Homecoming

I've been thinking about what I would write about Paul's homecoming.  Do you want to hear about our ride to Virginia with myself, Emma, and Grandma Joan?  Probably not (although at this point I know some funny things happened and I can't even remember them). 

We left Florida on January 4th and I dropped Joan off near Richmond on January 5th.  FYI Richmond is NOT a pet friendly city and it took me forever to find a hotel room that would take my 10lb chihuahua.  Really Richmond?  Tell your mayor to be expecting my letter. 

On January 6th we headed up to Gainesville, VA to stay with my friend Mary.  I thought we'd be at Mary's until the 10th and then on the 7th I got a phone call at 1am to sign in to facebook so I could instant message with Paul (thank goodness for newborn baby Gracie keeping her mommy up so Paul had someone who could call me lol).  He told me he was coming home on the 8th!  Of course this early homecoming involved him flirting with a staff sergeant to get an earlier plane, but since I know Paul is a flirt AND he got a seat on the plane then it's all good. 

The 7th was spent running around getting stuff for dinner as my cousins were coming over! 

I am the oldest cousin on my dad's side.  None of us have ever lived near each other or seen each other that often, but as we've gotten older I feel that we've made an effort to connect and get to know each other and spend time together.  Of course Devon and Kathryn both live in the DC area and Kait is in college.  I'm after them to come to Boston for Kait's 21st so I can be dd.  Devon's fiance Connor was also at dinner and my friend Mary (seeing as it was her house and all), but this is just a pic of the cousins. 

On the 8th I woke up feeling incredibly anxious.  Yes, I was excited, but it was so overwhelming to know that in the afternoon Paul would be home that I could hardly stand myself.  I followed Mary up towards Baltimore and of course I had to get there super early so we planned on eating lunch near the airport (Timbuktu was the name of the restaurant.  It looks like a dump outside, but inside the waiters are dressed up and the tables have linen tableclothes and cloth napkins and it was really yummy).  I almost ordered a cocktail at lunch because my heart was beating so fast! 

We got to the airport at about 2pm and got to the gate at 2:15 or so.  I thought we'd have to wait as the arrivals board still said his plane was getting in at 3:30.  An employee walked by and told us that they'd be walking out in 20 minutes or so.  What?????   There was a Sergeant there so I asked him what plane was in thinking it was another plane.  Nope it was Paul's.  Unfortunately our friends Jamie and Ronnie were on their way to the airport and I told them to turn around since they'd get there way after Paul had deplaned.  Our friend Jon came and so did my cousins (and it was Kathryn's birthday).  You know you have amazing friends when they'll drive over an hour to the airport just to welcome your husband home. 

Waiting for Dada

Mary and Emma

First hug and kiss

Dada and baby love

So happy

Dinner at the Cracker Barrell (Paul says yay for sweet tea)

And dada giving baby sweet tea

I have more pictures on my camera, but haven't uploaded them onto my computer yet.  It is so wonderful having Paul home if for no other reason than to have someone feed and bath the baby.  haha  And in one more week we leave for a family vacation.  Life for sure doesn't get any better.  We are blessed beyond measure and couldn't ask for anything more at this point. 

I will ask though for prayers for peace for Tripp Roth.  He is not doing well and his time here on earth is drawing to a close.  He is so little to be in so much pain and his mother just wants peace for him in whatever form it comes.  So say extra prayers and hold your own children close and realize the blessings you have in your own life.  Tripp and his mama are amazingly beautiful and their faith in God is inspiring.  Tripp inspires me to be grateful for every second I have with Emma and to thank God for all the blessings in my life.  He is truly an angel on earth.