EXCLUSIVE Interview with the TravelKatz Family

I am over the moon excited to be able to have an interview with the Travel

Katz family! I was able to catch up with the mom Rachael and ask her some questions I wanted to know. You know me....I always want to know more than probably I should ha!

First let me tell you about the TravelKatz family if you haven't already heard of them (if you haven't...you should!). Rachael has decided to travel the world with her daughter Alex and two sons Richie and Ethan. You know....do that thing that we always wish and dream and talk about doing but never do. SHE IS DOING IT!!! As a widowed mom I am so impressed with her and her willingness to teach her kids about other countries by actually EXPERIENCING it! AMAZING!


They have a You tube channel that you can follow their daily vlogs and see all their adventures. Its like experiencing the travels right along with them. I think they are fun to watch and have such great personalities.


So, Lets get to the nitty gritty of the things I wanted to know more about. This way you can know more than others do with this EXCLUSIVE interview.


What made you decide to pick up and take off and travel the world?
I have wanted to travel for many years but it was only talk and no action. Finally, I decided that it was time to put my dream into action and make travel a reality. I have wanted to travel for the past five years or so. I just finally made it happen.


Why was Thailand your first choice for a country?
Thailand was my first choice because it is a inexpensive country to travel in and because I knew someone here who I have known since Jr. High School. I had never been out of country and felt safer to know someone on my first out of country experience.


Do you work while traveling?
I make a small fixed income as I have been a widow for almost 7 years. I have been able to stay home with my kids. Survivors benefits is my main souse of monthly income at this time.


How do the kids attend school as I know you have two that are still in school?
The kids do not go to school in every country, although I have considered putting them in school here in Thailand. Since we will be traveling the world, they will mainly do homeschool/worldschooling. If we stay long term in a country, I may consider them attending school to have that experience.


What are you hoping are the best memories for your kids?
I want my kids to have wonderful memories of us as a family experiencing different cultures and foods. It would be great for them to be able to meet friends all over the world on our travels too! I just think this is such a great experience and will give them wonderful memories for years to come!


Did the kids Agree or Disagree at first?
My kids have had different thoughts on my choice in travel. There have been times where they were unsure of travel (mainly my 2 oldest), but I feel it was fear of the unknown. Once we really made the decision to travel, they were all on board and happy to prepare for our journey. I think new experiences can be a little scary for anyone...but the learning lesson for us all is, don't let fear stop you from new experiences. New experiences can only help us grow in life.


You are doing something that most only dream about...What do you have to say to those people?
If you have a dream, don't let fear stop you. Fear of the unknown is a dream killer. Talk about it and make plans...and when the time is right...put that plan into action. I think so many of us miss out on so much because we allow fear to stop us from doing what we really want to do. Sometimes you just have to do it!


What is a day in the TravelKatz family like?
A day in the TravelKatz family is amazing! We get to see things we have never seen and experience things we only saw on tv. Other than that...our days are pretty normal...we just get to wake up on the other side of the world.


Last question...What is something that is funny to you?
People here in Thailand love kids and they will see a foreigner kid and just put their head and talk to them and smile and shower the child with attention. I think its funny and cute. The whole culture is filled with so many interesting things.


This is an amazing family with an amazing adventure! Check them out and subscribe to see all of their videos. Its free to do! Just click this link.... https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCSxhYDQQlagCWLr_21MCTw?view_as=public


Thank you so much Rachael for this interview and a peak more into the TravelKatz life!


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Cheap Massages and Beach Bums

Our first day in Puerto Vallarta Mexico was fabulous. As soon as we got off the ship we had two days there. After swimming with the dolphins we decided to hit none other than the beach! We love the beach. It was so warm you just walk right in without any shivers. I had each of the kids pack their towels, flip flops, underwater cameras and sunscreen. No one was going to get burnt on my clock ha!

Who is going to dunk who

I love the ocean. At this beach its solid nice non rocky sand. Clear water that is amazingly fun to swim in. The one thing I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE about the beaches there is you can get massages for only 20-30 Dollars. On the ship they are 140 dollars for an hour so I was able to get everyone who wanted a massage one for the same price as one on the ship. The massages were amazing and very professional. You get one hour for 20-30 dollars on a massage table under a umbrella listening to the sounds of the ocean. Jackson and I were first. Cassie and Joshua went next. Ryan and Jason didn't want one because they were having too much fun in the Ocean. The second day we went back Jackson and I had yet another massage. Hey why not? Its vacation!

