God is in This Story {Oct. 2025}

"As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is common, everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful. They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness - just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breathe it; just the warmth and shelter and home folk; just plain food that gives us strength; the bright sunshine on a cold day; and a cool breeze when the day is warm." 

~Laura Ingalls Wilder

hello there. 

I can't believe it's been two years now since I last did an October Update. When I didn't do one last year, I thought oh this is fine. Who even reads them anyway. Maybe I'll just be officially done posting. But then I went to look back on all my October posts, and I was very sad that there wasn't one for 2024.

So here I am. Sitting at in the dining room of our new house, typing away on a new laptop that I hardly ever use, and trying to figure out how I'm gonna tell you everything that has happened since October of 2023. Cause that seems only fair, that I update you on it all. Though it isn't much for little ole me, but a lot has happened for my family since then. 

Honestly, 2024 was a really hard year, and maybe that's why I never took the time to write about it on here. We started out the year with the entire family being down sick with the worst virus we've ever had. I didn't get it quite as bad as the rest of the family, so I spent the first week of 2024 trying to just make sure everyone made it through. And we did.

It was in January of that year that my grandpa left us. On January 26th, 2024, "Grandpa Corn" was called Home, and left all of us behind to grieve. That was hard. And it still is. Grief is something that never goes away, but I am thankful for the time we got to spend in New Hampshire with family, for the funeral. That was a rough trip, but very blessed. I haven't been back to NH since, and still haven't been to Grandpa's grave, and honestly, I am scared to go. Though I know I will have to face it someday. 

And so, 2024 was a year of trying to navigate grief and still figure out how to live life without Grandpa here. 

In February, a cousin got engaged and she asked me to sing in her wedding, along with LaKaysha, and her sister, Damara. That was so special - to get to sing Grandma's Song on my cousin's special day. It was my third time singing it in a wedding, but I was still extremely nervous! But we did and didn't mess up, so it was okay. 

That was in June. Grandma came out for the wedding, along with sweet cousin, Valerie. It was such fun to have her in town! I finally learned how to play volleyball, thanks to her. Which is cool, cause I've always felt too dumb to admit that I don't actually know the rules and such, even though I have played it before, lol. 

Mixed in with this very same time was my church's annual Conventions, and it just happened to be in my state last year, so that was a lot of fun, even though it was super busy and we didn't get much sleep that week, between family time, church services, and the late-night youth gatherings. But what a fun time, full of memories <3 This same time, LaKaysha and I did some dog/housesitting, which of course added to the craziness.

After that crazy start to summer, I was actually left feeling very down. This time was another hard time for me. I was starting to feel stuck in my life and felt the need to get away and do something on my own. So, I decided to go to Minnesota for a cousin's wedding, and while I was really scared because I don't know anyone there, I was really looking forward to it.

And that's when we got super sick. Again. And I had to cancel my trip, and I cried for a full day. I was crushed. And have never felt so stuck. 

And so summer of 2024 was just another hard time, but we made it through somehow. And at the end of it LaKaysha and I did something we had never done before and maybe was needed - we took separate vacations. We had never been apart up until that point in our lives, and honestly it was so weird when she went to New Hampshire without me.

But it wasn't long till it was my turn. And I was off to Texas on my own. What feels like a lifetime ago, my great-aunt and uncle moved there and ever since then I've been meaning to make it down there to visit them. They aren't any old great-aunt and uncle. These two were such a huge part of my childhood. While my grandparents on my dad's side always lived in NH, these two were basically stand-ins for them. I consider them a third set of grandparents, and I really miss them living by me. 
But guys, that trip to Texas was exactly what I was needing. 

When I walked into that house from the airport, it felt like coming home. And I laid in bed that night and cried a little bit because it felt so good to be there. And I made such good memories there, hanging out with cousins, and meeting new people. I am an awkward and shy person, and this trip was way outside my comfort zone, but I did it. (a year ago, right now, and honestly, I wish I could go back<3)

Then I came home, and I turned 25. 

And now that brings us to this year. 

