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I had avoided Burundi’s version of a zoo, Musée Vivant (which actually means “living museum”), for an entire year. I’d heard about what happens there. You can buy a guinea pig or two for about $3 and feed it as a snack to the crocs. If you are more adventurous and want to spend about…
Today as I was driving to the gym, I started thinking about the things I don’t tell you. The things I don’t document because, well, they don’t seem like news to me. I want to change that, so here goes… here’s how I got to the gym today. I began my drive by happily savoring…
Just in case you’re interested, here’s what I found inside a gym in Armenia: http://wp.me/pWIVP-O It was quite a show 
Ah, yes, African roads and African traffic in the poorer countries, often an adventure. Now, what is an adventure as well in many foreign countries is what happens inside the gym. I’d love to hear about your Burundi gym experience
The Kelleys are inspirational to me. Mostly for the way they pushed straight past “Someday we want to move to Haiti” and right into “We ARE moving to Haiti.” That takes guts, that decision to GO to CHANGE to GROW. It especially takes guts when you have a child and a thriving photography business, like…
De belles photos 
Bravo.
Beautiful pictures, and a beautiful story!
Do you know about this: http://www.aday.org/about? They asked me to participate with pics from Djibouti and you should totally do it.
@Krystal. Yup, the Kelleys are made of some pretty-amazing-and-yet-totally-human stuff. I love that!
@Rachel, you are right… that camera is SO WORTH IT!
Love the vision and the photos. That’s why I need to get that camera, Kristy! Thanks for sharing.
what an inspiring story. thank you for sharing! You guys are doing great work (both of your families).
absolutley inspiring – keep going!!!!!
I am in a stupor of “did not sleep-ness” today. . . I bumbled through French class, walked home in a humid human petri dish, sat down at this computer… and only THOUGHT about going to the gym. I’m having an off day. Or maybe an off month. One of those, “Why did we move here…
Hey Kristi and Company,
My near 2 year old just sent my post somewhere into cyber nowhere. I apollogize if this is a repeat. I like this post. Doubts are normal part of life. I think the jist of what I wanted to say is…. What would your boys have missed out on if you and Ben had not stepped out to follow this dream? I think the regrets of not going may have overshadowed any doubts you now have.
Anywho, my hat goes off to you all. Keep going!!
@Jamie. Glad to have a moving buddy… change is hard (and worth it!). Sending up the same prayers for you!
I can identify with so many of your posts. We were packing and moving cross country about the same time you guys were. But we moved from PA to WI, to a place with lots of cheese (from what I hear) and far less cultural changes than your move. It can be hard and uncomfortable and lonely anywhere you are though, the hardest part for me was leaving what was our life. Our normal. A place and a people I loved and connected with. I know you left that too. I just returned from a PA visit and it has been harder to jump back in than I expected. I know you just enjoyed a trip back to your SA home, I’m sure it was super hard to return to Burundi after that. 
Thank for sharing your heart. Sending up some heart cries for you to stay strong and find encouragement and comfortable moments in your everyday.
@Maggie @Linda @Kassia @susan @Lisa @Danielle THANK YOU for your support and encouragement. Thank you for being so generous with your great thoughts!
As I wait for baby #3 I wonder how I missed so much of the baby and toddler time of #1 and #2. I think that is one of the hard parts of parenting. It is easy to get lost in the day to day, and our memoires fail us unfortunately.
Hang in there lady!
I think that there will always be times of not knowing – did we do the right thing? Will our kids be ok? What if they dont like or cant cope with the changes?
I too have those days – and that is when I take stock of where we used to be, what we have managed to achieve and look within for answers!
It would be good if there was a looking glass that could let us know if we are doing the right thing for our families! But I guess we can only do whats best for the moment in time.
I also head to my favorite blogs for inspirations
Hope you have a good week xx
Hi– I’ve just started reading your blog and have found it interesting. I don’t know what your situation is in terms of how long you need to stay there… but I just wanted to put out there that I think it’s okay to change your plans. I’ve been in situations where I completed things that I made a commitment to and were really hard and I’ve also quit things early. As someone who always try to finish things I start I can relate to feeling the need to complete and make the difference you want to make. But it’s also okay to change course.
