He's Home!!!

It almost feels like a dream. I almost have to pinch myself to be sure I am not dreaming. Mario flew into Tucson yesterday just before 11 am. I had heard that families could go to the gate to meet the deployed member. So I got to the airport early and got an escort pass and met him right as he walked out. After worrying for 3 months before the deployment and the entire 6 months during it, it was such a relief to have him home safely. I cried tears of joy!

I wasn't the only one getting teary eyed this week. Several women told me that when the twins announced in sharing time that "daddy is coming home tomorrow," they shed a few tears.

I convinced Mario to let me pick him up alone and leave the four kids in school. It was so nice to have a few hours with him alone. I knew it would be a little overwhelming when the kids got home. I knew they would all be so talkative (and talk over each other) and be so excited.

On the way home from the airport, we got a phone call from Sister Park, our neighbor. I handed the phone to Mario and I heard him ask her what was wrong. I immediately thought our house must be on fire. Itt turns out, she was dropping a warm pie off at the house for Mario (because she has a key). But she didn't know the alarm was on. I never set the alarm when I go out, but Mario tells me to, so I set it that day so he would be impressed I was using it. She said her ears rang for 2 hours after that. Poor Sister Park. But the pie was very good.

Here's video of the twins seeing Mario for the first time:

Unfortunately I don't have video from the big kids. But they were very excited too. Mario brought home gifts from the Afghan bazaar for each of us. I got a beautiful bowl, Eric a compass, Erin a horse, Nathan a shield, and Zachary a bugle. We'll see how long before Zach's gift finds its way to to the trash!

It is so nice having my best friend back. Mario has been wonderful. I had heard stories about other husbands coming home and forgetting how to help out around the house because they had been gone for so long. Not Mario. He went right to work. Mario is great with the kids and gently reminds each of them to show me respect and to quickly obey. He is careful not to overdue it right away though. He doesn't want them to resent him coming home.

I feel like our family is complete now.