our reunion on july 1st

things to remember

-when we first saw tanner..... at the airport, my back was facing him and he was walking towards us. coco saw him first and said daddy!!!! it was the best feeling and very familiar, being near him reminded me of when we first met. it's the feeling of being home again we're finally together again and it's not right or natural when we are apart. then there's the kisses and hugs which i don't need to record because we'll never forget:) our little Chloe Estelle didn't even hesitate she immediately wrapped her arms around her daddy's neck and held on tight. it's such a special memory and it's all ours:)

-holding on tight.....the whole trip Chloe would not let tanner out of her sight. when she ate she would lean into him or put her hand on him. the whole time we were there she would try to sell him on the idea of coming back home " daddy want a go home and play in the park, a mommy car, a swim, a happy day!!!" she used all her enthusiasm to convince him that coming home with mommy and her would be well worth it and a good idea!!!

-DADDY'S FLAG....about 5 weeks before we came on this trip, anytime Chloe would see the American flag she would point and say " daddy's flag, look mommy daddy's flag!!!" tanner and i never explained that to her, the most i told her was that daddy will be back and he loves us so much and he's working. well, i told this to tanner on one of our phone calls and he said "oh i know why she's saying that, i've been praying for heavenly father to explain to Chloe what i'm doing and why i'm away~ in her dreams." we also got a post card in the mail that had men in army uniform and she pointed at it with a lot of excitement "mommy, daddy work, daddy look!!" and she has never seen him in uniform or any army men before that. we know that she understands more than we give her credit and heavenly father communicates with her.

-our goodbyes..... we had 3 wonderful days together, we were suppose to have 4 but tanner got a text early monday morning from one of his friends, that they were heading down earlier to report. he was looking at his text and all he said was "shoot". right then Chloe turned around with tears rolling down her cheeks (for those who know coco she has big crocodile tears) with the saddest face and said "no daddy no daddy back, come home daddy". it broke my heart but at the same time i felt so blessed that i have a husband who has such a special bond with his daughter and an active role in our family, as a husband and father. he sat her on his lap, gave her the little present ( it was a whale shark stuffed animal, a sucker and some bracelets that he picked up from the aquarium gift shop. he also gave her his american flag badge that he has worn his whole training ) and we all just held each other tightly. before we new it, they picked him up and took him away from his girls. as he drove off Chloe and i walked behind him to go on a little walk and she kept saying "no mommy no i want daddy back". i told her "we can do this chloe and before we'd know it, we will all be together again". she responded in the sweetest voice and said "ok mommy ok" she's a strong little girl with a big spirit and i admire and look up to her for that.