The First 10 Days

Today is Josh's tenth day at home! It has been wonderful to have 9 nights of sleep knowing that we are right next to each other. I know that the updates have been non-existent since he arrived home, so I will attempt to provide a re-cap of the last ten days.

Josh's Homecoming - December 27, 2008
The wait seemed forever in the Armory, especially once we knew that Josh's plane had landed and then once we knew that he was standing on the other side of the overhead door. The tricky part was that in the main group, there were four smaller groups - Syracuse, East-bound (Albany area), West-bound (Rochester area) and NYC. The Syracuse group was the group that Josh was in, the local guardmen. East and West bound groups each boarded a bus to be taken to an armory closer to home and the NYC group remained on the plane. Of course, each soldier had a few bags, of which they had color-coded with tape in Ft. Bragg. For those getting off the plane in Syracuse, priority was given to those who had to get onto a bus.

As I mentioned, once Josh arrived at the Armory, they were standing on the other side of the Armory's overhead door. Look closely and you'll see the soldiers standing in the dark...

At the appropriate time, the door rose up to show the men standing, ready to march in.

The "ceremony" was brief - maybe thirty seconds and then were released. Our first hug...

Several news outlets were there covering the reunions. Josh was interviewed by News 10 Now. You can read the transcript of the news story. Additionally, you can click on the video clip within the story to view Josh and I hugging, clips of our family and the interview of Josh.

Our arrival home... Dustin and Nikki had spent some time working on a special sign for Josh's return. As we arrived home, the spotlight on the sign could be seen from down the street. As we entered the neighborhood, I continued honking my car horn and then I realized someone else was honking theirs as well. Apparently as we were away picking up Josh, people would drive by the house, honking their horn throughout the night as they drove by our house. (This picture was taken earlier in the day during the "construction phase".)

"It will all be all right

I’ll be home tonight

I’m coming back home..."

And for the big reveal... As you know from the recent post, Josh had a little surprise waiting for him at home. He was really good, as soon as he entered the house, he went upstairs. He was shocked by the items hanging in the entry way and didn't even see the downstairs. I gave him his Welcome Home card and waited for him downstairs. His reaction...

Josh kept repeating that he loved it, but that he was completely shocked by it and therefore not as animated in his reaction as he normally would have been. I completely believe that he loves it considering how much time we have spent down there. He sat in the upstairs living room today because he felt that it wasn't getting enough attention! LOL

Christmas with the Bacigalupi's - December 28, 2008

On Sunday, we enjoyed our Christmas with Josh's family. It was a wonderful visit for all of us. I made meatballs and sausage, two different lasagnas and we capped off the meal with a variety of desserts from the recent Barry PTA Fundraiser.

Josh's family made the trek back to Virginia on the 29th after we enjoyed some treats at Dunkin' Donuts in the morning.

New Year's Eve - December 31, 2008

We enjoyed staying at home on New Year's Eve this year. The weather would have made it difficult to go anywhere, even if we did want to be out and about. Even more so, we enjoyed going to bed early and not feeling the pressure to see the ball drop. Our treat was chips and salsa!

New Year's Day - January 1, 2009

As some of you know, the downstairs was one surprise and then there was another in the works. The second surprise ended up coming 30 days early, as I had wanted to wait until January 31, the last official day of Josh's six year enlistment in the National Guard. However, I could not wait any longer. I kept it a secret for 3 months and 5 days and New Year's Day seemed like the next best time if I was going to spill the beans early.

I told Josh I had a surprise and I was thinking of a date, a 6 year date. He guessed the 31st and then I told him I was thinking about another date or range of dates. Immediately, he asked where we were going!! You can't keep much from him! So, I ran into one room where I had a shirt hidden. I gave him the shirt and he opened it, holding it five inches from his face. He first words were, "Oh my, I can't read it, it's in another language." He then realized he was just holding it too close to his face as he read "Aloha Hawaii"!!!! We are going to Hawaii!!!! After it sank in (he later told me that he thought I booked somewhere in the Caribbean), I then pulled out the folder with all of the reservations and clips from the travel brochures to show him it was for real!

