our {first} trip was a blast

we sat on the steps
and went in and out the door

we filled...
and emptied the tiny fridge

took peaceful naps

and found stray cats

we climbed rocks

and shouted "hooray" at the top

we ran races up the hill

and cut veggies with a utility knife

we spent hours on the tire swing

spinning and grinning

We brought Lilacs back to the rv

and enjoyed the freedom to just be

we climbed rock walls

made slide trains

and rode bikes in freshly fallen rain

We are so thankful to be living out our dreams

and now we're even more excited to see what our {big} trip brings!

48 comments:

  1. The tire swing shot is amazing! I can't even imagine how you got it (okay, I can imagine... but it makes me nervous).

    Looks like a lovely trip ;-)

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  2. Looks like a lot of fun! Good luck on your adventure- excited to read about your journey. And all of drama in the comments in the last few posts are just people with sour grapes in my opinion. I am a Christian. As Christians (and obviously I realize that not everyone that reads your blog is a Christian) the Bible is pretty clear on not judging. I have no problem with the fact that you buy organic food with your money- it's your money to the spend the way you want! I rarely buy organic, but I buy all of our clothes new (ie: I don't thrift store shop- it's just not me). We are all different- and that's a beautiful thing. 

    The fact that you had serious financial problems almost 2 years ago is ALMOST 2 YEARS AGO! It's seems from your blogs that your husband works hard, long days. You have had 2 YEARS to get back up on your feet- and I am so glad that you did. I am happy that you have the money to do a fun trip like this- and happy that you are no longer struggling financially... Anytime you give money away, either do it with no strings attached or don't give it away. It's not fair of anyone to come and judge Brittany and her families life 2 years later because you may or may not have donated some money to them 2 years ago.

    Obviously your trip will be a lot of fun, learning, and just a big adventure, but you are taking photos too- so this is a working trip too (at least for you!).

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  3. Thank you so much for sharing your life & your family with us (me!).  I love your blog, and I love the photos of your beautiful family. :) 
    My hubby & I recently transitioned to full-time RV living (though we're currently stationary) .  We hope to "go mobile" in the next year, and I love reading blogs about those who have. 
    So- here's wishing you a wonderful, exciting, memorable adventure!  Shout out if you ever make it to Western Washington- I'll show you the sights. :)  (Oh, and don't forget to show us your little tips on how you fit into your new space, and the "shortcuts" you've figured out!  That's the best part of reading other people's traveling blogs! :)

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  4. I enjoy reading your blog and seeing all the beautiful pictures you post!!!   You have a gift and using it brings glory to God.
    I pray that your family would have a wonderful RV trip and build many, many memories for your chilldren.
    All the negative posts are just people who don't understand or have not ever experienced God's supplying for their every need and giving credit where credit is due.    All good gifts come from above - remember God is smiling down on your family as you walk with Him.

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  5. That looks like MckMama's cat from mycharmingkids.net.  Too funny she's rving too.  The cat roams around at the campground sometimes : )

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  6. How fun! I am jealous that you get to do that! :) I hope your big trip turns out fabulous! 

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  7. I can't wait to hear about your trip.  I would love to do something like that.  Sorry to hear all of the negative feed back, but you've got lots of good ones too :) I'm in Gadsden, Alabama.  Are you planning a trip to the SOUTH?

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  8. Oh, let me try and sign in this time :) 

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  9. i might be wrong but i thought you guys were vegan?  just curious!  love the samll trip.  cant wait to see all the stops once you do start :) 

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  10. same here!! :D

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  11. So excited for you.

    Sad that people are so mean and leave such awful comments.

    If you come to SC look me up. I would LOVE to meet you.

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  12. brittanyclaire6/13/11, 6:00 PM

    Thanks Cortney... we will for sure meet up when we make it down to SC.

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  13. brittanyclaire6/13/11, 6:01 PM

    nope, not vegan... mostly vegetarian but we do eat free range organic chicken on occasion.

