We leave a week from today.

I’m excited. I’m nervous. I’m anxious to start. I want to leave right now while at the same time feel like I need another month here to get ready. At times, it’s hard to comprehend that we’re actually going to be doing this.

Anxiety hit me about two weeks ago with all the what ifs. What if I forgot a major detail and am unprepared? Getting into an accident or getting a flat tire are my biggest concerns when it comes to the trip. But my biggest anxiety comes from the unknown future, life after the trip.

I’ve always been a planner. I know what every day for the whole rest of the year will bring. I know where I’ll be for 10 whole months. I’m in control. It’s all up to me. I can skip something, I can increase time somewhere else. I can change the order of events. And then we come home and my reign of control ends.

It’s very hard for me to not have control over what my life will be. I know exactly what I want in my life now. But life is full of uncontrollable variables. Kids can move away. People can get sick. People can fall in love. People can fall out of love. Job offers can come. Jobs can be lost. There are countless possible variables that can’t be planned for or prepared for. So for now, I’ll try to focus on one day at a time, enjoy life today and not worry about the future.

As for the trip, I hope I’m prepared. Reservations are made, tickets are bought, necessities are purchased and packed, and we’re wrapping up loose ends at home. The hardest part about going will be leaving behind our dog Rascal, our cat Gizmo, and the people we love. It really makes us realize what a great support system we have and how blessed we are to have so many great people in our lives.

Follow our journey here. Leave a comment, ask questions, and come back for more tomorrow!

*pic- Rascal and Gizmo, hanging out on the couch, having no idea we’re leaving