When we last left off on this blog, we were living on a farm in the prairie of our beautiful PNW home. And that's one thing that has changed since then - for we now live on a little lot of our own, though still in the prairie, and still surrounded by farms. In fact, our new home is just minutes from the farm where we used to live! And my aunts, Marissa and Marita, now live in that old farmhouse that we used to call home. And what's crazy is how fast that happened. It was just this January that I was praying that God would provide us with our house of own, even though with the way things were, it was looking like we would be renting still for years to come. And then February came. Just one month and God changed everything! By mid-February, my parents not only had bought a house, but we were already living in it. Talk about a whirlwind. The first few months of 2025 brought so many changes. 

While so many changes were going on around me, there was a lot happening inside me that I had to grow through. And it was hard. But somehow it got better and I am learning to trust God with my story. I know that He's got this, and this year has shown me a lot about myself and who God is. 

I've learned how to be okay with my timeline, and yes, as my birthday comes up next week and I'm about to turn 26, I do have moments of sadness. But deep down I am okay. I am okay that I didn't fall in love as a teen. I have been doing a lot of reading in my old diaries, and wow, I can't believe that girl thought she was ready for a boyfriend *facepalm* 

Even now I don't know how ready I am, but I do know that I want someone. And some days the loneliness is so strong it hurts. But I know that God hasn't forgotten me, and I do believe that someday my dream of being a wife will come true. I do trust Him.

In January I flew down to Kentucky and stood beside my dearest friend, Natasha, as she became a wife. I felt so blessed to be able to do that. I cried as she drove away with her husband to begin their new life together. <3 

When I came home, I had just enough time to pack up my room, and we moved to our new house. That was a crazy time, but we were so thankful to be in our new, warm home when the snowstorms came. I do miss the farm, though. It was such a blessing to get to live there despite the hiccups. I miss seeing the cows out the window, and I miss the barn. I miss having a wood stove, though we are all thankful to not have to get wood. I miss my big bedroom, but I do love my cozy little room in our new home.

I am thankful for this little lot in Chelatchie Prairie, and for this little house. I know it may seem strange, but I did cry when we moved in here because it felt like more than we deserve. For the first in 10 years we had more than one bathroom, a dishwasher, heat, and ac. We are warm and dry and mostly without hiccups for the first time in a decade. You would probably cry too. 

Around this same time, at the beginning of this year, I started to do something a little different for work, while still cleaning houses with LaKaysha. I started tutoring for a couple homeschool moms, and I really enjoyed that! I was actually so sad when the schoolyear ended, and I had to go back to just cleaning. 

I ended up getting a job at a flower shop where my aunt has worked for 11 years. I have been working there once a week for 3 months now, and I guess you could say I hate it a little less every time I go. I mean, it's not like I ever hated it. And as work goes it's not bad. But if I think about still working there during the busy season (Valentine's and Mother's Day) I kinda wanna just cry, lol. But it's a job and I'm making it through every Monday.

And I'm still cleaning with LaKaysha the rest of the week, and we're getting by. 

After six years with our car, we did something a little crazy and bought an escape! I still share it with LaKaysha, but it's been such a blessing. We sold our car to our uncle and have been driving out escape for a while now and loving it. When we first got it, it felt a little bit like when we first moved - like we don't deserve such an amazing rig! 

When I say a lot has happened, I really mean that a lot has happened - and remembering it all to write this is actually very overwhelming. 

My uncle found out he had a brain tumor and had brain surgery. I couldn't come around family because I was exposed to chicken pox, and my sister was due with a baby and she hasn't had them before. We learned that it's very dangerous for babies and moms at that stage in the pregnancy, so I had to stay away. For seven weeks, because I kept getting re-exposed, since I've never had them either and I really wanted to get them done and over with. The annoying this is - after seven weeks of staying away from everyone, skipping church, and not being able to process my uncle's brain surgery - I didn't get chicken pox. Like, how rude. All that for nothing. (So looks like I'm gonna need to try again someday)

Sometime this spring the Stenersen uncles flew in and surprised their brothers (my dad and uncle). It was so good to see them, even for just a quick weekend! While they were here we had a bit of an adventure. LaKaysha and I decided to tag along to a wedding with some of our cousins, and as we were heading out to say bye to the uncles and go to the wedding, we met a cop chasing down someone. We pulled over and let them go by, not thinking much about it. 

