Okay so this all really started the last day of Feb. but I am counting it as March. So James came home from Afghanistan!!! He is home for good. What a spectacular day it was. Erin was so excited she
couldn't stand/sit still.
I was pretty happy to see him too!!!
Along with him was my brother, my brother-in-law and his brother that all came home so there was a big crowd of us. Afterward we all went out to eat at the Cracker Barrel to celebrate.
When we came home we had a big surprise. I wish I could give what happened her justice but it was so wonderful I don't believe I can.
As we began our decent into the neighborhood we noticed signs like this and tons of yellow ribbons lining the street. The closer we got the more there was. As we got closer we noticed flags in every one's yard. We then turned onto our street and there were more flags, balloons and yellow ribbons then you can imagine. But even more than that there was tons of people clapping and waving and giving James the welcome home he deserved. I had no idea any of this was going to happen. It was wonderful and beautiful and I wish I could show how much gratitude I have in my heart for these wonderful people.
As if all this isn't wonderful enough James and I decided to run away to Hawaii for a week without the girls. It was absolutely beautiful and wonderful. I loved it so much we saw and did so many magnificent things.
I know this is hard to see enlarge it if you can, but we saw Humpback Whales! I know awesome.
The fresh air was wonderful.
My favorite thing was the Polynesian Cultural Center. It was so fun. I learned so much and saw and did so much. James decided to jump out of his shell and have the time of his life. He tried to make fire by rubbing sticks together. He "learned" to dance and he played the drums. For the rest of our vacation he was famous. People would stop us wherever we went remembering James playing the drums.
The night show was superb. The fire dancing was our favorite.
We visited the Dole Plantation and I fell in love with how little these pineapples were. I just couldn't believe it. We also had some pineapple ice cream there and it was delightful.
Of coarse we visited the USS Arizona. It was very sombering and wonderful. You really would have to visit to get the feel for the place, it just felt sacred.
Our last favorite highlight was snorkeling in Haunama Bay. This was awesome. So many fish and we saw some sea turtles like 3 feet away from us. We liked it so much we went back again.
This month has been so wonderful. I am so grateful that James is home. Lily is already a Daddy's girl and prefers him over me. Erin can hardly leave him alone. And I am just so happy to have him with me. I can feel my sanity coming back.
couldn't stand/sit still.
I was pretty happy to see him too!!!
As we began our decent into the neighborhood we noticed signs like this and tons of yellow ribbons lining the street. The closer we got the more there was. As we got closer we noticed flags in every one's yard. We then turned onto our street and there were more flags, balloons and yellow ribbons then you can imagine. But even more than that there was tons of people clapping and waving and giving James the welcome home he deserved. I had no idea any of this was going to happen. It was wonderful and beautiful and I wish I could show how much gratitude I have in my heart for these wonderful people.
The fresh air was wonderful.
