a plan comes together

four more sleeps

and it begins

a huge celebration

the realization of a dream,

the fulfillment of a promise

Christmas

the day we set aside to celebrate Jesus' birthday

is also the day our family embarks on a new journey,

one that was wished and hoped for for years

we will begin our trip south to enjoy a fuller family vacation

Bill wanted to take our kids and their families on a vacation

when he and I went to Panama City Beach last May he said; 
"This is it. This is where I want to bring the kids."

we wouldn't have enough time or money to do it last year

so we were planning on this being their 2015 Christmas gift 

this may be the last picture taken of Bill and I
we were trying to take a selfie
a stranger took pity on us

last Christmas I told the kids what Bill had planned

I asked them if they would be interested in going

it was a unanimous yes

and so began my 10 month search for a house on the beach

large enough for the then 22, now 23, of us who live in the states

By turns,

I am both excited and dreading this trip (mostly excited)

we will miss Bill

we wish Deborah, David, Abigail, Selah and Gabriel could be with us

we will enjoy the ocean, worship on the beach and the gift of time together

the realization of a dream, the fulfillment of a promise

will, without a doubt bring tears, both happy and sad

as we reminisce, speculate, and make new memories

this is part of how we are keeping our commitment 

to continue to live, laugh and love lavishly