(Believe it or not, this was the best of the dozen of group shots I took of the Oompas. Some things never change, thank goodness!)
What a wonderful week this has been. Having Gabe back in the house was like a step back in time, the way it used to be. As badly as his friends wanted to spend time with him, he made an extra effort to stay home with his siblings each day until after supper time before meeting with his old friends. Even then the time was too short and it was with great reluctance that we drove him back to meet up with his buddy's family in Burlington for the long trip back to Fort Campbell.
(Art setting off some of the fireworks Dickidoo bought the kids. It has rained almost daily so fireworks were permitted this year.)
We ended up not celebrating Christmas as we had originally planned but stubbornly skipped the 4th of July fireworks displays and picnics and remained home to take advantage of our last night together. By the end of the evening our cul de sac was full of well wishing friends who stopped by to celebrate with us. We may yet get another opportunity to spend Christmas together, but this summer we celebrated our family's togetherness.
Quite honestly I avoided the subject of Gabe's pending deployment. It will happen soon enough. (too soon if you ask me). I didn't want to waste precious time dreading the future. The baby's due date has been moved up to late August. With all the uncertainty that looms ahead, I find myself waiting impatiently for the end of summer and the birth of my new grandbaby. Hopefully the Oompas and soon to be two Grand Oompas will provide enough distraction so that perhaps, just maybe, the time will fly mercifully by quickly.
Thank you all for your kind, loving wishes. And an extra special 'Thank You!' to Gabe's buddy's family who allowed him to tag along with them on their family's cross country vacation so that he could make it home to us. The House of Oompa has been a very happy place this past week.
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16 comments:
Awww... What a beautiful picture!! :) You need to frame this one!! Julie :)
dang it...I must be PMSing beucase I'm all crying after reading and seeing the picture.
Stupid deployments. >:-(
~Amy
I am so happy that you had this time with Gabe!!! I knew each day we didn't hear from you, meant another day with Gabe!!!!! God speed Gabriel.
be well,
Dawn
Congrats on the coming Grandbabies and what a precious gift that was for Gabe to be able to come back and visit. Glad you all had some time to spend with one another.
Lisa
I'm so glad you got to see your son. What a blessing. Hopefully some miracle will occur and you will get to see your grandbaby in person.
Traci
What an awesome way to spend the 4th, Dorn!! ALL of the Oompas looks so happy to be together!!
Thanks for sharing. I'm glad he made it home!
:) Carol
The family is so happy in the picture.
Missie
Don't ya just love how people reach out to you to make things happen, likes gabe's cross country adventure! You know it was ones mothers heart calling out to another and thank God it was answered quickly and you got to spend time with Gabe......now for time to FLY till he's home again all wrapped up in his Son's arms. I have a Brother-in-law that is based out of Fort Campbell..he's waaaaaaay up there in rank cuz he's a lifer...Thomas Alvin Lanier......ring a bell??
I just love this picture Jody.....I know your heart feels good....it gave me a blessing to see all of yours together....
Michele
i so know how you are feeling, hang in there :) love the pictures enjoy your weekend
Deb
Awwww... I love the picture of the oompas! And, it wouldn't look natural if they were all 'behaving', now would it? I'm so happy that you got to have Gabe visit for a while... what a wonderful gift for you (and him.. and your family!)
I loved that picture of your kids! I think it says more about their love for one another here than if they behaved themselves for a sitting. This picture is a true treasure. I'm so glad you had Gabe there with the whole bunch to have some family togetherness. I'm keeping Gabe in my prayers on the smoke, this war may end before he ends up deployed. (Hugs) Indigo
My birthday is August 26th...
What a wonderful picture.
Dorn I am so glad that you got to enjoy your time with Gabe
and that all of the Oompa's were together for awhile.
It must be so hard to have him so far away, and while I know
you don't want to focus on the impending overseas mission Gabe will be going on,
I wanted to let you know that he is constantly in my prayers.
Now let's get excited for a new grand Oompa :]
Hugs,
Heather
http://singingwithmyheart.blogspot.com/
I am so happy Gabe made it home for the 4th. The pictures are all great but the one with the fireworks is awesome.
Julie
glad you got to see your baby..my oldest son best friend since they were 8 is in iraq and this is his second time.. I saw him the other day....I could see he had seen more than he wanted to...I gave him a hug and said come back to us
Donna In TEXAS
sweeping the cobwebs of my mind
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