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Thankful, Joyful, and Fueled by Diet Dr. Pepper!

11/28/2024

Here I sit, hands wrapped around a cold bottle of Diet Dr. Pepper, because let’s be real—what’s a busy Thanksgiving morning without a little fizz and caffeine to keep the energy up? This year is extra special—it’s our first Thanksgiving in our new home in Chicago with our family, and my heart is full just thinking about it. Gratitude is spilling over, and it’s time to share a love letter of thanks this Thanksgiving.

First, Steve—my person, my rock, my one and only. This man is the calm in my crazy, the laugh when I need it most, and the love that keeps me grounded every day. Steve, you make sure I’m happy, healthy, and loved in ways I could never deserve. I’m so thankful to do life with you—and I love you to the moon and back (and then some).

Now, my girls—Mollie and Katie. They are everything a mama could hope for and then some. They’ve grown into the kind of women who make you proud just by being themselves—strong, smart, kind, and fierce. They’re out there changing the world right where they are, and I’m over here trying not to cry every time I think about how blessed I am to be their mom.

And then there’s my son-in-law, Nic. He’s the kind of guy you thank God for in every prayer—the husband who loves my daughter with his whole heart, the dad who shows up with grace and strength, and the brother-in-law who’s just plain awesome. Thank you for loving big and loving strong—you’re a blessing we all treasure.

Oh, my sweet grandsons, Oliver, Tony, and Linc. My brave, bold, funny, joy-filled little men. You bring so much light and love into our lives, and watching you grow is like watching pure magic. You remind me every day that life is an adventure, and I’m so thankful to be part of yours.

To my family in other places whom I have great memories and love for—you are never far from my heart. From the phone calls filled with laughter to the visits that feel like a hug for the soul, I carry the joy of our connection with me always. Thanksgiving may not bring us all to the same table, but it brings us together in spirit, and for that, I am so grateful.

And finally, to my Expeditions in Education family—what a dream this has been! From the leadership team to the board, the staff, the ambassadors, the campers, the students, the schools, and the teachers—you are all part of something incredible. Together, we’re making big things happen, and I couldn’t be prouder or more grateful to walk this road with you.

So here’s to Thanksgiving, y’all. Here’s to love, family, dreams, and all the little things that make life beautiful. I’m raising my Diet Dr. Pepper to you and thanking God for every single blessing. Happy Thanksgiving, and may your day be as full as your plate (and your heart). 🦃✨

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Building a Dream from Scratch!

11/7/2024

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When my husband, Steve, called me downstairs on May 19, 2016, I thought it was just another chat about our day. But he had something bigger in mind. As we sat on the couch, he looked at me and said, “Wouldn’t it be amazing to work together?” I was deep in education, and he was in parks and recreation—it seemed like a wild idea.

"How would we make that work?" I asked. We had bills to pay and responsibilities. But the more Steve shared his vision, the more intrigued I became. What if we could find a way to travel the country, share our love of national parks, and work with students, educators, and schools along the way?

Then he added, “It’s time for you to be the lead singer, not just a backup.” That one phrase ignited something in me. I didn’t know exactly how we’d make it work, but the spark was lit. Within days, I put in my notice, and we stepped into a new world. The idea of leaving a steady paycheck was scary, but we took the leap together.

At first, things fell into place. Discovery reached out with an opportunity for me to provide professional development for educators worldwide. We got to travel, visit parks, and still earn enough to support our dream. But as time went on, we realized our mission wasn’t reaching everyone we wanted. We were only able to meet the needs of those who could afford it, leaving many students and educators out.

Then, in 2019, a layoff shook things up. But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise, nudging us to take our dream further. We started a nonprofit, committed to reaching all students, not just those with resources. We promised ourselves to step out on faith and give most of our work for free.

When the pandemic hit, new opportunities appeared. We launched virtual programs like “STEAM in the PARK” to bring national parks into classrooms and homes everywhere. In 2021, we officially opened Expeditions in Education, hosted our first STEAM in the PARK camp for educators, and partnered with the National Park Foundation to bring students into national parks virtually.

Today, we’ve reached over 4 million students and educators with programs like Crossing America, Experience the Parks, and the National Parks Expedition Challenge. Now, we’re entering year 6 of our nonprofit and are launching our Changed for Good Campaign, hoping to raise $100,000 to keep our programming accessible and free. Asking for help is hard, but I believe deeply in this work. Every dollar helps us reach more students, inspire more educators, and bring the wonders of nature into more classrooms.

One of the most heartwarming parts of this journey has been the support we’ve received from friends along the way. A dear friend we met in 2020, Jenny, believed in us so much that she began supporting us monthly. She always says, “It’s not much,” but to us, it’s a precious gift. Just the other day, she told us that she got a raise, and she doubled her gift because, as she put it, “You two deserve one too.” Thank you, Jenny, and to all who have already given, for believing in us.

If our story resonates with you, there are many ways to help. You can support our campaign directly, or help us by sharing our work with others who have the means to contribute. Every share and every dollar moves us closer to our goal of inspiring the next generation to explore, protect, and cherish our planet.

Thank you for reading, for sharing, and for being a part of this journey to make a difference—before we even had it all figured out. 🌎

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Luggage, Laughs, and Life Lessons: Our Wild Journey on the Road Together!

11/2/2024

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Traveling sounds glamorous, but here’s the scoop: it's equal parts adventure and serious heavy lifting! Steve (bless him) does the bulk of the bag-hauling, but let’s be real—there’s always a bit of anxiety when it’s time to haul those beasts out of the car and into the airport. But once we’re through security and I’m sitting down at the gate, that’s my Zen moment… until I start checking the board for delays or cancellations! We’ve been lucky with only a few canceled flights in our 11 years together on the road, so fingers crossed we keep the streak alive!

Then there’s the classic hotel conundrum: which way to go when we step out of the room. I know, it should be simple. Left? Right? Every time, Steve holds back a quiet laugh as I pause, mentally mapping my way out. And let’s not even talk about navigating the room inside. Trying to find the bathroom in a new hotel each night turns into a game of “Door Roulette.” Closet? Nope. Balcony? Definitely not. Some nights, I just stand there, completely disoriented and half-asleep. 😂

Mornings usually bring a quick hotel breakfast (hello, trusty bagels) that Steve thoughtfully brings back to the room if we’re pressed for time. It’s quick and tasty, but yeah, not exactly the height of nutrition. And as for downtime, well, there’s no such thing as a quiet mind when you’re juggling new lesson plans, blog ideas, videos, emails… the list goes on. Here’s hoping our "Changed for Good" campaign helps fund an intern to give me a bit of breathing room (and maybe a little nap!).

But really, the best part of traveling? We get to see beautiful places, together. We meet incredible people from all walks of life, share in the diversity of cultures, and gain new perspectives on life every day. Hectic? Absolutely. Worth every moment? Completely. Here’s to more adventures, more beautiful sights, and the joy of discovering new places together! 🌍❤️

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Thankful, Joyful, and Fueled by Diet Dr. Pepper!

Building a Dream from Scratch!

Luggage, Laughs, and Life Lessons: Our Wild Journey on the Road Together!

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