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Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Time for our Bi Annual update!
Since we are celebrating Zion's 2nd birthday today, I thought it might be a good time to update our website with an update on the girls! I will add Eden's birthday update first and will include Zi's tonight after her festivities are finished.
But first, we wish a VERY HAPPY 2nd Birthday to our littlest girl!!!
But first, we wish a VERY HAPPY 2nd Birthday to our littlest girl!!!
Friday, July 16, 2010
"My child the Blog"
Just wanted to let my 3 blog readers hear it from me that my blog has officially taken a back seat in the vehicle of my life. Throughout the course of my pregnancy with Eden, her first years, my pregnancy with Zi, and her first year, our dear old site "happyhome" sat up front with me as I drove along life's highways. Often throughout the day, a happy moment would occur and I would make a mental note to add it to the girls' website. More often than not I even photographed those happy moments to add them to our precious site.
While my original intention for creating a website (long before all of the blog hype there is today! ) was to keep our family and friends who were out of state updated on Eden and eventually Zion's life, my little site did become quite near and dear to me as I always thought of it as another way to preserve childhood, mommyhood, and most importantly, our happy home.
I often printed those monthly updates and hope that someday the girls will cherish the time and love I put into them.
Alas, I felt peace with saying goodbye to the old site when Zi celebrated her first birthday and felt even better about a new and less formal blogger-style site. However, after a few months of posts and upkeeping, I have evaluated yet again the pros and cons that go along with having a site that needs to be maintained. Here are my thoughts:
To the best of my knowledge, there are only a handful of you who even view this blog...and you are my closest family and friends! I see you, talk to you, text you on a regular if not daily basis! I feel as if it is redunant to post updates about daily details of our lives when you are already involved in those events. :-) I love you, am thankful for you, treasure your friendship...but isn't it silly for me to take an hour or two at night once or twice a week when all is still, quiet and calm to make a post with pictures about little girls that you see or hear about each and every day anyway? I guess what I'm getting at is...my time (everyone's time!) is so valuable that I feel I should be spending it being a little more productive.
So if you are a lurker who visits this site regularly but never comments, shame on ya! :) It is because of your commentlessness that I have decided to boot my blog from the front-seat companion it was to the third row bench occupant in the vehicle of life that I drive. (As a side note, my mind's eye refused to imagine me in a two-door car with "my child the Blog" fastened into the backseat like a fake snake in a peanut can. Instead it imagined Blog being shoved into the third row of an old-school station wagon, which really isn't a third row but a trunk sort of space with windows. Hey, it's my life and I think it suits me.)
So now little Blog will be rarely seen or heard. From time to time I may squint in the rearview and notice Blog waaaaay in the back and pull him out and give some attention. Or, on a random night when my imagination is running away with me again perhaps I will open the back hatch to the old station wagon and Blog will fall out amidst the 102 other projects I started but never finished. I'll pick him up and let my Imagination play with him for a little while and then I'll shove him back in and close the door quickly before something else falls out. For now, it's fun to know that Blog is there but more fun to know that I don't know when I'll update again. No worries though if you happen to like him....my Blog, that is...I have no plans of cleaning out my car...yet. :-)
Love and hugs.
R
While my original intention for creating a website (long before all of the blog hype there is today! ) was to keep our family and friends who were out of state updated on Eden and eventually Zion's life, my little site did become quite near and dear to me as I always thought of it as another way to preserve childhood, mommyhood, and most importantly, our happy home.
I often printed those monthly updates and hope that someday the girls will cherish the time and love I put into them.
Alas, I felt peace with saying goodbye to the old site when Zi celebrated her first birthday and felt even better about a new and less formal blogger-style site. However, after a few months of posts and upkeeping, I have evaluated yet again the pros and cons that go along with having a site that needs to be maintained. Here are my thoughts:
To the best of my knowledge, there are only a handful of you who even view this blog...and you are my closest family and friends! I see you, talk to you, text you on a regular if not daily basis! I feel as if it is redunant to post updates about daily details of our lives when you are already involved in those events. :-) I love you, am thankful for you, treasure your friendship...but isn't it silly for me to take an hour or two at night once or twice a week when all is still, quiet and calm to make a post with pictures about little girls that you see or hear about each and every day anyway? I guess what I'm getting at is...my time (everyone's time!) is so valuable that I feel I should be spending it being a little more productive.
