New Adventures

Today marked a new adventure for me. One that I know the Lord will bless and bring joy from. It feels refreshing to have followed the instruction that the Lord has been telling me. I won't lie, I cried when I made the decision to embark on this new adventure and I even cried when I informed others of this turn in my life. Although, they are not tears of sadness, well maybe a few, but rather tears of joy, gratitude, and appreciation.

It's no secret that as we grow and enter new phases in life, we will leave certain experiences in our past. Of course it is apart of life, although sometimes it can be difficult. My faith is in the Lord that he truly KNOWS and CARES about what is best for myself and my family. I look forward to the new experiences that are to come and the memories that are to be made. For those will be a reminder to me that the process to enter into news areas of life are worth every tear.

Neighborhood Mom

There comes a time in everyone's life that they realize they have grown up. While I'm sure that I have had this moment many times over, today it happened again! I have decided that like it or not, I am the Neighborhood Mom. Now, this title holds the responsibility of having enough balls (soccer, football, basketball, baseball, etc) to go around for all 8 boys on my one little street. It also requires me to have enough fruit snacks and juice boxes available for a "break time" from playing.

I do enjoy this "responsibility" because in the end, I have to be outside either way if Super C and Sweet A want to play out front. As a side note, it does make me wonder at what age the kids will be when I am okay with letting them play out front without me....16 is a good age for that right? :)

Today while we were out front playing, the boys (ranging in age from 3-10) decided to play football...Super C being one of them. Now, Super C KNOWS what football is and says daily that he will be a football player for TX A&M, but when it comes to him actually playing it, he hasn't the slightest clue as what to do.

The boys decided to play tag football (thank goodness) in the street (oh yeah, Super C now gets to run and play in the street....WHAT?). So, they were hiking the ball and then passing it or running with it....Super C just chased whoever had the ball. (I laughed) Then when someone would get a touchdown, he would say "No, I don't think that is a touchdown". (Again, I laughed) My initial thought was that the boys would get annoyed with Super C playing like this (but wait.... his mom has the snacks and toys. Just kidding, I hadn't brought those out yet). So, I was helping Sweet A with a toy when I look up to see all the boys cheering Super C on while he ran passed each of them "so fast" and scored a TOUCHDOWN!!! He was SO HAPPY and the boys were genuinely happy for him.

It made me (and my heart) smile. All of the neighborhood kids that were playing come from a single parent home. 3 of them do not have dads around and their moms are always gone (thus why they are always at their Grandmother's house....our neighbor). Even though I could find the reasons why it bothers me to "have to watch" kids that aren't even mine, instead I decide to be thankful that I can help them have a great afternoon...even if it is just for 1 hour.

Then came the fruit snacks and juice boxes! :)

The Big Red Barn

Do you have this wonderfully written children's book? It really is a fun book to read and Super C has enjoyed reading it for the past few years. Tonight though while reading it, he became a very good narrator. He was doing a great job throughout the entire book. We came to this one page that has a Mama Cat with her babies running after her and then a Mama Dog with her babies walking next to her. As I finish reading the words on the page, Super C puts his finger on the page with the Mama Dog and says (while pointing at the exact location) "Look! That Mama Dog can feed her babies too!" (Implying that it is the same as how I can feed Sweet A) I just couldn't help it, I laughed....out loud. He was right, and I could not tell him that he was 1 bit wrong about that statement. I will never be able to read that book in the same manor. :)

Oops...I have a blog?!?!

So, apparently, I have been MIA from blogging. Lots has gone on in our life...some good, some I could live without, but all in all, we are doing well!

The kids are amazing us every day. Cooper says the cutest, funniest, and sometimes the most embarrassing things these days! Aubrey is also growing up, starting to talk, and has really begun interacting with Cooper a lot more these days.

As for Randell, well he's finished with his two major tests. One test was for his Professional Engineering License, which sounds awesome - and it is - although Randell is longing to change careers. That leads into his other test that he just took. He did GREAT on it and is now waiting for the next stage of the process of this adventure.

I have been training for the San Antonio Rock and Roll Half Marathon! The race is this Sunday, it is finally here. It's amazing to think that when I started "training" I could barely run 2 miles without wanting to stop. Now, the thought of running "just 8 miles" makes me laugh....who says "We're just running 8 miles today."? :)

Not only has my running been a great stress reliever and motivator to keep pushing myself, but it has also helped me to drop my pregnancy weight. I have lost a total of 22 lbs since beginning my training. I have dropped 5 pant sizes and 1 shirt size. The best thing about all of this is that I have not been on any type of diet (which I am sure I would loose even more weight if I was), I have not taken any pill, or anything to help with the weight loss....just PURE RUNNING!

