We are the Stoddart Family, this site is our first go at something like this so please be patient as we learn the ropes. Opening with an apology means it should come as no surprise that our home is Canada. However, right now we’re taking a detour (the scenic route if you will) from our usual path. We have a one-year leave from work to focus on the things most important to us that often get postponed when we’re too busy with everything else. Travel is the most visible part but the underlying intention is time together as a family, an effort to create some space for who we want to be and how we want to get there. On that note, a little more about the four of us:
The Parents (Darla and Mike):
We both work for organizations that let us walk away for a year and agreed to let us come back (how awesome is that!?). We travelled a bit before the kids came along and loved learning about people & places that were different from our everyday lives. We knew this was something we wanted to show our kids so we made a plan and a spreadsheet (we both went to school for engineering – did I mention that?) and here we find ourselves trying to bring that plan to life.
The Kids (Lauren and Owen)
These two are taking their own detour, away from classrooms and into the world to see what’s out there. Each of them adds their own perspective on the people we meet and places we see. Lauren will turn ten this year and is in grade five, Owen is seven and in grade two. They live in the moment spotting every dog, playground, and ice cream shop that comes our way. Sharing this experience with them constantly reminds us to slow down, soak in our surroundings, and always pack extra snacks!