Jackson and Josh getting Massages

There are so many people walking the beach trying to sell you stuff which was kinda fun to watch. Anything offered to you, you can get half price if you just tell them that's what you have. It was interesting to watch my kids bargain with the locals. Jackson is pretty good at it ,Cassie did okay and to the two younger ones we had to do it because they would just pay full price on anything. The food was really good too in the carts. Cassie loved her fresh mango on a stick with chili pepper and lemon.

Cassie eating fresh mango with chili and lime

We had a great time. I think at one point or another everyone had dunked someone. Being a bigger girl I LOVE the water because it has no weight. My kids were tossing me around like a rag doll which they loved. We all laughed about my legs too how they look like baby powder because they were so white. I think I went from baby powder white to translucent so I am getting a little tanner ha.

My white legs but look at his farmers tan~! lol

Dunking Jason

Boys will be boys

We had an amazing time in the water. It was such a family fun day! Massages, bargaining and tons of water play. By the time we went back to the ship we were definitely tired. Ps....with all the spraying I had my family do...guess who came back burnt! Me! Dangit!

Perfect sand and warm water

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Here are some pictures of some of the fun we had. This was just day one off the ship. By the time we went back on we were so tired from all the fun we had. I laughed so hard at the kids dunking me or their siblings. My day was complete spending it with my husband who is so romantic always giving me a peck every few minutes and watching my kids have a great time. My mommy heart swooned at our family day.

Cassie and Jason jumping waves

Trying to be serious when I took a picture...they look like twins

Josh got caught by wave

Jason selfie time

Cassie and the wave

Love of my life.

 

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Thank you! and 10,000 giveaway

I am over the moon excited and wanted to thank you all! 10,000 views in just a matter of two months of posting on Everydayraerae.BlogSpot.com

Thank you for being amazing and subscribing to my blog. If you haven't yet there are many ways to subscribe now. Google+ or getting the app called Bloglovin and typing in my blog or the good old fashion way of putting your email in at the top of my blog to get emails.

I started this blog as an outlet per say. I love to write the way I talk which ends up with a lot of "..." and more "...." because I talk in run on sentences in my life too. I use this as my diary of my family and of my kids. I never thought people would actually read it but I am very happy they do. Thank you for being apart of our family life on the ranch with our four crazy teens.

Please share with your friends. I am so excited that I made 10,000 yesterday that I am going to have a giveaway of a 20 dollar Starbucks or Amazon Gift Card to 2 lucky people who comment on this post and get someone to Subscribe. All you have to do is comment below and tell me who subscribed:) I will be back in a week and draw the lucky two people!

Have a blessed day!

Get Ready...Get Set....GO!

With four teenagers nothing is ever really that simple. Going on a Vacation is included in this. We are pretty excited because we are going on our first cruise as a family. All 6 of us are going to have 7 days of glorious sunshine (fingers crossed) on the way to Cabo and Puerto Vallarta.

Ryan and I have been on two cruises before. One was our honeymoon and the second was this Christmas when all the kids were at their other parents house. We didn't want to sit at home with no kids on Christmas and be super sad. The one good thing about having a blended family we are finally on the schedule were we have all four of them or we don't have all four of them for Christmas and Thanksgiving. We are lucky they live with us full time but its still hard to not have any of them for Christmas. Anyways...being a mom and having that oh to normal feeling of "Mothers Guilt" I felt so bad they weren't with us that I booked another Cruise for all of them to go this year while we were on our Christmas Cruise. Hey its the only way I could have fun without feeling so guilty.

The cool thing is we are going back to the exact same destination. We love it anyways! The great thing however is going on a cruise with the kids that you have already been on. We already know the destination so it becomes more cost effective. We know the places to go or not go and the excursions to go on or not go on. We are even going to be on the same ship although we did get a free upgrade to a Ocean Balcony Suite for our two rooms which we are SUPER excited about.

