Life lessons from the deercamp

Finally, my boys got to do something that I've always wanted them to do.....go hunting with their Papa. Spending the night at the deer camp, playing around the bonfire with cousins and other little hunters, early morning breakfast in the kitchen, suiting up in new camouflage, loading up on Papa's four wheeler, riding in the dark to a stand, patiently awaiting a deer sighting, lunch back at the kitchen, skipping naptime, learning all about guns from the pro, shooting a REAL gun at the rifle range.....everything was awesome in the eyes of these 2 little boys. I am truly thankful that they were able to spend this time with their grandfather, who happens to be one of the most knowledgeable around on hunting. And Brandon got to tag along as well. Part of me wishes that he had a love of the woods, but then a much larger part of me is thankful that he doesn't. While I can attend sporting events with him, I have no desire to join him in the woods.

Thankful for grandparents of these little boys and opportunities to teach them about life - whether fishing in Texas or on a deer stand in Mississippi.....

as

Snow, snow and more snow....

I guess I'm just a procrastinator when it comes to this blog.....I was surprised to find that my last post was in December. January just flew by and we are just around the corner from Valentine's Day.....and more importantly in the Smith household, Sharpe's birthday (Feb 16).

January was filled with snow, snow days, snowmen, snow angels, snowball fights, and of course, hot chocolate. Somehow once again, we were without a sled.....time to improvise. I think we used everything from garbage can lids, to boxes, to a baby swimming pool. The boys loved the snow. I on the other hand enjoyed the snow from inside, sitting by the fire, with a cup of coffee in hand. I guess I've outgrown the love of playing in the snow; however, I did get out in it with the boys.....Oh, did I mention that I'm the only family member who didn't have "snow clothes". Thank goodness the boys got some warm, waterproof clothes for hunting with Papa! I'll have to write about that experience in a separate post. For now, enjoy the snow pictures....

Thankful for the beauty of the snow.....and for 3 little boys who absolutely love the snow - okay maybe just 2 of the 3 for now

as

Potato Soup Fiasco

Oh, Lord. Please give this Momma some extra patience.....Just another typical adventure in parenting courtesy of the Smith family.....

Spent 2 hours making homemade potato soup for Trey and Tracy (next door neighbors) who recently had a baby. Almost done, putting everything on my new "serving" tray that I just HAD to have. All loaded - soup (a lot of soup), crackers tied with a bow, warm brownies, and a baby gift.... I ran to change Slay's diaper before we walked next door. From the kitchen, I hear a shriek - "Mommaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" This is no ordinary call. I leave Slay on the changing table and leap to the kitchen to find the soup spilt all over the floor, Sharpe balancing what's left of the soup, crackers, and gift on the tray.

/sigh. I totally lost my cool. Sharpe was mortified. I had no idea what I was going to feed my sweet neighbors who were waiting on supper. Luckily, I had a little extra soup in the fridge that sufficed. Talk about clean up. It was inside and outside of the cabinets - everywhere. I called in the "lickitup" team ~ consisting of Frasier, Buckley and Baby. I must say they did a pretty good job. After the dust settled, I went in to talk to Sharpe. Behind more tears, he offered the following... "I was gonna bring the tray to you." It was pitiful. How could I be mad anymore?

Parenting is so much about forgiveness. I know my parents showed much forgiveness over the years of raising me. And my Heavenly Father has forgiven me time and time again. I think God gave me children to better understand my own parents, but more importantly to (hopefully) better understand the Him. Oooh, I have a long way to go....

Thank you for children and for the opportunity to show forgiveness to them as you have shown it to me....

as

One down, Two to Go

Oh, what a beautiful day..... and I'm not necessarily talking about the snow....I'm talking about watching my precious Stratton making a public profession of faith for Jesus. I had the highest privilege as a parent, to lead him to Jesus on Thursday, December 16th, while Brandon was at Praise Team practice. We went to talk to Bro. David Bodenheimer on Monday, December 20th and he walked the isle with his Daddy this morning. To stand for Jesus with my sweet family was the most wonderful feeling in the world. While I know I'm not much of an example, my own faith has been renewed with MY new responsibilities to continue to water the seed planted during this Christmas season. I pray for my own discipline this year - to spend time studying God's word, so I can be a light not only for my family, but also for this dark world.

