We've decided...



...that we won't be coming home for Christmas this year. And now that we have told those who needed to be told first, I wanted to let everyone else know. I'm sure there are going to be a few people who are disappointed, and I'm sorry. But right now, this is what works best for us.

We would have loved to come out and spend the holidays with ya... and we had the opportunity too. Which was very generous and we really appreciate the offer. However, Shane and I have thought long and hard about it and we've decided that we would like to stay here, in New Jersey for Christmas this year.

I know I don't NEED to explain myself but for anyone who is confused or doesn't understand why, this is why...

Cost: Flying is expensive. Our plane tickets might have been taken care of for us (thank you again) but there are more cost involved in traveling across the United States. (ie. parking our car at the airport in Philly for X amount of days while we are gone, gas, gifts, etc.)

Our Schedules & Travel: The girls winter break here in New Jersey is only a week and a half long, from December 21st (which is a 1/2 day) until January 1st, instead of the usual 2 1/2 weeks like they had in Texas. Which isn't very long and made finding travel dates (that were reasonably priced) almost impossible. Traveling on the holiday itself is not ideal and kind of defeats the whole purpose of coming out.

Not only that but traveling with THREE kids is exhausting!! I love them but it's like herding cattle through the airport... no, scratch that... it would be like trying to wrangle a monkey, a kangaroo, and a cheetah. It almost feels like a circus act. I know we have done it several times before and we would do it again, but I'm just not up to it this year.

Can't Please Everyone: This one is pretty self explanatory... it's hard trying to evenly divide your time amongst two sides of the family. No matter how hard I try, I can't please everyone. And I hate "throwing people under the bus" but it's usually someone from my side of the family. Which is disappointing and makes me feel guilty. There is only ONE of me and I can only do so much.



So as much as we would like to spend Christmas in Arizona this year, we will be staying in New Jersey. We just moved here four months ago, this is our first Christmas here, plus it's SUPPOSED to be a white one. Which I know the girls would love to experience! They've never had a white Christmas before. Makayla and Daniella have never even touched snow. Isabella has but she was too young to remember.

Last year, we also started our own little family tradition of doing a "Christmas Activities Advent Calendar" and the girls really enjoyed it. So I am looking forward to being able to do that with them again this year.

I hope everyone will be understanding of our decision and we look forward to seeing y'all again, soon!