While updating the website, I noticed our "about us" page was extremely out of date. Reading it over brought back so many wonderful memories. I've decided to not delete it but instead put it to the bottom of this page. Feel free to scroll down to see who we were in during our journey.
Updated About Us:
January 2026 - Life has been a wild ride for sure. Today is nothing like I thought it would be when we started our traveling adventure almost 20 years ago. We've been in sticks and bricks since 2018 and have enjoyed the benefits of a house life. Flushing toilets and not freezing in the shower is a huge bonus. Turning on the microwave and coffee pot at the same time without throwing a breaker is a blessing. The regular mattress vs the camper mattress is a dream every night. I don't know how we slept on the camper mattress for ten years, it was awful!
Things were odd when we settled down. I didn't know what was wrong but I knew there was something off in my life. In 2021 I had a grand mal seizure that led to the discover of a meningioma brain tumor. Two weeks later was an emergency surgery followed by a long recovery.
Before that, one of our children joined the Air Force and left home for her own adventures. Another child was married, had a grand baby, and then another! They moved to Alaska and my part of my heart went with them.
Since settling down we've had incredible adventures and some very hard ones. Sadly, at this time two of our children have disowned us and a third has minimal contact. I don't pretend to not have made mistakes, some small and other large. I've learned that children are a gift not a right. Many days I don't feel I deserve them. More of my heart is broken, but thank the Lord there is still some left for my husband and three children who are actively in our life.
The last three years have been quite hard. Besides my brain tumor, one child joined the Army, my mother died of cancer, one of my children tried to commit suicide during the time in the military, another child became very ill, and I was diagnosed with a very rare disease, Relapsing Polycondritis.
Now we are in the recovery phase of these difficult times. As always, I continue forward with God's help. Our family is broken but there is hope. There is always hope.
I share the difficulties with you but now I want to share some of the countless praises.
I am doing good. My health is getting better and I'm learning how to eat, exercise, and rest to help me function the best I can.
My husband has earned two promotions at his work. This keeps him busier than he ever has been and a big more tired than before. We are so proud of him.
Hard to believe five have grown and moved into the next steps of their lives! Josephine is in college now and doing incredible. She also joined the Missouri Army National Guard through an officer program at her college. So proud of her and excited for her future.
Tytus is our only child at home now. He's working hard on his high school studies. It's been an adjustment for him being the only child. Tytus is a very content person so he's doing great and enjoying traveling to see his siblings around the country.
There are more things I want to share with you about our life, but I have to go for today, Jan 9, 2026. I'll write more in our About Us page soon so check back!
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Summer 2007 - While standing outside their camper, on the shores of Table Rock Lake, in Missouri, Shae Smith said to his wife, "I think I could do this full time." She agreed with that vision and that was the beginning of how the Smiths sold or gave away most of what they owned and headed out on the open road. With a desire to make a difference in this wonderful nation, they have tried to make volunteering and helping others a lifestyle, not just a two week adventure. Instilling character and a love for God and people are priorities to them.
For more information, visit their website at
www.thelemonadedigest.com
Shae Smith – Husband. Father. Age 47. Telecommunications Engineer. Likes spending time with his family most of all, but also enjoys four wheeling, reading, kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, helping others. Army and Navy Veteran.
Sheri Smith – Wife. Mother. Age 44. Sheri home schools her six children, which in itself is a full time job. Currently, only 4 of the 6 are school age and two have moved on to get married and live successful lives as a full time reporter and federal law enforcement officer. Sheri knows her true calling is to be a wife and mother. She is an ordained chaplain, sports agent in the rodeo/bull riding arena, founder of WAR - Warriors And Rodeo, writer for newspapers and online magazines. She enjoys writing, as well as all of the outdoor activities and adventures that the family go on. Navy Veteran.
Cody Smith - Age 24. Cody is a wonderful son and brother as well as a hard worker. He has helped build churches and camps across the country. He makes knives of all kinds and has written for ATV Magazine and Camping Life. He moved out of the camper to live his own full time travel life. He has worked for the National Forest Service, Missouri Dept. of Conservation, Wind Cave National Park, Rocky Mt. National Park, Dinosaur National Park, and then attended the Federal Law Enforcement Academy in Rangly, CO. Currently, he is LEO at Buffalo National Scenicway. He is a wild land firefighter qualified, white water rescuer, EMS, white water rescuer, and has his CDL.
Hanna Smith - Age 22. Hanna is a full time reporter in southern Missouri. She is happily married to an EMT. While traveling she was published multiple times and was a consistent contributor to The Lemonade Digest Online Magazine.
Naomi Smith - Age 15. This 15 year old is more mature than most adults. Her work ethic, reliability, and durability is to be admired. She works hard to do her school everyday, without having to be told. She volunteers every day for a non-profit started by her mother, Warriors and Rodeo. Naomi also works out, off roads on her ATV, mountain bike, and kayak. Adventure and overcoming is her way of life.
Gabriel Smith - Age 12. This young man is full of life. He does everything with zeal and excitement. Gabriel likes hiking, shooting, off roading, and adventures outside.
Josephine Smith - Age 9. She loves to draw, play with her siblings, study astronomy and play games. She is growing up fast.
Tytus Smith - Age 7. He loves to snuggle with mamma, have the attention of his three sisters, play rough with his brothers, and play with his toys.
