Merry Christmas

I am amazed at how quickly Christmas arrived this year. It seems like not too long ago Mike just got back from his year away and we were on our way to MI to be with family. Well, we're back in MI to celebrate Christmas with our families again. My father flew out last Monday so he could drive back with me and the girls. That was a great relief to me. Unfortunately for him, he came down with an ick flu bug hours away from MI. That made for quite and interesting last few ours. I prayed the whole way home for not only him to feel better, but for me and the girls to stay flu-free. God is awesome! My mother got the same tummy-bug the next day so the girls and I ran to my grandparent's house for a couple of days, until they were better and the house was decontaminated. We've been here at my parent's since Friday and are enjoying spending time with them and my sister and brother-in-law. My parent's have recently invested in a web cam so we are now able to see my brother and his family. It was great fun this morning gathering around the computer and seeing them. They'll be back in the states next March!
We'll be headed to Lansing on the 26th and spending a little over a week there with my in-laws, we'll spend a day with some friends in Detroit before heading back here to get ready for our return trip to CO.
Mike has made it to Iraq finally. His living conditions there are pretty cramped, worse than basic he said. I haven't heard from him since he arrived there, but I'm guessing they'll be pretty busy just getting settled into their new housing and preparing to start working. He said he doesn't think they'll be heading out until the end of the year. I'm hoping to hear from him today or tomorrow, but I know better than to get my hopes up for that. Mike just called! Too funny. He sounds great and said that everyone is trying to just have fun and keep their spirits up. Much to my surprise, Mike received the packages I sent him in just a week! I was very shocked and very happy for him. I sent him a silly Christmas surprise and he said everyone seemed to really think it was funny.
We wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (if I don't get a chance to post before then).