Welcome Home.

I've been home for one week. Kara Branstetter was kind enough to fly down to Oklahoma City just to drive to Boise as soon as she got there. Maybe she'll have to come back with me and really experience the city that I've learned to love. Kara, one of my very best friends, is notorious for being...not a light packer. This was no exception and that is just one of the things that we have in common. So she flew in with all her bags, and I picked her up with my car loaded down and poor Yuki ended up through some miracle of Tetris with just enough room to breathe.

To backtrack a little... Kevin and I were at the baggage drop off at 06:30. This was both of our first times pre-deployment and neither of us knew what to expect. There was a lot of airman and family milling about, and tensions were high. You could taste the nervousness in the air. I think it was the first time for quite a few airman, and their families. It was hard to see so many children and to think that it must only amplify the emotions and distress felt by all. They have so much support for the families but you simply cannot replace time lost.

We talked for awhile, were briefed for awhile, and then Kevin went through another improcessing. When he got back we spoke for awhile until about 09:00 a commander said, "We don't want to be rude, but families need to be out of here within ten minutes." I don't think there is really any good way to say that, but that's ok. I had assumed Kevin would be leaving me and I wouldn't have to be the one to walk away. I know sometime Kevin may have to go through a deployment that is much more dangerous and long than this one, and I do not know how I will do it because the only thing that I kept thinking as I walked away was, "It's only three months, I'll see him again, and he'll be home in three short months, just three short months." ...it's been a week.

I'm just glad that we have this short deployment to test the waters before anything longer, and that everything has fallen so cleanly into place. I was able to come home, I do have some work, we don't have any children yet and thank goodness I don't have to practice being a single mom temporarily. It's also better than it could have been for Kevin. He is lucky enough to be working support right now, which is an inside job... which really translates to mean AIR CONDITIONING! That is a big deal in the middle east.

So after a heartwrenching goodbye, is there any other kind?, I bid my time until Kara's flight came in. I ran a few errands, walked the dog, and waited for finance to open to finish some paperwork before I left the state. There was minor drama there and I had to argue a bit with the financial... helpers. The paper pushers. She didn't want to accept my power of attorney because it wasn't specific, but we got general for the exact reason that it covered EVERYTHING. (specifically and government and legal document and finances.) Finance was closed in the middle of the day anyway for training, and there were a lot of frustrated people waiting already. I'm not sure how anything really gets done with all the training in the military. There's a point when you think that preforming the functions your trained for.... should be training enough? Perhaps training should at the very least not be the majority of the time wasted, I mean spent, because the job still needs to get done. Anyway as a military wife, I am becoming proficient in doing things in lieu of Kevin and micromanaging.

After Kara's flight arrived we made a short trip to the shoppette and commissary for some dinner, and drinks and car snacks, then headed out on our way! Kara had brought some books on tape, and they made the drive... the 24 hour drive... go by so much more quickly. We did come upon quite the storm in Kansas, and the whole sky was lighting up with lightening. Having been in storms in OK I know that in that area they can go from mild to deadly in minutes and I had a feeling we shouldn't be driving. I turned on the radio which confirmed, "take cover, seek shelter." We pulled over at the next town and stopped at a motel 8 to listen to get some more information. We were headed directly into the storm, and there were tornado warnings. There was also golf sized hail. We were only stopped for about two hours then headed on our way again. It was fun and so much better than being alone, but it was a long drive. I think that may be the last time I ever drive that long straight. It was stupid and dangerous though I was so focused I didn't feel tired or crash until the night after I got home. So total I was up for, 38 hours.

Since I've been home things have been hectic. Kristen and Sawyer came into town and spent a fun week with the family. Bryson and Sarah graduated last night, and Mom and Dad are preparing for their trip to Australia Monday Night. They'll be gone three months as well as Bryson, and I think it is going to be the experience of a lifetime! It has been wonderful to spend time with loved ones even during such a stressful and busy time. My Nephew makes everything more enjoyable by smiling and grinning at everyone and everything. He giggle is infectious. It's nice to have the addition and it makes me want to see and hold just that much more my other little nephew Jett.

I can't say I'm not looking forward to spending the summer alone. I think it will be a great opportunity to get quite a bit of reading done, and an opportunity to grow and develop some new habits, hobbies, and talents. I may move back to OK an amazingly talented new person! Mostly I'm trying to stay busy and avoid counting the days until Kevin returns.

Lastly, for now, December 23rd we are moving to Ellensburg, WA to begin school at Central Washington University January 5th. We'll be wildcats and I'm sure we'll have fun getting involved at the school and within the community. We got the go ahead from all supervision, and the early release for education for Kevin's enlistment has been approved. I AM counting the days for that and could not be more thrilled! Washington is beautiful and close to home.