What’s the dream?

What is the dream?

I’ve had so many dreams in life.

Growing up I went through so many phases of what I wanted to do when I grew up. For the longest time I was determined to be a firefighter after watching the movie Ladder 49. I was determined to be a junior firefighter but my local department didn’t have a program and I also realized I was terrified of death.

For a while I wanted to be an aerospace engineer and join the Air Force to work on F-22 Raptors. Buutt I never pulled the trigger on that dream. I applied to a couple colleges. I filled out the entire ROTC packet. I had all of the references I needed… I backed out at the last minute.

I dreamed of doing modeling and acting. I loved doing plays. I loved the extra work I was able to do in Pittsburgh. I was able to film a small tv series for Cornerstone TV, I love it, it was a wonderful experience and sooooo much fun.

I had a full academic scholarship to go to a college for Deaf Education with a minor in Special Education, I was terrified to leave home so I told my dad I wanted to change my major.

Sooo I switched to a career in Baking & Pastry.. I did that for a semester at the local community college. I decided I never wanted to have to wake up super early to have my own bakery. I changed my major the next semester back to get my general education classes done with the intent of getting back to the career path of Deaf Education.

The following semester I kept the same degree and then I made a new friend that was supposed to help me study for sociology. Our first study date was at Panera, well we talked and talked and didn’t get much studying done. He brought his little brother because he was nervous? Haha. But it was a blast. Long story short, that boy is the man in the above picture. It’s been ten years since we’ve had that first study date.

I never finished school then. But a wonderful friendship grew. This was 2011.

We married in 2013.

We moved to South Carolina that August.

We moved back to Pennsylvania May 2014.

Levi joined us in 2015.

I graduated nursing school in 2018. I never ever wanted to be a nurse, but that’s a story for another time.

Makenna joined us in 2019.

2020 was the year of covid. My travel nurse career began in November of 2020.

Travel nursing has been one of the greatest blessings in my life. It has helped me grow in so many ways and learn my worth as a nurse.

Since covid travel nurse pay has been… glorious… it’s been an incredible financial blessing in so many of our lives.

I have met so many amazing folks and made so many amazing friends that are literally raking in the dough.

Friends taking a travel contract then literally traveling the world. Greece. Switzerland. Iceland. Mexico. Hawaii. Gorgeous gorgeous Bucket List locations!!

I’ve truly loved seeing them living their best lives. I’m so happy for them and I express my endless excitement for their incredibly journeys!

There was a time when I would look at their travels and be envious… but I’ve grown. This last year has been rough on our family. I’ve been gone for very much of it. Weeks or days at a time away from my littles.

We’ve all grown and I know that’s what God’s plans for us were at those given times and I’m forever grateful for those experiences.

But now.. now.. my dream is to be with my family. To be a complete family.

You see, when I married James, he was a Harley Davidson salesman. A year after we were married he became a CDL truck driver. He’s been driving since 2014. Many times on the road. For much of Levi’s life James was only home on the weekends. There’s been seasons in life that he is home more. He was home full time when I was in Florida working Nov 2020- Feb 2021. He was able to be home with the kids in PA.

We have seldom seldom seldom been home. Together. At the same time. Many times we work opposite, he’s home while I’m away and vice versa.

I pray for the day that we are both home full time. No one leaves anymore. We all sleep under the same roof every single night.

Ever single night.

I would love to travel, please don’t get me wrong, there’s so many gorgeous sights I long to see.

A great country artist sang, “Nothing beats the view like my front porch looking in.”

I feel that in my soul!! God has been so good and I know we are on the path to being a whole complete family.

The dream: both of us being home- full time. Travel only exists as a family. No more leaving each other for days at a time. Financially stable and TOGETHER.

God has great plans for us

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. -Jeremiah 29:11

We all have a story. Everyone’s story is on a different chapter in a different book. Don’t compare your chapter to someone else’s. There’s so many seasons in this life and each season has growth and a purpose.

What are your hopes, dreams and goals?

What’s the Dream