Later we got a text from our mom saying that the road to our house is closed and she couldn't get out, because the cops had chased someone down and there was shoot out or something happening, and no one could get out, or in. We barely made it out in time, so luckily, we were still able to make it to the wedding and to say bye to the uncles. 

But our parents were stuck on the other side of the closed road and couldn't get out to say bye to the uncles. 

We still went to the wedding, and had a good time there, but ended up leaving pretty early because we were unsure of where we were even gonna sleep that night if the road didn't open up. 

One problem of living in such a rural place - there is one way to my house, and if something like this happens you're just. stuck. 

There is one way to get there - through the mountain. So after phone calls and some stressing, we decided that we would follow our aunt and uncle through the mountain, even though it would take us an hour to get home from somewhere that should take 15 minutes. We were prepared to do that, when the road finally opened up. 

We made it home, and my dad was able to make it out to say bye to his brothers, but talk about a crazy night, lol. 

Another cousin got married this summer, which brought family to town once again! The month of July was crazy, busy! Valerie came to visit again, and this time brought her brother, and we had such a busy week with them! We went hiking through stinging nettle (Welcome to the PNW, Val *laughs*), spent a day at the river, got ice cream, played lots of games, and got so much coffee! And I hosted my first ever volleyball, and it was a pretty good turn out even though it was all my little cousins, lol. 

We didn't have as much time as we would have wanted, so we never did get around to taking them up to the mountains or anything, but it was still a fun time! 

It feels like the summer just flew by this year! The entire year has flown by, for that matter. How is it already October? How are we getting ready to head into yet another holiday season? Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years.

But first we have October. Fall. My favorite season. Time for pumpkin lattes (yes, I'm one of those people, lol). Cozy sweaters. Pumpkins and fallen leaves. Beautiful rainy days, and those crisp dry ones thrown in. Fall mugs, and yummy soups. 

And yet another birthday for me. While I love birthdays, I can't be the only one who has a hard time with them sometimes. Cause they just feel like another reminder that time is going by and yet I'm not at all where I thought I would be by 26. 

Don't get me wrong. There's so much I love about my life. I have parents who love me, a home that's warm, a sister who's been there with me through it all, and married siblings who live just minutes from me. The most wonderful nieces and nephews (who are growing up way too fast). I have a job that is mostly based off my own schedule, so I get to take off to Tri-Cities next weekend to see Kirsten who'll be visiting up there, and that's a blessing. And I feel so blessed to have a rig that I can take up there instead of having to borrow my parents' for the long drives. 

I've been trying to push myself outside my comfort zone this year, and honestly, I have no idea if it's helped my awkward-and-shyness, or made it worse, but I'm trying my best, even though it's been a lot harder than people realize.

It's been a wild year, and if I'm honest, I've really been having a hard time since September 10th happened. And so many people close to me have lost loved ones this year. Babies and children, and it's really been rough. I don't know how we're making it through, but I do know that it's been God all along. 

He's carrying us all through, and He's up to something. I don't know what it could be, but from the very beginning of this year I have felt God working in my life. And while I have yet to see it, I know He hasn't forgotten. And I trust Him. And I know that this will all make sense someday. 

And even before I see it, or understand what He's doing, I am choosing to hold on to hope that everything is going to be okay. And that someday my dreams will come true. And I will look back on my life and be thankful for the way it played out. Even though it meant years of loneliness. Years of trying to navigate life on my own. Years of praying. Years of aching for something I can't see. 

God is in this story. And I believe that. I really do. 

 

yet to come {october 2023}

So raise up your glass, here's to brand new beginnings

And leave in the past all the things that are ending

'Cause tomorrow will bring us a new morning sun

My friends, I believe that the best is yet to come

(The Best is Yet to Come, Ben Rector)

O C T O B E R.

my birthday month. the beginning of all my favorite things. 

I asked on my instagram (@walkinginthesonshine) if people still wanted me to write my annual October update, and it was voted that I should sit down at my computer for the first time all year, and write this post. Just as I have done for the past seven years. But I am rusty when it comes to sharing my heart like this, so please bare with me. 

