It was January 2016 and I sat with my husband and my very round pregnant belly on the couch watching a documentary called Maidentrip. It was that night a thought hit us like a ton of bricks- we are capable of so much more. That night, watching the story of the youngest solo sailor to sail around the world was the tool that God used to unearth dreams and desires that He had put in both of us long ago.
After our third little girl was born, we began moving forward in faith. We soon found and bought the perfect boat for us, a 47′ 1974 Olympic Adventure named s/v Gromit. After months of minimizing, selling, giving away and packing up the rest of our belongings, we drove from Texas to Maryland to finally move aboard our new home! In October 2016 we began our journey: we sailed from Maryland, across the Chesapeake Bay, down the ICW to Florida, and from Florida we crossed the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas, touring different islands. From September 2016 to May 2017, we lived and sailed full time as a family, experiencing the wonder of nature and the challenge of sailing. To read our posts from the beginning, go here.
From June 2017 to March 2019 we lived on land in our home state of Texas, preparing to cruise again while adding yet another precious new baby to our family- this time a boy! Those 22 months on land solidified for us that we love and value living life aboard a boat. We love the practical sustainability of the lifestyle, the close relationship we have with nature aboard a boat, the opportunity for organic learning and the many, many wonderful people we’ve met along the way.
God has taught us so much as we’ve stepped out in faith and followed His lead. In everything we do, we hope to be obedient to His call in order to give Him all the glory.
Currently we are refitting our floating home to be better prepared for our next season of cruising this Winter 2019!
Here at Family at Sea you’ll find inspiring stories of our adventures, practical mechanical advice from my husband as he remodels and maintains our vessel, articles on unschooling, boatschooling, and raising a family on the water! Thank you for joining us on this journey! We would love to hear from you! Please comment and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @familyatsea