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steph.castelein

IT’S MOVING DAY!!!!!!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ IT’S MOVING DAY!!!!!!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
If you missed it we’re moving from Petoskey ➡️ Mackinac Island and whew! Exciting things.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Yo, can we talk about the PROCESSSSS of moving to Mackinac Island? Something like: Move things from house to vehicle. Move things from vehicle to ferry. Move things from ferry to horse-drawn dray. Move things from horse-drawn dray to house. Boom. We’ve talked to some great people who have walked us through the process but wowzer, when you get down to it, it’s fascinating!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Can we also talk about Scott’s parents? Oh man. I’m forever thankful and grateful that they take us in every single time we need a place to stay. They are some of the most loving people I've ever met and also support EVERY SINGLE CRAZY IDEA WE EVER HAVE. And the fact that they put up with my constant smack talk during cards or any competitive thing we do ever. Forever and ever grateful for you two + Nellie 😊⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Also Scottie. He continues to be it. Just all of the things. Probably a good sign considering we’re married. Ha. 😅⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Anywho, there are boxes to unpack and a mandatory new house dance session in order. Talk soon friends. Byyeee.
If I had to describe this week in a photo….⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Scott snapped this without me knowing it and when I found it on my phone, it made me laugh.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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You guys! I started my new job this week and wow wow wow. It’s been a whole mish mosh of double computers, double phones, and learning the ins and outs of a brand new (to me) business. I've done a whole lot of learning, asked a whole lot of questions, and most of all had a whole lot of fun.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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I wasn’t sure what to expect or how I would feel. I haven’t had a “normal” full-time job since 2016 and wasn’t nervous because obviously Scott and I thought long and hard about this but I was still… nervous.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Anyway, those nerves have been replaced by excitement and anticipation of new ideas and working with new people and new routines and just doing things ya know? I’ve always loved work. It’s weird. But I feel like my brain was made to do 257 things at once and I find a lot of joy in the whole two computers, zoom chats, and figuring it all out. Maybe that’s why I’m such a huge fan of the slow life too. It’s all about balance ya know?⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Here's to change. Most of the time it's uncomfortable but almost always it ends up being for the better.
A few of my favorite things all in one photo✨... A few of my favorite things all in one photo✨...
Waking up in Scott's arms.
Sun kissed faces.
Beginning glow of a sunrise.
Anticipation of a new adventure.
Slow moments together.
Whenever I get a moment to stop and just be, I alw Whenever I get a moment to stop and just be, I always find myself looking down at the place life has taken me. I usually see my bare feet surrounded by grass or my boots scuffed from some trail.

I like to stop and just soak in what life feels like. To be present in that exact spot. My mind always does this big rewind of all the little moments that brought me to that place. Like flipping quickly though a magazine, sound effects included. 🤙

It always makes me smile to think we'll never be this old or this young again. Never here for the same reasons with the same people. Never like this, like we are. Life is cool. Confusing and frustrating and unknown sometimes but mostly cool.

Take a look and see where you are right now. Do a little magazine flip through rewind of all the moments that led you to that place. It's pretty neat to think about.

Also, if I had a dime for every photo I have looking down or of my feet/shoes in my phone, I'd have a whole lot of dimes.

Ps: LOOK AT THAT WATER!?!!! wow wow wow. That is all.🤯
Forever jumping for photos and running around bare Forever jumping for photos and running around barefoot. Some things in life change, some things don't.🤸‍♀️
Live look at me spending 847 hours transferring my Live look at me spending 847 hours transferring my blog over to WordPress. I've talked about this task for what seems like ages and this is exactly why I kept putting it off, because I knew it would take TIME. Straight up time.The good news is I'm slowly but surely crossing things off the list, emphasis on slowly. Oh and if you're wondering, procrastination doesn't make the job any easier but that's cool. Maybe someday I'll learn. Probably not. Right mom? Don't forget to move your body a bit, take a few deep breaths, and drink some water in between the 10 cups of coffee. Byyyeee🤸‍♀️
We installed a window!!🚐 Yesterday, we woke up We installed a window!!🚐

Yesterday, we woke up to a blanket of frost covering the ground and windows and with that, anticipation of putting a new window in the van.

It took a whole lot of planning and talking and time but we were able to get it in there.

Don’t be fooled though friends, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows and installing windows and yay, van life!

We got into it pretty good yesterday. At one point we were ready to sell the dang thing. Not for real but you know when you get frustrated and say ridiculous things? Well, it was like that.

Scott and I are so connected, that when we’re not, it escalates big time.

It didn’t help that it was FREEZING, we had 101 different ideas, and oh yeah, the fact that we were cutting a MAJOR HOLE into our van.

After a bit of being crabby and kind of mean, we finally talked it out, regrouped, and had ourselves a fresh start.

And through it all, there are 3 things I continue to learn:

1️⃣ Communication is key. I’ll forever say this. In work, relationships, family, friends, and life. Problems will stay problems until they're talked about openly and honestly.

2️⃣ Food ALWAYS helps. Being hangry is a real thing my friends. Whenever we’re feeling a bit off, we check the last time we are. Let's just say that after we talked it out yesterday, we came up and ate a sandwich.

3️⃣ It gets easier. Every time we tackle a new project, we learn something new. Those skills and thoughts and ways to get there will keep get easier the more we do it, I am sure of this.

These are the lessons I learn from the van build and also from life. I know there will be more. Probably more frustrating days and big breakthroughs too. It's all a part of the journey.

What lessons are you currently learning?

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