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He’s home!

April 3, 2014April 3, 2014 25 comments

I have great news!  Last night my husband, Dave, returned home safely from Afghanistan! This was his third deployment since 2007!

The Eves Family - Afghanistan Homecoming 2 April 2014 - Vilseck, Germany | JavaCupcake.comAt exactly midnight, almost 150 soldiers walked into the gym at USAG Bavaria – Rose Barracks, Vilseck, Germany to greet stands full of cheering friends and family!

I was at the gym with my daughter, Emily and my son, Matthew along with my best friend Chasity (who was behind the camera taking all the pictures!)  As the soldiers began walking into the gym… my heart started racing, looking for my soldier!  Finally, my daughter whispered to me, “I see Daddy!”

2CR Homecoming - Vilseck, Germany - 4April14 - JavaCupcake.com

And there he was in the front row, directly in front of us!  You can see in the picture above that he’s standing to the right of the soldier wearing the Stetson hat in the front row!

We were minutes away from our reunion and I could hardly contain my excitement!  Even though I’d gone through this ceremony twice before,  seeing my husband standing there gave me chills and brought extreme joy to my heart!

The Chaplain said a prayer and a high ranking Colonel in the unit said a few remarks.  And after 2 short minutes… the soldiers were released!

Me and the kids waited at our seats for the crowds to pass and for Dave to walk over to us.  But, my daughter Emily could hardly container her emotions.  She was so happy, elated, emotional that tears instantly started flowing as she ran to and hugged her father.

Emily welcomes home her Father after his 3rd deployment | JavaCupcake.com

This was Dave’s third deployment, and the shortest.  His first was 16 months to Iraq, second was 12 months to Iraq and finally this deployment was 7 months to Afghanistan.  Although this was the shortest deployment, it was definitely the most difficult.  I was in Germany while he was at war… far away from my family and friends.  And I now had a toddler and teenager to raise on my own.  Challenges I never imagined being able to tackle without my husband.

Welcome Home Kisses  | JavaCupcake.com

But, the moment was finally here.  The moment our family would be together again. 7 months had gone since I had held my husband in my arms.  7 months had passed since I had felt his arms around me.  7 months since I felt the love in his kiss.

Once Matty got a hold of Dave… he wouldn’t let go!  I snapped this picture just as we were heading out of the gym… So precious.

Matty doesn't want to let his Daddy go! | JavaCupcake.com

My husband is home.  My family is together again.  And I am so filled completely filled with joy!  These next few months of our lives together are going to be so amazing.

The Army has allowed Dave to take 4-day weekends between now and Memorial Day and then in June he’ll get 22 days off!  We plan to travel, spend a lot of time together and enjoy our time here in Europe!

Welcome Home to my Soldier! 3 April 14 - Vilseck, Germany | JavaCupcake.com

Thank you to everyone who has loved and supported me though out this deployment.  I truly appreciate your kind words of encouragement and support!  It has truly helped get me through it!

My family together at last! Welcome Home to our Soldier! 3 April 14 - Vilseck, Germany | JavaCupcake.com

As you might imagine, I’ll be spending the next week or so glued to my husband.  So… I’ll be taking some time off from baking and blogging.  Have no fear though! I’ve got two of my great friends and bloggers filling on JavaCupcake for me!

Toni of Make Bake Celebrate and Erin of Texanerin Baking will be here next week bringing you some super sweet treats!  Make sure to come back next week to see what they’ve got baking for you!

And just for fun… here’s a look back at the Homecoming Ceremonies from all three of our deployments! Boy has my family changed!

The moment my husband returned from each of his deployments | JavaCupcake.com

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25 comments

  1. Toni@MakeBakeCelebrate says:
    April 3, 2014 at 5:24 pm

    Congrats!!! Loved seeing your pictures! It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve done it or how many times you’ve seen it it’s just as incredible every single time! I’m so happy for you and your family, and I can’t wait to help out next week!

    Reply
    1. Betsy Eves says:
      April 4, 2014 at 11:19 am

      Thanks, Toni! It never gets easy…. no matter how long they’re gone. Thank you for your support!! xoxoxo

      Reply
  2. Deb Richards says:
    April 3, 2014 at 6:30 pm

    so, so happy for you!

    Reply
  3. Helen says:
    April 3, 2014 at 6:56 pm

    So happy for you and your darling family! You are an amazing woman and my heartfelt gratitude to your husband for taking care of us by his service.

    Reply
    1. Betsy Eves says:
      April 4, 2014 at 11:18 am

      You’re so sweet for saying so, Helen. Thank you! xoxo

      Reply
  4. Rebecca {foodie with family} says:
    April 3, 2014 at 7:12 pm

    Oh WOW did that make me tear up! Congratulations. Can I please just take a moment to thank your husband for serving our country so honourably? THANK YOU! And thank YOU, Betsey, for your sacrifice as the wife of a soldier. We owe you a debt of gratitude, too!

