The words to that song have been a lot more meaningful to me this year. I have been blessed to always have all my family around me, and never had to think about being separated from any of them. This year I have been so excited that Andy was coming home for Christmas and thought of him each time I heard that song. I am now one happy Mom - my son is home. Here's a few pictures from the happy event. His plane was about 30 minutes late coming in. Here's part of the group, anxiously waiting his arrival.
Can you believe my camera wasn't ready when he came down the concourse, so I don't have a picture of that. I can tell you that he was greeted with cheers and applause. Here he is greeting my Dad.
Here he is with his cousin Nick. There were lots of hugs and happy tears! A few people in the airport stopped him and thanked him for his service to the country.
We all went to the Old Country Buffet afterward. Here you see Andy with Halle and Shaelyn.
Can you see how happy Andy is in this picture - the Old Country Bee wanted his picture taken with Andy too!
Here is the whole family together again.
Can you believe my camera wasn't ready when he came down the concourse, so I don't have a picture of that. I can tell you that he was greeted with cheers and applause. Here he is greeting my Dad.
Here he is with his cousin Nick. There were lots of hugs and happy tears! A few people in the airport stopped him and thanked him for his service to the country.
We all went to the Old Country Buffet afterward. Here you see Andy with Halle and Shaelyn.
Can you see how happy Andy is in this picture - the Old Country Bee wanted his picture taken with Andy too!
Here is the whole family together again.Heather, Mari, Andy, Bob, Laura, Aaron
As you are together with your families this season, say a special prayer for the soldiers who aren't able to be home for Christmas and their families who are missing them.
As you are together with your families this season, say a special prayer for the soldiers who aren't able to be home for Christmas and their families who are missing them.
Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!! He looks so different! But great! I can't wait to see him, and I'm so glad he's home!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy he's made it home safely and will be tucked in under your roof tonight. I know you are going to pamper and spoil him while he's home, and I don't blame you a BIT. Tell him thanks for us and enjoy enjoy enjoy!
ReplyDeleteM
Wow, I am so excited for you. I can't even imagine how great that is!
ReplyDeleteOh Mari...it brought tears to my eyes. How thrilled I am that you will be able to spend Christmas with your Son.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes...we all need to be praying for those who can't come home...for them and their families.
What a wonderful homecoming. I'm so glad he got to come home for the holidays.
ReplyDeleteMari...PRAISE GOD, your precious son is home safe and sound. What inexplainable joy you must be feeling right now. I still have little ones at home but can honestly say that some nights when I climb into bed, I breathe a prayer of gratefulness that my babies are all tucked in their beds under our roof.
ReplyDeletePlease give your son a hug from a grateful mom in California. He is a hero in my eyes.
In Him, Joanne
So glad Andy's home! Enjoy this wonderful time with him! We'll remember the soldiers!
ReplyDeleteI have tears of joy looking at those wonderful pictures. WELCOME HOME ANDY!!
ReplyDeleteWe do need to remember our men and women in the armed forces and their families. Their sacrifice is great and much appreciated. Jean
You make-a-me cry! Merry Christmas to YOU!
ReplyDeleteYay! It's so good to have him home - even though you guys all piled in the van and off you went and I didn't even get to give him a last hug of the night! At least I'll get to see him again tonight!
ReplyDeleteIt was such a great night. Just seeing the pictures again today makes me a little teary eyed! I'm so proud of him!
ReplyDeleteLove the Bee shot!
PS- Mark was bummed because the shots of Heather and Laura greeting him had a yellow balloon in the way...sigh
WELCOME HOME ANDY!!!!! I'm so glad you get to spend Christmas with ALL of your family!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the reminder to pray for the soldiers that can't be home for Christmas - my nephew is in the Navy and stationed in Japan. Your post brought tears to my eyes.
Oh he looks great. I think he still looks like our same Andy, although with shorter hair. What fun that was!
ReplyDeleteOh my goooooooodness!! I'm SO SO SO happy for you and your family!! What a blessing!!! Yaaaaaay!!!
ReplyDelete~melody~
WELCOME HOME ANDY!!! That is awesome! nothing is better tham a big family CHRISTmas - you look sooo beautiful at the airport with that smile on your face! Andy looks great - tell him hello!
ReplyDeleteYIPPEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited to see you and your family ALL together again! What a great picture, and thanks for reminding us all to pray for those who aren't able to come home this Christmas!
Mari,
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that Andy is home for Christmas. I pray for all Canadian and US troops daily. Tell Andy I appreciate all he is doing and I wish him much laughter and joy this holiday season.
Merry Christmas,
Mary
How exciting! He must feel so loved you and your whole family! What a wonderful reunion and reason to celebrate this year!
ReplyDeleteI was touched by the bagger----what a sweet blessing from the Lord.
enjoy the time together. Merry Christmas!
I have been thinking about you like crazy. I'm so happy Andy made it home. We have spent way too much time at that airport waiting with joy and crying tears as we said goodbye to our kids.
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed time with Andy. So glad you have all of your kids together!