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Seven months in Europe, a French abbey, and how we pay for it.

Three kids playing at the edge of the surf on a sandy Irish beach, green headlands under a blue sky
7 Months Abroad7 Months Abroad: The GoodLooking back on seven months abroad with our kids: the little moments, the time we have left with them, and why the trip beat a newer minivan.
Mirrored swim goggles on a concrete lake edge with a ladder, diving tower and mountains in the background
7 Months Abroad7 Months Abroad: The HardSeven months abroad with our family wasn't all croissants and rainbows. Here are the hard parts: two we expected and two that blindsided us.
Two spreadsheets side by side: a credit card bonus tracker and a Europe Trip 2026 itinerary of flights and stays
7 Months Abroad7 Months Abroad: The PracticalHow we paid for seven months in Europe with three kids: points, renting out our house, a French visa, homeschooling, and years of choosing freedom.
Western movie-style poster of a cowboy in a poncho, titled Seven Months in Europe: The Good, The Hard, Practical
7 Months Abroad7 Months Abroad: The Good, The Hard, and the PracticalWe pulled our kids out of school and spent seven months in Europe. Here's where we went, and a guide to three posts on the practical, the hard, and the good.
Sénanque Abbey's pale stone church with a bell tower, behind rows of blooming purple lavender under a blue sky
Three Days a MonkI spent three silent days at a 12th-century French abbey. Here's what the quiet gave me: peace, clarity, and a fresh sense of God.
A man stands on a fallen log over a small creek in a sunlit green forest.
Our First Home ExchangeHow our family swapped houses with strangers for two weeks in the Pacific Northwest, what we did to prepare, and how our first home exchange went.
Tree-lined path along the Tiber River in Rome at sunset, with a stone bridge and St. Peter's dome in the distance
ItalyTraveling ItalyFive places, four foods, three thoughts, two keys and one celebration from my first big trip to Italy, plus why travel only goes so far in life.
Flight search results from Minneapolis to Bologna on KLM and Air France, each 44,000 miles plus about $150 for two
ItalyBooking ItalyHow we used credit card points from an air conditioner and two roofs to fly to Italy and stay in luxury villas for our ten-year anniversary.
Golden sandstone cliffs above a narrow beach and choppy turquoise sea, with white buildings along the coast
Of Pyrenees and PeopleTwo weeks across southern Spain and Portugal: beaches, the weight of history in the cobblestones, and why old coworkers still matter to me.
Two young boys look at a large stone fountain in a sunny French plaza lined with ornate buildings and cafes
Travel with Young KidsTravel with Young Kids - How?Five lessons from a long trip to France with young kids: know your family, travel slowly, fly free, prep early, and bring help.
Woman in a blue sundress leaning on a railing, looking over a green Provence valley at sunset
Travel with Young KidsTravel With Young Kids - Why?Why would you DO that?
Brett smiling with arms spread wide on the walkway in front of the Taj Mahal, with other visitors around
Travel for FreeFree Travel FAQAnswers to common questions about using credit card signup bonuses for free travel: credit scores, how many cards, spouses, free lodging and more.
Hikers walking a trail past green stone terraces with steep Andes mountains and clouds behind
Travel for FreeYou Can Travel for FreeLearn how to play a new game…
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