Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Moving.


















These photos were taken by a friend of mine (thanks, Katrina!) and mean so much to me since they are mostly in the backyard of our little house where we've lived now for 2 1/2 years.

In just over a week we will be moving to Carlsbad, California. Jake's company is transferring him down there to cover the southern California region.

It is so surreal to me that we are moving, and leaving this place behind. Utah has been our home more than once as we've bounced around from place to place. I have 6 siblings here. Hannah, Jared, Miriam, Gideon, Naomi and as of this summer, my little sister Bethany. Most of them have young kids or newborns. Their faces go through my mind as I prepare to move away. So sad to think they will no longer be part of my daily life. I've pushed those feelings away for most of this process. I can feel them  coming like a tidal wave.

And my friends, my FRIENDS. Some of the most amazing people I've ever met in my life. Diverse, open, trusting, caring, women. I will die a hundred deaths without them.

The positive side... we are moving to a place about a mile from the ocean. To me, it's as close to home as I can get (although, still 12 hours from my hometown). We visited there a month or so ago. We went to the beach and after the girls had gotten their legs wet, I took Lillie's hand and we walked along a rocky jetty to the very end, my arm shaky from lifting her over every boulder and crevice for 200 yards. The breeze was overwhelming. The city of Carlsbad was behind us, covering the cliffs, and Jake and the girls were just below us on the shore. We sat there for a bit, Lillie and I. She stuck out her jaw, the sun on her face and her hair blowing back. I got tears in my eyes then, seeing my strong girl with her sparkly eyes facing west, the cold Pacific spray on our legs and nothing but open water on the horizon.

I don't mean to be dramatic. I just got emotional on the jetty that day, my gypsy heart winding it's way around that new town. Letting myself get drawn in by this completely new and gorgeous piece of coast.

Change molds us, like driftwood. It shakes up the box that holds our family until we finally resettle in slightly different positions, the light is different, the walls are different. Everything is fresh. And there, in that place of unpredictability, is where I thrive.

15 comments:

Megan said...

What an exciting event and time for your cute family! I'm sure you will instantly make a dozen new friends cause you are so sweet and fun! Good luck with everything! We will miss seeing you guys around here!

Laynie said...

How exciting! And so close to the beach. Good luck with everything :)

Emily Allen said...

Oh Sarah,
I'm so sad you are moving. I care about you and your little girls so much, your family. You write and photograph in ways that travel straight to the heart. :)

:( I'll miss you. I'm sad I didn't come see you more often. I'm glad we saw each other once in awhile.

Please keep up the posting and progress of your new home.

Miss you terribly. Hope for the best. :)

Emily

Sarah said...

I so happy for your family. I am sad for the rest of us who you will be leaving behind.You have such a wonderful kindness about you and I will truly miss that. Good luck Smylie family.

Anonymous said...

Im so excited for you to be close to me!!!!! Let me know if you need help moving :-)

Lynnie said...

Dang it Sarah! You just keep getting further and further away! And I was just trying to figure out a way to get you out here to the East Coast to take pictures of my delivery in August. Boo hoo. But have a blast in CA!! Can't wait to see your pictures!

Lisa Henderson said...

SA-WEET! We go there all the time! We will probably see you way more! Johns grandparents live close to there. We will even be there on Fathers Day! Carlsbad suits you!

Debbi said...

Oh how exciting! (I am a little sad though, we are moving back, you are moving away....who will take pictures of my baby?). Those pictures of you and your girls are so amazing, you look great, like you are their older sister...not their mom! I wish you guys luck! You are always amazing no matter where or what you do!

vicky said...

Sarah, I am sad to hear that you are leaving Utah...but going to the Pacific Ocean sounds so wonderful to me. I grew up in No.Ca. too and if there is one thing I miss and wish I could share with my kids...it would be the Ocean. Your family will have such a great adventure! I am a little jealous! Please keep in touch!

Clarke and Kamie said...

beautiful pictures!!!

Kate said...

I love you guys so much I don't even know what to say. I am going to die without you.

sniff.

chanel said...

sounds like it is going to be awesome- hard things always are.

next time shoot for the Rockies, you'll have a built in BFF there! ;)

Meggan said...

This is SO fun! We only live about 45 minutes north of you. Definitely will have to meet up at the beach!

Missy said...

The beach is always there at the end of a long day. It's the reason we pay higher taxes...

This was beautiful. The photos are gorgeous. Can we plan a beach/photo day? I can NOT wait.

Hillary said...

This was a beautiful post. To the point I feel a strong urge to move too. I miss you, Sarah dear. Keep on writing and being awesome.