Happy New Year

I'm back...we've been vacationing for a couple weeks now, and I am finally back in my routine. We drove to Colorado Springs for Christmas this year (I guess it's now last year). Yes, we drove from the deep South up to the freezing desert snow. We had a grand time with my sister and her girls and were quite reluctant to return to our daily lives.

It was a great visit despite my BIL being in Iraq and my sister having a broken foot. The girls seemed happy, but I know they missed their Dad. It got a little tense there when we found out he'd been moved from Baghdad to Tikrit, Saddam's hometown...and just in time for Saddam to be hanged too. I wish I could do something for the girls...I'm feeling a little helpless. I want to tell them not to worry, that everything will be fine and Daddy will be home sooner than you know...but I don't want to minimize their feelings, or their very real and fair worries...so I just hugged them both and told them I would be there for them if they ever needed anything...my sister misses her husband terribly, and even though I was over there last year, I can only imagine how she is feeling. I was over there and always knew I was ok...but my family had to sit at home and wait for the weekly phone calls and almost daily emails. I think deployments are almost always harder on the family than they are on the service member...not to dimish how hard it was and is for others, but at least you know how you're doing while you're over there...your family just waits...and waits...and waits...

But it was not a gloomy Christmas...no 'Bah Humbugs' were heard...and the children (mine included) were piled over with presents. His unit sent presents for the girls, Bratz dolls and gift certificates to Toys R Us...hit the nail on the head with that one, the girls loved them. I'm glad that the unit was thinking of them at Christmas time. When I was away, that was definitely the hardest, most isolating period.

Did I mention we drove to CO for the holidays? The snow was out of this world. I haven't seen snow like that since I was 8. We threw snowballs, made snow angels, and attempted a snowman...well, I attempted a snowman, but that was harder than I remembered it being...particularly when you're trying to build it alone...oh well, it was fun.

The snow didn't make for great driving conditions (we arrived the day after the first big storm and left 2 days after the second), but I am happy to report that we were not involved in any traffic incidents. (though we did witness several) I am now recovering from 2 days, totalling 27 hours, in the car, and I think I might start visiting the chiropractor, but I am definitely renewed and refreshed for the new year.