It's Over!

WOW! What an amazing journey the last 7 months have been. On April 15th I watched my husband board a C-17 aircraft bound for Iraq. He and his fellow Sailors were going "over there" and we were left behind to - worry, wonder, hope and pray.

I did my fair share of all of the above. The kids kept me crazy stupid busy, and thanks to the support of friends and family I didn't lose my mind. It got close at the end, but I made it through.

On November 3rd the calls and emails started flying. Homecoming was upon us and the dates and times were changing faster than a newborn's diaper. By the 5th I'd had enough and decided to ignore all further calls with "more information" on homecoming. My thoughts - "Just tell me when he's home - I can't take it anymore".

So, we get the "final" call that he'll be home Friday evening. I clean like a crazy woman, wake up on Friday clean babies, change clothes, confirm my hair appointment and hang banners. I am about to walk out the door when the phone rings. Its HER. The woman who calls to tell me he'll be home later not sooner. I brace myself and say hello. She tells me there is a time change - He'll be home sooner than later.

I call Andrea the OpLove photographer to let her know our time has been pushed up, and I pray that she can still make it. She's IN! I pack up the kids and head to the terminal ---> its time to Go GET DADDY!

We wait, for two hours we wait. I meet up with Andrea introduce her to the commander's wife, the ombudsman and she works her magic with the camera.

Then we hear the intercom "Ladies and Gentleman in the terminal your flight has cleared customs, your Service members will arrive shortly"

My heart races. I get in my spot "Babe I'll be in the back to your Left. Just look for me I'll be there" we'd planned it out, talked about it -- focused on it when we thought we wouldn't make it through. It was happening. He was about to be home.

A Master Chief from the command took up duty as "Bird Dog" and told us he'd let us know when they were on the bus and headed to the terminal. As we saw his boots coming down the stairs voices rose and the room filled with anticipation. We saw their shadows pass the doors and knew our boys were home.

The kids and I stood to the rear of the crowd (small room - large crowd) and off to the left like we'd planned. The doors opened and the first Kegbuster was welcomed home. The room cheered, we all clapped and waited for the next face to appear...

"Its HIM Its HIM!! Baby I'm here! We're here!!! It's HIM!!!"

I heard my voice yelling above the cheers of my fellow Kegbuster families. Saw the joy in my husbands eyes as he found us in the crowd. I choked back the tears in my eyes and my heart flooded with joy and relief. My Sailor is HOME! He is safe and we are complete as a family!

I watched as he knelt down to kiss the boys and pull them close, kissed his lips and told Kadee her Daddy is home. As a family we embrace and the last 7 months disappear all that remains is joy.

special thanks to Andrea of Andrea Leigh Photography for capturing our homecoming and making such happy moments last a lifetime!