Naomi the Ninja!

Let me introduce you to Naomi, NayNay, the "Pocket Monster," Naughty Natasha, Naomi the Ninja!
                                                     

This granddaughter of ours has a lot of nicknames for such a little girl! When she was a baby, her sisters gave her the nickname NayNay. Pocket Monster and Naughty Natasha..Well, if you know Naomi, you know why the last two names are so appropriate. This little body has a great big spirit just waiting to burst! She knows the world is at her fingertips and she wants it now!

Naomi's grandmother Raejean, loved the name Naomi. She never understood why anyone would call her NayNay. In honor and in memory of my mother in law Raejean, I always call her Naomi.

Naomi is funny, full of energy, witty, smart, artistic, mischievous, imaginative...and a NINJA!

The ninja story will come later...

I love to watch Naomi play as her imagination takes her to far away places. I love her witty comebacks as she converses with her siblings. One day not too long ago, she was trying to get her sister, Jazzy's attention. I don't know if Jazz was ignoring her or was immersed in whatever she was doing, all of a sudden in her "pocket monster" voice, I hear Naomi yell, "Jazzy, Jazzy, snap out of it, just snap out of it!"

Last week the family daily devotionals were on trial and adversity. Each of the kids stated what trial they needed to work on. Naomi decided she would work on listening and not talking back to mommy, daddy, papa and nama. The next day, I asked her to do something. I hear a tiny, little mumble from her. I give her the "Nama Look" and she says to me, "What? I didn't talk it out loud!" I tried so hard not to laugh. Well, it didn't work, I laughed, I laughed oh so much! She's 3! How does she think up these things?

On another occasion, I was watching our granddaughters Avery and Sophia. Avery couldn't find one of her slippers. We looked everywhere. I told the grandkids that I would pay $1.00 to whomever found the slipper. Ciela was the lucky winner of the $1.00. Naomi was not a happy camper! Not two minutes later, the slipper is missing again. I happen to go outside and Naomi is sitting by herself in the yard, with a big pout on her face. I ask her if she knows where the slipper is. She hands it to me and says, "I hid it again, so I could find it and get the $1.00." There are days where she frustrates me to no end, keeps me on my toes every minute of every day, but oh Naomi, how I love you!

We were at Seaworld looking at the fish aquariums. Naomi is pounding on the glass, I tell her to stop, she looks at me and says, "Why can't I break the glass?"

She gets so frustrated, angry and just does not understand why she can't go on the big rides at Seaworld or Disneyland. She stomps her feet and folds her arms and says "I big!" She is no respecter of persons, no matter the age or size!

...The Ninja Story

More often than not, one or more of the kids end up in our bed to watch TV at night. More often than not, they fall asleep.

I am a very light sleeper. I hear everything. If the kids wake up and get out of our bed, I hear them, mostly because our bed creaks. Even if they move in our bed, I hear them...not Naomi! She will be in our bed at night and in the morning, she's not there! The bed never creaks, I never hear her get out of the bed...Naomi is a Ninja! She jumps like a ninja, moves like a ninja, fights like a ninja, treads lightly like a ninja, she's smart like a ninja and is as smooth as a ninja!

Any ninja knows, you can not acquire these skills, you are born with them! You may ask, where does she get these skills? In order to get the answer...you must ask an Olayan!

Angels Among Us

Do you believe in angels? I do! With all of my heart, I do!

I believe heavenly angels surround us, cheer us on, guide and protect us.

I also believe there are angels on earth who surround us, cheer us on, guide and protect us and most especially, serve us.

On my blog today I want to recognize the many "Earthly and Heavenly Angels" that have encircled our family.

I am not going to mention names, because I do not want to take the chance of forgetting any of them.

I want to start with the many angels from the West Hills Ward. Words can not adequately express how grateful I am for their loving kindness, service and love.

Where do I begin? The sisters of the West Hills Ward are some of the most loving and kind women I have ever known. Their love for my daughter and her family is beyond anything I have ever witnessed. Their willingness to bring in meals, take and pick up my grandkids from school, watching them when I have had an appointment or a meeting, is humbling.

There is one angel in particular that I receive a text from several times a week asking if she can bring the girls home from school. Many times with that text, comes an invitation for the girls to go swimming or to get an ice cream. And when she brings them home, she has not just one plate, but two plates of Texas sheet cake in hand!

Countless West Hills Ward angels have come by to see Erika, bringing books and magazines, lotion, candles, flowers, and most importantly their wonderful spirit, love and smiles! I am overwhelmed by their generosity and concern!

Can I also mention one evening, the door bell rings and there stands a group of youth with their leader. They inform us that they are on a service scavenger hunt and they are here to serve. I had just put the kids in the bath. Two of the young women, without hesitation, jumped right in and helped to bathe the kids. Another one of the young women grabbed some lotion and got on her knees and gave Erika a foot massage. Who does this? Angels...Beautiful, Earthly Angels!

I would be remise if I didn't mention Erika's "angel visiting teachers." What wonderful, kind, loving women they are! Their service, kindness and love is beyond measure.

In the scriptures we read that the greatest commandment is to love one another as our Savior loves us. We read that when we are in the service of our fellow beings, we are in the service of our God.
The West Hills Ward is the epitome of this great commandment. They love and serve with all of their heart, might, mind and strength. Thank you West Hills Ward!

Our "Army of Angels" extend to our wonderful family and friends. My daughters and son, Erika's aunties, grandma and cousins who have so lovingly and willingly brought over meals, called to see how Erika is doing, watched over the little ones and given of their time to serve their sister, niece, granddaughter and friend. I have friends who who will take a day off from work to spend with me and the little ones,  I say, "Thank you for being my "angel friends." Thank you family and friends for your love, prayers and service!

 ...Then there are angel husbands. Our son in law Lex, Erika's "lovey," her eternal companion. He is more than an angel! He loves, serves and adores my girl wholeheartedly and unconditionally!

I must also mention my "angel co-workers." As I wrote in a previous blog, I took a 12 week leave of absence. I had half of that time in vacation, sick and comp time. The rest of the hours were donated by my co-workers. As I write this, there are tears in my eyes and my heart is overflowing with gratitude at their willingness to give, so that I can be here for my girl and her family. Thank you to my co-worker angels!

To all the "earthly angels" who have prayed for my daughter, I thank you from the bottom of my heart! Your prayers have given our girl the strength and courage to get through this!

Most importantly, I am most grateful to a loving Heavenly Father, who knows us, loves us, and hears our prayers. My grandchildren prayed each day for angels to be with their mommy. I know their prayers were answered. I am so deeply grateful to Him for placing angels from heaven and earth in our life path!