it's the weirdest thing. you wait and wait. for months, or a year,
and you are so ready for them to come home.
in the days leading up to redeployments i am SO emotional. i knew he'd be home sometime friday and all week i swear i cried at the drop of a hat!
and i didn't sleep a wink thursday night,
and then all of the sudden bright and early friday morning he walked in the front door.
and just like that it was back to the way it always is.
us.
and if you can't tell from the photos, the chickies haven't left him alone for a second.
"DADDYYYYYYYY" rings through the house day and night. along with giggles, shrieks, and "LOOK AT ME!!" "noooo daddy, hug ME!!!".
and his love never ceases. he never rolls his eyes or says not now...he beams. and his love for them is so apparent, it makes me love him even more.
and i watch them and smile, and i think about this. next time he comes home, we will have four. and this happiness? will be magnified.
it's better every time. we get better every time. i love us. how we are as a family, how much love and respect we have for one another.
even when we bicker, or need a break from eachother for a bit. even when there is hair pulling and eye-poking (the girls, not us!!!!!), we treat each other with respect and realize it's OK.
and as much as i hate it when he's away, it makes it that much sweeter when he's home.
so much sweeter.
love you all, happy sunday!
xxo
s
p.s. labor day winner by random.org drawing is 176- WHEE!!!!
that shirt is hysterical! and your attitude is contagious. you, my friend, are such an inspiration.
and that giveaway drawer?! what fun would that be?! thanks for the chance to win it steph :)
xx
SO happy for you!!!! enjoy! and have a great sunday!!!!
Posted by: sophie | 09/12/2010 at 07:26 AM
Thanks for starting off my Sunday with a reminder to be thankful for all that I have. And of course, a big thank you to all the Howells big and small for the sacrifices you make so Jimmy can keep us all safe.
Oh, and I think you need a bigger bed before the chicklets arrive. Its going to get very crowded otherwise!
Posted by: steph h | 09/12/2010 at 07:31 AM
I couldn't stop smiling as I looked at the photos of the girls and J, how wonderful to have him home again! You can see that love you talk about so clearly, it's so special! Have a wonderful Sunday! xx
Posted by: Rhona | 09/12/2010 at 07:41 AM
So happy for you, Stephanie! Harper looks so grown up in that first photo and Sadie . . . I love the photo of her lying in bed with her daddy . . . that smile! Priceless!
Welcome home, Jimmy!
Posted by: Victoria | 09/12/2010 at 07:46 AM
So thankful for all that he does and all that you give up to allow him to do it. Thanks for the reminder on this Sunday how much many give up for the greater good. Enjoy all your time together.
Posted by: Ronnie Crowley | 09/12/2010 at 07:46 AM
So very happy for y'all! Enjoy all your moments together.
Posted by: amyc | 09/12/2010 at 07:49 AM
Thanks for the wonderful pictures of them together and thanks for all he does our country.
Beautiful touching pictures of the family moments.
Posted by: Janet and Lisa | 09/12/2010 at 07:50 AM
Amazing dad.. amazing family...
Enjoy bonding family time!!
Posted by: Jennifer Camplin | 09/12/2010 at 07:58 AM
Steph - my heart is overflowing with happiness for you all. Have a wonderful Sunday and God bless!
Posted by: Beth Ann | 09/12/2010 at 08:03 AM
i loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee how sadie is looking at her daddy in the one pic. so much sweetness in just one little look. love you all and enjoy each other! xoxoxo
Posted by: Kelly | 09/12/2010 at 08:07 AM
A big THANK YOU to J and to you and your girls for the sacrifices made to ensure my families safety! I love, love, love how you always find the positive in any situation. The pictures are precious and truly shows the love you have for one another. Enjoy every second!
Posted by: Tina Collins | 09/12/2010 at 08:08 AM
love.
Posted by: lisa truesdell | 09/12/2010 at 08:31 AM
so great. congrats on being reuinted again!!
Posted by: Amy H | 09/12/2010 at 08:44 AM
this is very darling... i am all tears reading your post, steph!!! love is all you have. now.
Posted by: christine | 09/12/2010 at 08:46 AM
Oh, my - the look on Sadie's face in that one pic! Enjoy your time together......
k8
Posted by: k8 | 09/12/2010 at 08:47 AM
Love this! Love that he is home with you!! Your family has the most amazing and beautiful story.
Posted by: Jenni Hufford | 09/12/2010 at 09:00 AM
I am not sure how you manage to always somehow bring this typically unemotional, analytical, logical, practical, objective, thinking type person to tears. But you've done it again.
Posted by: Ally | 09/12/2010 at 09:10 AM
The photos are so sweet & special, but the look on Sadie's face makes me tear up. Thank you Howell family for all the sacrifices you all make for our country. I hope you get some well deserved pampering Stephanie & enjoy the days until you're a family of 6.
