Todd's Visit Home

Todd was home last week for a few days.  Wednesday night, I left the kids with my parents and picked Todd up from the airport alone.  It was an exciting reunion and a happy night.  We stopped at Outback Steakhouse for dinner on the drive home and talked and flirted, and for me, it was a welcome gift to be alone with him and get to just be his girlfriend for a few hours before I had to switch back into mom mode.

beautiful night

Thursday morning, Jack woke up at 7:15, as usual.  Hazel came running in a few minutes later, stripped down to her panties, thrilled to hear Todd give his usual Kaa morning line, "Come into the snake bed, Mowgli."  (She had been telling me for a few days that this was her plan, so I had warned Todd that she was expecting him to say that.)  The kids stayed close to his side the entire visit.

Friday we bought a trampoline, which Todd spent several hours assembling while I attacked the weeds in the yard.  We're hoping the tramp will help the kids burn off some of their endless supply of energy so bedtime will go a little easier for me.

Funny story, when Jack saw this boxing mannequin at the sporting goods store, he climbed right up to give him a hug, and said, "I love him!  He's Mowgli.  He's naked."

Todd could not get enough of Gemma-girl.   When he wasn't holding her, he was gazing at her and cooing at her.

I drove Todd back to the airport after Sacrament Meeting on Sunday.  Hazel knew what was happening and cried hard before leaving for primary.  Dropping him off knowing we wouldn't see him again for another 10 months hurt my heart so bad that for the first half hour or so after we said goodbye, I wished he hadn't even come for the visit.  All our wounds have been reopened, and it's hard.  But it was a wonderful visit (although I HATE having to call time spent with my husband a "visit") and of course I am grateful for every moment we were able to spend together.  

Todd and his group leave the country for Afghanistan this Thursday.  Please pray for his safety, and peace and strength for us all.