Yesterday was a perfect fall day in the Inland Pacific Northwest. I loaded the triple-wide and hauled the little ones out for a walk through the big city park that sits just two blocks from our front door. The yellow leaves contrasted boldly against the steel grey sky. My kids looked so small under those towering maples, spinning and laughing in their sweaters and hats as the leaves cascaded down around them.
Their twirling pink and lime green and orange stood out boldly too, despite nature’s best efforts. Their shrill little voices, thrown, laughing, into the wind, were equally defiant. The maples flaunted their colors, jewels for just a few weeks before they go barren and dormant. Even the weather, the shivering fall wind and the challenging, ominous sky taunted. Be bold. Change. Move on. Do something.
We are. We have news. We have plans. Our little family is throwing our caution and our careful planning and our meticulously constructed safety nets into the gusting wind with the maple leaves. Matt resigned from his job yesterday, we are leaving a week from Monday for the Northern Marianas. We’ll spend three months, the bulk of the winter, on the stunning, tiny tropical island where Matt and I lived the double-income, no-kids life of luxury once upon a time, where Gee was born.
(Stunning Saipan photography by Mike Tripp.)
I want this. I have always wanted this. To keep traveling with our children. To not lose myself, my trust in the world, to fear once I had something outside of myself to lose. But yesterday, I felt unsure. We have finally found a home here, put down some tentative roots, begun to fit in. I have friends, real friends, the kind you can call in the middle of the night. The kids have a routine. We attend school, we have two cars, a fence (not picket, but still), a beautiful home, things. We have everything I want to show them they don’t have to want. We have everything I want them to understand they don’t need.
Yet, I’m torn. Because, I want them to have this too. I want them to have a home, a place that is theirs. I’ve moved every few years my whole life and I want them to know that unbelievable freedom, but there’s a conflicting part of me that wants something different for them. An entire childhood in the same school system, the same friends from kindergarten through high school graduation, a place to come back to when it’s dark and the wind is blowing. Home.
Then I swing back, caught in the eddy between my longing to give them security and my desire to take them on adventures. Life is too short to stay behind a fence on a manicured lawn. I want them to stick their faces in the sapphire Pacific and stare down at clown fish, two feet away. I want to watch them run on the beach under the palm trees. I want to submerse them in the diversity of the islands, let the colors of the people and their languages and their cultures swirl around them and delight them. Like leaves in the wind.
Can we have both? Does anyone pull that off?
We’re going to try, at least for this one year. We’ve cut ourselves adrift from Matt’s safe, steady job (as the world financial markets crash around us), his excellent health benefits, his perfect, family-friendly hours. He’ll work for three months on Saipan, and then. And then? We’ll come back to this house. To frozen February. To our picket fence dream. Unless he can’t find a job here and then I guess we’ll have to sell the trappings and move on.
It’s going to be a hell of a trip. (That’s not counting the actual travel, thirty-six hours of hell, I mean time, on airplanes with our demons from the ninth level, I mean toddlers.)
We’ll boldly go, or we’ll pretend to be brave, at least. Even though we hold hands in our dark room at night and whisper solutions to fearful scenarios. Aren’t most worth while leaps in life a little scary? We’ll get on a plane and show our three darlings a little bit of this world we live in, in all it’s gorgeous color. We’ll teach them that the journey is often more fun than the destination.
As soon as I pack eight suitcases, get the entire house ready to leave for three months, tie up a billion loose ends with friends and activities, make sure all the bills are paid and set up to be paid electronically, empty all of the kitchen cupboards and the fridge, purchase holiday gifts and get them sent, catch up on three years of scrap booking, learn to speak Chinese, find the missing pieces of my exploded brain…the list goes on.
Come with us? It’ll be fun.*
**********************************
Name that fabulous famous poet for five points. Five more points if you can give me the whole first stanza – without looking it up! On your honor, no cheating. I’m going to spice the trivia game up a little. Who ever is in the lead on Thanksgiving Day, I’ll send you a holiday present from the tropics.
*Yes, there’s internet on Saipan, you can’t get rid of me that easily. No, there’s no Starbucks. I know you were worried for me. It will be tough, but I’ll survive. The sacrifices.
Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken, don’t know know all of it but I know it ends and I took the one less traveled by and that has made all the difference
Five points! You’re right about the ending. One of my favorite poems Five points still out there. Two paths diverged in a yellow wood…
Nuts!! I knew the poet. But not the first stanza by heart. But I think I’m owed some points for “Summer Holiday”, right? ;)
I’ll have to come back and read the whole post when there isn’t a 3-year old trying to destroy my living room. All I could get just now was a general gist.
