The Countdown Has Begun

You'll notice at the top of my blog, under the header picture, is a new countdown timer. It is now officially less than 3 weeks until we take our first long-distance trip ever as a family. We're headed to NJ, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of my Grandpa Drexler's church. I've mentioned this before, but now we're getting down to the end of this year-long journey. It was about a year ago that my Aunt Judi told me about this and ever since then we Drexlers have been gearing up to descend on Runnemede. The picture above is of my dad and his brother and sisters the last time we were all together - my Grandpa's funeral back in 2000. This time though it's not to mourn anyone or to say goodbye. It's to celebrate together both the memory of my grandparents and also the church they loved. I've slowly been getting things ready for the trip. It's going to be a good 13-14 hrs in the car (one way!), so got lots of games and movies to take. Got the kids caught up on all their summer clothes. Got myself a few cute things too. :-) Contacted cousins on my mom's side, so we can visit them while we're out there too. The hotel is booked, our plans are in place, teachers have been talked to. So, now we're just counting down the days until we leave. I'm excited to see my brother and his family. Being all together again. Add in seeing cousins and Aunts and Uncles we rarely see and it's a pretty exciting time! Can't wait to introduce my kids to everyone. To take them to see the ocean for the first time. To show them the rich history of Philadelphia. And, to take them chocolate-tasting in Hershey. ;-) We're all pretty pumped up. Now just praying for health and safety and happiness for the coming weeks as we all get ready to come from all over - IL, IN, OH, KY, NC, NJ - to celebrate together. I hope somehow Grandma and Gramps can look down from heaven and see their great-grandchildren playing in their yard. Seeing their grandchildren laughing until the wee hours of the morning. And, their kids coming together to enjoy their ever growing families. So, here we go.... Just 3 weeks left!