Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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Kerry Barrett ReportingThere is finally light at the end of the tunnel for the families of the men and women deployed with the 388th Fighter Wing out of Hill Air Force Base.
We caught up with Aubry, Luke and Chloe Vasquez, who can barely contain their excitment that it's almost time for Chris to head home. It's another reality of "Life at War".
Aubry Vasquez has been keeping Chloe and Luke busy. They're down one key player, since their dad, Chris, has been gone for the last four months. Time is creeping by. Chloe is keeping steady track.
"Three more churches and Daddy's home."
Aubry's been doing the same thing in her own way, counting the days remaining each morning.
Now that they're in the final stretch, she feels comfortable talking about plans with the kids without getting them too excited, too far in advance. Chloe certainly hasn't forgotten one of her favorites.
"Pancakes with sprinkles."
She remembers those things, and has no trouble expressing what she feels.
Chloe Vasquez/ Dad deployed in Iraq: "Well, I just really like my dad a lot. It's just that I like him a lot. He just loves me and I love him back." "I think we like spending the time together while Mom's gone."
Aubry is a little more concerned about Luke. Chris has been gone now for about a quarter of Luke's life, and she's noticed some definite changes.
Aubry Vasquez/ Husband deployed in Iraq: "Because I showed Luke a picture and he was at first saying his name. Now he doesn't say Daddy any more. He looks at the pictures like he does pictures of the uncles who live far away."
Chloe tries to entice him to talk about Dad, too.
"He says, 'DaDa.' He learned 'DaDa.'"
Aubry worries Luke will be scared or treat Chris like a stranger, and she worries about how that might hurt Chris. But she also knows she's not alone.
"We won't be the first family to go through that."
Although that doesn't make it any easier. She's still planning her first words. But for Chloe it's pretty simple...
"I love you! That's all I would say because I love him soooo much."
We got the chance to speak with Chris while he's in Iraq and talked about the difficulties on his end when it comes to family. That's coming up next week.
Friday we visit with a Utah family who's revolving door has Dad currently at war.