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
and sorry I could not travel both
and be one traveler, long I stood
and looked down one as far as I could
to where it bent in the undergrowth…
Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken
Every year, I start out my Spring poetry unit with this very poem. This one and We Real Cool by Gwendolyn Brooks. We break down the technical literary elements and also discuss how the themes of both relate to one another.
You’re so lucky that you have the means and the freedom to take the road less traveled and show your children both roads.
Frank and I are military brats and we also spent our childhoods traveling the world. Neither of us spent more than 2 years in the same location, and I often bounced around more than that. Our children have the exact opposite. One one hand, we like the fact that they will have all the benefits of having a “hometown” and long-time friends. On the other, both of us long pick up the stakes and take our children here and there, and soak up different cultures the way that we were able to. We just don’t have the means for that right now, and even if we did, I almost think I’d be too chicken to just pick up and go wherever the wind swept us.
You are amazing, and I, for one, will be living vicariously through you and the Anyfamily.
Oh come ON. I’m an English teacher for Christ’s sake, you know I would have gotten that. Everyone always beats me on the trivia on here.
*grumble grumble*
With that griping out of the way, oh Stacey, I know I sound like a starstruck teenager looking up to her favorite teacher, and I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again, I WANT TO BE YOU WHEN I GROW UP. I love love love this post. I love it so much I’m going to link to it on my blog.
I get it. I get wanting the adventure AND the stability for your kids. Wanting the roots but not at the expense of the wings. The adventure and throwing caution to the wind and sucking the marrow out of life (again, the English teacher in me).
I can’t wait to live vicariously through you. Maybe, just maybe, seeing your life in comparison will convince my husband to, yet again, pack up our bags and move AGAIN, this time only 3 hours north instead of 3 days across the country.
I wish you a wonderful adventure! But hurry back, in case your internet connection there is spotty.
wow, exciting! good luck on your adventure. i look forward to lots of picture and fun stories over the next three months.
I have managed to read the whole thing now, thanks in part to Mr 3-year old demon’s sulky pouty fit on the stairs from whence came a moment of silence.
I think we should be able to have it all. A place to call home, where we can always return. And the freedom to roam, to not be bound within the fences. I’m glad you’re doing this. Have an awesome adventure!
I hope you have good Internet connections, so we can all keep up with you. And I hope you don’t miss Starbucks too badly.
All the best!
Wow! What exciting news and beautiful photos. I can’t wait to read about what life has in store for you over the next few months! Good luck with the move, flights, etc.!
We have a similar adventure planned, but it’s Sweden. Sometimes you just gotta go.
OMG, I’m so envious for you! I was worried you’d be off the grid until you told us that you would have internet service.
That’s such a scary thing to move with three young kids but I think it will be the adventure of a lifetime. If not, you will still be able to come home and give them the stable “same school” life you speak of. Congrats, I know it’s going to be a great adventure. No Starbucks though, ack! If I remember correctly from your birthing post awhile back, they do have McDonalds? If so you’re golden (like those arches).
This is a wonderful adventure for you all. Enjoy the journey.
I’m glad you’ll be in contact with all of us via the internet. I’m not sure I could handle losing you for 3 months.
yeah, I knew I hated you. sounds like bliss, live it up!
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
and soory I could not travel both and be one traveller, long I stood and looked down one as far as I could to where it bent in the undergrowth. Then took the other just as fair, and having perhaps the better ???? name ?????
Ohno! It’s fading!
Honestly I didn’t peek, but it caused the very largest brain cramp… Thanks for that…
Your bravery still fits you!
This is my first time visiting your blog, and I’m thrilled that I get to show off my English teacher skills by knowing that it’s “The Road Not Taken” By Robert Frost.
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth
Incidentally, I make my students memorize this poem every winter. If you ever want a recitation of “Annabel Lee” by Poe, I can do that as well!
I think you and your husband are both brave and amazing for doing this, and I will definitely be back to follow your path on the road that very few take.
LUCKY!!! I am so jealous, you are so brave.
Darn that Kymberli, beating me to the points. Does it count that I can recite the whole poem (give or take an incorrect word here and there).
You have expressed so much of what I want to give my children. A sense of adventure, a respect for and awe of the world around them, but also a safe and familiar place to come home to when it all gets to be too much.
I am so excited for you and the many adventures in store for you.
