Naomi is TWO!

Happy Birthday to our lovable miss Naomi! 

At two-years-old, Naomi has blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes exactly like her dad's. She has a lot of spunk and is feisty yet calm. Currently, her favorite phrases to say are, "Go away!" "Stop it!" (this is the feisty part) "I did it!" "Hold you" "I come!" "I do it myself" and "Mama, watch this!" She also says, "I hungy" about 100 times a day and that's no exaggeration. 

She is a lucky little girl that has an adoring older brother who wants to play with her all day long. Carter's only frustration with Naomi is when she wants to do her own thing. She's been taught by him how to be silly and funny and loving and kind. But best of all, Carter has taught Naomi how to love her little sister.

I really don't have the right words to adequately express how much I love Naomi.

It's a long story that I may or may not ever get the time to write on this blog, but Naomi coming to our family healed me from one of the greatest struggles of my life. The moment she was laid into my arms, I was lifted and I have felt lifted by her sweet spirit ever since. 

She has a strong love for prayer, is good with her hands, has an undying love for her binky and blanket and loves to cuddle. She requests to sit on mine or Daron's lap for every meal and is almost impossible to discipline because she has a sensitive heart that is easily hurt. Physically she is tough. She rarely cries when hurt.  

Recently, she has been giving out of the blue hugs where her tiny hands grab the back of your neck and her eyes go wide and then she squeezes as tight as her tiny body can. Every time she does this to her dad, I can tell his heart is about to burst. She has the cutest giggle and laughs easily. She has wildly crooked baby teeth that are totally endearing and cheeks for days. She bosses her older brother around like it's her day job and loves to get a laugh from an audience. She's always been able to be happy on very little sleep and has been good at just rolling with it. She loves to eat peanut butter straight from the jar and would eat yogurt for every meal if I'd let her. 

She brings so much joy to her family and we consider ourselves so lucky that she's ours.
Happy Birthday, Naomi! Oh, how you are loved!

ONE YEAR AGO TODAY

Exactly one year ago today Daron and I met Hanalei Bay for the first time. We were in Kauai celebrating 6 years of marriage. It was a Sunday. We woke early to get ready for church and make the stunning drive along the north shore to get to the church building. I remember so clearly the green, majestic mountains all around us and the wind on my face as we drove in our silver convertible.

After church, we headed to the St. Regis to have brunch. I'll never forget the first time I saw the view from the St. Regis hotel. Butterflies immediately filled my stomach and Daron and I couldn't stop laughing. Was this real life?! After we took a few pictures, we made our way to our table. 

While eating the most delicious food, Daron proceeded to tell me something completely out of the blue. I remember him comfortably leaning back in his chair, taking in the view and then saying to me, "So, a thought came to me while at church today that you're pregnant and that it's going to be okay."

My jaw dropped as I was stuffing my face with taro chocolate chip waffles. I couldn't believe what came out of his mouth. I asked him to repeat himself because I was in shock and had to hear it again. He was so calm as he again told me he believed I was pregnant and that although it was much sooner than we anticipated, the timing was right. He then described the peace that came over him after this thought came to him. 

Then he nonchalantly went back to eating his food while I sat there in disbelief.

And here we are one year later to the day...

snuggling this one every morning. It turns out Daron's thought at church was right. I was pregnant. VERY pregnant. Like, I felt sick on the airplane ride home pregnant... 

This trip was so magical. There are so many good memories from it I need to post pictures soon. I came home from the trip sicker than a dog and never got around to it!