The Cotswold Way

We hiked a small portion of the Cotswold Way

Through out the years Derek and I have been on a "moving journey".  It wasn't a planned out career choice, just life dictating economical housing, graduate schools and lastly career.  Once we hit the career milestone, I was for sure that our traveling roots would finally grow in soil that would keep us firmly planted in one place.  How I have whined and cried over feeling as if we'd never have that. Little did I understand God's plan for me, or the reliance I needed to place on him.

Speaking of reliance....Georgie and Sophie have had terrible congestion and though over the counter medication works fine temporarily we'll have to try out the British surgeries tomorrow to get expert help.  Unfortunately I'm getting sick too.  So it looks like a grand total of 3 Smiths will need see a doctor tomorrow.  I wish it stopped there but I have been so grumpy that I gave my kids a long scolding for not doing their kitchen chores after dinner and I'm pretty sure a sweet sister from my ward heard the whole terrible thing.  I sound like the Trunchbull when I'm mad, so welcome to the Smith Abode folks. 

Georgie pre-wheezy cough, chillin on the play equiptment.

Other than the sickness, house-hunting, and child management we really have been cherishing these moments.  Derek and I found a great deal on a Volvo XC 90, so we bought it.  It seems to drive well and there is enough space for all of us so we're happy.  With the car comes broadening our scope of exploration.  We went on a beautiful trail yesterday which is part of the Cotswold Way.  It was the first completely blissful outing since we've arrived.  I'm pretty sure we're nature lovers.  We like shops fine, but give us pastures and rolling hills and we're home.

Breath taking views from our hike.

As a professional daydreamer living in la-la land, it has been hard for me to accept that life isn't always rose colored and that true joy doesn't have a sugar coating.  With each move I have come to understand that joy is hard earned and life's rosy glow is really a dull, rainy day watching Bondi Doctor.  With that being said, the Lord has been good to Derek and I.  He must've been listening when I begged him to help me travel the world and explore new places and cultures.  I just didn't realize it would mean the "over-weight, middle-aged me--with 5 kids in tow", looking for the British equivalent to Children's Dimetapp and deciding whether or not to live in the city or outside of it. Somehow, the Cotswolds and the regency era has got lost in translation.  It takes quiet moments, long walks and a lot of exhaling to remember to take advantage of this blessing and to cherish it.  I have come to understand in these moments what a tender mercy it is to live here, with all of my family.  It is like a little present delivered to my door, wrapped up in a bow.  Now I need to be a grateful receiver of this gift.

Silly panoramas are becoming a Smith Family tradition.

I hope we can keep journaling our experiences here in the UK.  Seeing how my last post was a year ago I'm not holding my breath, but I have high hopes :)