Shortly after their ceremony he left back to Camp Shelby and then spent some time in California for training until coming home just in time for the holidays. While training for 2 months away Chris missed Audrey's actual birthday, Thanksgiving, our anniversary and his birthday. I did as much as possible to install the importance of Audrey's daddy and tried to help her cope with the length he was gone. The only comfort was were able to talk to Chris almost daily since he was in the states.
We did paper chains
Deployment Trees
Made Welcome Home cards
And used visual aids...
Then finally the Christmas week came :)
Daddy arrived home after being gone for 2 months on December 23rd very early in the morning. Audrey was so excited we were both nearly in tears.
And finally Dad was home for Christmas...
Finally able to get our Christmas tree
Christmas morning
Santa!
All I wanted was a nice family photo in front of the Christmas tree... This is what I got! Look at this beautiful family! Thanks for the cooperation guys!
Lights before Christmas at the zoo
While home we finally got to cut down our Christmas tree, enjoyed Christmas, ALOT of relaxing, and then New Years. But the time had to come when Chris would have to leave again. After a wonderful 10 days of him home he was scheduled to leave on the morning of January 2nd.
I was okay until the bus arrived.... it made everything so final.
I won't elaborate on the very emotional morning of January 2nd but Audrey was an amazing trooper! She was comforting me while I was upset and she is the bravest 3 year old I know :) Audrey says we cannot be sad here because Daddy will be home soon and I know she is right. This will be a hard year for all our entire family but with such a resilient 3 year and a very brave husband while in Afghanistan we will get by just fine <3
Hi Brit,
ReplyDeleteIt's Aunt Sandy. I hope you and Audrey are doing fine. It is hard to realize how old she is. Time flies. I want you to know that I will be praying for your Chris and for you and Audrey also. I have to smile when I think of you working at IHOP and Uncle Chuck and I would come to see you. Happy days those were. I am glad to see you are a strong family. Love you guys. I will join this blog and try to keep up on your lives. This is really nice for you.
Hi Aunt Sandy! So nice to hear from you. Those were the happy days I still remember when you guys used to visit. Thank you for thinking of us :) Love you!
ReplyDeleteIf you ever get time to visit, I would love to see you. Or maybe even go out to lunch. I would love to see your sweet Audrey.
ReplyDelete