Today marks one full month of travel — a milestone worth pausing to reflect on how this journey is unfolding.
I’ve always dreamed of working abroad, of moving somewhere far from home and building a life in a place so different from what I knew. I wondered how I’d adapt, whether I’d thrive, and if I’d miss the familiar comforts. Just a month in, I’m surprised by how much I love it. Everywhere we’ve gone, people have been welcoming, kind, and genuinely eager to share their stories and culture.
I expected homesickness by now — missing our house, routines, and the stability of work. And while I do miss our friends, I’ve realized that home is wherever Justin and the kids are. Having this uninterrupted time together has been incredible. Back home, even without many extracurriculars, life felt like a constant shuffle from school to work to the next thing. Here, we’ve slowed down, and I’m savoring every moment.
Of course, we drive each other crazy sometimes. We look for opportunities for breaks — camps, restaurants with play areas, tutors — little pockets of space. But I love watching the kids grow right in front of me. Isabel, who’s been a chronic finger sucker since she was two, hasn’t done it once this past month. That small change feels huge and has transformed her into such a big kid.
Emmy’s curiosity is endless, even if her questions aren’t always appropriately timed. Both kids are thriving with homeschooling: Izzy is nearly through her kindergarten math curriculum, and Emmy is devouring the Flat Stanley Worldwide Adventures series, which has lined up beautifully with our own travels. The kids are getting braver everyday with food, and we’re getting better at predicting what they’ll enjoy.
As excited as I am for our next stops, I already know I’ll miss Nairobi — the routines we’ve built and the little life we’ve settled into here. But this month has given me confidence: whether in Africa, Thailand, or anywhere else, as long as we have each other we’ll find our place.