Homecoming!!!

We have been waiting for this day for 12 months, and it was finally here!  Our first Homecoming as a family was completely unforgettable.  The excitement and emotions that came from preparing for Cory to come home and then waiting in the hanger made the entire deployment worth it!  It is kind of like giving birth! haha.  The labor is hard and painful and feels like forever, but there is nothing like the feeling of holding that baby for the first time...and at that moment realize that it was all worth it--to have them safely in your arms.  And you'd do it all over again.  That's how I felt.  I know why Cory does what he does and the sacrifices he and his Company made while being over there...some of them, the ultimate sacrifice.  Supporting him and his Company as much as I could was such an honor, and even though some days were HORRIBLE and HARD, him coming home safely and seeing him for the first time knowing that I'd have him home, for at least a little while, was something that I can't explain.  There is absolutely nothing like the feeling of your loved one's, of my soldier's, Homecoming.

My amazing friend Ashley went with me and Jaden to the hanger and took all of these candid pictures for us so that we could capture the moment to share with all of you and to keep forever.  She really is the best, and I'm so blessed to have her!

The USO had a station set up with some games and freebies for the kids to keep them occupied while they waited for the planes to arrive.

Watching the band play some patriotic "hooah" music.  Jaden really liked watching the conductor.

Waiting got a little long for Jaden..But we made it through!

The music started playing again, and the announcer presented the soldiers as they walked into the hanger in formation!  I was searching so hard for Cory.  There were hundreds of soldiers there, so picking out mine was challenging.  Cory told me that I could find him by "looking for the one in uniform"...ha. ha. ha.

Found him!!

So did Jaden!!

Cory finally made his way over to us by pushing through the sea of people reuniting with their own Soldier.

Jaden leaped off of the bench that we were standing on!  Good thing Cory was ready for it!

Showing off his poster to Daddy!  Jaden drew a helicopter and flag and everything!

I couldn't stop hugging Cory...or smiling!

After meeting at Green Ramp, Cory and the rest of the Company hopped on a bus and went over to the airfield to their hangar where they waited for their bags.  That was about 2 extra hours of waiting, but it wasn't that bad, since after some of their in-processing was complete, we were able to be with each other while waiting for the buses to bring their bags.  Ashley took Jaden home for us from Green Ramp so he wouldn't have to wait with us and was able to get into bed on time.  

When we got home, Cory was met with some surprises, including the sign that many of you contributed to!

"Thank you so much for your enthusiastic 'Welcome Home' messages! It really means a lot knowing that you are supportive of what we do. I'm excited for the opportunity to see everyone, hopefully very soon. I love you all!" -Cory

Oh come on ;). haha