nana

Texas became cooler last week when my sister and her family moved to Dallas. It's true. I could feel a change in the air. It's awesome to have family closer - we are already reaping the blessings. My Mom flew out to help set up their house and then a week later hopped on a plane to visit us! We picked her up at the airport on Monday and dropped her off Friday. It was a quick week but we packed a lot in. 

This is the sign P helped me make for Nana. He planted himself at the bottom of the escalator in baggage claim and didn't budge until she came, a good 10 minutes. I was impressed. The second he saw her he got SO excited (seriously I could bear my testimony about the blessings of FaceTime and living away from relatives but I won't) - I love that even though we live apart he still recognizes her and isn't shy. 

 Chubby Baby, on the other hand, needed a little time- he is a complete and total Mama's boy. He tolerates Terry but he follows me around and begs to be held all day. It was very apparent from day 1 that Nana was in town - at the grocery store she disappeared for 5 minutes and when I found them each boy had a cookie in one hand and a toy in the other (did you know the HEB bakery gives free cookies to kids when you shop? Neither did I).  It was also evident from day 1 that I am chopped meat to P when Nana is around. My help suddenly became insufficient in solving any of his problems. The most common phrase around our house? 

"I need help! WHERE'S NANA???" Traitor. 

It was therapeutic to have my Mom here. Life is stressful for me right now - bossy two year old, potty training, 10 month who is into everything, a new church calling, Terry's taking summer classes for his MBA, desperately trying to finish painting our house. It was so calming to have her here to help me. Something I've always admired about my Mom is her ability to assess a situation and help in exactly the right way without being asked - it really is an incredible skill and blessing. If I could even be a tiny bit like her I would be so lucky. Thanks for coming Mom - we love you and miss you!