HAPPY HOMECOMING, BROTHER IN LAW!!!

We're in Washington, D.C. right now and it has been one big adventure to say the least. I alluded to our trip last week but I couldn't say where we were going because we were coming up for my BROTHER IN LAW'S surprise welcome home party and he reads the blog sometimes and I am not a good secret-keeper. It's also why my sister and I have been on blogging hiatus. As always on our family trips, there were a multitude of mishaps which I will blog about later (faulty brakes on our rental car, leaving luggage behind, losing our stroller, etc etc). But there's so much good news, and it is soooo good I must say because I was crying on and off all day Saturday but I am quite sure that it was a mix of hormones and happiness (I can't imagine the sheer joy that my sister and brother-in-law's family were experiencing simultaneously). First, we had a welcome home party with family at his favorite place in the whole world: Capitol City Brewery. He had no idea we were all here at all (along with a news crew!) After dinner, all the women took off early (using excuses like putting kids to bed, letting the guys hang out for a beer, yada yada) and instead we went back to their house to decorate for the after-party to include their friends too. When the guys rolled up with Zach, not only were there flags lining the streets, there was a group of men and women, part of the Patriot Guard Riders, holding flags lining the streets, their neighbors came out and we were all ringing cowbells (more cowbell!) It was a sight to behold! HE IS HOME!! SAFE AND SOUND!! People still walk by and come up to their place to read the banner draped across the front of their condo. It is all so touching. Like the people who come up and shake his hand and say "thank you" to him. And yesterday a woman passing by in her car stopped, put the car in reverse to read the banner outside, saluted from the driver's seat, and drove off. I get tears in my eyes just thinking about it. I don't even think she knew we were watching from inside. To top everything off this weekend, we were all sitting around their new condo and Poops just got up by himself in the middle of the floor and stood for the first time!!!!! No hands! Finally! Now we are just waiting for him to take a few steps.

FOX5 in Washington, D.C. did a story on his homecoming and how my sister coped with his deployment and you can see it here. It really is hilarious! Not to mention, Poops makes his first cameo appearance in the video of the welcome home.

Finally, today is Memorial Day, and as one soldier returns home safely, we must remember the men and women still fighting overseas and the many who have lost their lives. We pray for you everyday and love all of you! Thank you for your service!