TIME FLIES....

when you have this much fun...  so i guess i need to update in a big way.  i have had some crazy adventures in getting to this holiday season.  first the flight out of iraq which was the only way i was going to make it home on time.  the flight was a go.  then we got to the tarmac and they pulled my friend and i off the flight.  then at the last minute they told us to get out there and try to get on.  as they were closing the ramp... we threw our bags on and jumped on... they just kinda looked at us like, "you guys just made it".  so with that much behind us the journey commenced.  we weren't sure if we would have to get off in al taquedem when we got there so we crossed our fingers and made it into kuwait.  we got there just after two... by three we needed to have our passports in to get the visa stamps back later that day.  we made that leg happen.  my friend was able to get his flight out and go home that same day.  i upgraded to business class which ended up being first class.  that is the only way to fly.  only three of us up there and it almost got annoying to have the flight attendants wanting to serve us... lol.  yeah right it was annoying.  all the juice i could want and the reclining chairs that allowed me to almost completely lay down... oh yeah... loved it.  so i at least have something to look forward to on the flight back.  never use my sky miles so i traded some in.  i got to kuwait and got into a hotel with a hot shower and a very very comfortable bed.  had to splurge and do the hotel where i was feeling very beat up.  it did the job.  the next day i met up with cathy cruse who is working in kuwait now and she took me to go get sushi.  how cool is that.  i loved it and it was so good.  makes me wish i had sushi all the time.  the architecture in kuwait is amazing.  things just kinda stand there in such strange shapes and they are hotels or restaurants or other places people would actually go in.  hopefully the pics will show what is going on.  i made it back to utah where i was greeted by some of the most precious people in the world.  first cathy picked me up at the airport and took care of getting me to joe's, well very much later.  so much to catch up on and all.  at joe's i woke up the same time rachel did and we greeted each other on the stairs.  there is no better feeling than knowing you are loved.  she gave me the biggest hug and came and watched cartoons with me for a bit.  jared woke later and as he crossed the kitchen he stopped, backed up and looked down at me and came running to give me another big hug.  and last but not least, our little brock came down.  he just stood there with the biggest smile ever... that totally made my day.  yep, snuggle time and a pirate shirt and a fun time playing with him before he headed off to play with mickey.  that my friends, is what its all about.  those kids are what i live for... them and uh... well you know who else.  what do ya think about that cathy?  so now i'm almost a day away from christmas and still not ready.  how does that happen to me every year???  so i will put some more up about cathy's trip up to idaho to meet the fam.  what a fun time and what a sweet heart.  happy holidays everyone!!!