Yesterday we drove down to Sturbridge, Massachusetts to pick up our two older girls.  A friend drove them that far from Nack, NY, where they both attend Nyack College.  In the little more than 24 hours that they've been home, it's like old times... sort of.  To be honest, I can't believe our little house used to have five people (often six, when we took people in) living here all the time.  It's crowded and busy and noisy.  And it's awesome!

It's different from 'old times' too, because the girls have matured so much.  Even though it's only been a semester for Naomi, she's so much more adult now.  Both girls are excited about what they're learning, the friends they're making, the experiences they're having.  They've both been eager to tell us about boys, break ups, friends, professors who are boring or inspiring or hot or quirky, how bad the cafeteria food is, and on and on. 

It's also different from 'old times' because Sue and I are well aware that they're only here a short time.  In fact, Jo is leaving on the 30th for a two week mission trip to Cambodia, where she will be part of a team of 13 from the college working with churches and government agencies addressing the problem of sex trafficking.  Naomi will be here through the Martin Luther King holiday weekend, then she'll be returning to Nyack for her second semester. 

For now, though, we are enjoying having the family together, reading aloud as a family, preparing for the holidays, and laughing a lot.  What more could we want for Christmas.