The wait had ended and now I wait again??

See that beautiful girl there, the one primping in front of the mirror? That is my Princess Airman! Love her heart...she drove for 2 days, alone from South Dakota just to get home to her family. We were texting and talking as she crossed the country. The last verbal conversation we had at 7:15pm on Thursday evening was filled with re-routing instructions...she had veered a little out of the way and was convinced that she was going to keep on driving until she made it safe in her Momma's arms! Then, at 8:50 she called and said, "How would you like to hear me say you were right and I was wrong?" What I asked...thinking she had taken another wrong turn. "I am too tired to keep driving. I'm stopping and getting a room and restarting in the morning."

A little sad and proud at the same time I told her to call once she was settled and after our good nights, I slid into bed myself. Anxiously, ALL day Friday I waited and we texted. When she told me she was near Kokomo,Indiana, I knew it was gonna be several more hours, so I sulked off to Zumba and told her to keep in touch.

After a four hour detour, she made it. Emma and I were standing outside when she got here and I clung to her with happy tears in my eyes and I prayed silently, thanking God she was home, and grateful that he kept her safe, protected her and safely brought her home to my arms!!



A messy bed, lots of snuggles and she was off again the next afternoon. The logical, good southern woman in me told me I HAD to share her. Everybody else missed her too and deserved to see, touch, hug and linger in her presence. But, the stingy, mad Momma in me wanted to stomp my feet, and scream no! She herself must have sensed my discord, because she lingered here...snuggled up on the couch with me and Emma. I introduced her to Pinterest and she has quickly become an avid pinner! I'm not sure if she was dreading the continued 3 1/2 hour drive to WV or if like me she just wanted to be here, just us, talking, giggling, and staring at each other. We both knew everybody in WV couldn't wait to see and hug her as well....so, she showered, put her face on and


packed, loaded up and left. I was proud of myself. I didn't cry, didn't pout and kissed her on the forehead and sent her away.

Everybody in WV is loving every moment they get with her...here's some of the pics!





Hang on to her my WV family!! Cause come Thursday morning, Emma Grace and I are coming to wisk her away! Then it is on to South Carolina for a visit to see Rissa, Walt, Nate and Lillian...we are planning on taking lots of pictures, staring at each other and we are even planning on a visit to Rissa's school to thank her students for their package and cards of encouragement during her deployment. It will be a short visit, but, one we will all cherish! Every single moment!

My Princess Airman is back in the east coast and she making all the stops, getting all the hugs, catching up in all the gossip and making more memories of this wonderful time in her life. So, my wait to get my arms around her had ended, but now, I have to wait a few more days to sit and stare at her, to hear her giggles, to snuggle down and just be together. I am sure our car ride to South Carolina will be fun...filled with stories of her trip to WV, really loud singing to good music and the magical road trip bag full of goodies! I can wait and while I do I will keep thanking God for keeping her safe while she was deployed to Afghanistan and pray she doesn't get sent back for a while......Amen!