Meant to Be - How We Found Our Airstream

     I’m slightly embarrassed with how long I was browsing for a trailer.  It must have been for over a year!  Ever since my husband and I agreed to pursue our dream to be nomads, I jumped on the Airstream Classifieds and kept in touch with all Airstream enthusiasts hoping to find one that we could afford.  

To my surprise, we didn’t even come close to purchasing a trailer for about a year.  I’d come across some possibilities that were “meh” and some amazing trailers that were not in our realistic price range.  And I actually lived in an unrealistic world where I thought it possible that some wealthy samaritan might come along and hand us a bag of cash.  Lol. No joke. I kept thinking, anything is possible right?

     But after months and months of praying and waiting and getting my dream bubble popped many many times, we finally got the news.  My husband was offered a paid trip for the whole family to NY. This was IT! Our opportunity to sell everything and take off.  But we knew that when we returned home to CA, that we would be forced to buy a trailer, whether or not it was a piece of junk or not. Haha.

     We arrived home and had no place to go, so we made the best of it and went camping for a week.  Let me tell you.. camping in a tent past 3 days is NOT my thing.  I was tired of hiking to the restroom and using community showers.  On day 4 I cried.  I was so close to throwing in the towel and finding an apartment for rent.

…

     We had a lead on a trailer that look super nice and possibly in our price range.  And it was only a 4 hour drive away to boot.  When we arrived at the dealer and saw the trailer, it was obvious this Airstream was trashed.  Everything in sight needed major work.  Rust was everywhere and things were visibly broken and the prior owners painted it silver! I mean, you don’t paint an Airstream! We were bummed out and told the dealer we were not interested in moving forward and started to walk out.  

     We were literally on our way out when I asked the dealer “Do you happen to have any other used ones for sale?” He said “Sorry, no.”  Maybe 10 seconds later he said, “Well, wait a minute.  We do have a trailer that has been stored here for over a year. It isn’t for sale, but I could try to contact the owner and see if she would like to sell it. Want to go take a look at it?”  We knew that it was a long shot, but how could we resist the offer to take a peek?

     Approaching the trailer, I couldn’t help smile.  It was so pretty! Looked great from the outside; no rust or dents.  Gorgeous exterior.  The moment we stepped inside, I loved it! So clean; open and inviting.  It was difficult for me to not get excited, but I knew it was not for sale.  We both wanted it, so we told the dealer to go ahead and ask the owner if they were willing to sell.  He said it might be difficult to get ahold of her as it was in the past, but he would try.  

     Only a few days later, we got the call.  She’s willing to sell!! What’s even better… it was in our price range!! 

     I could NOT believe it.  Honestly, I still can’t believe it.  How did this beautiful Airstream make it’s way into our lives at such a perfect time and under the perfect circumstances?  What’s more, this particular trailer was manufactured the year my husband was born.  

We thought it was funny that it was his age.  I speculated on where it had traveled and what had it been through along the time when Daniel and I were growing up. I even remember seeing Airstreams on the road as a little girl and wishing I could have one when I grew up - in fact I might have seen this exact one! Lol.  

Under the circumstances, I couldn’t help feel that it was written in the stars.  It was meant to be.

     We said several prayers of gratitude that day. There were times when we had been doubtful and sad, but the faith remained that things would work out.  But when things actually DID work out, I was in awe.  

Even when we received the bad news that the additional fees and taxes made the trailer just barely out of our price range.. Daniel happened to get an unexpected Christmas bonus and some generous help from family member.  It all panned out miraculously.  I can only thank my Heavenly Father for the guidance to press forward and continue to have faith in progress and pursuing dreams.  

     Now we have our dream home!  We named him “Excalibur” due to his brilliant shine and magnificence, but also because of the mysterious fate surrounding his existence.  We thought there was no way we were going to pull this guy out of the stone, but we did and it felt inspired. 

Our hearts are so full.  

READ MORE >>

Choose Faith Over Fear - The Secret to Winning Life

Just before trying the zip-line Marley said,
"It's a little scary, but I want to try something new."
She is my hero. <3

    " Courage cannot erase our fear.

      Courage is when we face our fear." - {Seize the Day}     

      This past year has been a significant time for growth.  I asked myself so many questions regarding what is important to me and what I aspire to achieve.  And as a stay at home mom of three, I was unexpectedly faced with a unique and adventurous path.  This path led me to challenge conventional lifestyle and to pursue a frightening future of unpredictability.

     The biggest lesson I learned while embarking on this path, is that fear is not a weakness; fear is a challenge.  We all have fears, and we are faced with fears on a daily basis.  

Fear of failure.
Fear of inferiority.
Fear of the unknown.
Fear of humiliation.
Fear of rejection.

