A Complicated (and JOYOUS) Christmas Season

This year is the most complicated Christmas season we have ever had. We knew the complications would come - they come for all families. When I was growing up, my mom and dad and us kids joined my uncle, aunt and cousins at my grandparents' house. It was all great! Then the kids started getting married and having their own children. Suddenly, my parents and my uncle and aunt became the grandparents. We tried for a while to keep things ever the same, but it got complicated. Children grow up, get married, have children and move to different parts of the country. Not only do we become grandparents, but the parents of our "kids-in-law" also become grandparents and they want to spend time with their children and grandchildren at holiday times. I completely understand why we stopped meeting at my grandparents' home and they began to alternate between their children's homes each Christmas. That brings me back to our complicated schedule. Jonathan and Heidi just had a new baby - so it is impossible for them to travel this year. Hence, we are going there - South Carolina. Alicia and Ashley will spend Christmas with his parents. Then on the 26th, we fly back home to greet the "A Team" (get it? A-licia, A-shley, A-ria) when they arrive on the 28th. Then we get to open gifts AGAIN! In the midst of it all, we get to help out at the One Thing Young Adult Conference sponsored by the International House of Prayer (Dec. 28-31).

I've been pretty negligent in my blogging lately anyway, but I don't expect it to get better over the next couple of weeks. However, I'll try to give updates as often as I can. I hope you all have a blessed (and less complicated) Christmas!