California Dreaming: The Ultimate U.S. Road Trip (Part I)

A few years ago the kids and I set out for our first major road trip, and we were planning to do it in California. We had ten days to work with, and made a plan to fly into San Francisco and out of San Diego. We would spent a couple days in Sacramento with my cousin and her family, but the rest would be spent driving down the Pacific Coast on Highway 1. I’ll be honest. I had some serious reservations about flying my then 7- and 8-year old across the country for a 10-day road trip…alone. 😳 But in spite of how intimidating it may have felt at the time, I was determined to give them these memories and I’m so glad we did it. Both kids still refer to this trip as their favorite vacation ever.I’m excited to share our itinerary here. Ten days is a lot to cover in one post, so I’ll cover the first four here, and you’ll have to stay tuned for Part 2. So here we go…our 10-day California road trip extravaganza.

TravelKylee ShireyJune 9, 2020Onward & UpdosTravel, Travel with Kids, Family Travel, Family, KidsComment

Hello 40: (I Hear It's the New 20)

I’ve been looking forward to turning 40 since I was in my mid-20s. If you would have told me then that I could have skipped my 30s, I 💯 would have done it. I’m not going to get into all the reasons why. It doesn’t matter at this point. Because you know what? I didn’t get to skip my 30s. But I got through them, as rough as they were at times, and soldiered on…all for the reward of turning FORTY. *Cue angelic chorus.* But for as hyped as I’ve been to turn 40, I was struggling a bit yesterday as I assessed whether my life is where I want it to be as I enter this new decade today.

Editor's Picks, Most Popular, Mom Life, FamilyKylee ShireyMarch 27, 2020Single Mom, Birthday, Family, Friendship, Kids, FaithComment

How to Start a Blog: An Introduction to Onward + Updos

The common adage, “sometimes life doesn’t go as planned” has certainly been true for me. (And by “sometimes” I mean a lot of times.) I suspect it’s true for you, too. But as I exit the last year of my 30s, I realize I am leaving this decade much stronger, more resilient and more fearless than 29-year-old me could have ever imagined. Through all the surprises and challenges life has thrown at me, my mindset has always been onward and upward.