Back From Canada...I know that was over a week ago

Okay I realize that I have let my blogging lapse but I have this idea that no one truly reads my blog except myself and maybe my Mom.  So I sometimes let things slip; like writing about our trip home to Victoria or the fact that Noah has started to eat real food (is rice cereal classified as real?  If I only ate it could I survive?).  There is much to tell.  

Our trip to Victoria was a one week long adventure!  As I mentioned before I wanted to be with my parent's after my Dad had his operation.  Our flight down was pretty uneventful (thank goodness for empty seats) and we arrived to see that fall had begun if any of you from Arizona were wondering!  I could not believe that the trees were changing colour and their leaves were beginning to fall.  I love fall, I love crisp cool weather, I love pumpkins and turkey.  I was thrilled to be surrounded by that reminder.  

My Dad did very well after his surgery; he truly is the best patient.  Our first few days were spent visiting him in the hospital, me trying to see my friend, Cindy, who works on the labour and delivery floor, and Noah getting to spend time with his Nana and Papa.  Before I knew it we were bringing Dad home (he is a much better patient in the hospital than out we soon discovered) and trying to keep him on the couch and NOT going outside to get the paper, or taking a walk, or getting Noah's stroller out of the vehicle.  I think two women in his life nagging him was a bit more painful than anything he had just experienced...and no morphine to take the pain away:)  We sure missed Kelly during that week and those very early mornings spent just with Noah, though wonderful, would have been that much sweeter with someone to trade off the early wake up calls (I won't put the time here because I know some of you will say, that's early???).  

Our flight home was a bit more eventful.  We had to switch planes after we had all boarded because the back door wouldn't shut.  Yikes.  It's not good when you see maintenance men come onto your plane only moments before you were about to leave the terminal.  It was good news for me because up until this time Noah had been crying, fussing and then full out screaming (the man beside me reassured me he didn't mind sitting beside us because he had noise reduction earphones). I don't really believe him though because once we boarded the next plane he had switched seats with someone else.  Thankfully Noah slept the whole way (ha ha to you funny man with the crazy earphones) and I had a great conversation with the lady beside me.  

Update!!

I just heard from my sister that my Dad is out of surgery!  All went very well which is such great news; the cancer was successfully removed and there is no sign that it has spread.  Praise the Lord!!  He is in recovery right now and they will see him later this afternoon.  

Tag your It!

Before I go I must tag the following people....if you don't know what that means check out my 'tagged' blog entry.  Can't wait to read them!

Tag your it!!

Janis Scott (seriously Janis you need to start a blog!)

Katie Lloyd (what is your new last name??)

Heather Mellstrom (because I would love to hear about your life; the snippets I have heard are fascinating!)

Heidi Vage (she was to be my blog of next week, if I think I had it tough moving to Arizona she moved from the US to Norway!  Learning a new language just puts a whole new spin on things)

AND  Renee Gleason (lovely lady!!)

Going away...

Noah and I are heading up to Canada early tomorrow morning!  Our flight leaves at 6:30 in the morning and I have been practicing for the big day.  For example today I woke up at 4:45 am  because my son uncharacteristically decided to wake up at that time and scream for food.  Not a cute little cry but full on, top of your lungs, scream.  Thankfully my husband quickly got up, made him some food and then decided to turn on the TV on at the loudest setting and watch a program on Japan.  I believe sometime during this I stumbled out into the living room and gave him a look of death, for the TV volume went down, and I went back to sleep.  I know most of you are probably saying, Heidi your husband actually got up and fed the baby!?  I am thankful for that!  I just have problems with early mornings.  Hence the need to practice getting up...

That is my silly story but now for the reason I am going home.  My Dad, right now actually, is having surgery.  He was diagnosed with prostate cancer pretty shortly after Noah was born and today, after months of waiting, is the surgery.  I felt God leading me last week to book a last minute ticket and be with my family.  We are planning on being there for one week and should be back into Phoenix on the 8.  

 We are praying for my Dad as he will be facing a lot of down time (especially hard for someone who can't stand sitting still), my Mom as she will now have a different role as care giver and my sister who does much in helping and caring for our parent's.  

