I would drive 500 miles, and I would drive 500 more...

In case you've missed my recent blogs or my husband's, you may not be aware of our latest travel adventures. Okay, so they really aren't that adventurous, but it has been a bit crazy.

First, there was the 2600 mile round-trip to Virginia last weekend with the fam in an RV. Then, just for kicks, we left home on Friday with Melody and Danny in tow to head to Houston for an overnight stay to attend a family Christmas party (yea, yea...huge run-on sentence...). That was probably about a 400 mile trip. And then, just in case we had not had enough, we left Sunday night for a 2000 mile round trip to Chicago. We arrived Monday afternoon for a visit with our sister and brother-in-law and their two daughters. It has been a very special visit because they've not ever had the opportunity to be with family in their own home for Christmas. We are so glad we could make the trip. Our nieces are growing up so fast and because they live so far away, it is not easy to spend time with them often. Our trip back to Texas will begin tomorrow. Lastly, because we really want to see our nephews for Christmas, we will leave home again Sunday on a much shorter trek to Oklahoma for a two day stay. Needless to say, our car is in dire need of a scheduled oil change... we've been putting miles on it like crazy... But, then again... isn't that what cars are for?

This Christmas has definitely been different. Not in a bad way... just totally unusual. As we all get older and more geographically spread out, we have to make changes in the way we do things. The good thing is that we know the real reason we celebrate Christmas...The birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. When our niece Kinley was asked what Dec. 25th was, she answered "It's Jesus' Birthday." In fact, we got to participate in a new De Leon family tradition of singing Happy Birthday to Jesus and having birthday cake after the Christmas dinner. As long as we get to spend time with family and focus on the true Deliverer, old traditions can take a back seat. I am so thankful that our families are flexible and love us no matter if they see us on Dec. 25th or not. They know it's not the date that is important, it's the acknowledgment of Jesus Christ's sacrifice for our lives!

We Made It!

We made it home from our RV Road Trip! The picture above (I know, the quality is not that swell) was taken right before we departed from Virginia on Sunday morning at 8:30 am. Our time in Virginia was wonderful...

We left Texas on Wednesday at 4:30 pm. After we fought Dallas rush hour for a full hour, we were under way. We stopped in Arkansas to pick up my grandparents and continued on our journey. Basically, the five us who were able to drive each took a four to five hour turn driving. If we weren't driving, we played video games -mainly Guitar Hero- or just tried to sleep. About 22 hours later, we arrived at my brother's house. Needless to say, we basically crashed for the rest of the day.

On Friday, we each took turns running errands or being lazy. After some morning shopping, Danny and Mason installed some outdoor lighting that Mason had been needing to finish. Patrick and Sarah went on a longer-than-planned outing to purchase Mason's graduation/Christmas gift. Later, all the ladies went clothes shopping at our favorite store. The best news of that trip was that I had way over spent my clothing budget and purchased a total of $260.00 worth of clothing. However, our fabulous cashier saw to it that I received a whole lot of undue discounts. I left there only paying $117.00. Merry Christmas to me! Friday night, Sarah's family came over and we had a small graduation party for Mason. We also did our big Christmas gift celebration at that time.

Saturday, we all got up early to make the three hour trip to Averett University for Mason's graduation ceremony. He received his Master's in Business Administration. After the three hour trip home, we all just spent time being lazy. Sarah provided a super Christmas meal for dinner. Then, the kids (that's all of us under 50) piled into a vehicle to take a Christmas light tour and stop at our favorite ice cream place, Brewster's. It's amazing... we stopped for ice cream in freezing cold temps. WE are so crazy!

Sunday morning, we woke up and started packing the RV. We were on the road at 8:30 am. About three hours into our trip, we ran into a snow storm. The further we drove, the thicker the snow got. As we came into Tennessee, we could see the snow that had already fallen. The video that is below shows the beginning of the snow. My batteries were dead by the time we saw the beautiful white stuff on the roads and hillsides.