I am sitting here, trying to remember where life was last October. What has happened since then? Oh, so much, and yet so little. Both at the same time, if that's even possible. At this time last year, we were planning another wedding, my brother was expecting his first child, and I was preparing myself for moving into my own room for the first time in 22 years, or so. And now, we're here. A year later. With not only a new little nephew, but also a new little niece! Bendigo was born to Chancy and Brynna in March, and darling little Nancy was born to Liberty and Byron on September 2nd. Both babies have been such a blessing to have around, and I honestly don't know what we did without them. And come April of 2024 we will be adding yet another addition to our now family of 14. For Felicity and Josiah are expecting baby number 3! The tie-breaker, as I currently have two nieces and two nephews, though Kate is praying for one of each, so I guess we'll see what God has in store, lol. 

My family just keeps on growing, with each passing year. And yet, it's still not me who's been doing the growing. And it sometimes feels like I am standing on the corner, watching all my siblings get on the bus without me. Watching them move on, as I just stand off in the background. I do my best to only look at the beauty around me. Giggles from Kate as we play some silly game together. Chubby grins from Bendigo. The joy of being their auntie. Holding Nancy close, and kissing the top of her sweet head. Watching Gideon do some crazy thing, laughing at how wild that kid is. Watching the cows munch in Golden Hour through my bedroom window. Baking in our farmhouse kitchen, watching the haying go on outside. The mist on my face on foggy days like today. The smell of hay and cows in the air as I stack wood. The chaos of having the entire family over on Thursdays, kids underfoot. Watching my favorite shows, wrapped in a cozy blanket in our beautiful family room in the basement. I truly do love my life. I love my home. I love my family. 

But then, my birthday comes sneaking up on me, and I am reminded of my age. And suddenly I feel like I'm drowning. Like I'm running out of time. Twenty-Four. And still having a hard time with being single. I am forced to face something I have ignoring all year - I am struggling. It's been a hard summer. A hard year. And I am tired. 

In March, I once again stood at the front of a church and watched one of my best friends say "I do". I cried as I hugged her, just minutes after she became Mrs. I held her, and all the other times we hugged flashed before my eyes. And I was reminded anew of God's Goodness. For this friend was dead in sin just a year before that. And now she's New and Whole. Married to a Godly man who loves her. And I am so happy for her. But as I watched her and her new husband drive away, it washed over me again. That feeling of "alone". 

Then, in July, someone very dear to me went Home to Heaven. Alone in his house, Gary went Home to be with Jesus and his Sandy. And all I could think was that I will never walk into church, holding a young man's hand, and have Gary joyfully ask me who my young man is. I will never get to ask Gary for his stamp of approval on my future husband. My future husband will never get to meet my "Grandpa Gary". The preacher who helped me become the woman I am today. I will never hear his laugh again. I will never again feel his firm handshake of "God's Peace, Daminika" as he asked me if I was playing in the snow cause my hand was so cold. Or feel his warm hugs, or hear him remind me to "keep smiling". One time he compared my smile to his Sandy's. And I took the comparison and tucked it into my heart, knowing how much Sandy meant to him. 

One of the last times I seen him, he had been sick for months. And I was worried about him. He came to church, looking thin and walking slow, but still the same old Gary. More than once that Sunday, he wrapped me up in a hug, looked me in the eye, and thanked me for caring. Thanked me for the prayers. And I remember telling myself to take in that moment, knowing how sick he was. How tired and old he was getting. And now he's gone. 

I miss him so much. I miss his sermons. I miss handshakes. I miss his hugs. And I miss his prayers. 

I tried so hard to enjoy summer anyway. I went to the fair a couple times. I tried to live life as if I wasn't dying inside. Cause I know that's what Gary would've wanted. But something I just don't understand is why I am always having to go through these losses "alone". As I watched my baby sister lean on her husband and sob at Gary's funeral, I never felt so alone. But I am so thankful for my brother. He put his arm around me and let me cry. 

And now I am about to turn 24, still with this fresh grief, as well as the grief from my past. For Grandma. For Abigail Rose. For Susie, my mom's friend. For the teenage life I never got to live. For the friend group I never got to make. For the boyfriend I have yet to meet. And I hate how hard this year has been for me. 

My life is busy, it's chaotic. It's full of kids and babies, weddings, and family. I am surrounded by beauty of the PNW everyday - a place I love dearly. 

