Our Special Marine

Our favorite Marine came to visit us for the weekend.  Josh flew in Saturday March 5th at noon into Hobby Airport.  We all went to pick him up after a YMCA workout.  After picking him up, we were all very hungry so we took him to Spring Creek for lunch.  Lunch was yummy and I think it's been over a year since we've eaten at Spring Creek.  Josh said it was good, but wasn't enthusiastic about the thick tomato based bbq that is here in Texas.  He said he would rather have the NC vinegar based bbq like at Holden's BBQ.  After getting home, the kids rested and B had a conference call.  Josh came with me to the grocery store.  After shopping and getting home, the kids played with the train set and we tried to find the UNC/Duke game on TV but we could not.  It wasn't on a network channel and our ESPN app wasn't playing it either.  Since we couldn't get the game, we decided to go outside and play for a while.  We threw the football and the kids played jackpot with Josh.  We've made our kids call him Mr. Josh, and he's gotten used to it.  He's only 23, so I doubt he hears Mr. Josh very often.  I think the kids were the only ones who ate dinner because us adults were still full from lunch, but Josh was tired so he went to bed earlier than the rest of us.  We watched a little of Pirates of the Caribbean before putting the kids to bed.  

lunch after church

Sunday we left the house at 7:50 for church and we were at church ALL morning.  We usually go to the 8:15 service and then 9:30 ABF which gets us out of church around 11:20.  Well we had an Emmaus ABF Leadership meeting after class that lasted until 12:20.  I think we picked up our last kid at 12:32 and E was the last one in her class.  I felt so bad about them being at church that long but it usually doesn't happen this way.  Pastor Mark preached on character and how to train ourselves to display integrity and good character.  Houston Rodeo.

playing uno attack after lunch

It was a great sermon for all of us to hear and I'm glad Josh was with us.  B grilled out for lunch and we scarfed down hamburgers and hotdogs.  I had some fruit and chips as well.  Shortly after lunch, B and Josh left to pick up Julian and head to the

The Concert at the rodeo

I know they had a great time, but I don't even know what they did or what they saw.  I took the kids to Awana and walked with Jo at HBU.  The guys got home around 9 and looked tired. 
B and Josh went to McDonald's for breakfast at 6:00 am Monday morning to spend some time together before B had to head into work.  I know that it's important for them to have some guy time and usually Josh helps B fix things or work on household things.  Since we haven't seen him in a LONG time, we just wanted to have good quality time with Josh.  B had his time with Josh and next was my turn.  Josh came with me to bring the kids to school and then I brought him with me to the YMCA for my HIIT class.  Before class we ran a couple of miles together and then went to Jennifer's HIIT class at 8:30.  It was a killer as usual and Josh did great because he's in great shape.  It was fun working out together.  I never thought in a million years that I would be working out with a former student....a former student that used to be so bad in class but has turned out to be a respectable young man.....a former student that took time to fly down and visit us when he only had 2 weeks of post deployment leave.....a former student that we love and consider part of our family.  Sadly, after the YMCA, I had to say goodbye.  We met Josh's brother Daniel at the Buc-ee's in Waller because Daniel lives in Fort Hood.  Josh was going to spend a few days with Daniel before flying back to NC.  Even W almost cried when I told him that Josh was leaving us.  We had a good time but it was too short.  We are so proud of the man Josh is today and give God the glory.

I'll miss him!