The best of Arizona

I arrived back in Portland last night after 10 days in Arizona with Brent,Randi, & little Brennalyn; she, of course was the wonderful reason for my visit. What a beautiful little spirit. No wonder why her parents want everyone to see and know their little princess. As my plane touched down in Arizona, Brennalyn's "Grammy Toner" had just left from her visit to the happy parents. I'm sure she didn't want to leave, however it gave me the opportunity to visit and try and help where I could as well. Randi's mom & sister flew in yesterday as JoAnna and I flew out. We just traded places again.

JoAnna had the week off school, so she flew in for a week, and got really attached to Brennalyn. She is really looking forward to moving in with them in July to help care for her while Randi is working part-time. That will be a blessing for all of them. It will also give JoAnna time to work in the evening to help with her school expenses next year.

Easter was fun with friends of Brent & Randi's, but the highlight was looking at the cute little bunny in the basket. She didn't seem to mind that we were taking so many pictures of her while asleep or awake.

Brent spent each day at work, and lesson plans in the evenings. I am very excited for him to have a job he enjoys so much. He might be also working as the swim coach after school which will really keep him busy, but will offset Randi's working from full time to part time, so she can enjoy the blessings of being a mommy. They are all very excited about the many blessing that have come their way. Both Brent and Randi are such wonderful teachers that not only the kids love and learn from, but the parents & staff enjoy as well. That really says a lot.

The most difficult part of my time in Arizona was feeling like I wasn't very useful. With a new baby that has a hard time sleeping long, it left both Brent & Randi with many sleepless nights, so they would try to take advantage of moments to just rest, if only for an hour or so when Brenna was resting. She was very colicky, and seemed to be in pain much of that time, which left us all very sad or feeling helpless, but more so Randi as a new mom. She changed all that she was eating to a very bland diet, in hopes that it would be easier on the nursing. Maybe as Brenna gets bigger Randi can introduce more foods that will not cause her such discomfort. I remember those days of feeling helpless with a couple of the kids, and the more stressed I got over it, the more it upset the babies. A catch 22 situation.

Thursday night we all went out to dinner with Cory Allen, Liz, & their baby Gracie who was born the end of January. It was nice to visit, and hear the updates of there lives. Cory got a new job that they are excited about, so they will be moving to a small town near Phoenix. It will however give them a bit of distance away from both Cory's and Liz's moms. Needless to say the gramma's are not as excited about the change, or the distance. I know that feeling all to well, but I would be thrilled if my grandchildren were only 4 hours away.

As always after being away from home for awhile, its always a good feeling to be back. Its the reality of life that I now need to refocus on.