Thursday, April 10, 2008

More homecoming pictures...

Me, Mark and Cody painted a welcome home sign late Friday night for Chad and hung it on the garage door. (Actually, it's still there) Chad got a big smile on his face when he saw it. :o)Pictures taken in the Army National Guard hangerI loved this shot of the plane with some of the patriot guard members who always welcome the troops home as well as send them off.Chad wasted no time in finding his bag so we could get out of there. All the bags were soaking wet from sitting in the rain in North Carolina. We went straight over to Brek and Brittany's apartment so they could see Chad and because we had one one Chad's motorcycles waiting there for him. He really wanted to ride one home.
He's just so cute!
Wearing one of Mark's helmets. He has since bought his own "cool" helmet.
The 10 of us went to breakfast together before heading home. It was nice having the whole family together. The days since his arrival have passed so quickly. Sunday we had a packed full house of family and friends over for dinner. I believe there were around 46 people total that day. It was crowded, but fun and nice to have everyone come to welcome him home. I know he appreciated it. We made tacos, chicken enchiladas, pudding cake and Texas sheet cake. All things he loves! His first two days home he had to spend half the day at the base. Monday we went shopping and he bought a bedroom set and a new mattress. On the way home he found a car for sale on a street corner and bought that too. It's a 98 Ford Mustang. It was a great deal and he figured he really should have a car since most girls are not going to want to go on dates on the back of a motorcycle. Tuesday he had errands during the day and he met the Star Riders group at bike night. It was a lot of fun. He spent the night at a friends house that night. Wednesday was more errands, catching up on sleep and he went on a ride with some of his Army friends. Today we went to town to pick up his new bedroom furniture. Crammed it all in Kyle's truck and my car. We have some assembly work ahead of us....perhaps tomorrow. Really the past few days are a bit of a blur. I've been so busy from morning to bed time. Still feeling sleep deprived. We did a really fun activity last night for a combined young men/young women at my house. I'll blog it next time. Oh...I got my hair cut and colored on Tuesday. First time since June 19th of 07. I've been butchering my own bangs since then to maintain it. Mark couldn't ever tell a difference. I sure can. It looks and feels healthier. I think he should appreciate that I'm a low maintenance kind of girl. :o) Chad is sad I colored over my big gray streak in my bangs. He was calling me Roage from X-men. LOL! I told him not to worry. Not all the gray took the dye and that is the first place it comes back.
***Edited to add***
I've received a few emails asking about what happened to Chad and Sandy. Apparently they missed the post about him breaking off the engagement back in November. I figured I better mention it again in case some others were wondering the same thing. She turned out to be not the nice girl she once was. You can read about it by clicking on the November 2007 archive and scroll down to Thursday, November 22nd titled Thanksgiving and stuff. If I was a way cool computer smart person I would link the post, but I don't know how, so you'll have to click and scroll. She has gotten much worse since that post. Pretty only gets you so far. It only confirms it was the right decision for Chad and our whole family.



19 comments:

Kim said...

What a great Homecoming. I'm so glad he is home safe and sound. I don't know you or your family except via the internet, but I am so proud of Chad.

Kelly said...

So awesome that you took some time out to share with all of us some awesome pictures of his homecoming! Hope that the days ahead will be wonderful having him back with some normallcy for you and your family! Nice that he wanted to buy a car thinking about the girls. The girls that I am sure are going to be knocking down your door!!

Anonymous said...

Great pictures! Sounds like you are all having a good time. Again, I am glad he his home safe, and thank him for his service to the country.

angiedunn said...

These pictures are awesome! I hope he knows how much we appreciate his service for our country! GOD BLESS AMERICA.

bethy said...

we did have wicked storms here friday. we slept the first part of the night in the laundry room - no windows! so happy for you to have chad home. :)

Monogram Queen said...

Yay for Chad's wonderful homecoming. The thing with Sandy was for the best. I snooped on her Myspace right after it happened and I was shocked....

Denise Bryant (imchatty) said...

OMG...how did I miss the whole Sandy ordeal. Geesh....you have got to be the proudest mom ever for having raised a son as wise as Chad. Nobody is worth losing yourself and your family....it's called unconditional love. As I tell my kids, Chad just had a huge life lesson and passed with flying colors.

Missy Glave said...

Welcome home Chad!!! So glad to have our "guy" home!!!

Chickenbells said...

I'm just so danged happy that he's home safe!! It sounds like you guys are really getting all the ducks in a row as well...so much to do!

Jacquie said...

Love the sign you guys made. I can see why Chad did too. You guys have such a wonderful loving family!!

Re: Sandy. I remember that post and Chad was smart to end things. It won't be long before that boy is beatin' the girls off.

Andi said...

I know you're so happy to have your handsome boy Chad home again. I'm happy he's home. Love all the great pictures...he's so cute!!!

Maren said...

Welcome home Chad! That is awesome. I am happy for you.

Erin said...

Welcome home Chad! You have to be absolutely thrilled that he is home safe Jolene! Enjoy!!!

Unknown said...

Welcome home again Chad~your Mom really missed you! Please take care and thank you again for your great sacrifice!

Jolene and Mark, you deserve great kudos too for being such great and wonderful people! Thank you for sharing such a wonderful welcome home with us!

Hugs,
Vida and family in Okinawa

Nicole *Ü* said...

Sounds like a wonderful welcome home for Chad!! He is a doll and will definitely be needing his new car to go on dates with soon!!!!!

Amie said...

Oh Jolene I am so happy to read that he is finally home safe with you. While I was onl hols I thought to myself Chad would have to be home really soon so I was so pleased to read such happy news tonight :o)

Hugs Amie xx

Wendster said...

Woo hoooooooooo! So Chad is HOME home. Like permanently home! That is awesome. I know you guys worried about him so much while he was deployed. I sure appreciate his service to our country, but I am really glad that he is out of harms way now.
I had not seen that post about the ended engagement. Hey. He's so young and so fabulous, he'll find someone WAY fabulous in no time.
congratulations on your sweet handsome boy being home!
Did he bring all of the ducks home too? ha. I think he should put some of them on his motorcycle.

deedub said...

Wow...where do I start? You have been a very busy girl!!! I am sooooo behind on reading the blogs. The only down-side to a full-time job! I was asking myself, I thought Chad was engaged so thanks for hte catch-up. I totally missed the esrlier post I guess. He is such a cutie and an obviously great guy, I'm sure he will find his true love out there! I'm so happy for You...having him home must be so incredible!!! The family all close and together again...safe. A mother's greatest piece of mind.
I miss you!!! BIG HUGS!!!!!
-d.
Oh, and I LOVE the haircut!!!!!

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

This is the post I came to see!
God is so Good. Welcome family chaos again.