It's often been said that "Life is a journey, not a destination". I fully agree with this statement. It's not about the end goal, the ultimate outcome, or the big finish line. Life is about figuring things out along the way. It's about choosing paths and making adjustments when the route is leading to a dead end. It's about knowing that no matter how hard the travels, the destination will be worth it. No matter the hurdles, the heartache, or the let downs, they're all necessary parts of the path.

Although I know this to be true and I believe it, there are times I complain and grumble and wish that my path wasn't so hard. I see others who live seemingly perfect lives while our little family struggles and has to navigate through some deep waters at times. I don't understand why we have the trials that we do, but I know that there's got to be a reason. No matter how high the mountain is on our uphill battle, we will make it to the top.

I had a very real life experience of this principle over Memorial Day Weekend. Kyle and I went down to Moab where we met up with 9 of my siblings and a couple dozen of our nieces and nephews. It was fun to have so many of us together to spend time with one another and enjoy a long weekend. This is the first time all of my living siblings have been together in one place for about 2 years, so I insisted that we gather for a picture. Mom had to work this weekend, but Dad came down so we had him in the picture as well.

When Kyle and I arrived, my older sister told us that most everyone was planning on hiking to Delicate Arch the next morning. Although we hadn't really packed for a hike, Kyle and I wanted to go along and join our family for the hike.

Despite the heat and long jeans I was wearing, the hike started out easy. It was more of a leisurely walk until you got farther in to the trail. Up ahead, I looked at the mountain and saw, what looked like, ants climbing up the slick rock. It looked pretty far away, but if the arch was at the top, it wouldn't be so bad.

We continued on the trail, taking breaks and switching kids around and making sure everyone was having enough water. Then, we'd start walking again. At points, the incline was pretty intense. I could feel my calves burning as we went up. Baby E kept moving around and causing cramps here and there, so I'd take breaks for a minute or two before continuing.

When we got to the point that those "ants" were at earlier, I looked up and only saw a large hill that seemed too high and too hard to climb. My legs hurt, I was hot, baby E was making me uncomfortable, and I didn't want to keep going. The 1.5 mile hike seemed like 5 miles at this point, even though we were only about half way there.

At this point, my oldest sister saw me walking up to the point she was at. I was breathing a little heavily and she could tell it was hard. She told me to just take it slow and I responded with something along the lines of "It's too hard, I want to be done" to which she replied "Just enjoy the journey". Now, did I suddenly become positive and energized, ready to finish the hike? Nope, I assure you I did not. In fact, I think I was annoyed with that comment and didn't want to think about the journey. I just wanted to get to the dang arch so that I could say I had been there.

Kyle checked on me every time I stopped for a break, asking if I needed water and if I was feeling okay. I was honest with him and told him about how I was hurting and ready to be done. He, also, encouraged me and told me that we could do it. He kept reminding me how great I was doing and that it would be worth it.

By this time, we were approaching the top of the slick rock. I assumed that the arch must be right over the hill, we were almost there.

I was wrong.

Yes, we were almost there. No, it was not right over the hill. In fact, we still had a few more inclines, a few drops down, some sand patches, and a cliff-edge incline before getting to Delicate Arch. In this time, I took lots of breaks, taking advantage of the shade from a few trees or the rocks near the end of the trail. I wanted to be done. I just wanted to be done. Where was this stinkin' arch that I saw from the bottom of the trail? Where did all those people go that went ahead of us? I wanted to be where they were. Not here, who knows how far away, and still miserable.

It was then, rounding the last mountain, that I got the little oomph that I needed to finish this hike. I knew the arch had to be close and by golly I was going to make it. While taking the last few steps before seeing my family, some of my nieces and nephews started to cheer me on. They had been in one of the groups ahead of Kyle and I and others, so they were waiting for us at the top. Their little voices saying "Woo! Good job aunt Tessa!" and "You did it!" were just what I needed.



I did it. Yes, I sure did. I did it with my sweet husband by my side and while being 32 weeks pregnant. We went over and got in line to take a photo by the arch, where I probably did end up complaining a little more about being hot, wanting colder water, and who knows what else. But I did it.


Not everyone came down for the closer picture, but we did a small group photo of those who did. My dad, brother in law, sister, a few nephews and nieces, and Kyle and I.




Then, Kyle and I got a few photos of just our immediate family. It will be fun to get to show baby E what Mommy and Daddy did when she was still in Mommy's tummy.




Walking back down, Kyle and I were with my dad. We just made small talk and kept ourselves entertained until we got back to the parking lot. Breaks were still included and we kept drinking our water. This time, though, with the knowledge that we could do it and we did! We hiked all the way there and were close to being all the way back to the cars.

I wouldn't personally want to do this hike again while pregant, but I wouldn't mind doing it again someday. I know it wasn't easy and it took time and energy. I know that I could do it again if I so choose.

This is how life has been for Kyle and I lately. Others seem to have life all figured out. They're so happy and living life to its fullest while we struggle and wonder what we are doing wrong. Between me quitting my previous receptionist job last December and getting this amazing at-home job that I got in April, it was hard. Kyle has a great job but we also have bills and living expenses, most of which we could cover with his paycheck but not all. We felt like we were in an uphill battle that would never end. We would never be ahead of our expenses and we would always have to live paycheck to paycheck.

That's not true.

Blessings do come. Do they come easy? Not always. In fact, most of the time the blessings come after trials and hardships. Still, they come. Kyle and I have seen so many blessings in our married life, as well as in our personal lives before we knew each other. We know that we are being watched over.

Blessings take work, though. Just like getting to see this amazing piece of art that nature created took a lot of effort, we have to work toward our goals. We can't expect to be handed everything in this life. We have to prove that we can attain whatever we put our minds to. No matter the budget, the strength capacity, the mental capacity, or the emotional theshold, we can do it. The easiest way to run a mile is one step at a time. The quickest way to the top is with frequent breaks and reevaluations along the way.

Our little family is on the journey of a lifetime and we are learning to keep the destination in mind while focusing our energy on the path.