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Finding my way out of my funk

It all started when my plans for how 2014 would kickoff my epic-awesome-growth year were… stifled. (Well, in hindsight… maybe they weren’t!)

You see, we’ve decided to move. I know!! If you’ve been following my story, you know that only one year ago (almost to the day), I found out that my dream Christmas tree farm was going up for sale. We put an offer in the next day, and then the day we came home from my Thriver’s Mastermind Retreat in Florida, we moved in. 

About 8 weeks ago, we were looking at house plans and getting excited about the home we’d be building on the tree farm. I climbed up on the roof with Taylor as he put the Christmas lights up and we stood there for a minute, his arm around me and we smiled at the idea that this would be the view from our master bedroom balcony. 

Then everything changed…the practice that my hubby was planning and preparing to purchase for the past 2 years turned out to be something short of what we thought. We knew it wasn’t the right choice for our family, so we had to walk away. 

That brought us to a crossroads. The hubs had an opportunity to start again and I can be a photographer and the Go4Pro girl anywhere, so we asked ourselves… 

Is this where home is supposed to be? 

For the last 9 years we have lived away from family. We lived in Hawaii and then Vancouver, WA.  And last year we bought our Christmas tree farm with the plan to settle down out here in the country.

Until we found ourselves asking, is this where we are meant to be? 

After a ton of soul searching, prayer, and lists of the pros and cons, we decided together that it was time for yet another move. It was time to go home to our families. Ultimately, we want to be there for them and right now the 3 hour drive makes that difficult. We also want our kids to grow up close to the people who love them the most. 

So on Christmas Day 2013, we gave a special box to our families with an ornament inside that read, ‘Seattle will be our home again in 2014’. 

It’s bittersweet. The Christmas tree farm was my dream, and for a short while I lived the dream. At first it made me sad to let it go – so sad that when the first offer came in, I couldn’t help but cry. But then I realized…

Dreams can change…they can grow and evolve as we do. Sometimes it even happens before we’re fully ready for it!  <– Click to Tweet!

I thought that this farm was what I wanted, but I’m learning day by day that even more than that Christmas tree farm, I want to be there for the people who have been there for me. I want to teach my children that the real key to happiness isn’t just about making our own dreams come true, but in being an instrument in the happiness of others.

After all, isn’t that what I’ve chosen to do as a career? Help other photographers thrive?! 
 
I am learning that…doors close, sometimes before we’re ready. And when it happens, you might be like me and find yourself needing a day (or more) to just cry and feel the loss. But ultimately, we have to get back up.

We have to believe that there is a bigger purpose waiting for each of us.  I don’t just believe that, I know it.

Life on my Tree Farm

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  1. Erin says:

    One of the best things about you Leah is your willingness to learn, grow, and evolve AND your willingness to be so open and candid with others about your journey. You are an inspiration to every one around you. Remember that on the hard days (if you have them queen bee of optimism – you must right?!). Thank you for allowing us to share in and learn from your incredible journey.

    • Thank you Erin! I do have hard days… FOR SURE! When you feel passionately, it is going to come with good and bad! Thank you for your constant encouragement and support! xoxo

  2. Tiffany says:

    Aw leah!! Man!!! Such a hard choice to make to sacrifice all that you were so hopeful and excited for. Grief and letting go (of dreams/friendships/etc) are always so hard for me because I go ALL IN on each one… and I feel like you’re very similar!! Will be praying for you to be envisioned for the new season and that God will be so faithful to you as you follow Him back to your family!

    Love!!
    Tiff

    • Thank you so much Tiffany, the wonderful thing is that we know we’re on the right path and that in and of itself, feels amazing! …But I’ll definitely take extra prayers! 😀

  3. Linnea says:

    Good for you for taking a step back and being humble enough to ask yourselves if things needed to change. It’s hard to let go of some dreams, but out of that great things will also come. Mitchell’s Christmas Tree Farm here in Gig Harbor used to be for sale. HHhhhm, it’s not Seattle, but I wonder if it’s still for sale. 🙂

    • Thanks Linnea! I think I’m retiring as a Christmas tree farmer… Not that I actually did any of the farming myself. LOL Well, except my garden… That was me. Of course it didn’t turn out to great so what does that say?? lol 🙂

  4. amanda says:

    This is so exciting! I myself have been going through a bit of soul searching, and I am so happy to hear your following your heart! Best to you and your family!

  5. Congratulations Leah and family! Farms are great but being close to family is even more great! I truly believe all things happen for a reason, as God works in mysterious and miraculous ways. Here’s to your next “farm” and getting the new opportunity to cultivate and grow. Sending prayers!

    Amanda

  6. Leah, it’s so bittersweet. Congratulations and I’m sorry all in one. But in this case, the congratulations is much bigger!!!! The loss is small compared to what you are gaining. There is only one who truly knows where our real dreams can come true and I’m sure He’s leading you in that direction.
    You are so instrumental in so many’s dreams… you sure were in mine! I’m so excited for what I’m sure is in store for you! It’s fun to think about what this will lead to and I’m looking forward to the blog post that will come much later down the road starting with, “you may remember last year when we chose to go home….” and “well, who knew that was going to lead to….”
    I know it will be awesome and I’m so happy for you!!! Go Leah!!!!!!!!

    • Oh my goodness Mary Beth you just got me so excited for that future blog post and what it could possibly say! THANK YOU for that!! And thanks for all of the encouragement and kindness and blog-love! <3

  7. SusanD says:

    So…..I was not the only one gifting ornaments for Christmas! lol. Now we will have even more to talk about when we see each other. This is going to be a sensational year!

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