- I've traveled to Utah twice needing to be with family as my grandma's health was failing with her passing away in March.
- I've traveled to Kansas three times as my husband and I look to simplify our lives and create a better and less complicated life for our daughter.
- I've been to Killeen, Texas to help my cousin after surgery and in return my cousin Clay was kind enough to assist us in moving to Kansas.
- After moving my husband to Kansas two weeks ago, my dad flew from Salt Lake City, Utah to Dallas, Texas to help me as I'm temporarily a single parent. Words can not express my gratitude for his help during this stressful time.
I am grateful for the chance that I've been able to help as well as receive help. I've definitely become more grateful for family and their love and support. Yes, my family drives me crazy but sometimes, they're the right kind of crazy! But, when it comes down to it, in times of struggle and difficulty, you find out who's really there for you. I've seen that multiple times this year and again, am very grateful.

Being able to travel to Utah prior to my grandma's passing was a blessing. When my grandpa passed away, they were living in Sandpoint, Idaho, 50 miles from the Canadian border and an hour and a half from Spokane, Washington. We weren't able to get up in time to say goodbye.
That coupled with the fact I hadn't seen him in five years was very difficult. I've struggled with that ever since. I was glad my grandma was closer to family in her final days so we had that chance to not only be with her, but say goodbye. My grandma was an interesting lady who if you told her you had a hangnail, by the end of the week, she'd have herself convinced you were going to loose your finger! :) Needless to say, my diplomacy skills have come from dealing with my grandma for 37 years! I've learned it's not what you say, but how you say it. Again, I owe my insight on that nugget of diplomacy to dealing with my grandma. But, I've found myself missing her and the odd things she'd ask and get worried over. After working in assisted living for three years, I grew to understand my grandma better in a way and miss her quite a bit as well as her grandma-isms that made my family roll their eyes and shake their heads! :)
Kansas was never somewhere I imagined I'd EVER be moving. Who moves to Kansas? Crazy people. Oh wait! My husband read a article talking about how Kansas was offering incentives to get people to move there from student loan pay offs up to $15,000, no state taxes for five years, incentives on remodeling houses or building new houses. Living in the greater Dallas/Fort Worth area is hectic and busy. People rushing all the time making it difficult to really feel a sense of community and knowing your neighbors. With my husband and I both being bipolar, the hectic rushing of daily life seems to take a toll on us and feeling like we fit in.


So, as I look over my crazy year so far, I see so many blessings in the midst of the stress and chaos. It's been a good year and I am truly blessed!