Kjar's!: There and Back again

Two years ago we sent Parker , Jason's younger brother off to the Halifax Canada mission. We entrusted that the Lord would protect him and bring him home safe again.The Lord did just that last Saturday. Parker served a very successful mission and we are so happy to have him home again. The family feels more complete with him home again. Getting him home was a bit of an adventure though. Friday evening when Jason and I were about half way to Folsom CA we received a call from my father inlaw informing us that Parker was not going to arrive later that night. His plane from Philadelphia to Sacramento was canceled due to a crack in the windshield. After two years of patiently waiting for Parker to come home you can just imagine how frustrating that was. After some frustrating flight adjustments the closest the air ways could get Parker to us was San Francisco airport. Thats like three hours from Folsom. So Saturday morning we all packed up in two cars and drove to the city. It was well worth being able to see Parker. It was a dream reunion minus the fact that Jenna's family couldn't be there, that was unfortunate. Parker gave hugs all around and met his niece for the first time. The air ways of course lost Parker's luggage so we were a little lighter than expected going back to Folsom.The weekend was a lot of driving but so worth every mile driven. I must say that going home Sunday was the hardest. None of us wanted to leave so soon after Parker coming home. Jenna and her family came home late Sunday night so their reunion with Parker will be today. The family will be together again in two weeks when Parker speaks in his ward so till then.

Driving over the bridge.

I've only been to San Francisco once before this. So this was kinda cool.

Cool city view

Another city view

Even though we had done a ton of driving up to this point our kids were in very good moods. Josh especially was a very happy boy. We had no DVD player on this trip so to have them be as happy as they were when we arrived at the airport was a miracle.

Josh holding the sign for Parker at the air port

Eric holding the sign. He wanted a turn too.

Just look at Eden's face. She has no idea what is going on.

So Parker hadn't eaten in twelve hours by this point and all I had with me was a pakage of fruit snacks. So this was Parker enjoying his first meal in CA.

Parents reunited with their son.

I love this picture!

I'm sorry this was a bad picture. Jason and Parker reunion.

Parker and Josh

So once we got back to Folsom Parker went over with Alan and Paula to the Stake Presidents house to be released. When he came home he said that he was lighter. The wonderful burden of being a full time missionary was lifted.