Totswap joys

I hope to blog soon, but I had to upload this. This has been our favorite video. You'll get the best laugh after round 2 :)

Noah's game

full time mom

"The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. " Proverbs 16:9

About a month ago, Danny and I decided for me to stop working so I could stay at home full time. This was not an easy decision. I loved my job, and despite the emotional, mental, and physical challenges I truly enjoyed being a surgical oncology nurse. So often I reminisce of all the wonderful moments I shared with the gifted staff and patients. I had an amazing supervisor, a fun and active working environment, many friends, and an overall rewarding career. Why would I let that all go? The pay was a blessing too, but that's really not what I miss until a holiday comes by :( I was only working part time towards the end, but through recurring circumstancs, I felt the Lord strongly tugging on my heart to come home. I had to rethink my priorities and my desires, and I felt an attack on my pride. I wanted to work. We didn't need me too, but I wanted to be that mom that could do it all. It was so hard letting go of a 6 year career I knew and did so well. I still needed the Lord then, but I was getting comfortable. I really do feel it's easier being at work sometimes than at home. I am definitely more aware of my dependenc on the Lord and growing in my trust in the Lord being a mom. It was hard to say goodbye to the nurses I loved and laughed with so much, and the patients I deeply cared for. I couldn't have asked for a better place to work. When I was in nursing school, one of the first thing I said was that I didn't want to be an oncology nurse. I didn't think I could handle it. Only the Lord knew what was best for me, and in his kindness, brought me to a unit I would've never thought existed. He was too kind. I plan on maintaining my friendships and am enjoying becoming more effective at home, especially in the kitchen :) Although I want to keep my license, the plan is to stay home for now. Down the road I would love to pick up a few shifts here and there, but only if the Lord wills.

a disturbing day

A few days ago, one of my worst fears became a reality. If it wasn't for my faithful friend and Hero, Hannah, I don't know where I would be. Here's what took place:

Hannah: Noah, what's in your mouth?
Me: I don't know, but one of these days I'm afraid it will be a stinkbug

Hannah: Oh my! It is a stinkbug!
Me: (with palpitations) screams and panics
Noah: cry

Hannah SO KINDLY removed the stink bug out of his mouth, and when Noah kept chewing, she proceeded to remove the other half. I'm still very much disturbed by it all. I will trust that the Lord would have granted special grace for me to take it out if she wasn't there, but I am so SO GRATEFUL she was. Noah was a little shakin by it all, and so I put him on his ride to make him happy, and then he had a little accident...

He never rides over the step! But it was a rough day for him. He's still so alarmed, that just about everytme I say his name with concern he just sticks out his tongue. So, to remove any unwanted images you have in your mind, here's some normal things Noah is getting in to...

Where does the time go?

Ok, so much for trying to blog once a month. I am seizing nap time to catch up. If Noah takes a 4 hour nap as he did yesterday, I should be good. Thanksgiving and Christmas were so much fun. We spent lots of time with family and friends and at holiday party's. Again, I did an outstanding job taking 0 pictures of all of that.

We did the christmas cookies at mom-mom's and grandpa. I was excited that more than half of the sugar was accidently missed in the batter, so I doubled my intake of gingerbread men this year. Then we celebrated the truth of Christmas at the Christmas Eve service. We stuck to our traditions and talked about what traditions we will start in the coming years- traditions that will teach our children to exalt the message of the gospel and savor the gift of Jesus coming to die on a cross in the place of undeserved sinners.

Noah turned a year on December 19th. We said we weren't going to do a party, and somehow he ended up with 2! On his birthday we actually went to another birthday party, and Ana was so kind enough to make a cake for him and celebrate his birthday with her daughter's, Naomi. Then later that week, (I should've known) my mom broke out the candles and balloons and surprised him with more joy...

Noah, we love you so much!!!! When daddy is home in the morning we compete and race to your crib to see who gets to see you first! I love how you smile at us first thing in the morning and start pointing to everything you see. You are so much fun to play with. I wish I had known sooner that all you would need is a ping pong ball to make you happy and content for a few hours. And now, you give great hugs and you melt our hearts when you kiss us and say "mmmm-ma." I love chasing you when you're crawling because you get so excited that you start crawling towards me! You make me laugh ALL the time. You've set the standard high for your future siblings, as you're the only kid I've ever known that will eat and adult serving of broccoli- that makes me proud! We are so delighted to be your parents and we look forward to many more joys to come! Happy birthday Noah!

Happy Birthday!

dada after work

Danny,
I am so happy to be celebrating another birthday with you. I look at your 33rd year and I celebrate what God has done. I love you so much more after all that I've seen in you this past year. You have grown in humility, more aware of your need for help as you transitioned to being a father. Thank you for the way you have diligently pursued the Lord. Thank you for being a loving and patient husband who sacrifices daily for his family. You work so hard. Thank you for coming home ALWAYS joyful and eager to help and care for Noah. I love how excited he gets when he see's you. There isn't a day that goes by where I am not amazed at God's kindness to me through you. I love you and happy birthday!

little laughs

Noah is always doing something that makes me smile. Today I walked in his room, saw him and laughed. I felt terrible as I left him crying while I ran downstairs to get the camera. He learned that crawling backwards eventually leads to a dead end...

More October Fun

The busy month has come to an end. The latter half of our October weekends concluded with a trip to Butler's Orchard with the B. Sutton's and a night at CLC for the harvest party :)

10 months

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord." Psalm 127:3

I can't believe how big our sweet potato is. He went from baby to boy so quickly! He's at 23 pounds and 31 inches :) We're measuring 97th percentile in height, so the basketball scholarship is still looking good :) This past Sunday, we dedicated Noah to the Lord. Our pastor soberly reminded us of our calling as parents. He encouraged us and prayed for us. We understand it is not the church's responsibility to save our child, but we are so grateful for God's design in it. Already in this early and short season, we have been served so effectively by our pastor (Erik and his wife Jerusha), our caregroup, and many other friends.

Noah,
It was our joy to dedicate you to the Lord. What a delightful gift that God has entrusted in our hands. You bring so many smiles and laughs into our home. God has been so good to us! We pray for you daily, asking God to transform you heart that you might come to know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. With God's help, we will be faithful to teach you what he has taught us. We love you so much, and I can't wait for you to understand that!

October fun

I just love the fall. What' s better than perfect weather, changing leaves, pumpkin picking, and a grilled cheese sandwich with a bowl of tomato soup? We started this month with our semi-annual camping trip with the Sutton family at Cunningham falls. I never thought I would really enjoy camping, but at the times we go there are NO bugs! Just a fun family, wood-chopping, yummy food off the grill, long hikes to the waterfalls, cozy nights by the campfire, and of course the smore's :)

half of the fam

The happy campers after their first night in the camper :)

featuring the Chadid's

We came home and unpacked the fall clothes and repacked our summer clothes for Hawaii! So much for the Fall! The time period following Noah's delivery was a trialing time for us in so many ways. It was during that season we became so aware of God's provision for us, and his love and care for us through the gift of our parents. To express our gratitude, Danny and I took them to Oahu. Here were some of our favorite highlights...

16 hours of travel, and here's our angel baby

Waiting for dinner (half of entree's & sushi!).
I think I had the best meals ever that week.

Surf lessons at Waikiki Beach

mommy-lovin time

First train ride

Joyfully receiving fresh limes at the Dole pineapple plantation .
(I'm sure my mom was sad she couldn't bring some home).

Being happily married & showing off the lei I made :)

Our parent's watched Noah, while Danny and I went to
dinner. This was our view from our table.

Pearl Harbor

Enduring another long day

Sunset dinner cruise