We live in Mexico. My husband retired here at age 34. Mexico has been one of the best decisions we have ever made.

The journey hasn’t been easy. It started with my husband’s traumatic brain injury, followed by years of seizures, blackouts, memory loss, hospitals, doctors, therapists, medication, and 911 calls. We had to accept health limitations, give up our company shares in a family business, declare bankruptcy, apply for Social Security Disability Insurance, and eventually foreclose on our home.

I say our journey started with Brad’s brain injury because if it wasn’t for that one event we wouldn’t be here. Honesty, I would much rather have a healthy husband than life in Mexico any day. However, I believe when life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade.

That is what we did. We sold our belongings, said goodbye to the people we love, (some of whom live here with us now), and moved 36 hours away to South Mexico.

We live a simpler life here. Things are slower and more tranquilo. Brad’s health is better. Our kids are homeschooling and learning Spanish. We spend quality time together as a family, in our Bible ministry, traveling Latin America, or maybe just playing the Wii.

This is our story. If you are reading this, maybe you are looking for an adventure, need inspiration for your dreams, or you might just like travel and photography. Whatever it is you are searching for I hope we can help you find it.

Signing off, Tina

learn-about-tina-los-gringos-locos

30 thoughts on “About

  1. Lindsay says:

    Love you Tina!! I’m happy for your family!
    I remember good times with you growing up. I remember you and Josh and I used to say something about walmart.. was it:
    Keeping it real at Walmart? Lol

    • Kathy Yingling says:

      I enjoyed reading some of your blog. Thank you for sharing your story. I love that you chose to make lemonade from your lemons. That is how we all should live – thankful & grateful despite circumstances. My husband & I are exploring Mexico as a place to live in the future. We happened upon your blog and we too are searching for a simpler life, more focused on God and service. We have 3 children ages 15, 12, and 10. One concerns we have is the availability of good, affordable healthcare. I admire you for homeschooling. I don’t know that God has blessed me with that gift. Are there some good public schools in Mexico?

  2. alma causey says:

    Hello,

    Hope you are doing well. I stumbled upon your blog when I was searching for medical and health related topics and found your blog post about “Top Reasons for Stress That Harm Mental Health”. I have to agree to the fact that quality of content on your blog is awesome.

    I am also a blogger who usually write about health related topics and I am currently compiling a post about “5 facts and figure about dementia”. I thought it would be great if I could share it with your audience as you have the similar kind of audience available on your blog.

    Please let me know if this sound interesting to you and I will send you my post for review purpose.

    Looking forward to hear from you!

    Regards
    Alma Causey

    • Tina Marie Ernspiker says:

      Sorry, it took so long to respond Alma. We have been out of the country, visiting our hometown in Kentucky. You are welcome to send it my way and I will take a look at it. I never expected to write much about mental health but I guess with Brad’s TBI and our ADHD, that mental health is a topic on the blog! Thanks!

  3. Kerry Baker says:

    I apologize for leaving this as a blog post…but I didn’t see another avenue to make this inquiry.

    I have a website and blog in Mexico (Mazatlan) and am writing a post about renting less than a year but over a month to learn if you like an area before moving to Mexico.

    One of the suggestions I have made in the past, based on my own experience, is to hire a “concierge” to check out a place prior to committing any money. Here is my post about it http://www.ventanasmexico.com/news-1/2016/6/20/0473klj4cqu5tiopmdbi1etsa59yrv

    In this new post, I would like to list one person as a “concierge” (preferably someone with an online presence) for each popular expat area. Having the name of someone I could hire to do something like check out an apartment for me or get some other question answered when I couldn’t be there myself, has made my life much less stressful in Mexico

    I know having even one relationship in any new town can make a world of difference. I don’t know if you’d even ever be contacted. It just seems like a helpful thing to do.
    .
    Sooo…I was wondering if you or anyone you know might be interested. My skype is Kerry.baker68. Kerryinmexico@gmail.com

  4. Jordan Thompson says:

    Hey Tina. I love your spirit. In reply to a previous post we are in the Riviera Maya (Cancun to Playa del Carmen) and can preview locations for visitors. We rent a studio apt here too.
    Tina, thanks for your strength and endurance. You are an example.
    Our Portuguese pre group is taking shape.
    Come and visit the Caribbean some day!

  5. Amanda Booth says:

    My family and I, are moving to Mexico in June. My husband is from Mexico, but the boys and I don’t speak Spanish. I’m worried about how schooling will go. I would love to know more about possibly homeschooling my boys. They will be going into 2nd grade and kindergarten this coming school year. I’m afraid public school would be too difficult for them. We will be living in the state of, Veracruz, but in a small mountain town, Las Lomas.