The kids don't even realize what fun they will be having yet. Are they excited..yes. Do they really know how excited they will end up being...no. Since we aren't going during Spring Break and are going two weeks later on the cruise we have to do Independent Study for the kids. They will be out a week and so we got all their work to do. The teachers were nice enough to give it to us a couple days early so we can try and get it all done. Its funny though because one of the teachers has all our kids. She told us that we aren't allowed to vacation together anymore because she had to do all the work for all four of them. She said it jokingly of course but it was funny. So after school for two days the kids have come home and sat to do their work for hours. They are complaining a little as they have just gotten out of school but they wont be complaining once they have a week off and not have to worry about it. Plus....we don't want to have to bring all those books onto the ship.

I am very thankful that my Mother in Law is going to watch our animals for us. We invited her of course to go but with her vertigo she decided to stay back to help us out by watching our house and the animals. I love my mother in law because she is always so selfless. We are going to have to take her on a vacation on land sometime soon though for all the hard work she does for us. She will probably need one after watching all the animals anyways.

Tomorrow we are off and on our 11 hour drive to the port. We will spend the night there and get on the ship the next day. I am still packing even though I started a couple days ago. Have to Iron the formal wear and I think I will be done. I loathe ironing! So much so that I got a dryer that has
"dewrinkle" as the kids call it. For formal night though I will become Cinderella and iron. Did I say I LOATHE ironing! :) With 6 people there is a lot to iron. Then there is my husband who packs an hour before we go, always ends up having everything he needs while I am checking down my checklist that the kids and I have everything we need. I tried packing for him but he knows what he wants better than I would.

So we are off! To Cabo. I will try and post another blog before we actually leave but then Everydayraerae will be silent for the week. Silent because I am going to be listening to the ocean sounds and relaxing while hearing my kids say "thank you for taking us on the most magical vacation in the whole wide world". Ok I can dream. It will be fantastic though and when I get back you will be overwhelmed with fun pictures! We are going to be snorkeling and swimming with the dolphins. Its going to be the best family vacation! Hope you all have a blessed week. Say a little prayer that these Baby powder looking legs don't get too burnt.

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Teenage Driver

I have four teenagers and that freaks me out when it come to driving! Today though I have my first official Teenage Driver. Jackson got his license after having his permit for a year. He is our oldest and although we have two kids who are of age to drive only one is interested in it. Cassie doesn't even have her permit yet and says she isn't ready. So we are waiting.

I am freaked out thinking about driving! I know in away there is a relief of all the driving I have to do with four teenagers that he will be able to run to the store or take himself to a meeting but I am still freaking out. FREAKING OUT! LOL!!

I remember turning 16 and being so excited to drive. My parents let me drive to the corner store with my sister and I thought I was the coolest person in the world! The ENTIRE WORLD! All we did was go to the corner store, buy a soda and come home. I remember seeing my dad peeking out the window. Ryan and I aren't much different.

We live on this really long road. Its oh about 3 miles and you can see all the way down it before you turn on the main road to go to our town. Its pretty funny because we let Jackson drive to go and get celebratory pizza and there was Ryan and I looking in binoculars to make sure he wasn't speeding past the neighbors house at the end of those 3 miles. Sometimes I do crack me up!

It has been funny day. When Jackson was standing in line to get his license you could see the excitement in his face and the dread of "what if I don't pass" feeling. Then what happens? We left one of the papers at home that we needed. So we had to go all the way back and get it and get back to the DMV. I think that stressed him out more because now he was overthinking everything.

Finally we are back with everything and he gets to get in the car. Ryan and I wish him luck and he starts walking out. We hear the lady say, "Which car is yours?" and hear him reply, "The Ferrari at the end there". Mind you he is actually pointing to my Chevy Equinox. She quickly retorts, "Well put the top down and lets go cruising" LOL! I am glad he had someone who helped him get into a relaxed mood but really took her job seriously.

As Ryan and I waited you could tell we were anxious because we kept looking out the window and talking about how old we were now! Teenage drivers scare me. I think that is why we waited till he was more mature and 17. I knew though when he got back whether he passed or not he would try to say he didn't.

