Hmmmmmmmmm...

I keep checking on here to see if anyone has posted anything, then realized - duh! I have to do it! Sigh... So, lots of fun stuff happening lately - the biggest and MOST exciting is that Mike arrived home on Friday!!! We are gradually settling into what our new normal is. It was nice that the kids didn't have school today. We ran errands and did not get the tree down on Saturday, then today we did a little shopping for winter coats (only found one for Chris), did not get the tree down again, and had a Wii-fest with Mike's brother Rob and Ehmke cousins that came over. I'm thinking I really need to get the tree down tomorrow. Half of the ornaments (mine) are off and packed away, so tomorrow while the kids are at school, I can get theirs put away safely. Normally, I let them put away their own ornaments, but since they will need to survive some big moving this year, I think I'll do it. Also, my house is a DISASTER, and the movers come in the morning to do their survey. I hope they can see past the clutter... I didn't realize how soon everything is happening until yesterday. I was focusing so much on Mike getting home, that it wasn't until yesterday in church when someone asked when we were leaving, and I realized we only had another month here! It seems crazy that it is so soon! My sister still doesn't want to talk about it, and it's starting to hit me that I'm moving away. I guess I don't want to think about it, either. Anyway, just wanted to give everyone a quick update...

The Last Time

I talked to Mike in Baghdad for the last time today. Tomorrow he heads to the airport, where he will stay the night, then fly to Kuwait, where he will catch a flight back to the U.S. After landing in D.C., he flies through North Carolina on his way home! He will land in Phoenix on Friday at 2:00 p.m., and we can hardly wait! I know Mike is looking forward to all the lasts that are happening, too - especially the last ride on a C-130. Lets hope the next 3 days sprout wings and fly!

Exciting!

Last night my brother Caleb received his mission call. He has been called to serve in the Minnesota Minneapolis Mission, Spanish speaking. He reports to the MTC on February 24th. We are all so thrilled for him! The added bonus is that our cousin, Dean Spencer, is currently serving in the same mission. Caleb and Dean are best cousins, and Aunt Margaret tells us that the mission president is just AWESOME!!! Cami and I joked today that we know Momma had some input on where he was going, because it's domestic. On February 24th, I will have 2 brothers serving in the U.S., speaking Spanish. (Micah is in the California Arcadia Mission.) It will be interesting to see where Elias goes next year. Even though it will be a struggle financially for my family to have 2, then 3 missionaries, I know that the blessings received will make up for any hardships experienced along the way. We are so proud of Caleb and the decisions he has made to get him to this place in his life. Love you Cebs!

Lists, lists, and more lists...

It seems like time is moving faster and faster now that we are approaching the end. I guess that's better than the alternative, but at times I can't catch my breath. We are now down to 8 days (7 1/2 if you want to get technical) until Mike gets home! The almost 5 weeks after that will be filled with sorting, sorting, sorting, throwing away, and cleaning while we get ready to head to Falls Church, VA. I've been stressing a bit with the unknown, but have found a wonderful friend in Melissa Oliver. We haven't met in person, yet, and I can hardly wait! Her family just moved into the same apartment complex we are moving to, and she has given me details about what to expect there. I know Mike is REALLY appreciative, because he doesn't have me calling him to speculate or ask questions he can't answer. She also has some children that are similar ages to my boys, and they are SO excited to get there and play with new friends!

I have been calling and canceling services that we have here, and the list is almost all checked off! A couple utilities won't allow shut-off requests more than 30 days prior, so I have to wait on those. I have all the information I need for all the schools the children will attend there, including preschool for Nick! I was able to call and reserve a spot for him through the Falls Church Parks and Rec. My lists for everything else, however, continue to grow and stress me out a little. What if I put something in permanent storage that I'll need in Macedonia? Do we need this item while we're in VA, or can we live without it for 6 months? What if I make the wrong choice?!? Luckily, Mike will be home soon to calm me down and let me know that it will be okay, and even if we make the wrong decision, we'll still be okay. See - I really do know that already, but it doesn't stop me from thinking it! The kids are taking everything in stride. I know it will get more real to them as we start going through all their stuff and making decisions on things. Not everything can go this time, and it might not be pleasant telling them so. Oh, the life we've chosen...

I've told a couple people this week that this is the life we have chosen for our family - now we get to find out if we like it. We are on the brink of our biggest adventure yet, and even though I'm getting a little squirrely because of it, I am also SUPER excited to get going! I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for us as we start this new chapter in our lives!

Happy New Year!

Only 14 days until Mike is home!!! We are SO excited! Things are starting to fall into place for our move to Falls Church in February. It will be great to be a family under one roof again. We've been guaranteed a 3 bedroom, Nick is registered for preschool, and the purging continues. The biggest problem I'm having right now is getting cold winter clothes for everybody. The coldest place we've lived was Tacoma, WA, and the winters never got really cold! I've received some great advice from friends, but it's still a daunting (and expensive) task.
On another note regarding this blog, I promise to update it more frequently. Next week while the kids are in school I plan on posting tons of pictures. I hate it when I get backlogged, but oh, well. I hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas and a safe and happy New Year. I look forward to what 2010 has to bring, and I hope you do, too.