What a wonderful week we have had at our home. "THE DADDY" is back, and I am no longer the boss! WHEW! As you can see we are all pretty excited, well Meri Ellis is too she just doesn't smile for the camera right now! Anyway Stephen arrived Tuesday night, evening being the reason for the kids being in p.j.s, and it was so GREAT. It was even better than when he came home from his first long deployment. Seeing our little boy RUN to his Daddy made all those months separated so worth being a family. It is hard being a single parent, even though I had a lot of support, I don't ever want to go it alone! Besides I sorta love the guy!!

Well we are having a party at our house tomorrow. Dale will be five on Monday!! Time has flown by!!!! I have made the cake, set out the drinks and ordered cupcakes in case the cake is yucky looking. After last year I learned 2 things...make the cake at least the day before and not to serve a meal!! Anyway we are having a very special guest at the pirate themed event. Captain Jack Sparrow himself will be here!! I will post photos later. Also I will post reasons why you should make a cake a day ahead!! Last years cake was a bomb so to speak!!

Well I am off to bed...

love to all,

E

So in order to "lift" my spirits I am having a "slumber party!" No spending the night but some gals from church are coming over Saturday night at 8:30. So I guess we are having a girls night in! I am already feeling better and looking forward to the fellowship! Come if you can!

Love,
E

So maybe he will be home on Wednesday. Not Sunday like we were thinking. The uncertainty definitely drains me, my family and others too I am sure!! So PLEASE just pray Stephen home, specifically WEDNESDAY! I am missing him pretty good now!! I am just thankful for good advice, "don't tell the children until you are SURE he is on his way and FOR CERTAIN he will be home!" Their little hearts couldn't handle it I am sure! We can however, start on the Welcome home banners!!

Love to all,

E

Well the entire time my husband has been away I have not blogged about it. Well, now I am ! I am going to say THANK YOU to my family and close friends that have made the time so much easier for myself and the kids. We are at the end of the deployment and I have a favor to ask. Could you all please pray that he gets home for Dale's birthday! We are thinking that Stephen may be allowed to fly "space A" home. This is a fancy way of saying hitching a ride with an air force plane. So far this looks good and he will make it home in a few days! However AF planes are notorious for breaking down! Often in obscure places, so just pray for a safe and fast trip home. Also that he will be here on Sunday, Monday...like we are thinking. Schedule changes are really hard for me!

Wow! I cannot believe it has been 6 months already!! I know that the transitions for us all will be emotional. I just know we are excited about DADDY being home!! Yeah! Here is a photo of him with the kids before he left...these were actually taken the night he left. I love them.