(Gr)Attitude; Day Twenty-Four

Mitch and I spent the night in Idaho Falls last night so that we could go to my brother-in-laws Missionary Home-Coming today for church. Jace got home from his Independence, Missouri mission on the 14th and today he spoke in church about his mission and pretty much brought everything to a close. 

It was wonderful to see him speak. He did a great job and his talk was amazing! I tried to record it for him but my phone decided it would record the entire thing and then never save it because it was too long. Thankfully Mitch also recorded it and his recording worked.

I'm looking forward to getting to know Jace. It has definitely been a little bit weird trying to assimilate him in my mind as a family member. He's the same age as me as well so that makes things more difficult. Seeing him as a brother rather than a buddy or just some guy that is my age is a little difficult, especially since I haven't had two years to get used to him like I have with my other in-law siblings. In time, I'm sure I'll see him as an awesome brother, but for now he and his friends are just those dorky kids that are my age but don't really have anything in common with me. (It's like high school all over again except for I know that Jace is going to be at every Christmas, Thanksgiving, and birthday from here on out so that's a bit intimidating.)

Either way, I am grateful for his talk, for his mission, and for the opportunity I have to "expand" my family by one. It's awkward, but I'll manage.

I am also extremely grateful for air hockey, good food, and in-laws. His homecoming was fun and it was nice to meet family that I haven't met before. There are times when I feel like a "Show Pony" or something because I get introduced so much, but that awkwardness will also go away.

When I got home from Jace's homecoming, my sweet little brother had a surprise for me!

I had purchased one of those cardboard "H"'s from a craft store. I was going to spray paint it black or gold and use it as a picture prop for our first Christmas photo (yeah, I went into that much detail. Did I mention I want a camera for Christmas??). 

My cute little brother marched up to me when I got home and said "I made an 'I'! You're welcome!" I had no clue what he meant, but then my mother showed me. He had taken my 'H' and ripped the cardboard to make it an 'I'.

It would have been a lot more annoying if he hadn't been so excited and proud about it. In fact, it was pretty cute - other than the fact that I will have to buy a new one. He carried the 'I' around for the rest of the night but wanted nothing to do with the other piece.

I am grateful for a little brother who keeps things lively, sometimes at my own expense. I am grateful for him and the fact that he is learning and developing. I am grateful that he is making me learn constantly. Sometimes I wonder if I am the teacher or if I am being taught.

I am also extremely grateful that Henry is speaking with such flow. There were times when I wasn't sure he would do more than quote movies but now he is talking in complete sentences and even asking questions.

This year has seriously been amazing and I know it will only get better!