Welcome Home Elder Jackson

Missions are really wonderful and important things, but the anticipation of seeing a beloved family member upon his return just can’t be helped.  I was thrilled that scheduling worked out so that I could be in Utah when Sam got home from his two year mission in Scotland and Ireland.  On Tuesday, the day before Sam’s arrival, Mindy and Kimby took some time to make a banner to welcome their brother home.

Hannah and Emily were fabulous supervisors.

 

The final product.

Wednesday turned out to be kind of a long day. Sam was originally supposed to land in Utah at 7:30pm, but his flight from England to Texas took off two hours late so he missed his connecting flight.  It was starting to look like we wouldn’t seen him until Thursday morning, but miracles happened and he got on a flight that arrived at 10:45pm. While Sam was dealing with customs (who knew you couldn’t bring bird feathers across the ocean), we were having a lovely picnic in the front yard as we counted down the hours.  I then put Emily to bed and took a two hour nap before we all drove to the airport.

The Christmas lights were left up for Sam and then taken down shortly after he got home.  Now only five more months before they go up again!

Waiting at the airport with lots and lots and lots of other families. I have never seen the Salt Lake Airport so busy, and I have been there many times over the last five years.

Horrible picture, I know.  But it is the first shot of Sam coming around the corner and even with the blurriness you can still see his excitement.

Lots of love!

After all the hugging there was a moment of silence and Mindy said, “You should hug Aimee again.” Because Sam had no idea that Aimee is having a baby September 24. It took him a few moments before he understood the request, and then the guy was totally speechless.  For a long time.

After the first hug came a lot more speechlessness.

Sam with his travel companions.

The whole family, minus Andrew (who was in Kansas) and Emily (who I thought was in bed but was really screaming the whole time with the babysitter).

It is so great to have Sam back.  He plays a really big role in the family dynamics.  It was so fun to listen to him and Hannah belting out broadway tunes (and they are so good it is kind of like having a personal broadway show in the kitchen), Mindy and Kimby and Sam playing the wii, and playing games with the whole family with lots of laughter and memories.  I love this family.