This is an update on our son and family. We left Thursday morning to go to GA to pick up Bobby at Fort Benning. The trip was fine except for driving through Atlanta. Lets just say small town people aren't used to that! We did fine though and got to our hotel in Columbus before dark. We checked in and were so worn out we ordered pizza and just stayed inside and rested. Bobby called and we found out we could pick him up at 6 AM on Friday so we were excited. The weather man was saying heavy rain and wind for Friday in Columbus and snow for our area in NC. We got up early and were just leaving the hotel around 5:20 AM when Bobby called to say he could leave as soon as we could get there. We started out in pouring rain, wind and dark conditions. It was not pleasant! So there we were. Still worn out from the day before and a not so great night's sleep and not sure where to go to get our son. I was worried about our kids at home with our older daughter. Worried about the weather and our trip back home. Worried about finding Bobby in a timely manner so that he didn't get in trouble for us being late and just worried in general. So I was praying for all these concerns and suddenly I looked to my left and there was a huge billboard with just two words on it... TRUST GOD! So I said a prayer of thanks and stopped all the worrying. We got to Fort Benning and were helped by several very polite soldiers standing out in the rain giving directions and suddenly there we were in front of our son's building. We walked under a thing that looks like a parking deck and there were soldiers standing in formation and a few parents standing off to the side. One lady was close so I asked if we were supposed to tell anyone we were there. She said she didn't think we needed to. Nobody seemed to be doing anything so I walked closer to the soldiers and waited a minute and a very nice man walked up to us and started talking and then there he was! Bobby! I was pretty strong up until that minute. I just hugged him and Freddy at the same time. I think I said Well it's about time and Freddy said Boy are you ready to go home? It was very emotional and not very Army like I am sure. Anyway we loaded his stuff in our van and left. We got almost home before the snow started and by the time we got on our street the road was white. As we came out our street my sister was on her front porch waving and in front of our house was a big banner that the girls made saying WELCOME HOME BOBBY. There was our older daughter, her husband, our two younger daughters and Crystal's best friend Sara. They mobbed Bobby and it was glorious to see. The kids have been together almost constantly since we got home and our son who is a town police officer got to come by Friday night to see his youngest brother in his Army uniform. Sara had to leave for a while yesterday but we went and picked her up again so she is here now. She is Bobby's girlfriend as well as our daughter's bff. We have eaten, made pictures, eaten, gone to Walmart, eaten, (are you seeing a pattern here) made candy and played Wii and board games, there has been constant giggles from the girls and all in all we are having a wonderful time. The one bad thing so far is that church was canceled because of the ice this morning. Bobby really wanted to see everyone at church. We are supposed to have a service Wed. night and we will have a Christmas night service too. He doesn't have to leave until Jan. 4th so we have lots of time to see people. We may get more bad weather Christmas Eve but hopefully it will only be rain. If you got this far Wow! Thanks for all of you who have been praying for Bobby in the last many months. He has really done a lot of growing up and has turned his life around. He was never a bad guy, but he was directionless and headed for trouble. Now he has plans and a goal in life. He seems to like the Army and thinks he may want to stay in for a long time. We will see. I have mixed emotions about that, but mostly I am just so very proud of him and Freddy is over the moon with pride, relief, and love for his once wayward son. Have a Merry Christmas my friends. I know we will. Beth and Freddy, Matthew, Maggie, Katie, Bill, Bobby, Crystal, and Emily.
Blessings to you all, Beth!!! How wonderful!!! Isn't it great to have a family to come home to? (And, for what it's worth, I've memories of my family getting lost in Atlanta when I was a kid! We were trying to visit my uncle and his family. Carl and I drove through it going to Florida a few years back with all three kids. We hit the town about 2 AM, and had NO trouble at all,! It's a GREAT time to drive through Atlanta, lol!) Can you post a picture of your handsome, young soldier?
The Army can be an awesome way for someone who needs direction and a kick in the butt to get going. I am so glad he got to come home!
Beth, I am so excited for you and your family. Tell Bobby Hi, and sorry we missed him when we were there in October, we are praying for him. Have a great Christmas!!! Send some pictures of that handsome Army man!!!
Oh Beth, that is so neat, sure glad everyone is having a wonderful time. Hope your weather clears out soon. Hey, do me a favor send me some of that snow, I would love to have a white Christmas and I will send you all cookies. Have fun and enjoy every mintue with him. Tell everyone hi and Merry Christmas from us. Yes would love to see pictures.
Beth, how wonderful!!!! (why is it everytime I read a Bobby letter; I end up sobbing?) I'm so happy he's home and that he is finding his way. You all are still in my prayers. Hope you all have the Merriest Christmas yet!!!! LucyRicardo
Thanks guys. I will ask Katie to help me post a picture when she comes over. We are having a wonderful time just being together. Babyboy will be here tomorrow and he doesn't know Bobby is home. It will be so sweet to see him when he finds out Bobby is home. They play fight and run through the house and Babyboy loves it. Our oldest son is here right now and he, Bobby and Freddy are telling wild stories while Bill plays on the computer and Sara and our girls play a card game. I am just enjoying it all. Beth
Wow, what a very special time for you! Merry Christmas! Enjoy these warm moments. they will make wonderful memories, and take LOTS of pictures!
