Almost Home

Cole and I shot that with my iPhone the other night after finding out that Josh Downs was safely out of Afghanistan.

The anxiety in my gut and mind had been building because he was already supposed to be out of there, but every day or two, I'd get a call from him saying that he was still at Camp Marmal and that hopefully he'd get out the following day.

So when he called to say that he was on his way home and was currently in Kurdistan (I don't know where that is...Maybe Turkey?) I just sat in my car on the side of the road and cried. I'm not even sure why.

Relief I guess.

Last night, the kids and I all went to dinner and spent the entire evening telling stories and sharing our favorite things about Josh.

And at 10:12 p.m., I got the phone call I had been waiting seven months for; the call where my cell phone listed the caller as 'Harriet' (his nickname, from a quote he sent me by Harriet Beecher Stowe when we first started dating). Not the odd six digit numbers I'd grown accustomed to seeing when he called from Afghanistan or the long numbers I'd seen when he called from other countries. It was his cell phone number this time - which told me he was in the U.S.

And if all goes as planned, we'll see him step off a plane and onto the tarmac of Klamath Falls International Airport tomorrow.

And I don't normally blog on Sundays, but I knew that many of you would want to know, that many of you have been thinking of and praying for his safe return, that many of you have left comments and sent emails or even mailed care packages to him in Afghanistan and that many of you have been anticipating this post.

Thanks for all that. Thanks for your patriotism. Thanks for caring about my little family and for doing things that made some of the days without him a little brighter.

I probably won't be blogging much over the next few weeks. We're going to spend a few days at home and then we're taking the kids on a surprise road-trip. But I'll share everything when we get back. And I'm about two months behind on emails right now so I hope to get caught up on that when I get back too. (Sorry if I owe you one.)

And if you'r reading this Josh Downs...You have all of my honor and all of my respect and all of my love.

Comments

[Annette]

I'm just so, so, so, so excited for you and the kids and relieved to hear that he's safely returned to the US. Give him a big hug and tell him thank you for all he's given for his country.

[Michelle Adams]

Ours too, Josh Downs, ours too!!!! :)

[Adrian V.]

Great news for you and your family!

[Cheryl]

Thank you Lord for his safer return!

[Kim H.]

Yahoo!!!!!! That is the kind of news that I like to hear. How a fabulous reunion!!!!!

[Kristi in CA]

Amen! Can't wait for the updated pictures. Please thank John for all he has done for our Country - a true hero!

[kristin]

I usually don't check your blog on Sundays, but I was hoping for this post!!!!!!! Yay! Enjoy him!!!!!
Thanks for what you do JD!

[Amy Rich]

So happy for you and your family. Just wanted to share that I was at the post office the other day with my two little guys and my 7 year old saw a soldier walk in and he proudly says "thank you for your service soldier". He said it after the gentleman passed, but it warmed my heart. So from my 7 year old to your Josh Downs - "Thank you for your service Soldier - Welcome Home!"

[quietangelsb]

Thank you for the sacrifice that you and your family have made over those long months. Enjoy your much deserved reunion!!!

[tluu]

God bless your family. Just hold each other tight & enjoy that you all are reunited. Thank you for sharing your family's love with us.

[krista resnick]

first and foremost-thank you Josh Downs for your act of service. Second-words cannot even express how happy I am for you Karen that he is finally almost home. Embrace and enjoy the next few weeks together. Many prayers and warm thoughts being sent your way:) Looking forward to your photog workshop in April:)

[mandy friend]

i am so so so so so happy for you. i am crying with joy, i can't imagine how you feel!

[Wendy]

So happy for you and your family!

[Jeane]

I am so happy and excited for all of you!!! I can not imagine being without my husband for that long and I admire you for that!!!

Enjoy every single second of the homecoming!!!!!!!!!!!

[jm]

Add my prayers to the many that will carry him home.

[Addie]

Yay! I love this post! So glad you're home safe Josh Downs! Let the partay begin!:)

[Betsy]

Thank God!

[Lori]

Many thanks to Josh for his service to Our Country. I can't even imagine how difficult this has been for all of you. VERY happy to hear he is on U.S. Ground again. Congrats and enjoy!

[Cara Lieggi]

I am so relieved to read this post! I have tears in my eyes! God Bless!!!!! Thanks Josh for all you have done for our country and freedom! Enjoy your time together! WOOOO HOOOOOOO!

[A Facebook User]

Doing the happy dance with a Woo Hoo. So happy that the day has arrived and little Annie does not have to wait long days any more. Embrace every moment you have over the next few weeks. Can't wait of the updates.
God is great for watching over you all and sending him home safely.

[Melanie]

Yayyyyy!!!!!! So happy that he is back in the U.S. and that you are almost able to see him! I just got home from photographing a military homecoming here in CA. It was such an emotional experience and I feel privileged to have been able to witness it. Congratulations and Thank You to Josh and your entire family for giving so much of yourselves for our country.

[Deb]

Give him a kiss and a hug (or two or three or more) from all of us loving your family's service and sacrifice and following along and lending our prayers and tears for you. Love your little family and wish there were a bunch more like you.

[ellen patton]

God bless America and all our soldiers.

[Darlene Meyer]

Tears of joy!!! Thank God that JD is returning to your wonderful family safe and sound. I've been through homecomings from Iraq (my daughter), and there's nothing like it. Thank him for his service, and know that your family's sacrifice is also valued.

[Kelly]

GOD
BLESS!!!