Seeing blue...

We were all feeling the need for a little more testosterone in our household so we are very excited to say we will be welcoming the littlest Smith in November and the littlest Smith is very much a BOY!!! :)

I'm seeing blue everywhere!!

She's on the move!!!

The first wobbly little steps are always so uncertain and so precious. I love the determination in Evelyn and her precious smiles :) She is so proud of herself!!

Discipline...interrupted

The other day we were outside sitting on the porch while the girls ran around and crawled around in the back yard. Olivia was being a little "adventurous" and Eric told her to stop what she was doing. She persisted...after 2 warnings he said told her that was the final warning and she was in trouble. She just watched as he walked toward her to pick her up. As soon as he picked her up she put her hands on his face and kissed him right on the smacker! Kind of hard to punish a 2 year old when she does that...especially if her daddy is slightly wrapped around her pinky :) He loves his girls.

Drive-by update

I'm learning how terrible I am at keeping in contact with friends and family during busy seasons of life. To most of you this is nothing new so thanks for being patient with me while I figure it out! :)

As you might guess, with the summer term beginning Monday, things are a little busy around here but here is the quick update :)

10. It's been hot! In the 90's and humid...I have timidly been living indoors for the most part, occasionally out on the screen porch for fresh air with the girls.

9. I'm enjoying our new neighborhood and very nice neighbors! We have been welcomed with cookies, homemade rolls, toothbrushes and welcome packages...very hospitable.

8. Our little cul-de-sac does not at all represent this city...very unhappy people for some reason. It's like pulling teeth to get a smile. Sometimes I smile extra long and make eye contact but I think more people find it odd than kind :) Occasionally someone does smile back.

7. I've been making it a point to serve others in practical ways on a daily basis. Often times I find myself too busy to do simple things that make the lives of those around me a little easier. Last week I returned a cart for a very heavy woman who was also older. It was hot out and I knew it would be a slow walk for her back to the store so I offered and she was all but shocked. She left smiling and said "God bless you". I believe that this is a simple way to love people I don't know.

6. Evelyn is sleeping through the night again! (occasionally having a 6AM wakeup but she usually goes back to sleep) Yay for sleep!!!

5. Olivia is talking up a storm and makes us laugh a lot. The other day Eric was telling her not to do something and that if she did it again she'd have time out. He went to pick her up for time out and she smiled and kissed him rigth on the lips :) How's that for squelching discipline?

4. We still have plastic bins full of things I don't know what to do with. One day at a time

3. We will know more about our baby (boy or girl) etc. on July 6! I'm so excited :)

2. Apparently people here prefer to schedule surgeries than to have babies...what gives? Having a hard time finding a doc who is "birth friendly"

1. EVELYN IS WALKING!!! For some reason my girls both walked at 14 months...later than I had expected but it must be our magic number :) She stood up last night with a determined look on her face, and took a few steps all on her own! So fun to watch her grow and change.

And finally......We miss all of our friends and family in Colorado very much :) come visit!!! The beach is only a half hour or so!

Thea

Did you take a bath today?

Funny title but not so funny subject.

I have been meaning to update my blog for some time now...with pics of the kiddos, updates on our new house, news about the coming baby, etc. but when I saw this on Pastor Joseph's blog I simply couldn't.

I usually don't watch blog post videos either because I dont' have time, don't feel like it or figure if it were really important I probably would already have seen it but this is one of the most important videos I have seen in a very long time.

Words really cannot do justice. I only ask that if it upsets you, angers you or makes you feel the need to do something...don't just feel the need..please do something. Whether you feel needed or not, you are very needed and these are just 2 examples of millions.



Thanks for taking the time guys... I am seeking God for creative ways to help both financially, practically and otherwise.

On the road again...

As much as I have reason to say I'd like not to be, we're on the road again here in a few hours...

Look where we are heading, isn't the green gorgeous?

Unfortunately the first portion of our trip will look much like the 2nd photo...I-70 in Kansas. Anyone else ever been excited to see Salina? :)

It's been a long 6 weeks apart but I am relieved to be seeing my husband and settling back into a complete family again. I'm heartsick to leave my friends and family and the comforts of home but I am so grateful that Eric has a job in this economy; I know there are so many who would love to have it and I won't waste time being ungrateful, that is certain.

It's a girl road trip this go around and I am looking forward to spending some time with just me and my girls...Olivia is full of life, singing, laughter and spunk so no question our trip will be lively and Evelyn has smiles always and cuddles without reserve...no doubt we all need those. They are great friends and Olivia takes such good care of Evelyn and always wants to be sure she knows where she is. :)

I'm grateful for my family today...for my precious girls and the little one growing inside of me.

Some moments are hard and some choices are difficult to make but if you can take a step back and look at the most important things it's hard to not be grateful no matter what you are facing.

Keep us in your prayers!! More road-trip updates to come!
Thea

Things not to do when avoiding swine flu

There really are no words...everything in my Mommy heart wants to sanitize his little tongue :) I can't keep from imagining what types of things that piggy snout enjoyed prior to the kisses of this precious little one...and at the same time it's such a precious reminder of innocence....I think we could all use a little more of that in our lives...easy smiles, windtossed laughter, and piggy kisses from the heart. Ha!

Lots going on right now...finals, moving, growing a baby, new job for the hubs...more blogging to come!