{more joy} HOME!

So my parents are really home!  I can't believe it.  When they first left I couldn't let myself imagine them actually returning--three years just seemed too far away.  After one year I went to visit them the first time and I wasn't even too sad to leave.  Seeing them as missionaries made me realize what an impact they were having, and what an important responsibility they had.  Of course I knew this in my head before, but after seeing them in their new environment I knew it in my heart as well.  After we hit the two-year mark it really seemed like easy sailing.  We had made it two years by now, so one more didn't seem so bad.  Every holiday/birthday we celebrated we were reminded this was the last and Mom & Dad would be home next time.  The two-year mark was also about the time Rob & I decided to go visit them and take Squiggle, which we did over Thanksgiving last year.  After our return the time went by much quicker.  We were looking for a house, getting their house ready, packing, moving, cleaning, etc, etc, etc.  Now they are home and it is WONDERFUL!

Lulu was a little nervous to meet her grandma for the first time, but after a gift of cashews (her favorite) she instantly became Grandma's best friend and literally would not leave her side.  Buddy was also excited to meet his grandparents and has quickly grown attached to them.  Squiggle is her usually fun-loving, easy-going self.  This is great because she will let anyone hold her and didn't even have to be bribed with a sucker!

Check out the great video my brother Brett took of my parents seeing us at the airport for the first time HERE. And some more cute pictures from Shaylah HERE--her pictures are much better than mine.

Although the quality is poor, I just had to share a few precious pictures: