Happy

Uncle Mike and auntie Alyssa flew in Sunday night with her parents for a few days of fun in the sun. Love every minute we get with them!

This would be us inside a giant pineapple.
Had ourselves some nummy Dolewhip.

School

School started at the beginning of August after a crazy-fast-moving-wonderful summer traveling across the sea. They were both sooo excited for school. My sweetheart is off to first grade-- she loves reading and friends. My little one has been thriving with "mommy preschool" at home and playdates with her "boyfriend". (Gotta keep an eye on this girl!) They love playing "family"... Kalea is the mom, "Stacey," and Ryan is the dad, "Mark." Ha!

The first few weeks home from our summer travels were tough - girls pushing the boundaries trying to readjust to life here and all of us missing family. But, we have settled into our new schedules this month and have really been enjoying our time together.

Lovin' my girls.

Time together

We LOVED our time together with Kalea's birth father and his beautiful wife. Loved, loved, loved it. Times infinity.

Be still my heart

They were far too excited about throwing rocks into the marsh rather than catching up with us on our way through Waimea Valley so I threatened them with what I thought for sure would have them running to catch up!
"Girls who don't catch up with us have to pose for a sisters photo!"

They briefly smiled and then kept right on throwing rocks.

I love these girls.

Unfortunately, Amazon doesn't ship ponies to Hawaii

Naomi's birthday wish was for a big girl bed... or a pony. Anticipating the arrival of their new little meimei in September/October, we dismantled Stacey's office and turned it into a little girls' happy place. We painted the walls blue with three little birds flying home to their momma and papa, hung paper lanterns and assembled a bunk bed while the girls slept.

They were thrilled with their birthday morning surprise.

Hoo loves you?

It went something like this... 

I asked them what they wanted to do for Valentine cards for their birth parents and grandparents, gave them a few ideas, and then Naomi saw a photo of two sisters sitting together holding a heart and blurted out, "SISTER PHOTOS!" It was their idea. (I may or may not have planted the photo where they would see it).

We opened the windows in their tiny room to let in some light, they climbed on Kalea's little bed and we played and took photos for 15 minutes. I think that's a record, especially considering they usually give me 15 seconds! What a blessing to be sisters. What a blessing to be their mother. 

Happy day to the many people we love.

 

from us to you

my loves

What's she got in her hands?

My gecko catcher. She's always happy to catch and release them out into
the wild (back yard), but she won't touch a fruit fly to save her life!

My Crazies

As I write I can hear the girls upstairs screeching in delight as they play wildly together.

They are CRAZY. Delightfully crazy, mind you, but SO full of energy, bouncing off the walls, furniture and each other, crazy. Their constant noise and commotion is unsettling, but I wouldn't trade them lovin' each other and playing together for anything.

There was a definite shift in their relationship about two months ago. Kalea and Naomi love each other, but there was so much fighting. It was around the time we first saw Mayzee, and although my heart was telling me she was our daughter, my brain was telling me there was no way I was ready for all this adoption would entail.

And then the girls' relationship changed. It's hard to describe. Their sister hearts have more compassion for each other. They have found in each other a best friend. They are wild and crazy, but the screams come from sisters chasing and playing, not fighting over something of no worth.

The timing was a tender mercy from God to me, reminding me that I am on His errand and He will provide the way.

I worry about all of the what if's associated with this adoption - we are bringing home a daughter with 3 years of life experiences and a challenging medical condition, who will be leaving everyone and everything she knows. I expect the adjustment to be rough in the beginning. And yet, when I look at the photos of the three girls on the bookshelf, I see, both in my mind and my heart, that they are meant to be together. Meant to be sisters. It is a joyful feeling that overrides the doubt. And again I'm reminded that God is at the helm.

Autumn on the Island

It's subtle, but I can feel the change in the seasons. The tradewinds are back (Thank the heavens! The @#! dark poisonous VOG nearly did us in a few weeks ago). The sun has shifted in the sky and there's somehow an autumn crispness in the air - without the actual crispness. Perhaps my mind is playing tricks on me because I long for crisp fall days with sweaters and brilliantly painted leaves.

We made the trek across the island to the pumpkin patch and the girls picked out and adopted a "pumpkin family" that they cart all around the back yard and even give thanks for in their nightly prayers.

Beautiful autumn day on the island with my favorite people.

Kalea named her pumpkin "Shadey"

Shine on, my love.

It's Monday

On Saturday morning the girls awoke as normal at 7am. I had only gone to bed 4-5 hours earlier after working late and was exhausted. I gave the girls permission to raid the pantry in search of food and watch their new movie.

They left me in peace FOR TWO HOURS.

Amazing. I was so thankful for the sleep.

At 9am Naomi came in and climbed in bed next to me. She stroked my hair and said, "Mommy, it's almost time to wake up." Kalea joined us in bed snuggling up, first on top of my feet, and then on top of my head.

It was time to get up.

Sweet things

Making cookies with daddy on a Sunday afternoon.

Naomi: "Daddy, I love you more than all things sweet!"

It's nice (understatement) to have him home after half a week away at another Woodbadge Scout training.

Monday

Busy week ahead. Here weeee gooooooo!