Well, it’s finally here. After 3 years of working just about every night, weekend, and holiday it’s time to celebrate! I plan on taking the next six weeks to cross about 12 items off of my bucket list, and I’m excited to chronicle it in cyber space (because I want my future children to know that I was cool at one point). I’m calling it the “Summer of the Monkeys” because it is simply going to be bananas (B.A.N.A.N.A.S).

I’ve been planning this (INTERNATIONAL) adventure for over a year and I am so excited to finally embark! I finally got “Blaze” (my super awesome Chevy Trailblazer) back and shining like new after hitting a deer a month ago and we are ready to hit the road. With the repair I had to add a few more weeks of work in order to pay for this trip with cash (debt-free!), but I’m thankful we are undeterred.

Today begins my journey across North Dakota for the first leg which will take place in Minnesota. Like a magnet, I can’t pass up my 3 favorite kids in the entire world (who live on the ND/MN border) so I’m anxious to spend today with them. (They’re pictured below for no other reason than I love staring at them). My sister Katie is also the coolest mom I know and I just want to take this opportunity of a sentence to name drop that we share DNA.

I’m excited to unveil this journey over the next few weeks with you! The heading on my blog says “A blog about Jesus, baseball, and everything in-between.” Let’s just say week 1 will be focused on category #2. Can’t WAIT!

– R