So if you are a lurker who visits this site regularly but never comments, shame on ya! :) It is because of your commentlessness that I have decided to boot my blog from the front-seat companion it was to the third row bench occupant in the vehicle of life that I drive. (As a side note, my mind's eye refused to imagine me in a two-door car with "my child the Blog" fastened into the backseat like a fake snake in a peanut can. Instead it imagined Blog being shoved into the third row of an old-school station wagon, which really isn't a third row but a trunk sort of space with windows. Hey, it's my life and I think it suits me.)
So now little Blog will be rarely seen or heard. From time to time I may squint in the rearview and notice Blog waaaaay in the back and pull him out and give some attention. Or, on a random night when my imagination is running away with me again perhaps I will open the back hatch to the old station wagon and Blog will fall out amidst the 102 other projects I started but never finished. I'll pick him up and let my Imagination play with him for a little while and then I'll shove him back in and close the door quickly before something else falls out. For now, it's fun to know that Blog is there but more fun to know that I don't know when I'll update again. No worries though if you happen to like him....my Blog, that is...I have no plans of cleaning out my car...yet. :-)
Love and hugs.
R
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Welcome Baby Aria!!
We have a new niece!! Jona's oldest brother Paul, our Sis-in-law Marina, and their two boys Micah and Moses, welcomed a new baby girl into their family on May 29th at 6:52am!!
She is gorgeous and I am dying to meet her!!! Introducing...
Aria Cecilia Smith
We love you sweet girl!!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Sisters & Surprises!
I wonder if every family is comprised of members that are total opposites? It makes sense that siblings would have different personality traits, talents and temperaments...but wouldn't you think they would be more alike than different? Not the Smith Sisters....
There's big Sister who is sweet...
Social, smart and sensitive...
And little Sister who is sassy...
Simple, sneaky and silly
They are equally wonderful to me! We will just learn to celebrate our differences. :-)
Where we surprised them with the news that we are taking them to Disney World!! In ONE WEEK! More details later. :-)
I'm curious to know, are your children more alike or different? Please comment!
There's big Sister who is sweet...
Social, smart and sensitive...
And little Sister who is sassy...
Simple, sneaky and silly
They are equally wonderful to me! We will just learn to celebrate our differences. :-)
Thankfully, they both LOVE surprises. They loved our surprise tea party...
Where we surprised them with the news that we are taking them to Disney World!! In ONE WEEK! More details later. :-)
I'm curious to know, are your children more alike or different? Please comment!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Session 62
Recent days have been spent outside, celebrating Spring and all that it entails! Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how I look at it!) that has left little time to dedicate to computerly things. :-) Before I forget, I wanted to share a few pictures from Jona's graduation from the Metro Nashville Police Academy. We love our man in blue!! :-)
Jona's class was known as "Session 62"
39 of the original 56 who started on November 2nd made it to gradatution:
Jona with Nashville's Mayor Dean and Police Chief Serpas:
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Round Here
'Round here we stuff our shirts with "babies"
Then we stuff the baby's shirt with "babies"(or boobies, but the intention was babies!)
'Round here we play ball in the house...
Round here there is no television. No Wii. No video games. Just two sweet little girls livin' the simple life:
And life is so good 'round here.
Then we stuff the baby's shirt with "babies"(or boobies, but the intention was babies!)
'Round here we play ball in the house...
Round here there is no television. No Wii. No video games. Just two sweet little girls livin' the simple life:
And life is so good 'round here.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Congrats, Daddy!!!
Last night marked a significant step forward for our family! After 23 weeks of extensive training, Jona graduated from the Metro-Nashville Police Academy. Although he has never ceased being a police officer in my eyes, the law required that he be re-certified in the state of Tennessee after moving here from Charlotte. And now, it's done!!!!
