Our Soldier is Home!

He's home, he's home, he's home! Those are some sweet, sweet words to say. Our family is whole again and all four of us are ecstatic. It's been just over a week since Aaron came home from Afghanistan and it's like he was never gone. It's so nice to be getting back into the rhythm of a complete family. Naturally, I love having help with the kids, the dishes, the meals, and cleaning up. Having my hubby home to snuggle up with at night is pretty nice, too! Clara has picked up right where she left off in her adoration of her daddy. Colton has taken to Aaron as if he always knew who he was. We were expecting a warm-up period for Colton since he was so young, but it's as if he's known his daddy all along. This has been a delightful surprise for us.

The "Big Day" was a Saturday and we were fortunate enough to have a Welcome Home Ceremony time at four in the afternoon. Some of the other flights had been arriving in the middle of the night and I was not looking forward to the prospect of getting the kids up and out of the house at one in the morning. Of course, the preparations weren't without complications. Friday morning, the day before homecoming, Clara tested positive for strep throat. Saturday morning, the day of the homecoming, Colton tested positive for strep throat. All I can say is, thank goodness for fast-acting antibiotics and the novelty of a crowded gym to distract even the crankiest, sick toddler.

Anxiously waiting for our Soldier

My fabulous cousin came with us to the ceremony. It was great to have someone else to share the excitement with, act as photographer, and help keep track of the kids. We arrived one hour early since we had no idea what to expect and didn't want to cut it too close in case the guys got there early.

Colton loved waving his little flag

When the announcement came that the buses had pulled up, the crowd erupted in cheers, and the loud music exploded from the speakers, I couldn't hold it together anymore. A year's worth of longing and anticipation came flowing out in tears. It was finally here. Our moment to search the crowd for our Soldier had arrived. All we had to do was wait for the Soldiers to enter the gym, assume formation behind a curtain, wait for the curtain to slowly and painstakingly rise, listen to the National Anthem and honor the Flag. As you can imagine, after waiting over one year, these short events felt as if they were taking forever.

But, it came, and it was all worth the wait. We caught a glimpse of Aaron from across the gym, and he spotted us. As soon as Clara saw him coming toward us, she burst out into a run and was swept up in her daddy's arms. Those first moments are so amazing. The first kiss so sweet. The first hug seems to freeze time. Nothing compares to those first moments you have your family together again.

A wonderful moment I like to think of as the family huddle. 

Our happy family, together again;

complete with exhausted daddy and two sick kiddos

I don't think Clara's smile could be any bigger!

My goofy boys!

We have our Soldier back. The kids have their daddy home. My love has returned. Our family is together again and life is sweet. Here we come 2012, the Barrett family is ready and willing to have lots of fun.