Deployment Homecoming

It came. The big day actually came. Some mornings I open my eyes and can't believe that deployment is actually over and that my husband is lying in bed next to me. It feels absolutely incredible to have our family together again. Like I completely forgot how incredible. Like aw-inspiring incredible. Like how did I do that for a year incredible.  Like it's about dang time incredible. 
Tyler stepped foot on US soil 9 days before actually making it home. They have administrative stuff, equipment checks, and lots of debriefing stuff to do before being released to be with their families. We didn't know until the day of that he'd be coming home. Monday morning I got up and ran 7 miles, cleaned the house, and was putting away laundry when the call came. As soon as he told me he'd be arriving that night I literally screamed for joy and texted and called everyone I knew that  MY HUSBAND WAS COMING HOME TODAY!   Put up the banner! Blow up the balloons! Today is the DAY! My dear friend Denise drove all the way up to Dallas to capture our big day. I'm so grateful to have these memories captured and recorded.  It is a moment I never want to forget.  Here it is... his gate... 

Get ready for a TON of pictures! 
We waited around the airport for what felt like an eternity! The girls were so excited!

Miss Maggie, what do you think you're doing? 
Oh yeah... being cute...

I love this series of Rachel and I...

She was so funny in the car. It's about an hour and half drive to the airport and she was so tired. She tried so hard to fight it but finally gave in and in a panic asked me to please make sure to wake her up when Daddy got off the plane. 
I assured her that she wouldn't be missing a thing.

I love her.
Guess what? He is on his way right now!

This smile says, "Okay, we're here! We made it! Now where is he?!"

Thank goodness Grandma and Papa came along to see the event take place. 
I seriously was in a complete daze. 

My sister-in-law, Itzel, came over and did my hair and make-up. 
It sure made me feel special and pretty! 

It was bow time. I made sure I had adequate time for a temper tantrum before trying to pin these in Maggie's hair. But as you can see from my facial expression- I was not giving in- this is a battle that Mommy is going to win!

The shoulder shrug... get these things off me!

"No Papa! It's not okay! This is torture!"

I told you that this would be a battle.
Then she took her tantrum to the floor...

Gosh, you'd think I was torturing her or something!

Tantrum over, whimpering commencing... As you can see, I'm not phased by this at all. 
Totally worth it. Look at how cute she is!!! Even with that grumpy face! haha!

I would have gotten a smaller sized cardigan had I known Rachel would be tugging on it all night long!
She was so nervous!

Lots of waiting... waiting... waiting...
I've waited 325 days, you'd think 30 more minutes wouldn't kill me.
Well, think again. They were totally killing me!!!

Could that one be his plane???

Maybe it's that one!!!

Nope. Not that one either! 
Golly gee wiz!

Giving the girls a little pep talk! After the bow tantrum and the french fry break it was time to refocus!
"Alright girls! Daddy's plane is going to get here any mintute!!! He's going to be here in REAL LIFE!!! What are we going to do when he gets off that plane?!"

"We're going to run up and hug and kiss him!!!! Over and over again! We're going to shout for joy!!!"
"Who's with me???"
{girly laughs and squeals inserted here}
Ready... BREAK!

Oh those darling skirts! darling darling darling! 
Thank you Cheylee for helping me make my outfit vision come true! You're a pro!

Happy Happy Day!!!

A couple pictures of yours truly... 
you wouldn't believe how much I fretted over finding something to wear. 
I seriously lost sleep over it. Silly, I know.

Why can't they make dresses with sleeves anyway? sheesh! 
Oh well, I think it came together quite nicely. Plus, I matched my babies. ;)

Oh that sassy Rachel! It just comes way too natural for her! haha!

Sassy Sassy Sassy! 
I mean...look at that hip action... 

Gazing out that big window... 
Where could he be? What will he look like? What will he sound like?

Something about this picture screams "terrible twos" to me... the girl is a walking tornado...

Taking turns. Always brings drama... 
"Gimme that drink! My turn!"

"Nooooo!!!!"
Seriously guys? DADDY IS COMING HOME TODAY! Like in five minutes!

I'm so ready for this.

He's here.
{getting a little emotional now}

He's here. He's here. He's here!!!!!!

Quick! To the gate!!! 
He's here Maggie!!! 
We're going to have a DADDY again!!!!

He's coming babe. He's going to walk right out that ramp!

One thing about Jessica Payne--- she's got a lousy poker face. You can read me like a book.
What in the world is taking so long to get off that plane!?!?!?

Rachel must have gotten that from me... 

She couldn't hide her emotions if she tried. haha!

I kid you not, about 30 people came through those doors before we saw Tyler...

OH BABE!!! I CAN SEE HIM NOW!!! 
THAT'S HIM! THAT'S HIM!!!!!

YEP!!! THAT'S DEFINITELY HIM!!!!!
WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!!!!!!!!!
I absolutely love Rachel's face in this one! She was so excited and nervous!

Oh my word it's actually him. 

Now Rachel! Go get him!!!!

There are no words for this one... 

Or this one...

tears of joy

We did it.

It's time to celebrate!!!

Words can't describe how much I love this picture.
It's my favorite.
There's no sweeter relationship than that of a father and a daughter...

Don't worry, we have lots of time to practice now. teehee.

He's been dreaming for months of kissing those chubby cheeks...

Together again.

That's one happy load to carry!!!

smoochers... mushy mushy mushy goodness... 

I think this picture is hiliarious!
Sharing Daddy is hard! 

Daddy is back! You know what that means... a whole lot more rough housing and tricks!

I think we're going to have to ease into all those Daddy powers... haha...

Joy.

Time to go home!

Let's do this!

Daddy is coming home with us!

This way Daddy!

Can you believe it's been a year since our Daddy went to war?
One whole year.
We've come a long way since this picture was taken. Look at how much the girls have grown!

We all go through times where we think Heavenly Father has left us. Times where we wonder how things will work out. Times where we think- this is just too hard. Times where we have to cling with all our might to our faith. 
Let me assure you that God lives and that moments like this make all the hard times worth it. 
As I reflect on this year the word that comes straight to my mind is gratitude. 
Gratitude to the Lord for helping the girls and I accomplish all that we have together. Gratitude for my strong and faithful husband. And gratitude to all our friends and family who have prayed for us and supported us. Those prayers were felt. We love you all so much!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!