Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down - #9

UP:

• HE'S HOME!!!!! Mike returned from a nearly 7 month deployment on Tuesday night. He was originally flying a jet back, but with all the delays and maintenance issues he kept getting delayed. Both of us were starting to worry if he was going to make it back before Kennedy was born. The opportunity presented itself in Spain for Mike to switch and get a direct flight on a C-17 and he jumped on it! It was all very sudden and I didn't find out until the night before. I cried for like 20 minutes before I could even call anyone to let them know he would be home then. It was such a relief! 
• Now back to HE'S HOME!!! It's amazing how quickly our family has already settled back into functioning as a family unit again. I figured it would take a while to transition back to relating with each other in the same way and for Jackson to remember Daddy. It has taken no time at all. Jackson recognized Mike right off the bat, but it took only a few hours before he remembered what it was like to have Daddy around. They've been getting along great! Same with Mike and I, it's like he never left! We are so excited he made it back safe and sound. Most of his squadron has also returned, but there are still a few guys that won't be back for another week or so....Please pray for their safe return as well.

Jackson...ready for the plane to land! Rover is Mike's call sign.

Out at the flight line, watching Mike's plane land.

It was torture...we got to watch the plane land and then all the guys were bused inside for customs. All we could do is wave as they drove by and wait for ~30 minutes until customs was finished with them.

Our good friend Adam Mattheis was on his way back to Lakenheath from deplyoment in Korea and was able to help us welcome Mike home! So glad he also made it home safely!

He's Home!

Jackson getting some cuddles with Daddy!

Had to show a couple of pics of the house. This is a wreath I made for Mike's homecoming!

We had the sign, sparkly garland hung from the porch, and of course yellow ribbons on the twigs known as trees out here!

• Yes, we have another up! While nothing can top Mike coming home, this is pretty big too! Friday, we purchased a 2007 Honda Odyssey! We are officially mini-van owners! For all of you out there that don't have children, you have to understand that a mini-van to a parent is like a loaded Audi or something for you! It makes life so much easier. There is a ton of leg room, car seats fit with ease, the kids have vents in the back to keep them cool/warm, leather seats for easy clean up, TONS of storage space for toys, snacks, etc., a DVD player for long road trips....I could go on and on! I absolutely love it! Plus we got a great deal with trading in Mike's car!

Posing for a pic with Mike, the car salesman, before we drove off in our new van!

Down:

• Seriously hard to find a down after a week like this! Jackson is super attached to Mike now, but there is this panic anytime Mike leaves the room or Jackson has to go to bed. Jackson thinks Mike will leave again and he starts crying and saying, "Daddy, Daddy." It's starting to get a little better, but I can totally understand where he is coming from. In the meantime, we are just trying to be reassuring and let him know Daddy is not leaving, he's just going potty or at work, but he'll be back soon. At any rate, it gives me great joy seeing the two of them together again, especially now that Jackson can communicate! Hopefully he will understand that Daddy is sticking around for a while!

Love this pic my friend Heather took of Mike and Jackson! 

Mike and Jackson out to welcome another group of jets home!