On Saturday I was visiting Mom & Dad. I met Mom at her studio and was there for a couple of hours. I decided to head home in order to watch the Aggie game and Mom would follow when she was done. During my drive I started thinking about Jeff and realized that I hadn't been by his tree at the high school in a long time. So I decided to swing by, plus I wanted to see the new highway that is now the road the school is on. Goodbye Kirby Rd, hello HWY 190. I also wanted to see how drained the lake was around Miller Rd and 66. By the way, the highway is huge and I had a hard time comprehending how different it looks. Also, the lake around Miller looks low, but normal. The lake around 66 however is a green pasture on the north side and what looks like a small pond on the south side. You can see the entire old 66 road and can walk it completely. It's crazy!!
Well, upon my arrival at the school there were some kids and adults standing around the area of Jeff's tree. I walk up and the adults were curious as to who I was and seem hesitant that some stranger just walks up to them. Well, I proceed to inform while pointing to the tree that it was planted for Jeff Blackhurst who is my brother. Come to find out these kids and adults were cleaning up the area, planting new flowers, and put down new mulch for an Eagle Scout project. The young man is Zach, didn't catch his last name, and he is a senior at Rowlett in the band who thought the area needed a makeover. Mom and Dad knew that this project was in the works, but didn't know when it would happen. Fortunately the Spirit prompted me to stop by and made the project for Zach even more meaningful. I took a few pictures and wish I got a picture of Zach. His mom got one of the two of us. I will see if I can get a copy.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
SURPRISE!!!! I'M HOME!!!!!!
So I had the biggest surprise of my life, well not really because I had a phone call that ruined part of the surprise, but it was a surprise nonetheless.
Brett told me that he would be returning home on March 21st. I was excited and bummed all at the same time because I had a 3 day weekend the starting the 18th for spring break. (yeah, students get a whole week off and I get only ONE DAY. thanks pres. loftin) I really wanted him home for that 3 day weekend. Well, my mom had the whole week off for spring break and she wanted to help me do a spring clean at my house and get some curtains that whole week. She ended up splitting the week up between me and my 2 brothers (2 days with each). She drove down the night of Mon the 14th and stayed until Wed evening. My brother in Montgomery had our truck so I rode with Mom and met up with my brother and his wife who drove our truck so I could get it back. Then drove it home at about 9pm.
To back up a bit, the phone call I got was Tues night from a sister missionary, who was on her mission with her husband, from Brett's ward on base just letting me know how great Brett is as a man/soldier and how much they will miss him and want us to look them up the next time we are in Utah. She also mentioned that he would be traveling home the next day and be in my arms by nightfall. So of course I'm confused. How could he be in my arms tomorrow night when he said he wasn't going to be home for another 6 days?
So the whole next day I was anxious with the thought that maybe he was going to surprise me and I have always wanted that. I always see those videos online about soldiers coming home and surprising their families and thought it would be awesome if that happened to me. And when I drove the truck home at 9pm I started thinking that maybe the sister missionary was wrong. So I got ready for bed and finally laid down at 10pm since I had work in the morning.
Well, at around 10:30pm my doorbell rings. So of course I'm freaking out because I'm half asleep (so is my dog, Ruti) and we both are scared awake by the doorbell. Who would be at my door that late at night. Ruti is barking at the front door from the kitchen, and if you know my house that's a good 15 feet or more, and glancing at me with this scared looked. So I get up and throw on some clothes, try to calm down Ruti as I do so, grab my Walther PK380 gun and slowly go to the door. Fortunately I've been keeping the porch light on at night and I could see who is standing at my door.
My heart stopped and I got butterflies in my stomach when I realized who was there, BRETT!!!! At first my thought was, am I dreaming. I've been having dreams about Brett almost every night ever since he left. So I'm setting the gun down as I'm unlocking the door and then open it and sure enough, there is my husband all dressed in his army finest. I jump into his arms and still keep asking my self, am I dreaming. He then proceeds to tell me that I don't have work the next day and that we will have a 4 day weekend together. WHOOP!!!! HOOAH!!!!