I took a trip to New Hampshire in March and got to hangout with the NH fam for the first time in way too long. A snowy NH trip is something I never though I'd ever experience. We were supposed to be there for my cousin's February wedding, but a snow storm pushed our tickets off, which put us in March, and flying there for "no reason", but I loved traveling with my parents again, and getting to be with everyone out there. Even though everything has changed out there, and nothing is the same. Since Grandpa and Grandma sold the house, and at that time were even living in a different town. But one of my favorite memories from that trip was taking Grandma's bronco for a drive. Just me and LaKaysha, driving around in our "old stomping grounds", going to see the old house, trying to get around from just my memory and getting a coffee. And then there were the times of driving around with cousins, praising God together in song, talking about all the things life has thrown at us, and all the things God has taught us. Sharing secrets, sharing songs, and just being together. NH may never be the same place it was in my teenage years, or the place it was growing up. Things will never be the same there again, but there will always be a part of me that will want to cling to those things, and the memories I made there. Some of my happiest moments happened in that state, and I will always be grateful for that. 

In May, LaKaysha and I packed our bags, and loaded our things into our aunt's car, and took off on a two-week road trip, along with our "Sister Aunts". We drove all over. Down to Arizona, Utah, and my favorite state (besides my own) - Wyoming. We seen so many beautiful National Parks, and got some amazing pictures (which I will spare you, as I've already over shared them on instagram) and made some memories together. We did so much on this trip, I will never be able to tell you it all in just this post, but here are some of my favorite moments/places: 

• Walking through the Phoenix Zoo, wearing a dress, sipping an iced coffee. 
• My first glimpse of the Grand Canyon
• seeing the places where so many of my favorite Westerns were filmed (!!) and knowing that younger me would've passed out just to be standing where I was standing.  
• walking (more like running) through a rain storm in Jackson Hole, WY
• Watching Old Faithful go off in Yellowstone 
• climbing on ever rock in sight at Arches National Park
• watching the Father of the Bride movies for the first time, while in an adorable house in Scottsdale, AZ 
• the 50s diner (!!)
• that Cuban restaurant in Kanab, Utah
• Palm trees and cactus
• every moment I was in Wyoming 

And now, we're in October once again. The pool has come down for the year, we've been getting the winter's supply of firewood stacked high in the barn, the rainy days have come off and on making my heart come alive, and the burn ban has finally been lifted - I am so ready to gather around a fire, wrapped in a cozy blanket, talking about life with my favorite people. I am ready for Pumpkin latte's, and cozy fall soups. 

On my birthday this year, my family plans to go to the Pumpkin Patch. Which makes me so happy. One of my favorite things I look forward to every year, and this year I get to do it on my birthday. Spending 24 with my family, walking through the corn maze, searching for the perfect pumpkin to sit on the front porch, drinking a coffee, and then coming home to enjoy a yummy supper together. Honestly, I couldn't ask for a better way to spend my birthday. 

And I know that I will be okay. 

I know I am loved. By my family, but most importantly, I know I am loved by Jesus. 

And at the end of the day, as I tuck myself in under the covers, that's all that really matters. 

Not to mention, I truly believe that the best is yet to come. That it will get better. And someday these years of loneliness will make sense. 

But until then, I'll just keep on trusting the One who holds tomorrow. 

Gary and I, on the day I was Confirmed in 2015

just moments after she became Mrs.

And, if you wanna come you can stay for a while

I know a place we could go right now

Pack all of the pieces, broken and bleeding, all of your grief and doubt

I know a place we could go right now

When your questions don't have answers and you just can't understand it

When your mind just won't stop running and the tears just keep on coming

You don't have to explain it

He hears you before you can speak

Come with me, let's take it to Jesus

Let's take it to Jesus

(Take it to Jesus, Anna Golden)

a new year letter {2022}

         " And suddenly I realized 

that every single thing in my life

is fleeting, and that only God

is eternal. "

