To Fly Or Not To Fly

That is the question...

Thanksgiving is just a month away and I'm headed to the Lone Star State for some FIGHTIN TEXAS AGGIE FOOTBALL! WHOOP! The Ags host the horns the day after Thanksgiving and of course, I'm there!

But there is a big looming question and decision we must make, like TODAY. To fly or not to fly! I am very blessed to have a mother who offers to pay for these things, otherwise who are we kidding, flying would NOT be an option seeing as how it's going to be about $300/person. So while I want to save her as much money as I can (so she can spend it on me at Christmas instead...heeheeeheee), finances aren't the primary issue here. The primary issues...my car, my dog, and my kids!

My car is 5 years old, has over 140,000 miles on it and we seem to encounter a new repair about every month. So making a trek halfway across the country doesn't really seem like the most logical choice. However, my mom even offered to rent us a car if we really wanted to drive. Here are the pros and cons of driving vs flying.

Pros of driving:
1. We could stop in Mobile, AL to see Cary's family on the way there and back.
2. My dog can come with us which means we won't have to pay, I mean mom won't have to pay for her to be kenneled. She's about to be 10 and I don't think she would do well in a kennel at her age. Plus she's SPOILED! And a member of the family!
3. MUCH cheaper than flying. I've calculated it would save my mom about $500.
4. Airports/children/holiday=INSANITY!!!!
5. Ashton and airplanes don't really mix all that well. She's TWO! Need I say more? (Then again, Ashton in a carseat on a 1000 mile journey probably is not much better!)

Cons of driving:
1. car/long drive/children=INSANITY!!!!
2. DVD player in car is broken=INSANITY!!!!
3. Did I mention it's over 1000 miles??? With kids???
4. My car is not in the bestest of shape mechanically.
5. We would spend 4 days out of 8 on the road...with kids...did I mention how far it is???

Okay so you see my dilema? I prayed last night for God to give me a clear word on what would be best for our family and a few minutes later I got an awesome devotional on email from Lisa Welchel, Blair from Facts of Life, remember her? It said that when you must make an important decision, take fear out of the equation. Because many times we make decisions based on our fears. And fear is NOT of God, it's of the devil. Am I more afraid my car won't make it to Texas, or am I more afraid my dog will die in a kennel if I leave her? I don't know!

The non-stop flights are filling up quickly and I really must decide something NOW! So if you have any input, I'd love to hear it.