Tuesday, December 18, 2012

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... 
Photobucket
Get ready for a TON of pictures! 
We waited around the airport for what felt like an eternity! The girls were so excited!
Photobucket
Miss Maggie, what do you think you're doing? 
Oh yeah... being cute...
Photobucket
I love this series of Rachel and I...
Photobucket
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.
Photobucket
I love her.
Guess what? He is on his way right now!
Photobucket
This smile says, "Okay, we're here! We made it! Now where is he?!"
Photobucket
Thank goodness Grandma and Papa came along to see the event take place. 
I seriously was in a complete daze. 
Photobucket
My sister-in-law, Itzel, came over and did my hair and make-up. 
It sure made me feel special and pretty! 
Photobucket
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!
Photobucket
The shoulder shrug... get these things off me!
Photobucket
"No Papa! It's not okay! This is torture!"
Photobucket
I told you that this would be a battle.
Then she took her tantrum to the floor...
Photobucket
Gosh, you'd think I was torturing her or something!
Photobucket
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!
Photobucket
I would have gotten a smaller sized cardigan had I known Rachel would be tugging on it all night long!
She was so nervous!
Photobucket
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!!!
Photobucket
Could that one be his plane???
Photobucket
Maybe it's that one!!!
Photobucket
Nope. Not that one either! 
Golly gee wiz!
Photobucket
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?!"
Photobucket
"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!
Photobucket
Oh those darling skirts! darling darling darling! 
Thank you Cheylee for helping me make my outfit vision come true! You're a pro!
Photobucket
Happy Happy Day!!!
Photobucket
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.
Photobucket
Why can't they make dresses with sleeves anyway? sheesh! 
Oh well, I think it came together quite nicely. Plus, I matched my babies. ;)
Photobucket
Oh that sassy Rachel! It just comes way too natural for her! haha!
Photobucket
Sassy Sassy Sassy! 
I mean...look at that hip action... 
Photobucket
Gazing out that big window... 
Where could he be? What will he look like? What will he sound like?
Photobucket
Something about this picture screams "terrible twos" to me... the girl is a walking tornado...
Photobucket
Taking turns. Always brings drama... 
"Gimme that drink! My turn!"
Photobucket
"Nooooo!!!!"
Seriously guys? DADDY IS COMING HOME TODAY! Like in five minutes!
Photobucket
I'm so ready for this.
Photobucket
He's here.
{getting a little emotional now}
Photobucket
He's here. He's here. He's here!!!!!!
Photobucket
Quick! To the gate!!! 
He's here Maggie!!! 
We're going to have a DADDY again!!!!
Photobucket
He's coming babe. He's going to walk right out that ramp!
Photobucket
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!?!?!?
Photobucket
Rachel must have gotten that from me... 
Photobucket
She couldn't hide her emotions if she tried. haha!
Photobucket
I kid you not, about 30 people came through those doors before we saw Tyler...
Photobucket
OH BABE!!! I CAN SEE HIM NOW!!! 
THAT'S HIM! THAT'S HIM!!!!!
Photobucket
YEP!!! THAT'S DEFINITELY HIM!!!!!
WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP!!!!!!!!!
I absolutely love Rachel's face in this one! She was so excited and nervous!
Photobucket
Oh my word it's actually him. 
Photobucket
Now Rachel! Go get him!!!!
Photobucket
There are no words for this one... 
Photobucket
Or this one...
Photobucket
tears of joy
Photobucket
We did it.
Photobucket
It's time to celebrate!!!
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
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...
Photobucket
Don't worry, we have lots of time to practice now. teehee.
Photobucket
He's been dreaming for months of kissing those chubby cheeks...
Photobucket
Together again.
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
That's one happy load to carry!!!
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
Photobucket
smoochers... mushy mushy mushy goodness... 
Photobucket
I think this picture is hiliarious!
Sharing Daddy is hard! 
Photobucket
Photobucket
Daddy is back! You know what that means... a whole lot more rough housing and tricks!
Photobucket
I think we're going to have to ease into all those Daddy powers... haha...
Photobucket
Joy.
Photobucket
Time to go home!
Photobucket
Let's do this!
Photobucket
Daddy is coming home with us!
Photobucket
This way Daddy!
Photobucket
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!
Photobucket
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!!!
Photobucket

11 comments:

Megan said...

I cried. Thanks for sharing these sweet moment!

Sarah said...

I cried too! So beautiful and so happy for all of you!

Unknown said...

Happy happy happy! What a blessing to be together again!

Anonymous said...

YAY! I'm so happy for y'all! :) I hope you have a blessed Christmas! And seriously, I cry almost every time I read your blog!

Sutherland Family said...

Yep, tears streaming down my face, thank you very much. Good thing your eyes were closed in those kissing pictures, haha.

Yes, prayers are answered. I'm so happy for you!

Pop and Nana said...

Great Pictures! Great memories! Beautiful family together again. It's too bad Tyler is back to witness another Aggie beat down next Thanksgiving lol!

Mary Anne said...

Oh goodness! No words to say how happy this is...and you all looked BEAUTIFUL! I feel like we haven't talked in forever and I would just love to hear where your new adventures are taking you and what life is like now! Hope to chat soon!

Marcos said...

These pictures are touching.
Good to know Tyler is at home with his wonderful family.
Love you all.
Merry Christmas
Abraço do Brasil
Marcos (Elder M. Santos)

Jeni said...

Aaaaaaaaaaaah! Bart & I just sat here and cried. So beautiful!! Pinterest worthy, infact I'm off to pin something from this beautiful post!! Love you guys!!! Hope your Christmas was the BEST ever.

Jeni said...

Too funny! My Jessica wanted me to tell you that she cried as well. :) Love these!!

Kate said...

I have been waiting for this post for a long time. I'm so incredibly happy for y'all, and that you were able to be together for Christmas! Families are forever!