(August 17, 2016)
Carter and I had talked through email in the weeks leading up to him coming home and had made lots of arrangements. He had sent home a few boxes of keepsakes- not much really. Mainly letters along with a few funny things that had memories attached. He left a lot there too- which is fine- because other missionaries could use them. Like the bike we purchased- we donated it to the mission home. But we also talked a lot about plans for when he gets here. I was able to get him a part time job at an elementary school! He did an email interview for it and got it! He'll be starting tomorrow!! We also got him signed up for a "Discovery class" up at LDS Business college. It gives you tools you need to get started in college. But right now, today, I just wanted to see him. I wanted to have him in front of me, give him a huge hug and listen to him talk about his mission. I could not wait!
The morning he arrived it felt like Christmas! We decorated the yard with signs, balloons and American flags everywhere! We also had signs in the house and with us at the airport!! His flight ended up coming a bit earlier than we were expecting but we prepared and just headed that way! I had our neighbor ready to take photos and my other neighbor ended up surprising us too and took video of his arrival!
This isn't his video but is a good snippet of him that day! He seemed to take FOREVER to come down. He honestly didn't even seem excited! He was so chill! But oh.... my.....goodness that first hug was precious!
There was quite a greeting crowd for him too! Our family, Gamma, Papa, Brooke, Mark, Dakota, Skinner kids, Swen, Tanner and Erika. It was awesome!
This picture shows my feelings perfectly! YEEEESSSS!!
That hug.....
Then it was Dad's turn
Brianne was the next
And the brothers too!
Such cute kids! And back together again!
My family is all back together again!!!!!
Once he gave everyone their hugs and greetings we piled into my truck and had a couple errands to run! We had to go make a couple purchases at the store. He couldn't fit everything in his suitcases so some things he had to re-buy when he got home. We didn't want to do it ALL right now but he did need a couple things right away. Once we got that out of the way we went to black bear diner to have some lunch. He was struggling right away too- you could see how out of sorts he felt. He had been doing the same thing every day for 2 years and he just didn't know what to do with himself. Bless his heart. We just kept talking about his mission and he would light up and tell us stories. We drove him around to the school that he would be working at just to see it. At this point Will was following us with Brianne and it was just me, Chan and him in the car. He was playing his favorite Mormon Tabernacle choir song- Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing- and he began to cry. It was the most tender moment I have ever witnessed from him. He had put everything he had into his mission and was already missing it terribly. Later that afternoon we went over to the Stake Center and met President Davies so he could release him. We were there for over an hour. He had Carter share certain experiences and he gave him some advice as well. The hardest part for him was taking off his mission badge. It was a bitter sweet moment. Carter also gave me a blessing that afternoon. It was a blessing of gratitude. What a sweet thing that was. Just hearing him give a blessing was joyful but to have it directed to me was an honor. This entire day I have been completely full of pride. My son has served an honorable mission. Doesn't get any better than that. So blessed to have my family together again.
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