Eric's Homecoming

Well, since he's been home from Brazil for over two months now, I thought it would be good to do a post about my brother Eric.

He's all grown up from the little squirt I lugged around as a baby!

After serving a two-year proselyting mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Eric came home August 25, 2009 looking skinny and more than a little rumpled (as you'll see in a moment).

I was SO stoked to see my little brother and the kiddies could tell I was excited as we drove to the small, local airport.

Well, Eliza was more interested in her juice and keeping her lamby nearby. She had never met Eric since he had been gone for over a year when I had her, but she had her bead necklaces, so life was awesome for her.

Seth, on the other hand, showed the proper enthusiasm. I've been showing him pictures of Uncle Eric and talking a few weeks prior to his return so he would know who we're waiting for. Seth was still a chubby 14 month old who had only been walking for a few months when Eric left.

We practiced what we would do when we see Uncle Eric:

"Who's coming home today?"

"Uncle Eric."

"That's right! What are you going to give him when we see him?"

"A hug, and a kiss."

"Aw, that's sweet. What are you going to tell him?"

"I missed you."

Well, all that training went out the window, but it was still cute to practice with him. ;)

Another young missionary from the area left for the same mission with Eric and they both returned the same day.

It was SO fun to watch the Moms talk with each other (my mom is holding Eliza on the left). Both families were there two years earlier sending their boys off. You'd think it'd be a difference between Elder Strobel's mom and mine since Eric's the 4th son (5th if you count son-in-law Chris) in the family to serve, while Elder Strobel's the oldest child and therefore the first, but Mom was just as excited and nervous to see her Eric as the other mom.

The Elders have returned home!

The young men made a bee-line for their moms (standing front and center of course), who faithfully sent letters, goodies, e-mails, and medical necessities while their sons were in a foreign place.

After giving hugs to siblings, close friends that had all served missions throughout the world around the same time (Eric was the youngest of the group so he got home last), Eric hugged Dad and then Grandma and Grandpa Cox, who have served multiple missions as a couple.

Going over lunch plans with the fam before leaving the airport. We have quite a legacy of returned missionaries in that little group (Chris was putting the kiddies in the car and snapped the picture):

Elder Robert Cox (Grandpa): Western States Mission, 1940-1943

Elder Jon Cox (Dad): Denver, Colorado Mission, 1974-1976

Elder Bob and Sister Doris Cox (Grandma & Grandpa): Puerto Rico (1981-1983)

Santiago Chile (1985-1987)

London, England Missionary Training Center (1989-1991)

Washington D.C. Temple (1995-1996)

(all were Spanish speaking missions)

Elder Ryan Cox (Oldest Sibling): San Bernardino, California Mission, 1998-2000

Elder Chris Martin (My hubby that I "waited" for, Son-in-Law): Edinburgh, Scotland Mission, 2001-2003

Elder Matt Cox (3rd Oldest): London, England South Mission, 2003-2005

Elder Nathan Cox (4th Sibling): Dnepropetrovsk, Ukraine (Russian speaking) Mission, 2005-2007

Elder Eric Cox (5th Sibling): Ribeiro Preto, Brazil Mission 2007-2009

Brandon's a senior in high school right now, but has always known that he would serve a mission because of the good examples from his family members. They're also excellent examples to my children and I hope that they too will want to serve the Lord.

Out of the six kids, Mom claims that she never had to worry about Eric. He's always been kind and made choices that will help him be a good, honest person.

He also has a sweet tooth like I've never seen, and since his return, empty candy wrappers are strewn all over Mom and Dad's house whenever we come to visit.

Whew! It was an exciting day! Time to get some bambinoes after the nap!