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  14. brittanyclaire6/13/11, 6:01 PM

    Thank you Wendy! :)

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  15. brittanyclaire6/13/11, 6:02 PM

    You're welcome! Thanks for sharing back! :)

    I'll be sure to let you know any shortcuts I figure out... I'm sure I'll need them!

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  16. WHOOP!

    All of our kids will have SO much fun together!!!

    That will be 17 kiddos!!! We will be like the Duggars ;)

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  17. You know you can stop by in NC ;-) - theres a great camp site called Green acres like 5 min from us! We're only an hour 1/2 or so from Nags Head Beach too.

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  18. brittanyclaire6/13/11, 6:33 PM

    That would be awesome! Just the thought makes me smile...

    Sent from my Windows® phone.

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  19. brittanyclaire6/13/11, 6:35 PM

    Wouldn't that be great...i would love to meet you and your beautiful family...you are all making the carolina's very enticing

    Sent from my Windows® phone.

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  20. I am so happy for you and your family...have lots of fun and take lots of pictures!!

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  21. brittanyclaire6/13/11, 8:19 PM

    Me too...thank you

    Sent from my Windows® phone.

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  22. LOVE this! Where in Indiana are you traveling too? You are the one blogger who's pictures really pop for me. I need to send you an email. :)

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  23. brittanyclaire6/13/11, 8:56 PM

    Aw thank you...do send me an email. We will be in indianapolis for sure.

    Sent from my Windows® phone.

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  24. Canadian Cathy6/13/11, 9:02 PM

    I agree with everything. Especially when you give money, you must give it with no strings attached!

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  25. brittanyclaire6/13/11, 9:12 PM

    You know... I truly believe if I shared where every cent that was given went and every little detail... There wouldn't be any harassing. But its not necessary...God knows all the detail all the thoughts and motivations...and thats enough.

    Sent from my Windows® phone.

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  26. Jeffandjulieg6/13/11, 10:04 PM

    oh my!  This looks like a blast-- I just love camping with my family-- only have to worry about having fun!  No responsibilities~ yay!

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  27. Jeffandjulieg6/13/11, 10:05 PM

    btw if you're down in the phoenix area I'd love to meet with you-- although I'd recommend coming sometime later in the year ;)

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  28. brittanyclaire6/13/11, 10:10 PM

    We will for sure be in arizona over the winter months!

    Sent from my Windows® phone.

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  29. Sounds amazing already!  Hope you continue to have great travels & look forward to reading updates!!  We really hope to do this someday too.

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  30. sixcrazychildren6/14/11, 3:45 AM

    great, great pics my dear...... every single time you put a photo on here of your fridge I am like peering for inspiration... :)

    and WHAT a huge rig. I am fascinated to hear more about the whole being driven by oil thing....... and I'm requesting a tour of the rv please? 

    how exciting for you..... and for us that you are sharing XX

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  31. Can't wait to see that enormous thing pull up in my driveway! LOL!

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  32. :) you'd love it. Lots of fun spots around here.

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  33. kerry goodwin6/14/11, 10:20 AM

    That looks like so much fun!  I'd like to see a picture of the full rig.  My head hurts from thinking of all planning a trip like this must take.
    If Boston is ever a possibility let me know!  I'm a professional photographer myself but I absolutely love your style and the way you process your images.  I'd love to see what you could do with my twins :-)

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  34. kerry goodwin6/14/11, 10:27 AM

    OH!  I remember a while back you had your photo equipment listed in a faq.  I'm curious what you have.  I remember you saying something about your camera acting up.  What ever happened to that?

