Midnight Giggles in Alabama
This is life - the real nomad life - for some of us, anyway. A lot of travelers only show you the sunrises and the mountain tops. We choose to share the messy, the sweaty, the weary, and the not-so-ready for Instagram reality of traveling with 7 children and a dog.
There are nights spent on farms, at wineries, golf courses, and other beautiful locations. There are nights spent at fancy campgrounds, resorts, and other upscale spots. However, there are also nights like this.
This is a night when we drive as far as possible and stop only to grab a few hours rest. This is a night when we require an extra dose of patience and a genuine sense of humor because we are making our way across the US in a half-renovated RV. This is when we are so tired that we don't even push out the slide, which is half of the Rover's living space.
We just throw down some pillows and blankets, and close our eyes in gratitude for the ability to live life to its fullest while we travel and show our children what a precious gift we have as citizens of this great nation.
We pulled in around midnight, took the usual group field trip to the restrooms, and settled in for a crowded, warm, humid night ... nestled between two large tractor trailers. There were the "dog tired" giggles and whispers until this mama reminded them that the faster they fall asleep, the faster we can get on the road again and arrive at our final destination.
My view for the evening was the feet of my 14 year old son and the face of my nervous 7 month old dachsund. He's still learning to live the nomad life, so we keep him close and cuddled.
If you have a goal to venture out into the world and travel as we do, remember that every day will not be an "IG ready" post. It will be the uncomfortable, the unexpected, and the un-nerving reality of life on the road ... just like it is in a "brick and stick" life.
As much as these days can make me question my own sanity, I'm so grateful to create these memories with my children, so they can share the stories in the future and laugh about our midnight giggles in the Alabama Welcome Center parking lot. It's so worth it to do this now and not wait for "someday".
I know that God planned every last detail of our lives before we were ever born. Because of that knowledge, I trust his leading, his direction, and his provision for our lives, our destinies, and this journey we are on together. My prayer is that I will always stay firm and focused on his plan for us, with the passing of each and every day.
Jeremiah 29:11
