Monday in Tampa

I've attempted to work on this post about 3 or 4 different times, but hopefully have it ready to go now!!  Beware ~ there are many pictures on here and I sure hope you can feel some excitement and the electricity that was in the air for this very special occasion that we were able to witness!!  Enjoy!!

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Our Monday morning after I woke up!

Caden's Daddy doll that sure helped him while his Daddy was deployed

Bath time

While Karissa got ready to go meet Brett, we took Caden out for several hours.  Being that Jordan is so attached to his Mommy, he didn't go with us :o(  One of the places we stopped was at the mall on base (BX, etc.) and he along with his Pappy got a hair cut.  When we went to leave, it was pouring down the rain, so we spent some time waiting for it to stop at the Food Court!  I wanted to get some little American flags for him to take with us to the airport and I found them in the BX.  But I had a major problem!!  We can't buy anything in there if Brett or Karissa aren't with us because we don't have military ID.  There was a very nice young lady who came up behind us while we were talking to the cashier and said she'd make the purchase.  (Of course, we gave her the money!)  How kind of her!!  Here he was showing you the flags.

I'm sorry that I'm so biased, but I think he is one handsome little guy!!  Just look at that smile!

After we got home, he conked out on my lap

And this little guy was full of smiles

Finally, the hours passed and it was time to go to the airport.  As you'll see on several of the pictures, Caden just didn't know what to do or think about all of this.  He's had a real hard time dealing with the fact that his Daddy left him.  Being he's so young, he just didn't understand what it was all about!  We kept talking very positive and tried to be excited for him, but it still had him a little concerned apparently.

He helped me make this sign!!

Finally, a big smile!  Can you see his tee~shirt?

Watching and waiting

Jordan passed the time by pulling on his Pappy's ears.  It was so funny!!

We watched and watched.  Lots of people came and lots of people went.  Finally, the guys came!!  Here are some of Brett's buddies!  When I saw Brett come around the corner, I said, "There's your Daddy!  And someone said, "Go get him Caden!"  I was so shocked!!  He took off running through the mass of people.  How he every found Brett is beyond me being he was dogding through mostly adults.

But finally, he found him!!  It was just soooooooo awesome!!  I can't explain how I felt inside!!

Still hugging his Daddy's neck!!

The four of them

One happy boy!!  The smile says it all!!

Jordan just smiled at his Daddy like he had never been away

Still checking Brett out :o)

Now he's pulling on Brett's ear

Walking out in the parking garage.  Caden had been with us in the morning when Dennis & I went to get a hotel room.  The place where we stayed on Sunday night had one bedroom.  We slept on the sofa bed which was horrible.  I ended up trying to sleep half the night on a chair ~ not a recliner.  Anyway, he told me that he wasn't going back to the hotel with us.  He was staying with his Daddy!!  That made my heart feel so good that he wanted to be with him!!!

When we left the airport, we stopped at IHOP for dinner.  Poor Brett wasn't too hungry, but was very exhausted.

Jordan was bright eyed and bushy tailed for this time of the evening!

What a great day it was!!  God was watched over Brett and his group of guys!!  Every one of them came back home and unhurt.  Many, many times they were in danger, but they came through unscathed!!  Thank you, Jesus, and everyone who prayed for him.  You'll never know how much we appreciate it!!