My happy thought

grandma and big fish

Naomi, as we drove away from the airport:

"I really miss grandma.
I'm about to cry.
That's why I really miss my grandma because
I really really love her so much."

We had a lovely time together at the Byodo-In Japanese Temple one afternoon (after a trip to the dr. in Kaneohe) feeding the fish and the birds for a dollar. The girls thought feeding the birds right out of their hands was better than a popcorn picnic (they loooooove popcorn) and we all loved having grandma with us!




I told the girls if they fell in the big koi fish might eat them alive! Seemed to work because they didn't fall in.

blessed

Among so many other things,
to have the best parents in the world.



They kept Naomi and Kalea for two days while I attended the National FSA (Families Supporting Adoption) conference in Utah and Mark traveled to Texas for a chemistry conference. (106 degrees there today - ick!) I also got to spend time with Angie and Kevin (Kalea's birth parents), and my incredibly dear friend Julie - and that was worth gold.

The girls had a delightful time with their grandmas and grandpas all to themselves!

Thank you. We feel so blessed.

Introductions

Naomi and I took a last minute flight to Utah to attend "Family Camp". We weren't going to go because Mark couldn't leave and plane tickets were in the $1200-1400 range. But I felt such an urgent and pressing need to be there. Tuesday night we found a flight for $600 and Wednesday we flew out. It was wild and I'd really rather not fly alone with a baby again... but we made it and the introductions made and friendships strengthened were worth it.

I needed to introduce Naomi to her great-grandma Ross, one of my great heroines. I couldn't miss the opportunity. I also needed to introduce her to our family - so that she could become more than just a photo on the internet, but a real and delightful member of the family. And I needed my sisters and cousins. For nine years I've been the one with a career while they've been moms... and now I finally get to fully join that circle. Mothering Naomi comes so naturally to me... but oddly, being a mom doesn't. It is a huge lifestyle change. (Not bad, just very different). I've always had a career and now I'm learning how to balance being a mother and wife with a small career so that all three of us thrive. It is tricky. I haven't found my groove yet and I needed to watch and be with my sisters and cousins - who are among the greatest moms out there, to see how it's done.

It was exciting to introduce Naomi to her grandpas, and she gave both of them delightful smiles when they played with her.

Naomi met cousin Kaison and uncle Mike, Uncle Brock and auntie Kitty, Tyler and Kami, Jeff, Lisa, Elle and Zoey, Uncle Brent and auntie Cryssi, aunties Missy and Rachel (and TJ growing inside her), and lots and lots of aunties, uncles and cousins! We love and miss you all!

For more photos from Family camp:
http://www.cannonfamily.us/gallery/v/marknstacey/familycamp/
(password hint: grandma's first name)


Great-grandma Ross, Stacey & Naomi


My family (missing Mark)


Cousins!


Auntie Missy


Auntie Rachel and TJ (en route)


Grandma


Grandma & Brock


Aunties Lisa and Kitty


Stacey and Marci (with our babes)


Grandma
(Naomi's wearing her cute 12 month swim suit! She's only 2.5 months old!)


Uncle Mike


Auntie Kami


Grandpa


"But I want my pants pulled up like Kaison's!"