I have found myself saying over and over again this year, even if we never leave I am so grateful for this "sabbatical".   Taking the time as a family to stop, clean out and refocus our lives has been transformation in and of itself.   We have had to stop and ask, "what stuff do we really need?"  "What books should the kids really need to read?" "What do I spend my day doing and what do I really want to do with my time?"  Recently the big one said she wanted to let go before she left for the year and cut 10 inch off of her hair to donate them for locks of love.  Off it went and off we go!