I think it is amazing that you are taking the children on this adventure. And of course for purely selfish reasons I am glad that you will be taking us with you. How utterly wonderful for you. I am so far behind in points that there is no why I will win the trivia contest. But I will have the gift of your words. Beautiful.
Anymommy, I have enjoyed reading you the past few months. I will tell you my first reaction, once the jealousy subsided.
You get to spend three months in paradise before you have to come back and find out if you (the family) can find a job, or have to move to find work.
The rest of us just get our lives, and STILL have to wonder if we will have jobs in three months. No clown fish, no crystal blue waters…
As to whether it’s the right decision or not…someone once told me no decision is permanent. If living the nomad life doesn’t fit, do something else. At least you took the risk and pursued adventure!
wow…that is simply awesome. Godspeed.
Here via MinivanMom. As a kid we spent 2 years in Guam and visited Saipan. Beautiful place as I recall from 20 years ago! Have a fantastic adventure. I’m jealous…and then not so, because I can’t imagine doing it and not losing my mind. I commend you for that.
Bravo!! I’m so excited for you. I actually gasped out loud a little bit when I read this. You know, my daughter’s birthfather was just like this. He worked and saved so he could travel and live life how he wanted. It was beautiful to see. I envied him. I envy you. This will be a wonderful journey for both you and your family. I’m jealous!!! Congratulations and good luck!
Stacey, I’m so PROUD of you…I just know this is something that your sweet soul needs! I also understand what you mean a about being torn between what you see as the stability and what you see as the adventure but you know what? YOU AND MATT are the stability! The rest…it’s the adventure. Good for you. I’m so jealous! :) xoxoxo
Wow. Seems nerve-wracking to be giving up a job and health insurance at this point, but then again, Miko564 makes a good point.
Here’s to having a wonderful time and returning safely and securely. I hope to do something sort of similar (but involving an RV in the US) between my hubby’s retirement in 1.3 years (but who’s counting) and our son starting kindergarten in 4.5. I don’t know that your planned travels are close enough to mine to count but perhaps I can use you as a role model. Even if not, I look forward to reading about your experiences.
That is such exciting news!!!!
Regarding your question about whether people pull off balancing the adventure with the stability.. I had a friend in high school who was born in the Pacific, but her American family had a house in Oregon. Every 1-3 years they’d come back and do 1-2 academic years in Oregon, then go back. They’d often travel for a few months between ‘bases.’ She knew the same school district and people because she always returned to the same small town in Oregon. She had a large family and as she grew up her older, adult siblings often were living in one or the other countries. I was always impressed with the way her family pulled it off. She is one of the most worldly, grounded, free-spirited and lovely people I know.
Best of Luck!!!
Wow! What a change. I was wondering how you did with such “quietness” in your life after so much travel previously. Now we know.
Coming from someone who grew up moving every few years then spent fourth grade on in the same place (although in two separate school systems 4-7 and 8-12) with people who knew each other from kindergarten and living somewhere now where my adult friends knew each other in grade school, there are definitely two sides. I *loved* moving. I’d be moving now if it weren’t for my husband being a schoolteacher with a pension and license to teach only in Illinois…. But it’s weird for me NOT to have those connections sometimes that my friends talk about and have. I’m happy and I like my friends but still odd to be different.
Huge leap. Very scary. Can’t wait to hear how it goes.
So stupid question, but what will Matt do there?
That is SO freaking AWESOME!!! And brave! I wish you guys the best! I’m sure you won’t regret it one bit (well except for maybe when you are flying there and back home.
Have and awesome adventure….and you are so not crazy!
Huge, scary, exciting leap to be making for your family! I’ve never traveled much. My parents lived in the same house from the time I was almost 1 until shortly before my high school graduation, and they only moved a mile away. They still vacation in the same place every summer. J and I married right after college. We took a lovely 3 week honeymoon to Europe that whetted my appetite for travel. And then came home to no money, since we’d spent it all on our honeymoon (which was so very worth it). We’ve traveled to Mexico and Ethiopia since then, and I went to Grand Cayman with my friends. We’ve been around the U.S. But an opportunity like the one that you’re giving your children is amazing. P has been to Ethiopia, but we want to take both of our children all over the place.
I hope someday we find even a sliver of the courage that you’re showing to give your family and children this kind of life.
What a wonderful, wonderous adventure for you all.
Momma Trish – Oh no, did I miss points. I’ll fix it! I think we can have it all too, if we dare, but that fear of losing the wonderful life we have now for a dream is always there. Bigger the risk, bigger the gain right?
