Visiting with Scott

Great news... Scott's home for a quick visit! Last April, two weeks after Amelia was born (3/14/05), Scott (Lee's brother) was deployed to Afghanistan for the second time. (This is his third tour in almost as many years - two in Afghanistan; one in Iraq.) He is to serve one year overseas, but has come home for a brief two-week leave. There was no sweeter site than to lay eyes on him at Charlotte airport last Saturday (10/15/05). Amelia and I joined Burt and Gayle (Lee and Scott's mom & dad) to greet him and start the celebration.

(PHOTO: Welcome home Uncle Scott! Charlotte, NC - 10/15/05 - JKB)

The good folks at Delta gave Burt and Gayle a pass to get through security and they were able to meet Scott at the gate. Delta knows how to win the heart of a soldier's mom! Amelia and I waited in baggage claim, happily playing on the floor. Upon seeing Scott come down the escalator, Amelia let out a big giggle - she's knows a good thing when she sees it! The sweetest part was watching the reactions of other travelers. It's hard to miss a handsome soldier traveling in his BDU's. Add in a baby - who everyone thought was Scott's daughter - and everyone will notice. Scott received many "thanks for what you're doing over there" comments from folks as we headed to the car.

Soon we were off to Salisbury. Scott was craving a shower, Outback, and some well deserved sleep. He was also excited about setting up his new computer - ordered online while over in Afghanistan, imagine that. We've been able to spend lots of time with him during his leave - down in North Myrtle Beach for Cousin Hilary's wedding (recap post coming soon!) and for three Carolina Hurricane's games here in Raleigh.

It will be hard to say good-bye on Halloween when Scott heads back overseas. We're proud of the job he's doing and are grateful folks like him are serving our country. We look forward to his homecoming early next year (2006), when his tour is finally over.

(PHOTO: Let the fun begin! Salisbury, NC - 10/15/05 - JKB)