I will be away from a working computer for the week but would love your prayers during this time!  

Love the Cassadays

Blog of the Week

So I sort of like highlighting certain people's blogspot that maybe most of us haven't seen or heard of.  I don't actually tell the person that I am doing this, but I think hey it's a blog they expect people to check it out!!  Here is my blog of the week.  It is done by Heather Mellstrom; not only was this lady a princess for many years (seriously) but looks to me like she is one talented lady.  

I Was Tagged!!

Thanks Melissa....

20 Years ago...I was 11 years old, still attending a French Immersion School and living on Prospect Lake in Victoria, BC.  This year was huge for me; I started attending a youth group which meant the beginning of a social life AND the beginning of noticing that other sex: boys.  I may have been a late bloomer but there was no stopping me now!   The only other thing I can remember was I loved taking dance classes and went on a Band Trip to the USA!!  

10 Years ago...A lot changes in ten years; the most drastic change?  I had become a Christian in my early teens... I had it all planned out I was to be married, on the way to having my first child and probably solving world peace by the time I hit 21.  Well I hit it and I was not married, not with child and definitely not solving world peace.  I was however figuring out lessons that God obviously had for me.  I had spent my last two summers living on a native reserve running youth and children's programs.  I got a job as a Special Needs assistant for a preschool and worked in an after school children's program.  I had to learn how to drive one of those mini school buses for that job and it terrified me.  My major mishap was one day I forgot to put the bus in park, got out of the vehicle (thankfully no kids were with me at the time) and then watched as it gained momentum rolling down the hill.  I ran like I have never run before, jumped into the vehicle and stopped it right before it was about to hit a building.  I guess I wouldn't have had that job for long...

5 Years Ago...By this time in my life I had moved to Nanaimo (a small town still on Vancouver Island) finished my schooling and was working at a High School as an Education Assistant.  I was living with a friend in a lovely apartment building with a fire hazard tenant on one side (seriously one day my roomate came home, saw smoke billowing out our neighbors door and when he came to the door he acted like nothing was wrong, smoke what smoke?) and some super noisy (not in a good way) neighbors on the other side.  I was not doing well in my job; my student had a history of violence which would cause the school to go into lockdown mode.  Yes they would all lock their classroom doors so she couldn't get in and then they would call the police.  I remember one day, after one of her blowups, she was outside trying to 'run' away and I thought to myself why am I alone outside with her?  Well I quickly left that job and did something completely uncharacteristic, I became a Missionary.  I traded my secure life for adventure.  I loved it; I lived in a remote coastal town, learned how to drive a boat (our only mode of transportation) and wore purple gumboots every day.  

3 Years Ago...I met my wonderful man, Kelly.  Need I say more?  Plus that is a super long story.  

1 Year Ago...I was just pregnant, we had finally received my immigration papers allowing us to move to Arizona, we drove down to Arizona, with a crazy cat, along the I5, I felt ill the whole time (in denial that I could possibly be pregnant) and we arrived to our house that was completely torn apart.  Oh and I need to mention it had been a bachelor house for over three years.  YIKES.  This was the time to panic.  New place, new town,  new church, newly pregnant, somewhat new marriage, and new country.  Let's just say that I went through some tough times.  

Today...I just put down our four month old (Noah) down for his afternoon nap and I will eventually make dessert for tonight's Bible study (probably once I am done writing this post).  Noah and I spent the morning at our local library checking out books and music.  We (I) eventually picked out an african children's CD which we spent a wonderful time dancing to this afternoon.  I am in love with being a Mom and we are so thankful that we have been given this gift.  

Tomorrow...I will try to brave the post office.  Spend the evening with our little family and try, try, try to get outside for a walk.  

One year...Funny or crazy as this might sound?  Hopefully we will be well on our way to having baby number two!!  As for the rest of us?  Noah could be one active boy, Kelly will be the same wonderful parent  he has been from Noah's birth, and I will be emotional, fat and loving it!!   And maybe we should throw in a dog, a few more fish and of course Enzo into the mix.

Heidi