Richie's Welcome Home from Iraq

Let's see, where do I start?!?! The Military...Okay, here's a little synopsis of how things went, and if you've ever been in the military or have had a loved one in the military you should be familiar with the phrase "HURRY UP AND WAIT" or "HONEY, I CAN'T GIVE YOU ANY INFORMATION OVER THE INTERNET OR PHONE BECAUSE IT'S NOT SECURE". The FRG (Family Readiness Group) puts out the best information they can and I think they did a superb job, however, it was still very frustrating for us, not knowing the "for sure" time of ANYTHING and the changes that come down with every email on the time they were arriving.

When he left Iraq he had to spend a couple of days in Kuwait. They had VERY limited to no access to the Internet or a DSN line while there so I was frustrated to say the least. If anyone knows me you know I like to know the who, what, when and where and how. I make plans well ahead of time so everything and everyone can be prepared. The first email I received said he'll be at Ft. Sill at 4:30p.m. on Sunday the 24th, and if there are any changes I should receive another message with the new time. I made plans with the kids to leave around 11:00 a.m. to give us time to have some lunch at the PX and make sure Sadie was out of the car seat awhile to stretch because I thought the trip would be a little rough for a 5 week old baby. About 11:00 p.m. that same night, email #2, new time, arriving earlier, 1:30 p.m. and if there are any changes they would "let us know". I call the kids with the revised plan and go to bed. I get up Sunday morning, checked my email, nothing, no time changes, that's good. Plans stay the same, we leave for Ft. Sill around 9:30 a.m. Haylee and Madyson road in Mimi's car so I wouldn't have to drive by myself. I took my DVD player and put in a Disney movie to keep them occupied because it's about a two and a half hour drive. Well, the movie ended just the other side of Oklahoma City. I guess I was just waiting to see how long it took for the two of them to start arguing about something. We drive a little further, I would say about 15 minutes later, one of the girls said, "Mimi, she's counting my clouds". It took me a couple of seconds for my mind to register what I just heard. I said , "you have got to be kidding me, those are not your clouds." But to keep the argument from going further I said, "Haylee, you count the clouds on your side and Madyson, you count the clouds on your side. Don't count each others clouds." ~~ Cloud counting, my clouds, shaking my head in disbelief, still can't believe that one ~~ Anyway, that seemed to take care of the situation. Anyway, we get to Ft. Sill, get out at the PX and relax with lunch at Church's Chicken, go into the PX to shop a little until we have to leave to find the building they were holding the Welcome Home Ceremony in. Well apparently Richie Von got directions to this Rinehart Physical Fitness Facility from someone that didn't know what the heck they were talking about. Our "Schuler Convoy" pulls off the side of the road and then I remembered the night before I jotted down a few numbers for Ft. Sill that were help lines "just in case". I called the first number, he gives us great directions and I asked him if the time for the ceremony is still 1:30. His response, "No mam, they are now delayed to 4:30." My head is now pounding and I'm thinking, Oh my gosh, these little girls are tired. Now we have 3 more hours to wait. How are we gonna do this? We go ahead, drive to the Rinehart Facility, go in and they have music playing. These tired little girls take off their shoes and go out on the gym floor with a million other waiting kids and have a blast dancing, running, screaming. Yeah for music, other kids, taking off our shoes, screaming without getting in trouble, dancing and acting silly.

Dancing and having fun!

Waiting...

Can you pick him out?

Finally, at 5:30, in come our soldiers running on the gym floor into formation. The ceremony lasted about 30 to 45 minutes, the soldiers were dismissed by the Commander to greet their family. It was so great. I know the wait was long but it was more that worth it. He's home, he's safe and we get to touch him. I know that sounds funny but...I don't know how else to explain it. I can actually touch his arm, his hand, put my arms around his neck, kiss him. It's was great!

This was Richie's first time to see Sadie. I loved seeing Daisha's face as she watched her daddy hold Sadie for the first time.

Haylee and Madyson couldn't keep their eyes off their Papa and they wanted to make sure he wasn't gonna leave them again. Both kept saying, Papa will you hold me. And of course he did. So sweet.

Jamison was only 9 months old when Papa left. The only time she really got to see him in the last 12 months was on the computer (Skype) so she was a little apprehensive.

Papa and his girls.