I love traveling, especially the anticipation of travel. The planning, the shopping, the coordinating, and even the packing. Having something to look forward to keeps me going.

We have been planning a trip to Europe for months. It’s our first major long-term trip as a family. Last year at this time, we finalized plans to move and shared with the girls our desire to homeschool. We knew it would give us the option to travel with Tim for work and for our family to be on our own schedule. We have done a few small trips, but with all the moving (4 times in 6 months) and uncertainty of our living situation, major travel has been on hold. Until now…

The girls have been counting down on a daily basis for many, many weeks. To say that anxiety is at an all time high would by an understatement. What will the plane be like? What will we eat? What’s the hotel look like? We’ve never been gone this long! I’m going to miss my bed and toys and our house! (Cue tears) These are the things I hear all the days….

I am eager to get traveling, too.  I have worries as well.  How long will it take us all to get over jet-lag?  Did I pack all the things we need?  (I am sure I over-packed, but this is an opportunity for learning and I will make improvements for our next adventure). Will we all be able to sleep in the same room for over 3 weeks?!?  What will homeschooling look like “on the road”?  How do I make the most of educating our girls as we travel the world?

I hope to have answers to these questions that will affirm our ability to homeschool and travel the world.  I know it won’t be easy, but nothing epic ever is!

It’s been a while since I’ve written. Lots of reasons (ahem, excuses)… Mainly my lack of confidence.  I feel like I can’t write unless there is some grand purpose and meaning behind what I’m saying.  But, I’ve missed it.  I’ve found that writing is therapeutic for me and helps me work through whatever is going on in my life.  I think it’s because I’m a verbal processor and writing is cheaper than therapy.

I like to talk through whatever is on my mind. My poor husband… I ramble on and on and expect him to keep up.  He has learned to listen and occasionally ask a question to help me process, which is all very sweet since he is an internal processor.  Talking about something at lengthy is not his preferred way to spend time.

Lately, I’ve been talking his ear off about suitcases for our upcoming trip.  Carry on or check bags?  What size suitcase?  Soft or hard side? Matching or let the girls chose their own?  You get the idea. He’s had to listen to all these debates and more.  This is the man who is a travel warrior– on the road half the year and only takes a carry on no matter where he is going or how long thr trip is. He hates to check a bag and despises when me and the girls do so.  I think I wore him down with all my jabber because he agreed that we can check our bags!! I don’t have to put 3 weeks of travel (plus a wedding) in a carry on! Such relief!  I can breathe.

But wait… What tote should I bring?

My poor husband…maybe it’s time to go to therapy!!!