Apparently my whole family knew and my work knew that Brett was coming home earlier that he was telling me. Everyone did well with keeping the secret except for that sister missionary. He actually came home when he was suppose to, but was just telling me later so he could surprise me. So romantic. I'm happy as ever to have my husband back and since it was a surprise I have no pictures of the night, but hopefully I painted a good picture for you.
Brett told me that he would be returning home on March 21st. I was excited and bummed all at the same time because I had a 3 day weekend the starting the 18th for spring break. (yeah, students get a whole week off and I get only ONE DAY. thanks pres. loftin) I really wanted him home for that 3 day weekend. Well, my mom had the whole week off for spring break and she wanted to help me do a spring clean at my house and get some curtains that whole week. She ended up splitting the week up between me and my 2 brothers (2 days with each). She drove down the night of Mon the 14th and stayed until Wed evening. My brother in Montgomery had our truck so I rode with Mom and met up with my brother and his wife who drove our truck so I could get it back. Then drove it home at about 9pm.
To back up a bit, the phone call I got was Tues night from a sister missionary, who was on her mission with her husband, from Brett's ward on base just letting me know how great Brett is as a man/soldier and how much they will miss him and want us to look them up the next time we are in Utah. She also mentioned that he would be traveling home the next day and be in my arms by nightfall. So of course I'm confused. How could he be in my arms tomorrow night when he said he wasn't going to be home for another 6 days?
So the whole next day I was anxious with the thought that maybe he was going to surprise me and I have always wanted that. I always see those videos online about soldiers coming home and surprising their families and thought it would be awesome if that happened to me. And when I drove the truck home at 9pm I started thinking that maybe the sister missionary was wrong. So I got ready for bed and finally laid down at 10pm since I had work in the morning.
Well, at around 10:30pm my doorbell rings. So of course I'm freaking out because I'm half asleep (so is my dog, Ruti) and we both are scared awake by the doorbell. Who would be at my door that late at night. Ruti is barking at the front door from the kitchen, and if you know my house that's a good 15 feet or more, and glancing at me with this scared looked. So I get up and throw on some clothes, try to calm down Ruti as I do so, grab my Walther PK380 gun and slowly go to the door. Fortunately I've been keeping the porch light on at night and I could see who is standing at my door.
My heart stopped and I got butterflies in my stomach when I realized who was there, BRETT!!!! At first my thought was, am I dreaming. I've been having dreams about Brett almost every night ever since he left. So I'm setting the gun down as I'm unlocking the door and then open it and sure enough, there is my husband all dressed in his army finest. I jump into his arms and still keep asking my self, am I dreaming. He then proceeds to tell me that I don't have work the next day and that we will have a 4 day weekend together. WHOOP!!!! HOOAH!!!!
Apparently my whole family knew and my work knew that Brett was coming home earlier that he was telling me. Everyone did well with keeping the secret except for that sister missionary. He actually came home when he was suppose to, but was just telling me later so he could surprise me. So romantic. I'm happy as ever to have my husband back and since it was a surprise I have no pictures of the night, but hopefully I painted a good picture for you.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Bitter Sweet Christmas Season
This Christmas was special for our family because Brett was given the opportunity to come home for two weeks. It had been 4 months since Brett has set foot in our home. Brett flew into Austin very late on Dec 18th. I was so excited and nervous the whole day that I just had to stay busy so I wouldn't drive to Austin way too early. I ended up cleaning the entire house a little too much. It was nice to have it so clean though. I didn't drive to Austin alone, I had some good friends come with me, Tanner and Sami. They wanted to surprise Brett.
We got to the airport sooner than I thought and had about 30 minutes before his flight would arrive, but once we were there the evil arrival screen said that his flight had been delayed by an hour and a half. I was very irritated that I just kept walking in circles, tried sleeping but nothing worked. Tanner then went for a walk and came back with wonderful news. The flight was only delayed 5 minutes and would arrive in 10 minutes!!!! Boy did this make me happy. If you are unfamiliar with the Austin airport the ground floor is baggage claim and public entrance. You have to go up escalators for the gates, so I stood at the bottom of the escalators waiting....When I first stood there waiting there wasn't that many people. Then as passengers started coming down the escalators all of a sudden there were people everywhere. No idea where they came from.
