5 Years Into Our Bus Life Journey

May 2, 2020 is the day we started to transform our 2002 Ford E-450 shuttle bus into our new home. Three months of planning, researching, and dreaming preceded the first seat being removed. While Corey was pumped to start using power tools, I needed a plan along with some confidence. What we were about to undergo was huge! We were novices in all the areas that mattered: construction, plumbing, electrical, design. Corey excelled in engines and using YouTube for everything. I excelled in organization and Pinterest for inspiration.

It became a slow, frustrating and grueling process. Between shutdowns, curbside pickups, prices increasing and having to pivot (a lot!), we didn’t think the day would come when we could actually move in. But of course it did arrive.

Move In Day

July 19, 2021. Newly engaged (two days prior), with all the kids with us for the summer, we moved in, got organized, and promptly went camping. The bus’s first road trip as our home! This past summer, we went back to Sand Hill Park. We reflected and played and I couldn’t get over how much the kids had grown and changed in just four short years. The bus had also come a long way! 

The bus, which has been ironically called Grace the past four years, has had many modifications. (How she got her name is a story for another day!) As Gwen grew and things broke and design flaws came to light, we found ourselves with a Bus List always taped to our fridge. 

The overall goal and dream was to be mobile and travel as we see fit. Really explore beyond our city; show Gwen different landscapes, wild animals, a different way to learn and grow. To be free from traditional jobs and work for ourselves. Support this lifestyle with vlogging, blogging, children’s books, digital and physical products. We hit some obstacles. Some not within our control (borders closing) and others that were a choice (having a big family wedding). We wouldn’t change any of it because it has led us exactly to where we need to be for what we are planning next.

What’s Next?

As we move forward, into year five of living this lifestyle, the overall dream of spending more time together, exploring new places and things and pushing ourselves outside of our comfort zone remains the same.

Can’t wait to show you what we have done the past five years and what has yet to come. Hint: It may involve ducks!