It's been a whirlwind month for the Smith family. I can't beleive all that has taken place here. We lost Cooper on the 3rd and then we had two family deaths and then we got Dane home. I can tell you my emotions were so all over I couldn't hardly control them. I didnt' know to be happy or to be sad or to feel guilty that I was happy. In fact days before Dane come home I was such a mess it was making me sick. I didn't know how I would react to Dane coming home. I was so anxious, nervous, I didn't know what I was feeling. As we were headed off to the airport to get Dane that Thursday morning Ryan had forgot to plug the black diesel truck in and we weren't sure it would start but it did. Ryan said the Lord must know we have to get to the airport this morning. But it was just a few blocks from home that the front axle and brakes went on the truck. Now what do we do. We called the Magnussons and they had their tahoe out and ready for us to fly to the airport in. What great friends we have. Then as we got to the airport I was so nervous and so we all were. We were standing there with other missionary families. We say that his plane had landed but still no one coming. We finally saw a guy with an Oklahoma sweatshirt on and new he had to be on that plane so Dane can't be too far behind. We waited another "forever" and then a man passed us and asked if we were waiting for a missionary. We said Yes and he said they aren't far behind me. So my stomach wanted to lurch out of my body and tears starting to fall. Then we waited another "forever" and then here finally they came. A bunch of missionaries coming down the escalator. I really don't remember seeing who they were I just saw Dane and that was about it. When he got to the bottom I ran I couldn't stand it any longer. Big hugs and kisses and again lots of tears. It was as though he was never gone. We got our Daners home and it is good. It fits in like he never left. We has adjusted well and is back to real life some what. He is doing good things by doing his studies in the morning and companion study with Boone in the morning. Dane has been a good help to us by helping us fix up the truck after the axle exploded and such. The Lord know he can only give what you can handle and he did. My stomach is back to normal after I held Dane and the emotions have finally settled down. I still cry when I think about it and when I think of how much I miss Coop but it is good. We love what we have for now and can't wait for the return of all my boys.
Here are a couple pictures that Bailey took after the arrival of Dane. I couldn't take pictures...too shaky.