I've always felt that fear is the opposite of faith.
     Especially while I watch the Olympics right now, I am awestruck with the tremendous faith these Olympic athletes radiate.  They go the distance because their parents have faith in them, and because they have chosen to be stronger than their fears.  They have faith in their abilities and in their dreams.

Great things happen when we experience fears and choose to overcome them.  And even when efforts made in faith fail, the experience is worth so much more than having given into fear.  It is an invaluable growth that rewards us eternally!

     It is a shame when people make decisions based on fear; I see those decisions as missed opportunities to truly shine.  But even when people have let fear dictate their paths, it is never too late to turn around and say "No, I am stronger than my fears!"  Every moment is an opportunity to exercise faith.

     When my husband and I took each other's hands and agreed to move forward with our plans to live a minimalist lifestyle.. we were letting go of our fears and building upon our faith.  It was then that we could see miraculous blessings happening in our lives and for our family.

     I had no idea that these things were possible.  But now I am certain that each one of us is capable of miraculous things.  We just need to have the courage to choose faith over fear.  

    

     Everyone has unique goals, dreams, and ideas that will be challenged by fear.  And I'm sure millions of incredible ideas have already been buried by fears.  These ideas could have flourished and could have inspired the world.  But they were stopped in their tracks.  Don't let the fear win.  I've seen it.  I've felt the fear too.  But you are stronger than you think.  I promise.

READ MORE >>

The Adventure Begins!

     After a year of dreaming, praying, planning, and waiting.. the stars have aligned and we have hit the road indefinitely.

     We officially sold and donated almost everything we own and moved out of our apartment, with no official place of residence.  I can't believe how quickly the last couple weeks have passed.  It was a blur of clearing out.  It was only a few days ago that we packed up our car and headed out.
     After a few hours on the road, Marley says, "Mommy, are you so excited we are starting our adventure?" It was then when it hit me.  We did it! We made it here.  Crazy.  A real miracle.
     Subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep updated on our experiences as nomads.

   

READ MORE >>

Homeless is the New Elite

     

     Times are changing, and we are happily changing with them.

     I remember growing up and being taught that in order to be happy and successful, I needed to get a college degree and buy a home with increasing property value.  That was it.  The American Dream.

     My husband and I chased that dream for a while, but circumstances and prayer have led us to a place where we have a new dream.  The dream to have no anchor; the freedom to live anywhere at the drop of a hat.  The dream to be able to adapt to different surroundings; and to really take on an adventure together with excitement in our hearts and faith in our souls.  Next month, our dream is finally coming true!!

     We are getting rid of most of our belongings and leaving behind conventional life.  We are becoming a family of nomads.

With three little ones, this adventure won't be easy, but we are excited to take on the unique challenge.

     We had planned to purchase a trailer to live in, but now we have an awesome opportunity to travel from place to place for about 6 months with no official place of residence... Whatsoever.  Homeless!

     I admit the term "homeless" has a negative connotation, so I often refer to us as nomads.  But essentially, we are going to be without a home, by choice.  We will be staying in hotels here and there, and we have plenty of family and friends who are happy to have us as house guests in between, so we will never be without shelter.  Our destinations will be determined by my husband's work trips, so we continue to have a stable income.

     With advanced technology and online communication, travelers and artists are not the only ones who can chase these unconventional dreams.  Today anyone can make it happen, with the right sacrifices. Today, possibilities are limitless.

     We still plan to buy our trailer, but not until later in the year.

For now, we are taking an even bigger leap of faith than we planned, and moving on without a place to hang our hat.. so to speak.

     Honestly though... Now that it's finally happening, we feel like we've won the lottery!

If someone handed me a million dollars, I would still choose to live freely on the road with my family for at least a few years.

     I've had people ask, "How are you able to do that?" 

     I've had people tell me, "That is my dream!"  

     And I've had people say, "I'm going to do that one day."  

     I've come to realize, that we are living the new dream.  Free of rent/mortgage payments and utility bills.  Free to homeschool our children; not only teaching them about the world, but experiencing it with them!  These things have become priceless to me.  I am thankful to the Lord for my blessings and for this opportunity.  With a loving family by my side and the open road calling, I feel like the wealthiest person in the world!

READ MORE >>

Our Unschool Year 2015-2016

A fun look at what we learned and accomplished this past year.
We love unschooling!

READ MORE >>

Being A Disneyland Mom - 4 Things Our Kids Learn

     We've been called over the top parents - excessive moms with too much time on our hands. 

     We've been accused of spoiling our kids; of providing them with an unrealistic perspective.

     Yes, we've been judged.  But that's okay, because it's all worth it!

- We take our kids to Disneyland weekly, sometimes a few times a week.