  6. phong linh says:

    Before, My husband lived in Mexico. After he marriage with me. Now we living in Vietnam. I swear that, maybe in the future I will go to the Mexico. I love this place. Thank for sharing

      • Isa says:

        Hello Tina,
        I found your blog and the fact that you moved down to Mexico with small children caught my eye. I would like to follow your blog and I’ll send you a separate e-mail. if you don’t mind I would like to ask how did you make your move, as far as the children’s schooling, household items, jobs, etc. my family is contemplating a move down south from California, with 4 children ranging from 5 yrs old to 11. the children do not speak the language and have never been there, both mom and dad are fluent. I’m personally pretty scared due to all the news of everyday violence, my biggest concern as with any parent, is my kids. we have a very busy schedule here in CA, with kids school, my out of the home full time job, the afterschool activities, so I’m always on the go and as you’re aware, in the US, things are always done on the clock, and down in Mexico is completely different, I have difficulty slowing down and I’m afraid things would be more difficult because of that huge adjustment. any advice from your experience will be greatly appreciated. are you still living in Mexico?

  7. Catherine says:

    Hi Tina, my name is Catherine and upon browsing threw the internet about home schooling in mexico i came across your blog. I have children ages 10 & 11 and researching homeschooling options in Mexico! We currently live in the US and cost is one of my concerns. Some homeschooling abroad schools are pretty out there. Couldnt afford them in pesos. Which programs did your family chose? And What did you tell the school about moving abroad?

  8. Jacob A. says:

    Hi Tina,

    I found your blog/page while searching for home schooling from Mexico. We are in the process of moving to Jalisco, MX and one of the things we are worried about is the schooling. Do you have any suggestions about what programs and curriculum work for home schooling from Mexico?

  9. Gil says:

    Hi my wife and i have served our winters in Belize for the past 5 years and r thinking trying mexico next time. Could you please email me info of the area where you serve? Thx

  10. Delmy Santos says:

    I came across your blog a few weeks ago because I was desperately looking to find homeschooling information for me one my son who has moved to Mexico but born in the U.S . I’m glad I came across your website because it has made me consider moving to Mexico. My husband is 33 with END stage kidney disease. He still works full time while attending dialysis. We have a small soccer academy, work full time , and now our son plays for a third division soccer team in Mexico. I was able to give him dual citizenship because my mother was born in Mexico. My son has only been gone for 2.5 weeks but I have already considered moving there with my 7 year old. The only thing holding me back is my husbands health. I need to help him until he gets his kidney transplant. If my son decides to stay in Mexico, and my husband gets his kidney transplant, I would consider moving!

    • Tina Marie Ernspiker says:

      Thank you for the note Delmy! I hope your husband gets his transplant and you can move to Mexico. We love it here and it has been better for my husband’s health because life is slower here for us and less stressful. Perhaps if you are able to move it will improve your husband’s health as well. After his transplant of course! So sorry he has to experience these health problems. I am very thankful for the hope of a better future. You might enjoy this article When Sickness is No More. Have a great week, Tina

  11. Gil says:

    Hi friends. I just wanted to say hello again. We moved to Belize fulltime mid June. We went home early April and with many many prayers Jh helped us sell our belongings so we could make the move. So i could say this is our 6 th timeto belize but b4 we only stayed between 5 to 7 months at a time but now we are staying for good hopefully. With Jehovah’s help anything is possible. One of my favorite Scriptures is Matthew 6:33. Ive never been let down. Ive been through a lot in my life but Jehovah never left me. Anyways please keep in touch. Love hearing your experiences

    • Tina Marie Ernspiker says:

      Thank you for the note! We wish you the best in Belize :-) So happy you could apply Matthew 6:33. We are always glad to hear of wonderful experiences in Jehovah’s service. May he continue to bless you. And thank you for the kind words. I haven’t been blogging much lately, but I intend to get back into it. You know how life is… :-) Tina

  12. Teri Runjevac says:

    I staying in Zitatcudo, Michocan. I’m looking for a permanet place. I don’t know where to look. Maybe you could help guide me? I would greatly apprceiate it.

    • Tina Marie Ernspiker says:

      Whew! That’s a question with a variety of answers. Honestly, it all depends on what you are looking for. Beach or mountains, hot or temperate, expat or authentic, or maybe a bit of everything? Think about what you want and need and then try to use Google to help you find a place that will suit you. Mexico is a large country with a lot to offer. I am sure you can find what you are looking for :-)

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