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!!

A real welcome home treat!

Since the marathon, I have been very busy, so busy that I haven't ran since my little burst of energy on Election Day. I have missed the running quite a bit, but have created my very own masterpiece. While Josh was gone last year (2007) during one of his training sessions, a little idea popped into my head. I was cleaning the downstairs, annoyed because we always let that be the last area that got cleaned, but more so because I didn't think we actually utilized the space - just plain off white walls, with a lot of usable space! We had a futon, a couple of bookshelves, and a TV hooked up to a VCR and DVD player, but not to cable. The wheels started to turn...

I knew I wanted to do something special for his birthday, being that he was away, it was his 33rd and his birthday is on Veterans Day. So, how about a new TV...

I have always wanted a fireplace, so my parents bought this for our Christmas gift.

I decided I wanted to get rid of the futon and buy a real couch.

Of course, I couldn't have just a couch and I fell in love with this chair at Babies 'R Us on one of my shopping adventures.

Now that you have seen all of the "key pieces", here are some shots of the entire room, paint colors, and everything put together... Remember just off white walls before, no chair rail, no built-in!

Here are some pictures of the office...

The bathroom even got a fresh look...

As for Josh's reaction... Well, I scheduled this post to appear today. Hopefully, I got some great shots of his reaction and I will post those as soon as I can! Check back later...

Happy Birthday AND Veteran's Day!

Happy 33rd Birthday, Josh!!

"It's the best!"... 33 yellow cupcakes with chocolate frosting!

How many birthday cards did you get??

In Afghanistan it's been Josh's birthday for 9 and 1/2 hours already! His birthday is 33 and 1/2 hours long this year!

and

In honor of Veterans Day...

Thank You Josh!

Love you!

Baci In Action

So, I was in the gym, there was an incident and I had to get ready fast and be on the truck yesterday. I am wearing my vest but underneath is my sweaty pt shirt. haha. Normally I would have on my ACU top or ACU combat t-shirt. I did not have time to fix my helmet and it got all askew in the hubbub. You can't tell because my vest is kind of covering it, but my pants are falling down-even with wearing my pt shorts inderneath because I had no time for a belt. haha. Notice the unlaced boots with shoelaces hanging all about. I just look like such a Gomer Pile. haha. Sgt. Gridley thought was the best part for some reason-the shoelaces. The whole thing turned a serious evening into something funny. haha.

Pentagon 9/11 Memorial Dedicated Today

When we were visiting the Pentagon in July while Josh was home, our tour guide took us down to see the interior Pentagon Memorial that has been established. Today, the outdoor Pentagon 9/11 Memorial site was dedicated and will be open for public viewing beginning tonight. It was still under construction when we were visiting, but we were able to catch a glimpse of what it would look like. From the direction each person is facing to the timeline of of the victim's ages, the design is amazing and a true tribute to those who lost their lives and their loved ones. Here is a great article that was recently posted about this morning's ceremony. Here is the Washington Post's recent coverage, as well as the link to the virtual memorial on their site.

"Jake", who provided the tour of the Pentagon, sent me the following pictures today. Below, I included a portion of his e-mail that he sent.

"While the dedication was a remembrance of those who died here seven years ago, Josh and all the other men and women who serve our country were the subject of every speech given at the ceremony. We are so thankful and lucky for all of those who continue to fight for our freedom, both here and abroad.

"The dedication was a very nice--and indeed moving--event. I have attached a couple of pictures taken by one of the other gents in the office. I look forward to taking you through the site the next time you guys are in town for a visit.

"Please pass my very best to Josh. I cannot tell you how much I admire him, especially after Jen filled me in on his background and vocation. I know you are counting the days until his safe return, and I can only hope that it goes by quickly for you."

A New Hope...

"For Our World"

We need to stop, just stop, stop for a moment

before anybody says or does anything that may hurt anyone else.

We need be silent, just silent, silent for a moment

before we forever lose the blessing of songs that grow in our hearts.

We need to notice, just notice, notice for a moment

before the future slips away into ashes and dust of humility.

Stop, be silent and notice.

In so many ways, we are the same.

Our differences are unique treasures.

We have, we are a mosaic of gifts to nurture, to offer, to accept.

We need to be, just be, be for a moment

kind and gentle, innocent and trusting, like children or lambs,

never judging or vengeful, like the judging and vengeful.

And now let us pray, differently yet together,

before there is no earth, no life, no chance for peace.

"A New Hope"

I need a hope, a new hope, a hope

that reaches for the stars and that does not end in violence or war.

A hope that makes peace on our earth

and that does not create evil in the world.

A hope that finds cures for all diseases

and that does not make people hurt in their bodies,

in their hearts or most of all, in their spirits.

I need a hope, a new hope, a hope

that inspires me to live and to make all these things happen

so that the whole world can have a new hope, too.

The above poems were written by Mattie Stepanek at age 11. He wrote "For Our World", a prayer, on the evening of September 11, 2001.

Orange Pride in Afghanistan!

Our neighbor Nan is in a doctoral program at Syracuse University and receives a daily "SU Today" e-newsletter. Today's version included a picture of some of Josh's Unit in Afghanistan!!

The 27th Brigade Combat Team Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VII, in Kabul, Afghanistan, shows their Orange pride.

This is not just the 27th BCT, but at least some, if not all of the individuals are from the Ithaca Unit!

A few more pictures from home . . .

I love this photo... Jonathan (3 years) absolutely loves his Uncle Josh and I think he would have sat on his lap for weeks as long as he knew that he was home. As you can see he was very content in this picture. Jonathan knows that Uncle Josh is at work, but now he thinks that I am working all the time too. We look forward to having Jonathan and Dominic spend the night once Uncle Josh is back.





The weekend after Josh left, I ventured off to the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse for their annual Penguin Palooza night with Dominic, Jonathan and Cassie. Some of you know how excited I am around animals... I guess you could say this trip was for the birds!!

Pictures!

Here are the pictures... Enjoy!

Arriving Home!

You have to love the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport -- so simple. This is the gate that Josh came through. At the point of this picture, Josh's flight had just touched down.

Check back in a week or so, once I have the camera cord for a video of his arrival.


Visiting Marathon


It took Josh a bit to get out of the vehicle.



Uncle Josh and Francesca
The boys didn't know what to do -- Jonathan is on the floor!



I had to include this one... just tilt your head!


This is my Dad coming home for work... Mom came up the stairs and Josh followed.

Needless to say... it was a surprise!



My Dad and his protector of the plug-pullers are reunited!

Dustin arrived and continued chatting up a storm until he realized who was sitting in front of him! If I quoted what he said, we would need to include a "beep" or two!

Uncle Josh and Dominic being silly!

Arriving in Virginia

Josh and Mom

Meeting and holding Takoda for the first time


Jim, Jen, Mom and Jesse




Takoda and His Playmat (from us!)






The Newseum

This is part of the Berlin Wall. Each of the panels weighs 3000 pounds!


The view from the Newseum...

A news helicopter... looks small, but it is real!

Getting Takoda Ready for Bed (with Aunt Jen's supervision)

A visit from Wendy!

The Baltimore Aquarium

This a very old sea turtle and it is a lot bigger than what this picture actually portrays.

This is actually a fish, but looks like a rock!

NEMO!

There are a few more photos and video that I will share in a week or so. And no, sadly, out of 294 photos, there was not one of Josh and I together.