As he walked in and tried to look sad and said he didn't pass. I laughed and then he laughed. He couldn't lie to save his life. He passed!

He finished his paperwork and the lady told us all his provisions since he cant drive between the hours of 11pm to 5am and he cant have friends in the car for the first year or till he is 18 whichever one comes first. She told him that we can take his driving privileges away at anytime. He told her that he knew that because we had been telling him since the day he got his permit. :) We were pretty pleased too because she said he had gotten the top score of the year. Mind you its April too not Jan 3rd or something:)

So I have a teenage driver. I better get used to it because I have 3 more kids to go one after another. We are going to take this slow. I wanted him though to have the memory that I did on the day I got my license of being able to go out. I asked him how it felt and he said it was pretty awesome. I am sure it helped that he saw a friend or two in the store. He got his license. Still funny that he told his friends that he was going to a Dr appointment just in case he didn't pass. Yep...that's my kid. Just happy he is happy and got his license.

4 Teens Typical Day and a New Baby

The teens have a half day of school today so with the sun shining chores seem to be easier and they are wanting to be outside. This is a good thing for a mom to hear. I want the kids to always be active. Although sometimes I have to beg them for a picture but that's what I do. Bug my kids! ITS MY JOB! I swear it says in the job description of mothers that we have to bug our children. I do that by one...taking way too many pictures and two...I hug them for 20 seconds too long till they are like, "Mom OMG Mom". Yep! My job is done hehe.

3 of the kids coming home. Jason stayed after school.

The first thing they were excited about was all their scuba gear came in! I made them try it on and thankfully they didn't ask to take a bath or something with them. If anyone would ask that it would probably be Josh! He is always doing strange things. This is how he is on the couch right now ha!

Jack

 

Josh

Cassie

Our lambs we bottle fed four times a day. Today I had Cassie drive to the barn which is a couple miles. Although she is 16 she got into a cart accident months ago so she is a little skittish. We are starting all over on the driving. As she is used to driving the CART and now a CAR. She did good. I know when I was 16 I was chomping at the bit to drive. My kids aren't that way which is fine. They have all their lives to drive. Plus all of them drive on the Ranches anyways. Feeding went well as usual.

Driving on the Ranch

Cassie with Stevie the Lamb

Jackson was out looking for squirrels to get. They aren't real squirrels but rather ground animals. These things ruin the land by digging holes everywhere. Our horses, cows or lambs could get hurt by breaking their legs because of this. So Jacks passion is to get them out of that area.

Ryan had to travel to work today so he surprised the kids with Taco Bell. For anyone in the world this is probably not a surprise but when you live 1.5 hours from a Taco Bell it IS a surprise. I personally am not a Taco Bell fan but the kids love it. Even if the taco is a little soggy by the time its back home. YUCK lol! After giving the kids their precious taco bell he went to replace our headlights. Always something to do on the Ranch trucks.

Cassie did dance workouts and we walked some which was nice. She decided to also come with us to Jason's Beef meeting for 4H. Its amazing the stuff you can learn at those meetings. All about cows, how to fed, what parts they have and how to show them at fairs. I love that he is in 4H. Today we got to see an emergency C section to save the Calf. The Mom was not going to make it so it was better to save one.

One minute old

They were very curious

We named her Mini because she is a few weeks early and small. It was such an educational thing for the kids to see. Jason and Cassie had an educational experience with their friends!

The Beef 4H kids and Cassie

What could be better than that. Ryan and I got to help also. It was pretty neat. This little gals gonna make it and we were excited to see her come out alive. I seriously am amazed at all that Ranchers have to do and know. The ones we know do everything so kindly and so animals don't suffer. Here are a couple pics of the new baby! If she isn't able to be grafted onto another animal...we will be bottle feeding her. She had her first colostrum today.

I love her!!!!

Feeding Colostrum

It was a pretty normal day after homework and chores were done. I love the sun and the fact that things are blooming! My Rosemary and Oregano is back up and I think that calls for some Rosemary Chicken tomorrow! Yum! Planting my Garden will be just around the corner!

