WASHINGTON - President- elect Barack Obama and his family are preparing to move to Washington this weekend. Obama is looking to get a head start on the difficult decisions he'll face early on.

Back to a Harsh Reality

After a 12- day vacation in Hawaii, Obama and the first family traveled back to Chicago overnight. They'll travel to Washington later this weekend where daughters Sasha and Malia start school on Monday.

Obama faces tough battles both here at home and overseas when he's sworn into office 18 days from now.

First on his list is the economy.

"We need a big stimulus package that will jolt the economy back into shape," the President-elect said back in November.

The package, that could approach one trillion dollars over two years, would infuse money into the nation's ailing infrastructure system and provide a shot in the arm worth tens of billions to cash- strapped states.

Obama to Meet with Lawmakers

In the coming days Obama will meet with leaders in the House and Senate. He'll need their help if he wants a stimulus bill on his desk, ready to sign his first day in office.

Some political analysts say the nation's money woes may force Obama to hold off on campaign promises - like raising taxes on Americans making more than $250,000 a year.

The Turmoil Overseas

Overseas, the new commander and chief will need to develop U.S. military strategy in Afghanistan and Iraq and address another issue bubbling to the top of his foreign policy agenda: The war between Israel and Hamas.

Obama has received security briefings on the situation. He's also spoken with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

But so far the President-elect is remaining mum.That's a luxury he won't have for very much longer.