A year ago this week we latched the doors on our moving truck and watched it pull out of the driveway, bound for Texas. We slept on air mattresses in a nearly empty house as we braced ourselves for the biggest move of our lives.

We had Texas on our radar, watching real estate listing for years.. and 12 months prior we set ourselves a goal to save up and make the move – knowing that if we didn’t follow this dream – we’d probably look back wishing we had. The unknown can be scary, but you have to take the risk, or you lose the chance.

Cat in the carrier, suitcases filled, the girls and I hopped on a plane. Our sweet friends helped us move and get settled right as the Summer heat made itself comfortable – I was 24 weeks pregnant when we moved so ice tea lemonade + the kiddie pool were our staples.

Texas has been good to us. We welcomed our sweet baby girl, Marin in September and took the fall + winter months to be home and cozy soaking in all that newborn goodness – and if I’m being real, three kiddos is a whole new level of chaos.

In the Spring, we joined a local homeschool co-op the girls love. We also planted seeds for a little garden earlier than ever before. Thunderstorms & tornadoes have been a thrill.. and the fireflies are as magical as I thought they’d be when I was a little girl – a welcome surprise that first week we moved here and we were soo happy to see them return in May.

We’re still exploring and getting used to the area around us, especially fond of hill country – getting out to hike every chance we can – including soaking up sunshine & 70 degrees on a trail on Christmas Eve. We miss the mountains we had in Oregon, but have been happy to find soo many state parks, trails and good fishing here. But I will say the bugs are a lot bigger in Texas – no joke.

We look forward to visiting family, friends & our favorite places in Oregon – it will always be home to us. Right now we have our sights set on a goal of property & building our own self-sustaining homestead in the future.

It takes guts to make a move, to take the risk, to follow your heart. It’s not always easy. As I reflect back on our move – sometimes doubt creeps in and we miss family, but things fell into place and the doors opened for us. There’s no denying God’s hand in it all. I hope this is just a sweet reminder to listen to your heart, take that leap of faith.

We’re still following this path, seeing where it leads us – so thankful for this opportunity and the blessings we’ve experienced along the way.