Those few who are still trying to keep up with us will never believe the week we have had. Jesse was allowed to come home Thursday, August16th. He flew into Memphis so that he could see Madison, one of our precious softball girls from this summer. Her family is absolutely the sweetest most thoughtful family and we appreciate them for everything they do. In fact it was Madison's grandmother who made my beautiful yellow ribbon sign for my yard and had it waiting for Jesse when we drove up Friday afternoon. Thanks to Shelby and Kimberly we also had a wonderful sign in the back door greeting Jesse home!

Friday, August 17th, we started home from Memphis (by the way did I mention it was Elvis weekend in Memphis) and Jesse needed to renew his driver's licsense. So, we stopped in Tupelo where we waited in line for a while, but we managed to check that off our list of things to do. That night we had reserved for friends to come over and visit. We had hamburgers and hotdogs, kids played, friends laughed and talked, and all in all it was a long night full of good fellowship. Saturday, was reserved for sleeping late, seeing Grandmother Garner, and visiting with Jesse's family in Amory. Thanks to Gus the pool was clean and we were able to swim and act normal(normal for the Garners anyway)! Sunday we enjoyed a church service as a family, lunch at my mom's with my family and our new preacher. Jesse had never really met Bro. Daniel because he started the weekend Jesse left for WI. We spent the afternoon normally...taking a long nap!!!

Now Monday started a whole new adventure. I went back to WI with him for the leave ceremony where we had weather problems so we were late for every flight and we lost our luggage in the process. We finally got it back at midnight. Jesse was allowed to spend monday and tuesday night with me and most of Tuesday. The ceremony was short sweet and nice. Wednesday I went back to the airport on my own to come home. That first flight was late but that was ok because I had plenty of time between flights. Then I was late getting to Memphis and I had 20 minutes to run with 2 bags to the other end of Memphis airport. I made it but barely. Got to Tupelo and in the truck with Daddy at 9:00PM and 45 minutes later I was finally home where Emma Lee was crawling all over me. Thanks to Mary Lee the house was clean and all I had to do was fall into bed.

Jesse does leave for overseas on Saturday. He will spend some time in Quwait and then on to Iraq. His base (as far as we know...it is the military and it could change at any time) is called Striker. Please pray for him and the other men with him. Many are seasoned veterans and many are brand new soldiers! Pray for safety, patience, guidance, and anything else that springs into mind. Also please pray for those of us left here at home. For some reason this seems much harder this go round for me...the girls and I truly need all of you each and every day!!!

Pictures will be here ASAP!!!