Being raised in this community, I never really knew how great it was. Of course, I had a wonderful childhood, complete with lots of outdoor adventures, but I just didn't know what other lifestyles were out there. Until I moved to college. Of course, Southern California was new and exciting... gorgeous too, with it's beaches, year-round great weather, palm trees, and a lot of gorgeous planned communities/ shopping malls, parks, etc... but it became a bit claustrophobic for Daddy Mock and I.

We just didn't see ourselves raising kids in a place that would be of constant challenge to teach the value of adventure and creativity. Don't get me wrong, it is a fantastic place for children with all types of resources (remember Pretend City?)...that is not where I am going... I am just stating that we both have a weakness for material goods and possessions, as well as a great desire for space and adventure and it just didn't fit right. That being said, we moved to a charming town in the county I was raised in...we'll call it "Simpleville", because that's just what it is.

Simple.

We had a great time in a large, fun farmhouse, that was my dream home on my dream street...but God had something different for us. The problem with Simpleville is that it's a resort-town...people come to ski/snowboard in the winter, and ski/wake board in the summer. It has a lot of historic charm, gold mining, and lots of quaint antique shops. Nature abounds and people specifically from big cities are attracted to it. Oh, so back to the problem...not a lot of employment opportunities.

Which led us out of Simpleville to The Wind Tunnel. We liked the Wind Tunnel. I fell in love with it as it is a very small town compared to the big city it resides by. It was small, and had some nature, but I sure missed the mountain lined skies, clean air, and freedom to roam...not to mention my hippy community that understands a lot of our crazy/ crunchy lifestyle!

I should add, though, that Gigi and Papa were there and that created some very special times for us and for the kids...the closeness in proximity is something we will very much miss as a part of our lives.

Just recently, as shared here, Daddy Mock learned he will be soon losing his job. Also, within three days of such news, we had an opportunity called in by Miss Delicious to move into the house next door. It was for rent, which was perfect as we still have no job and or idea of what the future holds, but we do know that if we're going to be unemployed and God opens doors literally next door to friends (which includes a less expensive lifestyle), we'll do it here, in Simpleville, and God will provide our needs.

So we're back, in a much more simple home, but much more fitting to our needs and our desire to live more simply in a town such as Simpleville. I am reminded daily as we settle in here that this is an unexpected blessing in what could be some devastating times. Trust me, the reality of being income-less comes heavy at times, but fear doesn't help much, does it? What helps is being surrounded by a community that is praying for us and looking out for us. Friends who are there through tough times and fun times, and family that is so solid, you can count on them for anything.

So there you have it. Why we're here, why it happened so fast, and why we're trusting in God for his provision... and what I love so much about this blogging thing is that it allows us to document our family choices and changes and be able to get a narration and visual story of how things change and how God does take care of us.

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Oh, and one funny country story...as I came home from Wal Mart with the kids (no Target here, bummer!), it had been raining and I opened my mud room door to find that all of my mail had been delivered, inside my home. Because naturally, it didn't fit in the mailbox, and the mailman didn't want it to get wet, so he just helped himself in. Creepy? Maybe to some, but I would consider it highly chivalrous! Thanks mailman!