Last Sunday was one of my least favorite days... EVER! It started off being a rough day just because it was the day that David was "supposed" to come home. Main Body 4 was returning that day, but they didn't have room for everyone and needed some to wait and go with Main Body 5. No one offered to stay, so my husband, being who he is, volunteered to stay. I was impressed he stepped up, but super frustrated that I had to wait even longer. I got the kids up and ready for church. There was lots of wailing, whining, and gnashing of teeth. A perfectly wretched morning! I was still fighting off a lingering cold and was feeling completely miserable. I finally got us all out the door and loaded into the car. I went to start the car and had to look around to see if diesel truck had started at the same time! I got out and looked under the car to find my exhaust system lying on the ground! How the heck?! No idea. I unloaded the kids, traipsed back inside, and had myself a good cry. The first of many that day. A friend offered to come get us and take us to church, but at that point I was in no condition to be amongst the masses! And then... my back went out! I was bent over like a ninety year old woman in incredible pain. Another good cry. And then the buses of Main Body 4 went by. Another good cry. Just one of those days, I guess. No fear... it got better. I have amazing friends and family that buoyed my spirits. Not to mention my kids crack me up... as seen in the pictures taken that day. Our super diligent Home Teacher came over and took a look at the car. Diagnosis... cracked catalytic converter. He spent a couple days during his lunch and after work working on it. Had I taken it in, it could have cost me near $1000 for parts and labor! $25 and a few days later, the car was good to go! I made it through that horrible, no good, very bad Sunday. Good thing David didn't come in with Main Body 4, I wouldn't have been able to pick him up! It all worked out for the best in the end. Things always do.
Before shot...
Pile o' hair...
It took us a bit to get used to. I kept looking over at him wondering where my little baby went. He grew into his new do in no time! Now I can't imagine him the other way. Not to mention I now don't have people telling me what a beautiful little girl I have! So much less maintenance as well. Especially since the other day Malia slathered his head in mud! Now he and papa have the same do!
The morning after David returned home, I got to sleep in. Little Man Abram also slept in. Little did I know that Mali and her Papa were out and about! They walked over to the PX and Mali got her Papa to buy her this tea set. Of course when they got home, a tea party was in order!
And here they are! I have no idea which one is David! All I know is that my heart was SO full and I was bawling like a baby. I was so incredibly proud of all our brave soldiers...
FAMILIES ARE FOREVER...
The ceremony was relatively short and soon we were out the door with our hero. All he had to do was grab his bags. While he was doing so, I loaded the kids into the car and Abram was out before David even got back! 
We stopped at home, gave David a tour of his new home, and went out for lunch to Red Robin. I can't even believe his home! Still two weeks later, I just catch myself staring at him in awe. I know I am so blessed to have him return safely. I am loving every minute having the man of the home back where he belongs. Malia is SO in love with her papa. If I had a dollar for every time she has said, "Papa I missed you SO much!", I'd be a rich lady! Abram took a couple hours to warm up but is now super attached. If David is hugging me, Abram pushes us apart and goes to David! I love my little family with all my heart and am eagerly awaiting our summer of FUN!
The sign I made to take to the Homecoming ceremony...
Outside decorations... A friend said she lined her walk with little flags for her husband's homecoming... I found these flag pinwheels and did the same... Malia loved helping me... Although the wind tore them apart a few days later...
And the fun doesn't stop there! Besides inside and outside decorations, we each had shirts on expressing our love! I know... a bit cheesy. But hey, we were super excited...
I also had a free banner made that we hung on the back fence. Plus the banner that you saw in a past post that we hung on the fence outside post. If there was a homecoming preparation to be had, we did it! It helped pass the time while waiting.
Abram's allergies make snack time awfully tricky. He is allergic to milk, eggs and nuts. It pretty much wipes out all cookies and most crackers. While it can be good for limiting his processed food intake, sometimes the little guy just wants a cookie! Oreos to the rescue! While they can be quite messy, they don't contain any of his allergens. His favorite (occasional) snack!