From dream to reality...

For those who aren't aware, for as long as I can remember I've wanted to travel the world. I recall a specific conversation with my brother when I was 12 (my brother was 17 and going off to college soon) that went something like this:

B-"So Andrea, where do you think you want to go to college?"

Me-"I'm only 12! I'm too young to think about that."

B-"Actually 12 is the age you should start thinking about it, I wish I had started planning before I got to high school, it would have made it so much easier."

Me-"Well, I don't know, I don't think I want to go straight to college after high school. I don't really like school that much and I'd like some time off so I don't burnout, you see that all the time, you know."

B-"That's silly, what will you do instead, work at McDonald's?"

Me-"No, I'll travel around the world, go see all the places I've never been."

B-"And with what money? Mom's not rich you know. Only rich kids get to do stuff like that."

Me-"Well I won't need much money, I'll just buy an RV and travel around the U.S. and then take it to Europe and travel there and Asia, then to Australia, then fly to Hawaii and see it, then maybe I'll go to college."

B-"You can't take an RV to Europe, you have to fly and it's too expensive to ship cars."

Me-"Well then, I'll sell my RV before I leave the U.S. and buy a new one in Europe. I probably won't need one for Australia, I'll just go to Sydney and look around by car."

B-"You still haven't told me where you're going to get the thousands of dollars it'll take to do all that."

Me-"I'll work while I travel, each place I go, I'll stay for a little while, long enough to really explore the area and then move on."

B-"Hmph, that's not practical, you're just dreaming."

And so I was. And I kept dreaming this dream for a long time, when I got married, I included my husband and then the kids. And for a long time I didn't think it was practical or possible. Then I started hearing about people doing it and I met a family who were just settling down in Austin, TX after having traveled for 5 years. They called themselves the Barenaked Family.

Not only did this family inspire me to live my dream, but they inspired me to cherish my children. Not to say I didn't cherish my children before, but it was an entirely different experience to look at my children and not see them as an inconvenience or people who needed to be controlled, but as individuals with their own dreams, hopes, desires, and fears.

From there, the rest was downhill. I started seeking out information and methods for self-improvement that would be in line with my values. I participated in some courses from Landmark Education that enabled me to truly let go of the past and live in the present.

Through that, I find myself with RV in hand; definite, solid plans for income to make the RV livable and then a rough idea of how to make a go of it. While you may think that "rough idea" means we're not ready, quite the opposite...I like rough ideas. I am ever-changing and adaptable. Fortunately my husband and children trust me enough to know that whatever happens, whatever I choose, their needs and wishes will be respected.

We plan to hit the road in the new year, January, to be precise.

Nearly another month has passed...

In all fairness, we've been really busy this month. Halloween was a couple of days after we last posted and we went trick-or-treating with our friends, the Surettes.

After Halloween, we began gearing up for Karma's birthday. That was one wild ride! We ended up celebrating her birthday for a week. It started on the 7th when we went to Red Robin for her free birthday burger and sundae. Afterward, we rented a movie and got a beautiful cake (pics to come) and some ice cream. On Friday, we went to Austin's Park and Pizza with the Surettes. That was tons of fun. We went mini-golfing, go-cart riding, bumper boat bumping, laser tagging, and we played for hours in their arcade and enjoyed an all-you-can-eat pizza, pasta, and salad buffet. We also took raspberry cheesecake bars for everyone's enjoyment.

On Saturday, Mom went to work and everyone stayed home and rested from the previous two days. Then Sunday, we rented another couple of movies and finished off the birthday cake. On Monday, Mom went to work while everyone rested again. Then on Tuesday, which was Karma's actual birthday, she opened her presents and we had pizza for lunch. Then Mom went to work and came home early, so we rented another movie and got another birthday cake. On Thursday, we went down to San Antonio and walked around River Center Mall before going to Grandma's new house which has a hot tub and a pool!! Sadly, it was way too cold to take a dip and we didn't have our suits with us. We had pizza with Grandma and Aunt Peggy though and Karma got some books she'd really been wanting for her birthday. All in all, Karma said it was her "Best Birthday Ever!!!"

So, here we are now on Friday and we ran some errands, went to an appointment, had dinner at Chili's on a gift card we won, then came home and played Monopoly. Overall, it's been a hectic but joyous last couple of weeks.

We're very excited about the upcoming week as well. We should be talking to Shane tomorrow and possibly seeing the Surettes. Also, Thanksgiving is coming up, which we'll be going to Grandma's for. We're hoping the weather warms up so we can take a swim while we're down there (not likely, but we can hope, can't we?). On Friday, is a special picnic with the homeschooling soccer folks that we plan to attend. At this picnic, we'll being seeing the BareNakedFamily, who have been in New Mexico for the last several months. We've missed them tons and can't wait to see them again.

Our love to all of our friends and family who read this. We hope you have a great and blessed Thanksgiving.