A Merry 2011 Christmas

This Christmas we were able to host both our families at our home. We didn't do a good job of taking pictures, but we got a couple families shots and then I was off to the kitchen! Noah got real gifts this year, and it was fun watching him open his airplane and remote control car from his grandparents. We celebrated Noah's birthday on Christmas day since the family was all together. Chloe enjoyed looking at the Christmas lights on our tree and just being her cute baby self. She's laughing and wiggling so much these days :)

It was a busy season for us with parties and get togethers, and we enjoyed every minute. We were so mindful of God's grace and goodness to us this year, and what a great way to end the year off with a holiday that explains it all. We are so grateful that Christmas for us is more than a season but a joyful reality that has transformed our lives forever. Our God has given us an eternal gift in sending our Savior, Jesus Christ, a gift we could never earn or ever deserve. Our Lord is worthy of our praise and adoration every day of the year.

A small crisis

Today Noah was playing with his birthday balloon, and managed to somehow detach the string from the balloon. "Mommy uh- oh, up, up!" I told him there was no way I could reach it, and he looked at me helpless. But then he thought he had great idea, and ran to the bathroom. He came back with his 8 inch stool...


Surprisingly he was unsuccessful, but mommy rescued the balloon with a broom and some duck tape :)

Noah, you keep us laughing. Today you also touched my heart once again. I gathered all the legos in front of me so we could play, but you moved all the legos away from me, sat in my lap and then drew the legos back to us. We had a good time building towers and knocking them over. I just love you!

Two

Noah,

Right now I'm watching you play independently. You are staying busy these days. You love playing with my measuring cups, my blender, and my hat. You love playing basketball and ping pong with daddy. You love to play with all your cars, trucks and airplanes. We look at your plane book almost hourly, and you love to point out every "ay-play." You love to look at "a-boat's" too. "Row your boat" has become your favorite song. You're learning how to say many things like "oh man," "he ya go," and "mommy, your the bus (best)." Daddy is teaching you to pray before all you meals and you're learning quite well. Your favorite books are Plane's, Diggers, Noah's ark (you love the "a-boat," and Good Night Moon since it has an "oh-fiy (fire)" on almost every page. You've learned how to do all your puzzles, and your often found on the couch looking through one of your books. Right now we are watching you play as you chat away. We smile and enjoy every moment. You love "Cho-wee" (Chloe)! We know this because you give her random hugs and kisses all the time.You make sure to return her burp cloth and blanket if you find it somewhere on the ground too. I know she appreciates that. You've become such a good helper and love to be involved in everything we do. The other day you were measuring the frames with the tape measurer before we hung them up. You like to grocery shop at Giant because they have a cart your size, and you like to push it as we drop the groceries in. You get lots of attention when we take you there. You are so adorable! You are very good at obeying us when we ask you to do things. You are learning how to share and you play kindly with those around you. You love for Mommy and Daddy to chase you around the house, and we love how you come up from behind us to give us hugs. We are such proud parents, you have brought a ridiculous amount of joy into our lives. We love you so much! What a precious gift from the Lord you are! Happy Birthday Buddy!

November

Sooner or later this blog might turn into our online photo album. I can't keep up with everything that is going on! Our days have been full as we're adapting to having two kids. The Lord has been kind, and really has doubled the amount of grace! As I look back at my days, there is no other explanation. My dad has been sick and has had a couple surgeries, so Teta wasn't here as much as we expected. Praise the Lord, he is slowly recovering and is doing better. Now Teta and Gido make it out here about once a week and spend the night when they come. They can't get enough of the kids. My mom takes them when they wake up so we get to sleep in :) We are blessed. Chloe has also been sleeping through the night which allows me to function more effectively :) I am really enjoying my time at home. Chloe is smiling and laughing a lot. Noah really loves his sister. He love's to play with her on the play mat and read her books on planes and diggers book. Danny has been working hard. This quarter was slow at work, but he has not slowed down at home. He is so patient with the kids, and loves teaching Noah how to do small tasks, and of course play ping pong. He is currently doing an exercise video with Noah, and I really should be video taping. Some highlighted photos...

