It has been some time since I have been on here putting down the thoughts about our trip. Not that I haven't thought about it for countless hours. Oh no I have done that just didn't take time to put it in writing. And now here it is the end of another year. We are about to enter 2008. My how time flies.
Christmas has come and gone already and New Years is just a few days away. I am overjoyed at what this new year will bring our way. Much change lies ahead. My sister and best friend is moving to Florida to be with my baby sister. It's a little unsettling to know I won't be with them. Nikki moved into a lovely house with a pool and only minutes to the beach. I want to be near them but really want to discover what America has to offer our family.
In terms of our trip. We have talked about ways to give back and one thought was to feed the homeless in each and every state. We helped out at the local Rescue Mission over Christmas and it was rewarding for our whole family. I just feel it is so important for us as a family to reach out to those in need that it has to be a part of our trip. To share the love that God blesses us with daily and let others know they are loved too. Seems so simple to me and yet so life changing. So I will check into this avenue and get back to you on that.
I think we are going to auction the house in April as opposed to listing it in January with a realtor. I need to call the auctioneer to set up a time for him to check out our house and see what his thoughts are. The house is listed on Craig's List for sale and maybe it will go that way. We'll see.
If we are counting down to our departure we only have about 16 weeks left. WOW that really puts it in perspective. So we shall see what evolves from now until then and hopefully I will get to writing on here between it all.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Monday, October 8, 2007
Anything is possible
Happy Birthday John-36 B a b y...
Was feeling a bit overwhelmed at the thought of what needs to be done with our house in order to be ready to put it on the market in January. It seems that with every project another one is overturned. Still the goal remains and will be achieved.
Been thinking about how to further downsize and get rid of more stuff. I must admit that is difficult to do as we seems to use everything still in this house. I know I need to start thinking on a smaller scale.
Would like to hit the used RV show this week to get a more realistic picture of what we can/cannot afford. I was hoping John and I could do that together but with him working out of town that is not going to happen. So it just might be me and the kids. Besides it is going to be their home too. I believe it is important for them to know what we are getting into. They always get excited when we get to go in and out of the different RV models.
So my sister now has her house on the market and will be moving to Florida once the house sells. WOW I am blown away by that. Since Nikki moved there a month ago it has been an adjustment without her family here. And now another one off. My two little sisters so far away from me. Not something that I want to think about. Makes me wonder if that will be the deciding factor in where we end up after our cross country tour. Only God knows at this point. Anything is possible....
Was feeling a bit overwhelmed at the thought of what needs to be done with our house in order to be ready to put it on the market in January. It seems that with every project another one is overturned. Still the goal remains and will be achieved.
Been thinking about how to further downsize and get rid of more stuff. I must admit that is difficult to do as we seems to use everything still in this house. I know I need to start thinking on a smaller scale.
Would like to hit the used RV show this week to get a more realistic picture of what we can/cannot afford. I was hoping John and I could do that together but with him working out of town that is not going to happen. So it just might be me and the kids. Besides it is going to be their home too. I believe it is important for them to know what we are getting into. They always get excited when we get to go in and out of the different RV models.
So my sister now has her house on the market and will be moving to Florida once the house sells. WOW I am blown away by that. Since Nikki moved there a month ago it has been an adjustment without her family here. And now another one off. My two little sisters so far away from me. Not something that I want to think about. Makes me wonder if that will be the deciding factor in where we end up after our cross country tour. Only God knows at this point. Anything is possible....
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Enjoy the Challenge
So it has been over a week since my last post. Not unusual for me. I wanted to get this down here so that it was in black and white. John and I agreed that we will put the house up for sale on January 1, 2008. That is not that far off. Next week being October really leaves us with three full months. I have been painting to get it ready. Had a guy come and give us an estimate for the kitchen floor but it was more than we had hoped so that will be another do it yourselfer. The list of things to do before we list the house seems to be growing instead of shrinking. Maybe just maybe I need to overlook some things and do only what is necessary.
We have been looking at some really nice used RV's online and have found some that are in our price range. They are a bit older than I had wanted but with low mileage it shouldn't be a concern if we do choose to go that way.
The planning stages of this trip are long and daunting. Little things like health insurance, copies of health records, figuring out what state to live and the home school regs there. The list is really endless and at times mind boggling. But I am sure next year a this time where ever we will be it just won't matter how long it took to plan only that we did and that we followed this blessed dream. Anything worth doing takes effort so I look forward to the challenges and I enjoy the journey where ever it may lead.
We have been looking at some really nice used RV's online and have found some that are in our price range. They are a bit older than I had wanted but with low mileage it shouldn't be a concern if we do choose to go that way.
The planning stages of this trip are long and daunting. Little things like health insurance, copies of health records, figuring out what state to live and the home school regs there. The list is really endless and at times mind boggling. But I am sure next year a this time where ever we will be it just won't matter how long it took to plan only that we did and that we followed this blessed dream. Anything worth doing takes effort so I look forward to the challenges and I enjoy the journey where ever it may lead.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Lessons Learned
I have been thinking about what we can do while we travel that would add meaning to others' lives and to teach our children about giving back to this world God blessed us with. It is important for us to leave a legacy to these kids, that they know there is more to life than the me syndrome so common in our world and even our house on occasion .
We have considered volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, rebuilding the South, working at soup kitchens and even picking up trash. There is also the idea of raising money for some worthy cause. We are not sure yet and need to discuss this further as a family but I just feel a real desire to give back and not just indulge while on this trip. We really are blessed beyond measure with our health, and friends & families that love us, a God who cherishes us but it just feels better to give than receive and so I pray that we get divine direction to make this trip one that changes not only our lives but everyone we meet in some way. This life is not our own and we are to lay it down for His purpose and calling. I know that this journey was something God placed within the destiny of this family.
