Seffy weffy

 ya know the last few months of this here blog have been all about Jack so its about time we spread the love... Seth finished up his service as a missionary this past week and in Laynee fashion I just had to spend the 300$ to fly home with him. I mean I did it for Drew so I couldn't not do it for Seth. Even though I definitely just do it for myself. Anyways it was something I was looking forward to all week - its quite literally what got my through my week or work and clinical. Friday morning I woke up fairly early to get to the airport in time to see Seth land. I actually got there way too early, but better early than missing him all together. So I walked around gate A19, his arrival gate, for about 45 minutes waiting to see his plane pull up. 

The plane finally pulled up so I tried to hide myself across the airport walk way area, in hopes that all the people would block me. Well it didn't work - anyways I stood there for a while and saw some missionaries coming out. I started filming and then realized none of them were Seth. So many missionaries had come off this plane and none of them were Seth! I think he was literally the last missionary off the plane and man when walked out of the gate he immediately saw me. I figured you don't tend to see people unless they are looking for you so I thought Id be hidden enough, but nope. He turned the corner and bam he saw me. It was good though. We hugged in the middle of the walkway as all the missionaries stared and probably wondered why Seth was hugging a girl. I got to meet a few of the others and then Seth said goodbye to all his buddies. 

Seths first post-mission selfie. We waited on the airplane for 20-30 minutes before taking off due to some maintenance stuff, but Seth sat there going through my phone looking at old memories from before the mission and some photos and videos of stuff he missed while in Ohio. It was fun to sit and catch up. I tried getting out of him how he was feeling about all of this, but not much. I remember when I did this with drew he was super nervous to come home and see the family, but Seth was stone cold as usual. I think mostly just in a limbo like nothing felt real. 

I don't even remember what we were talking about, but it led Seth to getting his Book of Mormon out because it had reminded him of a good scripture. His BOM was beat up that's for sure. Writing all over it and water damage from probably getting rained on in his bag. The front cover was also completely warn off so you couldn't even see the title anymore. That's when you know you've used that thing every single day for two plus years. 

I can't post any videos on here, but these are really the best photos I got. Hugs all around at the airport then home to spend the day swimming, relaxing and seeing family and friends. 

Mom goes all out these days haha. Friday night we had a bunch of family, neighbors and Seth's friends over for dessert and hanging out. It was fun seeing everyone and hopefully Seth wasnt too overwhelmed. He hadn't slept in over 24 hours because the last night in Ohio there was 27 of them at the mission home leaving the next morning at like 4am so they all just pulled an all nighter - it definitely came to bite him in the butt when that night at 7pm he still had only taken a 45 minute nap. 

Saturday was spent in Pine valley - Earlier in the day the fam was at Huggy's house while the evening was spent and Kyle's cabin with the Wells fam. Lots and lots of yard games - corn hole, kan jam, mingle, animal noises, infection, missionary tag and more. Dutch oven potatoes and chicken for dinner with homemade ice cream and sheet cake - sheesh. 

Missing our missionaries, Maycee, Mckay and Emily, but it was fun having the Staheli's back and all being together again. 

Crazy cousins - grateful for family. This kind of evening spent in PV with good food and company really just doesn't get much better. Last but not least we just talked with Jack (it's Monday)!!

I spent my lunch hour at Drew's place eating some leftovers and talking with Jackie. He's doing really well in Kamoni (his current area). He showed us some Xhosa and around his apartment. He is getting along well with his companion Elder Luthers and has even taught a couple lessons. I told him we miss him a lot (probably more than he misses us), but he did say the hardest thing right now is just the homesickness. He knows what he's doing is good though. We definitely shrug off missions like anyone can do them (because a lot of people do), but man I can't imagine how hard they are. Proud of all my brothers for their selflessness and willing to serve. Well today starts one of thirteen days with no time off between either 12 hour work shifts or 9 hour clinic shifts - fun stuff, maybe we can all do hard things. Ok that's all - good to have Seth home again!