Settling In

Josh and I have enjoyed our time together since I posted last. We have enjoyed lazy days, doing some light work, shoveling snow, cleaning the house, watching tv (downstairs, of course!), visiting family and friends, meeting with school, grocery shopping, visiting the Veterans Services office, visting the town office with the DD214, and sleeping!

Josh's deployment officially began a year ago today! Worse case scenario, we were expecting him today, but enjoy the fact that he has been home for three weeks already!

Josh will be returning to school on January 26, being in the classroom for 1/2 days on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. He will be in the room full-time on Thursday and Friday. The whole week the substitute teacher will be in the room all day. On February 2, a teacher work day, Josh will return to his room as the full-time teacher and prepare for his first day with the students on February 3. He looks forward to returning and has been working on several items in preparation for his return. He wrote a very lengthy letter to the parents explaining the transition and introducing himself to the parents. He is also putting together a book a different pictures from Afghanistan to share with the 1st graders (his kindergarteners last year) and other students in the school. He will be visiting with the 1st graders and his classroom on Friday, January 23.

We celebrated the Contri Christmas last Sunday and had an opportunity to snap a picture with the nieces and nephews from the Contri side of the family in front of the Welcome Home sign.

From left to right: TJ (in bouncy seat), Uncle Josh with Cassie, Dominc with Franny, Jonathan, Hailey, and Ella (in bouncy seat).

Last year when we celebrated Christmas, Josh plugged in the red, white and blue tribute of lights. This year, he "ceremoniously" unplugged the lights with one quick yank of the cord!

(Uncle Josh with Jonathan)

Here a few shots of the kids...

Franny with her new set of Doh...

Hailey...

Dom with a big grin and Jonathan with some crazy curls (I love it!)...

This was a recent picture from the Pisciotti's blog... TJ and Ella after bathtime (3 1/2 months old)!

We are looking forward to wrapping up our post-deployment checklist in the coming week and returning to a routine with both of us back at work and life after the deployment. Countdown to Hawaii... 6 months and 17 days!

Check back soon for a Question and Answer post!