It is funny the lessons we learn along the way. Next month the mortgage interest on our house will jump 3%. Increasing our payments by over $2oo a month. It really just confirms for us it is time to leave this behind and simplify our lives. I saw on the news tonight that over half of the millions of people who also choose the adjustable rate mortgage (we did b/c it was cheaper for us monthly, not looking into the future of course) a few years back will have to foreclose on their homes due to the increase in monthly mortgage payment. I am glad ours is only $200, many were upwards of $800-1000. Totally insane. We bought this house when the market was hot. I hope and pray now that it is really in a slump that we can sell in January as planned.
We originally wanted to be on the road by May 16, 2008. The 15 year anniversary from our first cross country trip (how cool is that) but since this whole mortgage thing we would like to sell sooner than that. January normally isn't the best time of year to sell but God's hand is upon us and we give Him all the glory so let the praise begin.
We have considered volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, rebuilding the South, working at soup kitchens and even picking up trash. There is also the idea of raising money for some worthy cause. We are not sure yet and need to discuss this further as a family but I just feel a real desire to give back and not just indulge while on this trip. We really are blessed beyond measure with our health, and friends & families that love us, a God who cherishes us but it just feels better to give than receive and so I pray that we get divine direction to make this trip one that changes not only our lives but everyone we meet in some way. This life is not our own and we are to lay it down for His purpose and calling. I know that this journey was something God placed within the destiny of this family.
It is funny the lessons we learn along the way. Next month the mortgage interest on our house will jump 3%. Increasing our payments by over $2oo a month. It really just confirms for us it is time to leave this behind and simplify our lives. I saw on the news tonight that over half of the millions of people who also choose the adjustable rate mortgage (we did b/c it was cheaper for us monthly, not looking into the future of course) a few years back will have to foreclose on their homes due to the increase in monthly mortgage payment. I am glad ours is only $200, many were upwards of $800-1000. Totally insane. We bought this house when the market was hot. I hope and pray now that it is really in a slump that we can sell in January as planned.
We originally wanted to be on the road by May 16, 2008. The 15 year anniversary from our first cross country trip (how cool is that) but since this whole mortgage thing we would like to sell sooner than that. January normally isn't the best time of year to sell but God's hand is upon us and we give Him all the glory so let the praise begin.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
A New Adventure
I have been wondering how to create a place where we could keep track of our travel journeys once they begin. I can't believe how easy this was to do and find and imagine it is free.
I guess I should start by giving a reason for even wanting to blog. I never before thought we would need a reason to put down in writing the daily ins and outs of our lives.
However this dream of ours has been awhile coming. Actually it starting almost 15 years ago when John and I traveled around the country in a little pop up for three months. It was amazing and beautiful.
Fast forward to 12 years of marriage and three dear children later. John works very hard at his current job. He is an amazing man, husband and father. He works long hours at a very physically strenuous job and NEVER complains. He truely is a one of a kind. But there has to be more to life than that. Just keeping this roof over our heads is not God's best for his children
Well we have been wanting to move south for a number of years now and even went to South Carolina to check it out. We loved it near Charleston and the beach. John even had a job lined up to pump concrete. God had other plans though when I became pregnant with baby number three. He is now almost 4. Time does fly.
So in talking and dreaming about moving it occured to me that we could again travel around the country. Not a problem since our kids are homeschooled(unschooled much of the time). We could share with our kids this awesome country and really spend time together as a family. Besides isn't that what it's all about. For us it really it. I believe this crazy dream of ours will come true. I have been reading and researching for months now. I am a fanatic when it comes to doing my reserch and finding out all I can about something. It has been an information influx of RV models, campgrounds to visit, places to see, stories of other people doing the same thing (Families on the Road). I love learning about those who go before us and pave the way. The life of living on the road in an RV is not that uncommon as it once was. I am excited at the possibilites it presents for this family of five dreamers. We shall see.....
I guess I should start by giving a reason for even wanting to blog. I never before thought we would need a reason to put down in writing the daily ins and outs of our lives.
However this dream of ours has been awhile coming. Actually it starting almost 15 years ago when John and I traveled around the country in a little pop up for three months. It was amazing and beautiful.
Fast forward to 12 years of marriage and three dear children later. John works very hard at his current job. He is an amazing man, husband and father. He works long hours at a very physically strenuous job and NEVER complains. He truely is a one of a kind. But there has to be more to life than that. Just keeping this roof over our heads is not God's best for his children
Well we have been wanting to move south for a number of years now and even went to South Carolina to check it out. We loved it near Charleston and the beach. John even had a job lined up to pump concrete. God had other plans though when I became pregnant with baby number three. He is now almost 4. Time does fly.
So in talking and dreaming about moving it occured to me that we could again travel around the country. Not a problem since our kids are homeschooled(unschooled much of the time). We could share with our kids this awesome country and really spend time together as a family. Besides isn't that what it's all about. For us it really it. I believe this crazy dream of ours will come true. I have been reading and researching for months now. I am a fanatic when it comes to doing my reserch and finding out all I can about something. It has been an information influx of RV models, campgrounds to visit, places to see, stories of other people doing the same thing (Families on the Road). I love learning about those who go before us and pave the way. The life of living on the road in an RV is not that uncommon as it once was. I am excited at the possibilites it presents for this family of five dreamers. We shall see.....
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