this train with accepting a new job opportunity. Thank God we are done having babies 🤪 

If your head is spinning while reading that paragraph, you can only imagine that my brain has aged a good 20 years in 18 months. I have seen a couple of gray hairs pop out and have named them Matt and Matt and whatever kids name comes out at the time.  

Along with the aforementioned paragraph of changes, I broke my foot which led to a series of events in which I have been diagnosed with osteoporosis (see post here). Needless to say the last 18 months have been a true whirlwind of constant change and roller coaster emotions. 

The Start of Something New

The title of this post is called “The Start of Something New” thanks to High School Musical. This summer my girls found this show somehow on Disney. I had completely forgotten about this show (circa my freshman college summer), but it is every girl’s dream. Singing, dancing, classic romance, etc. The music is catchy and we now listen to the soundtracks in the car to my husband’s dismay. I can’t get it out of my head though…It’s the start of something new, always. 

Looking Back on Change

Do you ever take time to look back on change and reflect? Or do you continue to push forward. With the start of this fourth job, I have been looking back and reflecting a little bit. Reflecting on all the drastic change, reflecting on how much perseverance my girls have and how easily they roll with whatever life brings them. I can see back to the many times I have lost my marbles and called Sarah to ask her if I am truly crazy? The stress I had with finding sitters for my girls and piecing together jobs to make ends meet was not healthy in the least. 

This new job feels like a glimmer of hope and something that could work for our family for a long time. The schedule meets the needs of my kids in their school settings and the consistent salary is an answer to prayer for our family. Oddly enough I applied for this same job at the beginning of our move, but didn’t get it. Now this job has circled back around and I have received a merciful second chance. Lord always knows best even when we simply don’t understand. 

A Good Change

Along with the High School Musical Song, I also have Romans 5:3-4 running through my brain which says, “suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character hope.” Hope does not disappoint. Isn’t life in general a big roller coaster? We persevere throughout life which 100% shapes our character and who we are. I could crumble and be miserable in life or I can choose a better way. I vividly remember my mother telling me as we were sent to church camp in elementary school, “you can go and choose to be miserable or you can choose to be happy and have a good time.” Spoken words have never been more true this last 18 months of my life. 

I can say that I have not been “happy” in each moment, but I do understand that we are constantly being shaped, molded, and refined. My hope is to always come out a better person not only for my mental health, but also for my husband and for my girls. So cheers to a full year and a half of constant change. Jury is still out if I am crazy or not, but we are thriving. 

Till next time.

XO,

Kimberly