Transition

I used to think that transitions in life happened for a set time AT a set time. In fact, that's what I teach in school every day, especially at the beginning of the year. "Okay, we're going to put our folders away and get out our silent reading books. GO! 10...9...8.." For me, those are what the bulk of my transitions look like.

I thought our transition to Manhattan would be similar. Move, begin new jobs, begin happy new life here. HA! I should know better than to tell Heavenly Father how life should go, right?

Soon after moving here, we felt something was not right. Not with Manhattan, but with one aspect (and I am purposely being vague here because this blog IS public, but if you know me, you already know what it is).  This happy transition quickly started to turn into, "What do we did do?" "Did we make the wrong choice?" "Did we receive spiritual confirmation before WE decided?" After several months, it became, "How do we get out of this?" "What are we supposed to learn?" "Is this where Heavenly Father wants us to be?" Throw in student loans, a stressful new calling, infertility (you've heard all this), and we had one monster of a burden on our minds.

And so we've been in transition for many months. We knew we needed to change, but sometimes it takes an incredible act of courage to leave something wrong, EVEN WHEN YOU KNOW IT IS BEST. Even making that leap is incredibly scary. Even as we have hoped and prayed that this transition would be quick, it is not happening as quickly as we would like. There is still a fair amount of trepidation and worry about the future. We still have the student loans and the infertility.

But today, we make the leap. And even though I am really excited and happy, we are still hoping and praying (and fasting and praying and studying, as we've been doing for MONTHS) that Heavenly Father has something better in store for us. And we are fighting against an incredible amount of self-doubt and fear, and employing every bit of faith we've got in us.

Gratitude helps. Gratitude for healthy bodies, REALLY old cars that keep ticking. Money in savings, just in case. My job (thank heavens I am employable and have health insurance). Good friends. Opportunities to serve. Confirmations from heaven that yes, He is aware of us and Just hang on! Families that we can call when we need comfort from people that have known us a really long time (and no small thanks to Skype either). Brothers getting married, brothers on missions.

And most of all, for a marriage that has been strengthened this year. We often discuss how we could never survive burdens like these on our own, how having your best friend to come home to makes a world of difference. Our marriage has transitioned over time, but only to become more strong. I think of that object lesson about one branch being easily broken, but you bind it together with more, and it's harder to break. I like to think we are that way :)

So, going back to transitions, I think that they will never go away. I can only hope that we continue to transition into the kind of people that Heavenly Father knows we can be. We have even started to laugh at our burdens because, I mean, what else can you do?  (We also laugh at the hope that our next burden will be what to do with a million dollars). We know we are meant to become more than bitter, angry people upset at God for what He has placed on us. We know Him better than that.

So, here we go!

Manhattan 1 Year Mark

When the Thomasons live anywhere for one year, it's a big accomplishment. Topeka was our record at four years, but still, one year is something to celebrate. I just wanted to quickly recap our year:

July 2012

We moved into apartment 7, on 7/7, for our 7th move. We became grownups and bought a couch, and upgraded to a 2-bedroom...which we really have to use for storage because we lack a lot of storage space. However, we love our fireplace, and the fact we don't have many neighbors (the model is across from us, so no one lives there). The washing machine is now in our building. Cha-ching!

We drove to the East Coast to eat crabs, swim in the ocean, and see my side of the family in Maryland and Pennsylvania.

August 2012

I started school, and we attended our first K-State Wildcats game. We are a fan of both my new school AND the Cats!

September 2012

I love my kiddoes and I'm breathing a huge sigh of relief...this year will NOT be like last year!

October 2012

Somehow my awesome coworkers convince me to dress up with them for Halloween. We are superheroes, and pretty much the coolest third grade teachers ever!

November 2012

We headed down to Wichita to visit our friends for Thanksgiving. They give us some super awesome nuts that we gobble up. Yep, that's what I remember from November :) Probably because I get called as Primary President and I spend the entire month overwhelmed and terrified!

December 2012

It snows! We get a day off of school right before winter break. Christmas was wonderful and low key. We roast marshmallows in the fireplace, and check out the light displays. Christmas Eve is one of the best I can remember (minus Todd having to work that day).

January 2013

I remember how miserable I was in January last year. This year, the kids are super wonderful when they come back. I pinch myself...nope, things are still this good!

February 2013

It's theme week at school, and again, somehow I'm convinced to participate (can you sense a pattern here...I am NOT a costume person!)

I have a birthday, get my hair did, and spend the day in T-town. Todd spoils me again.

March 2013

Head to PA for a little girls weekend!

We ended up sneaking down to see another one of the girls, my Granny Ross. Love her!

April 2013

My friends makes us look super pretty in our pictures. We feel blessed. Even if it's just us two from here on out, I still love our little family. We are healthy, and happy, and THAT is what matters.

We head to Wamego for the Tulip Festival. No tulips, but we did find Toto's Tacoz! Love the land of Oz!

May 2013

School ends, but not before I find myself looking ridiculous in the newspaper. You know you are a teacher on a field trip when you are decked out in comfortable clothes, carrying a backpack, holding a camera, and rolling a third grader in a tube, simultaneously.

We have Field Day, and then it's over :( Many of these kids will PCS out of Kansas this summer. Sad face!

Todd and I celebrate 7 years of marriage. Time flies when you're having fun!

June 2013

Todd and I take a much needed vacay to San Diego and Vegas. I get my fill of Jamba and Cafe Rio (okay, you can never fill up on those!) 

Then, my family comes to visit me! We make weird faces in pictures, it's what we do.

July 2013

We head to Junction City to celebrate this wonderful country we live in. I am thankful that I get to be part of the lives of our servicemember's children. We head to Topeka and watch our friends blow stuff up. Life is good!

 Happy 1-Year Anniversary, Manhappiness!