Joel came home twelve days ago. I’ve not written since then. We’ve been busy!
Here’s the wrap up for those that care.

Wednesday - Feb 13
Springfield Public Schools canceled classes again because of the ice. I let the kids sleep in. When Jeremiah awoke, he came to me grinning and said, “NO MORE DAYS!” He had been counting down since we dropped Joel of after R&R almost 300 days earlier. As our morning progressed, Jeremiah got more and more grumpy. I couldn’t figure out why since he had been so excited earlier.

On the way to the airport, Jeremiah got sick and threw up all over himself and his “My daddy is a soldier over there” shirt. We didn’t have enough time to go home and get new clothes. I cleaned him off as much as I could and gave him a Zip-lock sack I found in the trunk… just in case he got sick again. He did… repeatedly. This wasn’t how he had imagined his daddy’s homecoming. He felt so sick, he said that I should call Joel and tell him we can’t pick him up. When I rejected that suggestion, he said he would just stay in the car. Poor little guy. His attitude changed when we entered the airport and found Joel’s brother waiting for us.

With only a few minutes before Joel’s estimated arrival time, we rushed to get our gate passes and through security. [Families of deployed soldiers can get passes to go past the security check points so they can greet their loved one a little sooner.]

The kids gazed out the window, waiting for Joel’s plane to arrive. They saw a soldier step off the plane and yelled with excitement. We ran to the gate and waited for him to walk in. As he came through the door, Jeremiah and Sarah took off running towards him. I have a video of Jeremiah falling flat on his face on the way to hug his daddy. Poor little guy. He quickly recovered and hugged his daddy for the first time in nine months. Suddenly, he felt much better.

We all did.

Thursday - Feb 14
The kids went back to school on Thursday. Instead of the potentially romantic time alone while they were in class… Joel and I went car shopping. It had to be done, we sold his truck when he deployed. After a few hours of shopping, we bought a Buick Regal for cash. It’s nice and nostalgic. Joel drove a Regal while we were dating… around 15 years ago.

Friday - Feb 15
Mom and Dad got into town on Friday morning. They took care of the kids while Joel and I went to Fort Leonard Wood to sign some papers and meet his commander. At first, I wanted to be angry at Joel for going to work only two days after he got home… then I realized I would have wanted to do the same thing.

Saturday - Feb 16
We had a homecoming party for Joel. A few good friend stopped by to welcome him home. I was pretty disappointed with the turn out. I guess we shouldn’t have scheduled it on a holiday weekend when everyone was leaving town.

Sunday - Feb 17
I WENT TO CHURCH WITH MY MAN! I looked forward to this morning for months. Oh how I hate going to church alone. Sundays were the worst day for me, the day I missed him most of all. Joel helped me get the kids ready, he dropped us off at the door so I wouldn’t have to walk across two parking lots with two kids in tow… he held my hand as we walked through the lobby, he sat by me in church… Really, people you shouldn’t take these things for granted. What seems mundane to you might very well be the one thing someone misses the most.

After church, we went to a CCFG leadership meeting. I enjoyed introducing Joel to a few of my friends.

Monday - Feb 18
Joel took care of stuff at home while I went to class and worked on homework. Ahhh… I’m no longer a single seminarian. That night we joined my AGTS family at Incredible Pizza. Once again, I got to introduce Joel to tons of new friends.

Tuesday - Feb 19
Joel went to Jefferson City for training while I attended a couple of classes and tried to pack for a spur of the moment trip to Tennessee.

Wednesday - Feb 20
We spent the entire day driving to Rachel’s house. One week after Joel flew into Springfield, he got to meet my best friend who just happens to live 600 miles away. I’m SO GLAD they actually liked each other. Phew! That’s a relief.

Thursday - Feb 21
Joel slept in while I hung out with Rachel and did some homework. I turned a paper in that afternoon then Joel and I drove to Pigeon Forge… leaving our kids with Rachel.

We got to our cabin right before eight. It’s absolutely beautiful. I’ll link you to photos when Joel posts them. After checking in, we had dinner at No Way Jose’s and then bought groceries for the rest of our time.

Friday - Feb 22
I woke up a few hours earlier than Joel and spent the time peacefully reading a book by Earl Creps. Chris Rice sang a few hymns. The sun came up over the Smokey Mountains and I wished that I could stay there forever.

Joel and I enjoyed the day together, cooking delicious food, playing pool and nearly killing ourselves by standing up too quickly after sitting in a hot jacuzzi too long. There should be large red signs warning against such things.

Saturday - Feb 23
We checked out of our cabin at 10 then met Chris and Rachel and the kids at the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies. [They have great military discounts.]

After lunch, we drove to Joel’s mom’s house where we enjoyed dinner and a couple of card games. Late that night we got back to Rachel’s house. I stayed up all night long laughing and crying and talking and praying with my dear friend.

Sunday - Feb 24
We spent all of yesterday driving home from Tennessee. I’ve driven that road several times in the last year… but this time… I got to nap! Now that Joel’s home, he drives.