I am excited about Sunday, it should be fun! The weekend after that we (Randell and I along with some friends) are running the Warrior Dash. It is a 5K with 11 obstacles throughout the run....that should be fun and interesting! :)

Life is Good, God is Great!

Happy 1st Birthday Aubrey

1 Year Ago Today

One year ago today at 3:44pm, our hearts grew even more at the sight of you. You came into this world with wide eyes and chunky rolls. You were 8lbs, 13oz (my big baby), 21 inches long and full of spunk already with your mo-hawk hairdo!

You were chunky, loud, and bright red (so healthy). You were alert, hungry, and knew how to nurse from the beginning. What an amazing feeling it was to have you in my arms. I cried as they handed you to me. I am so thankful that I was able to feel and understand a lot more of my emotions. You cried too, as all babies are supposed to. You calmed down when Daddy held your finger while they took all of your stats. You already had him wrapped around your finger.

Your first introduction to Cooper was amazing. He was so excited to play with you and share his “Diego” toys and trucks with you. He wasn’t quit sure why you just laid there with your eyes closed though! He soon found out that it was great to have a sleeping, happy baby rather than the alternative!

Being the second child is great, lucky duck! We (Mom and Dad) were (and are) much more relaxed this time around since we know that we have done an awesome job already with raising Cooper. He survived and so would you. This new relaxed state helped to relax the whole house as well. You were a happy baby who rarely cried….except to eat! When you were 6 weeks old we realized that you were tongue tied. Since we didn’t know much about this subject, we found a great pediatric dentist to help us through it. 5 seconds later you were nursing again and this time you meant business. At first I was worried that you would not be as attached to nursing as I had hoped for. Now, as we near your first birthday, I see that the end is still a ways away….and I am SUPER happy about that! I know that once the nursings are gone, my snuggle time with you will be less and less as you are already ready to be on the move.

You were and are such a laid back baby. You roll with the flow, sleep when you can, eat when you want, and enjoy experiencing new things. What a blessing you have been to the family. You started rolling over super early. This was good and bad, but it was nice to see your excitement when you would roll. I was amazed to see how aware of your motions you were. We knew early on that you are a fast learner.

When you were 3 months old, I found myself back at the hospital with you. You had a high fever and no ear infection. I was almost certain what the outcome would be, and wouldn’t you know that I was correct! Stage 2 double bladder reflux. God was and continues to watch over you though. You have yet to have another infection, even though all medical books say that you should. Your blood counts are great as well; what a wonderful relief.

I remember people telling me that the first 3-4 months of two kiddos would be tough. “Relay naps”, multiple nursings, juggling two crying kiddos at once….they weren’t kidding! I’m sure most people looked at me with a look of sympathy. Some probably even understood the crazy life that I was living….but it is all worth it! The day that you took a nap at the same time as Brother was a turning point! I knew that we would survive….some how!

Many of the “trials” that we went through with Brother, we decided to not even venture near this time around.

• Sleeping in bed? Yes, in fact it still happens on a nightly basis and that’s okay!
• Nursing? Absolutely, and will keep on nursing until you decide that it’s time to stop!
• Eating solid foods? Sure, if you want, but I know that you are still receiving great nutritional value from my milk, and that’s all that matters!

I am so thankful that you are who you are. Our life is full of joy and fun.

You are a FAST crawler! I am sure that if we entered you into a competition for crawlers, you could be one of the top contenders. You are attempting to take steps on your own. In fact, you are walking a lot these days. We have now entered a new stage where I get to chase two walking/running kiddos! You say plenty of words these days as well. (Dada, Mama, Bubba, Ball, Book, Up) You even blow the best kisses as you say “night night” or bye. You are our trash finder too. Now if we can only work on showing you how to throw it in the trashcan rather than putting it in your mouth! You make great car sounds as you play with Brother and his cars. You are so sweet when holding and hugging your baby. You love the water. I’m sure that you could live in the water. You dance for bath time and love to “read” your books; one day hopefully we can finish a book…or at least make it past the first page!

Your food groups amaze me. In no particular order, they are paper, crayons, rocks, dirt, and chalk. I have been tempted to fill a plate with those items for dinner or better yet, put your real food on the floor to make you think they are similar to your favorite items to eat. A lot of things are now a game. You put a piece of paper in your mouth, open it to show me, and then take it out before I get to you. You then follow this with great laughter that again makes me smile and laugh as well!

