7Up

Colin's home! Home from a two year church mission in Washington DC and parts of Maryland.Can you tell there was a whole lotta huggin' goin' on! He was a little taken aback by Girlfriends #1, #2, and #3 (one of whom he'd never met) who joined us in welcoming him at the airport. Thanks for being such good sports, Jennie, Kirsten, and Tori!






Greg and Neil announced their arrival with a sudden burst of explosions at the front and back doors the next afternoon. When their fireworks detonated, I was seated near the front door reading, and I jumped up and ran to the family room, momentarily startled. Then I wised up, "Hey, it's Greg and Neil!" That's a little something they picked up from Dan. He used to do the same thing to his mom when the boys were small. What goes around comes around, I reckon. Kimball landed about 11:30 PM after an eight hour stay in the Denver airport. Dan and I got trapped there overnight last Jan. so we could heartily sympathize with him.

The next day it was time to get serious about putting the final touches on Shane'sEagle court of honor. We were hoping Ethan and Missy would make it in time, but they called and said they were still in TriCities, WA, around four o'clock. I gaveGreg a couple of ideas for a talk, and found a song for Colin to sing. Dan made the hot cocoa, Shane picked up the Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Kimball, Greg, Neil andShane hauled in some wood from the Hobsons, built a roaring fire, set up chairs, and we were ready for business. Ha, in the midst of this flurry of activity, just ten minutes after Missy called with the disappointing news that they wouldn't arrive in time, they showed up at the door! With very little preparation, Greg gave a wonderful, funny talk, featuring Shane's earliest attempts at driving. (He was three years old, and he hit our house....twice!) Shane's great chipmunk hunt was also described, followed by a hilarious story from the outdoor humorist, Patrick McManus. Great job, Greg, tis sure'n you have the gift of Irish blarney! Next, Colin sang For the Beauty of the Earth. My heart was full of thoughts of Jordan when he came to the third verse:

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth, and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild,
Lord of all, to thee we raise
This our hymn of grateful praise.






Missy and Brianna were up bright and early the next morning, off to a yoga class together. Shane had been asked to the annual high school Harvest dance, so he was swept off to do some horseback riding, painting of ceramics, dining and dancing. The rest of us spent what always feels to me like sacred moments visiting the cemetery. Our Jordan's headstone was set in place just two weeks beforehand, and everyone approved of its selection. We read a psalm that has special meaning for us, Psalm 136, and had a family prayer there as well. I know Jordan would have loved being with all his brothers this weekend. I don't know how these things work, but I hope and pray he felt our great love for him throughout every second.

Missy made her famous guacamole and sallad for us, along with a new to us soup recipe from the Olive Garden, Zuppa Toscana. The guys spent a good deal of time playing video games, and they even got in some shooting. Greg and Neil came packing heat. Brooklyn and Lilly were little angels. And Dan and I just sat back and soaked up the joy of having our family together once again. Props to their wives and children back home for holding down the fort while they were away.

Julie and Lonnie drove up from Utah, for a quick visit and to hear Colin speak in church. His simple, sincere humility stood out to me. Due to all these things, thanksgiving has come early this year to the Washburn household!