Have you ever found yourself saying "that's too expensive" while simultaneously dreaming of financial abundance? Our journey through Monaco revealed this exact contradiction in our own thinking. With 33% of Monaco residents being millionaires, the environment of extreme wealth forced us to confront our limiting beliefs about money and success.

The true revelation came when we realized how our language around finances was shaping our family's reality. We'd been caught in the trap of scarcity thinking, focusing on what we couldn't afford rather than how we could create more abundance. This breakthrough shifted our entire approach - especially with our children. Instead of saying "we can't afford that," we now ask "how can we make money for that?" This simple change has transformed our five kids into budding entrepreneurs, actively participating in generating income for our family goals.

Our time in Naples and the small town of Baronisi became a laboratory for living these new values. Morning walks with our youngest son Liam created precious one-on-one time rarely possible in a large family. Meanwhile, an unexpected opportunity arose when Alex was recruited to play quarterback for an Italian American football team - presenting a choice between pursuing a personal dream and staying committed to our family's travel vision.

This episode delves into the heart of family decision-making, values clarification, and the courage to choose what truly matters. Whether you're planning your own family adventure or simply seeking to align your finances with your deepest values, our story offers both inspiration and practical approaches for creating the life you truly desire. What would change in your family if you shifted from limitation to possibility thinking? The answer might surprise you.

What happens when a special needs child runs away in a foreign country? How do you navigate cliff-side dangers with a fearless daughter? And why would anyone stuff 12 people into a 5-person rental car in Sicily?

Welcome to the beautiful chaos of world travel with five children in tow. In this raw and revealing episode, we pull back the curtain on our European adventures, sharing the moments that Instagram never shows – from the panic of searching for our daughter in Toulouse to the disappointment of arriving at a "perfect surf town" in Portugal only to find freezing cold water and constant wind.

Our journey through Portugal and Sicily reveals how expectation repeatedly collided with reality as we navigated tiny apartments, budget constraints, and the unique challenges of traveling with our special needs daughter. When Linavelle bolted from a taxi and was found by a concerned stranger who didn't believe Alex was her father, we faced one of our most terrifying travel moments.

The episode explores not just destinations but the transformative power of discomfort and adaptability. We discuss how military connections provided unexpected support in Sicily, how we learned to set boundaries when coordinating travel with friends, and why the challenging moments ultimately became our most cherished memories.

For families contemplating extended travel, this conversation offers honest insights into the logistics, financial considerations, and emotional resilience required. Rather than presenting a highlight reel, we share the messy, imperfect, and utterly life-changing reality of pursuing adventure with children in tow.

What travel mishaps have taught you the most? We'd love to hear your stories of expectation versus reality in the comments, and don't forget to subscribe for part two where we'll continue our Italian adventures!

What happens when you uproot your life, sell everything, and decide to travel the world with five children? The gap between expectation and reality becomes your greatest teacher.

In this raw and honest conversation, we dive into our first steps into global family travel after leaving the Dominican Republic in June 2024. Far from the curated Instagram version of nomadic family life, we share the beautiful chaos that unfolded - from our daughter Linavelle's sudden, intense fear of flying (picture a "wild animal trying to claw her way out of the airplane") to landing in a small French airport with no transportation and zero French language skills.

We thought we had it figured out - using Skyscanner's "explore everywhere" feature to find affordable destinations, excited to document everything for a YouTube channel that never materialized. Instead, we learned that the cheapest flights often lead to the most expensive countries, that European summer doesn't guarantee warm weather, and that jet lag with five kids can keep you housebound until mid-afternoon for days.

The real adventure wasn't in the sightseeing but in the adjustments - navigating public transportation with Star Wars helmets and multiple suitcases, discovering that eight people (after my sister joined us) need triple the groceries you'd expect, and recalibrating our expectations almost daily. Yet these challenges became our greatest gifts, teaching our children resilience and problem-solving in real time.

Our journey reveals how families can use the same tools that work at home - deep breathing, honest communication, and respecting autonomy - to navigate the unpredictable nature of travel. We've learned that the messy middle between what we imagined and what actually happened is where the real magic lives.

Have you found yourself needing to adapt when life doesn't match your expectations? We'd love to hear how you've navigated those spaces between.