Christmas season is upon us...in fact, we've already celebrated three times and will have another gift exchange (this time with Jay's immediate family) today!

Jay's sister, Jael, drove up this morning from Little Rock for the weekend to be able to spend a little more time with us before we head back to Winchester on the 2nd. Jael was able to be with us on Christmas day, but flew from Little Rock to Dallas and couldn't bring her presents with her on the plane. For that matter, I don't know if we could have taken our gifts after we loaded up the parent's van with all our gear...we really didn't have that much, but with a baby so much changes...for as little as she is, you wouldn't think she would increase our 'necessary' trip items threefold, but pretty much she does. =)

Vikki has said that our New's Year resolutions will be to execerise four times a week - which might be ambitious, but will be good for us. We have been very apathetic to excersise as a general rule since we have been married...I've been holding off on making major changes in lifestyle until I hit 200 lbs., but since I've been sitting at 193 for quite a while, it looks like our New Year's resolutions will come first...the only other 'resolution' we have is to make a more focused effort at returning to China. We will try to spend about two to three mornings a week getting things in order for a return. We are excited, but at least Jay is a bit nervous as well. The new and different will usually be somewhat scary, and even though we've been to China before - we'll be returning under different circumstances, not the least of which is that we plan to stay indefinitely this time! I'm thinking we'll need to clear our minds of expectations and go with an open heart and be ready to face new challenges in a new chapter in our journey. One of Jay's second cousins told him a couple of days ago that this fall will be here in 'a week.' It will come quickly...