How We Got Here
by Jana
I had wondered if I was going to feel regret about selling our family home, but I never once second guessed the decision throughout the process leading up to the move and really haven’t looked back since. At times, I’ve thought it weird that I didn’t. I loved our home, both of our kids were born there and after living there for 14 years, it represented the most stability I’d had in my life.
Surely these things happen for a reason, right?
Six months ago, we wouldn’t have fathomed selling our home to live on a bus and travel full time. But one beautiful day in July, Grant and I were stand up paddleboarding in the middle of the Rivanna Reservoir and out of nowhere, an idea just made its way into my head: we need to sell our home at a premium price, no realtors, and move to Australia. We approached Jack and Stellie with this wild and sudden idea thinking that they would tell us we’re nuts, but they were shockingly all about it, telling us that they would love to live in Australia again. I built a website, we painted our hallway and decluttered, and two weeks later the house was sold. Everything was going beautifully, not a single hiccup. Or so we thought.
We began the hugely arduous and somewhat over-the-top process of getting our three dogs, Mackie, Paigie and Phoebe, ready for export into Australia. An hour before their scheduled rabies titer test (basically just a much more expensive version of a regular rabies test), the vet called to ask if we realized that all three dogs had tested positive for Ehrlichia at some point in the past. Our answer was: “Ehr-what?!” Apparently Ehrlichia is a tick borne disease that usually doesn’t cause any symptoms unless your dog is a German Shepard. But because our dogs had been bitten by a pesky Ehrlichia carrying tick, they have Ehrlichia antibodies in their blood. Australia won’t allow that. Turns out, Australia is the most difficult country for importing animals, including family pets.
But when the Universe speaks, we have learned to listen. Upon receiving this news, Grant and I looked at each other knowingly. We had two options; option one was to leave the dogs behind and go to Australia (which would never fly with Jack and Stellie) and option two was surely going to reveal itself to us any second. Surely, these things happen for a reason, right? We immediately headed upstairs and called a family huddle. We presented the latest information to the kids and as predicted, their instant reaction was: “We’re not going anywhere without the dogs.”
We all stood there, deflated, desperately looking to each other for answers and suddenly I blurted out: “We should live on a bus and travel for a bit.” Much like the idea of selling our home and moving to Australia, this sentence also came through me, not from me. Everyone looked at me as though I had suddenly grown an extra head, but nobody objected. Instead, after a short moment of silent contemplation, logistical questions started to flow. “Three dogs on a bus?” “What if school goes back to in-person?” “Will there be enough privacy?” and lastly: “Where will we go first?!”
We quickly figured out that we had sufficient answers to all those questions and there was pretty much nothing standing in our way. Less than a week later, we sold my car Denise, bought Thelma and began her rejuvenation.
Travel with us:
♥️🎈21🎈♥️
Father’s Day 2025
Mount Jerusalem National Park
Happy Birthday to My Greatest Adventure Partner!
Happy 20th Birthday, Jack!
Grant’s built homes, companies, and communities, but the most beautiful thing he’s built is the life we’ve gotten to share for more than 21 years now. It’s a life grounded in love, kindness, and deep gratitude for our family and all the experiences we get to have together, thanks to him.
I love Grant’s integrity, purpose, passion, and his heart-centered generosity of spirit — whether he’s working on visionary wellness communities or transforming an abandoned shack into our next family home.
Right now, I’m so grateful for Grant’s support during the hardest health challenge of my life, whether it be helping me walk down the stairs, dressing me, driving me to endless appointments, or reminding me of my own strength when things get scary. He holds space for all of who I am, supporting the choices I make for my healing, and supporting my dreams with unwavering belief in me, in sickness and in health.
At the same time, Grant is the best dad to Jack and Ellie. Watching him with them, celebrating their gifts, supporting their journeys, and being their safe harbor is a blessing and a joy. He parents with empathy, kindness, an open mind and endless patience, and show them, every day, what it means to be a man who leads with his heart.
At work, Grant is a force of nature. He inspires positive change, connection, and makes the world better, one project at a time. But beyond his impressive accomplishments, it’s his humility, his servant leadership, and his genuine care for people that truly set him apart. Grant doesn’t just work to improve businesses, he works to improve lives.
He’s taught me that true success is measured not by what we achieve but by how much we care. And Grant cares so much; about his family, his friends, his community, and this planet we all share.
Grantly, thank you for being wild and free, for embracing life’s chaos with open arms, and for loving me and our family unconditionally.
Happy Birthday!
Today, as you begin your twenties, we want to pause and celebrate the beautiful human you are. Your authenticity is a light, shining through in everything you do. You live your truth with a courage that inspires all of us. Your creativity is captivating, lifting the spirits of those who witness it. We admire your dedication to your own art and your profound connection to music, film and art in all forms.
Your unwavering selflessness, kindness and compassion are strengths that move quietly but profoundly, touching lives in ways you don’t always realize. The warmth and care you extend to others is a true reflection of your being. It’s a gift to watch you uplift those around you, always consciously mindful, always compassionate.
As you continue on your artistic journey, know that we are with you, supporting you always. We believe in your art, unlimited by commercial constraints and free from the mainstream’s narrow definitions of success. Your authentic vision, your voice, and your perspective are important and needed in this world.
Keep following your passions. Keep being you—because who you are is truly a gift to this world. Here’s to more years of creativity, joy, and the pure expression of your true self.
We love you so much, Jack. Happy 20th Birthday!
With all our love and admiration,
Mum & Dad
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