Back to Eureka

Ryan and I booked a trip to Eureka Springs once again to get away from it all once he was back in town. We thought St. Paddy's Day Weekend would be really exciting and it sure was! We ate lots of wonderful food at different places, tasted excellent bloody mary's, and enjoyed the Promised Land Zoo. We were NOT ready to leave!

He is HOME!

Ryan arrived at Will Rogers National Air Guard Base at 10:30 a.m. on March 3, 2012. :) My dad was sick and my brother had to work, but my mom, Angie, Doug, Allison, Toshie, Joy, Joe and I were all there waiting for his big arrival. I was SO emotional, nervous and excited for the few hours we were there before the soldiers walked in. It's difficult to explain exactly what I was feeling and why. When the doors opened and the troops walked in, all in formation, I had the craziest butterflies in my stomach! All kinds of emotionals ran through me at that moment and my heart just melted. It was surreal. Finally being able to have him hold me in his arms was so amazing, yet strange at the same time. The first few days he was back I honestly didn't feel like he was here to stay. But he is. For good! :) No more deployments for my guy!

For the last two months I have been planning a surprise Welcome Home Reception for Ryan. It was NOT easy to keep it all a secret. I rented out the ballroom at a hotel in Oklahoma City. We had a DJ, dance floor, food, and cash bar. He seriously had NO idea I was planning this. I tricked him into getting dressed up by saying we were going to a really fancy wine bar in OKC and that I got us a hotel room so we wouldn't have to drive. Joe and Joy were my accomplices, just like they were for his surprise going away party. Joe made sure that Ryan did not go downstairs to the Lobby when we were up in the room getting ready. We had about 50 total guests come and go at the reception. Ryan was completely surprised and he had such a great night with friends and family. My only regret - wish I would have requested more songs to dance to and i wish i would have taken more pictures. :) But, overall it was an awesome evening and it went off without a hitch.