Hey there! I’m Jess, a busy mom of four, a Director of Nursing, and an adjunct faculty member at a university in Milwaukee. With 15 years of nursing under my belt and a doctoral degree from TCU, I’ve navigated the challenges of a demanding career while raising my little (and not-so-little) crew. We’ve lived in some amazing places over the years—near Dallas, outside of D.C., and now in the beautiful Midwest.

I found my love for travel as a way to recharge from my hectic life. Between the demands of my job and the energy of raising kids, I realized that having a trip planned gave me something to look forward to, making those tough workdays a little easier. Now, I almost always have my next adventure lined up! While I love exploring the U.S., I prefer to venture to tropical places—there’s just too much of the world to see to visit the same place twice!

My travels vary from solo trips and romantic getaways with my husband to family vacations and fun adventures with friends. And let me tell you, planning those trips can be a challenge, especially with a demanding job and kids of all ages (my oldest is 20 and my youngest is 4)! We also have to manage some childhood ADHD, so I’ve learned that a solid plan is essential for everyone’s happiness.

I decided to start this blog after repeatedly getting the question, “How do you achieve work-life balance?” I realized not everyone knows that it’s possible to find that balance, and planning trips doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive. I’ve done the heavy lifting when it comes to planning adventures for all ages, and I’m here to share my tips and experiences!

Along the way, I’ve discovered that my kids remember our trips far better than any toy or gadget. For someone who often feels the guilt of a demanding career, knowing that our travel memories matter so much makes every moment spent together even more special. If I can pull off at least two trips a year, that’s a treasure trove of memories that fills in some of the cracks created by my long hours. Last year, I managed to pull off eight trips! It was amazing, and I actually didn’t completely break the bank doing it either.

So, join me on this journey to embrace adventure, exploring how to achieve true work-life balance beyond the boardroom. Let’s fill our lives with experiences that nourish our souls and reconnect us with the ones we love!

Jess