This discussion was jumpstarted again in the midst of the death of John Hester - a sweet, faithful neighbor, who passed away on December 11th after a year long battle with cancer. His prayer while on this earth and certainly as he faced death, was to give the Father the glory in all situations and to encourage others to come to know Jesus. If only Mr. John were here, I think he'd be smiling ear to ear. Thank you, John, for being a good and faithful servant.

Thank you Father for Your grace and most of all Your Son~

as

Christmas Morn

Day 1 - Well, Christmas morning proved to be everything and more! Santa arrived during the night and provided lots of cool toys! God arrived in EVEN bigger style - providing a white Christmas (first time in my 38 years). Oh, did I mention, God provided a KING?

Santa brought Slay - ride on toys (x2), books, a guitar, and his favorite - candy! Nana Clause delivered a new, really cool bicycle for Slay that looks like a motorcycle! Move outta the way, friends!

Sharpe was super pumped to open a new Bama hat, a Phitin (that's WAY too big), a new bicycle amongst other goodies! Nana Clause sent a new electric scooter!

Stratton was most disappointed with his gifts - as he SO wanted a PSP. He was sweet in his disappointment and later found it in a "special" stocking......that kid showed some "vert" as he leaped with excitement.

And in the midst of all THAT excitement, the biggest gift was yet to be "unveiled".....a new set of REAL drums! Holy smoke! Sharpe and Slay were really excited and ran to start playing. Stratton was only somewhat interested as he reached back for the PSP. Then, there's Brandon.....let's just say, he regressed back to a K-I-D!

Momma got some awesome gifts - a new, high dolla, flash for my camera, new necklace and earrings, as well as new (replacement) coasters, a coffee mug and the most important gift....her new cowboy boots (dark brown). Love them! Then upstairs the boys went with their Daddy. No clue what they were up to....Bout 5 minutes later, I spot Stratton sitting on the couch (so cool) playing his PSP and WEARING COWBOY BOOTS....ladies cowboy boots! Momma got a 2nd pair of brown boots! Awesome! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Gigi is spending Christmas with us and enjoying the chaos....we think! She made pumpkin pie to the sound of drums this morning and danced joyfully! Grumps and Doll visited for Slay's "official" birthday party yesterday! Always a special time - Christmas Eve!

We continue to be blessed and I am so often "ungrateful" just for the simple blessings in our life - the Father's love, His Son, family, friends, hounds, and my kids' love for the drums! Thank you, Father for ears to ear those drums and for eyes to see the fallen snow that you have so graciously provided this morning....

With a (more) grateful heart today,

as

/sigh....Intentions

And, yes, another year has passed...well, almost and without ONE SINGLE post to this blog /sigh. Each time I log into facebook, I see the icon for the blog and shrug and say, I only have a minute or two, so maybe next time. As with procrastination, I have some regrets. I knew when I started fb that something was gonna give.....and unfortunately it was my blog.

So much has happened in the past year - from new employment/career for Brandon, to surviving a layoff for my own career, to Stratton starting 1st grade, to a new school (Pre-K) for Sharpe and Slay is just plain growing up! While my heart is overflowing, there is only so much time during the day, so while (once again) my intentions are good to update, I make no promises.

In the meantime, Merry Christmas! And Happy Birthday, Slaybird!

as

Holy Smoke! What happened?

Like I said when I started this blog, "I would update it as our lives would allow".....well, I'm not exactly sure what happened, but it all went south in May 2009. There has been so much that has happened since then, that if I tried to go back and post each event, I would surely never get caught up. So, what I have decided to do is to post some of my favorite pics (and comments) from May 2009 until December 2009 and (like the other 200 million folks) make a New Year's GOAL, to do a better job keeping our blog up to date. (Brandon is laughing because he doesn't make NY Goals - told you I married a smart guy) This blog really is special to me - especially since the main reasons I started it was the birth of our "caboose", Slay and to keep the grandparents, extended family and friends up to date on the other 2 Smith boys, so here goes my attempt at an update....

This is a test run, folks. Gimme a few rounds to work out the kinks. Thanks.