Our Journey Begins, with so many questions!

Shannon and Rob, the kids, R & A, and Charlie the Cat, have begun our grand family adventure.

We are moving from our 1400 sq ft house in Oakland onto our 1974 40 ft Challenger, a sloop rigged sailing vessel, Amazing Grace, in preparation for our grand adventure....now.

S/V Amazing Grace

Rob and I will both be posting to this blog, as this is without a doubt the strangest thing we have ever done, and our minds are reeling!

Many years ago, before becoming parents, Rob and I took time to sit down with a bottle of wine, near a river, and we designed our life. We created a mission statement for our life, deciding then that we wanted our life to be about Living a Life of Adventure, and Making a Difference.

This declaration has pointed the way through many decisions- our choice to adopt children through foster care when we were ready to become parents, many job changes for me, new hobbies, volunteer work, and some incredible adventures along the way. In almost all cases, the choices have been exciting, and somewhat scary. But this will prove to be our greatest adventure yet. And, it is wrought with the most questions!

What will it take to have 2 probably spoiled children and 2 definitely spoiled parents shed all of our cherished belongings save 1 relatively small box of personal affects each, and move aboard our boat while continuing to work and go to school here in Alameda, CA? What will we learn about ourselves, our society, our kids? and what truly makes us happy? How much whining will we have to endure before the kids settle in to the new routine? How much will they endure from us?

What will it take to save our funds, and live a simple life, in preparation for a 3 year voyage to Latin America and the Caribbean as a volunteering family? How will it be for my children to go without, when they are used to having so much? and for me and Rob too? My Son R, age 7, said " I don't want to move onto the boat - I won't be like everyone else!" This is so true, and he is so astute. Is it fair to ask him to be so different? How will he adjust? How will this experience shape and define him and his sister A, age 4? How will I maintain my work life,   in a professional environment, with my clothes in the trunk of my car? When our family feuds, will every single person at the Marina hear us and be horrified? and, last but not least, where will the cat poop?

And while this is still a few years off, once we throw off the dock lines, how will we be tested? What dangers and adventures lie ahead? While technology enables us to stay in touch, how will our community change and evolve while we are living aboard in foreign lands? Will they be 'here' when we get back?

How will we take care of our children's educational needs? healthcare needs?Our financial needs? Our needs for our friends and family? How will we find reputable NGO's in Mexico, Costa Rica, Galapagos, Haiti or elsewhere that are looking for a family of 4 to come volunteer? How will we ever leave these communities where we hope to become like family, and truly connected to those we serve.

How will we ever reintroduce ourselves into the normal day to day of life in the Bay Area upon our return?

I know we will have many adventures, and many funny stories. I know we will be tested, and scared, and on many occasions we will want to give up and come home, call it a day! Come back to a life of 9-5, big backyards, plentiful organic produce and fresh meats, freeways, A/C, dishwashers and washing machines, 401K's and retirement funds, and all that comes with the comforts of western, middle class life.

This blog will the place where we document our inquiry, and begin to answer these questions, and questions that we have not yet asked. It will serve as our family record, the place where we share this journey, and perhaps a place that inspires others to live their life's mission, to be their full selves, and to be different.

We invite you to join us in the journey, and share our observations, and insights, as well as resources you think might help us as we raise the main, and start this latest adventure.

With excitement and a considerable amount of anxiety,
Shannon