The Morning He Turned 40

PK has a crazy work schedule.  His birthday happend to fall on a Monday this year which meant he wouldn't be home until late, so we had to celebrate early.  He got up and went to the gym about 5 a.m. and the kids and I got up to surprise him when he returned.  We turned out all the lights and sat on the windowseat in the kitchen.  When he finally (he must have been motivated to do an extra long workout since he hit the big 4...0....) returned he walked into the kitchen and we all yelled, "Surprise." 

 

Then we all had cookie cake for breakfast because that is how this family rolls.



 

Back in the Good Ol' USA

PK has been able to sleep in his own bed for two nights now.  He was up for almost 48 hours on the journey home and I was surpised when he got up early the first morning home.  I think his body still thought it was in Bahrain where it would have been about 2:00 in the afternoon.

We had a failed attempt to get him home five days early.  He had returned to Bahrain and was not going to be sent back out to a ship so it was decided he would be sent home.  I took this as a blessing, not only because he would be home early, but because it was right before Grandma passed away.  There was a huge mix up with the military system that tickets and he ended up coming home on his origianl date.  It was frustrating on both ends, but he is home and it is over.

He had told me to just drive by the terminal to pick him up about 1:30.  His flight was scheduled to arrive at 12:55.  I decided that we would surprise him at baggage claim.  I checked his flight information before leaving the house and his flight was on time.  We arrived in the parking garage at 12:55 and made it to baggage claim within 5 minutes.  I knew there was no way he could have made it from his plane to baggage claim that quickly, so we waited....and waited....and waited and waited some more.  I walked outside the doors to make sure he hadn't made it outside before we got in, but no sign of him.  I must have checked the arrival board and confirmed the baggage claim turnstyle number a dozen times. 

After an hour, I realized PK probably had to clear customs and that was the hold up.  After and hour and a half, I was afraid he may have missed his connecting flight in Amsterdam.  I called home to check messages, but nothing.  I knew if he hadn't made it on the plane in Bahrain he would have contacted me.  Finally, a large group of people started to form around the baggage claim area and bags started to appear.

This was very timely as Hannah started to ask why we couldn't talk about bombs at the airport.

Rachel spotted the smiley face tag on PK's bag, so we knew at least his luggage made it home.  Then as I was scouring the sea of faces, I spotted him.  He saw me and I saw him say to the man next to him, "There is my family."  He had been seated next to a retired soldier who was now a contractor in Iraq and they were walking together.  I told the kids I spotted him and they stood still for a brief second.  I said, "Go get him."

And they did.

He was tired, but home.  Once he got off the plane, he had to claim his bags and make it through customs.  Then he had to go through security and recheck his bags before coming to baggage claim to claim them again.   A long process.

The kids talked to him non-stop in the car.  We went for a late lunch on the way home.  The kids didn't want to eat before we got him because they thought he might be hungry, too.

The kids made a welcome home sign for him all by themselves.



We looked at some videos he had taken on the ships.  I thought it was cool that he saw Somali pirates because I follow the news and I am just that way.  He said the warship would send out a small boat, but the pirates would throw their weapons overboard before the sailors arrived on their vessel.

He had videos of people transferring from ship to ship via helicoptor and small boats, helicoptors transferring supplies and lines between ships to transfer supplies.  The kids just wanted to see the video of the dolphins.

We kept the kids home from school the day after he got home so we could hang out as a family.  Life seemed normal and it almost seems as though he was never gone.  I did his laundry and he caught up on some things that had to be done.  We started a family game of Risk and went to movie night at the kids' school. 

When the kids would argue or tattle, I would just step back and stare at PK until he intervened.  At one point he and I were in his office talking and Hannah came in to tell us that Aaron had hit the dog with a stuffed animal.  PK told her to tell Aaron to come here.  She ran off and we heard her say, "Aaron, Mommy wants you." 

PK had his car towed and the battery replaced as his wife may not have done a good job starting it while he was gone.  I actually cooked a real meal (salmon patties, fried potatoes and black eyed peas) and we sat at the diningroom table.  Sounds normal, but I think I only cooked a real meal twice while he was gone.

It is good to have him home.

Mizpah

Today is the day. PK leaves for Bahrain for two months. The day has crept up on us and come in a hurry all at once.

He hasn't packed. He will be going from ship to ship so he needs to keep the packing light, his uniforms and a few civvies.

We decided to work through a devotional book together while he is gone. I was thinking we would do the same book, but PK wants to do Power of a Praying Husband. I have read, studied and devoured Power of a Praying Wife, but I am going to do it again.

Last night it hit me that he was leaving. I rolled over in bed and put my hand on his chest and realized tonight and for the next two months that spot will be empty. I began to feel overwhelmed and panicked. Where did those feelings come from? We have been apart for longer than two months before. This could be worse. We've had friends deploy for six, twelve or even fifteen months. I began to pray and run scripture through my head and fell asleep. I awoke in peace. That comes from the LORD.

It was called Mizpah because he said, "May the Lord keep watch between you and me when we are away from each other." Genesis 31:49

He's Home

Finally. P.K. spent the summer working with the recruits up at Great Lakes. He made it home yesterday. We are so happy to have him back.

He brought flowers for Mommy.

The kids and I all got new Navy shirts. As if we don't already have tons of Navy gear in our house. I think P.K. brought me a new one in hopes I will stay out of his. Nice try.

He brought Aaron a light up key chain which include directions for Morse Code. They both speak fluent gadget.

Rachel got a snowglobe for her collection.

Hannah got a stuffed giraffe. That girl loves stuffed animals and this one works well in her jungle room.

The kids had been making cards for P.K. for days.

Aaron saved his bottle caps from his root beer at Cracker Barrel to make this smiley face. He made sure P.K. smelled the caps. Too cute.

Hannah gave him a container with a bonus round of kisses inside.

Rachel made this very special card.

We are going to make the most of the rest of the weekend before the kids are off to school tomorrow and P.K. is back to work. Life goes on.