We stopped in Arkansas at about 2:00 am Monday morning to let my grandparents out. At about 6:00 am Monday, we pulled into Danny and Melody's apartment complex. We were all so totally exhausted. Despite the fatigue, we had a super great time. I'd recommend the RV thing to anyone. But, we did break a few rules...like the one that says everyone must be seated and buckled in while the vehicle is in motion...OOPS!

ROAD TRIP!

Okay, hold on to your hats! We're heading out on a fun-filled, adventurous, yet a bit insane Road Trip today! The "we" includes myself, my husband, my sister and her new husband, our mom, and our grandparents. Yes, you read correctly...SEVEN of us! Mode of transportation - RV from Cruise America. Destination - Mechanicsville, Virginia (basically Richmond). 1st Purpose - To attend my brother's graduation for his Master's in Business Administration. 2nd Purpose - To do our Christmas celebration all together!

If you are asking yourself, "What are they thinking?" you'd be justified in that response. Back when we started planning we knew my grandparents wouldn't fly and that it would be cheaper if we could all ride together and take turns driving. We'd also save money on hotel rooms if we could just drive straight through. So, we chose the RV route.

I know the trip will be fun, but I am nervous about driving such a big vehicle in traffic, rain, and wind... which are all in the forecast!

Please pray for our safety during the travel and for our sanity during the time together. We love each other very much, but sometimes we can get on each other's nerves.

I'll keep you posted with our progress if possible. If not...I'll catch you up when we return!

Christmas Fun!

Your Christmas is Most Like: A Christmas Story

Loving, fun, and totally crazy. Don't shoot your eye out!

What Movie Is Your Christmas Most Like?

Have fun taking this cute quiz. I did. Of course, I still believe in Santa even though the true awakening came in about the 3rd grade when I asked for a computer and my mom told me that sometimes Santa can't afford computers! My greed also got me the truth about the Tooth Fairy...I asked for a raise per tooth, and the fairy left me a note in my tooth pillow that read "Sometimes the Tooth Fairy can't afford a raise." Can't remember how old I was then.

Christmas Keyboards or Excellence Experienced!

Wow! I experienced true excellence yesterday. In dynamic contrast to the topic of my husband's recent post, I witnessed something yesterday that was anything but mediocre. Maybe I was so impressed because I really miss experiencing this kind of worship and extreme devotion to using one's gifts.

I attended the annual Christmas Keyboards concert at FBC Dallas. Even if you are not a musician, you would have been totally blown away by the production. The hour and fifteen minute concert featured almost 50 of the church's talented pianists. Their ages ranged from elementary to mid-70's. The stage was packed with four grand pianos and two baby grands, as well as the oh-so-gigantic pipe organ. At any given time, there were two to thirteen pairs of hands playing piano arrangements of some of the most wonderful Christmas music. Think about it... in the larger arrangements, that's thirteen people on six pianos and an organ. Thirteen sets of ten fingers all moving together (in case you are not mathematically inclined...that's 130 fingers). It was magnificent! There were small ensembles of two, three, or four that were wonderful as well.

I think what moved me the most was that for those 50 or so people (children, youth, parents, grandparents) the church had an outlet for ministry. Sure, most churches have the requisite one or two accompanists, but how many of them open up an entire concert to let everyone display their God-given talents and gifts. I know that the actual equipment budgets of most churches do not allow for multiple pianos, but this church knew just how to include everyone.

I couldn't help but imagine how it will be in Heaven when all of us get there. Musicians of every kind will be praising and worshiping God for eternity. I also couldn't help but think that musicians who don't strive for excellence are really wasting an opportunity to glorify the Almighty! I know, I know... We can strive for perfection and cause ourselves and others a lot of pain. But, we should strive to present an excellent gift to our Heavenly Father.

Thank you FBC Dallas for giving us the great gift of Christmas Keyboards.