We have an idea! We want to become Full Time RVers and leave our home and go on the open road!
“You are doing what?” “You are crazy!” “It won’t last!” “You will kill each other in a tiny space!” “Wow, what a cool idea!” “Do it!” “You will never regret it!”
We heard all these reactions, many mirroring the sentiments we were thinking. We questioned ourselves:
- Do we have our reservations? Sure!
- Are we afraid? Heck yes, but I have tried to live by a motto to confront things which I fear!
- Will this be hard? Yes, but so far, I have found the things worth fighting for don’t come easily and require hard work.
- What will this do to our young children? Goodness – the hope is to enrich not only their young lives but to strengthen our family bond. Looking back on my life, the times I was most uncomfortable were the periods of greatest personal growth.
What is it we are doing? We are choosing to live life differently. We are choosing to take our life in a 180° different direction of where we are now or ever planned our life to go. And yes, this does come suddenly and seems crazy! We are putting our faith in God to protect us in this journey, as he has protected us from past hardships. We pray God continues to show us signs along the way to confirm this path.
Disclosure: This blog may contain links to products we receive small commissions for purchases at no extra cost to you. For more information, see our privacy and disclosure page.
Margin – creating space
We are creating “Margin” in our life. Even the term “margin” comes to us as a sign. Just one week after we had cooked up this hair-brained idea, our pastor, Mike Bickley at Journey Bible Church started a series on giving our lives margin. The idea comes from the book: Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives by Richard Swenson. Mr. Swenson writes, “Margin is the space that once existed between ourselves and our limits. Margin is for anyone who yearns for relief from the pressure of overload. Reevaluate your priorities, determine the value of rest and simplicity in your life, and see where your identity really comes from. The benefits can be good health, financial stability, fulfilling relationships, and availability for God’s purpose.”
Our family’s definition of margin is to create space by simplifying our lives for us to be able to share, give, see, experience and spend more time with our loved ones.
So, what is “IT”, you ask?
We are becoming Full Time RVers. We are taking our twin 2-year old’s Brighton and Daisy, Presley the Golden Doodle, and hitting the road for adventures unknown! We are downsizing from a 4,000 sq. ft house to a 40-foot fifth-wheel RV travel trailer to live in for the next 730 days.
Selling everything!
We are selling our profitable business we started 2 years ago (you could be the next owner!). We are selling our beloved home in the perfect neighborhood (You would look good in this house!). We are selling or giving away most of our worldly possessions. My ridiculous collection of 60 high heeled shoes will finally have to go to someone worthy of such fashion. My cookbook collection – sorry Ree, Martha, Julia, and Jr. Leagues, I won’t have room for your deliciousness in 400 sq. ft. of living. John must trade his manly garage motors – the lawnmower, snowblower and power washer – in for an even bigger engine in the Ford Super Duty. Not every Disney princess, crayon, puzzle, stuffed animal or bedtime book will make the cut!
Why Now?
Perhaps I should back up just a bit. We moved from Detroit to the Kansas City area four and a half years ago. John was recruited to work at Hallmark after he retired from Ford Motor Company. My career, after serving 17 years at Ford, has taken a few turns in KC with a few job titles and eventually became an entrepreneur buying an Office Pride Franchise. We grew our family by two, and after the twins were born, we suddenly found ourselves yearning to have our girls grow up with deep connections to family. When John retired from Hallmark in January of 2019, other than our business, we have no ties keeping us in Kansas.
Our next move
But to where should we move? My family lives in New Mexico. John’s parents and a sister live in Terre Haute, Indiana. His youngest sister, who has young children, lives in the Indianapolis area. My oldest stepdaughter, Alyssa and her husband, Sheldon, live in the Detroit area. Caroline, my youngest stepdaughter, recently moved to Atlanta for a job and to be near her mom and extended family. So not only does our family live across the US, but we must think about long term implications of wherever we move – retirement and savings. We like the idea of moving to places like Florida, Tennessee or Texas which don’t have state income tax, but we don’t know these areas or anyone living there. Not to mention, we have found Kansas to be nearly perfect and love it here. What if “somewhere” isn’t better than “here”. So, where do we move?
At a crossroads
We feel we are at a crossroads in our life and now is the perfect time to make a bold move! Our children are toddlers and are at least 3 years away from formal school education. We are “older” parents. The hard facts are, we don’t know what our health will be like when our girls graduate. We want to make the “right now years” to be “our golden years”. We want to be with our children in their younger years and spend as much time with them we possibly can.
John, as a “do it again Dad”, will share with you why he wants this time to be different (not necessarily better) than his first time around parenting. As a mom, whom waited until “advanced maternal age” to have kids (side note: can we retire this term already?! Grr, unfortunately the term was recently updated to be “geriatric maternal age” – do I look like a geriatric to you!!), I don’t have a chance to “do it again” – so I want to make right now something extraordinary and help shape Brighton and Daisy’s futures.
The days ahead
We get to wake up every morning and choose where we get to live. Maybe it is spending time in the Florida Keys in the winter. Seeing the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta in October with my family. Spending the summer in Michigan with Alyssa and Sheldon, or spending the fall exploring Georgia with Caroline. It’s catching up with old friends from days past in California. It’s checking off bucket list items like Yellowstone, watching the sunrise in Maine, or finally seeing the largest ball of twine. Or it is pulling up to my sister-in-law’s house for three weeks just to let the cousin’s play.
We want to make more space for God, for family, for learning, for quiet time, for hikes, for sunsets, and for laughter by giving up our current space. We want to live differently. We want to share with you our space and welcome you to our blog knowing BRIGHT DAIS are AHEAD!
We want to hear from you! What is the craziest thing you did for your family? Comment below.
Love your blog! I’ll follow you all the time! I’ll pray for God’s guidance each & every day!
A couple thoughts.
Have you checked for an Aqua Hot system for heating, to include heating floors, water, and air?
This system would supplement (actually be primary in cold weather) an instant hot water system and electric heat system.
Washer/Dryer hookup…..generator hookup????? Have the W/D and Gen installed by the manufacturer b/c you want them covered under the manufacturers warranty!!!!
Have you thought about the RV Supershow in Tampa in January. I know it’s close to your departure date but they have EVERYTHING there.
Hi Ken,
Thanks for the suggestions. We have looked for rigs with instant hot water heaters and those tend to be found on high-end units. We want a high-end unit, but they don’t make high-end units with a bunkhouse or second bathroom as the high-end is primarily for retirees. We are looking at a unit that only has a 10-gal hot water tank, but I have seen on a few forums, where you can modify and add the Aqua Hot as an aftermarket item. The rig we are looking at is full time rated and will heat the underbelly to keep the basement and tanks from freezing. We are having the manufacturer and dealer install both the generator from the factory along with the W/D.
So much to learn and so many options to consider. Right now we are about 95% sure we are going with the Grand Design Solitude S-Class 3740BH as it is the only until we can find that checks off 80% of our wish list.
I think what you’re doing is amazing!! Most people would never do it. Life is short and precious. You will teach your beautiful girls MORE than you’ll realize…while strengthening family connections. I am beyond thrilled for you in your new journey! Prayers coming your way. I believe we all should do what brings us joy….God created us to be happy and love. You are spot on! I’m cheerleading you all the way!
Thanks Elaine! We know we will be stopping in Indiana and would love to see you. Thank you for your support, it means the world to us to have cheerleaders praying for us!