Are we gone yet?

Monday 4:40pm
We haven't left. No surprise really. We have been 90% packed for days.  However, J worked all day yesterday adding a 2 battery for auxiliary power, a new windshield washer pump, putting the Yakima rack, box, and boats on.  So many last minute items!

Departure Date is set

"Turn away from the world this year and begin to listen. Listen to the whispers of your heart. Look within."
                                                 -Sarah Ban Breathnach

After a month of looking within, wondering, dreaming, and well more dreaming we have a departure date, January 16th.  We are headed south to climb and visit family.  Florida beaches watch out because I am craving sand between my toes.  The crazy thing is that leaves 10 days to pack. 10 days. 10 days!

• homeschool/roadschool notification
• gather roadschool materials
• tie up loose ends at work
• write a how to manual for our house and critter sitter
• pack everything else! this is another post, for sure
• clean the house
• prep Love Dove
• Breathe and pack some more

We have a lot to do in the next 10 days, oh did I mention I have a sinus infection. Juicing, water, and herbs are my best friend right now.  Between those and the pull of the open road, I should heal pretty quick.

Off to tackle my list, 

 Anna

P.S. For all the squatters and thieves: our home will not be vacant. Don't waste your time:)

Beginning the Life

We have no travel dates. No concrete plans. What we have is DESIRE.  The DESIRE to try something new. The DESIRE to explore our country.  Like any sane person we begin with a lists.
where?
when?
what do we want to see? what would be cool? what can we pass by?
what do we pack? 
how do we finance this desire?
how long can we be gone?
what about the house?

87 VW Vanagon Roadtrip

I just realized we are going to put 4 people and gear in a VW Bus. The question isn't what to pack.  It is what can I do without? slight freakout moment.

Parenting

I want to say parenting a kid with ts is challenging. But then he smiles at me.  I want him to stop hanging on me, pulling my pants down just enoughto aggravate me then he says I love you.
I want to b*tch and moan about taking 3 hours to complete 1 workbook page and then I question why do the page and then I remember some things in life need a little practice.
Somedays I want to walk out of the house in tears and as I'm deciding I'll head to the lake I remember how much he likes to swim, so we all go.
Somedays I just want to hold him still to enjoy his peace but his peace involves constant movement. I just want to hold him still and savor all the sweetness that he has under the ts. 

I wonder how one is a good parent when it is so hard to find patience. It is so hard to be consistent with food or bed or schoolwork or things I know will save my sanity when it produces anxiety, uncertainy and distress in him.  And there is always the component of figuring out if he is truly having a hard time or "manipulating" the situation to get what he wants.  Humans tend to do that,you know.
We all want our needs met. I don't argue. I just don't know how to meet everyone's need right now.