The winds of change

In this great four season state of Iowa, the winds are changing. It has, mostly, been in the 70's all week. This time of year has me a little sad summer is about over. It has me thinking of things and people I miss. The winds of change are here! No matter how hard I try to enjoy every day I still have moments or days of failure.

I also can't help, but realize Camden will be two in about a month. And how much Holden is "changing" every day. My perceptions are changing too. We're all changing in ways we hope are for the better.

This week Cliff and I have talked about changes we still want to make with our lives and where we want to be in the near and distant future. We are still working toward our goal of selling our home (this winter or spring) and using the equity to get on the road. We're researching jobs on the road for Cliff, RVs, and reading stories of other families who have embarked on similar journeys.

Instead of focusing on all the work we have ahead of us to make these things a reality, I have been trying to visualize all the places and things we would like to see and do as a family. Holden (5 in Dec) is very excited about our future plans. He says he won't miss his friends here. He loves his friends though! But he loves his mom and dad more? The fact that because we chose to attachment parent our children means they have a strong relationship with us. Plus they both make friends easily wherever they are because they feel secure with themselves. Some of these factors play into our decision making.

As a family, we are content and excited about the winds of change. As the seasons change, we hope it brings us closer to our dreams. So what are our dreams?

Some of our hopes and dreams:
~Spend more time as a family having fun!
~Go jet skiing, biking, hiking, walking
~Make camp fires
~Star gaze
~Visit family in Texas
~Visit family in Maine
~Visit friends and family
all over the U.S. (and in Iowa)
~See the U.S. National Parks
~Visit all the oceans, great rivers,
and other large bodies of waters in the U.S.
~Appreciate wildlife in natural environment/habitat
(at a safe distance of course)
~Go Fishing more often
~Learn about our U.S. History by going to State and National monuments
~Make new friends all over the U.S. and beyond!
~Visit museums, science centers, zoos,
State and Natl. capitol buildings, etc.
~Laugh at mishaps and learn from mistakes
~Love and smile often

These are just a few off the top of my head. I used to dread change as a child, teen, and adult. I now see change as an opportunity to grow and learn. I don't know how many more seasons we'll be in our house in Iowa. All I know is that it seems the change is still coming...

Photos:
The catamaran is on the lake near our house--Aug. 2006
Camden on a friend's scooter--1/2006
Holden at the lake near our house--1/2006