Just some thoughts

It is kinda nice being alone in a new place with new people and things to experience. I am left with nothing but my own thoughts a lot of times. And even though I am in Washington I have realized that (besides my family being further away) things aren't that different afterall.

I am surrounded my people who are just trying to do their best. The other day I was outside in the backyard and the backyard that is connected to this one has a tramp in it. Lots of kids were jumping on the tramp and throwing balls at each other and a few of the balls landed in this backyard and I threw them back. The dad of some of the kids starting talking to Erika and I...nothing different than home. People just doing their best and trying to survive. The kids were laughing and sreaming and their daddy was trying to make sure everyone was staying safe. Not much different than being at my house...

Blazing new trails...

Tolman, my nephew is certainly one of the things I will miss most about home. I love this little boy the way I imagine loving my own little ones.
Tolman taped me to the chair and said, "Now you can't move to Washington. You have to stay here." Soo sweet and soo sad. I keep looking around and wonder if this is really my life...

A few days ago I packed up everything I own into a Budget rental truck (I would suggest a Penske for anyone who is planning to make a long drive. There were times we would max out speed at 45 mph and watch Penske trucks fly by...) and drove from Logan, UT to Lake Stevens, WA on Wednesday. I came without a job, a set place to live, a limited social network, no idea where anything is and I absolutely love it!

I have wanted to move for quite sometime but kept waiting for the perfect time, perfect job, perfect opportunity...I learned there is no perfect time for anything-or perhaps NOW is the perfect time for everything.

It certainly hasn't hit me that this isn't a mere vacation; That I won't be going home in a few days, that I can't hop in the car and drive to see my family when I want to, that this forgein place really is my new home. That is all just a little crazy but so, so exciting.

Last Sunday my mom had a little party for me. My family was there along with some of my friends. When the night was coming to an end and I had to say goodbye to some of my siblings, I was a complete wreck. I don't know if there is a family as close as the Nelson clan-I adore my family, particilarly my siblings.

Danny has always been my best buddy-but more over the past few years than ever before. He will always be one of my favorite people! He is such a good friend and always makes me laugh. His wife Emi is just as wonderful! This is Erika, Danny, Emi and me!

Taryn and Brittany came by...SOOO good to see both of them. Hadn't seen either of them in awhile but will always been great friends of mine. It's soo great to have friends who you can see every now and again but it seems like nothing changes. Love you girls!

Ang, Steve and little Owen came. This was my first time meeting Owen. I had plans to kipnap him but those thoughts left when I saw how Ang looked at her little guy. So much love... Some day I will have my own!Erika flew down to Utah to drive back with me. I decided to show her the my favorite place in Utah while she was here. This is us above Silver Lake.I don't think I would have been able to move without Patrick. First of all, he took over my job, a job that I absolutely adore AND he came and packed up my truck. Thanks Patrick!

My first night in Washington...Sarah and I went long boarding on the same long board. It was pretty stellar.

The things I love about this place...

Right now I am happy and I am sad. Happy because a new adventure is right around the corner. Sad because I am leaving my home and creating another. By the end of the month I will be a Washington resident...

I can't really explain the excitement. I feel that change is the most liberating thing for me. It reminds me that I'm human. That I exsist in a world full of other humans who are doing exactly what I am doing-surviving and loving it.

I'm not too sure if I will ever find a place that I adore like Logan. I can ride my bike a few minutes and be in the middle of a mountain. Its heaven to me. It isn't only Logan though-Utah is amazing! Sure, it is the land of the Mormons (seems to be the first thing that outsiders mention when I tell them where I'm from) but it is soo much more. I have traveled throughout a lot of the US and parts of South America and Europe. I don't think I have ever been to a place that I love (just based on geographical wonders) as much as Utah.

I'm confident that this will always be my home. It will always be a place that makes me giddy when I think about it...