Other happenings...

Since New Year's, we have laid low for the most part. We have enjoyed the movie theater twice in the past week, bought Josh some new clothes and have visited some my family. We are looking forward to celebrating Christmas with the Contri side in the near future. We are trying to visit each individual family first before the big gathering, as 17 of us is a large group to bring together all at once.

We are looking forward to spending more time together, as I am working from home and vacationing while we adjust to our new life together. Josh made a list this morning of things we should tackle this week and we will take each item one at a time. We have discovered how "odd" some things seem to Josh when he has been away for a year. Life's little conveniences that we take for granted/that he was without or how busy the grocery store can really seem.

And for those of you who are wondering... Yes, Josh has had coke since he arrived home and... I even restocked our supply today!!

December 27th

Hooray for this day that is finally here!!

We will forever celebrate this day as a special day in our house!

Press Release from New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs

Tomorrow, Tomorrow, I Love Ya Tomorrow...

... you're only a day away!!!

This is such an exciting time! I talked to Josh each of the past few nights. One of his good soldier buddies is with him and Josh uses his cell phone to call. It is wonderful to hear the excitement in his voice, eventhough there are a lot of yawns and you know that he is exhausted.

Josh said that Christmas was a bit odd -- just another day. They were allowed to leave post for dinner, so they went to a Japanese steakhouse - yum!! I am sure he tried to catch up on sleep, but when you don't have a pillow, I am sure even that is hard.

I spent the morning at the house. I did receive a wonderful surprise on Christmas Eve from my friend Megumi in Japan, so I had a great gift to open. My parents arrived at 11 and we headed up to Auburn to see Diane, Brian, Francesca, TJ and Ella. I had not seen TJ and Ella in quite some time (at least 7 weeks ago?). They are all doing wonderfully and have some amazing outfits to wear when they see Uncle Josh tomorrow! I returned home for the day and started making sugar cookies. My Mom had mixed the cookies for me - a double batch. About 1/2 way through the first batch of dough, I was ready to stop making them... I swear that dough multiplies! (Mom, you were right!)

My sister (Donna) is coming in this morning to help frost the cookies, deliver Cody's naptime apparatus (aka - a pack and play) and help with some other things. It will be great to spend some time with just Donna and she will be able to keep me calm and on track. I really don't have much to finish up before Josh gets home -- I have kept things moving right along.

Josh's family is leaving today to head up from Virginia. They "LOVE" (not) traveling through the great state of Pennsylvania, so I am sure the 232 miles through PA will seem like 500 to them today. The manager at the Country Inn and Suites is giving us a special rate for Josh's return. What a great little place that is and it's just around the corner from the house!!

I know that right now I am running on pure adrenalin!! I am beyond thrilled. The house looks amazing, if I say so myself. I even cleaned the garage on Christmas Eve!!! And even better, the garbage man just came for recyclables and he took the huge (MASSIVE) box of cardboard that I put out. Woohoo!

T minus 34 1/2 hours!!!!!!!!!

All I want for Christmas...

... WILL BE HERE ON SATURDAY!!!

Yes, Just about 57 more hours. Josh is scheduled to arrive in Syracuse late Saturday afternoon!!! It will be wonderful to have him in my arms and HOME!!

It will be quite the sight, between our entire family -- there will be 23 of us there to welcome him home!! Two of which, TJ and Ella, Josh has yet to meet. Quite the treat for him, that is for sure!

Have yourself a Merry little Christmas ...

Busy Times in Ft. Bragg

Josh called this morning at 4:33 a.m. His good friend Hulsizer still has his cell phone and let him borrow it. Josh destroyed his cell phone prior to leaving -- unintentionally. They were doing some "army tactics" where he had to keep dropping out of the turret and it just kept getting beat up, so he bid it adieu prior to leaving for Afghanistan. We'll get him a new one once the dust settles and he has been home for a bit.

