Reunited

Matt came home from Afghanistan a little over 2 weeks ago.  With dates and flights changing we decided not to tell the children until it was for sure.  After more than 24 hours of nearly straight travel from Afghanistan, to Kyrgyzstan, and through Germany, Matt arrived in Baltimore.  In Baltimore he got to go out to dinner with his brother Ben and called home to let the children know that he was on his way.  They were so excited.  The children were motivated to help me clean and decorate for Matt's arrival.  On the big day I had Kylee and Brayden go to school so that I could have more time to get things ready.  I picked them up on our way to the airport.  With pompoms and a sign the kids waited for Matt to arrive.  When Brayden saw Matt he went running up to him and the other children followed.  I wanted to video tape Matt's arrival, but with tears in my eyes I wasn't able to.  

With Blake being young we were worried that he wouldn't remember Matt, but he took to him right away.  He was happy to see him and laid his head on Matt's shoulder.  Both Blake and Julia wanted to hold Matt's hand while we walked to the car.  

At home the kids sprayed Matt with silly string.  We thought the people at the airport would not appreciate the mess.  

The kids were anxious to spend time with Matt. Brayden was excited to play his Indiana Jones Wii game with Matt.

The day was beautiful so we spent time in the backyard and on the trampoline.
  

We all headed over to Rudy's, our favorite barbeque place, for dinner.


We are so grateful to be reunited as a family, especially with the very sad news a week later of the death of my cousin, Jake Whetten.  He was an army ranger serving in Afghanistan and was 31 years old when he was killed when an IED exploded under a convoy he was traveling in on March 12, 2010.  We are grateful for his service and mourn his loss with the rest of his family who will miss him sorely.