Adventure Is Out There

I am filled with such excitement as I write this blog. It has been a dream of ours for several years to become full-time RVers and travel the US with our children. We've had lots of people ask, "why would you want to do that" or "how are you going to do that" or "why not wait until you are retired and your kids are grown"? Well here's the answer, we are never guaranteed a new day here on earth. What if I told you that we love to be with our children and this is a journey that we want to take with them, not after they are gone? The plain and simple answer is, we have too much stuff! We live in a society that puts all the "STUFF" on a pedestal. If we don't have a house with acreage or a car and a boat or RV then we just aren't living life. What if we trade having all our stuff for quality time with our family?

In any given week, my husband works up to 60 hours and for what? He works to pay for all of our "stuff". We have chosen to trade all of our stuff for time with him and each other. We know we love camping and we know we can live together in a small space for long periods of time. We have always considered the campground as our mission field. We meet so many people from all walks of life and love connecting and fellowshipping with them.

So here goes, we have set a date and are transforming a school bus into an RV (skoolie). We have lots to do, but are super excited about the journey together. Our plan is to travel for awhile and see God's creation and learn through nature. There are so many beautiful places here in the US that we have never seen and we want to experience them WITH our kids.

Before you ask, Everything is okay, we are NOT losing our minds or having a nervous break down. We are just choosing to live (what we think is) our best life. Not someday, but RIGHT NOW!

We hope you will choose to follow our journey. We will have a page that you can connect with us and follow us on our adventure. Just simply comment if you'd like to be added.

We covet your payers on this endeavor. It seems quite overwhelming right now, but we are determined and look forward to the change and growth that it will bring to our family.

Good Perspective

The thoughts of another school year have started. Lots of children in our area have already started back to school for a fresh new year. This is a time that can bring some anxiety to homeschooling parents. What curriculum do we use, what programs should we participate in and if you are like me, can I really do this another year?

I was able to have some solitude over the summer and do some real thinking on this topic. As a homeschooling mom of 4 (now) and one who should start some preschool activities this year, I was faced with that question, "Can I really do this?". Well the obvious answer is YES I CAN! I have homeschooled one who has now graduated and moved on with his life as an adult and is thriving! I have another finishing her senior year this year and has great plans for her future!

YES, I can do this!

The days are long and my road is still very long with really no end in sight for many years to come. It is so easy to think of the negative and all the many reasons why I can't do this job. I had even considered the possibility of putting one or maybe up to 3 in school this year, but during that quiet evening with God he reminded me of my calling and my job here.

My husband is a wonderful encourager to me and reminds me daily of the reasons why I started this journey and how this job (as hard as it is) is so worth it. God showed me a clear perspective just yesterday when we ran in to an elderly woman in the grocery store. She asked the kids if they were ready to start school, etc. The topic of how they were homeschooled was started. She asked me why I do it? With no hesitation, I named so many reasons why. The flexibility, the assurance of knowing what they are learning, the freedom to pick who they hang out with and most importantly the blessing of spending this time with them were some of my answers. She quickly answered, "I fully understand". One day when I am in my 70's I can look back on young families and give encouragement as to why it is important to spend time with your kids. We can't get this time back!

"You'll never look back on life and think, "I spent too much time with my kids".- Kimberly McLeod


So here goes, ordering our curriculum and gearing up for another year of school! Hang in there Mama, you can do it too! Hope this encourages someone today!

Camp Host Life (Season 6)

I can hardly believe that six years have passed since we decided to give Camp Hosting a try. We have thoroughly enjoyed being in the parks and working side by side with some amazing people. Our kids have grown up in the park and we have added two more children since the journey began! The simplicity of living in a camper with little to no internet and tv is a blessing in this society of too much technology and always rushing to do another thing.

We have seen many park staff come and go and just like in any family there can be some "drama" but we always find our place, feel welcome, and leave with so many new lifelong friends.

As a park host, our duties include checking in campers, cleaning the campground and bath house and basically just meeting and enjoying wonderful fellowship with people from all walks of life. One of the best things about homeschooling is that we can do this anywhere we go and are able to live this wonderful lifestyle. Every year when we return home, I realize how "things" don't matter but the time we spend with our children and others matters SO MUCH MORE! 

FUN FACT: We have 940 Saturdays between the day our children are born and the day they turn 18 (260 of them are gone by their 5th birthday)!

How are you spending your days with your children? This time can't be gotten back. Why not spend it doing things in nature and teaching your children to love their surroundings and the people around them.

If you have ever considered becoming a camp host, I highly recommend! The volunteer hours aren't hard and the experience is definitely worth the investment.

Happy Camping!