Spread The Better: NORTH CAROLINA

Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, Choice, and Juliann

We made our way to beautiful North Carolina. Being from Arizona, I was unfamiliar with the beauty that comes along with the changing of the seasons. Driving into this part of the country, I felt like we had stepped into an enchanted forest.

Juliann and Jason

Our first visit was in Sugar Grove, NC. For us to gain site of this incredible scenery, the bus had to take a bit of a beating. The back roads of North Carolina left more than just a few Arizona pinstripes.

Despite our rough ride, we arrived at the Beaver Dam Volunteer Fire Department.

Choice, Juliann, Ryder, Shiloh, and Tate

We hadn't been able to reach them prior to arriving at their station. Unfortunately, because they are a volunteer department, there isn't anyone there on a full-time basis.

Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, Choice, and Juliann

Their doors were locked today. We were so sorry we missed them, but left some goodies as a token of our appreciation.

(stray dog), Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, Choice, and Juliann

Tate, (stray dog), Choice, Shiloh, Ryder, and Juliann

The bus needed a little break, and Lord knows we all could benefit from a little fresh air. We were parked right across from the fire department...(ummm, we look like a fire department vehicle, right?!?!)...

Be Better Bus

Across the street was a large, open field. The kids, and Rusty, had a great time running all over the place. We stayed for a good hour or so just letting them, well...be kids.

Ryder, Jason, Choice, Shiloh, and Tate

Ryder, Jason, Choice, Rusty, Tate, and Shiloh

Jason, Choice, Ryder, Tate, and Shiloh

Tate, Shiloh, Jason, stray dog, Rusty, and Ryder

Rusty became fast friends with a dog who was there alone in the park. It was super entertaining to watch them play together. Rusty was in heaven having another dog with which to run wild. We were fairly close to adopting that dog and bringing him on the road with us. That was until we saw the sign for the building next door..."RABIES CLINIC". Perhaps we had an escapee on our hands.

Tate, Shiloh, stray dog, Rusty, Jason, and Ryder

Rusty and new friend

Tate, Shiloh, Rusty and stray dog

Ryder, Rusty, stray dog, Tate, and Shiloh

Our schedule didn't allow for too much wiggle room, so we were back on the road. We hadn't made it too far before stopping again. I simply couldn't believe the spectacular fall colors and needed to get out and snap a few pictures to remember it by.

Rusty

Be Better Bus

Sugar Grove, NC

Rusty

Be Better Bus

Sugar Grove, NC

Rusty

On our exploration of North Carolina, we discovered the breathtaking, the quaint, the colonial, AND..the bizarre. I am sure this is the case anywhere you go, but this sign outside of a second hand store demanded our attention. I was in the market for some "Jelwrey". So, we went inside.

"JELWREY"

I didn't purchase any "jelwrey" as their inventory was limited to "braslets".

"BRASLETS"

However, we didn't leave empty handed. One of our favorite pastimes on the road has been searching for small treasures in the local thrift shops. We were able to find some sweet jerseys, in almost everyone's size, supporting the local basketball team.

Shiloh, Choice, Jason, Ryder, and Tate

Tate was thrilled because to date we had never found one small enough for him to wear.

Rusty and Tate

Choice, on the other hand, was still out of luck in the jersey department. Lucky for him, we stumbled upon this awesome little number that had his name written all over it.

Choice

He was eager to show Jason his gratitude for his cool, new western vest.

Jason and Choice

Choice and Jason

And, how can you leave a thrift shop without something a bit obnoxious? This wig found it's way into our bag of purchases. We decided to try it on everyone to see who wore it best. You'll have to be the judge of that...

Rusty

Jason

Choice

Shiloh

Ryder

Tate

While walking back to the bus we stumbled upon this uplifting little Christian bookstore. Outside was a sign with the words SIMPLE BLESSINGS written on it. It stopped me in my tracks and invited me to have a moment of introspection and evaluation. Have I thanked God today for my blessings? Have I appreciated the little things around me that attribute to the larger picture? Am I appreciative of the simple blessings?

Juliann

As I got back on the bus, thinking of the "simple blessings" in life, I received just that in the form of an email. The same gal who had uplifting words for me yesterday, sent me this candid and loving message today...

Sweet Juliann,
I wish I could I tell you after awhile the juggling gets easier and the rope stops feeling so tight. The truth is, I've been doing this for almost 8 years now and it's always tight, always hard, but always worth it.
I admire you so much for this adventure you guys have embarked upon. The courage it has taken to make yourself vulnerable to "the world", the strength to say everyday, we are going forth with what we started, listening to the bickering, the whining, the crying...you should be so proud of yourself for not leaving the kids on the bus somewhere with "for free" signs, and yourself back in Alaska

Seriously though, you've been on my heart lately, and I've been praying that most of all this trip would be more therapeutic than anything. An opportunity for you to see your own strength first hand as a mom. You are doing great Juliann! Those four small hearts love every bit of you, the beautiful, loving, angry, dream shoving, kind, energetic, frustrated and everything in between momma!!