Hope you enjoy our family antics. Thank you for subscribing to this blog. If you like any of them please share! Today is the last day of our drawing. On March 31st I will draw 7 times out of all the names of those who have commented in that last 7 posts. You get a 7 chances if you comment on all of them. So go back 6 posts and comment. You still have time! Have a Blessed Day!

39.....a weird comical birthday.

This Birthday was so not a typical birthday to me. Usually its full of fun and lots of activities etc. I just turned 39. That means I am almost 40....FORTY! Actually to be honest I am not someone who cares about how old they are getting. I figure having four teenagers is either keeping me young or I am so old the number really doesn't matter ha! I think probably old but maybe it will make me young eventually right ha!

My birthday was Monday. The weekend before we went to a memorial for Ryan's Grandma. It was a bittersweet moment where we got to pay our respects...grieve...share stories. She is going to missed so much! My husband, my MIL and my husbands siblings are still grieving a lot so I am being respectful and not posting about it. It was really good to see all his family and have all the cousins together.

Driving home....

On the way home however after two days there we decided to stop at Cattlemen's Steakhouse for dinner. This was going to be my family birthday dinner since on my birthday we had a lot to do like sports awards for two of the kids. We don't normally do this but this time we told the kids they can order whatever they wanted. Happy birthday to me.....not happy bday to our bank account:) Its good to really treat everyone every once in awhile. Josh and Jack decided that they were going to have a whole rack of ribs. I asked if they would actually be able to eat it because I didn't think they would be able too. Jason and I had steak and shrimp scampi. Cassie had shrimp and Ryan got a big ol steak. All I have to say is the strawberry lemonade there is to die for!!! I am literally drooling thinking about it. Hold on...be right back. Need to clean off my keyboard.

Josh and Jack....one rack each

yummy

Jason and I had shrimp scampi and Steak

Its my strawberry lemonade.....it was the BEST

Josh couldn't finish

Jack swore his stomach got bigger

We had a good dinner and I was really happy we did that even though we ended up getting home at midnight from our weekend trip to his grandmas memorial. I had to hurry and sleep because I would be getting up on my birthday at 445am to leave by 515 to drive two hours to a doctors appointment. I really should of taken a different day but I wanted to get it done with.

As most of you know I am in remission from Cushing's Disease. I had a tumor removed from my brain (in my pituitary). It messes with your immune system. Messes with a lot of things. 11 hormones to be exact. So you gain a lot of weight, have low immune system, bruise, stretch marks, insomnia, brain fog etc....  lets just say its no fun! If you want to know more about it check out www.cushingstories.com. Its a site that my friend Rachel and I co-founded to help others.

Anyways...I had to go to a pulmonologist to get my airways checked. I have been having problems breathing. It wasn't the best way to start the day but it needed to be done. I would of driven 2 hours anyways because I was able to get Starbucks! Do you hear the heavens opening and angels singing? I do when I think of my iced coffee drink! ahhhhhhhhhhh....*angelic singing*

Breathing tests

I hate plugging my nose but it was still thumbs up

Once I got home I found out that my favorite lamb passed away:( I was so sad. I always love my underdog animals. Then for all of  you guys who think you have had a crappy day (no pun intended) I walked outside barefoot to grab something out of the car and stepped in some doo-doo. YEP you hear me! I screamed! I jumped up and down screaming ehw ehw ehw! I hopped all the way back in and didn't care about what it was I was going to retrieve from the car. I hopped to the shower and that was that! Then my mind kept going to how was that even in the yard...the dogs cant even get there. EHW! I am grossing myself out again ~! Strawberry lemonade.....just think about strawberry lemonade.....ahhh. Ok now I am better!

So the day wasn't going as planned but I still had a good day! We went to Josh and Jacksons sports awards. They did a really good job and won different awards for Basketball! Very proud of those two. Josh is in JV and Jackson is in Varsity. It was a good ending my night.

So proud of my boys

I had tons of phone calls and birthday wishes from friends, family etc. I opened up some fabulous presents. I did chuckle to myself because my dad, my sister and mother in law know me well. They got me exactly what I asked for...more kitchen stuff. I am going to bake and cook everything! Ryan got me some snazzy stuff too and also some dresses I have been wanting from Ross. Hey I shop at Lane Bryant and Torrid but Ross is definitely my go to store. Why pay full price if I don't have too!

