Twas the night before taveling...

Bella Coola

The mountain's surround the Bella Coola Valley

As I sit here an attempt to blog while also trying to keep my eyes open, I can't help but be thrilled despite the severe lack of sleep and this being one of the most stressful weeks I've ever endured. Because tomorrow my little family of 3 are going on our first plane ride adventure together, deep into the wild British Columbia interior, where the mountains meet the ocean, to Bella Coola. The homeland of my husband's family of fisherman and forest rangers.

 I really couldn't be more excited. I can't wait to escape the city and to just be in the quiet and darkness that only mountains and a population of 1800 can give you. I want to snuggle up by the wood burning stove in the morning and drink my coffee with wool socks on, snuggling my sleepy minnow while we watch the snow fall from the window. I want to trek through the forest on snow shoes with my daughter on my back in her star shaped snow suit with my husband by my side excitedly showing me his many tree forts from his childhood. I want to have to bring dogs with us on our hikes so we know when there are bears approaching, because we are so deep into the wild. I want to feel the welcoming of Josh's amazing extended family as the coo over Kaleia. I want to smell the forest, ocean and cold winter air all in one breath. I want to take a million pictures, and write in my leather-bound journal. I want to have long delicious sleeps. I know that may not happen with my wild pixie daughter around, but I'm sure in the silence of the mountains she'll find some peace and have long delcisous sleeps with . I think all of us three need some peace.

With the hectic city life it's so easy to be caught up in the endless tasks and responsibilities. And I've learned how difficult it is to function on little sleep with such a busy life. My main hope for this trip is to just truly relax and let go of all the stress my body is clinging to. Not have a clock dictating our schedule. Go to bed early and wake up early with my baby. I want and NEED to just simply live, with no agenda.

I didn't know how much I missed nature until now. In Victoria we are spoiled with amazing views and ocean. But I miss mountains most of all. It's in the mountains where I truly feel closer to the undeniable force that seems to connect us all. Some call it god. I don't know what I call it. But I feel it. It is there. And standing in a forest surrounded by those gorgeous rock giants I truly feel alive, and am in complete awe of their humbling presence.

I can't wait to introduce my daughter to the breathtaking world we're about to discover together with our loving husband/daddy leading the way.

Stay tuned for photos of our adventures :)