Travel Junkie

Just a southern girl and her cat travelling the world one country at a time

[bethkipps]

Taking a pause over the next few days as I continue to send love and prayers to my Nashville Community as well as the sweet community of Covenant Church. My heart breaks for the community right now..🙏💔#prayers #covenantschool #nashville #prayers #stoptheviloence #socialmediapause https://www.instagram.com/p/CqV7SqrO396/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bethkipps]

Today was awful the hometown where I raised both of my children came under attack while children and teachers should have been enjoying a Monday in happy classroom a nightmare happened. The result 3 faculty members died and 3 children died at the hands of a shooter. Never forget their names Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, William Kinney, Cynthia Peak, Katherine Koonce and Mike Hill. Please hug your children tight and please pray for Nashville and for those families who are wrapping their heads around the fact that 6 people didn’t return home today. Pray for this sweet school and their family’s. #covenant school #sadness #grief #nashville #pray #heartbroken (at Nashville, Tennessee) https://www.instagram.com/p/CqUHNOrJWLa/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bethkipps]

March 31 will be Treys one year anniversary in heaven. I wrote this 2 months after he passed. Some days I see him in strangers everywhere and other days I see things that remind me of him like pelicans, seagulls and pennies. I truly believe that death just like a birth, a graduation,a marriage, or a divorce creates a timeline in a persons life. Everything before Treys sudden passing is now a memory and after his passing is not simply The After it’s a timeline filled with wish’s, if only’s and if I just had more time, if I had only know. But that’s my point we don’t get warnings of sorts, maybe if someone has a terminal illness there is that time to prepare but with Trey’s sudden passing we had no warning, he wasn’t sick, we had plans, he had plans until we didn’t, he didn’t. All gone in a minute in the middle of a Global Pandemic God called him home. So my After looks nothing like my Before. Grief changes people it creates a darkness, a sadness that if you aren’t careful will dominate your life. I miss Trey every second of every day and would give anything for one more second with him. I know he wouldn’t want my life to be filled with darkness and sadness but he would want me to live. So I try and some days I want to pull the covers up over my head and just sleep so I don’t have to face a day without him. Lately I try to at the beginning of my day talk to him and I feel his presence with me all day. I put one foot in front of the other and make it through another minute, another hour and finally another day. When I do see things that remind me of him I smile and thank God for allowing Trey to always send me reminders he is ever present. So for now my After is just that After and that After is my new life...#grief #brother #husband #uncle #son #gonetoosoon💔 #forever31 https://www.instagram.com/p/CqNrqJTuwl3/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bethkipps]

We have been keeping a secret…Hermès Birkin and his human found the perfect house yesterday. Stay tuned as Southern Comfort comes together… #home #bohomeetsthesouth #sheshomeagain #design (at Talladega, Alabama) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpzm97UO5EJ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bethkipps]

I found a picture I had taken of this really long dirt road and I remember when I took it I thought it reminded me of my life... Many roads I traveled down were like this some were crooked some rough and some straight but the best part was that I knew at the end of each road there would be light and I would be alright....#dirtroad #life #crooked #light #rough #straight #cominghome #alabamabound https://www.instagram.com/p/CpSEKrXOBOE/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bethkipps]

One of our fav pastimes weeks at the beach. Daddy would always watch the grands as he loved seeing the gulf from his chair on the balcony and take early morning and late evening walks. He loved cooking up seafood in the kitchen while the kids and I watched the sunset on the gulf. Those were golden days beautiful memories that cancer took from us. World Cancer Day is today🌸...here's to the brave survivors, the fighters and those we have loved and lost...miss you daddy cancer sucks #lungcancer #donate #research #savelives #cancersucks #fashiononashoestring #letsfindacure #worldcancerday2023 (at Destin, Florida (Miramar Beach)) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoPLig9uHDl/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bethkipps]

With January being Trey’s Birthday month then March being the month Trey was called home to be with God I have learned that my faith is what will bring me through these next few months. I’m so blessed to have such a wonderful tribe that is so supportive. I’m doing a new adventure every month and I know he is smiling. Trey was the ultimate adventurer always exploring parts of this wonderful world. One day we will be united and oh the stories we will tell. My strength comes from the cross. My heart goes out to anyone grieving the loss of a child💔#broken #GodsPlan #faith #forever31 #son #brother #husband #uncle #family #missed #travel #heaven (at Cozumel, Quintana Roo - Mexico) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cno0zeULJuk/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bethkipps]

Every year on Jan 1st I write on word to be my word of the year. This year I chose the word Mistake. I know you may think why such a strange word? Why not joy or promise or another positive word to start a new year. Well this is why I chose this word. I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re doing something. So I hope that in this coming year not just me but you as my friends make some mistakes and continue to learn, experience and grow in this new year. Happy 2023 and thank you all for sticking with me on this journey called life. #newyear #goals #wordfortheyear #travel #blogger (at Hollywood Hills) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm68GfwpQ8g/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bethkipps]

