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!