We have been called many things in 79 days. Nomads, gypsies, crazy, blessed. The list goes on and I am certain it will only keep growing.

While I like the terms “nomads” and “gypsies”, and I resonate most with “crazy” (I mean, 3 kids, ranging from ages 4-11 in a 43 ft. fifth wheel staying, as Keegan has grown to saying “anywhere from 24 hours to 3 months“, in one location LOL. I only wish he were joking.) What I have come to believe is that we are, in fact, blessed.

Living in the panhandle of both Oklahoma and Texas, there is not a lot there. The term “growth” is almost non existent for many things, from personal growth to the growth of vegetation without countless hours of extra and hard work, that to which not everyone is capable of producing with only a handful of bountiful careers available, the options are scarce. “Comfort” can be found anywhere. Comfort was found in the panhandle by not knowing any different, at least it was for my family and me. It was safe, staying in the panhandle. Our family was near. We had friends. We knew the people, the crime rate, the schools, etc.

I am humble enough to know that without my hometown, I would not be who I am or have what I have and for that, I will always be grateful but I am more than confident that my children deserve more than what little my hometown has to give them.

Stepping out of the only comfort zone Keegan and I had ever known was not easy, but day by day, it has proven to be the best decision we have ever made. Not just for us individually, but for our family as a whole, as well.

Growing up in the panhandle, you accept how it is and if you choose, attempt, with what little control you have, to change what you can. The holidays in our home town has always felt, for lack of a better term, bleak. No one goes all out. You don’t feel the holiday spirit, whether it’s easter, 4th of July or Christmas. 1 house every few blocks has their light on for trick or treaters on Halloween. My mother in law didn’t have ONE trick or treater last year and she lives on a very busy residential area (and don’t blame COVID. It’s been minimal for yearS).

To me, that is robbing our children of the innocence and imagination they are due. And now that I have traveled, even in the minimal sense of the word, to places that actually celebrate and feel more like a community than our hometown, I am set in my feelings.

In Geneseo, IL, Naperville, IL, and Hannibal, MO, almost every house was decorated for fall/halloween and not just the bare minimum, a pumpkin or two and a dying mum. No, their homes looked like their local Walmart or target couldn’t keep the holiday inflatables in stock. 2 or 3 houses on each block had one (or multiple) 12 ft skeletons in their front yards. Lights, countless pumpkins, Michael Myers everywhere. It felt like a movie on Hallmark Channel (minus the cheesy, unrealistic love scenes). Every local store, coffee shop and restaurant had seasonal food, drinks, decor etc. that it was actually fun to walk around down town or Main Street. I am so happy my children were able to experience what a real town holiday felt like. I wish we were able to stay in one these areas a little longer but it’s a consequence we knew existed.

Coming home to the panhandle for Halloween to do our annual TRUCK or treat with the family is always a good time but after experiencing areas in the Midwest during this time of year, made me feel like I had to try a little harder to make my children’s time fun to make up for the lack of trying to be festive in the Panhandle and that’s not a fun feeling. My oldest even made a comment of how it was different back home than where we had been.

Most people don’t understand what I am talking about and that is ok. The only thing I can tell people is to get out and travel. Go see new places as often as you can. My husband and I made a pact years ago to “go somewhere new once a year, whether local (within a few hours of home) or somewhere that takes days of planning and saving. IT. IS. WORTH. IT. You may not get the full experience just visiting but even a glimpse of what is out there is better than a lifetime of obliviousness.

There is a vast amount of knowledge and experiences waiting for you (and your family if you have one) that will shape your life and memories. So why not? We are not in control of our hometown as children but we are in control of your location as an adult. If you are happy in your life long hometown, great! I am so happy for you. And I hope you are making other’s experiences in your hometown enjoyable as well, not just during the holidays, but every day.

My hometown is somewhere we do not plan to ever lay roots in again. My family and I have outgrown it, which leaves room for others to grow and flourish and I hope nothing but that for you! But coming home for a small period of time to celebrate what is a small holiday made me sad because while there was some effort (and great effort at that) to make everyone’s Halloween a success, more often than not, no effort or care was made. Many homes gave dark streets and shut doors to happy and excited children, ready to make memories and they will always remember the houses and blocks that don’t care. Do better, America. In many ways, do better.

We complain about how our votes don’t matter. That our efforts don’t matter. Start small. Make a difference in your community and you will see growth. YOU MATTER. And you can make all the difference in the world to one person that could change the future.

God is good, y’all.

We are in Bakersfield, California and it is not ideal after the amazing fall we had in the Midwest. We went from colorful trees where the leaves were just beginning to fall and the small town charm to wayyyyy too many people who care only about themselves and dirt. California is a large state with vast areas of nothing and overpopulated cities. To say I am uncomfortable is an understatement but I knew, going into this new lifestyle, we would eventually end up somewhere we weren’t keen on but I intend on making the best of it for my children. We have plans to go to the ocean, visit all of the national parks in the area, possible revisit Lake Tahoe, where Keegan and I spent our honeymoon last April. As much as I would love to see the Hollywood sign, famous cemeteries and much more, I am not sure Los Angeles is on my list to see. Too. Many. People. With. No. Manners. LOL.

We are closing in on the end of year and our first holiday season without our family close and while it is difficult, just like being in California, I plan to make the best of our situation. It has been a great (bumpy at times) almost 2 1/2 months. It has already felt like a lifetime that we have been on the road but we already have a lifetime full of memories and we have only just begun.

Remember, money is temporary. Your home is temporary. You cannot take any of it with you when you are joined with our Lord. What stays long after you’re gone is the legacy and memories you leave behind. Not only with your family but your friends and your community too. Take the trip. Buy the tickets. Go all out for all holidays. You only live life once and why not live it to the fullest and go all out. It will be worth it.

Just to ruffle some feathers, MERRY CHRISTMAS! LOL have a blessed and holiday season!!