Final day together

Today has been one of laughs and anxiety for me. It is our last day with Clayton. We spent the evening hours at the Kansas State Fair. Be sure to look at the 60 photos uploaded.

Yesterday Clayton spent the evening with friends. It has been a wonderful 15 days and in a few hours we will turn the page and begin a new chapter.

There are so many family and friends praying for him and I have seen them answered in many ways. Please continue to share your support through this blog. It keeps Clayton connected to home while he is away.

Thank you to everyone locally that has taken time to share your support and thanks with Clayton. I think it is wonderful that he knows just how supported he is. That will help carry him through the next 8 months.

Clay & Grandma

Had dinner at Grandma's tonight. Steak and lots of sides. Yum.

Time together is winding down

Today is day 13 of our 15 days with Clayton. I'm already missing him! We have enjoyed each day we've had with him. Fun times...goofy times.

I haven't posted in a few days but have been uploading new pics. I'm not sure why they are not good copies online - must be compressed or something. The originals on my computer are much better copies.

Week 2

Week 2 is disappearing quickly. We didn't take any pictures on Monday. GASP! We did take a few after dinner tonight. You can view them at the end of the online album.

Labor Day Celebration

Today was a fun day. We started it with a brunch in Sunday School. Clayton visited our class. We came home and had lunch. Some of us napped. Later we attended the labor day celebration at church. It was fun. Clayton tried to dunk Pastor Doug. Even though he hit the lever it didn't dunk him. He and Barry played a game of horseshoes and they won.



More pics in the online album.

Weekend Fun

Saturday we had the Fillenworth's over for a pizza and a game of cards. Nothing like a game of cards to learn a few things about each other. Ha ha!

More pics in the online album.

Week 1

I have enjoyed every day Clayton has been home but am sad to realize a week has passed. 8 more days until he returns to Afghanistan. The holiday weekend is here and we have plans to play cards with friends on Saturday and attend the church bbq on Sunday. Monday we may go to a movie or just have a quiet day at home.

A few more pics are online.

Clay's Arrival in the States

Clay's flight from Germany took him to Dallas where he caught a connecting flight home. The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport has an awesome way of welcoming home the troops from the Middle East for R & R. Upon Approach, the DFW Fire and Rescue officers salute the arriving flight with its traditional "Shower of Affection". The water salute consists of two water turrets with nozzles that discharge 1,500 gallons of water per minute arching over the plane.

Information from the postcard given to Clay.

Thank you to American Airlines for bumping him to first class on his flight into Wichita!

Another great day

No need to fill our days with "things to do" when the best thing is just being together!



More photos have been uploaded!

Another day together

Day 5 was spent at home. I have enjoyed more of Clay's company than Barry, since he has to work. It reminds me of when he still lived at home.

A few more photos have been added to the online album.

I think the ISO was off on the pics today. Oh, well.

Awesome Tuesday

Clay visited with our Tuesday night life group. Our hosts, Gary & Ellen Blair, had a suprise celebration for Clay. What a special group of loving wonderful friends we have. They pray for Clay and also for me and Barry and I know they will continue to support us for the remainder of Clay's deployment.

The cake was beautiful. It was a special night all around. Everyone got to ask Clay questions about his experiences in Afghanistan. More photos have been uploaded to the online album. Newer photos will be at the end of the album.

Monday

Today was day 3 of our visit with Clayton. We started the day with a bike ride and breakfast. Clayton went with me to WalMart to pick up a few things. It's been a while since he's done that. The little things that make up our day are not things he can do in Afghanistan. Something I think about often. Even the indoor plumbing and "real" showers are a nice part of being home for him, along with a nice big comfortable bed. I can't imagine [mostly] using a port-a-potty and getting 2 minute showers of recycled treated water.

We ended our day grilling burgers, brat and hot dogs. We are trying to squeeze in all of Clay's favorite meals in 15 days. Yum for him and ouch for my waist line.

We took a few photos today. They are in the online album.

Sunday Pics

We didn't take many pictures on Sunday. Just a couple before we left for church. After church Vickie, Gary & Karen headed back home. We had lunch at Dorothy's and came home to relax the rest of the day. Barry and I took a little nap while Clay caught up on his game time. He was tired and went to bed at 8:00 pm - something he hasn't done since....2nd grade. Ha Ha! He joined me this morning on my bike ride. We rode 4 miles and then I cooked breakfast for my guys.

Photos from Day 1

Saturday was day 1 of our visit with Clay. After we all slept in we spent the day at Grandma Wall's. We had lunch at Applebee's and grilled baby back ribs for dinner with lots of side dishes. Dale & Diana came over from Pratt and joined us for dinner. I made homemade strawberry ice cream for dessert.

Barry's brother and sister came to see Clay. Thanks Vickie, Gary & Karen for welcoming Clay home with us. We appreciate you driving out here!

More pictures on in the online album.

Photos from Clayton's Visit

Clayton & Barry goofing off.

Clayton finally arrived in Kansas on Friday. It took him 5 days to get here. Photos from his arrival day can be viewed in an online album. We'll post more photos during his visit.

Clay is coming home!!!

I am so excited! Clay is on his way home for a 15 day visit. He left yesterday and should arrive in the United States on Wednesday. At this time I have no information of his flight to Wichita. Maybe I will find that out later today when we expect to hear from Clay again.

He was supposed to have already arrived [yesterday] but there was a problem in communication. Something that is all to common if you ask me. You get no information until the last minute. Anyway, let me scoot that soapbox under the table...

I can't believe I haven't posted updates in a few weeks. Not sure where the time went. I will try to do better in the future because I know there are many people that read this blog and continue to support us with your prayers. Thank you. We do appreciate it.

More later!

Our last pre-deployment visit

Barry and I flew to Nashville on April 30th and spent the weekend visiting with Clay. This was our last visit before he deploys.

Clay picked us up at the airport [this was a first] and took us to our lodging on post. It rained the entire visit so we didn't get to visit the local attractions like we had planned. I guess we'll do those when he returns.

Of course Clay wanted Barry to try on his armor.

Signs of a visit

Signs that Clay came to visit.

I thought soldiers were taught how to make a bed?
And that toilet lid should be down. We have pets!

Clay's visit

Clay returned to Ft. Campbell yesterday. The house was quiet today. I miss his laughter and conversation already. Barry and I will fly out in a few weeks to see him one final time before he deploys. How will I manage the long journey before us? I'm already concerned with his well-being while in Afghanistan. Will it be too cold or too hot? Sandy and windy? Bad food? Clean underwear? Sleep deprived? Will he be safe?

Clay celebrated his 26th birthday while he was home. 26! How did that happen? Thank you to everyone that helped us celebrate with him. He enjoyed his day.

Photos so far

Photos from Clay's visit [so far] have been uploaded. They include photos taken on his birthday Saturday, April 3rd.

You can view them here.