 Dear Twenty-Twenty-Two, 

I have never experienced a year full of such change. When this year started, I was just  beginning to see the end of a long, dark tunnel. Just barely believing that there was hope, and that I would indeed make it through. With a dark winter and holiday season behind me, I buckled up for the ride we called 2022. And what. a. ride. I had no idea what I was in for. I had no way of knowing that by the end of that fresh new year I would have watched two of my wonderful siblings marry their best friend. I had no way of knowing that I would once again be an auntie to a darling little unknown baby who we call "Baby Pooh". Or that we would sell our home of seven years and move to an old farmhouse in The Flats. A new home, a new and improved family. And a new bedroom, all to myself. There has been so many changes in this year, but it has been a good one, and I have never felt so much like myself. I may not be where I always thought I would be by twenty-three. And maybe I have no idea what I'm doing or why God has me here, but that's just it: HE HAS ME HERE. I wasn't just dropped here. I have not been forgotten. My life hasn't somehow fallen through the cracks of God's Plan. He has me here for a reason. Here. Twenty-Three. Single. Sleeping alone every night. Living with my parents and sister here on "The Farm". Here. 

But back in January, I had no clue I would end up here. Back in January I was still struggling with some health problems that had started back in October of 2021 (and stayed till March). I was going through a lot personally through most the year  and January was no exception. I was still recovering from the wrecks that were 2020 and 2021, but I was muddling through. Putting my all into being an auntie to Kate and Gideon, working on being the friend my friends deserve, and cleaning houses with LaKaysha (like always). My brother was just beginning his relationship with his prairie girl and watching them fall in love (even over long distance) was a joy. and in a flash February was gone and it was March. 

With March came a family trip to the desert to see Auntie A and Uncle Tim. Even Felicity and Josiah came and we spent a fun weekend visiting. In April Brynna came to visit the bro - and us, and what fun! My health problems were finally gone and I was able to enjoy her visit to the fullest. And that  trip (for her) it was set in stone (literally) that she would be my sister. For that was when Chancy proposed to her and she said yes! And still I can't believe how blessed I am to have that girl for my sister-in-law. <3 By the end of April it was obvious that something was happening in the life of my old friend and dear cousin. And it was in May that I got to witness a miracle. God took my cousin, dug her up from the pit she as in and SAVED HER! Have you ever been present as Heaven rejoiced for a lost soul? I will never forget the feeling of knowing she was going to be okay. Or the song we were singing when I watched the change happened in her: 

He lives, oh the bliss of this glorious thought

My sin not in part but the whole

Is nailed to the cross and I bare it no more!

PRAISE THE LORD, PRAISE THE LORD, O MY SOUL!!

{it is well with my soul}

And now she is home. She's saved! And I have my friend back. She came flying back into my heart and my life almost as if she had not left all those years ago. And now we're back to our silly giggles that keep LaKaysha up at night, and our hours long talks. Nothing has moved me more than to be able to sit there beside her and watch Jesus' Light shine out from her soul. Or to sit beside her in church and know that it is well with her soul. It still moves me. It still gives me chills - the good kind of chills - and it still brings tears to my eyes. PRAISE THE LORD, PRAISE THE LORD, O MY SOUL!!! 

Later that month Brynna surprised us with another visit! Took her to the beach and just spent a lot of chill time together. And soon May was coming to an end. And with that came Memorial Day. I went to the annual church campout along with LaKaysha, Liberty and Damara. We camped with Auntie A and her family and had a great time. Liberty left that  campout with a boyfriend, though her and Byron didn't become officially couple till a week later, which put us in June. 

June was a busy month because it was the month that the bro got married, and that required traveling to South Dakota for the wedding. We did our first and only sibling road trip. I traveled with LaKaysha, Chancy, and Liberty and we headed out a week early, to get Chancy to his girl. That SD trip was so fun, and honestly one of my favorite memories from the year. I was blessed to be able to stand beside Brynna  as she became Mrs. Chancy Stenersen. We had a bit of a scare when Chancy got sick with food poisoning just three days before the wedding, but he was able to stand up there and get married without a hitch. I also sang in the wedding as well as was a bridesmaid. It was honestly the most wonderful experience to be able to sing the song that my great-grandma wrote for my grandma's wedding. It made me wish Grandma could see her little grandson up there getting married, but I managed not to cry. I sang it with my sisters, and three of Brynna's sisters. And though we were all over the place during rehearsal we were told we did great at the actual wedding, so that good, lol. 