Spiderman trick or treating with his best buddy, Makenna

Chloe learning to be loved

Smoothie time

Noah sometimes sleeps in Mommy's hat. I think it's officially yours buddy.

This picture was taken after I took the yogurt out, set it on the counter and went to the bathroom. Noah LOVES yogurt. I came back and found it on the floor with his spoon, and him saying, "uh-oh mommy, uh oh!"

The Sutton grandkids on our annual Christmas cookie making/decorating day

The melting of my heart

Picture update

Life's been busy, but we're having fun in this new season...

lots of naps (for Chloe)
quick check up
Gravely Point with the Devries
play dates
Chloe meets her cousins-Sophia, Rachael, & Tyler
photo shoot with Tali (more to come)
1st new family pic at Abby's bday pty

learning time with gido
Noah and his cousins at Butler's Orchard

Noah in mommy's apron

The Devries

Over a year ago, we have had the PRIVELEGE of having the Devries move into our home. From renters to family, we can't imagine life without them. We joke about locking them into a 10 year lease, but at heart we are serious :) Danny and Dave have formed a fast friendship around competitive games including acquire, blokus, ping pong, and car racing to church. I would say Danny has seen what it means to work heartily for the Lord by watching Dave. Whether at home, work, or the LINK table, he's giving it 110%. They also both have short term memory loss which grieves their wives from time to time, yet they find it amusing. For me, I've learned much from Hannah. Armed with much grace, she is a constant reminder of where our source for strength comes from. I admire how she serves her family joyfully in all circumstances without complaining. By the way, you will never be able to tell by her appearance or attitude if she hasn't slept. The effects of a sleepless night is found on our level :) And speaking for Noah, he loves playing and laughing with Makenna. She's taught him the joys of friendship and being social, how to climb the coffee table, and how to fall and get up again. The two of them together help thier mommies get through the day regardless of how messy the house can get. Chloe and Kaelynn... they just eat and sleep for now, but we plan on them being buddies too. I could say more, but we love them and are so grateful for them sums it all up.

She's here!

"Know that the Lord, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him, bless his name!
For the Lord is good;
His steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations."
Psalm 100:3-5

Chloe arrived 2 weeks early on September 28, 2011. She was 7 lbs and 19 1/4 inches. We believe she was actually a little longer since she measured 20 inches at the dr's 3 days later :) The plan was to induce me on October 3rd, and although I was having many contractions, I didn't think I was going to go into labor on my own. I woke up at around 4:15 am with strong contaractions and she arrived at the hospital (thankfully) at 7:52 am. I think with the next kid I might just hang out at Shady Grove hospital once I hit 8 months. After delivering a 9 1/2 lb baby naturally, my biggest fear was not having an epidural. We got the hospital and I was 8cm dilated. The anesthesiologist was in the middle of a C-section, and my doctor was still driving in. I was so fearful as the nurse was telling me to prepare for a natural delivery. Danny and I prayed. I was trying to remind myself of God's faithfulness through Noah's delivery. His grace was so sufficient then and would not fail me this time. As I was trying to relax through contractions, my heart was at peace. Shortly after that, both the doctor and the anesthesiologist were in my room, and in no time was that epidural in. (Thank the Lord for modern day medicine! What a relief!) The rest of the delivery and recovery went so smooth with zero complications and we were able to go home the next day. We are so grateful to God for his kindness. He has been so near to us through it all. I was so aware of my dependence on the Lord after everything I went through with Noah, and I am so aware that I need him today just as much as I did then. Aside from sleepless nights, we are so in love with our baby girl. Noah gives her so many kisses and loves to help care for her.
Chloe, we are so happy you're part of our family! We talked about having a little Chloe when we were engaged, and I can't believe you're here. Our hearts are filled with love for you and we are delighted to be your parents. We look forward to you waking up for more than 10 minutes and watching you grow over the coming months and years. We love you!

"Daddy!"