Aside from the standard pay raise to Police Officer 1, Jona also receives an education incentive for having his bachelor's degree. In November he'll receive an additional raise upon completion of field training and he'll also be eligible for off-duty/secondary employment jobs at that time. Although our frugal livin' will continue (for at least another 30 years until we marry the girls off anyway!!!) we are excited to see our budget expand a little and especially excited that Jona will be eligible for off-duty jobs before Christmas this year!! :-) We are very appreciative of our family who have been very supportive and understanding of our extreme income limitations within the last six months!!
Unfortunately, I haven't uploaded photos from the graduation ceremony yet. :-( I'll post pictures and an additional update of what's next in a new post within the next day or two. Thank you again to each of you who expressed your love and support to Jona and our family yesterday. You have no idea how much it means to us!!!!
Aside from the standard pay raise to Police Officer 1, Jona also receives an education incentive for having his bachelor's degree. In November he'll receive an additional raise upon completion of field training and he'll also be eligible for off-duty/secondary employment jobs at that time. Although our frugal livin' will continue (for at least another 30 years until we marry the girls off anyway!!!) we are excited to see our budget expand a little and especially excited that Jona will be eligible for off-duty jobs before Christmas this year!! :-) We are very appreciative of our family who have been very supportive and understanding of our extreme income limitations within the last six months!!
Unfortunately, I haven't uploaded photos from the graduation ceremony yet. :-( I'll post pictures and an additional update of what's next in a new post within the next day or two. Thank you again to each of you who expressed your love and support to Jona and our family yesterday. You have no idea how much it means to us!!!!
Resurrection Day 2010
"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.'" John 11:25-26
We had the joy of attending Cornerstone Church's illustrated sermon "Alive" on Easter Sunday. It was characteristically graphic, intense and of course, powerful. It was a much-needed reminder and vivid portrayal of the reality of Christ's death on the cross and resurrection from the grave! Sometimes I think it's so easy to get caught up in the day to day that we lose sight of the Resurrection POWER that is ours through Christ. His blood forever washed away my sins, His death revoked satan's power over me, and his resurrection promises all believers a victorious life in Him and ETERNAL life with Him! We praise the One who is, and was, and is to come!!!
After our magnificant church service, which the kids unfortunately did not find too magnificant, we went to Nanny's house for a little Easter egg huntin'! The girls had so much fun that they both passed out from exhaustion when we got home...which allowed us to enjoy an Easter nap! It was an all-around great day!
We had the joy of attending Cornerstone Church's illustrated sermon "Alive" on Easter Sunday. It was characteristically graphic, intense and of course, powerful. It was a much-needed reminder and vivid portrayal of the reality of Christ's death on the cross and resurrection from the grave! Sometimes I think it's so easy to get caught up in the day to day that we lose sight of the Resurrection POWER that is ours through Christ. His blood forever washed away my sins, His death revoked satan's power over me, and his resurrection promises all believers a victorious life in Him and ETERNAL life with Him! We praise the One who is, and was, and is to come!!!
After our magnificant church service, which the kids unfortunately did not find too magnificant, we went to Nanny's house for a little Easter egg huntin'! The girls had so much fun that they both passed out from exhaustion when we got home...which allowed us to enjoy an Easter nap! It was an all-around great day!
Just a few pics of our fun-filled day:
Happy Easter!!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Finally! Park pictures! :-)
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Where art thou?
Dear Spring,
I'm not sure if you've realized it or not, but it is the end of March. I understand that sometimes circumstances that are out of our control cause us to run late. If that is the case in your situation, I apologize for venting my frustration. However, I have been lamenting your absence as my daughters have recently caught a terrible case of cabin fever that can only be resolved by your presence.
Each day within the last week, even before the morning cup of coffee or milk, the three of us could be found standing at the back door evaluating the weather through the window. It seems as though most days within the last week were no-brainers...with clouds or rain in the sky it hasn't even been necessary to open the door and feel for ourselves the temperature. Occasionally however, when the clouds part and give way to sun, it seems as if you enjoying mocking us...laughing to yourself at our naive belief that you have returned with your warmth.
I would like to let you know that we will pardon your absence for a few more days and then we will have to seek some form of replacement. I am fully aware that there is no substitute for you that is entirely sufficient, but I will do what is necessary to meet the needs of my family. So if you see me carrying a picnic basket and sunscreen into in a local greenhouse with my daughters in tow, please have mercy on me and return.
