What is involved when planning a trip around the world? There are countless components to moving and planning our trip. Not only are we planning what we will bring with us to travel, but we also are preparing our house to sell, and are emotionally preparing ourselves to be away from the security of northern Virginia.  

Theoretical Planning

Mom in particular has been reading and taking notes on many books and blogs about traveling the world with children and on a budget. We are all eager to buy new gear including: quick-drying clothes, camera gear, travel-friendly toiletries and sneakers or hiking boots. One of the more critical decisions we have to make is what luggage we will use. There are many types of duffel bags, hiking backpacks and roller bags to choose from. How much can we each carry comfortably? We’ll be testing out backpacks very soon. 

Physical planning

Non only are we planning for the trip, but we are also planning our move. We have had a yard sale and have done some intense spring cleaning. We’ve donated books, toys, crafts. Moving across country is hard as it is, and our stuff will have to sit in storage while we travel around the world. Because of this, we are only keeping what we love and need. Maybe we’ll end up needing a lot less when we return next year.

Emotional planning

Now, for the hardest part of moving: leaving your friends and community. As anyone can imagine, leaving the place where we’ve lived for 13 years is difficult. The little girls were both born here and H and I can barely remember living anywhere else. Mom and Dad don’t seem too nervous about leaving our stable life in northern Virginia, because they’ve had a lot of experience doing this with the military–but all the kids are not looking forward to leaving our church, neighborhood pool, schools, and friends. We, as a family, will learn how to best travel, work and live with only each other for the next year.