As most of you know by now, Joe arrived safely home from his nearly 15 month long deployment yesterday. We are overjoyed to be back together as a family again! Joe is more than happy to be back in America and with all of us again. Here is a brief version of how it all went down.
Tuesday morning we woke up and began our preparations for Joe's arrival. Cooper helped me hang the banner up above the front porch to welcome Joe home. The girls all enjoyed helping make the signs,and each child put their name and handprints on it. Even if I don't keep the entire banner, I think I will cut out the handprints and keep them as a momento.
After we all showered and got ready, we headed onto the airfield. We got there around noon, just as the previous ceremony was letting out. There sure were a lot of happy people leaving and we were anxious for our turn! We were able to snag a front row seat on one of the bleachers where we passed the time until the 1:00 PM ceremony. Luckily they had both doors of the hangar opened,so it provided a little cross breeze (very hard to come by in Georgia, and that doesn't help all that much some days). The USO provided soda, juice, water, donuts and cookies for all of the families. Although I came prepared with snacks, going back and forth to the snack table gave the kids something to do. They had a large screen TV set up with messages from leaders playing. They also draped an enormous flag from the rafters of the hangar. It provided a great backdrop for the ceremony.
Patiently waiting....
Once we were finally told that the soldiers were loading their buses (at a building only a few minutes away), the excitement really started to set in. When they closed the hangar doors, we knew the buses would be bringing them by. The killer was watching footprints outside and knowing that Joe was out there, but we couldn't get to him just yet. The word was given and the large formation of returning soldiers proudly marched in to the hangar. A woman sang a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem as we scrambled to find Joe. Amazingly enough, he stopped just in front of us.....can you see him???
There was a brief ceremony and then after all our months of waiting, we were finally told to "GO OUT", which meant attack the formation and get our soldier!!!! We've never been so happy to obey an order!
Finally reunited!
Look at what a difference 40 lbs. can make!
Deployment Day, May 2007
Redeoployment Day July 2008
We are all truly grateful to be back together again. The girls can't stop loving up on Joe and asking him questions. Cooper has a grin on his face all the time and patiently waits for his "turn" with Dad. Brady is quickly warming up to this strange guy in the house. As for me, I feel at peace. It's such a comfort to know that he is back on true American soil (I don't care what you say, a US compound in Iraq is just not the same) and at home where he should be. Joe has already made shopping trips to Wal Mart and Sam's Club. He has the Jeep out and running and is making plans for upcoming projects. What can I say, he's still Joe!!! Besides a little jet lag that rears it's head about 8 PM, he is adjusting well to being back home.
We can't express the gratitude that we have for our wonderful family, friends and neighbors who have given us endless amounts of support throughout Joe's deployment. It is because of all of you that we were able to handle this long seperation and the stress that came with it. We will forever be grateful to you all!
Welcome back Joe! We were so excited to hear that you made it home safe and sound and seeing this post just made Randy and I feel so happy for you guys! Thanks for your bravery and sacrifices for being gone so long to serve our country. You really are a hero! (And we think you look great too)
Posted by: Mary | July 23, 2008 at 10:17 PM
I'm SOOOOO happy for you! I can't imagine how good it must feel to have him home and safe and sleeping next to you at night!
Posted by: Stephanie | July 24, 2008 at 12:24 AM
Welcome back Joe. You don't know me, and I you, I'm a friend of Randy and Mary. Thanks for your time in service. Thanks to your wife and kids for supporting you through the time overseas.
I've semi-recently come off of active duty, and know of far too many people that have deployed without having the welcome home (one is too many). It brings tears to read about your happy homecoming, so thanks and welcome back.
Posted by: Scott | July 24, 2008 at 07:24 AM
Yea for all of you!! I have been waiting for this post, since I didn't want to call and interupt things. I can't tell you how happy I am for you to have your husband back. You have been amazing and a hero to me over the past 15 months. I was so excited for you as I read your post and felt like I was there experiencing it all with you. Tell Joe welcome back, and hopefully we'll see all of you together at church on Sunday. (How nice will it be to have Joe take Brady during primary for you - he he!)
