It's Finally Over!

DADDY IS HOME FROM AFGHANISTAN!!!

For those of you who didn't know, Brian has been deployed for 6 long months at Bagram Air Field in the Northeastern area of Afghanistan. Izzypop, Skeeto, and I have been anxiously awaiting this day since the day he left.  Izzypop and I decided to do a little decorating out front.  She put out all the flags all by herself.  We also made a poster and got some balloons.  We thought we were ready......We weren't. 

Sunday, the morning of the return, we got all dressed up.  I had charged the camcorder the night before. I wanted to be at the airport by 9:45.  His flight was to come in at 10.  We all piled in the car, balloons and all, and.....nothing.  Dead battery.  Are you kidding me!?!?  Our neighbor, Glen had just walked by to take his dog to the part across the street.  I ran down there in heels and asked him if he could help.  He came over, took one look at my hybrid freak-of-a-car and said.....just take our minivan. :)  Our neighbors are too nice.  So we piled out of the car and piled into the van down the street.  We took off toward the airport and halfway there, I realized I had forgotten my camera and the camcorder.  Are you kidding me again!?!?!  Unfortunately, no.  So I had to use my crappy camera on my phone.  Arg.  So anyway...we got there just in time, about 10 minutes before Daddy was to come in.  These kids were crazy excited.  They could barely contain themselves.  I may have been a tad excited too.

When they saw their dad coming down the escalator, they took off after him.

Skeeto didn't quite know what to think...here was Daddy....only he wasn't on the iPad.  That's weird.  After a minute he got a little nervous and wanted Mommy to hold him.  Don't worry, that lasted about 20 min.  Now when I go to wake him up he says "Hi Mommy.  Where's Daddy?"  He's a daddy's boy again.

Izzypop, on the other hand, did not let go for a while.

We had the support from Chief Johnston and Chief McElreath as well as TSgt Contreras.  Thanks for coming!

We spent little time at the airport.  We got his bags and headed home.  The first thing Brian did was give the kids their souvenirs.  Skeeto got a cool bronze lion.

Izzypop got a cool little fish that opens so she can put something special in it.

And both she and I got beautiful scarves.  I also got a really beautiful necklace, bracelet and earring set.

Then we got in our PJs and had our traditional Sunday lunch as a whole family: grilled cheese and tomato soup.  It was more delicious than I could have imagined.

Then we piled in mom and dad's bed and cuddled and watched movies.  It was great.  I think with Brian's jet lag, not much else would have been possible, but I wouldn't have chosen anything else on his first day back.

SIDESTORY:  We were having a great time until we realized Bea was missing.  I had let her out and hadn't seen her in a while which was weird because it was so cold outside.  She usually scratches at the door to get in.  She was nowhere to be found.  So Brian and I spent part of the night taking shifts driving around the area looking for her.  She has never run off passed the park across the street so our only thought was that some nice person had taken her home thinking she would freeze to death.  The whole night passed, no Bea.  Called the shelter, no Bea.  Then after a day of worry, I got a phone call on my cell.  As we suspected, a nice, dog-loving Visla owner was at the park playing with his dog and was so concerned, he took Bea home.  He took her to the clinic and got her chip read and called my cell.  Then he brought her home.  Such a nice person, though, if he hadn't taken her home, she would have just came to the back door and none of us would have had to go through any of it :) LOL

BACK TO DADDY:  We decided to have Izzy go to school on Monday since it was her first day back from Christmas vacation.  But she did get to bring a very special item to school for show and tell.  The kids learned about where Brian was and they were particularly interested in what all his ribbons meant.

I am taking a few days off of work, just to hang out with my hubby.  I am so grateful that he has come back to us safely.  The kids and I missed him more than you could imagine.  We are so thankful to everyone who has helped us these past months.  To our many many family members, what would I do without you?  Have multiple nervous breakdowns, that's what.  To our neighbors and ward members who shoveled our walks, took Izzy on play dates, and helped out with Young Women, you are all so kind, we love you.  Thank you all for your help, love and support.  We really needed it this time and you all came through for us.  Most of all, my humblest thanks to my Heavenly Father for bringing my love back home to me.

Welcome home, Brian!