By far the very most exciting day of December was December 16th, Brinley's homecoming! I was giddy for weeks and the closer it got, the more I felt like it was really going to happen.
Aubrey and Tanner only had finals in the morning, so we didn't have to get creative with skipping classes or worse, basketball practice. Britney was sweet and made the rounds to get her kids out early so they could be there. Chris and Ang were getting off a cruise and took an earlier flight so they could be at the airport. Kerry and family came to support. Grandpa and Grandma came. (It was touch and go with her health.) My uncle, Alan Pitt, was there. Megan and Adam Vore came with their three little boys. Our King cousins came and the Dave Martins and John Martins were there. Friends from church came as well to congratulate Brinley and support our family: Bonifays, Shauna Saxton, Morgan Hill
It was wonderful to feel the love and support for our girl.
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| Bird cousins making on a sign while waiting for their brothers to get out of school. |
The airport. Her plane was on time, but it felt like she would never arrive.
Waiting....................
More work on the sign (Aubrey made one too), plus getting everyone to sign the sign. Ella was diligent.
A few pictures of some of those who came to support.
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| Ang (sister-in-law), me, Laurel (cousin) |
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| Brit, Char, Stevie, Nathan (Stevie's boyfriend), Quetta, Laurel, Hudson, CJ, Shauna and Gram and Danielle in front |
Here is a video of ....The group
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| Cathy Bonifay, Shari Martin, Gram and Ang |
WAITING Some More....I kind of love this picture.
...we see people form her flight coming down the stairs!
The fam! (...minus our Parker Bryce who is doing good things on his mission in Ghana.)
She made it! We LOVE our Brinley Kate! It was so great to hug her again.
The video version↓↓↓
She's Here!
Grandpa and Grandma Vore
The Birds! (minus Adam who had to work...and we didn't get a picture with just Hud and Bryn) Charlotte and Ella
Braddock, 13 1/2, flexing his height! He probably changed the most while she was gone.
(Aunt) Britney and Bryn
(Uncle) Kerry
Getting to see Adam (cousin) and see Christian, who was a premie, when she left
Tanner, Holden (cousin) and Lauron (cousin)
(Uncle) Chris with grand baby Noah
(Aunt) Angelique
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| Front: Nathan (Stevie's boyfriend), Lincoln, Adam, Quetta, Kerry, Holden, Char, Don Bonifay, Hudson holding Christian, Gram, (Great Uncle) Alan Pitt, Ang, Grandpa holding Ella, Stevie, Brinley, Morgan, Shauna Saxton (former YW leader), Tanner, Aubrey Megan holding Noah, Dad (Brian), Mom (me-Erin), Lauron, Chris, David, Laurel, Danielle, CJ, Emily Martin, Cathy Bonifay, Shari Martin, David Martin and Braddock |
We really appreciated everyone coming to support our family and Brinley as she completed her year and a half mission in the Idaho Boise Mission.
After Sister Gwilliam arrived, we had family and the Bonifays over for a light dinner and her release. We had rolls, meat, cheese and fixings for sandwiches plus chips, fruit and desserts. (A big thanks to Britney and Megan for helping with the chips and desserts.) We visited and ate while she and President Vore (AKA Uncle Chris) met in our bedroom to be released.
When they came out, Pres. Vore read an email from her mission president which expressed his/their love, admiration and appreciation for Sister Gwilliam and her service in the IBM. Pres. Vore said a few words and then released Brinley as a full time missionary.
Here are a few pictures from the evening:
A little sibling bonding after everyone left...
Brian and I enjoyed looking through some of Brinley's keepsakes from the mission.
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