What an afternoon! We had Laura and Aaron with us in our van and headed to the airport to pick up Andy. We were all so excited and couldn't wait to see him again.
As we were driving down the highway, we heard a "funny" noise. The women are asking what that was, the men are saying it's nothing. Until - a funny blowing type sound begins to come from the front of the van. It's still driving ok, but as we pull into the airport we realize something is smelling hot. We had Aaron, our trusty mechanic with us so he checks it and says it's nothing big, some belt problem that he can fix, but we won't be able to drive it home. So - we go into the airport where there are lots of family members gathered and they figure out a way for us to get home. Karla graciously lends us here vehicle and she and Diane (they are Bob's sisters) will ride home with my sister Cheri and Mark. At this point we all gather to wait for Andy.
Here is part of the group, watching for his arrival.
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Andy and Bob
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Here is the whole family - reunited again.
left to right: Me, Heather, Bob, Andy, Laura, Aaron
As I type this Aaron and Bob have gathered some tools and have gone back to the airport. We're hoping for an easy fix, but at least have to get it moved out of the short term parking! Andy is very tired. He spent about 14 hours in the air and is trying to make a a 13 hour time difference. We'll let him sleep late tomorrow!
*I just got a call from Bob telling me they are on their way back. It was an easy fix. One more thing to be thankful for!
left to right: Me, Heather, Bob, Andy, Laura, Aaron
As I type this Aaron and Bob have gathered some tools and have gone back to the airport. We're hoping for an easy fix, but at least have to get it moved out of the short term parking! Andy is very tired. He spent about 14 hours in the air and is trying to make a a 13 hour time difference. We'll let him sleep late tomorrow!
*I just got a call from Bob telling me they are on their way back. It was an easy fix. One more thing to be thankful for!
Oh Mari, I'm SO thrilled for you all....so glad Andy is back home safe :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm glad that the van was an easy fix and didn't ruin the day for you, though I imagine nothing could take away from his homecoming.
Hugs,
Sandra
WHAT A HAPPY DAY! I love the family picture. I copied it and put it in my files. You have such a nice looking family and you all look so happy to see Andy and he looks happy to be home.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Cheryl
HE'S HOME, HE'S HOME, HE'S HOME!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so hapy for you every one of you. Enjoy your time together!!
So glad he's home safe, Mari, and so glad the van made it to the airport and that it was a quick fix. God is good!
ReplyDeleteWhat a day to have car trouble, but at least you made it to the airport on time and the fix was an easy one.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy for you! Andy looks wonderful. That's a wonderful photo of your family all together again.
Hugs!
Kat
I'm SO happy for you! Enjoy your time together!!
ReplyDeleteSo happy the fix was an easy one and all taken care of. Not just enjoy your son's homecoming!!!
ReplyDeleteSusan
Mari,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that your van had a problem, but thankful that it was an easy fix.
I can imagine how excited you are having Andy home and yes, he will need to sleep in. That kind of time change can wreck havoc on the body.
Tell him I'm glad he's home and hope his visit is awesome.
Blessings,
Mary
Yeah!!! Welcome home Andy! Enjoy your time with him.
ReplyDeletewhat a sweet homecoming. so glad you have your sweet boy home!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy for you! I'm so glad he's home safe and sound! Sorry you had car troubles, good thing you had someone to fix it though. Now.....what did he want for dinner tomorrow??? :)
ReplyDeleteAngie
What a great day! Welcome home Andy!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are all together finally!! and even the car is better... Yeah!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for letting us share in your joyful reunion! Loved the family picture. God is good in so many ways!
ReplyDeleteYeee-Haaaa!!! The family is back together....I'm sure Andy knows just how loved he is, you can tell by the big smile on his face....I hope the van only cost $6.00 to fix and Andy gets good sleep....Life is good over at the Bruins house tonight....;) Kae
ReplyDeleteWOO HOOO!
ReplyDelete...and your precious family is all home under one roof again.
Praise the Lord
Enjoy every moment together Mari. I am feeling your mom-joy all the way over here in California...and I thought it was just another earthquake, silly me ;O)
I didn't realize you and Cheri were sisters! I was reading her blog earlier and saw her pictures of Andy. I was thinking "Oh, another person has a family member coming home today and his name is Andy, too"
ReplyDeleteThen I saw your first picture and I'm thinking "That's the same guy- that the same picture." So I finally figured it out!
Anyway, I'm thrilled for you that Andy is home. Hmmm, who's happier right now, you or Andy?
Have a wonderful time together and I'm glad you have a mechanic in your family!
Oh, This is Andy's home? Wow! Very spectacular. :)
ReplyDeleteHealth is the Greatest Happiness
The World at The Present
Congratulations!! Enjoy all the family time! I fly in a week, woohoo!
ReplyDeleteMari, I'm so happy for you and your family! Enjoy your time together!
ReplyDeleteBlessings
I got a little misty when looking at those pictures! So glad he's back! I heard Halle say yesterday "I can't wait for this afternoon". I didn't remember at the time what that was for, but now I know! So glad the van is fix too!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to have him back home and sleeping under your roof!
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love how vehicles pick the best times to act up? I am glad to ear it was an easy fix.
Smiles!
I'm so happy for your family!!!!! Have fun with Andy over the next few weeks and just enjoy each day you have together! That's a bummer about the car but at least it's not something major!
ReplyDeleteYAY!!!! Mari, I know you and Bob must be thrilled to have your baby home...I am celebrating with you all!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Melissa
Oh, how wonderful!!! You can totally see the joy in his face when everyone's hugging him. =)
ReplyDeleteThat is soooo great! I hope y'all have the best time together!
ReplyDeleteWelcome Home Andy! Thank you for serving our country. It is a very selfless profession and you are very much appreciated and loved! May God keep you in his care.
ReplyDeleteHave a great time with the family while you are home.
YAY! Andy is home! What a day to have car trouble! But all's well, and I'm so happy for your family. I know you're enjoying Andy to the max, and feeding him scrumptious meals!
ReplyDeleteHooray! What a wonderful celebration. Thanks for sharing Andy's homecoming with us.
ReplyDeleteAnd Andy, Thank you for serving our country! I know your family is proud of you and excited to have you home safe. But the rest of us can celebrate, too. Because of your service we remain "The home of the free, because of the brave!"
God Bless You!
I'm so glad it was an easy fix and even more happy to have Andy back home for awhile!
ReplyDeleteSorry about the car trouble! I'm so happy for you that Andy is back with his loving family :) Really nice pictures of the reunion. Enjoy your time together :)
ReplyDeletePraising God for all good things for you even the easy fix of the van!!!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to all be together and to have a picture of the entire family. You are blessed!
ReplyDeleteHe's home! Yay!
ReplyDeleteGlad your car made it TO the airport :-) And now home again.
Enjoy your boy!
I got all teary-eyed imagining you all teary-eyed seeing him walk into sight. I hope you are all enjoying your time together
ReplyDeleteWe are SO thrilled that he is home with you now!!!
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear too that the van is fixed.
sounds like you've had a very blessed weekend! :)
ReplyDeleteHow did I miss this post? These are great pictures, and quite a story too!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful family you have and what a joyfilled reunion!