Kym – Five points! Well done, teacher. You even reminded me that I always say ‘path’ when it is road. A wonderful teacher like you had us memorize that poem in fourth grade? or so. I’ve loved it ever since. We are lucky, the stars aligned for this chance. And, I bet you would not be chicken. You are pretty damn brave in my book. I just think, right now, you’re focused on different journeys.
Minivan Mom – Thank you. I hope you get that move you’re hoping for – you don’t have to travel geographically far for it to be a huge shift mentally, spiritually, in attitude and happiness. I’ll be following your journey all the way.
Marinka – The only thing that would ruin the palm trees and trade breezes for me: spotty internet.
Jenni and Kls – Thank you!
Eva – Wow. Not as warm, but just as beautiful. Safe travels.
Casey – Thanks. Scary and exciting. And yes, McD’s is there to help a tired momma out.
Butwhymommy – I’m the one that would go crazy if I had to miss out on all of you. I think Matt might strangle me, though, if I said I couldn’t go because of my blog habit!
Sissy – I hope so, thanks.
For Myself – You got it, but Kym beat you to it. I can give you two points for second, but I have to give them to Minivan Mom too. She totally would have gotten it.
I love that last line. You have a killer way with language.
Momma Trish – You’re over there! You have five points. Unless you should have more? You’re under Momma Trish because Pandora’s Ethernet Connection didn’t fit.
Erin – Welcome. Awesome poetry knowledge. I actually know the poem because of a teacher like you. You’re not first, but I can give you 2 points w/Minivan Mom and For Myself!
Kelleyo – Thank you. I don’t feel brave, but I’m whistling a happy tune.
Insta-mom – Yeah, it counts, I’m easy. Plus, I always mess it up and say ‘path’ instead of ‘road.’ Two points!
Renee – You never fail to make me feel wonderful. Thanks.
Miko564 – That is exactly our thinking, when we’re not panicking.
Awake – Thank you. You haven’t gotten rid of me. I can’t wait to meet that little boy.
Living – Welcome. Wow! I don’t meet people who’ve visited Saipan very often. It has it’s problems, but it is gorgeous.
Steenky Bee – I hope so. Thanks!
Nissa – You brought tears to my eyes. We are. Or maybe family is? You’re right and I’ll remember it.
Alex – All travel is an adventure, no need to go half way around the world. I think (when our kids are grown) the kind of trip you’re planning would be wonderful. Right now, three toddlers, RV, recipe for murder!
Smiling – That would be my dream. I don’t think we can manage it, but at least we took the chance when it came to us.
Michelle – That’s exactly how I feel, a little out of place everywhere. Matt’s a pharmacist. He will fill in for a bunch of vacations at the pharmacy on the island where he used to work full time. We are lucky. Pharmacy is so flexible and he will most likely be able to find a job when we get back, even if it’s not ideal at first.
Luanne – Thank you. We will ;-) For the planes, there’s always drugs. Kidding. Mostly.
Erin – We are mostly lucky that Matt’s profession is flexible and in demand. Those are some pretty awesome trips you’ve taken yourself!
Ree – Fingers crossed. Thanks.
Amazing news. So happy for you! And inspired by you and your family. :)
And you had me cracking up at the demons from the ninth level comment…
Whoa! I am looking forward to reading all about it!
What a grand adventure! I can’t wait to live vicariously through you.
I think there can be a balance. A “home base”, if you will. That’s not always where you end up calling “home”, but it’s the safety net, you know?
We moved every 2-3 years growing up, and I always wanted the same for my children, if for nothing else than to open their little minds. But my husband has roots as deep as a great Oak – and so I compensate with lots of travel. That’s MY best of both worlds!
Also, I know you love the beautiful home you have created, but I can’t help but think you timed this perfectly to avoid making that swing into the garage through much of the winter.
ok, you need a nanny to come along don’t you? LOL. how jealous am I?!
your kids will have you.
no matter where you are.
and that, my dear, is the best possible thing that you can give them.
i applaud you and your husband for taking the initiative to do something this spectacular for your family.
and yourselves.
and potentially me…can i come to visit?
Sounds amazing. I think someday your children will thank you for giving them adventures like this. I can’t wait to live vicariously through you!
Good luck with all the preparations! Yikes! It makes my head spin.
