MIA.....

I've been MIA for a very good reason!! My husband returned from his 14 month deployment in Iraq a week ago today on June 5th. I received a call at 7AM on Friday that the welcoming ceremony would be at 9AM. We sat in the gym anxiously waiting for about an hour and a half. The kids ran around on the gym floor getting out some energy while we waited. Then the "5 minute warning" was announced around 10:30...much later than expected. Everyone came back to their seats and waited for what seemed like forever!

Jacque (in green) was having fun going up and down the steps.

Then the side doors opened and Toby Keith's American Soldier began blaring from the speakers as the Troops began marching into the gym. Everyone was standing cheering!

We were all scanning the soldiers to try and find OUR soldier, but he couldn't be found in the group. They just look so much alike in their uniforms and hats. I then started looking at the tallest guys and eliminating the shorter ones and that still didn't find him!

This was the last group to return from the deployment. There were 120 soldiers which is a small group compared to the other ceremonies....500-700 at a time! I don't know how we would have ever found each other if he had returned in one of those groups!

The National Anthem for Germany and the USA played, then a very quick prayer, and they were finally released. In only a few seconds I saw my husband heading towards us with a huge smile! He was able to find us in the crowd...luckily we don't look like everyone else:)

Life seems normal again with him home! Everything has fallen back into place and we are a family again. He is very much loved by the 6 people that have been awaiting his return. He really does complete our family!