I obsessed with Green and Live Love Laugh things

My friends and family got me great gifts also and I really felt loved. It was a good ending to the day.....

39! Its going to be a good year! Watch out world! Rae-Rae is getting older! I never said more mature....just older!:)

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A new family member

I am behind in writing because I have been so excited about the website that my friend Rachel and I have finally launched after working on it for four months. cushingstories.com

We have a new family member....meet Molly!

Ryan and I went to our old stomping ground to do some paperwork. Grandma Sally, Ryan's mom, so generously watched the kids for a couple days so we could make the trek to Placerville and get that done. THANKS MIL!!! Lets go back a little bit. My mother passed away four years ago and lately more than ever I have been really missing her. She used to have this dog named Azuma that was a Shih Tzu. So the other day I got the great idea to get one that looked just like Azuma but a girl. I don't know why I thought this would make me feel better but well....honestly....it does. I looked on Craigslist all the towns on the way to Placerville (which is a lot) and actually found one. She is a pure bred but we didn't get her papered so she wasn't as expensive. You know me....I like to save money.

We decided to leave early so we could spend the night at our good friends house Carla and Greg. They had a new puppy too so I knew she wouldn't mind if we picked one up along the way lol. We were going to get a hotel but Carla wouldn't let that happen. Made it better anyways since we could chat for awhile before the next morning when we had to do all our errands. My dad wasn't going to be home so I didn't want to bug my step mom since they go to sleep early anyways. Carla and I had a great time. Greg and Ryan are good friends too so they were laughing it up too. We went to Denny's which used to be our little stop when we wanted to get out with them and leave the kids at home. We can be a little rowdy sometimes because we laugh so much. It was a fun time! We talked and had fun watching the puppies be with each other.

The next day after our errands I knew my step moms birthday was coming up. We went and got her flowers, candy, balloons and a card. She loves Chocolate so that worked out well. I drove by the house three times but she was always out lol. I had told my dad we were coming but not to tell her because we wanted to surprise her. Finally we ended up just leaving it on the stoop for her to see once she got home. :)

All our paperwork got signed and we were off to head home. Ryan and I.....and Molly :) We tried waiting around town as long as possible so we could drive and go see my BFF Laura when she got off of work. I knew we wouldn't have much time since we were going to drive 6 hours home but I couldn't go through there without seeing her and her family. Her kids (my babies) loved Molly. They played with her the whole time and just had a blast. Wore her out for us for the drive home. I love seeing Laura. We have been friends since we were 12 years old. I cant believe its been 26 years of friendship and she still loves me haha! We didn't have tons of time to stay and it was almost dinner for the kids so we headed out with promises of them coming to the Ranch this summer to feed the new lambs and calves. I cant wait to see them!

Apparently driving home seemed too long so we called Grandma and asked if she would watch the kids till the next morning. She said yes. She is always so amazing and helpful. Seriously some days I don't know what we would do without her. She drives 3.5 hours just to help us. Anyways we decided to stay half way in Reno and do some food shopping the next day on the way home. I found this super cheap hotel room at Circus Circus for 29.00 for a King Suite. I know they do that so people will come and stay and gamble but....we don't gamble so we just got the great deal. Molly was behaving the whole time and we decided to give her a bath for the first time. Man oh man did she look different HA!

By the next day we headed off to home after doing food shopping and normal shopping of clothes for the kids. I swear we arrived 30 minutes before we had to get the kids and go to their basketball games. Only Jacksons team was playing this time but Joshua's class had the bake sale. Jacksons class had the feed of which we were working. It was a long couple of days but good ones. I miss my friends already but was so happy to see them even if for a very short time. I am glad we got Molly! While I was in Placerville I went to my moms grave and showed her my puppy. I also gave her a pepsi which is something my mother was so addicted too. She LOVED Pepsi! I know in my mind she is not there that she is in heaven but it felt good to be there and just say hello. I love and miss my mom. Now I have a little puppy that will stay little that reminds me of her everyday! Sounds crazy since we have other dogs.....but it makes me feel better.

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