Happy New Years everybody sorry I was asleep by midnight no parties, no kiss, no champagne so single another year...well unless someone is willing to change that. Write you first page of 365 in your book and make it count. Make a goal and crush it. Be fierce and unstoppable but kind and grateful. I’m looking forward to 2023 with all you guys and thank you all for following me into a New Year with new adventures. Hello 2023 let’s do this…#blessed #goals #grateful #bloggerlife #midnightcameandwent #noselfie #fashiononashoestring (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm4UVaapaHq/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bethkipps]

And just like that I found myself writing Trey’s 🙏😇name on a gift tag. Will life ever feel normal I thought I was doing ok at least ok in the sense I lost my sweet boy Trey March31,2020. This is 3rd Christmas without him and I’m doing it again. Although I know in an hour or two I will hear a Christmas song he loved and my sadness will turn into a smile when I think of him. Christmas is hard for so many who are having hard times, struggling or grieving the loss of someone close to them. Be kind because you never know a persons struggle’s. Merry Christmas my sweet Trey I know Christmas with God has to be amazing. I love you forever I like you for always forever and ever my baby you will be #son #uncle #brother #husband #christmaswithoutyou #angel #grief (at Mexico , Cozumel) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmWit1hrC7x/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bethkipps]

Let’s just say 30 something years ago since she doesn’t tell her age at 42 weeks I welcomed my first born into the world. I’ve always been real with my post so this is raw no makeup, no glam shots, no push present no filters for the gram, no Snapchat nothing just a exhausted happy heart filled mother holding her first born daughter in her arms life doesn’t need a filter #happybirthday #princess #bestdayever #alwaysmygirl #birthdaytrip #thisis30something https://www.instagram.com/p/CllrTIiL4E6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bethkipps]

Sisters aren’t they the best. I am blessed to call not only my sister but my best friend, my voice of reason and the one who literally brought me out of my dark place. Words can describe how blessed I feel to have her for a sister and travel partner from time to time. Cozumel was amazing and your visit along with my amazing mother made it even more special. Memories were made over the past 5 days. I’m ready to meet you in Cancun in Feb 2023 to create more memories with not only you but my sweet mamma as we celebrate her 89th Birthday. #sisterlove #cozumel #travel #family #caribbean #fun #travelblogger (at El Cielo, Cozumel, México) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ckxs1DOOqv1/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bethkipps]

Oh how I love the little taco places owned by families away from all the tourists. It’s quiet and peaceful. You get to know the locals making this island even more special #islandlife #itputsaspellonyou #calm #peaceful #cozumel #mexico (at San Miguel de Cozumel) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkG9sWZOV2g/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bethkipps]

This is a Tuesday morning reminder that God is Good all the time. Whatever storm you are going through remember there is a 🌈 rainbow in the end. #God #prayer #godisgood #godsgotthis #faithoverfear (at Cozumel, Mexico) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjk4ocSrTC7/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bethkipps]

🎃🌧️🍁☕🍂Hello October 🍂☕🍁🌧️🎃#sweaterweather #pumpkin spice #crisp #halloween #ford #pumpkins #favoriteseason🍁🍂 https://www.instagram.com/p/CjKzq8FuO7M/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bethkipps]

When you go to another country to stay for awhile sometimes you have to take streets you have passed a million times before. This dead end street in Cozumel made me so happy with its vibrant burst of color . Remember when you travel take the roads off the typical tourist route you never now you may be surprised. #Mexico #Cozumel #sidestreets #wander #travel (at Cozumel, Mexico) https://www.instagram.com/p/CjC4WS7uSNR/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bethkipps]

For those of you who are wondering why I’m sharing this picture of a large opening in an a abandoned building in Cozumel here’s why. My son Trey has been in heaven 903 days after gaining his Angel Wings on March 31,2020 at the young age of 33 very suddenly. I have always seen his signs from heaven, pennies, feathers, seagulls inland and other things I find. Yesterday while exploring the East side or jungle side of Cozumel we stopped at this old shell of building where a restaurant used to stand with its old and torn up view of the ocean.I wondered ever so carefully through the ruins til I saw this space. There was a cut out window to the sky or as now refer to it my glimpse into Heaven. Who would have thought that the remains of this building would make me smile. Heaven never seemed closer and I’m sure my son Trey was looking down through opening and smiling because I’m doing what did and that is travel and explore. I know I’m on the right path. #sudden #death #grief #childloss #signs #Heaven (at Cozumel East Coast) https://www.instagram.com/p/CivglsSu-wt/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=