We are Grandparents!

What a whirlwind of events!!! Most parents have 9 months to prepare to be parents–Kailey & Brady had 4 days. Just imagine the emotions, the upheaval of their everyday life, the uncertainty and much, much more. Kailey & Brady were able to see Maya that Sunday for a brief visit as well as visit with the birth Mom. I arrived in Nashville on Monday and joined the kids as we waited for the consent forms to be signed—no communication from the firm until later in the day to confirm that consent forms had been signed by the biological Mom. Maya was finally discharged from the hospital on Wednesday into the care of her parents, Kailey & Brady.

We stayed in the area for 10 days in a VRBO as required by the state of Tennessee. Brady’s Mom also came to help with Maya which was a big help. She is a great cook and we enjoyed several good meals that week. She & I also helped taking care of Maya, especially at night, so the kids could get some good sleep. It’s funny how as a Mom/grandma’s you hear the slightest cry when you are sound asleep. Brady’s sisters, Courtney & Alexis, came for a visit on Saturday-Sunday. I enjoyed watching them interact with each other and noticed how different the dynamics are from our own family.

TIM: This week Tim is singlehandedly captaining “Margin” up the east coast of Florida. Many long 85 mile days to arrive in Jacksonville at an economical marina to leave the boat for a month. This was a big challenge as we had always done it together. He arrived on Thursday. Friday he spent cleaning the boat and getting ready to leave. Saturday he drove to TVR and then left the next day to join us in Nashville.

Brianna drove from TVR on Monday to see Maya. What a nice visit!!! The weather was beautiful, so we took Maya on her first outing to a park and took family photo’s. Bri is so excited to be Maya’s aunt as we are to be her grandparents. Bri left on Wednesday to return to TVR. Thursday we were all getting a little impatient for the call from the firm for permission to leave Tennessee. Finally on Friday the permission was granted. The kids packed up right away and headed home to Marion.

Tim & I stayed one more night then headed to Grand Rapids. The main reason for the visit to GR was to get our paperwork to the accountant for our taxes. We visited so many people, checked on Customusic and meet with our accountant. Our visit was exhausting (especially as I am an introvert). We then headed to Marion for a day to assist Kailey & Brady in anyway and then on to TVR camp to work on a project for a day. Experienced torrential rain the first night we were here at TVR….water everywhere. The next day the sun came out–what a relief (of course in Michigan they are getting a snow storm). We head to Jacksonville tomorrow to continue our journey on the water.

Reflection from the past weeks: Maya is beautiful and I love her so much. The friends & family who surround Kailey & Brady are amazing. Once the word was out that a baby was coming for them, there was an outpouring of love, baby things, meals… I’ve never seen anything like it before or experienced it. It has made me more aware of how I can be the hands of Jesus to new parents. Also, for those who might be reading this blog, adoption is very expensive and it may be very cost prohibitive for those wanting to adopt. Maybe think of giving in that area too.

Jacksonville, “Margin”, here we come.