Well, school's officially out and summer is here! We have big plans. The kids are looking forward to a long trip to Mexico, Lily has overnight summer camp, Joaquin has boy scout camp, and they are going to spend much time with their dad.

One goal I have this summer is to think about ways that I can simplify my life. I am tired of run, run, running all of the time. I need to figure out techniques and strategies to slow the pace down. I am thinking of things like yoga and scrutinizing my finances to eliminate the unnecessary expenses so that I don't feel that I am constantly working myself into the ground just to pay the bills.

We went and applied for the kids passports which got me thinking about something else. I really want my kids to fall in love with travel the way that I have and I am thinking of planning annual backpacking trips to different destinations each year with the kids where we can travel and explore and visit new places. Mexico this summer doesn't quite qualify as 'new' but I think we can take an excursion during our trip to a new place that the kids and I haven't seen yet. It is really exciting to watch my kids growing older and to enjoy their company as individuals each with unique thoughts and ideas, not just as my children. I am hoping to foster a mutual love for travel, something that we can share and do together for years to come.