One year

One year ago today we were saying our goodbyes. Our small town in Arkansas had been so very good to us for five years, but it was time to leave. All of our stuff was already packed and loaded and on it's way to Charleston. We went to church one last time as a family of four with the people who became our family here. I cried through Sunday school as I loved on my girls. We gave a lot of hugs, wiped more tears, and then headed for the hardest goodbyes... our parents. Luckily, my mom traveled with us to South Carolina, but we had to say goodbye to Brandon's parents and my dad. Ugh. That was torture. We pulled out of town a little after 2 p.m. and traveled straight through.

October 16, 20211, right before we headed east.

Saying goodbye to my Sunday school girls.

We stopped for chicken in Memphis at Gus's. I did my part and drove to Birmingham. We snacked at Quick Trip in Atlanta. We hit a deer outside of Augusta. Mom and the girls were troopers. And B booked it down the highway until we rolled into town at 6:30 the next morning. I remember walking into the hotel, exhausted and ready for bed, as men were leaving for work. I kinda felt like I'd been out clubbing or something. (I mean, I assume that's what it felt like. I've never been clubbing in my life. Ha!) Two hours later we were up and headed to our rent house to meet the moving company and begin the unpacking process.

Outside of Augusta, GA around 2 a.m., thanks to the deer.

Our home in SC

From that day on we put all our effort into adjusting to the lowcountry. In my mind we were home. I could see us living there forever. I can't put my finger on it, and I know to some people that will hurt their feelings, but South Carolina living was good. Yes, it was lonely at times. Yes, I missed family immensely. But ever since July 2010 I always felt a piece of my heart belonged in the Palmetto State.

And yet here were are today. In Arkansas. Exactly one year ago we left. Tomorrow we sign the contract on our new house here in the Natural State. It's kind of hard to process, really. Had someone told me a year ago when I was hugging my dad's neck in the driveway of our home that I'd be back and have a new driveway in a year, I would have laughed in their face and called them crazy.

So what did I learn in that year? In short, I learned...

*God answers prayer. I can see Him in the friendship He gave my girls. Hannah Mae Mae was a complete answer to prayer. We prayed for months for a friend at school and a friend in the neighborhood. Hannah was both.

*God is our Jehovah-Nissi, our banner, and He goes before us. Had our house sold immediately, we would've bought a house in South Carolina. He knew we wouldn't be there long and protected us.

 Our orange house. We were set to make on offer on this house days before we learned of the move back to Arkansas. 

*God is our Jehovah-Jireh, our provider. From Brandon's job, to all the details regarding both moves, and bringing us back to Arkansas, He has provided it all.

*God is Sovereign. He is in control. When I stop and get lost in the "whys' of it all, He is in still in control. Isn't it so easy to tell people to trust God? But when we find ourselves in a situation that doesn't make sense we often have trouble remembering that? Or is that just me? He is in control. Always. Not me. His ways are higher than my ways, His thoughts higher than my thoughts.

I spent several days this summer alone at the beach, praying for God to move in our lives, no matter where that took us. 

I wish I had every question answered. When we were praying over moving back, Brandon contacted one of our pastors here. He told B, in regards to why we had to move only to come right back, "You might know in a few months, you might know in a few years, and you might not ever know why God moved y'all".

I tend to get hung up on wanting to know it all. But on this anniversary of our move, I have to let that go. I have to choose to be thankful for a fabulous 10 months of lowcountry living instead of dwelling on the sadness that we're gone. I choose to remember... 

Boone Hall pumpkin patch

Halloween - The day Caylee came out of her shell for a minute and spoke to Hannah, having just met her. That took a lot and their friendship grew from that day forward. Oh and the HILARIOUS trunk or treat at Chick-Fil-A. 

Thanksgiving with people I had never met, but who became sweet friends.

James Island Christmas lights

Caylee's dream come true -- pet day at school!

 Christmas on the beach started at Coconut Joes!

Our tiny yard that could be mowed with this cute thing! Oh, and my gorgeous lantana!

Shark fishing!

Cathedral of Praise

 Lots of walks on the beach

:)

An amazing school that welcomed the girls with open arms.

Lizards!! Lots and lots of lizards!

Walking along the Ashley River.

Skipping school during birthday week to learn to fly a kite at the beach!

All the cool critters we would find at the beach!

Self guided tours in rickety boats with ALLIGATORS!

Our membership to the SC Aquarium and feeding the stingrays.

Fourth of July on the beach with friends.

Bucatini at Trattoria Lucca!

Thriller!! (And the awesome birthday weekend B threw for me!)

My bridge

Realizing my body is capable of far more than I give it credit for. Charleston was the place I chose to become healthier.

Halls Chophouse

All the times we stopped in Atlanta at The Varsity

I look at this last picture and it tells me so much. I see Caylee and Hannah headed to Hannah's house. I can't count how many times the door flung open and I heard "Hannah's here" or "Mom, can we go to Hannah's?". Sweet memories. I see Caylee as she is, carefree. I mean, skootering in her bathing suit? Priceless. I see our sweet, coastal neighborhood. Sure, we knew our stay in that neighborhood was temporary, but looking back I realize just how picturesque it is. But most of all I see that rainbow. There seemed to be a lot of them in SC. I should have taken the hint then from God. He is Faithful. In all things, He is Faithful. It's my job to trust him.

Thanks for the memories, Charleston. I'll be seeing you.