Photographer: Heather Coit

Army Cpl. Theresa Brownfield, armed with tissues, embraces her four children, from left, twins Carolyn and Caitlyn, 6, Matthew, 9, and Michael, 7, far right, after surprising them at a holiday play rehearsal at Stratton Elementary School in Champaign on Friday, Dec. 14, 2012. Cpl. Theresa Brownfield, who returned home to Champaign after serving a year in Afghanistan, was accompanied to the school by her husband, Joe Brownfield, and her brother, Tim Spohrer, of Champaign.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Army Cpl. Theresa Brownfield embraces her twin daughters, Caitlyn, left, and Carolyn Brownfield, 6, and her son, Michael, 7, as oldest son, Matthew, 9, background right, is overcome with emotion during a surprise homecoming for Cpl. Brownfield at Stratton Elementary School in Champaign, IL on Friday, Dec. 14, 2012. The children were in the middle of a play rehearsal when Cpl. Brownfield, who recently returned from serving a year in Afghanistan, surprised her children with her homecoming. Other students and school staff were in on the surprise.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Matthew Brownfield, 9, happily takes the stage during a play rehearsal as he glances over at his mother, Army Cpl. Theresa Brownfield, holding youngest son, Michael, 7, after Cpl. Brownfield surprised her four children during a homecoming at Stratton Elementary Schoolin Champaign on Friday, Dec. 14, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Army Cpl. Theresa Brownfield happily poses for her daughter, Caitylyn, 6, lower left, who was recording her mother while watching big brother, Matthew, 9, in his play rehearsal at Stratton Elementary School in Champaign on Friday, Dec. 14, 2012. Cpl. Brownfield was sitting with her brother, Tim Spohrer, far left, daughter, Carolyn, 6, husband, Joe Brownfield, and youngest son, Michael, far right.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Two cakes are ready to be served to students and staff as the homecoming of Army Cpl. Theresa Brownfield is celebrated at Stratton Elementary School in Champaign on Friday, Dec. 14, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Twins Carolyn Brownfield, left, and Caitlyn, 6, serve cake as they help celebrate the homecoming of their mother, Army Cpl. Theresa Brownfield, at Stratton Elementary School in Champaign on Friday, Dec. 14, 2012.

Photographer: Heather Coit

Matthew Brownfield, 9, runs up to his mother, Army Cpl. Theresa Brownfield, to hug her as his siblings, Carolyn, 6, and Michael, 7, prepare to join him in a surprise visit from Cpl. Brownfield, who returned home to Champaign after serving for a year in Afghanistan. Cpl. Brownfield surprised her children, including daughter, Caitlyn, not pictured, during their play rehearsal at Stratton Elementary School in Champaign on Friday, Dec. 14, 2012.