Michael and I dream of a simpler life (if there is such a thing) where we live in an Airstream and travel around. SO….we’ve rented a small, 23 ft Airstream for 4 days. I love it. Granted, we are on vacation and are fully aware that full-time RVing isn’t all sunshine and adventure, but I long for the Airstream life.

(Disclaimer: The above picture is not from our trip, nor did I take this photo…but I thought it was a beautiful representation of what our trip felt like. The rest of the pictures in this post are, indeed, pictures I’ve taken during the trip. Ok now, back to our normal broadcasting.)

We vacationed in Wimberley, TX at a wonderful RV park called Black Canyon where my biggest decision of the day was if I should jump into Jacob’s Well without a reservation, knowing full well it’s off-season, OR wait until June when I won’t run the risk of getting blacklisted. I opted for the ability to return another time.

The temptation was real though, dear reader.

A pay-off of foster parenting is having children for a while, loving and protecting them like a parent, and then letting them go so you can live your own life for while before accepting another placement. Right now, Michael and I are living our own life for a bit.

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, foster parenting is different from regular parenting in may ways. Kids will be kids and raising them is very difficult whether you’ve birthed them, adopted them, fostered them, or even taught them. Taking care of children is a challenge. Period.

With fostering, it’s the state and the court system that can bring you to your knees, begging for mercy to not put another thing on your plate. But if they feel that a third therapist is necessary and you now have an appointment every. single. day of the work week, you have to comply.

Michale and I were physically, emotionally, and mentally drained. So it is with a breath of fresh air that we can hike Mount Baldy, find Jacob’s Well, visit a winery, order a substantial amount of spiced red wine, and then lay in a hammock with nothing but the view of rolling hills and the sound of our neighbor opening up another beer can.

No need for words. No real need for conversation. We can sit in silence knowing we are each incredibly happy just being with each other in this calm, surreal setting. We’ll make homemade Alfredo sauce for dinner in our little Airstream kitchen, grill chicken on the charcoal grill outside by our camping chairs and hammocks. We’ll love every moment of it. And one day when we have kids, either adopted or birthed, we’ll take them out on our adventures and pass this experience on.

The point I want to make is that every moment in your life is real and incredibly important, with or without kids. Even if you are single, don’t discount this time in your life. Appreciate adventures with absolute freedom. When you are no longer single, appreciate having a companion to share your adventures with. When you don’t have kids, even if you want them so badly, appreciate the adventures because it’s easier without them. When you do have kids, appreciate the madness that comes along. And when they’re gone, appreciate the relaxation you deserve.

I will jump into Jacob’s Well, especially when my children, birthed or adopted, can watch while I do it. And when they’re old enough, we will jump together. I may never write a bestselling story like I’ve always wanted. But maybe my life can play out like one, and that will be just fine.