    Reply
    1. Betsy Eves says:
      April 4, 2014 at 11:18 am

      Thank you for those words, Rebecca! It’s truly appreciated!

      Reply
  5. Lisa @ Garnish with Lemon says:
    April 3, 2014 at 7:22 pm

    Enjoy your time away and with your family! Thank you to you and your husband for all he does for our country!

    Reply
    1. Betsy Eves says:
      April 4, 2014 at 11:17 am

      Thank you, Lisa!

      Reply
  6. Kathleen @ Fearlessly Creative Mammas says:
    April 3, 2014 at 7:22 pm

    I’m so happy for your family. Thanks so very, very much to your husband and your whole family for your service. Enjoy your whole family together. Blessings to you.

    Reply
    1. Betsy Eves says:
      April 4, 2014 at 11:17 am

      Thank you, Kathleen!

      Reply
  7. Bee @ camera in tow says:
    April 3, 2014 at 7:31 pm

    So happy for you and your family, Betsy! Glad to know your husband and his unit made it home safe and sound. Enjoy your time off!

    Reply
    1. Betsy Eves says:
      April 4, 2014 at 11:17 am

      Thank you, Bee!

      Reply
  8. Christie - Food Done Light says:
    April 3, 2014 at 7:57 pm

    Thank you so much for your husband and your family’s service. I grew up while my Dad was in the Air Force and few people understand that it really is the family that serves not just the person enlisted in the military. It is a hard life but full of rewards. My heart is very full of happiness for you and your family. So glad you are all together again. Enjoy your time in Europe. Our time in Europe when I was a child is some of my best memories.

    Reply
    1. Betsy Eves says:
      April 4, 2014 at 11:17 am

      You’re absolutely right, Christie…. very few understand what it’s really like to be a military family. And sometimes, that makes it harder. We’ve already been in Germany for 3 years and are hoping to stay until my daughter graduate from high school in 2018! This is definitely the best experience of my life living here! 🙂 Thank you for your kind words!

      Reply
  9. Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says:
    April 4, 2014 at 12:30 am

    Gah I’m sobbing. Thank you so much for serving. Thank you for being a family and serving together- it’s surely a team effort. We appreciate you.

    Reply
    1. Betsy Eves says:
      April 4, 2014 at 10:27 am

      It absolutely is! THANKS YOU for your kind words, Katrina!

      Reply
  10. cookingactress says:
    April 4, 2014 at 3:45 am

    YAYYYYY! I am sooo happy that he’s home! You enjoy your time! <3

    Reply
    1. Betsy Eves says:
      April 4, 2014 at 10:27 am

      We will!! xoxo

      Reply
  11. Holly Waterfall says:
    April 4, 2014 at 1:50 pm

    Visiting from the I Am Baker G+ group – CONGRATULATIONS!! What a feat to have made it through 3 deployments! You are superwoman! Being a military spouse is so dang hard, and I’m just starting out on this journey as mine just finished basic training and is away at tech school.
    Enjoy your time with your husband – you are obviously deserving of that time!!

    Reply
    1. Betsy Eves says:
      April 4, 2014 at 2:51 pm

      Hi Holly! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂 No matter how far into this military spouse thing you are…. it’s never easy! Thanks for the kind words… and good luck with getting through tech school!! <3 I'm heading over to your blog to check it out right now!! It's great to connect with other food bloggers who also have a military connection!

      Reply
  12. Mary says:
    April 4, 2014 at 7:10 pm

    CONGRATULATIONS! Thank your husband on my behalf for his service. I hope that was his last deployment. You guys need some family time and some time to enjoy life together. Best wishes!

    Reply
    1. Betsy Eves says:
      April 5, 2014 at 9:11 am

      I hope it’s his last too! 🙂 Thank you, Mary, for your thoughtful comments!

      Reply
  13. Erin @ Texanerin Baking says:
    April 10, 2014 at 10:07 pm

    Aww. That picture of Emily hugging her daddy almost made me tear up! So sweet. All the pictures of you guys are great. It’s nice to see people so genuinely happy and not faking it just for the pictures. 🙂

    I really don’t know what to say. Just that I’m SO very happy for you and your family!

    Reply
    1. Betsy Eves says:
      April 11, 2014 at 7:21 am

      Thank you, Erin! 🙂 You’re so sweet!

      Reply

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Betsy Eves, Founder

Hi, I’m Betsy Eves, the baker and storyteller behind JavaCupcake. I love whipping up delicious recipes and sharing my real-life adventures, inviting you into a cozy space where recipes meet real life.

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