Home Again

We were nervous.
Not just about leaving behind our life in Mexico, but about everything that could go wrong coming home.

From returning our rental car (and wondering if we’d ever see that deposit again)…
To crossing the border after a long stay abroad with our kids in tow…
To the bricks of achiote paste in our bags that while delicious looked like something very questionable 😅

But every single thing went smoothly.
No issues. No drama. Just grace.

A Smooth Return (and a Spicy Close Call)

The car rental return went off without a hitch.
They complimented us for keeping it in such good condition and refunded our full deposit.

At the airport, we had no trouble with border agents.
No questions about our stay. No hold-ups.

And the achiote paste?
Sailed through security.
(Though we had a few nervous laughs imagining the alternate version of that story.)

Family, Sickness, and Holding It Together

My brother and his girlfriend found us right away at the airport.
A big hug, a deep breath, it felt good.

But poor Kaitlyn…
The stress, motion sickness, and a questionable Breakfast of tacos, Hot Cheetos, and citrus finally hit her.
We had to pull over twice on the way back for her to throw up.

She was a trooper.
Tired, sick, but still holding it down for our family.

The Reunion We Couldn’t Wait For

Back at my brother’s house, we had another reunion waiting, our dog Luke!
This was the first time in 10 years we’d traveled without him.

He was overjoyed to see us.
Cuddly, wagging, never leaving our side.

We missed him more than we realized.

Canada Feels... Different

Coming back felt surreal.
Like waking up from a vivid dream.

Everything is familiar
But we’ve changed.

There’s a new rhythm we’re trying to carry with us.
More presence. More patience. Less rushing.

The Breakdown That Didn’t Break Us

And then… just when we thought we were in the clear my car broke down on the highway!

Thankfully, it was during a traffic jam. I was able to pull off safely.
Kaitlyn, in the other vehicle with the trailer, had mostly everything: Kayden, Luke, the cargo. I had Olivia and our two cats.

We quickly switched things up.
She continued on to open the trailer, and I stayed back with the car.

CAA came to tow us the rest of the way, and honestly?
The driver was incredible.

We ended up in a deep conversation about everything from religion (he was Muslim) to the Canadian economy and the state of the world.

Old Josh Would’ve Lost It…

But not this time.

A few years ago, that moment might’ve triggered my frustration.
I would’ve spiraled into stress and brought Kaitlyn with me.

But instead, we rolled with it.
No panic. No arguing. Just trust.

Settled In and Building Forward

We made it.
We’ve unpacked, built a new shed for storage, and are getting into our summer rhythm.

The kids are adjusting.
Luke is back by our side.
And we’re grateful for the journey, the growth, and each other.

Final Thoughts

The biggest takeaway from this return?

Worry doesn’t prevent bad things from happening.
And even when they do happen, you’re often more prepared than you think.

This chapter reminded us of how far we’ve come, individually, as partners, and as a family.

Here’s to a summer of staying present, living slowly, and honoring the peace we worked so hard to create.

Josh, Kaitlyn, Kayden, Olivia, Cats & Luke 🐾

If you’re ready to slow down, reclaim your time, and start living fully in the moments you already have, I invite you to take the next step.
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