.....and he's off... well, kind of.

So this past weekend, Mr. Perfect and I packed up and headed to Base, North Carolina to see the Marine off to Afghanistan. As is typical with the military, things didn't go quite as planned.

Meaning the Marine is still here just waiting around to find out when he's actually leaving.

Which I'm totally cool with him still being here, but the sooner he leaves, the sooner he gets back, and I'm super ready for that part.

We had a great time just hanging out with him and the family this past week. Besides the fact that it was freezing and I suck at packing warm enough clothes. Someday I will figure out how to pack appropriately.

Maybe.

We got him some pictures and cards and stuff to take with him. I filled the album I gave him with ridiculous photos to of everyone to make him laugh and at the end was an ultrasound picture of Shim with the caption "Hurry Home! I'll be waiting to meet you!" (cue "awww").



Mr. Perfect and I also got him this awesome do-rag (spelling?), you know, so he could "take some peace to the Middle East". Yep, I said it.



We got to meet the Marine's dog that is headed overseas with him. Wow. What a bundle of energy. Without going into too much detail, the Marine will be working with a group of Marines and a group of dogs over in A-stan. They've spent a while working with these dogs and bonding with them. These dogs are insane. But they are smart, and are very good at what they do.







One night, Mr. Perfect and I went and helped take care of the dogs for the night with a few of the Marines. Besides my now dislocated shoulder thanks to a bucking bronco on crack lab named Barbaro, it was a blast. I tried to get a picture of Mr. Perfect walking Ellie, but Barbaro was at this moment trying to kill me.


How did I get the insane one?!

Then I got to walk Mag. He was awesome. Not surprised that he's one of everyone's favorites.

The rest of the week/weekend was just spent doing the family thing; eating, watching movies, etc. I was really bummed we didn't actually get to see him leave, but it was still ridiculously hard to leave him behind. We took a few family shots before we left, and then Mr. Perfect and I headed on home. I do so already miss my little bro.

But hey, when we make the trek back up there in May to welcome him home, he'll have a new addition to meet! Can't wait for that!







Please keep the Marine as well as all the other troops currently serving our country in your prayers.. God knows they need it.