he's a missionary!

how did this cute little brother of mine grow up so fast? in my brain, he still looks like this:

(probably because that's what he looked like 8 years ago when i left for college :) )

but it's true. he's now 19 years old and a missionary.

i was lucky enough to fly home to california for the weekend to hear him speak in church. it was so wonderful to be together with all of my family. minus austin. he was still in utah because of work, and boy did i miss him. just ask anyone who was at the jetblue terminal that day while i waited to board the plane. i was crying like a baby! we have hardly been apart these past 2 years, so it was just a new experience for me.

but i survived my first time flying solo, and the weekend was so busy that i didn't have much time to dwell on that fact that i missed my austin.

overall, i had a great time. it was so nice to see my family again. it was also fun to attend my old ward and see friends and families that i haven't seen for so long. mary and i performed a violin duet with my mom accompanying us on the piano. it was really special to be able to do that again. brings back lots of memories.


the self kids, right after jon was set apart.


here he is with my grandparents and uncle david. they were returning home from a 2 week trip to florida. the timing worked out perfectly so that they were able to drive through southern california on their way home and just in time for jon's farewell. so glad we got to see them!


on monday we loaded up the van and drove to utah. it was fun to have my family stay with us, even though it was a super short trip. we spent tuesday at the park with our cousins, and then went to the mtc to take pictures (now with just dropping the missionaries off, it's harder to take photos the day of). Then we enjoyed yummy homemade pizza for dinner and played games.



on wednesday we went to bajio's for an early lunch and to meet up with jon's former roommate who was entering the mtc that day also. (we've since learned that they actually ended up in the same mtc district! what are the odds of that? jon's going to washington, everett spanish speaking, and elder corbitt's going to barcelona, spain. there are lots of spanish-speaking districts at the mtc, so we were excited for them.)




and here are a couple old pictures i found on my computer. jon at age 10, so happy to have his older brother home from a mission in spain. jon was super excited to wear an "elder self" tag.


jon was able to come with my parents when they picked me up from ohio. we had some really special experiences together when we visited kirtland as well as palmyra.


it's fun to have a full-time missionary in the family again. we just got our first letter from him, and he sounds happier than ever. so enthusiastic about the gospel. we will miss him a lot while he's gone, but can't wait to hear all about his experiences in washington. we love you jon!

oh, and someone else really missed austin too! she'd ask about him and it was just too cute. (sorry for the poor quality)