Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Matt's Buddy, Coty

We learned last night that the friend Matthew has made, and we have taken into our family, Coty, is deploying with Matthew. He was going to, then he was transferred to another squadron which was not deploying to Afghanistan, then he got orders to deploy with Matthew's squadron. Please pray for Coty and his receptiveness to the Gospel. Praise God, too, that they can be together. It will be much easier for both of them since they can stick together through this trying time. Thank you <3

Monday, October 19, 2009

The Last "In-Person" Goodbye


Matthew was able to get the weekend off, which we weren't too sure of until Thursday or so. Aaron was working down in San Diego, so was able to grab him and bring him home. When they got home, Coty was already here, having been dropped off by another Marine buddy, Jared. Coty needed to be back for night shift by 3pm Sunday, so we had a small window of time to be with Matt for the weekend before we had to get on the road again... (That sounds like a familiar song...lol)

Saturday was filled with pumpkin patch prep at church, then Birthday dinner for little brother, Samuel. Then Matt wanted to go shopping for a laptop case. Sunday was filled again with church, where Pastor & congregation layed hands on Matt & prayed (Aaron and I were teaching sunday school, so could not be there, but are very blessed that our church family loves and supports him and us in this way,) lunch, a card & gift (new camera from Grammy & Uncle Ty,) then driving to Camp Pendleton to drop off Matt's friend and our adopted brother/son, Coty.

The Salvatico/Ledford/Sanchez clan went to Denny's for dinner off base and hung out for a while. We escorted Matt back to his barracks, hunted for pretty rocks for souveniers, and said our drawn out, somewhat tearful goodbyes. The drive was long and a bit tiring, but we would not have done anything different!

I have been learning that the deployment date is an ever-shifting, always-changing, fluid date. He is not leaving later, but earlier than the original day, as of this morning. Who knows what will actually be the day/time he deploys? I don't and he doesn't, really.

Thank you for your continued prayers. I have been instructed by Matt to not post his deploy date or his deploy address on the internet anywhere. Please email me privately if you want to send correspondence and/or care packages to him and his squadron.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Matt comes home again...

Well, we have gotten to see him again since Thursday. He got the weekend off and hopefully will get off again next weekend. I am happy that it seems we have not said our final goodbyes yet, as deployment is rapidly approaching. Getting him here is a bit of a challenge, but somehow it works out. This time a Marine buddy, Jared brought Matt & Coty, Matt's Kentucky friend, here on the way to his house a ways further. Thanks for keeping in the loop and for your continued prayers.
Love & Blessings,
Matt's Mom <3

Thursday, October 8, 2009

The First Stage of Goodbye

Matthew, Sarah, Jacob, Hannah, Isaac, Samuel, Rebekah (in age order)
(and I didn't approve the plaid-stripes-combo-lol-BOYS!!!)



After playing football in the front yard, the kids wanted to watch a movie with Matthew one last time before he heads off across the vast ocean. I snatched up the chance to get a family picture with all of us just as the sun was setting. Matthew propped up the camera on the yard chairs, and set the timer. We got a good one after a few tries, then we headed in to have dinner. After dinner, we sat down in front of the TV to watch The Legend of Zorro.

Later Grammy, Uncle Ty & Uncle Derek came by to pick up Matthew. We didn't let him go until 11pm. Standing around hugging, finding ways to stay and hang out, and last minute preparations kept us up later than we had planned. He spent the night at her house, and she will drive him to Camp Pendleton (CPen) in the morning. My uncle wants my mom to bring Matthew by his office on the way as well. Everyone wants to see him before he goes. :) He has to report by noon today.

As far as we know, he does not have any more leave time or weekends off until deployment. I am hoping that we can go see him off as he boards the plane or something. I think we deserve to have that opportunity.

I learned last night that he has been given the responsibility of overseeing the safety of all the squadron's equipment and gear on the way to Afghanistan. He will meet the squadron over there, as he gets to arrive first with the cargo. What a huge responsibility! I am thankful that his CO sees fit to trust him with this great task.

He's still here in the states, so I reserve my tears until there is reason to be concerned. I must keep my home and family running smoothly for the sake of the rest of us.

Thank you for keeping up with the details. I promise to post as I have news worthy of typing, or as I need to get it "on paper" to get it off of my mind.

Blessings,
Matt's Mom <3>

Monday, October 5, 2009

Getting ready to take off

Matthew leaves for Afghanistan in a few weeks. He will be home the rest of this week, then back to CPen to get prepared to ship out. Who knows if we will get to see him again after Thursday?! I will post goodbye pics soon.