Happy, Happy Birthday Baby

Yep, you guessed it....today is my better whole, Quentin's, birthday. I'm so excited that this year we are celebrating together and not miles apart. I can't help but think back to last year at this time at the party I threw WITHOUT the guest of honor. It was fun...a little weird...but fun. We sent him the pictures and decorations and I made him a mini scrapbook of the party last year. Many of those same people will be at the house tonight, celebrating Quentin's birthday and the end of his 14 month deployment. Just a simple gathering with our closest friends and some cake...of course followed by a little football!

To my husband; you are the greatest! I am so proud of you and even prouder to be your wife. You've handled the past year incredibly well and I've seen how you've grown, especially in your spiritual walk. I pray that God continues to bless your life and our life together. I have to be the luckiest girl in the world. I wake up every day wondering how I got so lucky, because I know I'm not deserving...that's "agape" love! Thank you! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Quick Update

Well, I was going to show you some homecoming photos, but my scanner doesn't want to cooperate tonight...aargh! We've had a great past couple of days just readjusting as a family.

Saturday, Quentin's bus came in around 6:30am, so our day started early. He had been up all night, catching a flight out of Ft. McCoy and then the bus on into Paragould, so we all were exhausted and spent most of the day SLEEPING! But it was so nice to finally be sleeping in my hubby's arms. The community turned out in quite a large number even for such an early arrival and the feeling was just overwhelming watching the buses roll into the armory and seeing the soldiers walk down the steps and into the waiting arms of family and friends. Very emotional!

Sunday, we were able to attend church as a family and then we went and cheered Blake in his first football game of the season. It was great that Quentin was able to be there for that...even if we did lose.

Monday meant back to school and work for me and the kids, while Q just relaxed here at the house. It was a slow night...a rarity around here. Mal had volleyball practice and Blake had basketball practice, but that's slow considering most nights.

Today, I stayed home and we took Mal to get her braces off...yeah!...and to the eye doctor. We went and watched her volleyball game tonight and are just enjoying hanging out as a family. Nothing exciting, just normal! Something we've not had for the past 14 months. Oh, how I love normal!

Hopefully, my scanner will cooperate soon and I'll be able to put some pix up for you. Until then, you'll just have to take my word...my hubby looks GOOD!

Welcome Home Sgt. Bales

This picture is of us at 5:45am...waiting on daddy to roll into Paragould! I cannot even describe right now the feeling of watching those busses pull in at the armory and seeing my soldier step off that bus. The friends, family, media, community, and supporters was just overwhelming! Welcome Home 875th EN BN Charlie Co and Welcome Home Sgt. Bales...we've missed you!!

Wild Ride

Well, the past 24 hours have been a wild ride...the military has changed arrival times at least a dozen times and arrival destinations a half a dozen....but I just talked to my soldier and he's on the bus awaiting to be shuttled to the airplane. In less than 12 hours, I'll be wrapped in the arms of my beloved. I can't wait! I've managed to get the house ready...cleaned, banners hung, etc....and I helped Blake's class hang posters at the armory...I pray that stay up through the night. I drove through town this evening and looked at all the signs and banners of support and was overwhelmed with pride and emotion. I'm so proud to be called an army wife...even if they do change their minds a million times...lol! Well, I'm off to bed. The next time I blog, will probably be about the wonderful homecoming! Yeah!!

Tomorrow...

..tomorrow..I love you tomorrow..you're only a day away." Oh, excuse me..I was about to break out in a little song and dance there. It is so exciting to be able to say that my husband will be home TOMORROW!!! I was extremely frustrated yesterday with the military process and choice of arrival times and such, but today I'm focusing on the positive. He will be home in the morning (bright and early...around 6am) and we will have the entire weekend togethter. The house is pretty much ready...of course the scrapbook room is far from where I'd like it to be, but at least he can get to his closet. The rest of the house is great and laundry is almost completely finished. I have a friend that's going to take Mal shopping tonight for her homecoming dress so I can stay home and finish up some last minute details. It's going to be wonderful! I can't wait to give my soldier a great big hug and kiss!! It's finally over!

Thankful Thursday

Good morning blog world! It's such a neat idea to be intentionally thankful each Thursday and not just on Thanksgiving. This week, I have been so blessed!
*I am thankful that my husband landed safely in Wisconsin..home from Iraq
*I am thankful for cell phones, so I can talk to my husband until he reaches our HOME
*I am thankful for rain...we haven't had a good rain in quite some time, but this week the sky just opened up
*I am thankful for a vehicle that gets me from point A to point B efficiently...I am on the go ALOT!
*I am thakful for my children and their willingness to be flexible this past year

What are you thankful for? To check out other Thankful Thursday post go to www.unequalmarriage.typepad.com and while you're there...leave your own list of gratitudes!

Military Friendships...holding it all together

I've been watching and listening to the media coverage most of the day, and am overwhelmed with pride! I watched the 10 o'clock news tonight, and they ran the story of the wives and the FRG ....as I watched myself, Carrie, Sherri, and others tell how this group of wives has impacted their lives...it brought me to tears. It is true. We've formed friendships and bonds that won't be easily broken. I've met people through email, blogs, and FRG meetings that come from all over the world and all walks of life...but with one common thread...we love a soldier. The military life may not have been one we chose, but it's where we find ourselves. I'm somewhat saddened that the dynamics of these friendships will change once our soldiers are home. I don't mean that in a bad way. It's just that my "go-to" person has been the FRG friends and now all that will change...again. That's a good thing. I'm glad to see my husband back, but I'd be lying if I said I won't miss the spontaneity of the military friendships I've made. This experience has cemented these friendships to be lifetime friends. So, to all the friends that have supported me....new and old alike...thank you! Hooah!