1 month into our adventure

We've made it! One month in! For all of those people who bet 1 month or less, sorry, you lost. We are still at it and going strong. I've debated on the best way to write this blog to update everyone on the realities of this adventure we've embarked on. I want to tell you it's been all rainbows and sunshine, as our Instagram may portray, yet the reality is, we are raising 3 boys and two large dogs on the road in 300 square feet of living space. The idea that this is going smoothly is ridiculous. Granted, it could be 100x worse and I am very aware of that.

Overall, its honestly going well. We've had bumps in the road but it isn't anything we wouldn't have encountered had we been living in our 1,500 sq foot house in Temecula. Let me say, I miss it terribly. The truth of the situation is I miss it so much. I cried hard once about it. Lost it a little over the fact that the routine we once had is gone. I'm pretty sure when my friends kids start school and the pictures of their first day of school come rolling in on my Instagram feed, I may lose it again. No back to school shopping there, new backpacks and shoes, walking them to their first day back at the school we adored. Gah. I'll stop there. I don't get emotional about things like this! Who am I?! Yet, the reality that we don't have a home to go back to is settling in and its hard.  We loved our home and our neighbors. We loved our routine and our family and friends. We really were settled and good. So why did we leave? We had an opportunity that most people don't get and we ran with it. 

So, here we are. 1 month in to living on the road. When I look back at the last month, I really cannot believe all of the things we have done and places we have gone. It's quite impressive. Best part so far, spending so much time with my kids. Worst part, spending so much time with my kids. I do feel like I hug them more and listen to them more. I watch them play far more often because we are in a new place each week and I cannot just send them outside to roam, yes, I'm one of those moms who doesn't let her kids stray too far and I don't care. Yet, spending so much time with them means I'm correcting their behavior more, yelling at them more (I'm not perfect, I totally yell), and not getting any personal space. I am learning my kids personalities more. Their needs, desires and abilities. 

One month in, bio of each kid. 
B- He's obsessed with cars. Broncos, old cars, engines and the sounds they make, Jeeps and drawing them all. He also learned how to "jump" his bike over speed bumps in the campground, he loves to ride around and make friends. We received his report card as well from the 3rd grade and he killed it. Conqored the 3rd grade. As a reward, we took him zip lining. He's turning into a kid you can have real conversations with. He's held my hand more than he ever has and I love it. He's too cool to dance to the songs at VBS but I caught him doing the movements when Jake was singing. B loves working out with Dad and makes up his own Crossfit workouts. He's been awesome and he's loving this adventre. 
J- Oh Jake. Jake loves each and every place we visit. So much so he never wants to leave. He wants to stay at each spot, move in with the family member we're visiting and never leave. When it's time to move on, he is sad for a good full day and then quickly adjusts to the new spot. He has enjoyed the lakes and has no fear when it comes to jumping off the kayak or paddle board, over and over and over. He wants to fish all of the time and hopes to catch something soon. We have not had the best of luck. He's still a snuggly kid, so much so that sometimes he just can't keep his hands off his brothers. I've snuggled Jake more than ever in the last month. He's also done more burpees in the last month than he ever has before, if only he could keep those hands to himself. Overall, he's been good. Challenging, but good.
T- This kid turned 3, two days after we left and on his 3rd birthday, he decided he was done with diapers. I had really wanted to potty train him before we left but he was totally not interested. Suddenly, he's telling us when he needs to go and in 3 weeks, he's had one accident. (Little mommy cheer). He also got a bike for his birthday from his Nino and Nina and after riding it for just 2 weeks, he's over the training wheels and wants them off now. We've seen so many animals on our adventure and he wants to hold them all. "Look T, an Elk!." His response, "Mommy, me hold it?" As he stretches out his arms. He did 2 days of VBS and by the 3rd he realized the routine, us leaving him, and he was done. He loves his cowboy hat and often wears only that and his new Paw Patrol undies. 

Travis & I- We celebrated 4 years of marriage on the 12th. No date or anything special, just enjoyed our quite time the two previous days while all 3 kids were at VBS. (Thanks AK). We try to laugh at situations where we want to rip our hair out. There is no way I'd ever do this adventure without him. He's my sanity when I'm about to lose it all.

So, there you have it. 1 month in. 7 stops, 1 vet visit, zip lining, no more diapers on our kids, new hitch, a few hiccups but nothing major. So far, so good!

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