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  35. Justaguest2996/14/11, 11:02 AM

    I don't think people were "harassing," but were questioning how you were doing it after everything you posted almost 2 yrs ago when you asked for money from strangers.  I'm sorry but I believe those who gave if they have questions, then it is their right to question.  It seems that now only those who are praising you are allowed to comment.  All those questioned are now being deleted...hmmm...take the good with the bad.  This is what I hate most about these big bloggers...only allow those to post that makes it look like everyone supports you.  I don't have any problems with someone RV'ing across country with their family, matter of fact, I would love to do it when I can afford it.  My issue still lies with begging for money to get out of debt regardless of how long ago it was, and then acting like no one should question you.

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  36. brittanyclaire6/14/11, 11:22 AM

    Oh there was harassment...nasty, name calling, accusatory, defiling harassment. Maybe you missed those because they were quickly deleted as they should have been.

    I have no problem with questions...which is why I answered your questions. I am not trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes. I have always been truthful. But no one should be harassed with nasty lies and name calling.

    And really...i didn't beg for money to get out of debt. 2 loving friends asked my readers to consider helping our family in a tough time...only once did we ask and I already explained where the money was spent.

    Sent from my Windows® phone.

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  37. Would you and those like you stop the ugly comments Please!! Blah, I feel bad reading this crap from people that obviously have hard cold hearts. YUCK.

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  38. I am intrigued with your traveling arrangements,  Is there room in the big truck for all of you to sit while you are traveling?  I hope we will see a side view picture of the whole arrangement, truck, trailer and car behind.  It will take some doing to park in a camping site! 

    When I can finally afford to  have a motor home, the kids are all raised, I'm alone and not brave enough to set off on my own for traveling like that.  I would have given anything when they were smaller to have used my summers traveling around the USA with the children.  I often ran the children's programs at some of the conference centers, which was a great chance for us to vacation in style without costing anything.

    This will be a marvelous experience for your children.  Imagine the lessons you can make from your travels!! 

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  39. The first trip looks like it was just perfect! Safe and blessed and HAPPY travels!!

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  40. My3littleducks6/15/11, 1:45 AM

    This looks like so much fun!! Please come out to the pacific northwest! I am really sorry about people leaving such harsh comments. Life is too short to let them get to you. You are doing the best you can and that is awesome!

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  41. brittanyclaire6/15/11, 8:21 AM

    Oh yes...we will come to the pacific nw. Wish it was on this trip. :)

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  42. I think I remember reading awhile back that she had a canon 40D.

    Just a FYI for all you canon owners- Canon has a fantastic user loyalty program! I have a 6+ year old Canon Digital Rebel (which still takes amazing photos) but the auto focus motor started acting up. I talked to Canon about it and they offered me a refurbished, 2 year old Digital Rebel for only $415 with free shipping! I just have to send in the body of my old camera ( can keep the lens). This is an amazing deal, since a similar new camera from them would be $800+

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  43. People should not question. When I give a gift of money, the person is free to use it and does not need to praise me or tell me what they did with it. I have no doubt this family has pulled themselves up and made a difference not only in their own family, but also in the way many others think.
    The reward is in the giving, not in hounding to find out what it was used for. It hurts my heart that so many people still have not received that knowledge.
    I still want to know the darn healthy snickers!!

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  44. GREAT pictures, it looks like so much fun.

    Can't wait to follow along.

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  45. You totally need to visit Drea :)  And hey, I should email you about a photo shoot for our fam.  Just not sure where in ND you are.  We can't be more than a couple hours away.

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  46. brittanyclaire6/18/11, 5:43 PM

    I know...i would love to finally meet drea in real life. :)

    I just got your email...i will look and see how far apart we are.

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  47. Brittany, (and family :)
    you are wonderful, woman.
     i have been reading your blog for about a year after discovering it through another blogger, and it's one of the few that i follow. i absolutely LOVE your pictures and stories - you have such talent! 
    i love how much you love jesus and want to serve him. you are doing an incredible job at being a mama and raising your children up right. 
    He is the lifter of your head :)

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  48. brittanyclaire7/1/11, 6:08 PM

    Thank you so much ellen. What beautiful encourgement.


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Thank you for blessing me with your words!

Brittany