A year

the picture I have on my dresser of them. love the smiles.

Today marks the 1 yr anniversary of Marshall coming back from Iraq. It just seems like so long ago. I was so excited he was coming back - when he left for Iraq I didn't think he was coming back, then he came back for a visit part way through his tour and then came home at the end. It had been a long week but I went anyway with a bunch of Liveoak people to Ft Hood to go pick him up. He was coming in at like 10 or 11 pm so I knew it was going to be a long night but it was fun. We were all packed in a gym with extremely loud music waiting for the soldiers to arrive. Finally they did and they all came running in, seemed like millions, but I am sure it was only hundreds. To me they all looked the same but someone spotted Marshall and we all stared at him until the little presentation thing was over - glad it was short b/c all anyone wanted to do in there was to find their soldiers and hug them. In order to take him home he still had to do some paperwork and all and that seemed to take forever. Good thing we had cell phones b/c we would have so lost him on such a big base. I remember Heidi and Madison were making me really nervous chasing each other around the parking lot. We all ended up sitting in a dorm-like room waiting for him to finish the paperwork. One of his neighbors came and talked with us, he knew Marshall and had been in Iraq with him so that was interesting hearing what he had to say - even if the guy was slightly drunk. I remember thinking, man, these guys are so young. Everyone we saw was like 19-22. Well, we finally were able to take Marshall home. I ended up getting to ride back with the Hagen parents and Marshall. I was so tired but tried to stay awake. Marshall was so not talkative (surprise :0) but was cool just to be in his presence. Mark and Marshall talked about his finances and wanting to buy a new engine for the car. I thought it was cool he was going to spend the money on that. I am mean, he was young, limited responsibilities, why not buy an engine. I don't really remember much else about the ride back to austin. But it was so cool to have him home. I still think of him all the time and miss him but trust that God knew what He was doing. Its kindof funny thinking about how anti-mainstream Marshall was on earth, ya gotta wonder if he's into the heavenly mainstream style or if he's started an underground skate shop up there. Guess we'll just have to wait and see. :0)