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

Monday Morning Ballerina

It's early morning and a little chilly...still, my princess insists she must wear a ballerina costume complete with tutu and teenie tiny bare legs.

She spins in circles, closes her eyes and tip toes ever so carefully over to the sofa...one hand on the cushion for balance...pause... and the other leg goes up for a very ballerina pose :) Her bedhead makes the whole scene extra precious. Worship music fills the air and the sweetness of the moment is enough to make anyone's day look brighter.

My heart is full this morning. My life is far from perfect, I have often spread myself too thin and my to do list has more than one page of "immediate attention needed" items. Still, when I worship, I am content. Perspective really is everything...and for now, the immediate attention needed items aren't as immediate as time with my little ones and the Lord. I'm so grateful for little reflective moments like this. I love being a mom, I love my children and my husband. I love our life, our laughter and our closeness.

Such sweet moments...I pray these times fill the memories of our children as they grow into adulthood.

Enjoy what is before you today - don't be half hearted or divided in your heart or interests - life is so much sweeter that way.

T

9 Things

A friend of mine uses this on her blog and I thought it was a good idea for those times when I just don't have time to blog creatively!! :)

Outside my window….A starry, chilly night. It's really beginning to feel like fall!! We started our day in long sleeves and sweaters and as the Colorado sunshine kicked in we peeled off the layers...so very 'Colorado fall' of us :)

I am hearing…My hubby snore... :) He was so tired and I'm glad he's getting some rest. He's a pretty quiet snorer so no harm done!

Some highlights from the week… Saw a home we love in the area we'd like to settle for a while. Right size, right price, right location, right school district, etc. After the whirlwind of the past 2 years or so I'm grateful and done with moving. Levi has begun pulling up on things and is quite proud of himself...he is a little bundle of preciousness and I love him so. Saw Mom, Dad and my brother's 3 kiddos for dinner Friday night...as we walked into the restaurant I carried their 8 week old and the 5 others trailed behind me...I felt a little embarrassed with 2 car seats, 1 high chair and 3 regular chairs which everyone thought was all our own Ha!! Not even I can work that fast...6 babies in 5 years...no gracias. It was such a fun evening though and the kids were so good! Love my family :)

I am thankful for… My children. They make me laugh...not just appreciative grins either. The other day Levi and I were sitting together and he had me in a full belly laugh. He likes to say "g" just the letter sound...so I was saying it back and forth with him and his contagious smile and huge laughter was so infectious I couldn't help myself. He is a joy.

From the kitchen… Not much comin' from this kitchen lately. I'm so filled to the brim with things to accomplish between family and school that PBJ and the crockpot rule the roost!

I am reading… Most of my reading time is spent between the 1300+ pages of my pharmacology book. Surprisingly interesting...and equally long.

I am hoping… That I am awarded the scholarship I applied for last week!

One of my favorite things… The pumpkin candle that has been lit daily in our house for the past week and the matching wreath hanging on our mirror...I love fall.

A few plans for the rest of the week… School, homework, well child appointments, visits to the library, 3 huge tests, a birthday party and hopefully the pumpkin patch :)

Have a lovely weekend!!

T

Pretty much fabulous

Bathing suit with ruffles? Check!

Warm summer weather? Check!

Visiting Mamaw's where being really sticky is allowed as long as it's fun? Check!

Goggles to complete the look? Big, fat CHECK!

She is pretty much fabulous :) There really isn't a better word for my sweet Livvie Lou :)

MUAH!

Urgent...Please pray for Kaelyn

Many of you know this song ("I belong to you"...playing now if your speakers are on!) is dear to my heart but as I listened and worshiped this morning I couldn't help but think of Kaelyn. This is a photo of her yesterday morning....

And a photo of her last night :)

She's beautiful, isn't she? Her mommy is Tawni, such a wonderful woman who has been praying and fighting fiercely for her baby girl in every way. Kaelyn was diagnosed with significant heart defects in utero and it was even advised that she would not survive...and much to the surprise of the doctors, God has worked miracles in Kaelyn's heart already and she is here and so lovely. Still, she has much ahead of her. We all know God can heal her and can use doctors and medicine to help her heart but we don't know his plans...they are always higher and different than ours. Initially a heart procedure was scheduled for Thursday but due to evaluations of Kaelyn today they are considering a procedure tomorrow at 2pm. Things move quickly and decisions are to be made. Please pray for wisdom, peace and insight for Tony and Tawni and for a perfect heart for Kaelyn.

Still, Kaelyn is Tawni's baby girl and no matter the height of our faith, it can be overwhelming to not be able to do anything in the physical to help our little ones. Please pray for Kaelyn today and for her Mommy and Daddy...Tony and Tawni. You can follow more details here, at their site.

Kaelyn, you belong to Jesus and nothing can separate you from His love. He loves you more than you will ever know and you are held by the awesome and almighty hands of a living God.

Welcome to the world, sweet girl!
There are big plans in store for you! :)

Sugar Pie Honey Bun....You Know that I LOVE YOU!

My sugar pie is 4! Wow! :) I say that every year...and every year I reminisce about how quickly the time is passing and try to avoid the wonder about how fast the years will continue to go.

None the less, my little girl is becoming a big girl more quickly than I had ever imagined...and nothing is slowing her spunky little self down!

We celebrated at Fox Run Park this year with a small family celebration. Olivia would have preferred to go camping and roast marshmallows...she told me repeatedly that she wanted smores in lieu of a cake but temps in the high 80's made campfires not a great fit this year. :( We had a great time though!

Happy Birthday wonderful girl...you are smarter, sweeter, more lovely and more wonderful than I ever could have imagined! I'm so glad I get to be your Mommy.

He works hard for the money...

Yesterday I woke up and began my day the same way I do most days...with less sleep than I prefer and more on my plate than I'd like :). We did breakfast, I did laundry, kids were dressed and then naked and wearing dress up clothes before I had a chance to even put clothes on myself. :)

I was a little annoyed that it was already Tuesday and my husband was up early and off to the office and I knew he'd be home late despite my most hopeful wishes. It's a busy season of work for him and there is a lot on the horizon or in the "pipeline" as he'd say :). Some days I long for time alone with him...and that longing is followed by conflicted emotions of being without my children, whether they would be ok without us for the night, who would we trust to care for them...etc etc etc

Busy morning, busy mind...I think you get the picture.

Then I happened upon Hope's blog. Hope is a dear friend I have known now for about 10 years...we had our share of experiences from music to missions and early morning workouts in between. She is a beautiful and steadfast woman, honest and hard working...there are many things about her I admire and seek to learn myself :).

I think you'll enjoy this blog - it was just the perspective change I needed and so accurate I had to laugh :).

Enjoy!!