Noah & Chloe

Noah,

It's hard to believe you are 2 1/2 already. What a sweet and gentle spirit you have. You just started saying "I love you," and it melts my heart every time. You love to talk now. Today you told me, "cose the door, Chowee's seeping." You love your little sister. I just have to set her down and you bring all her toys to her. You know how to make her laugh (really laugh) and she adores you. She always looks for you when she hears your voice. You have a love for the outside world. I'm trying to get as much done before you wake up, because the first things you say to me in the morning, is "whey's Daddy? and "play outside?" It's a challenge sometimes to get you to eat breakfast because you just want to push your lawnmower outside. I love how you say "HIIII!!!" to all our neighbors. You are so friendly. When we leave people's homes, you give everyone hugs without us telling you to. Your Daddy has taught you well.

Tayta bought you a toy guitar because you love music and the CLC band. You stand in front of Chloe, and tap your little foot, and do the hand motions as you sing, "This is the Day the Lord has made," over and over and over again. She responds by clapping :) Your guitar and your mower are definitely your favorite toys now. Then there's your love for Daddy. Man, you love to do everything just like him. You wear your hat backwards, you pretend to turn on the lawn mower like he does, and you put your feet up on the couch with a blanket and the remote like he does to watch the game :) You are a very quick learner. You love to unload the dishwasher and put the silverware in the drawer (and in the right spot)! You love to hold hands and "Amen" with us, and you love Bible reading with Daddy before bedtime. I am loving every minute with you. I miss my big baby, but I look forward to watching you grow in the coming years. I love you!

Chloe,

You are just about 9 months with the strong will of your Momma. You amaze me at how much personality and energy you have! You are all over the place. You roll around all over the family room. I have to hold ou down with 2 arms sometimes while I change your diaper. You love your jumper, and now you think everything is a jumper. On Sunday you nearly took down the high chair when I was feeding you. You were having so much fun jumping and rocking back in forth. You love to talk too and you love to be talked too. You can "talk" (scream) loud, very loud. You are so social and you love attention all the time. You give me the "you don't want to play with me?" look when I set you down, unless it's in the jumper. I love to talk and sing to you and see your dimple when you smile. I am so grateful for an older brother who loves to entertain you. You clap your hands for him when he sings and when the music comes on.

You have 6 teeth and you would rather eat your shoes and paper of all sorts than anything I make. You are very determined to get anything you reach for, and oh how happy you are when you get it. You love bath time with Noah. You get so excited. You've come close to getting a concussion in the tub, and therefore it takes 2 to bathe you. You are such a happy baby. I love to get you when you wake up. I walk through the door and stop. I see you on your belly with your little head trying to look over the crib to see me. And that smile I get makes up for all your feisty-ness. You are so lovable and so much fun and I look forward to getting to know you more. I love you!

A party for my mom

This past Saturday we had a retirement party for my mom.  My mom worked for 38 years as a nurse at Washington Adventist Hospital.  She had to work full time her whole career, and I am so glad that she finally gets a break! Now she works for me part time :) I love her so much, and I can write endlessly about her.  My mom is a giver, and it's always a challenge to find gifts that she won't return.  So we surprised her with a party with about 70% of her side of the family, and these were the words I spoke to her...

Mom,

Thank you for many years of hard work. For serving faithfully not only in your job, but at home.Thank you for how you serve joyfully and whole heartedly.  You always put others before yourself.  You’ve come to help me out with caring for our kids and doing house chores even when you are sick, and you did it without complaining. 

Jesus says, " If someone forces you to go one mile, then go with him 2 miles." You always go the extra mile, and you always bring extra food :)  I am so grateful and feel so undeserved to have a mom like you. For the 30 years I’ve known you you’ve been unstoppable.  You worked very hard to provide for our family, and with God’s help you persevered through the suffering and sickness in our family.



Susan and I joke around saying you are made of stainless steel.  You never stop serving. Your strength is a gift from the Lord and he gives you so much grace to do things you do.  Thank you for honoring the Lord with your life and using your giftings to bless others. We are indebted to your care, kindness, patience, and your love.



We’ve been wanting to bless you for a long time.  We know you love your family and food, so everyone is here and I think there’s enough food.  We couldn’t make it to the Korean Market for a gift card, so here is a non refundable gift card to the spa. Yes, the spa.  It is time for your long awaited back massage and pedicure. You can take me with you!

 This is only half of my mom's side!

My mom and her 5 sisters. I just love them!

The Sutton's at the OBX

This past week the entire Sutton family went the OBX for the week.  This was the first time we were all together in the same home, and probably not the last.  It was so much fun! There was ghost crab hunting, a bonfire & s'mores on the beach,  driving on the beach to see the wild horses, and a workout climbing 200 + stairs to the top of a lighthouse, and of course Corn Hole :)  The rest of time was spent relaxing at the pool/ hot tub and the beach.
We enjoyed the time spent with the siblings and Noah had a blast playing with all his cousins.  We would put him down by 1 and then try to pry his eyes open at 4.  One time we got him up, and he fell back asleep on our bed while we were getting ready for dinner.  Noah had 2 questions the entire week-  "whe's Cole?"  and "whe's Fia?"  He loves all his cousins, but those 2 had to be accounted for through out the week. (Those are the names he pronouncs best). Chloe had a great time at the beach and pool. We played a lot of fun games, and for the record, I stayed up until midnight a few times! It was a great time and we look forward to the next time we can make it happen again.

 (For those considering the minivan, this is an SUV with 2 kids)

small victories

We've been sorta potty training Noah here and there. Once in a while he'll want to poop on the potty, and other times the diaper is more convenient.  Last night, we were eating dinner and once again came the urge...

Noah: Mommy, poo-poo!
Me: Ok, lets go poo-poo on the potty!
Noah: (running to the toilet) poo-poo, poo-poo!
Noah sits on the toilet and waits patiently.
Noah: Mommy! poo-poo coming!
Me: Come on poo-poo!
Noah: Mommy, poo-poo here!
Noah gets up pointing proudly, "See it?!"

Oh the joys.