~and there are beautiful things everywhere in this world~

On this Memorial Day Monday I send you greetings from "Nearly New Mexico", in Trinidad, Colorado.  Mike and I left Montrose with a very full load yesterday morning right at 8:00 and decided that if we could just make it here that it would be a great place to stop for the night.  We arrived safe and sound by mid-afternoon and after a long day of driving, it sure did feel good to stop and rest.  Crosby the cat didn't do nearly as bad as I thought she might and her meowing subsided almost as soon as we passed the Black Canyon of the Gunnison sign.  Sally the dog actually did ok as well.  500 more miles to go and we will be "home" in Wichita Falls, Texas.  

The last few days have been such busy ones for us.  It seems so strange to think that just one week ago today I was walking with my class of first graders down to the Olathe Corn Park to participate in our school-wide "Walk A Thon".  Only the day before yesterday we were loading up our moving truck and cars for the move that would take us more than 700 miles to the southeast.  Whether we wish for it to do so or not, one thing is for certain.

Time flies.

Once we get started in just a few hours more, it will only take a matter of minutes before we cross over into New Mexico and leave Colorado behind us.  For Mike and I it will be the start of a very new and different kind of life.  We realize that it will take some getting used to and the road to being settled there may have a few of those proverbial "bumps along the way".  In Texas there will be no beautiful and majestic mountain scene to look at out of our kitchen window.  Old Silverjack Mountain will not be the sentinel that stands guard over us any longer.   More than likely there WILL be plenty of humidity and a fair share of mosquitoes with the recent floodwaters.  Yet even knowing all of that, we still go forth in faith that something very good is waiting there for us.  All we have to do is to find it.  

We are grateful for the good life we have had here in the Rocky Mountains and especially thankful for our friends who became like our own family.  Some of those good people were even able and willing to help us load up the truck on Saturday and we would have been in big trouble without their strong arms and backs.  To Nikki and Ryan, Scot and Toni, Mary and Keith, Sarah, Tim, Bob and all of the sweet kids who came along with them, Mike and I shall always remain beholden to you.  You made a difficult job so much easier.  It was sad to have to say "good bye" to them and if you think I could do that without crying, well you are wrong. 

I cried like a baby.

Day is beginning to break here and it is time to pack up our things and head out to see what this new life shall hold in store for us.  I do not know what the days or the weeks or the months ahead will be like yet one thing is for certain.

I am far more determined to find out than I would ever be afraid.

"Farewell" to Colorado.
"Hello" to Texas.

Four of the wonderful kids that came over to help with the move on Saturday.  Two of them, Lizzy and Scarlett, were in my first grade classroom this year.  Their big sisters are Idamae and Sadie.  

I learned everything I needed to know about life (and how to crochet a mile long chain) from these two women.  Nikki and Mary, you will forever remain in my heart.  So very glad that we had the chance to teach together!

We looked much better in this photo before the move than we would have at the end.  Mike is a wonderful sport about life and takes things in stride even when I don't.

The stately and majestic San Juan mountain range and the view we saw each day out of our kitchen window.  There are beautiful things EVERYWHERE in this world and we aim to find them in our new home in Texas.