- We encourage them to explore the park like it's a new world waiting to be chartered.

- We support dress up days and we light up when our kids want to be a prince or princess for the day.

- And yes, sometimes we even spend hours designing and making original handmade Disney costumes.

     My husband and I have had annual passes to Disneyland long before our kids were born.  We had our first date there.  We were engaged at Snow White's Wishing Well.  I walked off labor pains with all three of my children there.  Our kids were fated to grow up there.  We've had magical times in the parks throughout the years.  But recently we have seen a growth in dressing up to the nines at Disney.  I didn't pay much attention to the kids that participated in dressing up until we were invited to join in.  Our good friends from Designer Daddy, brought extra costumes for our girls to join in on dressing up.  It was an incredible experience.

     When my daughter slipped on that first gorgeous Victorian style dress and glided down Main St like a princess, holding hands with her best friend.. the magic of Disneyland jumped to a whole new level.

     Many of us look forward to Halloween all year so we can dress up in our favorite costumes and to take on fun roles.  We brainstorm and plan, allowing our creative juices to flow and explore the possibilities.  Well, Disneyland makes it possible for us to experience that excitement with every visit to the happiest place on earth.

I LOVE being an "excessive" Disney mom with Disney kids!  Here is why:     

     In all honesty, dressing my kids up for our trips to Disneyland has provided us with unforeseen benefits. I've noticed some very valuable skills my children are developing.

Confidence

     I have seen a significant growth in confidence in my babies.  Not necessarily because they are wearing frills and sparkles, but because I encourage them to dress up how they like and to hold their heads up while they strut their favorite outfits.  Too many times, I remember being told not to look too confident or people would think I was conceded.  In hindsight all I can think is.. not cool! All that resulted from that were insecurities and reservations.  Fear of confidence is not humility.  Quite the opposite.  Insecurities are fuel for resentment and disdain.  I want my girls to love themselves without any fears of what people think.  It has helped them to realize that every girl is a princess and every boy is a hero.

Social Skills

     From the very first day my kids dressed up at Disneyland, they started receiving lots of compliments and kind comments; even requests to take pictures with families.  The first few visits, my girls would sometimes clam up, hide behind my legs, or mumble "thank you" after I had coaxed them to do so.

A few months later, "thank you" is a natural response.  They have learned to say "hello" to people with a smile.  They are also usually glad to pose with people for a quick photo.  I am so glad to see that these experiences have given my kids loads of practice communicating with people and making friends everywhere we go.  We've even been able to make good friends with a circle of other Disney families who regularly attend the parks.  It's been a wonderful network.

Optimism

     For those who argue that dressing up and going to Disneyland all the time isn't preparing kids for real-life, I have to respond with, "Rubbish!"  I am tired of the ongoing cynicism that runs rampant in the world.  Because "real-life" is obviously a relative term.  Not long ago, I was limited by the concept of conventional "real-life."  It limited my goals and my thinking, until I started surrounding myself with amazing people!  The amazing people who question the norm and strive to make miracles happen.  Those are the people who encourage the extraordinary.  They are the innovators, artists, and optimists.  They are the Walt Disneys of the world!

In pursuing these extraordinary days at Disneyland, my girls are learning that dreams can come true every day.  And we as a family are learning that the fun can last forever.

Creativity

     It didn't take long for my 5 year old to start throwing out ideas on what our next set of costumes should be.  She even started contributing design ideas.  She started enjoying playing the characters and exploring her theatrical abilities.  Before we started dressing up, she refused to dress up like a villain.  She has now dressed up like a villain twice and loved it.  Through these opportunities to play at Disneyland, my kids have been able to broaden their imaginations.

All these qualities thrive in the Disney atmosphere and they have even inspired me to pursue one of MY life-long dreams!  To produce videos!  The first time I gathered footage from a Disney trip and all the kids were dressed up, the beauty and magic awoke an urge in me to create and to explore video editing technology, like I did when I was a kid.  I've had the time of my life visualizing different scenes and providing the right costumes and settings for the kids to play with. We've ended up with fun videos as memories, and a way for me to express my art.  I've recently branded my art Disney CopyKids.  There is no way for me to monetize my results on YouTube due to copyright laws, but it is something that I love to do and I plan to continue to do so.  The smiles I see and the comments I receive on my videos are plenty of compensation. ;) However, please visit my Patreon link for more info on how to support my dream in other ways:

     www.patreon.com/DisneyCopyKids

Here is one of my favorite projects!...

I must give a resounding thank you to supporters of our activities! We have nothing but immense gratitude to Disney and to friends and family that have been encouraging us along the way.  I love being a Disney mom! Nothing but good things.

READ MORE >>