Our move from South Carolina to Idaho was a prayer we’d been praying for a long time. Once Joshua was chosen as the new Chick-fil-A Operator for Twin Falls, Idaho, we knew this was exactly where the Lord wanted us to be. It was a big move—mountains of planning, packing, and praying our kids wouldn’t spontaneously combust in the car. But even amidst the chaos, we felt truly blessed because God had answered our prayers and given us this opportunity.
Preparing for the Move
Planning a cross-country move for a family of six with four kids under 11 is… basically training for a circus. In South Carolina, we sold our family home in 2022 and began renting, hoping to be ready to jump if we got a store. That part was easy.
Then came the great purge: we sold almost everything we owned. People looked at us like we were crazy. “You’re moving… with only a few suitcases?” Yes. Yes, we are. And you know what? It was strangely freeing.
Honestly, we never updated our furniture anyway—everything was marked, dented, or “kid-proofed” (aka destroyed). Our kitchen table had seen more spilled milk than I care to admit, and our chairs? Gone. Poof. So we basically sat on camping chairs around a dented table for years. Starting fresh? Easy. Buying everything new in Idaho? Slightly overwhelming.
I may or may not have had a small Target meltdown in the parking lot—but with a few (hundred) lists, we got it together. Somehow, I managed to pack the boys in one suitcase, the girls in another, and Joshua and myself in a third.
Laundry became a never-ending saga on the road—and here’s the thing: Josh did all the laundry. Every. Single. Load. He’s a phenomenal planner, the kind of man who could probably make a spreadsheet for crossing the street. We are both type-A people, but he’s just a little more type-A than me, which meant I could hand over the laundry mountain and focus on snacks, navigation, and keeping the kids semi-sane. Watching him quietly manage it all reminded me again how lucky I am to have him by my side.
I also brought my dad’s ashes with us. He always wanted to be sprinkled somewhere beautiful in Montana, so technically, he got a cross-country adventure too. Having him travel with us was comforting, and I like to think he enjoyed seeing the kids laugh, explore, and experience life in a way he always would have loved.
Planning Our Stops (and Solving Backseat Battles)
We strategically planned our stops so the kids could enjoy something at every location—and so we wouldn’t all go insane from driving too long. Daily drives were under five hours, because let’s be honest: ten minutes to Walmart is usually enough to turn a family of four kids into full-on bickering chaos. But on this trip? Angels. Miracles happen. Or maybe it was the new iPads.
One of my proudest parenting moments? Solving the eternal backseat battle. Normally, the kids would fight over who gets which seat, leaving me refereeing every five minutes. My solution: one day, the boys sat in the back, the girls in the “bucket” seats. The next day, they switched. Repeat. Everyone knew where they were sitting, there were no arguments, and I may have heard a collective sigh of relief from all of us (especially me). Simple, effective, and sanity-saving.
Here’s the rundown of our stops:
- Tuscaloosa, AL – First stop to get on the road
- West Monroe, LA – Duck Commander visit
- Dallas, TX – George Bush Library and the Gaylord Texan Resort (with waterpark—thank God)
- Amarillo, TX – Big Texan Steak Ranch (where the steaks are bigger than your head)
- Albuquerque, NM – Kid-friendly attractions
- Telluride, CO – The Peaks Resort and dreamy mountain exploring
- Moab, UT – Two nights of hiking at Arches National Park and pool fun at SpringHill Suites
- Twin Falls, ID – Home sweet home… and Chick-fil-A!
The kids were incredible. Honestly, I think they were more excited about seeing new places than bickering over seats. FaceTiming family along the way helped too—they could share their adventures with grandma without me having to referee.
Highlights, Funny Moments & Sweet Memories
Some of our favorite hotel stays:
- Gaylord Texan Resort, Dallas – Waterpark heaven (and an excuse to pretend we’re still young)
- The Peaks Resort, Telluride – Perfect for mountain selfies and quiet moments of awe
- SpringHill Suites, Moab – Pool + hiking = exhausted but happy kids
Every stop had something for the whole family to enjoy: Duck Commander in Louisiana, George Bush Library in Dallas, Big Texan Steak Ranch in Amarillo, and Arches National Park in Moab.
Funny moments? Plenty. We visited every Buc-ee’s we passed and bought snacks at each one—yes, every single one. At the Big Texan Steak Ranch, our meals were served in what can only be described as a cowboy hat. And Asher? He wore his own hat non-stop after that, because clearly, he was a cowboy now.
Sweet moments? Even more. Watching the kids laugh in hotel pools, fall asleep exhausted at the end of each day, and snuggle together at night made all the packing and driving worth it. Staying at a different hotel each night meant new adventures, but it also allowed us to spend quality time with Joshua—especially sweet after he had been gone for five weeks in training. Those quiet moments together reminded me of why we were making this big move and how much we cherish our little family.
Gratitude, Faith, and Perspective
Every blessing in this trip came from God. We’ve endured long, hard seasons filled with grief, anxiety, and uncertainty, but He has been growing our faith and preparing our hearts for this exact moment.
💡 Tips for Families Planning a Road Trip:
- Keep drives under five hours with young kids
- Plan fun stops along the way (educational, cultural, or just plain silly)
- Use hotel points to get suites that fit the whole family
- Bring comfort items, iPads, and a type-A planner to handle the laundry
- Implement simple seat rotation hacks to prevent backseat battles
- Savor the sweet moments—they’re fleeting but unforgettable
Rooted Westward 
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