Traveled home with a "caravan" of us - just three vehicles, lol. Sometimes I rode with the parents, and sometimes I rode with "the aunts" (Marissa and Marita). We sang Disney songs on top of our lungs (Pete's Dragon {1977} soundtrack  anyone??), stopped in Gillette, WY just to chill, and you should've heard the squeals when we got our fist glimpse of mountains in the distance. I enjoyed the SD sunsets, and being at the lake where we stayed, as well as being with my SD girls, but this born and raised PNW girl needs her some mountains and trees. <3 

It seems like we were just barely home from this trip when our little house was sold and soon we were packing up to move out to "The Farm". But before we were able to do that we were hit with a sickness that had us all down for a couple weeks. I've never been so sick in all my life. But the next thing we knew we had made it through that, had moved to a new house and July was mostly gone. That's when we learned "Baby Pooh" would be coming in April of 2023. I can't wait to hold that sweet child and kiss their little face. This auntie is counting the days till April <3 

With moving and sickness behind us I was finally able to enjoy summer in August, with swimming, a beach day with dear friends, and three fair days. Somehow in the middle of this crazy and chaotic life we found time to spend time at the fair on three separate days. Went to my first ever concert and seen Martina McBride live from the grandstands! As well as the rodeo, and tuff trucks. And the fair food was definitely Worth the Wait! There's just something about an evening spent at the fair, eating food, and looking at the animals. 

Summer took forever to leave the PNW, taking up all of September and most of October. It was weird to spend my fall birthday breathing in wildfire smoke and praying for rain. 

Liberty and Byron got engaged in September, so October and November were crazy months filled with wedding planning. Took a trip up to the desert so LaKaysha could practice singing with Uncle Tim, as Liberty had asked them to sing in her and Byron's wedding. And on December 2nd, we got yet another one of my siblings married, and I stood in that wedding too. Chancy and Brynna had been living with us while their little house out back was being built, and the day after Liberty and Byron's wedding, they moved out. Overnight half the people who were living here and taking their meals here had moved on. Life was changed in a flash. We decorated for Christmas. I moved into my own bedroom for the first time in my life, and we slowly started to adjust to this new home life. 

Its been a hard, but good change. I spent the first couple weeks crying myself to sleep alone in my big empty bed. But I can now honestly say that I am getting used to it, and I do love my life. I truly do feel that I am thriving for the first time in way too long. My family is growing so fast with weddings and babies, life is a whirlwind of changes, but isn't this the life I wanted? Maybe none of the weddings were mine, and maybe I'm not counting down the days till the birth of my own child. But these are the things I've prayed for. For years life moved on, round and round, almost as if nothing would change. And just like that. Nothing will ever be the same. Sometimes I wish life would slow down, but then I remember this is exactly what I asked God to do with 2022. I asked Him if this could please be the year that something would happen. And God said, "Buckle up." 

I doubt things will calm down in 2023, with another cousin getting married in February (though I doubt I will be able to make it to that, sadly) and a trip planned for May with the aunts and LaKaysha. A well overdue single "sisters" trip. But mostly in 2023 I just want to go with the flow and let God work His plan for my life. If 2022 taught me anything, it's that life happens fast - why, in January we didn't even know who Byron was and now he's a member if our wonderful family - And that God is working, and things will happen right On Time. 

I seen this quote back in July and it hit me as exactly how I feel about 2022: 

Everything has changed and yet

I am more me than I have ever been 

 

This year I loved. I laughed. I hugged some wonderful people. I grieved. I cried. I healed and I hurt. I started crocheting again and I read great books. I played with my niece and nephew. I played my music loud and sang on top of my lungs. And I've been learning  to dance in the rain. Funny. Because at the beginning of this year I picked a quote to be my "quote for the year". It's one you all probably know, especially if you've been around my blog for a while. And it's one I have always loved: 

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass

It's about learning to dance in the rain. 

    

            " I have found July is just July 

Rainy days will pass you by

You can let go of the ways it could have gone. 

Take a second, take a breath

Take the minutes that you get, cause the rest is just 

a little later on. 

later on." 

Happy New Year!

Daminika