Oh it is so good to have this thread! I am thankful that it will help the families still waiting and I feel better already reading here. Thank you for posting and anyone who comes here and needs it.

Christa - neat that you could post Steve's picture. We do not know exactly where Paul is going yet. He leaves the first week of September.

katienoonan - how long has your husband been gone? Are you staying where you are stationed or home with family? Are you able to e-mail contact??? I hope you "meet" my daughter Missy here soon

I know we all need to keep the military in prayers everyday and also the ones still at home waiting. Thanks you to all of you who are supporting this!!

Something good! We got Missy and Tyler's ticket today and she gets to fly home with Carol!! Carol will get a few days with Paul, too She already had this trip planned and leave from work but of course that plan was to do things with everyone but she decided to go anyway This makes me soooo relieved that Missy will not make that long trip alone with Tyler!! And maybe, just maybe when Paul's remote is over - he plans to take his leave here in the states and can maybe fly HOME with Missy, too! That would be a great and happy day for them. Continental got me a ticket that Missy can change without a fee! Tyler even has his own "ticket" even though he will be in Missy and Grammy's lap.

We live near a base because we are also retired military and I hope to find a support group Missy can join while she is hear - to be with other wives, moms etc - who have their loved one away at the war.

One more thing for all of you who read the thread - the names in my family get complicated and here is why:
I am mom to Missy(sirrahsim) and two sons - the oldest is Bryan
Carol (persianmom) is mom to Paul and Christine (chrangharris)
Christine is married to my Bryan and my Missy is married to Paul

So brother and sister married brother and sister see? Carol and I now have the two granbabies - Paul & Missy's TYLER and Bryan and Christine's MISHA Got it so far?

My other son is Jason and he is married to Devon (sirrahved) who also is a PetTalker. Are you confused enough? That is why all the "sirrah" names here