My husband and I both attended public school from kindergarten to twelfth grade. We excelled academically, actively participated in extracurricular activities, formed numerous friendships, and successfully gained admission to college. My husband pursued a degree in Kinesiology, while I embarked on the path to becoming a Registered Nurse.

Fate brought us together years later, and we fell deeply in love. However, life threw us a curveball when I was diagnosed with cancer in July of 2011, just two months before our wedding. Undeterred, I underwent multiple surgeries and walked down the aisle in September of the same year, cancer-free.

In October 2012, we were blessed with our first child. However, life took an unexpected turn when my husband, who was the sole breadwinner, lost his job just six months later. This unfortunate event meant that we had to face the daunting challenge of adjusting to a significant decrease in income. I entered the workforce and my husband transformed his side business of personal training into his primary source of income. With resilience and determination, we found a way to weather the storm. You see the theme here.

In 2014 we joyfully welcomed the arrival of our second child and life cruised on. We were not unhappy, but we both had a feeling that there had to be more for us in this lifetime. We tried a few different endeavors without much success. We always joke that my husband tried a new job every spring. From Insurance Sales to Mortgage Lending to Network Marketing. Until early 2016 when we found the one! Real estate. With open hearts and minds, we embraced this new adventure, eagerly immersing ourselves in the art of flipping homes and wholesaling properties.

As time went on, our resolute optimism propelled us forward, transforming this endeavor into our life’s work. By 2018, real estate had become more than just a business; it had blossomed into a thriving enterprise, fulfilling us in ways we could have never anticipated. Devoting more than 60 hours a week to the pursuit of our dreams, we surpassed any perceived limitations with unwavering determination.

Everything that had happened in our life has unequivocally brought us to the realization that living a conventional existence, adhering to the societal norms of enrolling our children in a traditional school setting for extended hours, devoting ourselves to monotonous work routines, and confining our leisure time to the cocoon of our dwelling was not aligned with our aspirations. We harbored a burning desire for abundant quality time together as a family and an insatiable thirst for exploring the world, gallivanting across continents and traversing uncharted territories. Our hearts yearned for a lifestyle that transcended the ordinary, a life untethered to the stifling conventions of societal expectations.

Our real estate business served as the financial foundation that empowered us to embark on a journey of freedom and travel. As our children reached school age, we made the resolute decision to homeschool them. We sought a life where we could include them in our property-flipping ventures, impart the value of hard work firsthand, and be their primary source of inspiration, rather than entrusting their education to unfamiliar teachers or peers.

Since then, we have joyfully welcomed the arrival of two more precious children in 2018 and 2022. Additionally, in 2020, we made the exciting decision to acquire a second home in the captivating state of Florida. Our lifestyle now entails spending our winters in the inviting warmth of Florida, while the rest of the year we gratefully reside in the serene beauty of Door County, WI, my cherished hometown.

Despite the busyness that arises from nurturing our four children and managing multiple businesses together, we continue to embrace the exhilaration of travel. Although it would be wonderful to claim that we have achieved a perfect equilibrium amidst this whirlwind, the truth is that each day presents a unique set of challenges and triumphs. Nevertheless, we approach each new day with an unwavering belief that we can conquer anything that comes our way.

Now that our littlest one is approaching two and the world is a little bit back to normal post-pandemic, we are eagerly anticipating an abundance of travels ahead. I am here to encourage and inspire other families who may believe it is unattainable to enjoy the best of both worlds. If we can achieve it, so can you!