Just keep blogging, Just keep blogging

Ok, as a kid, I think I started a diary about a hundred times and then just gave up writing. Since this is basically what I am doing, I told myself I would write something every day, no matter how little. I had work all day, choir practice with Becca, church and Larry is gone, so my elaborate blogging plan has gone by the wayside tonight. I decided to do my list of what I might like to blog about in the future:

1. How much I love to cook and my apprehension about cooking in a small RV space.
2. My not being "called" to homeschool my kids, yet I am now planning on doing that for a year!
3. Our "more than a wish" bracelet idea.
4. Instilling being an "American" and what that really means into our kids as we travel across the nation.
5. That's all I got right now, but its a start!

Are we nuts!!!!!

Okay, there are days when I think my kids adore one another and they will be best friends for life. But most days are like today, "If you two don't STOP arguing, I putting you both to work. Now get along!!!"

Do we really think we can do life in less than 300 square feet for a year???

Gazelle intensity

Now that I am blogging about my dream, it is becoming more real! Today I daydreamed about whether we sell our house, or rent it out. Of course, it would be less hassle if we sell it, but I LOVE my house!

These thoughts then led to the "if we had enough money"... thoughts. That led me to dust of my camera and refresh my Craigslist account. Dave Ramsey says "sell so much stuff, make the kids think they're next!". Some people's junk...

On the Lighter Side...

My favorite Blogs are the funny ones. I have always said, I wished I was funnier than I am. In our family, the funny one is my 6 year-old, Spencer. So, the humor in my blog will likely come from him. Tonight, on our way to teaching Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University class, Spencer says, "For about 5 years, I haven't managed my money, but now I'm taking control of my finances!" Way to go, Spence. Now we know that with your help, we WILL finance this more than a wish!

Our Goal

OK, this one is a little bigger than the one we currently have.

So, here's what we want to be more than a wish: Traveling together as a family throughout the entire United States for a year and experiencing the richness of our American heritage, growing deeper in our relationship with Jesus, and building deep ties that will stay with our family for a lifetime.

50 states in 50 weeks... in a motorhome!

Last weekend we had the opportunity to visit the Kansas City RV show and take a look at a number of options. The one pictured here has a layout that is a definite contender.

The most pressing question is how to pay for all of it. This is an especially important issue given that we have spent the last year participating in two of Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University classes, and we are currently enrolled in a third class. The good news is that we are debt free except for our home and a rental property. The bad news is that we have yet to formalize how we are going to meet all of the financial obligations that would come with a trip such as this.

That is where this blog comes in. It is our desire to tell our story and to involve as many of you as possible. Who knows, maybe you will have some ideas that you can share with us on how to get this done!

A hint

A hint for our "More than a Wish"

Many wish for a better life, hoping that their dreams will come true... someday.

This site is about making our dreams happen.

We have learned that if you don't make the commitment to write down your goals and dreams, chances are good that you won't accomplish them.

We have also learned that anything worth having is worth working for.

Most importantly, we have learned that all good things ultimately come from God.

So, please join us along the way on this journey of living our dreams through a simple approach: working like crazy and trusting God for the results.

Hard work and prayer--a winning combination!

Life is more than a wish.