Finding Gratitude in the Pines

Being open-minded, faithful, and caring doesn’t mean compromising your values. It means becoming a better listener, recognizing the good, and giving thanks to the One who blesses us.

I had never lived in the middle of nowhere before, but I grew up with family who did. I always longed for that solitude—the peace, the beauty, the feeling of home.

I wanted my daily drives to be scenic, free from the chaos of traffic and noise. Whether heading to the grocery store, a doctor’s appointment, or taking the kids to school, I wanted to feel at peace where I was. Now, even amid a pandemic, I have that. This place is breathtaking, and I’m incredibly grateful to call it home.

I wanted to walk my own land, reconnect with myself, and find stillness. I craved privacy, space to breathe, and room to grow. Now, I have that too, and it’s priceless.

I wanted a place where we could build something of our own—where our marriage could strengthen, our family could heal, and we could truly grow together. We needed a fresh start, and we found it.

I wanted a place where my kids could thrive, where they could form lasting friendships and create unforgettable memories. A place that felt safe, where we could build a life we loved. Now, we have that, and I couldn’t be more thankful.

Of course, getting settled has been a journey, and there’s still so much to do. But every project, every moment spent together, has been worth it. With that in mind, I want to shine a light on the good things happening right now. I hope we all start spreading more positivity. Maybe that’s the next wildfire—a flood of good news filling our feeds.

Adjusting to a New Reality

New Jersey has been a hotspot in the news since March 2020. The media has been relentless, and watching stores get wiped out and businesses shut down was overwhelming. The fear, the uncertainty, the stress of adjusting to a new state—it all felt like too much at times.

But this lockdown gave me more than I ever expected.

For the first time in years, we had uninterrupted family time. At times, being crammed together in a new place felt suffocating—especially when all we wanted was to explore and settle in. But we learned to be there for each other in ways we hadn’t before. The challenges we faced strengthened our love, and we came out of it closer than ever.

Some people have said I’m happy here simply because I left California, and they might be right. California was a mess. But in that sea of entitlement, I found some truly incredible people—friends I miss every day. I drove through some of the most stunning landscapes and saw sunsets that felt like paintings. There was beauty in the chaos, and I’ll always carry that with me.

But here, in the Pines of South Jersey, life is different. It’s better.

The kids are in good schools, which was my biggest priority. G struggled in California, but now, I have my happy, energetic girl back. She’s thriving, making friends, playing soccer, and handling hybrid learning like a champ. She faces every challenge with a smile, and I’m so proud of her.

Trist misses his California friends, which makes sense—at 15, those connections mean everything. Leaving them was heartbreaking. But he’s adjusting, keeping his head up despite the challenges of a new school, freshman year, and wearing a mask (which he hates). What keeps him going is his love for where we live—the forest, the adventure, the peace.

For the first time since elementary school, he’s been able to make a space of his own, decorating his room and creating a home that feels right for him. I have no doubt he’ll settle in, find his people, and make the most of this new chapter.

Exploring Our New Home

Life in New Jersey is starting to feel normal. Restaurants are open again—indoors and outdoors. Bars are buzzing with football fans. We’re getting out and experiencing the shore, the city, and our little town.

We’ve picked apples, explored farmers’ markets, and fully embraced fall. I love taking long walks through the parks and down our mile-long, tree-lined driveway. Fall sports are in full swing, and watching G play soccer has been one of my biggest joys. It’s been a great way to meet other families and for her to build friendships.

Gratitude

I’m beyond grateful to be here, surrounded by this beauty—the trees, the birds, the ocean, the stillness. Having my husband home with us, reconnecting, remembering who we are as a couple—it’s everything. I missed my best friend, and I’m so thankful to have him back.

Watching my kids and Jason bond, work together, and grow closer is a gift. Our family feels strong, unbreakable, and full of love. I can’t put into words how much that means.

Even having my parents close again has been a blessing. Our relationship has grown, and I treasure that connection more than ever.

Closing Thoughts

Life has been hard for a long time. Personally, the last three and a half years have been lonely, draining, and, at times, unbearable. There were moments when life didn’t feel worth living. I was without my husband, my best friend. My family was fractured, and I was surrounded by selfish, toxic people who drained me.

Now, I’m surrounded by the right people. I’m thankful for them, for this moment, for this season.

The road here was dark, twisted, and painful, but God—You led me here. And for that, I am endlessly grateful.

The kids are going to good schools and meeting good people has been a topic priority for me. G had such a hard time in CA but now I feel like I got my happy, hyper girl back!

She’s thriving in school and handling the hybrid learning like a champ! It’s hard to get use to things that are different but this family is use to having to “get readjusted” and learning new things all the time.

G is making friends, playing soccer and over coming any challenges that come her way. Her positive spirit is a bright light to all that she encounters! I’m so proud of how she has handle all this newest and made it look easy even when it was very hard.

Trist is missing his friends from CA and it makes sense. He’s now 15 years old and he needs close friends. I totally understand how leaving them was so heartbreaking for him.

However, he is managing to keep his head up and adapt to a new school, being a freshmen and wearing a mask…which he hates! The things that keep him going and being so happy, even in the face of a very challenging and even lonely at times; is how much he loves where we live. He loves his home, the forest, the adventure and the peace of this beautiful place. Trist has for the first time since he was in Elementary school, been able to decorate his own bedroom and make our home a comfortable place for him.

I have every faith that as days go on, he will get more and more use to this hybrid school and will make great friends.

Experiencing our home town!

Things here in NJ are starting to get to a normal place for us here. We all can dine indoors and outside now. Bars inside restaurants are open and we can all watch our favorite football team with other people!

We’ve able to explore the shore, the city and our small town. Going to farmer markets, picking apples and enjoying fall has been great. I love taking long walks through the parks. Walking down our mile-long tree line driveway is my favorite. I also love fall sports!

G is playing Soccer now and I love watching her practice and every weekend going to her games! It’s one of my biggest joys! It’s great for our family to met other families and for her to make some friends.

-SK