You rush to the door every day when Daddy gets home from work. You reach up and are ready for him to hug and love on you. You are feisty. This is both good and challenging, but either way, we will always be thankful for who God has made you. That being said, I have not figured out how we will correct you. You laugh every time I tell you to not bite, hit, or touch that. Your laughter brings me back to smiles even in the most trying times. God is good. I’m sure that you will soon find me with my nose in a new book on dealing with wonderful kiddos like you!

Your smile can brighten anyone’s day. From very early on, any time we went anywhere, people would comment on how beautiful you are (and it’s so true!). You smile at anyone. You’ve even made a few older men break into a smile at your sweet grin and “high five” wave.

You love anything and everything that Brother has, plays with, or eats. I’ve decided that as a second child, it is your responsibility to keep me on my toes with redirecting you to another part of the room away from Cooper’s awesome block tower. It’s almost more of a race to see who can get there faster….and sometimes you win! Playtime with Cooper is awesome. I love to hear both of you laugh and giggle while tickling each other or giving each other raspberries! You have now begun the wrestling stage. This should be very interesting!

You are Daddy’s power wheels girl! Anytime you see one, you want to get on and go. Your smile is as wide as your face when you are zooming on an ATV with me. You have no fear and are always ready to take a chance. I pray that you always have these characteristics! You are full of energy; some days I wish you would share some energy with me!

You love your friends. It is so amazing to see the excitement in your face when you recognize your friends. I love that even at your young age, you enjoy spending time with friends.

As this next year begins, you will experience many great, new adventures. You will be starting Mother’s Day Out soon! I know that you will love it and thrive there just as Cooper did (after the initial separation anxiety of course). You will begin to walk and run at all times. This should be a fun stage for all of us. I know that your curiosity will expand beyond anyone’s measures and this excites me. Seeing the expressions on your face makes it all worth while.

You, our wonderful daughter, have brought smiles to many faces, especially ours. I pray that you will continue to have a happy heart, a loving spirit, and a feisty spunk throughout this next year of life.

So here’s to you, Aubrey Elaine Smith, Happy 1^st Birthday!

To Save A Life Trailer

To Save A Life

Last night we was movie night. Randell did good with picking out a a good movie this time. (last time he picked Valentine's Day, I think to score points with me for watching a "girly movie", but it was just awful!) Anywho, this time he picked "To Save A Life" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvXktDeAEmU (trailer video also in previous post).

The movie was produced by the same producers of "Fireproof". We really didn't have much clue about what the movie was about, but it turned out to be a great movie. It's a movie that I think we will buy and save for when our kids are teens to use as a teaching tool.

The main jest of the movie is talking about how we can be in a few different categories:

* Those that don't care about church, have a bad taste in their mouth from going to church, was hurt one time or another by someone from the church, etc.

* Those that go to church because it "looks good" or they are made to go, but they are not really listening, growing, and challenging themselves to take what is taught back to "every day life" (school).

* Those that come from the first group and then learn about church, and help to start a movement.

The movie also shows a good description of what high school life can be with the different groups, people picking on others who are different, and just the roughness of being a teen.

I strongly think that this movie in every form (even the party scenes, cursing, and "real life" moments) SHOULD be shown to all teens. I am disturbed by the fact that most Youth Group Leaders though will never show this to their youth. Why? Because it shows what really goes on in the lives of teens today? Is it too real for you? Are you afraid that some of the youth might then take to partying, cursing, or living a life away from God? How sad that those insecurities could keep such a valuable lesson from the next generation. And how sad that you would/could not trust that God's will would be done and that he could speak into the life's of the youth.

Wouldn't it be wiser to show the film and then TALK ABOUT IT? Pointing out how the lifestyle that was being lived is not of God and is not desirable. Then going on to point out that it is just as much of a sin to proclaim that you are a Christian while continuing to talk about others behind their backs, judge others, make fun of others, etc. Because that is real life. I would rather know that my children are being taught these types of lessons etc also at church rather than going and playing the "silly games" to just pass the time.

Games are great, they are fun, and they help to draw people in. But where is the meat to your teachings if you are avoiding what is really of this world and is really hurting today's generations?

I HIGHLY encourage ALL to watch this movie. I would have to say that it is not appropriate for those under 15ish, and I really think that the parents should watch it with their teen so that conversations can blossom when the movie ends.

Life is Good, God is Great!