Posted by: Lisa Brown | July 24, 2008 at 08:15 AM
Welcome Home Joe!!!! I am so glad you are safe you are all together again. It brought tears to my eyes reading about him coming home! And then to see him standing right in front of you like that. That is a cool picture. As I was reading and you said that you could see footprints outside, I was getting excited for you and I am reading this a few days later! How awesome to have him home! Thank you, Joe, for what you do for our country!
AMMY
Posted by: Ammy | July 24, 2008 at 09:15 AM
Ok-That made me cry. The music helped with that. Welcome Home JOE!!! I'm so happy that all is well and you are all together again. You all look sooo HAPPY!
NANCY
Posted by: Nannie Jo | July 24, 2008 at 09:28 AM
You don't know me - I'm Mary's mom and clicked over from her blog. What a great homecoming! I have tears as I write this. Thanks for your sacrifice for all of us! (I like your music!)
Posted by: Joyce | July 24, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Awesome!! I'm so glad he's back at home with the family. I'm sure you are so proud of him!
Posted by: Joanna | July 24, 2008 at 10:15 AM
That was such an AMAZING post for me to read. I have to admit I cried most of the way through it. I'm SOO happy that you guys are back together again and that Joe returned safe and sound. It's amazing the sacrifice our military men make AND their families! Tell him thanks, from me!
I tell ya, I can't wait until it's my turn to blog about a similar experience. September can't come soon enough!
Posted by: Kim Golding | July 24, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Your safe arrival back with your sweet family is an answer to our prayers! We love you SOOO much, and are so proud of you. Valerie is a real trouper, and we stand in such admiration of you both. Love to you! Can't wait to get out there for a visit!!
Posted by: Dad & Mom Christensen | July 24, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Yippee! What a great welcome home ceremony!
Congratulations on a happy return!
(me next)
Posted by: wendy | July 24, 2008 at 01:21 PM
Our family is really excited for all of you and happy to have Joe home safe. Thanks for describing the homecoming events so we could feel a part of it. Joe and Val, you really are our heroes! We are so proud of all of you and hope to see you guys soon. We love you guys!
Posted by: Amy Schmitt | July 24, 2008 at 02:02 PM
We are so excited to have you home with your sweet family, and we are so humbled by the service that you hae done. You are an amazing family and we are truly honored and blessed to know you and to be related to you. Thank you Thank You for all your sacrifice everyo one of you!!!
Posted by: Tash | July 24, 2008 at 02:56 PM
We are so happy that he has made it home SAFE!!!!
We all appreciate the service that he has given and continues to give to our country. I know that ya'll are overjoyed. I know that when you turn over in bed and feel him there with your hand will be a comfort to you Valorie.
Keep him close and give him extra hugs to make up for the ones he couldn't get while he was gone.
:)Kimberly
Posted by: Kimberly | July 24, 2008 at 09:46 PM
Hi, I am a friend of mary's and came over from her blog. My hubs just got home this morning from a month long deployment. And now I feel so bad for complaining!! I am so happy for you and your husband and children. What a wonderful time for all of you.
Posted by: Marie | July 24, 2008 at 10:13 PM
Congrats!!! I'm sure it's a wonderful feeling to have your husband with you again. I'm so happy for you.
Posted by: Jennifer | July 27, 2008 at 04:44 PM
Welcome back Joe! Thank you for all you did to keep us all safe! I'm glad that you guys get to be together again! I don't know how you did it, you guys are amazing! Stop by if you are ever in our area!
Posted by: Amberly | July 28, 2008 at 10:28 AM
CONGRATULATIONS!! I am very happy for all of you.
Posted by: Liz Furness | July 28, 2008 at 05:22 PM
so happy for you. I am currently at my parents in CA. I wanted to see how your reunion went so I quickly checked out your blog. that literally put a smile on my face thinking of your feelings while you could see his their feet outside. you have a wonderful family.
dawn
Posted by: dawn | July 31, 2008 at 01:17 AM