I love looking at Noah's truck book with him. He is convinced that the man on the last page is "Daddy!" It makes me laugh every time....What do you think?

Fort Collins, CO

For Labor Day weekend we went to Colorado to visit Danny's cousin, Becky. It was such a good and relaxing time. We loved hanging out with the fam and playing many games of Blokus. Noah was in wonderland the whole weekend playing with the kiddos, the dogs, and big boy swords. We were also glad to be there on a Sunday when Cyrus was preaching. Well, as you can see in the picture, that will be our last vacation for a while...

20 mths & all boy

We are having so much with Noah these days. He's getting big so fast and we are discovering and loving his personality. I just wanted to blog some things I want to remember.

Noah,
We went to the Gaithersburg airpark today, and you loved watching the planes take off. Your senses are so sharp and your dad and I laugh when you hear or see a plane from galaxies away. You instantly throw your hands up and point to the sky at the sound of an engine. You love trucks too. We just had a 6 hour drive to and back from NC, and you whoo whoo'd at them all. We went with Tata and Gido, and they couldn't get enough of you. They hate saying goodbye to you.

Your favorite toys are the vacuum, popper, lawn mower, any ball, our car, and dada's shoes. Your favorite songs are the ones you like to do motions to- "Oh Be Careful Little Eyes", "If You're Happy and You Know It", and "This Little Light of Mine" (this one you like in Arabic too). However, you're favorite song is the one you wake up singing to and point at my Ipod for me to play. The song is "Christ is Risen." You only know 2 words of it right now, and you get SO excited befor the part plays. The words are "Oh da, " as the words to the song are "Oh death where is your sting? Oh Hell, Where is your Victory?, Oh Church..." You don't miss any of those "Oh's." You are starting to say more words, but we love when you poke us and say "mama" and "dada."

You're starting to help out by handing me the groceries to put away, putting your dishes in the sink, and wiping away your messes. You are starting to eat well with a spoon and a fork unless it's yogurt. You get too excited and use your hands. I can dip just about anything in yogurt an you'll eat it. You love to help out and get frustrated if you can't. Today you brought me your broken keyboard and pointed to where I keep the batteries for me to change them out. Unfortunately it really was broken, and you gasped when you saw it in the trash can. I hope to find you another one. You love music. You will only watch T.V if there is singing & motions involoved.

You know where Chloe is, and sometimes you think she's in your belly. You're going to be a great big brother. You're a good friend to your best buddy, Makenna, assuring her paci is always in her mouth. And you love to feed her :) There have been some conflicts between you two, but over all we've seen lots of growth and you now play so well together. We love you so much and will never be able to express the amount of joy you have brought into our lives.

you in dada's baseball jersey when he was 5

Makenna going in for a kiss from you

first bike ride

The Little Inn at Washington & Luray Caverns

We celebrated our 3rd anniversary early this year. We went somewhere in VA to the Little Inn at Washington. It was a delightful time as long as I didn't think about the tab after our 3 hour and 7 course meal at the Inn. Danny had to keep reminding me that we had 2 free night stays at the Marriot and that we would probably never do this again.

The atmosphere there and more importantly, the food was absolutely amazing. I giggled so much just from being there. The couple beside us ordered so much wine, and every time it came by, we heard the wine specialist give a 10 minute dissertation on each wine. We tried to record him, but were unsuccessful. Clearly, it wasn't this couples first time. I wonder what they were thinking as I snapped pictures of everything we ate :) (Yes I know...simple minds, simple pleasures). Our new camera has arrived and we wanted to play with it. Here are some pics of our favorite dishes, but I can't remember what exactly we ate. We also hit the Luray Caverns the following day.

Danny, Thanks again for an amazing time! I really enjoyed recounting all that the Lord has done and worked through in our lives the past 3 years. Hasn't He been so good? I really am so amazed at how perfectly you were designed for me in every detail! I am so happy being married to you as we walk through life together. Thank you for your desire to bless me through this trip when you could have planned a dinner at Panera to make me happy. Happy Anniversary hubster!