Clayton is officially deployed!

On Wednesday, the 21st Clayton took his first flight of many to leave for his deployment. We all of coarse went to the airport and they check-in counter employees were so kind. They offered to give my kids and I all a visitors pass to go past security to the gate with Clayton, so we could wait with him and spend that last little bit of time with him. It was so sweet and so special. I am mostly posting these pictures so Clayton can see them so I hope you like them too. I just find moments like these perfect. Yeah, there is the sadness and tears, but the power behind each hug and kiss captured in a picture seems to make it all ok. I love to see my husband holding our children like he never wants to let them go. That is just so sweet to me and so intimate too.
He would have taken Hannah in his back pocket if he could have. Not that he wouldn't have taken us all, but Hannah just loves and adores him and it is heartbreaking to know what pain she is going to face with out her special daddy. He is her world and her life and he is the only one that brings out her true happiness. I am totally ok with that, I have 2 boys, I understand their connection.

Clinging on to Kaiden and Kaiden holding on so tight right back. He is taking this the worst out of all of us so far. As far as Kaiden understands and knows, daddy is going to help out in the war. War to him is Lamanite Armies, Stripling Warriors, Nephites and all the battles that we read about and the Living Scripture movies that we let them watch. Kaiden just doesn't understand that his daddy won't have a sword or a gun and be on the front line defending his life. Clayton is going to be in an office doing his everyday contracting job with all the paperwork that it entails. I bet he would rather be holding the sword and shield though, probably a whole lot more fun!

Weston on the other hand does understand that he won't see his daddy for a LONG time. He is a lot like me in the sense that when something inside his heart is hurting, he doesn't want to face it. He pulls away and turns his head and tries not to think about it. Clayton and him have had a HUGE bonding experience recently so I think this was super tough on poor Weston. I am just waiting for his meltdown.

Daddy and the kids right before it was time for him to board. He was showing them his plane out the window.

Clayton we love you and miss you and hope that you have tons of fun! We can't wait to be all together again and have you back in our arms and in our home. See you in 6 months!