It's amazing how none of the children offered a single objection when they were told they could open their Christmas presents a few days early. Not a peep, they were more than willing to accommodate our upcoming busy schedule. Imagine.
Most of their growing up we have had Christmas at home, where they could run down the stair in their pj's to where their stockings were hung to see what Santa had left for them. We've always invited extended family members to join us in the merriment. For the last several years we've made big plans to have family in town, cleaned house, cooked meals, prepared special treats, all those extras you do for entertaining, but for various reasons no one has made it down despite the best laid plans.
So, knowing there was family in Oklahoma who missed out on seeing us, we decided to head north. So instead of clean sheets, and dusting we busied ourselves with making arrangements to board the dog, packing and car maintenance. We still made sure we had lot of baked goodies to take with us to the family. Frankie was beyond ecstatic to have Grandparents to share the holiday.
We joked that we could pile our gifts in the mini-van to take to Oklahoma and unwrap with family, but joked that with 184,000 miles on the vehicle it could just be more weight in the car to push when we broke down! Again, another advantage to opening gifts a few days early. I think the biggest obstacle to traveling for our family of five isn't the eleven year old car, or the very limited boarding options for a huge English Mastiff, but it's the juggling of schedules. But anyone with kids and especially almost grown kids understands that struggle. I'm so grateful for parents and in-laws who have modified their schedules for us for so many years.
I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 29:10-11
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