Posted by: Ginny C. | 09/12/2010 at 09:19 AM
The pictures make me cry! Enjoy the moments ♥
Posted by: Deborah | 09/12/2010 at 09:25 AM
The tears are just flowing.....beautiful...you and your family are so beautiful and thank-you for sharing your life with us here..and reminding us how beautiful life is :)
Posted by: katie squires | 09/12/2010 at 09:31 AM
So glad you have your family all together under one roof! And i love your comment about the hair pulling and eye poking! Stay off your feet and keep cooking your little chicks!
Posted by: Emily | 09/12/2010 at 10:03 AM
That pic of Sadie looking at her daddy in bed is so touching!!! So question ... You say when he comes home next there will be 4 girls. He's going to deploy again before you are due? How often does he have to deploy? Is it like this for all military men and women right now? I guess I thought that they deployed and then got a nice amount of time at home. Seems like he's been deployed a lot. Well, so glad he's home now!!!
Posted by: Krista Nash | 09/12/2010 at 10:09 AM
bah, talk about tearing up! I've still got a few months to go before my hubby is home, but you are so right all the time they are away makes all the time they are home that much sweeter and amazing and indescribable. funny isn't it, how quickly we readjust to them being back, ah can't wait for my reunion!
Posted by: summer | 09/12/2010 at 10:12 AM
he will leave when the babies are about six months old.
he is with the ranger regiment...they deploy about every seven months for three months. s
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 09/12/2010 at 10:13 AM
I have tears in my eyes reading this..I am so very happy for your family..Those pictures are pure joy :)
Posted by: Kim | 09/12/2010 at 10:14 AM
How wonderful
Posted by: Katie scott | 09/12/2010 at 10:16 AM
my eyes are leaking, my heart is full and knowing you are all together again just makes everything seem...right somehow...so happy for you!!!
Posted by: Christine Campbell | 09/12/2010 at 10:36 AM
Beautiful pictures from a beautiful family. Love the one with Sadie and her daddy - the look on her face is priceless. Thank you, each and every one of you, for the sacrifices you make for us.
Posted by: Lisa Chapman | 09/12/2010 at 10:39 AM
Enjoy being a family! :)
Posted by: slammie | 09/12/2010 at 10:45 AM
There is always so much true, raw emotion every time I read your blog...thank you. You truly have an awesome family, very inspirational. I am in awe of photo you take, capturing Sadie looking at his Daddy in bed...Beautiful!!!! It's hard not to get choked up. Happy Days to the H's:)
Posted by: Elizabeth | 09/12/2010 at 10:49 AM
I'm so happy your family is back together, Steph! Now put those feet up and let him pamper you. Savannah is up next and you need to get there first! xoxoxo
Posted by: Davinie | 09/12/2010 at 10:55 AM
I'm so happy for you! Enjoy your family time!
Posted by: Melanie L. | 09/12/2010 at 11:07 AM
The photos say it all!
Posted by: Lain | 09/12/2010 at 11:25 AM
beyond happy for you all!
these photos are AMAZING!!!
I love them all! their daddy/daughter relationship
is so beautifuL!
hugs!
so happy stephanie FOR YOU!
tara
Posted by: tara pakosta | 09/12/2010 at 11:26 AM
My brother is in the Navy and is underway sometimes 6 months at a time and works 20 out of every 24 hours (he's high up in command--dont' know title) while he is underway, and so I feel for you! I know my brother's wife goes through a roller-coaster of emotions!! Your pictures really say it all!
Congrats also to the winner of your giveaway!
Posted by: Kelly Massman | 09/12/2010 at 11:39 AM
So, I didn't win the giveaway. Seeing your pics of the girls and their dad and reading your lovely words is making me far, far happier! Enjoy being together.
Posted by: Antonia S-H | 09/12/2010 at 11:43 AM
incredible photos & words - now off to get some tissues :)
Posted by: Valerie M | 09/12/2010 at 11:48 AM
Family...there's nothing like it to show you what love means. Enjoy it!
Posted by: Denise | 09/12/2010 at 11:49 AM
Thank you for sharing such special pictures. They made me cry. Beautiful.
Posted by: Ana F. | 09/12/2010 at 11:53 AM
these posts always make me cry! so happy for you all!
Posted by: breanne | 09/12/2010 at 11:58 AM
These photos make my heart swell. So glad he is home. Enjoy, soak it all up, we will be here when you are ready to return.
Posted by: Lora Oliver | 09/12/2010 at 12:23 PM
Stephanie - I'm so happy for you all! The pictures you captured are so sweet, so precious!
Does this mean he's only home on a break?
Posted by: Chris Dodaj | 09/12/2010 at 01:51 PM
so glad that he is home safely again and that you all get to spend some quality time loving on each other as a family. :)
Posted by: Megan B | 09/12/2010 at 02:02 PM
loved these photos steph, totally made me teary-eyed and happy you all are reunited. LOVE that photo (3rd to last) of sadie looking up at jimmy. precious! xx.
(and thank you so much for the giveaway...i'm emailing you now).
Posted by: sarah | 09/12/2010 at 02:06 PM
welcome home! There is just nothing like being together again. What wonderful moments, you have captured beautifully in these pictures! Now I hope you can get some rest and put your feet up, and maybe get them rubbed too, hehe.
