about
We are Nick, Jennie, Everly, Smith, and Lennon living in Charlotte, NC. We have spent the last 15 years growing our family and pursuing the American Dream. In 2020 we started to ask each other questions and wondered if we were, in fact, pursuing our dreams or just the dreams laid out for us. Were we living a life full of joy and peace or were we always operating from a place of striving and hurry?
After living with these questions for 2 years we have decided it is time for change. As a family we are embarking on a new journey. We are leaving behind many of the things we know and hold dear—jobs, our home, and every day comforts are just a few. We don’t want to have to experience loss to appreciate today or to truly be grateful for what’s right in front of us.
So we’ll take you along with us on this journey. We have absolutely no idea what we’re doing. But we know we’re headed for adventure together. It’s gonna be fun.
Oh Everly. Where do I even begin?
Well, she is brave and sensitive. She never meets a stranger--She is learning to be a great friend. But her greatest desire right now is freedom!
FREE-DOM!!!
She loves all things unhinged. The roaring waves in an ocean, the loudest setting on Alexa, the most of everything. Everly constantly fights boundaries. She struggles to break free from the constraints of us (her parents) and the rules that come with being only 9. She desires to be wild. Free from all expectations, all societal norms, and all rules.
We were recently working through homeschool and I asked her to write some words on the outside of a glass. She looked at me and said, “Are you kidding me?”
She sat for a minute, looked at me with the biggest smile and said,
“Mom, this feels so inappropriate and I LOVE IT!”
Hold on wild spirit. We see you. We are here to protect you and let you fly when you’re ready.Soon enough, child.
And also, Lord help us.
Smith. He is gentle and kind. Brave and strong. He loves art and he loves people! His ability to feel empathy for others and what they are experiencing is remarkable. He needs no help in this.
Smith has always been our most flexible kid. He loves to make sure everyone in our family is happy. He is a joy to travel with or simply sit on the couch with on a rainy day. He is funny. And he will take on any challenge, and never ever turns down an opportunity to make money.
He doesn’t talk much about the future or things he wishes for. He stays in the moment--Building legos, playing in the woods, and art, all of the art. We often find him awake in the middle of the night, at the kitchen table painting by himself. He’s not afraid of the dark or the uncovered windows. He simply loves the solace and the space to paint until he’s ready to put himself back to bed.
He is simple. He is joy.
Lennon.
Oh boy, here comes trouble.
Kinda kidding.
Lennon is the most fun. She sticks close to her family and loves us all fiercely.
She also possesses a unique ability to bring the exact shade of naughty to escalate every moment on even the most chaotic of days. The juxtaposition of this is her constant attention to what people need. If she sees or hears a need, she is the first to try and meet it.
She says she loves me probably 20 times every day.
She also plugs the upstairs sink and turns the water on, only to cause a shower downstairs, in the kitchen.
She is the best play mate – willing and able to play any role you assign her, just as long as she is included.
She will also sneak into your room and mix up all your Lego parts.
She is loyal.
She is the best traveler, able to find the good in any situation. She is our funniest friend.
Lennon is our unexpected gift.