Missouri felt like a little piece of heaven

I've fallen very behind in my updates on Farmboy and the kids and just plain life in general. The word I'm looking for is guilt. NOT because I'm not journaling (although I do feel a bit of regret because I tend to forget things if I don't get them down in writing) but guilt if I take the time to blog. I feel like my time is so precious and I never get half the things done that I mean to. I've got laundry to fold, kids to read to, and conference talks to study.... if I blog that means that I'm not getting something important done.

But, tonight I promised myself that I would journal the week that I spent with Farmboy in Missouri. The kids are in bed; the laundry is mostly done and it's only 9:40pm.

After Miss Jane was born, Farmboy and I got to speak on the phone for a little while. That was the first time that he mentioned the possibility of the 2 of us coming out to visit him after he graduated from Basic Training. It seemed like a long shot, but I did my best to make it happen and the Lord supplied the blessings that helped really make it possible. And so the Tuesday before he graduated, the baby and I took 2 planes and a 2 hour car drive so that she could meet her daddy.

Wed morning Miss Jane and I headed over to the base to find our way around and await the call. As small as Ft Leonardwood is...I still managed to spend the morning lost.


But by 1pm, Farmboy called and we met him at the PX. It was delightful to see him hold his little girl for the first time. He was so excited to meet her. I could just see it in his face how much he loved her. Strange to have it happen in a car parked in a parking lot in Missouri.


That first day, Farmboy gave us a tour of all the places he'd been the last 10 weeks. It sure was an education and nice to finally see it in person. It was a bit surreal to have him there with us in the car--a little like a dream. We ate dinner in the park and he held Miss Jane and soon it was time to say goodbye. But it wasn't a sad goodbye because we knew that we'd see each other the next day. Graduation.


Thursday was the day Farmboy graduated from Basic Training. I was sitting in the 2nd row at the front of the auditorium when the program began. Farmboy had said that if I wanted to see him that I should sit on the left side--close to the front. He had said there was a bit of surprise in the program. Oh boy! I was nervous. But when the program started I understood. Out walked Farmboy to the podium. He was the narrator for the entire program! I was shocked to see him up there. When I asked him later how he got that job he said that he'd auditioned...funny guy.


The next few days went by quickly. Sadly. We did get to hang out a lot on base and explore some back roads. We even got caught in a thunderstorm, but true to Missouri weather it didn't last very long. We had a picnic in the park, got eaten by bugs, and Miss Jane and Farmboy enjoyed a nice nap (something they both needed desperately). Visiting the USO, going to a movie, taking pictures of all of the Army Tanks for HY to see. Church on Sunday. It was wonderful to be together, but sad each night when I had to drop him off for formation. Each night knowing that we had one less day together and we'd be leaving soon. And so on Monday, we made sure to have a bit of fun.

Minature Golf in 80degree weather sounds delightful---if the humidity hadn't been enough to kill us. Poor Farmboy nearly sweat to death in his long sleeves and wool hat. But the experience was memorable and I think if we had to do it again we'd have opted for swimming.


On Monday around 5 pm I took him back to the barracks.
We kissed goodbye for another 10-15 weeks...


Miss Jane misses her daddy already. Me too.


Me.
Too.