It has been a week since we picked up Andy from the airport- how quickly a week passes when you’re not waiting for his return and you’re actually enjoying time WITH him. I posted our reunion photos up on facebook, you can view the album here if you are interested.
Our trek to LAX took about 2 1/2 hours- Andy’s flight from Baltimore was scheduled to come in at 12:50pm. Thank goodness there was a slight delay since the line to get a pass through TSA was longer than we had anticipated (I am still so thankful for the TSA angel that came walking toward us at just the right moment!). We arrived at the gate with about 5 minutes to spare- just enough time to get my camera adjusted and handed over to Lt. Campos- the gal that coordinated and managed Andy’s airport details.
The people at the gate were outstanding- I’m not sure a movie director could have cued a better applause for the welcome home of my husband. I thought I would have let the girls run over to him to hug him and welcome him home, but no, once I saw him, I did a rather loud Yea! or a Yelp! (it’s hard to differentiate as I reflect on it), and went running in for a hug. It was a tender and memorable moment, one that goes down on my top ten favorite moments in our life together. It must say something about our relationship, too, if I was that excited to see him that I momentarily forgot about our very important little people that I jumped and ran to be in his arms upon sight. Either way, we are all very happy to have Andy safely home from Afghanistan after a 7.5 month separation. The girls can’t get enough wrestle time in with the dad 
I have more to say on deployment and family separation but I think I will leave that for another day, I just wanted to jot a few things here before too much time passed. Thank you to some very special friends and my family for being so supportive during the past 7.5 months. I appreciate each one of you that helped make the time pass so quickly, you are very dear to me and I am grateful.
The girls and I took a California road trip last week- the last full week that Andy will be deployed. Friends that have been in this position before mentioned that the final weeks were the SLOWest couple of weeks awaiting their spouse to arrive home. The road trip was a good deterrence from slow moving summer days, filled with wonderful friend visits and new adventures, but we are here at home now, ready to embrace the first few relaxing summer days.
Fun-filled Easter baskets!
(they each got clipboards for the car drives, loved them!)
One cute set of bunny ears!
We spent the morning at the chapel and the afternoon enjoying linner (lunch + dinner) with our neighbors and an egg grab. It was a really nice way to celebrate Resurrection Day (I might be able to do without the post- Easter candy stash, though!).
Last weekend was the official (but unofficial) halfway mark through Andy’s deployment/training time away . I am not sure how other spouses work out time frames for their families, but I wouldn’t allow myself to count time until the first week of February- for fear that time would drag on.
Andy was even able to Skype in to enjoy the celebration, woo-hoo!
We did a lot of ice cream eating and socializing, so I didn’t actually get many photos of other people here, but they were! We have had a tremendous amount of support from our Edwards Family, and I feel so grateful for each one of them that have come into our lives.
And I tell you what, we can’t WAIT!
Last month, we headed to my folks’ house to celebrate Christmas as a family. Sarah was really excited since we haven’t been with our extended family over Christmas for a few years. Since they are the only grandchildren on both sides, it’s really all about them, too. In the evening, Andy’s mom and brother were able to enjoy Christmas dinner with us and even a little skype with Andy.
Our weekend down south was prompted by a girls’ night out get together with some gals I graduated high school with (yea Class of ’95!). I love fitting in as much as I can, so the girls and I keep busy busy, visiting old friends and hanging with my family. I’m absolutely exhausted this Sunday evening- which means 1. It’s true, I’m getting old and shouldn’t try to pack in everything in 2 1/2 days, OR 2. We really did have a great weekend. I’m going with the latter.
Thanks for the picture, Mary 
When it’s all said and done, Andy won’t even be home for 48 hours this weekend (he’s home for our older girls’ dance recital), but as you can see, Lauren is making every moment home with him count.
We headed up to 
We headed outdoors for a walk along the trail. I would call it “hiking” but we exerted almost little to no extra energy so a walk it was. The paths were surrounded by a gorgeous mixture of Virginia Bluebells and other greenery.
We later drove over to the farm to see the baby goats, lambs and pigs that were born recently. Here’s Sarah doing another activity she loves: Cartwheels.
Oh– Lauren, too. Hey, keepin’ it real here. We’re not always sunshine and smiles…
