Family Pictures

As we were eating breakfast in our pj's yesterday morning, Nana and Sam's mom and sister wandered out by the pool with us and we were just sitting around enjoying the warm morning. We started to talk about when we would get to see Gracie. She is down at school and I haven't got to meet her yet. Looks like it won't be until January when she is coming up here again.

Two seconds later a car pulled up and I saw Tom (& I have to admit I wondered what the heck he was doing up so early...) and in walks Gracie into the backyard!!!! She had a friend's birthday up here, so her and some friends drove up late Friday night and she surprised us on Saturday morning and spent the day with us. It was so fun and made me smile from ear to ear! I think my mother in law was in Mom Heaven. Every kid was home and Nana (her mom) was here too! Sam joked it was her early Christmas. We had a big breakfast and just hung out all day. I love having little sisters and brothers. I have SO loved spending time with Rosie. She is my new movie buddy and just "do everything" together friend. We watched a movie in our house last Friday night and we have instituted Sunday nights as popcorn/family night. So meeting Grace was such an extra treat! James makes me laugh all the time and I think that he and my mom would get on great together (most every night James has a bowl of ice cream:) And I love being around Tom again. We have a fun family and while I just slipped in, I think it's going quite well.

Even though I am far away and have teary moments of missing home and america and friends, I really do have a great family here. It's different and some days I am still sad as I transition but I think God and Sam are taking care of me quite nicely. Here are some great family pictures:


Sam's Dad, Tom, Gracie, Mom, Sam and me, Rosie & James


Gracie took this one so Nana could be in it...though Nana was mad she wasn't smiling, but she is Sam's favorite person in the world so she needed to be on the blog.


All the kids...everyone else complained about taking this picture, but I LOVED it. Tom said, "mom we did this a year ago" to which I replied, yes but I wasn't here yet :) They also teased me at how I looked the happiest in the picture...I guess I am the happiest this year. Pretty lucky what I just fell into...though I think God knew exactly what he was doing.

I love my new family, miss my family terribly and think that's just normal and a part of life. I am so lucky to have 2 loving families.

The Thanksgiving in NZ preparations begin this week! I will keep you updated....We are doing it Saturday, since Sam and I will be out of town. I am bit a nervous, but Nana put me at ease after she said me and Rosie wrecked something earlier in the day, saying, "Well, Dana, it's a good thing you aren't too sensitive or you would run out crying because we are all so opinionated." Little does Nana know I am a bit sensitive and quite nervous here....but have the BEST HUSBAND in the world who takes great care of me!