Go, enjoy, soak up the sun and know we will all be here to welcome you home with open arms (don’t worry, we aren’t going anywhere, we’ll all be frozen in place). Go, come back, go again, it will all work out and you will always have at least one home here. I will miss you so much!
wow !!!!! inspiring
I usually don’t comment when there are more than 30, but I’ll make an exception today…
WOW! You are so incredibly brave to be trying something like this. And not just “now”, but at all. I’m very envious of that bravery because I find it so hard to really take those big steps.
Best of luck to you guys!
Robert Frost, the Road Not Taken. I love that line about paths diverging in the woods, and I took the path less traveled, but I couldn’t quote it if my very life depended on it.
What an amazing thing you’re doing. I dream about really traveling with my kids, but you? You’re DOING it! (Sadly, even the idea of relocating for a year doesn’t work for us right now. DH’s job is way too locally-specific and M really needs the services she gets from the system right now. Someday. In the meantime, I keep rereading my battered copy of “Adventuring With Children” and daydreaming…)
Wow, I really admire your sense of adventure! It sounds great but I don’t think I’d ever have the nerve. I hope it works out exactly the way you want it to….if not better! =D
And I’m glad you can keep in touch.
First let me say- good for you. GOOD FOR YOU! I am so thrilled that you are living your life and not looking back. Your kids will THANK you when they understand what a wonderful gift you are giving them. And, yes, we would love to come!!
Again, no points for Debbie. That’s okay, I’m just excited about this trip!!!
Good luck! I thought we were being brave when we moved from Indiana to Georgia when only one of us had a job! Please don’t write too often about the sand and surf! I may get too jealous. ;-)
I am happy for you. I know that traveling is something that is important to you. I can’t wait to hear your stories and see your photos.
For everyone else that thinks that diversity and adventures is only found by going huge distances, you CAN find adventures in your backyard. We may not all have the ability to travel across the world, but everyone can live a full, adventurous life if they try…
I grew up in a small town with all the same people the first 17 years of my life. K-12th grade all in the same building, blah, blah, blah. Let me tell you, it isn’t as rosy as it sounds…I haven’t talked to any of those people for over 20 years and I don’t go back home now that my dad has passed and my mom has moved. The “life-long” friends…I would have traded that for travel anytime! I wish that we were able to do what you are doing…our older kids would never do that now. Maybe we can with our “second family”. Good luck. I cannot wait to read you adventures and see the photos!
WOW… I think I am stunned! I am so going with you (via-blog of course) on this journey… WOW… not much leaves me speechless, but this one does… WOW…
I’m with minivan mom – I want to be you when I grow up, too!
Travel, travel travel! Coming from a girl who had what part of you wants to give your kids — an entire childhood in the same school system, the same house, the same friends, the same faces, the same town… there is something to be said for the stability, yes.
But I’m 23, and I’ve only been out of high school for 5 years — and it’s all changed. It changes even when you try so hard to keep it steady for them. My friends who were here all through high school? They are gone. Flown to the four corners of the world. The teachers I grew up with? Moved on. The convenience stores and gas stations that I knew so well? They are changed, too. In such short time.
So travel. Get those life experiences in. I’ve hardly traveled outside of New England, and a part of me regrets it. A part of me feels inadequate in my worldly knowledge and experience. They will know that where YOU and your husband are – THAT is home. And that’s what’s most important.
Lovely! I hope you get everything you want for your kids – roots and wings. Most of us mothers yearn to give both to our kids – if anyone can do it, I’m sure it’s you.
Can’t wait to meet you! That’s right – neener, neener, neener, everyone. I’m about to meet Stacey!
One day my children will know that there are more seasons than typhoon season and mango season. Then they’ll see those lovely fall colors and breathe in that crisp air. (Although we’ll be freezing our butts off. ha ha!)
That is totally awesome! Growing up behind that fence, I can tell you that I wished I had had the chance to travel more when I was younger. We give our kids the chance to see the country as much as possible (the world, once they get a bit older).
I wish you the best on our journey. I look forward to reading more about your adventures.
By the way, thanks for visiting my blog. It is nice seeing a new face around. :)
Holy cow! Well it sounds exciting and fun, and I am a tiny bit jealous. Can I tag along?
Good luck. I’ll be sitting here, a person who lived the other side of it, my roots planted firmly in concrete living vicariously through your adventures, you can live vicariously through our mundaneness. I hope you have a wonderful adventure. I envy you your spirit. I think, through some things that happened when I was growing up, that I will never be brave enough to leave my roots and chance those types of adventures.
Time to perfect your homemade chai recipe. I have a few if you would like to start now!
