Day 182: Our best day

It's funny how out of all the days of your life it's so easy to quickly identify the ones that go down as "the best" -

• The day I met Dan
• The day Dan and I were married
• The day M was born
• The day P was born
• The day the Cubs won the World Series (wishful thinking...)
  
• The first time Dan came home from deployment
• The second time Dan came home from deployment
• The third time Dan came home from deployment

Yesterday was incredible for so many reasons. In a true Anne moment (or, as our good friends call them - a "Pulver move"), we actually missed welcoming Dan home off the plane. I was waiting with the kids in the baggage claim area watching the monitor to see when his plane would land. Little did I know the monitor was completely off and his plan was already on the ground and everyone had deplaned. I finally went to check again, turned the corner and saw a group of reservists standing around - my husband included. I don't think I'll ever forget the moment when I recognized the back of his head and it became real to me that he was actually home, safe and sound.

As you can imagine, celebration ensued. I wasn't sure how the kids would react - would they be anxious? Nervous? Scared? Enthralled? Turns out kids are pretty easy. The minute they saw their Daddy their faces broke into huge smiles and it was as if he had never left. As for us, Dan and I had about a 30 second adjustment period and then fell right back into lockstep. The fact that we're reuniting so beautifully is just another testament to the strength, courage and conviction of my amazing husband. He has chosen to leave the horrors - and trust me, they were plentiful - of Afghanistan behind and instead focus on his family and living in the present.

And that, my friends, is where our deployment story comes to a close. I want to thank each and every person who read this blog for supporting our family during this tumultuous time. The past 8 months have solidified my belief that people are inherently good and will come together to support you in your time of need. Throughout our journey, we heard from family, friends, long lost classmates, friends of friends and complete strangers. Everyone had the same message to share - we are here for you, you are not alone, we are thinking/praying/wishing/hoping that your husband will return home safely. Thank you to everyone who supported us - today, all our prayers were answered!!!!

Day 181: The missing link

 Mac took the last link off our deployment chain this morning!

The day we've been talking about for the past 8 months is finally here! Dan is scheduled to get in tonight at 7:45pm PDT. We're all a little nervous (well, I'm nervous about making a total scene at the airport) but am mostly just really excited to finally have Dan home! I promise we'll try to get a good pictures to share although it include a lot of red faces and puffy eyes!

Day 180: What I did on my summer vacation

As promised, here are a ton more pics from our vacation back to Chicago. We had so much fun and miss everyone already. Nana and Papa will be happy to know the kids were asking for them last night at bedtime. Looks like we'll just have to come back for another visit soon!

 Hangin' with our buds, M&M

 A visit from our dear Sarah

 Thumbs up

 Mildly better than the shot from last year

 Fun with the Parke family

 A visit from Mandy and sweet baby Elise

 Frick and Frack on the Fourth

 Celebrating Nana's b-day with the traditional flag cake

 Fireworks with Auntie Laura

 

Fun by the pool with cousins Carly and Sam

 Boating and breakfast with Denise and sweet Jasmine

Day 175 - 179: Endless summer

 

We've had an absolutely amazing time being back in Chicago. We were fortunate enough to see lots of friends and family, although I always feel like somehow there's not enough time! If we missed you this trip we'll have to get together next time we're back - or we'll just have to have a few more visitors out to California!

We ate too much, sunned too much, stayed up too late and made a boatload of great new memories. We're sad to leave but excited to get home and get ready for Dan's return in 2 MORE DAYS!!!! Lots more pictures to come soon!

Day 174: Beer

It's what's for breakfast. And hopefully lunch and dinner, too. Drink up, sweetie!

Day 173: T-7 days

Dan will be home exactly one week from today!!!!! I've been waiting a long, long time to write that post!!! Good thing I have work to keep me busy. Wish I could say the same for Dan - I think he's got a lot of hurry up and wait time between now and then. The good news is that he leaves for Germany on Wednesday so I'm hoping he'll be able to have a little fun (and a lot of beers!)