Sunday was welcome home day

Rusty called me yesterday morning and said that he was getting ready to leave 29 palms and he wanted to know if I would like to ride back down to Oceanside with with him. Hell Yes!

It was so nice to see Rusty. Rusty came in and dumped his laundry on the floor. Then we were off to Oceanside.

It was just nice to be alone with Rusty and chit chat about what had been going on during our week.

After we dropped all the stuff off at the store we went to the exchange so we could get a few items. As we were walking up to the exchange a bus load of soldiers and sailors showed up. What was that about? Now the exchange is packed.

I go and grab the one item I wanted and I am watching Rusty walk around looking at everything else. That is when I noticed all of the younger crowd getting out of Rusty's way and saying "excuse me sir". I looked at Rusty like a deer looks at headlights. Then I saw his cap. He was wearing a ball cap that said retired marine. Oh take that hat off! He was making us look old! LOL

On the way home from base we got a phone call from one of the marines! She was on the east coast and would be home tonight!

Once we got home Nikki and I went over to our friends Deb house to get some butcher paper so we could make a welcome home banner. The banner turned out so cute! Deb's granddaughters helped us color it and they even got to sign the banner.

Rusty said that he was just to worn out to go back to base with us, so the girls and I headed out. We stopped by the vfw and got the flags.

It was nice to spend some time with the girls. Even if it was just a car ride down to base. On our way through base we went by the main parade deck. no one was there, so we went into the duty's office. They knew that a load of ammo was coming in, but they had no idea that people were on that flight. SURPRISE! So the very nice marines tried to find out where we were suppose to go, but they had no luck, so we headed for the main gate.

The main gate is blocked off? Well what the heck is that about. After several wrong turns and going the wrong way on some way roads we finally got close to the main gate. So we get out of the car and start walking toward the m.p.'s. The m.p.'s met half way. I explained that we had a friend coming in and that we were looking for the parade deck. Those two stupid m.p.s sent us back across the base!

I finally called Rusty and he told us what part of base to go to. After searching for more then an hour we finally ended up in the right spot.

Once we got there we met up with Haileys family. It was nice to be able to sit and talk to them and get to know them.

We also met four other marines corps brats that were waiting for their loved one. These children were so much fun! They helped us hold the flags and the welcome home banners.

I have to tell everyone about a very special young man that I met last night.

Nikki and I were sitting on the curb waiting for the busses. Another family came over to join us. A young man I am guessing in is mid 20's came and sat between Nikki and I. I asked him what his name was and he told me that his name was Nick and that his sister was coming home. I asked Nick if is sitter was his little sister or big sister. Nick said that his sister was little. Nicks mom said no. But Nick was right his sister was little.... littler them him!

After everyone welcomed home their loved ones I went and found Nick. I asked him if he found his sister and if she was safe. Nick just smiled and gave me a really big bear hug.

I walked up to Nicks mom and gave her a hug and said I have a mentally retarted son too. She just cried and we hugged.

I will never see those people again.

However I know what it is like to raise a mentally retarded child and also know what it is like to have adults be mean to them.

We rolled back into the driveway about midnight. My ass is dragging today, but it is not dragging enough that I cant jump my husband tonight.

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