Trip to see daddy!

The weeks leading up to our big trip to see daddy I told Brian that he was going on an airplane to visit daddy. I'm pretty sure all he heard was, "going on an airplane." What little boy doesn't love airplanes? He told EVERYONE that he was going on an airplane! So I would just explain it was to see daddy graduate :) Our trip was so fun! The flying there and back, not so much. I booked our flight to SC on a red eye, thinking Brian would sleep through most of it. He didn't. He stared out the window and made sure everyone knew what was going on i.e. we were flying over clouds and it was dark outside. After arriving at the airport at 9 p.m. we finally left at 12:50. Brian kindly fell asleep the last 10 minutes of the first flight which meant that I managed all of our carry on stuff and carried Brian through the airport to our connecting flight, which is never close by, obviously. He woke up just in time for the second flight, which basically means my whole plan failed. We actually flew in to North Carolina so we drove to South Carolina. I have never been so happy to fall face first into an uncomfortable hotel bed. I have no idea what Brian did for 3 hours. When I woke up he was still alive and in the hotel room, so thankfully he didn't run away or do anything to hurt himself. We still had most of the day ahead of us and since we couldn't see Joel until the next day we drove around to look for places to eat..and just ate...a lot. And rented red box cartoons.



The next morning we left early to go on post and find parking and seating for the family day presentation. It was short and sweet. Thank you! We did see a fun colorful gas show and they did a presentation of all the different kinds of guns the army uses (there's probably a more correct word than guns...rifles?)



Then we strong armed our way through thousands of soldiers and their family members to find our soldier!!



The first thing he wanted to do for family day was eat! Specifically he wanted to eat anything unhealthy, sugary, and preferably fried. He even called me the night before to tell me to bring some chips and a coke so that we wouldn't have to wait in line. (He actually asked for some cheeseburgers as well and informed me that he would eat them cold...I chose not to do that...because that's disgusting.) So we headed to the PX along with EVERYONE ELSE. It took us an hour to get food but Joel was so happy with his philly cheesesteak..and bacon cheddar fries..and half of my sandwich...and chips...basically he impressed me with the amount of food that he could eat!! Of course he's lost weight and I now have to buy him new pants (for those that don't know my husband is already ridiculously skinny and I hate him for it). Just kidding I love him.



We also got to meet the military relations missionaries at a local building where Joel would go to church every Sunday. It was supposed to be a get together with all of the families. But there was only one other family...and it was just a little awkward. We all sat around a folding table sharing a package of oreos...so we got out of there pretty quickly. The senior couple were super nice though :) Every sunday the soldiers were allowed to write little messages and Elder Putnam would call us and read the message over the phone. He was always very sweet to decipher Joel's handwriting and speak spanish :)

We finished off the day at the park so Brian could have some quality time with daddy. Oh, and more food.

We had to drop Joel off at the bay (where they sleep) and drive back to our hotel. Elder and Sister Putnam gave me directions to the Columbia South Carolina Temple and it turned out to be less than 10 minutes from my hotel! So we stopped by to walk around before heading to bed. It was a beautiful temple! It was dark by the time we got there so the lights were all on. I loved walking around with my little son and talking about Jesus, singing some primary songs and eventually comforting him because he thought he was going to have to go to his sunbeam class...(he's still attached to nursery). I felt the spirit and was reminded why I love the temple :) We didn't stay long because Brian peed his pants.



Thursday was graduation. Finally!!! It was a long ceremony but beautiful. It was nice to honor those that have worked so hard to help our soldiers :) Something one of the speakers said really stuck with me. Always choose the hard right, instead of the easy wrong. A simple statement but so true! They finally released our soldiers and we again had to search around a bit for him, but Brian was so excited to see daddy again!



And he looked super handsome in his uniform :)

This time the soldiers were actually allowed to leave post so we went out to eat with a few other families, went swimming, and shopping :) It was the perfect day! We again had to bring Joel back to the bay. This time we stuck around and chit chatted with some of his buddies and watched as they were called into formation. When they had to leave to go to sleep they couldn't say good bye again and Brian had a hard time with that...that was heart breaking. So I had to drag him screaming and crying back to our car so we could go back home and get ready to leave the next day.



We left early the next morning for North Carolina. Joel also left that morning for Fort Lee, VA. This time our flight home was pretty enjoyable. Our connecting flight went smoothly and we sat next to a very nice old lady who let Brian trade her seats so he could sit next to the window and look outside. Once we got to Seattle things were going smoothly. Then they didn't. As we were waiting for the train to come by to take us baggage claim I noticed that Brian was suddenly standing in a very large puddle...he peed his pants. Dang it. so I had to find security and tell them that my son had peed on the floor...right in front of the door so people had to jump over it or just walk through it...go all the way back to the bathroom and change him...I of course didn't have any extra pants available so he just had to wear his pee pee pants. Go back to the train and let him sit on my lap so now i'm all wet...we stink like pee. Brian keeps telling everyone he peed his pants, and tell me he's sorry for peeing his pants...it was just not fun.
My sister, mom, and cute little niece picked us up from the airport and Genevieve was so excited to see Brian! He felt the same way so they had a nice little reunion.



It was a great trip but we were glad to be home!

Now Joel is in VA. He's actually been on hold since he got there. They don't have enough soldiers to start classes so a bunch of them are waiting for more to arrive. It's been almost 2 weeks and he may have to wait a few weeks more...Once he does start he will have 12 weeks of classes, then off to Airborne school, then we'll finally be done with training!!!

I can't wait.