Hi there! Welcome to Mixed and Blended, where life is full of adventure, challenges, love, and a whole lot of family fun. We’re a blended, biracial, multicultural family of 10 living life a little differently—full-time in an RV and embarking on new adventures every day. I’m Carmen, and my partner Jose and I are here to share our story, the ups and downs, and everything in between. Spoiler alert: we’re far from perfect, so if you’re looking for that, this isn’t the place! But if you want honesty, laughter, and a peek into our wonderfully chaotic lives, you’re in the right spot.
How We Met: A Love Story in Harrisburg, PA
Our story begins in December 2021 when I took a business trip to Harrisburg, PA. Little did I know that this trip would change my life. Jose worked at the hotel I was staying in, and after chatting a bit, we discovered we had more in common than we thought. Jose had just gained custody of his daughter, and I was in the midst of a divorce with five kids of my own.
Fast forward to March 2022, when I officially made the move to Harrisburg to continue my work as a doula, with dreams of becoming a traditional midwife. That’s when things really started moving for us as a family!
Our Journey Through Love and Loss
By June 2023, our family’s story took another turn. I found out I was pregnant with our daughter, Kylian. But this wasn’t our first pregnancy. We’d suffered a heartbreaking miscarriage in February 2023 at 10 weeks. We named that baby Ezra, and it was one of the hardest losses I’ve ever endured.
Just before learning about Kylian, Jose was arrested. It was a difficult time, and we had a lot to work through as a couple. Our relationship was tested, but we managed to make it through those 13 long months apart, with weekly two-hour visits, video chats, and brief phone calls. It wasn’t easy, but we came out stronger.
Reuniting and Adjusting to Life Together
When Jose finally came home, there were plenty of adjustments to make. We had to find our new normal as a family. For Jose, it was challenging to come back to a routine that had been established in his absence. For me, having him home felt like the missing piece of our puzzle had finally been found.
Soon, life fell into a comfortable rhythm. The older kids were busy with jobs and sports, the younger ones joined clubs, and the babies were thriving in daycare. We started dreaming again—together this time. One of our biggest dreams was hitting the road in an RV.
Hitting the Road and Embracing the Journey
In March 2024, we took the plunge and hit the road in our RV. But, as with most things in life, the plan didn’t go exactly as we envisioned. Still, we adjusted, pivoted, and kept going, embracing the journey as it came.
We decided to share our adventures—the good, the bad, the laughter, and the tears—with you. We’re excited to take you along for the ride!
What You Can Expect from Mixed and Blended the Multicultural Blended Family
Here at Mixed and Blended, we’re all about keeping it real. Here’s what you can expect:
- Weekly blog posts sharing our family’s adventures, struggles, and triumphs.
- Weekly podcast episodes
- Daily updates on social media with behind-the-scenes peeks into our lives.
- A weekly roundup sent straight to your email if you join our mailing list, so you never miss a thing!
Before I say goodbye for now make sure you sign up for our mailing list and follow us on TikTok. On that note thank you for being here and taking the time to learn a little more about us. We hope you enjoy the ride as much as we do. See you soon! Reach out if you have any questions via our contact page.