The boys are home!

Our family in the front yard July 13, 2008. We are so thrilled to have our two older boys home. We meet Casey (back left) on July 2 in southern Indiana. He had driven with his roommate to Huntingsburg Indiana and we meet him there along the interstate. It was quite by accident since we ran out of gas! It was quite funny, since the gas is so high and we were pushing the van to make it to the next Exit and we would fill up... HA! We soon learned that we can't make it half way across MO. and all the way across ILL. and half way across IN. on one tank of gas... First time in our married life that we have run out of gas.... Casey and Caleb brought us a gallon of gas and we were back on the road. IT was along 12 hour day of travel and we were thrilled to arrive and Martha and Bennie's dairy farm late that night.
We enjoyed the time there visiting with family and just spending time together. I had talked with Derek the week before and he was to leave Baghdad on July 5th and we figured that meet two days of travel and he would be in Indiana. But we still had not heard from him until the morning on July 7. He finally was able to call and tell us that he was arriving in Indiana on the 8th at 6:15 pm. So finally we had a date and time. Life isn't planned when you have members in the Military. I've learned in the past 2.5 years that FLEXIBILITY is the word of the time. It's still difficult to figure out things and make plans for the rest of the family and for others putting up with us.
We moved from the Bowman's home to the Chuck and Laura Thompson home for a nights stay, (which is closer to Indianapolis airport, making it easier to get Derek when he called). We were lucky that we did get to spend the time with Don's brother and family since Derek called early and we were able to get him at 2:30 and then head to Mo. to see my family. As the saying goes, "All things are for a reason," of course it's not until this week that I have been given the reason. My step grandmother has been in the hospital in Keokuk Iowa and we were able to stop and see her one last time. She passed on this past Sat. July 12, 2008. We are so glad that Derek arrived early and we had the time to drive from Indiana to MO/Iowa border to visit with Grace and Roger Spory before God called her home.
We also were able to spend that night with my parents, brother and his family, allowing them to see Casey and Derek. At least that saved them from the high gas price and the travel to see the boys at our place.