{"id":2089,"date":"2017-01-22T06:02:20","date_gmt":"2017-01-22T06:02:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/?p=2089"},"modified":"2017-01-22T04:33:37","modified_gmt":"2017-01-22T04:33:37","slug":"366-days-ago","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/2017\/01\/22\/366-days-ago\/","title":{"rendered":"366 Days Ago"},"content":{"rendered":"

366 days ago there were strangers living in our house. \u00a0366 days ago we woke up to a clear blue sky and cold temps and said goodbye to Colorado for awhile. \u00a0366 days ago we got in\u00a0our truck (which we had just gotten back from the shop the day before) and hitched up to\u00a0a fifth wheel (which we had never lived in or pulled for more than 2 miles) and started driving south. \u00a0 366 days ago I set a personal record for level and duration of my stress. \u00a0\u00a0366 days ago<\/a> will go down in history as one of my most favorite days of all time….not so much what happened that day, but rather what it meant and what it started. \u00a0I feel like I have perfect recollection of that day….every mile, every stop, every conversation, every feeling.<\/p>\n

Our traveling adventure together as a family is something I will cherish forever and would do again in an instant if given the opportunity. \u00a0We (or, maybe it was just me)\u00a0worried <\/a>but we trusted <\/a>and we\u00a0jumped<\/a>. \u00a0We had trials<\/a>, heavy lifting<\/a>,\u00a0run-ins with the law<\/a>, and made\u00a0mistakes<\/a>.\u00a0We\u00a0remodel<\/a>, worked<\/a>, moved<\/a>\u00a0and made\u00a0repairs<\/a>. \u00a0We dealt with \u00a0stuff<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0tornados<\/a>. \u00a0 We experience all sort of\u00a0emotions<\/a>\u00a0but were always\u00a0thankful<\/a>\u00a0(even for thieves<\/a>)\u00a0and full of\u00a0happiness.<\/a>\u00a0 We traveled over 13,000 miles covering 27 states and parked\/slept\/lived in 46 different locations while we visited 27 1\/2 National Parks and 24 State Parks where the kids earned 20 Jr Ranger badges and 10 Jr Ranger patches (get all the details on our stats <\/a>page).<\/p>\n

We got back home<\/a> to Longmont mid summer and were quick to readjust back to our non-nomadic life. \u00a0We’ve had a few outings<\/a> that have been outside the normal routine of life that I’ve shared about and plenty of other smaller ones that didn’t get written about. \u00a0We didn’t end up taking any more trips with Ava and the Beast like we thought we might but our plan is to try to get a month long trip this next summer before we sell them both (anyone in the market for an AWESOME family rig??).<\/p>\n

It was great to reconnect with our community and our families and the kids were so excited to get back to school. \u00a0Caden played both outdoor and indoor soccer this fall\/winter and also helps his science teacher manage game cameras up in Rocky Mountain National Park. \u00a0He loves math and science and was invited to be in the Northern Colorado honor band this year. \u00a0Dacen loves being a 5th grader and all the things that come with being top dogs at the school. \u00a0He played soccer and is involved in Robotics again this year. \u00a0He also took first place in the school Geography Bee<\/a>. \u00a0This was a highlight for me on 2 counts. \u00a0First, so many of the questions seemed like they came straight from our trip that Caden and Brielle would whisper to me “I know this one!!”. \u00a0And second, Dacen was such a good sport that the first thing he did before the final round was shake the other kids hand and wished him luck then when he won he gave the other kid a hug! \u00a0Brielle loves her teacher and all of her classmates. \u00a0She has a couple friends on our block which makes for many spontaneous play dates. \u00a0She has been dancing and also experimenting with music more and more. \u00a0She plays her ukulele, Steph’s violin, a keyboard, a melodica and her voice….oh her voice! \u00a0She has a talent with music for sure!!!<\/p>\n

Steph has an every-other-week Bible study at our house and she is also volunteering on the elementary school PTO. \u00a0So, she stays very busy and gets to be with people…she is in her zone. \u00a0Me, I’m still working for the same clients and loving it\u00a0and I also volunteer as one of the robotics coaches.<\/p>\n

We finally got a dog. \u00a0The whole family except me has wanted a dog and so I finally gave in. \u00a0I have to admit, I like Sheba….she is a good dog and she has become a loved and integral part of our family.<\/p>\n

My niece Lexie passed away at the age of 21. \u00a0I had never before been to a funeral where I had held the deceased as a newborn baby and known them their whole life. \u00a0I will miss so many things about her not the least of which was our shared love of board games. \u00a0But I am certain\u00a0we will be together again for some games in heaven!<\/p>\n

What will the next 365 days look like? \u00a0One thing we are very excited about is that we will be helping with a new church plant in Erie CO<\/a>\u00a0(video embedded below) that will be a network church of Grace Place. \u00a0Not unlike a year ago, I feel like I am very ill prepared and unqualified for this adventure…like I have no idea what I am doing. \u00a0But I have learned to trust God to give me one step at a time and my job is to act….to jump. \u00a0It is a thrilling adventure that I could never hope to orchestrate on my own, so I just enjoy the ride!<\/p>\n

Oh, and it was a leap year last year so it really was 366 days ago!<\/p>\n