Raising the E Three

 This weekend has been incredibly heavy. The 9-year anniversary of my mother's death came and went, leaving me a little more weathered than in past years. When I say weathered, I mean downright worn thin. My spirit is defeated. Broken. I miss her, I ache over what she is missing...what I am missing. What my kids are missing.  I was on edge all weekend, and a little more "fragile" than normal. Maybe it was due to the major life changes. Maybe it was traveling out of town with our "home", three kids, two cats, and the stress of all of that. Maybe it's the calm after being balls-to-the-wall for so long. Maybe it was all of the above. But I do know I haven't been the best version of myself, which added even more pain and shame on my plate, pulling me down even further.  The good news? I don't have to stay there. Friends, when you get so down you don't see an escape, you DO NOT have to stay there.  Which brings me to the main point of this unplanned b...

 1. Campground Shower Houses are not as bad as you might think. They totally beat using the little shower in the camper. 2. Don’t forget the code to said Campground Shower House...you’ll find yourself knocking on the Camp Host’s door with your three kids standing behind you, arms full of towels & toiletries asking you several times what we’re doing. Oh and your breath will stink and you’ll be super embarrassed. 3. If you’re allergic to cats then moving them to a small space inside with you will only make you more miserable. (I love my kids I love my kids)  4. The stars are epic at night. 5. If your husband catches a giant flathead catfish from the back of the camper, he WILL bring it inside and wake you with it in your face.  6. You will grow closer to your kids, even if you didn’t think that was even possible. It’s pretty awesome. There will, however, be growing pains. 7. GIVE YOURSELF GRACE. The adjustment can be a little rough. Go in with little expectations and lo...

 We sold our house and now live in a camper. Yep, read it again.  We got rid of most of our belongings, packed up our three children (along with the two cats) and did the DANG THING. We joked about it for almost a year, selling the house and living in the camper. Then those playful conversations became more serious. Next thing I knew we were sitting the kiddos down and letting them in on what we were considering. We did a pros and cons list, prayed, and then voted as a family. It was five yays, zero nays. This was the night of June 24th. Fast forward to July 16th and the house hit the market. July 18th we accepted the offer. August 27th we were pulling out of our driveway for the very last time, camper filled with our belongings, headed to our next destination.  Why did we do something so crazy? Well, it all started with two teens in love who had a specific dream for their future family- raising them on land. A place to ride their dirt bikes, tend to chickens and goats, g...