How exciting for you. I can live vicariously through your adventures. Seize the moment!
I know better than anyone how hard it is to travel with three small children – but once you get past that hurdle? What an exciting time for all of you. Your children will have memories that outweigh the comforts of routine. And since you’ll all have each other – you’ll just take home with you.
It is a great time to travel with kids before the kids are older -like junior high older
follow your dreams and passions – you only live once
Live life with no regrets – yeah go for it
p.s to late for the poem by robert Frost – but I love it
my husband and I traveled before kids and decided to move to the country and plant grapes with the kids
chasing a dream right there with ya
Damn.
I mean… damn.
I love that you’re doing that. I want to do that. I fear the idea of doing that. I am jealous and excited for you simultaneously. I moved so much as a kid (5 different elementary schools) and I wonder what it must be like for my kids to STILL be at the same school after these long three years.
I will follow you and your adventure without fail. Good luck. Keep posting. Press a few of those Maple leaves to remind the kids of the other home.
Once again I’m so late that everything has already been said! But I’m just so glad you’ll be taking us along with you on your adventure. :-)
Right on!
Oh Any, I am SO filled with emotions. Jealousy, happiness, awe, excitement…
You’ve got cajones, and I LOVE that about you (and Anydaddy). Your children are blessed with parents who will show them the world. Literally.
I love it. Can’t wait to take the virtual trip!!
I can see where it could be scary. I’m scared for you a bit. But I’m also jealous. We want to do this. We want to travel with our kids and not worry about it. Just pull them out of school and go. And as young as they are, it wouldn’t be hard.
I think if you want to come back and get back into the life you have, you’ll be able too. If you decide it’s not what you really want, whatever it is, will come to you eventually.
Plus, your kids are little. They’re not 15 and 13, you know? Structure and security are important, but you and your husband, are their security. You guys are what’s important to that, the house, is just a place.
this is so freaking exciting! i would much rather take a week and a half to up and move than know you are moving, but not know when the new job starts. good luck to all of you. i will imagine i’m on the island with you.
WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!
Wow.
I’m completely speechless.
(well, except for those nine words up there. And these ones. Shit.)
YOU? Are completely and totally AWESOME.
I got so sad reading the first part feeling like a friend was moving so far away! At the same time, I’m so happy for you and jealous of such a wonderful adventure. I’ve traveled some but never immersed myself in another culture the way that you and your children will.
Frost? There’s a sign on Rte. 495 in Lawrence mass, claiming Frost as a resident. Do I get anything for that?
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence
thanks! how’s the packing going?
i dusted off the “novel.” is the island a good writing environment??
by the way, you can order the tazo chai concentrate at the address below. its the concentrate that starbucks uses, i’m fairly certain.
http://coffeeam.com/tazochai.html
GOOD FOR YOU! I have such itchy feet and always have the need to travel. This year the kids (a 3 year old and 1 year old) have been to Europe, Canada and Hawaii. For me it is about making memories and introducing them to new people and different ways of doing things. It is important for me and them I think. This is the time to do it, when they are in school full time it becomes more difficult.
Whatever happens, when you come back you will work things out, thats what we do!
By the way if you need some tips for longhaul travel with toddlers let me know! I have a few.
I think that sounds WONDERFUL! As someone who has never had the guts to even leave my hometown, I am extremely jealous of your sense of adventure. I wish I could come on your trip, b/c it sounds like you could teach me many things about how to live life to it’s fullest.
you are so right, life is too short to sit behind that picket fence. I can’t wait to read about your adventure!
Wow–what an adventure you’re about to set out on! Just jump in and dont second guess–it will be great! Wishing you lots of luck and can’t wait to hear all about it.
Ilove that poem, btw…
very nice blog site. I found you some how looking for things on our sons irth defects well one of them esophageal atresia and down syndrome and tracheomalacia and so on. Anyways very wonderful, I wish you all the best.
Stacey I think it’s great that you guys are doing this with the kids. I feel for you on that 36 hour flight though. At least this flight you will have Matt with you if you have to go potty this time :)
This is wonderful and incredible. I am excited to be able to follow you and the family on this adventure. Keep blogging about everything you see and learn.
How awesome!! I hope everything goes well!! Sounds like lots of fun! And the pics from there are beautiful!
And the pics from the park are beautiful too!
Best of luck, Stacey! What a wonderful adventure. Spokane will miss you, but we’ll be waiting with open arms if sandy beaches and warm sun ever get tiresome. ;)