Just enough to get us to the end

I took my husband to the airport this morning. One of the hardest trips we've had to make. My husband just finished a 2 week R&R (Rest and Relaxation) "visit" at home and now has to return to Afghanistan to finish up this tour/deployment...whatever you want to call it. I call it "hard"!

Tears of joy and a little bit of "disbelief"

We had a wonderful 2 weeks together. We were lucky in that he was home for Christmas AND New Year's. I couldn't have imagined either without him (but would have done it with an empty smile if I had to.) His trip home was a complete surprise to the kids. I'm shocked it stayed that way as I told EVERYONE except them! (Thanks, to all my wonderful friends and the many strangers that I shared my exciting news with, for keeping that secret!) We were able to see alot of family, as our Christmas season is typically filled with family anyhow. I stole him away to the Plaza for New Year's, where we stayed at a beautiful hotel. The hotel knew my DH was home on R&R and treated us like royalty. It was a magical night. Cheesy, I know, but I can't think of another word to describe it. Yes, we even did the infamous carriage ride! My husband is my best friend and I can't even tell you how very much I missed him. There are no words. It's a feeling of emptiness. Hollow. His trip home was perfect timing for an emotionally drained wife!

 I love surprising people! I hate being surprised...but today, my 3 very closet BFF's in the whole world did it. They  surprised me! After taking my hubby to the airport there was no time for my scheduled pity party. We had to get to my 12 yr olds first basketball game of the season. My friends took time out of their day, away from their families and showed up at the game, 40 min away from our home town. My cup runneth over. Their daughters are my daughter's BFF's (convenient, right?) so they brought them, too! Personal cheerleaders for her first game and moral support for having to say good-bye to her daddy...again. She has also been blessed with amazing friends. Probably because they're being raised by amazing women.
After a pretty good "spanking" from the other team (we lost 28-8...but my daughter ALMOST scored a basket...I was so proud!) we took the kids to Pizza Hut to celebrate. Celebrate what? We lost. No, we won (ok not the game, but you get what I'm saying!)...we're so blessed with people that care about us, our loss didn't even phase us! It will be one of the most memorable games in ANY of my children's athletic "careers". Hand's down!
So as much as I want my husband home for good (ok, for a while)...his 2 weeks home and the love of my friends will be just enough to get us to the end.