Day Fourteen

The flight from Atlanta to Little Rock was postponed 3 times and ultimately cancelled. So we had to wait until this morning. Aaron is home now. His bags didn't make it, but he did. We are happy. All is well.

As for pictures, we were told by the Government that we aren't allowed to post any on a blog or personal website. Sorry, I know many of you have asked to see them!! He had an amazing experience, worked his tail off, loving every minute of it. And if he sees another MRE in his life time it will be too soon.

Day Thirteen

So close yet so far away. Aaron had debriefing meetings this morning. Got his flight plans...to Ohio? He let them know home is Little Rock, not Ohio. Finally got on a plane from DC to Atlanta. Got on another plane to go from Atlanta to Little Rock. Had to get off the plane due to mechanical problems, and on another one. Hopefully he gets to come home tonight. He just called and is sitting...waiting. We are going to have very tired kids driving to the airport so late, or maybe they will be bouncing off the wall. Probably bouncing! We have done so well until tonight. I just sent Isaac to his room for the rest of the night. He has been on one all day. I can't handle it anymore. So he's safe in his room so I won't yell.

Day Twelve

I just got off the phone with Aaron...Yes, he was FINALLY able to call. They took down camp yesterday and this morning and jumped on a plane headed our way. He just landed in Washington DC and was excited to shower, eat real food, and sleep in a bed. He hasn't had a showered since Jan 23. His hips hurt from sleeping on the ground. He's starving for real food. He said the assignment was amazing. So glad he went. I will fill in more details tomorrow after I see him.

The plan: the team is in Washington DC to be debriefed. Then hopefully sometime tomorrow he will head my way. He didn't know, or didn't have his travel plans yet. He is supposed to get those late tonight.

All I know is that we have a very EXCITED wife and kids at our house!

Day Eleven

Brian's update...he's my friend again!
"Good evening. As I mentioned in last night's update we did not hear from any of the teams in Haiti. Bill Devir, OH5DMAT Team Commander was on the conference call tonight and stated the team had a very busy day yesterday and they saw over 200 pt's with a couple serious pediatric pt's who were transferred to Children's Hospital in Haiti.

NOW THE GOOD NEWS!!!

The team was tasked with breaking down operations today and started demobilizing plans today. They also met with some of the non-governmental agencies who may take over the site. As the plans stand now they will fly out in the AM and be at Dulles Airport later tomorrow. They will go through a stand down process. They will stay over at least one night at Dulles and then probably head out Thursday--ALL OF THAT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE SO NOT CUT IN STONE. When I receive more concrete information tomorrow I will pass that on to you. I wouldn't be surprised you will know more from your team member tomorrow once they are able to access their cell phones and e-mail when they get back into the states. If I hear something tomorrow before they get into the states, I'll keep you appraised.

Bill's last comment was, "We will also shower, (and shower, and shower, and...)""

That's WONDERFUL news!! I really wasn't expecting Aaron home until the Saturday or Sunday. And I guess that's "all subject to change", but none the less we are excited!! Posters and party foods will be hung and made. I'm excited to hear the stories he has!

Home front: Had a good day. I'm a sewing fool these days. 2 skirts for my cute girls. Isaac got his glasses today. "I look like a nerd, but at least I'm still cool." They fit him well and look really nice on him. He looks older...too old to me my son.

Day Ten

Update from Brian:

"Well, not a whole lot of tell you tonight that is team specific as we did not have the opportunity to hear anyone directly from Haiti tonight. We did hear that they were busy and patient volume for all the teams combined were high. The teams that were activated this weekend are in VA and were processed in and will be on a plane in the early hours then on to Haiti in a couple of days. I understand that some of the missions there are changing as new need evolve and Non Govnt' groups are coming in and helping with the health care needs as well. It is anticipated that the teams there should start hearing something in 2-3 days as to when they might be coming home. It is still too early to have strong details on that as of yet. I'll certainly pass on to you that information when it becomes available.

I have attached a couple pictures that came in today that were taken at our team site."

Once again, not much information. I will be excited to hear real stories from Aaron and see real pictures. I'm hoping he remembers to take pictures...I'm usually the photographer in the family, so I'm hoping for just a few.

Home front: All is well. I'm tired, I have laundry to fold, and then I'm going to bed. Oh, I did make 2 dresses today. They are cute, if I had a camera I would take pictures, but I don't.

Hero's at Children's Hospital

Like I mentioned last night our Arkansas Children's Hospital was on Dateline NBC last night. I found it online also. You can watch all the segments. they will just keep playing with short commercials in between. Aaron is in and out through out the whole thing, but mostly in the first 20 minutes. You first see his hands wrapped around a little African American baby doing CPR, then later they show the rest of it. If you missed it last night you can click here. We think he's pretty special!

One correction: Just before Aaron starts compressions on the baby the journalist tells you who he is and that this is his first week as a resident. WRONG! He had already finished his first year (because Sarah commented that he was the intern of the year), starting his 2nd year. It just happened to be the first week of his PICU (pediatric intensive care unit) rotation. Keep in mind that this was filmed 1.5 years ago. I guess it just took a while to get it to TV.

Aaron's best friend growing up, Josh posted a special piece on his blog. He is very thoughtful and sincere. Thank you Josh!