They are keeping them VERY busy in Ft. Bragg. They were in the demob process until 11 p.m. last night and had to be ready to go at 5 a.m. this morning for more. They can get away with this because 1.) WE WANT THEM HOME! 2.) THEY WANT TO BE HOME! and 3.) Their internal clocks are so screwed up that they don't know what is day or night. He said when he got up at 4 to make some phone calls that lights were out, but everyone was awake. It does sound promising that they continue to push them through as quickly as possible.

All in all, from Kyrgyzstan to Ft. Bragg, they were flying for 26 HOURS!!! Insane!! I am not sure if I would ever want to fly again, but I know Josh will! They flew from Afghanistan to Krygyzstan to Azerbaijan to Ireland to Maine to Ft. Bragg. They were delayed twice - once on the way out of Afghanistan and then again on the way out of Kyrgyzstan. I am not sure the cause of the delay in Afghanistan, but I do know it was weather related in Kyrgyzstan. In the end, it really doesn't matter. I firmly believe that regardless of when he left any destination that it would have been after Christmas for him to come home. I do think that him arriving in the US so close to Christmas is working to our advantage as they are trying to get them home as soon as possible after Christmas. In the end, it's a reminder that Christmas is a day, but it can be celebrated whenever and for however long - it's the spirit of the season!!

It was such a wonderful surprise. Of course, I am now awake - WIDE awake, but it gives me a jump start on the day. I can always take a nap later! I should hear from Josh tomorrow. So, if you are interested and need a break from the delicious food or sharing in gift giving and receiving, I hope to post to the blog tomorrow once I have heard from him.

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!

GOD BLESS THE USA!!!

UPDATE: Moving right along!!!

At 10:10 a.m. this morning they were in FT BRAGG!!!!!

YIPPEE-SKIPPEE!!!!!

Josh called at 6:05 a.m. this morning and he was in MAINE!!

He will be making his way straight to Ft. Bragg and bypassing Atlanta!

As soon as they get to Ft. Bragg, they will start the demob process, so we may not hear from him for a little bit.

I did know this was coming, as I heard that they were in Ireland last night. Fortunately, there were three flights of soldiers going home (all different destinations), which unfortunately meant the phone lines were mobbed. Another wife was able to let me know where they were as she had a nice birthday surprise - hearing from her husband that he was in Ireland on his way home!!

Hopefully, they will move right along the demobilization process and BE HOME SOON!!!! Yippeeeeee!!!

Insert Jeopardy Tune Here

Do do do do dodododo do ... I find myself singing that in my head several times a day just waiting for the phone to ring. Yesterday, I had the phone turned up as loud as it would go because I was all over the house doing stuff. I went to Kmart last night and had forgot to adjust the volume. I think everyone in the store knew that someone's phone was ringing. Oops.

We continue to wait. I have not heard from Josh since Friday morning and the anxiety grows by the second for the next phone call indicating his newest location. I honestly thought we would have had a new location by now. My boss said well, "no new is good news" and I told him and as I have said before, "no news is no fun!"

... do do dododododo dooo dooo ...

Coming Up Next...

Here is a brief overview of Josh's travels and how he will spend his time over the next few days/weeks.

At some point, hopefully soon, he will leave Kyrgyzstan and head west to Europe, landing in either Germany or Ireland. We will not know when that happens until he arrives in that country. If he is able to call, he will, but hopefully at least an e-mail. We have known that the turn-around for these flights can be quick, but we are not for sure on how things will happen.

From Europe, he will fly to the USA!!!

And then catch another flight to Ft. Bragg, where he will complete the demobilization process. This can range any number of days, usually 4 - 8, but we aren't sure how the holidays may impact that process.

Once the demob process is complete, he will then come home!

The interesting part of his travels thus far is that he is already separated from his bags! There were some issues leaving the country and the baggage was separated from the soldiers. The military has a very interesting packing process, and Josh has been know to have to pack and re-pack several times for each trip. There are specific numbers of each item in each bag that he has or had to pack to come home and it is likely that he will have to do some wash at some point along the way.

