From Tegucigalpa to Washington D.C.

Friday, March 13, 2015

We were greeted last night by thoughtful gifts arranged on the kitchen island from our kids:

· A gift basket with some favorite treats from Tracen and Melissa filled with Great Harvest bread, a jar of strawberry jam, a “bear” full of honey, our favorite breakfast cereal, Peanut M & M’s for Glade and Jr. Mints for me;

· A big pan of “Peterson brownies” compliments of Justin, of course;

· A beautiful purple and yellow flower arrangement from Kristie and Justin with gorgeous yellow mums and light blue snap dragons, and pretty color-tipped mini carnations;

· And a bound book of our missionary blog—Volume One, The First Year—from all the kids, put together by Alexis. It is beautiful!

Scott and Emily led the “cleaning” crews (their kids and mine J) and had everything in the house and yards looking warm and welcoming. Scott arranged to get the plumbing problems all fixed and spent enormous amounts of time getting all the logistical things taken care of. I’m sure he is celebrating our home-coming more than anyone else as he feels the weight of our responsibilities transfer from him back to us—although he has to be on call until we get our feet on the ground!

Alexis came home on Tuesday and helped Emily clean out corners, wash sheets and towels, and make beds; and by Thursday, Justin and Kristie were on the scene vacuuming and baking and doing laundry. The first meals were all planned and groceries filled the fridge and cupboards when we arrived.

Tracen and Melissa and kids arrived on Thursday as well bearing their gifts and bringing Marc with them, which was a happy if unexpected early arrival for him; and Tracen’s family settled in downstairs.

Melissa, Alexis, Kristie, Emily and I went to Dress Barn this morning for a girls’ “time-out for shopping” event where everyone found something fun and I found something to wear to church on Sunday! The store clerks were enjoying the run right along with all of us and said they wanted a shopping spree with there own "sisters."
When we returned, Kevin was home and had brought Barek, too. They drove all the way from Reno but broke up the trip and stayed overnight in Elco Thursday, went swimming in the hotel pool for fun Friday morning, and were in the yard playing when we returned from shopping.

By Friday night, Jeff and Emi and family came on the scene with their hugs and kisses, pillows and blankets, and helping hands. Emi cleaned and vacuumed the courthouse, made a trip for extra groceries and did so much to help out. Rachel, James, Louisa, and David gave us a super welcome and then made themselves right at home and we were so happy to see them again.

Kristie wanted a trip to The Caramel Tree in Rigby where there were more treats and Alexis drove us, including Justin, to get them. I had dressed for a meeting with the Stake President and they dropped me there to meet Glade afterward. We had been released as temple ordinance workers in Honduras by our temple president. And today at 3:00 p.m. we were released as missionaries. It was harder than I had imagined it would be to take off my missionary name tag.

Soon after getting home, the doorbell rang and when I answered it, saw Leland Edwards standing on the step with his hands filled with four 2-liter bottles of root beer and two big tubs of vanilla ice cream. What a thoughtful gesture from a kind man. He smiled and said “Welcome home; we’re glad you’re back.” It was a perfect treat and the family finished most of it after dinner since no dessert had been planned.
The first several photos below show our front yard without the shrubs, bushes, and tree that lined both sides of the driveway, the entire front of the house, and the center front lawn planting. You could hardly see the house and could not see cars when they pulled into the driveway because the tams were so tall. It looks so bare now, but the change is good.

This will soon be full of flowers!

This will also house flowers!

There will be lots of work to fill these beds, but oh the flowers we'll have now!

Eloise and Emma

Growing-up Grover

Eloise and Grover being outdoors as do most kids.

Trampoline fun: David, Eloise, Grover, and Amelia

Darling kids right at home in their own chairs! Eloise and Grover

The lawn will soon be green. Barek, Eloise, Kevin, Scott, and Glade

Barek--at home with creative play in the dirt.

Amelia taking her mom Emily for a ride!! Lookin' good.

Time our for tuckered kids--Barek and Kevin

Basketball it is with April, Kevin, Bear, and Stephanie.
Some how it looks like fall with all of those leaves!

Rachel, David, and Jeff on the left and
James on the right. Ready to Ride!

Rachael, David, and Dad-Jeff

Kristie, Alexis, Emma

Sweet Emma

Family Fun!! Melissa and Eloise; Tracen and Grover

Rachel--still going!

Kevin and Bear. At first Barek wanted nothing to do with
driving this "machine" but it didn't take long for him
to warm up to the ride and cruise across the lawn!!