I asked my son recently, from a questionnaire "What makes you proud of mom?" "How do you know I love you?"

He said you do everything to make me happy and go to school to be a nurse and never have time for anything and it's all for me... I never in a million years thought a 7 year old comprehended that kind of sacrifice.

His next answer was because you just do, you always love me! I'm your favorite, even when you're mad, and he laughed. Juliann I swear to you I am a self proclaimed horrible mom!!

If I have a little who feels this way, with a forgiving heart towards all my missteps, I can only imagine how much more your babes adore and forgive you!

Love and safe travels,

I am so grateful for all of the support and encouragement we continue to receive along our journey!

Juliann

With the current presidential election underway, it was easy to find Donald Trump everywhere you looked in North Carolina. We happened upon him right in the middle of a small downtown square.

Jason with toy Trump

Juliann with toy Trump

Juliann with hot Hillary and toy Trump

Found ourselves eating as his country club restaurant...

Jason

and visiting friends of ours in a neighborhood he knows well.

Jason and Juliann

Charlotte North Carolina had some of the most incredible homes and neighborhoods I have ever seen in my life. The kids kept asking why everyone here lives in castles. Jason's friends were so sweet to invite us to their humble little abode on their own private section of Lake Norman. The kids were thrilled to have a chance to take a dip in the pool.

Choice, Tate, Ryder, and Shiloh

Choice, Ryder, Shiloh, and Tate

Shiloh, Ryder, Choice, and Tate

Choice

Tate

Ryder

Choice, Tate, and Ryder

Ryder

Shiloh, Jason, Ryder, Tate, and Choice

Ryder, Jason, Tate, and Choice

Mark and Beth even had four little shirts made with "NORTH CAROLINA, LAKE NORMAN" printed on them as a souvenir. You would've thought they won the lottery with how excited they were to receive that gift. Such kind and generous people! Thank you so much Mark and Beth!

Ryder, Choice, Tate, and Shiloh

Choice, Tate, Ryder, and Shiloh

Choice, Shiloh, Jason, Ryder, and Tate

The sun set over beautiful Lake Norman and it was time for us to get going. We hopped back in the bus and drove away from Charlotte.

The boys were in dyer need of haircuts. I couldn't stand it one more second, so before they went to bed, we buzzed their heads. The bus doesn't lend itself to being the most comfortable barbershop, but we made it work.

Ryder

Ryder and Juliann

Juliann and Tate

Tate and Juliann

Choice and Juliann

Rusty, Choice, Juliann, Tate, Shiloh, and Ryder

Within moments of finishing up haircuts and showers, they passed out.

Jason and Choice

The morning came quickly, as it always does, and we had 3 different visits in Raleigh, North Carolina. All of which were individuals who I did not have a phone number for. We were going to give it a shot nonetheless and see if we could catch any of them at home.

Tate, Shiloh, Rusty, Ryder, and Choice

Tate, Choice, Ryder, and Shiloh

First stop, Ms. Deborah...The kids were super excited to stop at her house because she shares the same name as their Grandma whom they ADORE.

Ryder

Unfortunately, she was not home. STRIKE 1.

Our second stop was to Mr. Mark and Ms. Meribeth.

Shiloh

They live in an amazing part of the town, a neighborhood tucked into a forest habitat. Gorgeous! We parked on an adjacent road and walked down the street to their home.

Shiloh, Jason, Rusty, Tate, and Ryder

Ryder, Rusty, Shiloh, Jason, and Tate

Shiloh, Rusty, Ryder, Jason, and Tate

Shiloh, Jason, Rusty, Tate, and Ryder

Shiloh, Ryder, and Tate

Tate, Shiloh, and Ryder

Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder

Dang. They were not home either. STRIKE 2.

Tate, Jason, Ryder, and Shiloh

Tate, Shiloh,Jason, Ryder,and Rusty

Last, but not least, we made our way to the other side of Raleigh to visit Mr. Armin.

It amazed me how charming this town was. Each home we visited was delightful in it's own way; and all, incredibly unique from the next.

Tate, Ryder, and Shiloh

Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder

Tate, Ryder, and Shiloh

Perhaps you were expecting the ending that we were hoping for, but, no...STRIKE 3.

For each of the individuals we attempted to connect with today, we were thankful to be able to leave cards and be better bands for them. A small message of our gratitude to for being a part of the positive moment in this world...encouraging kindness and brotherhood. I am sad that we couldn't embrace each of these incredible people and let them know that they are impacting lives for the better. However, I pray they will know that by the gesture.

To North Carolina, we say...WE WERE HERE. Hopefully the impact we made on this state was small but mighty. We want to influence lives for the better in whatever capacity we are able. Remember that the largest trees still begin as just a simple seed. We will keep moving forward in our efforts to plant seeds of appreciation across this great country. To the Beaver Dam Volunteer Fire Department in Sugar Grove, Mark and Beth in Charlotte, and Deborah, Mark, Meribeth, and Armin in Raleigh...keep up the good work. You are an inspiration and a blessing to those around you. God bless.

Spread The Better

Saturday, October 10, 2015

NORTH CAROLINA

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