“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” Mae West
We are Lisa, Dan, Lucas and Lyla. We were both born on the South East coast of England – a beautiful part of the country. We met by chance on a night out back at the end of 2013. The road we have travelled to get to where we are now has been anything but smooth. It’s actually been a rollercoaster with just as many downs as ups before we finally got back on a level track not too long ago. Having both of us very ambitious and determined does have its difficulties. We can be impatient and both like our own ways of doing things. We have only just worked out how to find that middle balance where we can negotiate and communicate with each other. A few years ago became very dark – we separated and had a very stressful time full of anxieties with many tears shed from us both. It was this time apart, albeit a horrendous time for us all, but I truly believe it is what drove us to where we are today.
Dan is the handyman – the qualified electrician who is able to turn his hand to anything and make it look easy. This is one of the reasons that our dream can exists; he is able to do much of the renovation work himself, saving us thousands! (Take a look through a blog to see the transformation). Me – Lisa – I’m a qualified teacher and the more down to earth of the two. Having taught in Primary Schools, before owning and running my own Nursery School, I have seen the many positives to the education system, but also the very frustrating negatives which are coming to fruition even more after seeing my son navigate his way, with many challenges and difficulties, through his first year at Primary School. Seeing it from an outsider, as well as an educator, has completely transformed my opinions of the curriculum.
Then there’s our two amazing, unique children. From a young age we realised that Lucas was not the average child but felt this is maybe how all new parents feel. With your heart full of pride and believing your child is ‘unique’ and special. When he started school, it became even more clear that his abilities were not the same as his peers. His long term memory has amazed us for years – we often recall the times he would try and tell us the way we needed to go whilst driving. He spoke from a very young age and would recite key facts we had taught him or he had learnt. After conversations with his school teachers, they believed he has high-functioning autism, ADHD and is ‘gifted’ with his ability and capabilities. Hearing this just fuelled the desire for travel even more. The benefits it would have on our children are just endless.
Lyla, 17 months younger than Lucas shares some of his traits. She is highly passionate about animals, koalas in particular and is very intelligent for her age. Her creative skills are far beyond her years and she often spends hours drawing, colouring and copying pages from books. She is a sensitive soul and has the biggest heart – eventhough she can manipulate any situation to give her the best outcome.