The Hero Returns...for a visit

I thought I would post the pics of our hero's great return. Jeremy made it home for R&R (that's military terminology for rest and relaxation...aka a two week visit with the family in the midst of the year long deployment). I was just coasting into town from our San Angelo trip. The kids and I made it in at about 1:00 am and then I had a doctor's appointment at 10:00 am. We needed to get the car unloaded and I needed to get the final release from my post-surgical instructions. I got a phone call from Jeremy saying he would be in at 11:30. Yes, this is where I start to PANIC! Thank heaven Rebekah is such a helper. I left Bek and Savannah Kay to tidy up and I drug the baby with me to the check up. I rushed out, rushed home, rushed a look in the mirror and some perfume spritz, rushed to the airport and rushed into the arms of my precious husband! I cannot even describe the feeling of seeing my husband after months of separation and after all that we had experienced apart. It was just like he never left...only now we were a family of 5! The girls were waiting at home for us to arrive. This gave Mommy and Daddy a chance to say hello. This gave Daddy a chance to finally meet his baby boy, and this gave the girls just enough time to come up with a hero's welcome! The girls were standing in the driveway, waving the American flag when we drove up...which was PRECIOUS!

Welcome home Daddy! We have missed you so much! Jeremy's first look at his son in real life
In awe

The welcome committee

Pure joy

My treasures...How can one girl be so blessed?!

Baby Mason Arrives

I know this is a long one...but how can you hold back the pics when you have so many wonderful ones?! Okay, so here is the run down. We decided to save our 2 week R&R (rest and relaxation) visit from Jeremy until 6 weeks after Mason was born. This would make his visit closer to the half-way mark. Plus, our visit would be less stress and provide more time to just enjoy being together and avoid the madness of childbirth. However, we arranged to have Jeremy participate in the delivery via webcam from Iraq.

I asked my precious friend and talented photographer to sit in on my c-section and photograph our delivery. I was worried that Jeremy may not have a good Internet connection to see baby Mason's big day, so I wanted to have pictures that would make up for his missing presence. Mom was there to video and support me. I was so blessed by the hospital staff. One of the nurses made it her job to just carry the laptop around so that Jeremy could see everything. I am so thankful that technology has become so advanced that with the click of a button and an Internet connection, my precious husband could see the birth of his child from a small metal building in the middle of the desert! I have posted the best of about 600 beautiful images for you to see our journey. God is so good! I am reminded so clearly that "My God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Jesus Christ." Philippians 4:19

Meet our newest addition...Mason Todd Welch

Jeremy was online from the time I entered the operating room. He talked me through my spinal...
This is the first breath of air baby Mason took!

Dr. Priddle shows us our little man

7 lbs 11.5 oz of perfection

I love this one...like Father like son! Look at those lips!

Precious little hands

Precious little feet

Love at first sight

Mason decided the clip board was a foot stool! He had been screaming his little lungs out and then after propping his foot up, he was silent. It was hilarious! Jeremy's reaction was caught on camera!

His first footprints

Dressing to meet Daddy

Daddy was beaming with pride and love!

Why hello Daddy...nice to meet you.

This is my most favorite picture of all...bliss captured on camera.

Mommy meets her little man

I should add that my Momma is my hero! Her commitment to this endeavor has blessed my soul. She was my rock throughout...and I hope I can one day be a Momma to my kiddos like she is to me. I love you so much Momma!

He loves me so! No amount of miles could keep him from supporting me. I am the luckiest girl in the entire world!

A new year...

As one can see, I have not been very committed to my blogging in the last 9 months, but those of you who have remained in contact with me know just how insane my life has been. For those of you that are not in on the latest Welch madness, I will try to give you a quick rundown before I proceed like business as usual.

June - I was officially hired as Director for the brand new UCC Preschool Academy at our church. I spent the remainder for the summer wearing many hats to complete the Kansas State Licensing process and get the school ready for the children that would start in the fall.

July - I continued my break-neck speed to get the preschool ready to go and began solidifying teachers and students lists.

-We embarked on the single greatest vacation any of the Welch family members had ever participated in...we went to Disney World! It was everything we dreamed and more!

August - We sent the kids off to school. Bekah started 5th grade and Savannah Kay started Kindergarten. Jeremy had a little procedure and we embraced the fact that our child bearing days were at an end.

September - I started the school year at the preschool and was now titled Lead Teacher for 3-4 year olds as well as Director. SEPTEMBER 12th...we discover we are no longer finished bearing children, for I WAS PREGNANT?!

October - Jeremy left for an 8 week school in Arizona. The kids were Red Riding Hood and

Granny Wolf for Halloween.(Thank you Grandma Dorothy!) We heard Welch baby #3's heartbeat for the first time.

November - Jeremy spent his 31st bday in Arizona at school. I prepared for Thanksgiving Feast at preschool and Kindergarten. We made a trip to Hutchinson to have family Thanksgiving and Jerm returned the night before! We celebrated Jerm's birthday on Thanksgiving day!

December - We witnessed our first major snow and school cancellation of the winter season. We received news that Jeremy's dad's cancer had grown needing immediate attention and treatment. We attended Bekah's first band concert. She was the best clarinet player in the group! We discovered baby #3 was a BOY! We celebrated Christmas in Texas and in Hutch.

January - We celebrated the New Year as a family in our home...making plans for 2011 when Jerm would return home from deployment. We celebrated our 9th anniversary. We had another super snow storm that cancelled school again. Bekah turned 11 and Jeremy left us here while he began his year long deployment to Iraq.

He has been gone just 24 short hours and it feels like an eternity. His new blog has inspired me to take up my duty as blog writer and share my thoughts with you, dear readers. Please check it out to keep up with him while he's so far away! http://www.jermfam1.blogspot.com/

As I conclude, I will say that any responses out there are so coveted. If you read this, let me know! If you have words of wisdom or encouragement, I could sure use them. My prayer is that 2010 flies by. After all, each sunset brings me closer to 2011 and the return of my soul and other half. I miss you my love! Hurry home to us!