Our 1st Year in Austin: Part III – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
- At May 12, 2015
- By Morgan Reid
- In Austin, Reflections, Updates
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Part I was about missing Ohio, and Part II talked about why we chose Texas. My entire blog catalogs our past year in Austin, Tx, but this post is a quick snapshot into what Austin has to offer: the good, the bad, and the ugly. *Spoiler Alert!: I thank Nathan about once a week for leading us here.*
Read More»Our 1st Year in Austin: Part 1 – What I Miss about Ohio
- At May 03, 2015
- By Morgan Reid
- In Reflections
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I’m currently writing a couple posts: one on why we chose to move to Texas, and one that’s a reflection of Austin. While Nate and I love it here, I wanted to take some blog space and talk a bit about Ohio = )
Read More»And They’re Off!
- At May 18, 2014
- By admin
- In Austin, Changes
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[Originally written 4.27.14]
Whoa.
So I’m back to sitting here on the floor, surrounded by boxes and boring white walls, . . . bland beige carpet.
But there’s also a breeze drafting through, sunlight shining in, gorgeous greenery, and o yeah, I’m not freezing.
WE’RE IN AUSTIN!
Woohoo! Finally : D : D : D
Well, it started sinking in around Tuesday/Wednesday that wow – this isn’t just getting ready for vacation. No – you’re takin’ off for good. Returning only for visits.
Girl – are you SURE you’re ready for this?
Like really, for real, let’s get after it?
Could one ever really know that they’re ready for something like this? Such a drastic change? But like I said, regret is worse than rejection and wonder without action kills the soul. Plus, it didn’t hurt that some events that took place the past couple weeks – seriously had me yearning to get out of the situation. Ugh. Too personal for a blog post, but I’m sure you guys have your “ughs” too.
. . .
So the trip down went really well! Autumn had her rough moments but that’s ok – she was a total trooper. O and we almost weren’t allowed on the plane because I grabbed the wrong tickets out of my luggage – they were for San Antonio, forgotten from our trip a few months ago – it was horrible. Fresh tears started working their way up as I pleaded with the ticket lady for mercy. Thankfully, it was a quickly resolved incident (found the right ones in a different pocket . . ) that will only result in a small portion of PTSD when I think about it in the future.
And a special thank you to the woman in the stylish yellow jacket who was also traveling from Akron to Austin (same plane change, as well) who showed so much love to Autumn and patience with us : )
So our movers, Geoff Will Help, were Australian and it was beautiful. They’re accents were like ear-joy.
Him: “Where should I put this?”
Me: Please don’t stop talking.
So there’s still unpacking to do but that’s ok. It’s actually way more fun – recreating, organizing, and analyzing are some of my favor things to do – cause me to feel more fulfilled afterwards instead of drained. It hits a deep part of my Homemaker heart. = )
New things so far:
There’s this awesome company called Eat In Out that lets you order online and delivers from actual restaurants. Nate coud order Mexican (as always) and I got to have my avocado burger – – At the same time! From our living room. Nice.
We took Autumn for her 1st swim! She’s always loved water – total aqua baby – but I was worried about how she might react being surrounded by it like that. She was kind of indifferent to the water but certainly loved watching Daddy come up from under out of nowhere. 😀 Plus, I think her love will come in once she learns she can splash. Biggest goal right now is her being comfortable with the water and signing up for a Infant Swim Class (that’ll teach her how to blow bubbles and float in water).
Loved this water wrap by the way – Keeps her wet-n-slippery little self close to mama and I get to just cuddle and keep her warm without stressing. It’s awesome, mamas! The mesh is fast drying too : )
Well Autumn’s gonna be up from her nap soon so I better get back to making more sense out of this beautiful chaos. No place is perfect, but if the pros outweigh the cons and your family is thriving, that’s a pretty amazing place to call your own.
HOME.
Morgan (loves to Reid)
Mixed Feelings
- At May 05, 2014
- By admin
- In Changes
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[Originally written 4.15.14]
This past week has been pretty bitter-sweet for me. & I knew it would be: all the in-person connecting with loved ones at our Going Away party, sunny weather, playing at the park, and enjoying this stay at my mom’s place has really filled me and caused me to question a couple times if moving so far away from my home is really the right thing to do. – “Will I end up regretting it?” I’ve wondered a few times, including last night before I fell asleep.
& then I woke up. . . Literally.
It snowed.
It was freezing.
and that cute-n’-fluffy white stuff was covering EVERYTHING.
Okay. I’m good now.
It’s not like snow is the worst thing in the world. Or reason alone to leave anywhere. Actually, a lot of homesteaders move toward the snow – heading into Vermont, Wisconsin, and heaven-forbid, even Canada. Land is cheaper and they really enjoy the rhythm of the seasons – the cold and ice beckoning them to slow down and fill their soul while staying inside.
The problem for us is that our souls are filled by green and sunshine. Wind and bike rides. Hiking and swimming. I want to be able to do those things year-round.
It’s not that these activites mean more to us than the friends and family we’re leaving behind – not at all. Yeah, I’m done with freezing & I’m SO over being stuck inside but more than that: I’m done living for the weekends; and the get-togethers. Especially when 6ish-months out of the year, most of our time – with people or by ourselves – is spent inside! 4 boxed-in walls and a ceiling.
