Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Daddy's home!!

Rob got home the day before Thanksgiving. Unfortunately though, the arrival time kept changing. First he was supposed to get home at 4am, then it changed to 6:30am and it ended up being about 8:30am. The kids knew he'd be home soon, I just didn't give them an exact date because I wanted to surprise them. My best friend Angie knew of my hope to surprise them and volunteered to have Mya and Mariano spend the night over at her house. This was not only very helpful and appreciated by me, but it is a real treat for them also. Not only was it a school night, but they adore Angie's kids-they are like family to us. Angie and I concocted a story as to not arouse their suspicion because spending the night on a school night is usually out of the question. She told them that her son Kanyon, who is 3 and Mariano's best bud, finally pooped in the potty that night and that his reward was their company. It worked great and the plan went off without a hitch.
The next morning Valentino and I got up and I got us both ready. We got in the car and headed to his hangar. We got there right on time. His plane however, did not. Being in the Navy myself and having made my own deployments, I pretty much expected the delay. It wasn't too bad though since I knew I was going to have a great reward in the end. They had complimentary coffee and breakfast there for all of the families waiting for their loved ones to arrive which I thought was really nice. Lots of decorations and signs and leis. I casually sipped a cup of coffee while I followed the ever curious Valentino around all of the people and things in the hangar. Finally after much anticipation, the announcement we had all been waiting for! Daddy's plane was 5 minutes out. The loud cheers startled Valentino, so I swooped him up into my arms to distract him and held on tightly explaining that Daddy was almost here as if I were talking to a 5 year old. Amazingly enough he immediately calmed down.
Then I saw this. (the pictures are clickable for larger viewing)

I closed my eyes, prayed for a safe landing, and was unable to hold back my tears of joy. My heart was pounding as if I had just run a marathon. The torture of being apart was almost over!
I wish I could encapsulate the feeling and share it with all of you to swallow. It was amazing. If my restrictive vocabulary allowed I would translate the overwhelming feeling I was experiencing. But unfortunately, you'll just have to take my uneducated word for it.
All I could think was what in the world is taking so long? It felt like eternity.
Yay!!! Our missing puzzle piece is only feet away from us now.
I swallow the lump in my throat and peer through the crowd hoping to catch a glimpse of my husband coming down the ladder.
Eventually I see him and his expression validates that he too see's me. It feels like there are miles between us as he maneuvers through the crowd to get to me and Valentino. Then before I know it, there he is- my soul mate, right in front of my eyes. We're touching. We're kissing. We're crying. We're laughing. We're smiling from ear to ear. It's over. Thanks be to God for bringing him home safe.
Valentino takes right to his Daddy as if he never left. We race to the car, not even waiting for his baggage. We want to go home. We spent the day together and it takes all Rob has to control his urges to just go pick the kids up early from school so he can see Mya and Mariano. He keeps asking me if it is time yet. Eventually the time had come and we leave to pick up our children. First we go to Mya's school to pick her up. I walk ahead of Rob who is carrying Valentino, and Mya walks up to me and asks if she can go to the front of the school to spend her quarter on something. I honestly can't even remember what it was that she was asking exactly because I was so anxious for her to see her Dad. So, I'm trying to divert her attention off of the quarter burning a hole in her pocket and we eventually just end up standing there without speaking a word. She's looking past me and I'm studying her face waiting for her to notice him and make the connection. Suddenly her eyes light up and her mouth opens wide and off she goes. She has spotted him. I'm over joyed with emotion, as are they.
They are ecstatic to be reunited. We stand there and reconnect for a minute then we're off to surprise Mariano. We get to his school, open the door and Mariano runs right past Rob, Mya and Valentino and hugs my legs. I'm still not sure if he was confused or nervous, but Rob starts talking to Mariano and he is immediately receptive. They hug and kiss and Rob stares at Mariano, just taking him all in. Our family is now complete. Off we go.
We have a wonderful day together and Thanksgiving is better than ever. Rob didn't have to return to work until Tuesday, so we got to bond for a few days. Being together again was blissful to say the least. Everything fell right into place as if he had never left. The kids are having a great time getting reaquainted with their Daddy. He's quickly becoming the favorite parent much to my demise.
Valentino follows his Daddy around everywhere he goes. Here you can see him standing in the bathroom while Rob shaves and gets ready for work.
We've been keeping Mariano's hair pretty long as we were going for the "surfer" look. He is so handsome! While Rob was gone we were toying with the idea of cutting his hair. Rob wanted to atleast wait until he got back and I complied. So two days after Rob got back, we decided we would just do it, afterall- it's just hair! It will always grow back. So here is the new kid around our house.
What do you think? He's got the face that can pull off any hair do. Although it admittedly took me by surprise at first, I have to say that I love it on him. It took a little getting used to and I still continue to accidentally pour too much shampoo when washing his hair. He loves his new hair and says that its cut like his Daddy.

So that is pretty much it. I know that it has taken me a long time to finally post this, but you've got to understand that we had lots of lost time to make up for. God brought our family back together and I am forever grateful. Thank you for all of your prayers and thoughts. We love you.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was reading the blog, and I cuold feel all your feelings. I had tears in my eyes. WELCOME HOME SON enjoy every minute of your family. I love you. Dayna you are wonderfull, and as you said Mariano has the face the cut looks great, hoeever I prefer the surfer look. Rob you look great. love you all dad. BG has not seen the blog yet, but I know she talks to Mya in the computer, I'm gonna call her.

Anonymous said...

Awesome. I love u all so.

Anonymous said...

Wow! what a beautiful blog
thank you for taking the time to tell us every detailed, it make me feel like I was there.
Welcome home son!
Enjoy each other and have a great Cristmas
LOVE U and Miss U BG