GREAT NEWS for a friend!!!

I'm so excited that today has come.

I've made a pretty good friend here in Decatur. Her name is Heather. Her son, Gabel, has been doing Karate with Connor and Lindsey for about a year now. He is the same age as them with birthday's only 2 days apart, so he just turned 6. Heather also has an adorable little girl named Cora who just turned 3 last month.

Heather's husband, Randy, is full time with the IL National Guard and has been in Iraq since before I even met her last fall. I met him once, in the spring, when he was home on leave for 2 weeks. Anyway, the great news is that Randy leaves Iraq today!! He won't be back home here in IL until around October 7th, but at least he is out of Iraq, which is the first step. Gabel and Cora are so excited to have their dad back home. Gabel really had a hard time when his dad left after his 2 week leave in the spring. My heart ached for him. I know Heather is anxious to have her husband back home. She has amazed me with her strength.

What a great day!!! I'm just so thrilled for Heather and her family!! Oh - also, Heather's sister is also in the Guard in this same unit. She left Iraq last week because she is part of the advanced unit that goes before the entire unit to set things up. So, she has already made it back to the states and will be home soon too.