American Airlines, flight 677

Yep, we finally have an itinerary! Whew. And I'm pretty darn excited to pick him up at the airport tomorrow night, Lord willing.

Thanks to all for your prayers and for being so happy and excited with us!

Around the World

Well, Andrew did it. He actually left Ramadi by chopper and made it to his next stop in the trip around the world! He talked to me late last night from another place in Iraq and they were hoping to leave for Kuwait within the day. Once he gets to Kuwait, the travel will be much faster because they'll be on commercial flights.

I might just have an airport run tomorrow!

Forecast Facts & Countdown Conundrums

Andrew's leave has finally made its way into the real, live 10-day forecast! I can actually see the close reality of sharing a day in the same place. Andrew and I should be together on the 22nd. Partly cloudy with a high of 71. Gorgeous! For *both* of us. Together. In the same time zone. The same state. Same city. Weather.

We still don't know the exact date/time of his arrival at PDX, but we do know that he's leaving Ramadi on what will be the 19th for him, the 18th for me.

As the time nears, we are left in wonderment and slight confusion as to how to count that down. My countdowns all say 5 days and so many hours...and yet that's counting to the first minute of September 19, Pacific Standard Time. Yes, he leaves the 19th. But *his* 19th. And we don't know the hour. He's almost at 4 days til he leaves on a chopper, my countdowns still report 5+. Then he'll have a couple or few days of travel - depending on conditions - before he makes it all the way to Portland. My best guess is that I'll see him on my 21st of September. And that's just not on any countdown. (whew!)

Reminds me a bit of the second coming of Jesus... "You won't know the day or the hour. But be ready, cause I'm coming!"

I'm ready!