He's Home

He's home!! He got in, as planned, last Wed, the 24th of Sept. And we are so happy that he has returned safely and that we are all together as a family again. All 8 flights coming home were on time, our friend told us to hurry and hit the slot machines, luck was on our side. He even made it into the Springs 15 minutes sooner and came up the ramp without us even knowing. All of a sudden I hear Preston yell "Dad." To which I totally thought he was joking. He wasn't!
Steve was greeted by 3 of the happiest, most excited kids I have ever seen in my life!! We weren't too sure how Mason was going to react to him, he was only 25 months when Steve left. But Mason was darling and jumped right into his arms. And when Taylor couldn't get an arm, she opted for a leg! Preston tagged a long his side and talked about playing catch when they got home
Eventually, I got to break through the kids and get a kiss and a hug myself, but not without kids all over us.

In someways it seemed as if we were just there at the airport, 7 mos ago, saying good-bye at 5:00am after not sleeping for over 24hrs!
The much anticipating homecoming seemed so unreal and hard to believe. The moment was one of the happiest days in my life.
Some of the Instructors from his Dept, that were able to get away from teaching, came to meet him at the airport. And their strong muscles came in handy, they carried Steve's huge bags so he could carry the kids, THANK YOU!
We had made signs and decorated the house. Some friends and neighbors helped put up ribbon and balloons and other neighbors put up flags, ribbons and signs in their yards! It was really cool.




A few days before he came home I asked what he wanted for meals. He informed me that he had eaten like a king, buffets for breakfast, lunch and dinner. No pressure for me right? So he opted for McDonald's Double Cheeseburger for his first meal. He was anxious to get home so we brought lunch back the house and sat as a family around the table! It felt strange. The kids saved their last paper chains to tear with Steve.
Afterwards, he didn't even have time to change, the kids grabbed him (before I could) and he pushed Taylor and Mason on the swings while playing catch with Preston. I was impressed by his multitasking, something he obviously learned while deployed!
Life has been so busy since his return. Today he took Preston and Taylor to the football luncheon at the Academy and then to finish his in processing. We have been apart for 3 hrs, the most since he's been home! It's been nice to be able to sit down, relax and feel a little normal again. It's going to be hard when he gets back to work in a few weeks, it's been nice being able to hangout and do things together instead of alone. In someways I feel as if this is only temporary, like he is only here for a short while and will be gone again. But he is home for good and he is safe. 7 mos later my prayers have been answered!