See, I want the quantity of my “week-days” to add up to more quality than the holidays and twice-a-month gatherings. & for me – for us – that means warmer weather. Being outside. Finding God in nature and teaching our little one to see Him there – and allow her to open our eyes to how she sees Him and life in general.
I’m so going to miss my family. And I seriously regret not spending more time and energy investing in certain relationships. In part, I held back from getting too close because in the back of my mind I knew Stow, Ohio wasn’t “home” and I didn’t want to make leaving harder. So while I’m bummed about what those friendships could have turned into, I’m grateful for the reminder that regret is our enemy. I want that tofuel my decisions in Austin & help me grow as a person. branch out. take a change that this thing that scares me could become something amazing.
It’s so much better to just go for it. Pain, hurt, and the “wow-that-really-blew-up-in-my-face”s come as they may. It’s all better than regret.
“Whatever comes, let it come.
Whatever goes, let it go.
Whatever stays, let it stay.”
Keeping in mind that ultimately, He determines our steps and uses and purposes e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g., making us more like Jesus, for our good. (What a Savior!)
I don’t know if Texas is the place for us. Maybe just for now? Maybe I’ll hate those Texas summers. Maybe we’ll end up in Central America, Tennessee, or decide our hometown really is the place for us.
All I know is taking the risk means we’ll know for sure.
So why not?
He’s with us.
Morgan (loves to) Reid
& now I have Hilary Duff stuck in my head . . .
(You 90’s babes would understand.)
So how about you? What risk might make a huge difference for you this year? Even today?
Unknowns and Jesus-Manna
- At March 19, 2014
- By admin
- In Changes, Reflections
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Our house is so chaotic right now. Thankfully it’s an exciting kind of chaos so it’s the good kind. But seriously, things are torn out from everywhere, strewn across the room, waiting patiently to be put into just the right box. . .
Yesterday we visited my birth mom’s and step dad’s new place in Willoughby and got to see my 3 year old nephew and 2 year old niece. What a circus! Is this what I’m in for? Haha are toddlers always such wild animals?
At one point my mom told me that I’ll probably be homesick for a couple of months once we first get to Austin. My stepdad said that happened to him: just moving from St. Louis to Indiana after a few months he was more than ready to go back. But once he went back he saw that it was nothing like it used to be – and he could take it or leave it.
I can totally relate to that. I remember, as a teen thinking “How can life ever be as good as it is now? I don’t want youth group and bible quizzing to stop – Life won’t be as good if I can’t be with my friends 6 days a week – I don’t want to get older!” and then again with moving to Stow, away from my best friend and family – but both times it all worked out and I’m so glad I made the decisions I did. I’m so glad life kept happening and that I kept making new choices right along with it.
Life’s too good to let it go stale.
Gotta keep enjoying bite after bite as they come along.
Kinda like choosing not to hoard the Manna God gives. He’s given you some awesome gifts and you’re content with them. You want to keep them as long as possible; preferring to take a pass on whatever else God has in store because you might not like it as much. Why take the chance? Life is good here. Or maybe you’re scared of this new Manna: it’s new and different. You look at it and say “What is this?” (which is actually what Manna means) and are afraid to take it – grumbling or even resisting what a loving Father offers just for you.
You’d think after 24 years I’d have a rock-solid habit of looking back on all He’s done for me and be at rest because I can see that it’s always been better than before. He orders our steps. He’s had things planned for us from the beginning. He placed that Manna exactly where you’d see it, pick it up, and enjoy it. He delights in nourishing you.
Sometimes that nourishment is monotonous. Sometimes it is heartbreaking. Other times it is terrifying, life-changing, or more than you could have hoped for.
But it’s all nourishment from Him who delights to see you “take and eat,” giving thanks through all we have in Jesus Christ, our true Nourishment – offered and broken for His beloved. (Man, that gives me chills – a King that would die for His subjects.*)
So anyways – all that to get in words what I’m pondering on my heart lately. I’m a firm believer that God wants us to trust, act, and trust (notice trust is there twice). It’s safe to take that step because we know the Shepherd, and we trust that He’ll use His rod to correct us if we start veering off His path.
I’m so excited about Austin. 43 days now. So many unknowns. So many boxes. So much joy.
& Can’t wait to see what He has in store!
May I always seek to eat this Jesus-Manna offered and broken for me with joy and thanksgiving,
Morgan (loves to) Reid
*Have you heard “That’s My King” by Dr. S.M. Lockridge?
You should check it out : )
[Originally written March, 17th 2014.]
Wait what?! Can this really be happening?!
- At March 18, 2014
- By admin
- In Changes
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I’m writing this with a 15lb Fall Baby asleep across my lap and HGTV paused on our projector. I cannot believe that we’re moving across the country (North to South, at least) in exactly 49 days.
1500 miles are about to separate me from my North East Ohio security blanket. 49 days away from embarking on a dream that started not even a year into our 4-year marriage.
2 college graduations and a baby later, it’s finally happening. Well, Part 1 of 5, anyway.
Some think we’re foolish.
Others might say “crazy”.
Most are just wondering how it’ll all turn out.
And a few think it’s amazing. They’re the ones rooting for us. Praying on our behalf as we seek a drastically different life: centered on His Kingdom and righteousness.
I’m excited.
I’m terrified.
I can’t wait to get started.
(Well, minus getting back to packing).
Let’s do this.
– Morgan (loves to) Reid.
[Originally written on March 11th, 2014.]