Kristy, your writing never ceases to impress with its heartbreaking honesty. Living a an impactful life is can be so much less romantic and frustrating than we lead ourselves to believe when we take that leap. I’ve been following your blog for about a year now, and can’t thank you enough for the daily inspiration. I’d love to publish some of your work on The Righters (www.the-righters.com) – an online publication of voices from the frontlines of social movements. It’s a collection of honest insights into living a life of integrity and impact and your work couldn’t be more perfect. I hope you will consider it. And thank you again for the inspiration.
He won’t waste anything……
The sad thing is most of us always feel like a “pubescent teenager”. The truth is we are Gods favorite children and in our most awkward he loves and uses us anyway (in most cases more). You are making a difference Kristy, your strength and character are helping to instill a sense of adventure and empathy in your boys. They will know that differences in culture create beauty and it does not have to destroy; and they will have the strength to follow Gods plan with limited or no fear. Prayers from WI.
@Michelle, thank you! I always flinch when I click the “publish” button (and thanks for the hug!).
@Rachel, yup sure does! crazy, huh? never thought i would feel that way again!
thanks Krystal! i so appreciate the encouragement!
That’s what I love about your posts Kristy. You’re a real girl. And you aren’t afraid to let your readers see your real side. Here’s a big hug from Wi. and a big wish that I could just send you some good cheese!
I just said to Tom yesterday, “Djibouti makes me feel like an angst-filled teenager back in high school, wishing I was part of the ‘in’ crowd but knowing I never will be.” Sucks.
oh crud. the part where you talked about neo and your journal made me cry. i know how you feel there. right with you. love this. love your images. love you.
Ziplocs in action. It is a gargantuan task to get our family out the door, to the airport, past security, onto the plane, into a seat that is actually ours, and through the flights (there are ALWAYS more than one). Over the years I’ve tried IT ALL on long flights, and here’s what works for…
Ryan and I went to FL last week. We kept exclaiming about how easy and fast everything was…without the kids. Of course the next time I go on a trip we will have three little ones…I can’t even imagine how we will handle that one:)
Great post!
One tip that might be helpful if a kid has difficulty sleeping during long travels is Melatonin spray which you can by at Whole Foods or order online. It is a natural supplement. One of our kids is extra active and sometimes takes several hours to fall asleep, even at home. Just a half squirt of Melatonin spray helps him relax and sleep within 10-15 minutes. Its good for grown-ups too, just takes a higher dosage.
Thanks Kerry, and I know… I totally love Amsterdam (and their baby room!).
Suuuper grreat tips, Kristy! And that free baby sleep room in Amsterdam? WOW!
by longmilescoffee
vashti - Don’t know how you managed this trip with out bawling the whole way around. Id have been totally broken by the chimp. Glad the boys had fun though. xx
Se7en's Fabulous Friday Fun #132 - se7en - [...] Totally love the Long Miles Coffee Project, you have to check out A Trip to the Zoo… Africa style!!! [...]
Lauren - reminds me of the Life of Pi a bit
susan Carlson - We enjoyed buyin and
feeding crackers to the giraffes with Andrew and David in the very large and well run Cincinatti Zoo.
Denny Robert - Beautiful pictures!
Grandbaba - What an adventure. Well written, felt like I was there!
Mary - After our safari in Kenya, I vowed to never ever go to a zoo again….but must say I have been to Henry Vilas zoo in Madison, since that vow. I am with you on how I feel to see a caged animal….
Henry Vilas Zoo is a fun place for families. They do make the cages seem less cagey, with more of the natural environment, but one still sees the pacing of the animal…
The elephants were moved out of the zoo a few years ago. Just not enough room for them, and as much as I love visiting the giraffes, I think they should move them out too.
So thankful Neo and Myles and you all had a good day, especially, Neo.
Sending hugs. Love you all.