Home for the Holidays

Surprise, Surprise!

As my husband, and I sat in our home overseas we were nearing the holiday season and the was a lingering question in the air. Would we be able to go home for Christmas? Amongst Covid, Japan's rules, and the Army's restrictions it just seemed to be wishful thinking. I began to pray for whatever The Lord saw fit to bless us with, rather at home or abroad as long as we were together. Last minute (like everything else living a military life) we were able to pull off by some miracle a bombshell homecoming for our families.

Now this process was not easy, my dear husband put in an ETP (exception to policy) with the military which was a lot and I mean a lot of extra work for him! We prayed for the best, all the while other families around us were being denied leave. Not only were we fighting against a global pandemic, but Japan’s re-entry laws as well. On pins and needles we waited and waited some more, hurry up and wait has never been more true! Finally with about two weeks until December 20 we received confirmation that our leave would be approved!

What?!

We were so stinkin excited and decided that we would make it a surprise for our families. Both of our families had been so saddened by the news that we were not coming home for the holidays that they basically boycotted Christmas.

So we booked our tickets, packed our bags, and with anxiety and excitement headed out!

Side note (about to tell on myself lol) We had to keep the act up that we were not coming home so i even called my mom asking for Christmas day recipes so that I could keep up our traditions! The morning we left for our flight I face-timed my dad to let him know that Seth would be working on Christmas and how bummed I was about it. I knew they would be elated when they finally saw us!

Eagerly waiting to board

STORY TIME

As we were in the airport in Japan about to board our flight, a pilot came out and was walking around the boarding area. He spotted Seth and I, came right up to him and began talking to him about the Army. Apparently the pilots son was about to enter the Army and he wanted to thank Seth for his continued service. As we were in line to check our tickets, that same pilot came up to me grabbed my ticket, and said, “Your name is Kelsey?” I was very confused at this point thinking something was wrong. The pilot then asked Seth and I to follow him, when we stepped onto the flight he directed us all the way up to first class! He said Merry Christmas, and take care of my boy for me. Ya’ll this is the second time someones kindness has been shown to us in an airport, and it’s not as if we were the only military present on that flight. The Lord was simply looking out for us, we flew luxuriously through the sky back to the U.S!

Feelin' Boujee

Our own little cubicle!

The night we arrived, our internal clock was so thrown off because we are 14 hours ahead here in Japan. My sister-in-law picked us up from the airport and we headed to my in-laws. When we got there we walked through the front door, and I’ve never seen such shocked faces! They said it was by far the best Christmas gift they could ever receive! I was so excited to see their sweet faces, and to be back in America for this special time.

Greatest second family a girl could have

The next morning we were up and driving to Starke Fl. I knew my parents (well my dad was actually off that day and we had to trick him to get him there) and brother were working at the store. I figured going to the store would be the sweetest surprise. My best friend met me first and drove us up to the shop, we decided to send in Seth first to throw them off! Y'all their reaction was unmatched, my mom looked at Seth and thought man he looks familiar lol, and my dad said is first thought was that he had left me at home! When my parents realized what was happening there were so many tears! (if you haven't seen the video you should!)My mom’s first comment to me, “Um I don't have one present!” Haha she was so concerned to get it all done now that we were home! We also got to surprise grandparents, although my papa is the master and said he had a feeling that I was home!

Royals, my love for this group goes to the moon & back & back again

The Harrison crew, I was so excited to his all them, love you guys!

We were granted 13 days home and it was such a refresher, my husband got in some valuable fishing time, I got to freely shop, we spent time with family, worked in the shop, and ate way too much delicious food! (yes I got my cheesecake)

Dinner with my Tia

Teaching my brother the art of tea making

Greatest crew you'll ever meet!

Now we're back to our life abroad together and I truly couldn't be more thankful for the sacrifices my husband made and continues to make daily for not only me, but everyone back home. Now that a new year is beginning, we've got some new exciting things happening that I cant wait to tell you all about!Thank you to everyone who follows along on our journey, y'all are the best! Oh and your most definitely are taking Chick-fil-a for granted lol so go today and eat some extra for me!