A Family Christmas Journey

in Take the Kids / by Abundant Journeys / on December 25, 2011 at 11:48 PM /

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“Wes!… Wes!… Wake up!… It’s 7:30AM. Dre has been waiting out there since 6… we gotta go.” whispers Kay. Yet another trip started a bit later than expected, but who cares… life is a series of unexpected events and we like it that way.

Boarding motor coach

“Lena!… Lena!… Time to rock and roll! “ Kay announces to their 15 year old as she barely lifts her head from the bed. “It’s 7:30AM… let’s hit the road.” Kay finishes. “Ok. Getting up…” Lena replies and believe it or not… it came with a smile.

Ok. Kay thinks. The “independents” are awake… the “dependents” Josiah (the 2 year old) and Rosie (the Yorkie) are set to go. Dre is ready to load. Everything is good. An hour later at 8:36AM, all 5 of us are on the motor coach ready to hit the road. Dre, our driver, is ready for a smooth week on the road as we embark on our rounds to visit family and site see along the way before we hit the beach after Christmas.

Leaving Texas, our 1^st stop will be 5 hours later in Little Rock for a bit of play for the toddler and Yorkie while the Teen does what she does best… text. Yes! What was life like before texting? Hmmm. Cell phones. Ipods. Laptops. Yep. I did my talking on a good ole fashion “POTS” line with no call-waiting, but I digress. We quickly board our coach to head to Nashville, on one of our favorite stops and this is where we will stay overnight.

Farmersrestaurant 300x179 A Family Christmas Journey

Dickson, TN

One of the things we like best about riding on our luxury coach bus is the convenience for the whole family. Full bedroom in the rear, full bath with shower, 6 bunks, stove, sink, satellite TV, games. And so much storage we can bring the kids bikes, etc. Our Yorkie loves to peer out the windows and sashay around the coach as we drive. Miss Lena, our teen, loves to stretch out on the sofa with her headphones while playing games on her phone. Lately, she has been teaching me how to play Words with Friends with her. Oh! Wait a second. I think there is a consensus here… we are stopping in Memphis for something to eat. Are we sure? Thought we wanted to stop in Dickson for the delicious southern buffet we loved to so much. Yes, people, it’s the holiday season, no culinary restrictions for the time being. Ok. I’m back. We are back on track… heading to Dickson for some good ole southern BBQ and more.

The Next Day…

Leaving Nashville, we have a few more stops before making our way to Northeast Ohio to visit the in-laws. Later that night, we pull into their mile-long drive and park on their old runway. We love doing that… the runway is no longer in use as they gave up their aircraft years ago, but we know we will have to move it soon. It is our little inside joke. Haha. Now Lena just loves it here. Who wouldn’t? Tennis courts, tremendously large pond, runway, 26 acres of pure fun, a roaring river flowing through and the ability to practice her driving on private property. Life was good.

Of course, in my opinion it is far too cold to do anything at all outside, but not to everyone else. So I watch from the windows. It is my way of having fun. Watching my little girl as she circles and backs up and pulls forward and maneuvers her way around the property in and out of my sight. It only seems like yesterday I brought her home and now she is behind the wheel of the mammoth vehicle we have been pulling behind our coach. How time flies!

I’m going to enjoy these next few days relaxing at the in-laws before we head west to my parents. Here my daughter and I get to spend a lot of one on one time together. At my parents, I have to share her with my sisters and niece. So I am signing off now. Time to go enjoy my teenager… while I still can.