There is one thing you can always count on ...

Change.

Change is on the horizon, again.

Big change.

Change impacting our whole (immediate and extended) family.

We are (now) less than a month from our move back HOME.

In most moments - I'm giddy with excitement about moving back {home}.

Home is where our heart is - our family is - our LIFE is.

But ... this has been our home for the past year.

We've definitely had our share of hardships - but we've had a really great year, too.

A memorable, growing year as a family.

This is where we brought our Ms. A ... "home"... from the hospital.

This is her "home" -- for all she knows.

This is home for the big sisters, too.  They are comfortable here -- this is their safe place to fall each night.

Looking back to one year ago - the fear of change and moving far away from "home" - was almost crippling.

But - with faith - it all worked out.

And (with much help) we made ourselves a new "home".

And now -- as we pack up our life here ... our home will yet again change...

And ... change can be hard and scary and overwhelming.

Even {good} and exciting change.

Change where we will face much transition.

Transition through adjusting to new a new time zone and moving into toddler beds and potty training and baby sleep training.... nothing we can't handle -- but change non the less.

And, just changing up our daily life - in general.

Changes in our relationships.

If there is one thing I've struggled with since becoming a mama -- it's all the change that comes with each transition.

Children are constantly growing - which means change .... and almost three years later it's as hard as it was in the beginning ...

I've learned it's OK to be fearful of change, but in that same moment .. we must also embrace it and have faith that there is a plan and it's an amazing plan for our life.....

If there was ever a testament to that .. it's our sweet baby - Ms. A ... who has absolutely DEFINED our story here in Seattle.

She was part of that "change" I was so fearing one year ago -- and had I known (then) it would include her ... my fears would have been put to rest.

That is the struggle -- in life ... we can't see tomorrow ... or next week or next year ... that's just not how it works.

But what does work is FAITH ... and that the plan for our life is far bigger and better than the story we attempt to write for ourselves...

And looking into my baby girl's big blue eyes -- that's what's helping me face my fears of the unknown,  today...

And, I hope it might help you feel that way too -- because in some way or another we are all facing CHANGE ... big or small...

And although change is the one thing we can count on -- we can also count on faith and God's love to protect and carry us .. and perhaps "surprise" us with gifts --

A gift like a sweet baby girl who's timing was perfect.

Thank God I didn't let fear stand in my way - thank you God.

Just believe... and it will carry you HOME.

With love,
Cuz I'm the mama.