A Home Coming!

On Tuesday December 20th, I sent my children to the movies with my father (who is in town from Canada). I set up the house and welcomed in 12 women for a "bunko" party. During my set up I received a text from my husbands friend Chris. He was asking if I was going to be around that night, he had some gifts to drop off. (as a side note, my hubby had my birthday present delivered to Chris's house just a month before, so this was not abnormal) As the ladies and I started playing, about 5 hands into the game, Chris comes to the door. He asked me to get the kids, as there were a lot of small things for them to bring in. I told him that the kids were at a movie with their Grandpa, he asked to have the ladies come out and carry stuff in. We paused the game and everyone headed out to unload Christmas from Chris's car. I was the last out, as I had to go and find my shoes. I came out and walked over to the truck, Chris opened up the back door of his truck, and up stood my sweet Soldier!!!!!! I screamed and jumped up, wrapped my arms and my legs around him and clung to him like a koala bear! I cried and breathed a deep sigh of utter relief. "It's over," he whispered to me, "It's over!". Oh Glory be, he was home, home 2 months early! Home in time for Christmas! Home in time for New Years! Unbelievable!!!!

The Bunko girls went in the house and quickly packed up the party and headed out. Now we had the pleasure of coming up with a way to surprise the kids who were still out with Grandpa! We wrapped up a big box and set it up, so that we could just slide it over top of him when they got home. About 2 hours later, my kids came home, totally excited about their movie. Telling me all the details, until they noticed the giant gift on the floor. "Woa, what's that?" "that came for you guys while you were gone." "who's it from?" "I don't know, but I have my guesses." "Can we open it?" "hummm, I don't know, it's not Christmas yet...." "Please.......???" "let me get my camera, and then you can open it." "YEAHHHHH!!!!

They started ripping the paper off, until Alex (10 yrs) says "lets just lift it up right here..." He picks up the corner and out pops their dad. Liza (13) screams and grabs her dad! Alex (10) Later reported that he was scared because I told him that I didn't know what was in the box, and now a person was in the house. When he realized it was his dad he kept hugging him and cried with joy to have him home. Tori (8) took a minute to process what was going on, but was soon right in on the hugging, and crying with relief. Katie (5) really took some time to figure out what was going on. Her daddy lost 43lbs and shaved his head bald, so he looked very different, and she was very surprised!!! After he spoke to her and reached for her, she was right in with the other kids, just so excited to have him here. What a glorious reunion!!! We are all SOOOOO happy to have him home!!