Sincerely,
Mom of two claustrophobic little darlings
A week ago, on a day that spring decided to tease us, Nanny took the girls to a local park to feed the ducks and play. They had an awesome time! I'm having difficulty re-formatting the photos that Nanny took, but I'll be sure to post a few as soon as possible. :-)
I'm not sure if you've realized it or not, but it is the end of March. I understand that sometimes circumstances that are out of our control cause us to run late. If that is the case in your situation, I apologize for venting my frustration. However, I have been lamenting your absence as my daughters have recently caught a terrible case of cabin fever that can only be resolved by your presence.
Each day within the last week, even before the morning cup of coffee or milk, the three of us could be found standing at the back door evaluating the weather through the window. It seems as though most days within the last week were no-brainers...with clouds or rain in the sky it hasn't even been necessary to open the door and feel for ourselves the temperature. Occasionally however, when the clouds part and give way to sun, it seems as if you enjoying mocking us...laughing to yourself at our naive belief that you have returned with your warmth.
I would like to let you know that we will pardon your absence for a few more days and then we will have to seek some form of replacement. I am fully aware that there is no substitute for you that is entirely sufficient, but I will do what is necessary to meet the needs of my family. So if you see me carrying a picnic basket and sunscreen into in a local greenhouse with my daughters in tow, please have mercy on me and return.
Sincerely,
Mom of two claustrophobic little darlings
A week ago, on a day that spring decided to tease us, Nanny took the girls to a local park to feed the ducks and play. They had an awesome time! I'm having difficulty re-formatting the photos that Nanny took, but I'll be sure to post a few as soon as possible. :-)
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Weekend in Indy
Over the weekend, the extended Smith family got together in Indianapolis to attend a concert event hosted by blueskynine- the Keynote band that Jona's older brother Adam is a part of. (Keynote is the music ministry division of Campus Crusade for Christ.) The event on Saturday night consisted of a yummy meal catered by Carraba's and a 2 1/2 hour concert given by blueskynine. We were able to take the girls who had SO.MUCH.FUN with their cousins, grandparents and Aunts and Uncles!! We thoroughly enjoyed watching Adam play (he has so many musical gifts!!) as well as spending time with our extended family. Although it was a quick weekend, we always cherish the time we are able to get together.
Here are a few pics from the weekend:
"blueskynine" (Adam is in the back on the drums!)
The four Smith grandchildren with Grammy and Granddaddy:
We think it's cute how much Micah and Zi resemble one another:
And Eden and Moses!
Our precious nephews, Micah and Moses are soon-to-be big brothers to a little sister!!
We miss you already and cannot wait for Little Sister Smith to arrive in May!!
Here are a few pics from the weekend:
"blueskynine" (Adam is in the back on the drums!)
The four Smith grandchildren with Grammy and Granddaddy:
We think it's cute how much Micah and Zi resemble one another:
And Eden and Moses!
Our precious nephews, Micah and Moses are soon-to-be big brothers to a little sister!!
We miss you already and cannot wait for Little Sister Smith to arrive in May!!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
A Day in the life of Zion
Wake up, cuddle on couch:
Find Mommy's toothbrush in the bathroom, brush teeth:
Laugh hysterically at silly sister:
Find small toy, fail to realize potential death threat:
Beg and plead for Mama to pick up due to small toy incident:
Pitch fit when Mama retrieves camera...can't she see I'm serious here?!
Lose will, remember we've been through this before:
Scan room for a distraction:
Find distraction, begin process all over again:
Eat 5th meal of the day:
And last but not least, say goodnight to all. What a day!!!
Coming up soon: a day in the life of Eden! :-)
Find Mommy's toothbrush in the bathroom, brush teeth:
Laugh hysterically at silly sister:
Find small toy, fail to realize potential death threat:
Beg and plead for Mama to pick up due to small toy incident:
Pitch fit when Mama retrieves camera...can't she see I'm serious here?!
Lose will, remember we've been through this before:
Scan room for a distraction:
Find distraction, begin process all over again:
Eat 5th meal of the day:
And last but not least, say goodnight to all. What a day!!!
Coming up soon: a day in the life of Eden! :-)
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