Stay tuned...

Sleeping Well...

Just to note, I can only speak on Josh's behalf, meaning I am not aware of any soldiers who are traveling with him. I do know that the unit has sent a group home already and that Josh is in the second group, but I do not know anyone that is in the group with him or even a number of people from his unit that are traveling with him.

I received a phone call this morning from Josh - still is Kyrgyzstan, but doing really well. He said that he slept wonderfully last night, as I did, along with the rest of our families! Obviously, no new information that he can share. He did say that they "aren't doing much". A group of soldiers (not affiliated with him) had left, so he was able to move to the bottom bunk which was really exciting for him, as he had been on the top bunk since they doubled up at Camp Phoenix.

He was comparing the food to Camp Phoenix. Not really any better or worse, but he said it was different because it was a different contractor. Still talking about the full-size candy bars that they get for dessert!

It's cold and snowy there -- in the mid-20s. I told him "Welcome Home!" and that we were in the 20s with forecast for 8 - 14 inches of snow today! He was excited, as he was hoping for a white Christmas/return home. He said that they were all excited to see the snow because it reminded them all of home.

Where they are at is a big air force base, and there are NY Air Guard people there, so several of the people that are with him are actually running into people that they know. All in all he is doing well.

Again, he didn't share any new information, but at least we know that he is there and doing well.

Until next time...

Start spreading the news...

Bare with me for a moment….

Some folks like to getaway
Take a holiday from the neighborhood
Hop a flight to Miami Beach or to Hollywood
But he’s takin’ an air force jet on the outbound Afghanistan line
He’s in a New York state of mind!

He’s seen all of the local folk with their loaded camel or a jingle truck
Been traveling round the country under the radar & praying for luck
He knows what he’s needing and he doesn’t want to waste more time
He’s in a New York state of mind!!!

Yes, it is true – Josh is on his way home!!! At 11:30 am local time on December 18 (2:00 am Eastern time in the US), Josh’s flight departed Afghanistan.

He is currently in Krygyzstan for some out-processing. Krygyzstan is northeast of Afghanistan, near China. It's 11 hours ahead of us. (Way to fly east to go west!!) We do not know how long he will be there, but know that they will be traveling/demobilizing for about 2 weeks before arriving in New York. Home for Christmas is definitely not an option, but maybe for New Years! Regardless, he is safe and will be home soon! He called shortly after I arrived at work, and I have yet to take off my coat or change out of my sneakers!! Who cares!!!

We'll keep you posted as the good news continues to come in!!

Just another month, maybe?

Could it be just one more month!? While Josh left on January 19, his official orders started January 17, which means January 16, 2009 would complete his full year! One month from today!

Many of you in the area saw the homecoming last Tuesday of the first 100 to return. There were a few in the group from Josh's unit, but as the article and news stories indicated, there are still over 1200 in Afghanistan from the NY Guard. A few hundred returned back in September as they were deployed last September as part of the advance/transition teams.

We continue to wait for any word from Josh indicating his return. Otherwise, he continues to do well. Decorations for the holidays are in full force in Afghanistan. He has said all year that for any holiday -- the decorations are big -- Constitution Day and all!

We'll keep you posted!

It's December!

Woohoo for finally reaching December!!

Question: When is Josh coming home?

Answer: We still don't know.

Sorry to get your hopes up, but many, many people have been asking and I am sure there are others who have wanted to ask. It's not really the answer any of us want to hear, but as I have said many times... "it's the Army!" There is a good chance that we won't know when Josh is coming home until his on a plane or in one of his layover destinations. From there, it will take him about two weeks to get home, which is a safe estimate with factoring in travel time and the demobilization process, among an assortment of bumps in the road that could pop up. As soon as we have any information, we will share it loud and clear. Until then, we just hang on to the thought that it is coming soon!