He's Home!

 Finally the day came for Aubrey to return home from his mission in Germany. I had been counting down the days from about 102 days away. When it got to the last few days, I actually started counting hours--starting at about 100 hours away. I know, I know, kind of crazy, but I just couldn't help myself. I was extremely emotional in the last few weeks leading up to his return. So much so that I wasn't sure how I would be able to keep it together at the airport. Surprisingly, I didn't cry that much when he actually got home, maybe I had got it all out of my system somehow. The kids were excited as well, even if they did have to miss part of school to go pick him up. He was scheduled to come in at 2:00 pm on December 13. I had followed his flights online and knew that he would be on time. Grandma & Marla met us at the airport and we all anxiously waited for him to round the corner in the International terminal. I had already given Carson the assignment to take the pictures. I didn't want to miss a single chance to hug him. When he finally came around the corner, I jumped right at him and gave him a HUGE hug! In fact, I couldn't stop hugging him. I just didn't want to let him go. The pictures are kind of blurry, but it's okay, they are just perfect to me.

Grandma was happy to see this missionary grandson!

 Maren and her friends made this sign to hang on the house to welcome Aubrey home.

The flags are for all the missionaries who have served on the Hatch side. (Grandpa--New Zealand, Geoff--California, Marla--North Carolina, Allen--South Carolina, Gary--Denmark, David--Connecticut, Melissa--Chile, Bryan--Brazil, Todd--France, Kyle--Hawaii, Cameron--Portugal, and Aubrey--Germany)

We put these back up on Sunday the 18th, the day Aubrey spoke in church and reported about his mission. Pretty awesome sight!

It's been great to have him home. I love seeing how he's grown into a man in so many ways. I love hearing his laugh. I love hearing him interact with Carson & Maren. I am so glad he chose to serve a mission and to be an instrument in the hands of the Lord. I couldn't be prouder of my son :)