Here's to laptops!...

I've been sitting here for ten minutes trying to decide how to start this post. Then, remembering that I'm one of the only three people that actually read this, I've decided that perfection isn't really necessary. So, for the other two of you, I apologize in advance if this is a little all over the place.

Although I'd never wish cancer on anyone, I'm finding myself selfishly grateful for the time I've been able to spend with my grandma this week. Beppie was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer around a month ago and is now staying in hospice care in Indianapolis. Luckily the facility is just down the hall from my grandparent's apartment so my Grandpa has been able to make daily visits easily. Their apartment has also become "home base" for my mom and uncle who have been able to take time off of work (and/or work remotely) to help as much as possible. So, if the apartment is "home base," Beppie's hospice room has become the "remote office." With our laptops in hand, Uncle John, my mom and I have been taking turns sitting at Beppie's side to make sure she's always safe and comfortable all while squeaking in some work, and facebook time, on the side.

Our impending cross country move almost made my visit here impossible but luckily I have an extremely supportive and productive husband. Bobby being around to take care of the dogs and continue to finish up the packing is what has allowed me to not only be here physically, but mentally. (Insert wise-crack about my normal mental state.) This is the most time I've ever spent with Beppie and certainly the most one-on-one time we've ever had. She is asleep most of my "shift" but the afternoons have been filled with great conversation. Yesterday, Beppie, my mom and I shared a moment that I will never forget. Beppie asked about her cancer, where it was and what it all really meant. It's not the first time she's heard the news but I think it's the first time she really took it to heart. There were many tears shed between the three generations in the room but they were all tears of love. God has given us a very special gift of being able to say all of those things that we always meant to but never got around to saying. It doesn't make this time any less sad, but it definitely has given me closure and a certain amount of peace. I didn't get a chance (or was too young, or didn't take the time) to talk to my other Grandma, Audry, like this before she died so I think I'm making up for lost time...

So, before I get myself crying, I'll wrap this up. Here's to laptops! I may be on mine WAY more than necessary, but this little guy has enabled me to work remotely so that I can live and love close to what counts...my family.

Happy Holidays!

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He's baaaaack!

The day is finally here - Bobby's home! And he came back in high style this time...

The nature of Bobby's squadron is that there are always people coming and going home from deployment. Five people here, fifteen people there, ten people here, twenty people there. Often we have small groups coming home on different days but all in the same week. Although this makes the home coming no less sweet, it does make it nearly impossible to put together any kind of fan-fare that many times. Bobby's squadron is not the norm, however. Most pack up the entire group, deploy for x-number of months, and then ALL come back on the same plane and on the same day. For them, "Christmas" comes just once a year and they all band together to celebrate in style. Well...as much style as you can in a Navy hangar. :)

That all being said, Bobby happened to get on a flight home with one of these large squadrons and I got to crash their party. I took some pictures and a bunch of video so you could come along for the ride. Enjoy!






Not very exciting video but you can see that they're opening the hangar so we can all watch their plane land. An announcement came on that said, "Attention on deck! Announcing the arrival of flight XXX to NAS Whidbey Island." Or something close to that. :)








You can kind of see the plane landing in the background...



The plane pulling up to the hangar. A good video until the woman in front of me got excited with her sign. :)



Sorry for all of the pictures of random people but it was SO touching to watch others' excitement.




This video is long because I didn't know when he would be getting off the plane. I should have known he would be last! I apologize that it's really bumpy too. I was trying to walk up to the plane and didn't want to stop recording and accidentally miss him. Click on the link to view this video. It was too long to input into the blog.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8qMA2BzsKY

You know Bobby's happy to be home when he lets me take a picture of him....AND he's actually smiling. A banner day!



We recorded this last time but it never gets old. Here is Wrigley and Gracie's reaction to Stanley coming in the door...








Welcome home, Bobby!!