Posted by: Chris | 09/12/2010 at 02:10 PM
stephanie...it's funny...i didn't realize how much i must be "concerned" about you...until i read this post and felt relieved!!! i know that you have very much to be thankful for - so, so much - but at the same time, you carry a heavy load. you do. it's all worth it, of course it is! but it is not easy!!! two little girls, pregnant with twins, military wife, moving soon - it simply is a lot. i'm so thankful that you are safely back together and i hope for "peaceful good health" for all 6 of you...
mary
Posted by: mary | 09/12/2010 at 02:13 PM
these pictures are darling! reminds me of a pic my mom took of me and my dad when i was about sadies age. i love how happy these pics are - like they are trying to squeeze out every ounce of his affection. i can't wait to see pics of the two of you!! i bet you can squeeze pretty hard too! lol!
Posted by: pidge | 09/12/2010 at 02:15 PM
oh - i left out a very important thought...i realize that all of this is incredibly demanding of your dear husband, too! i can't imagine transitioning back and forth as he does...as so many military people do...and i greatly admire that he is so "there" for all of you the minute he arrives back. wow...
now that's all:)
mary
Posted by: mary | 09/12/2010 at 02:20 PM
Happy tears are rolling down my face for you :***)
Enjoy the bliss!
Posted by: Jody | 09/12/2010 at 03:17 PM
So sweet! and with more girls waiting for him..how will he concentrate on his job?
Posted by: Candy | 09/12/2010 at 03:18 PM
So happy for you guys! That first picture in the bed is PRICELESS. So, so, so happy for you.
Posted by: Nicole | 09/12/2010 at 03:37 PM
My heart goes out to you. I am filled with joy. You family is so lovely!
Posted by: Colleen Sheehy | 09/12/2010 at 03:54 PM
As I read your words, tears flowed down my face. You are truly blessed with your family and your love for one another. Thank you so much for sharing.
Posted by: Kat Layton | 09/12/2010 at 04:01 PM
my dear so elated your J is nestled with his chickies. Now to find the tissue....
Posted by: annewashington@verizon.net | 09/12/2010 at 04:26 PM
How sweet are those photos, especially the one with Sadie in the bed. That one made me cry. So happy that your Love is home safe and sound with you. (((HUGS)))
Posted by: Marti Richards | 09/12/2010 at 04:32 PM
I'm so glad he's home safe! :)
Posted by: Jessica | 09/12/2010 at 04:47 PM
wonderfulness....happiness, enjoy!
Posted by: Kimberly | 09/12/2010 at 07:28 PM
Amazing post! LOVE the pictures!! WOW!! Have FUN! :)
Posted by: Angie F | 09/12/2010 at 07:31 PM
SO happy for the Howell Family together again!!!
Posted by: Katrina of Southern California | 09/12/2010 at 07:32 PM
I'm so happy for you! Now get lots of rest and enjoy your family!
Posted by: Tammy Kay | 09/12/2010 at 08:17 PM
Wonderful, wonderful pictures! Enjoy your precious time.
Posted by: Ann | 09/12/2010 at 08:57 PM
Beautiful pics....Beautiful Family. :) ((HUGS)) ENjoy this time! :D
Posted by: Kathy Hoffman Floen | 09/12/2010 at 10:34 PM
Everytime i read your blog, i just think, "What a sweet little family you have." Just makes me smile :)
Posted by: Ally White | 09/12/2010 at 10:56 PM
stephanie, you are so very blessed! i am happy that all of you get to enjoy time together! looks like alot of lovin' is going on in your home. that's wonderful!
Posted by: jacqueline | 09/12/2010 at 11:48 PM
These photos are amazing! You've captured the complete adoration and love perfectly.
I couldn't be happier for all of you...you deserve to enjoy every moment!
Blessings...
Posted by: Amy K | 09/13/2010 at 03:49 AM
So happy for you and your chickies! Beautiful pictures, can't wait to see more!!
Posted by: Maria | 09/13/2010 at 06:15 AM
Sobbing! I too am pregnant. 7 months at the moment. I just can't handle stuff like this with my hormones!!! It's wonderful. Welcome home daddy.
Posted by: Katie Pegher | 09/13/2010 at 12:52 PM
What a sweet post. So happy for you all! Hope it's a beautiful sunshiney day for you today. :)
Posted by: Amber Zimmerman | 09/13/2010 at 01:09 PM
Beautiful photos!!!!
Posted by: Lori Borntreger | 09/13/2010 at 06:10 PM
A beautiful sight to see. :)
Posted by: Cass | 09/14/2010 at 05:32 AM
Precious! Simply precious! So happy together.....
Posted by: Bonnie | 09/14/2010 at 08:10 AM
So happy for you... My best friend's husband is in Afghanistan until next summer, and she is due for baby #3 in November. So I read your blog and my heart breaks for you strong women doing so much on your own! But I'm happy your husband is home and safe!
Posted by: Anita K | 09/23/2010 at 03:41 PM