Look Whose Home!

THIS GIRL!!!

After 18 long months Sister London finally returned home with honor on January 13th! It was a day that was highly anticipated by us all....

The Airport Sign Committee:

The Emotional Parents:

The Hysterically Excited Sisters:

After what seemed like hours, we finally got a glimpse of our girl at the top of the escalator. We then proceeded to cheer for her to hurry herself up, and give us some hugs! We couldn't get enough of this beautiful girl!

It was so nice to finally have the whole family together. This was our first family picture-as a family of six! Just look how big those smiles are!

Words can't really express how I felt about Abbie coming home. Those last few minutes at the airport I was so hysterically, excited. I was giddy! I have always been close to my sisters, but I feel like I've become even closer to both of them during the past 18 months. I was so excited to finally get to see my favorite missionary, after spending so much time writing her, and getting to know her better. She has grown so much during her mission, and I was so excited to get to know this more grown version of her better. 

The giddiness still hasn't worn off, almost a month later I still get so excited when I get a text from her. (She can text me now!! It's awesome!!)

I'm so proud of you Sister London. You were one amazing full time missionary. You inspired and encouraged me with your example. However, I'm so happy that you are home! I love you baby girl!!

Ten Things Making Me Incredibly Happy...

(in no particular order)

10- The Provo Food Truck Round Up... I'm embarrassed by how many times we've been there since we found out about it in April. It's pretty much a perfect way to spend a Thursday evening.

9-My new office at work, sometimes a change of scenery is just nice

8-Strawberries and Cream at Pleasant Groves Strawberry days-and the great company we enjoyed them with!

7-Celebrating these two getting married! I couldn't be happier for them!

6-Lagoon day with this guy and his mom! And how few people were there that day-I'm pretty sure we rode the Colossas at least 6 times

5-Later evenings filled with sunshine for bike rides and walks

4-Lost marathons with Nate

3-Bonus wedding pictures

2-That today this favorite missionary of mine has been out 1 year! Only six more months until I get to hug her again!

1- That this guy has been my husband for over three months. Time flies when you're having fun-it's going to be a pretty incredibly happy forever

Sharing my Sister

I've started this post a dozen times, each time not sure exactly what to say.

So I've decided, I think, to just say this:

Sharing my sister is one of the hardest things I've had to do this far in life. Knowing that I won't get to call her when I need someone to make me laugh, or be able to burst out randomly in song and have someone there to finish it with me. Knowing that she will likely not be here for big changes within our family, as I start my career and decide exactly what I am going to make of this life of mine.

When I think of her not being here I can't help but cry.

However one thing I know without a doubt is this:

God is good.

He knows when we hurt, when we cry, and he knows how best to heal our pains.

For me that healing is the rain.

I am of the mindset that rain gets a bad reputation-for me rain is something that I find incredibly beautiful, a reminder of how grand and incredible and eternal things really are.

And it seems that when I most need it, when I hurt or stressed or scared God opens the heavens a little and lets the rain remind me that he is there.

Friday and Saturday I sat in our dark living room in awe-mesmerized by the rain beating down from the sky against our little house, against me. It was the reminder that I needed-that I am never alone.

So although Abbie won't be here for 18 months, at least I'll have the rain, and more importantly all that it brings with it.

Before her farewell

After she was set apart as a full time missionary

Right before heading to the MTC

I hope you all know too that I could not be more happy for Abbie. There is nowhere else I would rather her be during this time than on a mission-dedicating herself full time to preaching the gospel of our Lord. Honestly I am so very happy for her, so very proud of her, and so excited for what this will do to her and her life.

It's just that sometimes sharing your sister is hard.


If you're a fan of Abbie's (and really who isn't?) please feel free to check out her blog. Mom has asked me to take it on, and share her pictures and letters with our friends and family. Honestly, if you miss her just read her letters-there is no way to be anything but happy after that.

You can find the blog here.

Or on the sidebar!