Life is a Beautiful Ride....Highway!
Tis' the Season to go on a Christmas Roadtrip!
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Beautiful wrapping by my second oldest daughter who loves to gift wrap and create paper bows
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Skyping and taking pics in front of the Christmas tree. Technology is incredible but not enough at times.
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Must get that traditional Christmas tree picture no matter how or what!
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This was her first time away at Christmas and we simply were not excited about that. However, our trusty van, which previously put on 7600 miles for a month long "Out West" trip in 2010, had seen its better days. We spent most of Christmas Eve at car dealerships and had settled on a "new to us" van. Unfortunately, they had closed earlier than stated and we waited and hoped it would still be there later. Christmas Day had arrived and we Skyped to watch her open some presents and let the kids ramble with her all they wanted. But it was still not enough, not okay to be without her for Christmas.
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Three youngest opening their presents on Christmas Day.
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Sister Time. These two have a great bond now that the baby is older.
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The day after Christmas, my husband and I woke up early and headed back to the dealership to claim the van we had chosen. I text another daughter and told her we got the van and to start packing, we were going on vacation! So while we did paperwork, they packed. At this point, we had not let them in on our little surprise vacation. They knew of a possibility to go to Six Flags for vacation but thought it was Atlanta's. We did not want to dash any hopes of seeing their sister.
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Well, this will have to wait a while!
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When I got home, I told them not to text her or tell her anything but we were going to Texas for the week to see her! My two younger girls were especially excited as they are all very close! My son is the quiet one to show his emotions, yet he seems to cherish his older sister in a way that is unique to just her. I don't think she even realizes it. Maybe he just doesn't like change and the change of her being gone and not seeing her hurts him in a certain way. However, having to give up his new Xbox One video game time was a sacrifice to go see his sister and he probably would not have it any other way preferred her coming here to play video games with him on his Christmas break!
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Surprise! We are here! Why does this picture remind me of The Breakfast Club?!
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As we drove, much time was had to think about how we would surprise her when we arrived, still having no idea we were coming. We knew she had the time off and that was good enough for us. After discussing with the kids how to best surprise her, we decided on a text sent from me simply saying "Sure missing you and wish we could see you!" The text was accompanied by the above picture taken in front of the house she's at.
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Opening the rest of her presents at our hotel.
Shirt from past vendor, Attitudes Boutique.
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After she received the text and realized we might be there, she ran down to greet us with such excitement, happiness, and very surprised! You see, I knew our baby needed us as much as we needed her during the season. I knew how much it meant to be with us during the holidays and she is always good to come home when she can, she simply couldn't this time. This time, it was up to us and I didn't want to disappoint. One day the time will come that we won't be able to but this time, God provided. Thank you Lord and my husband, who has always been such a good provider to us.
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Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Included in pic is her bf
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Big Sister helping Little Brother ice skate
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We had a fantastic time that week. We went to Six Flags Fiesta Texas, ice skating, shopping, and simply ordered in and watched a movie together. What mattered most was just spending time with her + our other kids... at Christmas. It was hard to let her go again, this time we had to leave. It was one year ago on New Years that she left to move to another state, North Carolina, and now to Texas. Though we said goodbye, we were grateful for just the time we had.
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He loves wooden roller coasters. This was a hybrid called New Texas Giant. A new favorite.
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A Visit to the Bass Pro Shop in Memphis at The Pyramid
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We left a bit early on New Years Eve to travel North to Six Flags Texas, leaving from there to come back home. We traveled all night, stopping for a nap, and taking a side stop at the all new Bass Pro Shop in Memphis, a must see stop! We enjoyed the ride as we went to and from our destination in our new wheels (putting 2000 miles on it),
yet stopping along the way to enjoy it even more.
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A Coke can that was at the hotel. It simply said "Loved Ones.' Very Fitting
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It's the little things in life that make the best presents. My husband had remarked "Merry Christmas" when we purchased the van. However, he gave me something money couldn't buy; the presence of all of us together was the best present he could give. He was willing to drive the long hours, to leave when things need to be done around the house, and loving our girl enough to go. He also knew to spend that time and see us all together at Christmas was the best present of all. That's because he understands "Life is a Beautiful Ride!" Enjoy your journey this new year.
Continuing on the Beautiful Ride,
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Good Ole' Rocky Top!
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"Now that this week is ending, on Sunday my family showed up at the house to surprise me. I woke up to a text, a picture of them outside the house, saying they missed and wished they could see me. I went running down the stairs and out the front door to them.
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Happy New Year. Going back home from Texas at the stroke of midnight!
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I still can not believe that they drove 13+ hours to come see me for a few days. It was absolutely wonderful to have them here. I'm already missing them. I love you guys so much! Thank you for this week." .... A post from our oldest daughter on Facebook (Made it that much more of a present)
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! From The Gooch's
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