In My Heart On Thursday

via http://timothybuckwalter.typepad.com

A Little Piece of Paper Defines Me

My passport has expired.  I'd lost my driver's license and was hunting for the legal documents I needed to replace it when I came across the well-worn little blue book.  I opened it up to take a mini-trip down memory lane and instantly felt a dagger of pain tear through my traveling soul.  I let out a scream and started to cry.  My husband came running to see what was the matter and then stood in a stupor fearing I'd finally completely lost my mind.  I felt like my life was over.

The truth is that my life has been changing.  I've noticed over the past few months that my travel-planning is more of an afterthought.  The dreams are constantly in my mind, but the opportunities pass and I'm left reflecting on how I let practicality or financial responsibility make the decision for me.  Where in the past I would have spent the last two months spontaneously road-tripping, the farthest I've actually been is 2 hours from home on a Sunday afternoon.  It's a numb feeling inside of me that normally would have me kicking and screaming.  Instead I'm resigning to my current reality.

Which is not to say that all is lost for me!  I've written before about the big plans my family has for traveling. That dream is still alive and well.  And to reawaken the life-breath inside of me, I'm going to share the latest rendition of our plans with you...

I recently discovered that kindergarten is not required in the state of Utah.  This is wonderful news for me!  Our little boy Beck will be old enough to start school  in September 2012, one year from now, and so that has become our target date for packing up and leaving.  Rather than loading up with notebooks and pencils, his backpack will be full of maps and traveling activities (he is adorably in love with reading maps and telling us the way).

We're going to go east first for a stay with my family in the Midwest and a chance for my husband to work and make a little more money before leaving the country.  After that the world is wide open for 9 months of traveling.  Right now we're thinking to spend a month at a time divided between cute comfortable cottage-like rentals and camping;  a temporary home-base where we can get get a feel for community, but also venture out for days at a time and see the most of what there is to see.

More details?  No, not yet.  It's still a year away.  Right now I only have one important job to complete:  Tomorrow's mail will carry my passport renewal form and photos away, along with my 18-month-old son Peyton's first application.  I remember the excitement I felt seeing Beck's photo inside his very own passport, and I know it will be a party the day our mailwoman delivers my travel freedom back to me.

I promise future posts on where we're going to go, how we'll make sure Beck gets his kindergarten education on the road, and many other travel-related topics that get me smiling.  Until then, I'd love to hear anything you have to say!

A Blogtastic Extravaganza Winners!

Thank you to everyone who entered my three giveaways during A Blogtastic Extravaganza!

Congratulations to the winners:

Prize #1 Upcycled Silverware Jewelry

Allison

Prize #2 Girl's Accessories

Brooke Anna

Prize #3 Family Friendly Folk CD's

Michelle

Winners were chosen by Random.org and have been notified by email. 

 In the event that a winner has not responded within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen.  

A Blogtastic Extravaganza!!!

The time is finally here and I'm so excited to be offering 3 fabulous prize packages created by members of my uber-talented family.  

#1 For Mom
(or sister, or aunt, or grandma, or any woman who likes looking pretty)

Handmade Upcycled Silverware Jewelry by Petticoat Cachet.

This prize package includes:

1 Bent Fork Watch

1 Bent Fork Pendant

1 pair Silver Earrings

(Value: $85.00)

 #2 For the Little Girl You Love

Handcrafted whimsical fashion accessories by AalbersCreations

This prize package includes:

1 Tutu Skirt-White/Pink tulle & white crochet stretch waistband, Sz Newborn-12 months

1 Pink Zebra Flower Clip

1 Pink stretchy headband

1 White stretchy headband

(Value: $15.00)

#3 For The Whole Family

5 Folk CD's by The Three D's

This Prize package includes:

1 Songs and Stories of the Old Testament CD's vol. 1 & 2

1 Songs of Our American Heritage CD

1 Heritage CD-2 disk set

(Value: $55.00)

Giveaway Requirements:

Each prize package has a simple mandatory requirements as well as additional entry options.  Please fill out form for each entry you are interested in entering.

#1 Upcycled Silverware Jewelry Package

     Mandatory Entry: Visit Petticoat Cachet's Etsy Page, then comment on this entry form about a jewelry item you saw there.  

     Extra Entry Options:

             ~Follow Wandering Still on Google Friend Connect

             ~Follow Petticoat Cachet on Facebook

             ~Heart Petticoat Cachet/Forking Queen on Etsy

             

#2 Infant Tutu Package

      Mandatory Entry: Visit AalbersCreations Etsy Page, then comment on this entry form about an item you saw there.

      Extra Entry Options:              

              ~Follow Wandering Still on Google Friend Connect

              ~Follow AalbersCreations on Facebook

              ~Heart AalbersCreations on Etsy

#3 Family-Friendly Folk CD's      

      Mandatory Entry:  Visit DuaneHiatt.com, then comment here on something you learned there.

       Extra Entry Options:

               ~Follow Wandering Still on Google Friend Connect

               ~Sign up for Duane's weekly email newsletter 

               

Thanks for entering!  
Winners will be announced within 48 hours after giveaway ends.

In My Heart On Thursday

"And I may have seen it from her back, how she pulled herself together and shifted her weight from one place inside her body to another, from where she was, to where she thought maybe I was."

-Per Petterson, I Curse the River of Time

Don't forget to enter my A Blogtastic Extravaganza Giveaways going on now!