At the top of the escalators you could only see the legs of people so every time I saw military legs I got excited, but then disappointed. Then another pair of legs appeared and there he was, standing on the escalators looking in the crowd for me. Brett then spotted me and my heart skipped a beat just like the first time I looked into his eyes. Once he reached the bottom of the stairs I tried to run to him, but another military family stopped right in between us with their reunion..grrr. Then finally we were in each others arms and once again I started crying. So happy to have my wonderful husband back.
I hear there are pictures of our reunion, but not on my camera. It died just as we were about to embrace. If I get copies I might share them.
This reunion is bitter sweet because we knew back in August that Brett would be coming home around Christmas time, but to stay. Come to find out in November that he has training until March!! So instead of having Brett home for good, it was only for two weeks. They were wonderful two weeks. I had the 24th-31st off with paid holiday leave, so I just took vacation the 20th-23rd. So we truly had two weeks together. It was our first Christmas holiday that neither of us had to work. We were able to see our three fabulous families (Blackhurst, Jones, and Johnson) and enjoy Christmas and Birthdays. We also spent time with our wonderful friends and attend the temple. We also spent some quality time just the two of us. It was so nice to not have a schedule and just enjoy everyone's company. I have pictures, but haven't gotten them on a computer yet. Those will come later.
Then early early on Jan 2nd we had to drive back to the Austin airport. We were grateful that Brett was in uniform because he would have missed his flight due to the security line. It was insane, but he got in the priority line and made his flight. I stayed with him as long as I could and watched until I couldn't see him anymore. I did good with not crying until I got to the car. Two more months.
We got to the airport sooner than I thought and had about 30 minutes before his flight would arrive, but once we were there the evil arrival screen said that his flight had been delayed by an hour and a half. I was very irritated that I just kept walking in circles, tried sleeping but nothing worked. Tanner then went for a walk and came back with wonderful news. The flight was only delayed 5 minutes and would arrive in 10 minutes!!!! Boy did this make me happy. If you are unfamiliar with the Austin airport the ground floor is baggage claim and public entrance. You have to go up escalators for the gates, so I stood at the bottom of the escalators waiting....When I first stood there waiting there wasn't that many people. Then as passengers started coming down the escalators all of a sudden there were people everywhere. No idea where they came from.
At the top of the escalators you could only see the legs of people so every time I saw military legs I got excited, but then disappointed. Then another pair of legs appeared and there he was, standing on the escalators looking in the crowd for me. Brett then spotted me and my heart skipped a beat just like the first time I looked into his eyes. Once he reached the bottom of the stairs I tried to run to him, but another military family stopped right in between us with their reunion..grrr. Then finally we were in each others arms and once again I started crying. So happy to have my wonderful husband back.
I hear there are pictures of our reunion, but not on my camera. It died just as we were about to embrace. If I get copies I might share them.
This reunion is bitter sweet because we knew back in August that Brett would be coming home around Christmas time, but to stay. Come to find out in November that he has training until March!! So instead of having Brett home for good, it was only for two weeks. They were wonderful two weeks. I had the 24th-31st off with paid holiday leave, so I just took vacation the 20th-23rd. So we truly had two weeks together. It was our first Christmas holiday that neither of us had to work. We were able to see our three fabulous families (Blackhurst, Jones, and Johnson) and enjoy Christmas and Birthdays. We also spent time with our wonderful friends and attend the temple. We also spent some quality time just the two of us. It was so nice to not have a schedule and just enjoy everyone's company. I have pictures, but haven't gotten them on a computer yet. Those will come later.
Then early early on Jan 2nd we had to drive back to the Austin airport. We were grateful that Brett was in uniform because he would have missed his flight due to the security line. It was insane, but he got in the priority line and made his flight. I stayed with him as long as I could and watched until I couldn't see him anymore. I did good with not crying until I got to the car. Two more months.
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