Shake your groove thang...

So today was the day...spring semester has come to a close, morning sickness is still a daily thing but more here and there than all day yuckiness...kiddos were wanting to get out and run around so we headed to the gym... I had dropped kids off, put my things in a locker and made it upstairs by 10:50. Just in time for the 11AM zumba class...so I figured...why not?? Zumba....yes, zumba it is. If I'm being honest there was a minor moment of terror,...what if I couldn't keep up??? What if I looked ridiculous?? Do pregnant bellies Zumba??

The class was pretty full and I immediately gravitated to the corner that seemed like it was filled with ladies who were trying to hide...and when I chatted with them to share my "First timer" status and gained a little confidence I migrated to the middle side of the room...seemed a little better than hiding in back and not quite as bad as standing in front the first go around. Plus the "hiding" corner...in the very back by the exit...was kind of packed.

The music was fun, the instructor was great, the moves were not complicated, well, for the most part, and it was so great! The lady next to me quickly asked if I had a heart rate monitor..you know, in my condition... :) I didn't and I think she was worried lol. A few songs into the workout I was really winded and tired...geez!! Maybe it's going by faster than I thought...er...maybe not...we're 15 minutes in. Hmm....ok so I will either be hanging in there or ducking out early. Fortunately I got into a good groove and I was feeling pretty good and having fun...right about that time the lady next to me gave me a few pointers on how to do the steps. Hmm. I felt like this was one of the easier routines...do I really look that bad? Lame. No time to stress it though b/c there's a new song and I know nothing about zumba. The hour passed really fast and by the end I had a beat red face and was in much need of a cool-down and some watah!!!

I'll be back, ladies!! If you see a mamma shakin it with a baby on board it just might be me!! So if you've been avoiding trying it, come to my class...at least there's entertainment value :)

T

Medical Marijuana

Worth watching...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1I3BpLgcLs

Having some trouble with the new blog

So for now - just keeping all posts here :)

Find me...here

We are adding to our family and needed a new web address!! Find us at http://fourlittlesmiths.blogspot.com from now on!! :)

Once a month

...seems to be my trend. I kind of shied away from the blog for a bit but I'm missing it and having facebook burnout so...blog it is!

The year is in full swing, kids are in pre-school and loving it. Especially Olivia..Evelyn asks to go to school on the days we don't and Levi would much prefer to be attached to me in any form or fashion for at least 23 hours / day :). Still he is thriving, growing and doing well. They attend part time. School has started up for me and I'm excited and nervous about clinicals, trying to decide which avenue to pursue post-grad or whether to take a break altogether and focus on something else.

Eric is doing great at work and busier than we'd both like but we have no complaints and are grateful for his job and a company he loves working with.

In completely unrelated news for which there is no good segue...especially this late at night (I'm a little sleepy!) I have followed this website and related blog for some time now. They work primarily with those children who are least likely to be adopted and face the gravest circumstances if they do not find forever families.

This is Beckett,



I found him on Reese's Rainbow's website...aren't his curls and beautiful blues amazing? :)

Just want to snuggle him! Sadly, if Beckett isn't adopted by age 4, or maybe 5 if he's lucky, he will likely be transferred to an institution for the mentally and physically handicapped. A large percentage of children transferred die within a year or so due to lack of human contact, poor conditions and poor care. Imagine...4 years old and sentenced to this lot in life because no person on Earth found you in time. I wish I could do more than just tell you about RR...but if you're considering adoption or if you can donate toward someone else adopting a child - please do. If nothing more, check out the site...pray for these little ones.

I cannot imagine for a moment sending my children to bed with hungry tummies or without loving, hugging and snuggling or telling them they are safe and to have sweet dreams. These little ones are often underfed and there is no mommy or daddy to say goodnight to or to offer comfort after a bad dream. There is only...little them next to other little ones who are also alone.

I pray the Lord will direct us and give us wisdom and an opportunity to either help fund an adoption of one of these lovely children or adopt one or two ourselves. What a gift that would be.

My heart is overwhelmed...and full...and my mind is heavy - I think a good night's rest is in order!

Thea

Merry Christmas from the Smiths

We wish you and yours a day full of love, laughter &

special memories to
last your whole life long!

tip #1 **scroll to the bottom of this page and hit the pause button prior to pressing play on the video!**

tip #2 if you double click on the video it'll open it in a new window so you can expand and watch it full-screen :)

9 Things

It's been over a month since I've blogged! To say we've had a lot going on is an understatement!

Outside my window….A lot of Colorado Sunshine on this cool fall day. It's a perfect day for an afternoon hike which seems to be on the docket for later!

I am hearing…Eric read portions of "Revolution in World Missions" by K.P. Yohannan ...an eye-opener...and recalls to my heart a longing and love for those who haven't heard and don't know the great love of Jesus.

Some highlights from the week… Where do I start? :) A break from school!! Thanksgiving dinner with my parents, Dad who has just finished chemotherapy and my brother and his family complete with 6 adults and 6 children between us! Levi turned 1 on Thanksgiving Day and he is more precious by the moment. By far my most bittersweet first birthday yet. I snuggled him and teared up a bit tucking him in the night before just thinking about how quickly the first year flew by and how little time I have left to rock with him in the low-lit quiet of bedtime in his room. Today we are spending together and thus far we've had breakfast, read books and talked while the kids play on the living room floor. Perfect :).

I am thankful for… My heart is experiencing a greatfulness overload!! There is too much to recount. We are blessed beyond measure and experience a quality and overabundance in life few in the world have even witnessed.

From the kitchen… Leftovers, baby!

I am reading… Pharmacology and doing research on marijuana legislation...fun times.

I am hoping… Dad's blood work reveals a cancer-free body in December.

One of my favrite things… The upcoming White Light ceremony at the Broadmoor...a yearly Smith tradition with good friends!

A few plans for the rest of the week… Heading into finals, increasing workouts now that school break will be headed my way and preparing for visiting family!! :)

Have a blessed week!

T