Mommy's Little Helper

With Lilyann walking now, she is all over the place. You can't leave anything unoccupied...not even for a split second. That is what I did with the broom and Lilyann grabbed it and wanted to sweep like Mommy. She was more of picker-upper than a sweeper, though. I was sweeping up the fruit loops that Lily had so conveniently tossed from her highchair...and when I turned to get the dust pan, she was picking up the fruit loops to eat. Silly girl!

Strawberry Milk..

Wowzers!! you should feel honored...2 posts in 2 days!!! what a record!!

Strawberry milk and Curious George are what is keeping me sane today...they helped me get a shower and have a cup of coffee!!

Dakota~his "new hair Grandma gave him"

Okay...Dakota isn't potty training..he balks at it. The only time he pees is when I make a big to do about his wearing baby diapers. I'm getting frustrated with it...but we are still working on it. Dakota peed in his big boy undies all day yesterday..he would go change them and put the wet pair in his undies drawer...fun for me....NOT!

Lilyann--during a fit

Smiling while standing on her talking chair..she is getting braver

Lilyann is going thru this attitude phase..yes!! copping an attitude at almost 16 months old..I actually recorded her throwing a fit yesterday and then let her watch it back..she was frowning at the baby on the screen. Lily's croup seems to be flaring back up..but only at night...We just had a pretty good rain..so maybe that will wash away all the pollen.

Jed got a pay cut and his hours cut...it is 5 % pay/hour cut for the whole company...so about $30 less a paycheck...which means that Dakota needs to get out of diapers soon. and the pay cut wouldn't even effect us--at least, not that much...so there might be a positive to this all.

Me--> well, I'm doing pretty good. Still working on losing weight...The other day I weighed myself and it said I had lost 2 more lbs...and then last night, I had gained 2 more lbs...so it evens out...i guess, since I didn't weigh on the same scale. Today, we have a training session with one of the instructors at the gym. It was free when you got the membership, we just forgot about making the appointment. Also, I'm feeling really achy lately..sore muscles and tired...don't know if it is from working out and dealing with headaches because of the weather or not.



Me--taken by Dakota

OH! and Kota got his hair cut!! Grandma usually does it when it is just a burr cut...but she used new blades and after the first swipe realized that she cut it too short..well, you can't go back with hair cuts...so Kota pretty much got his head shaved..he loves it though (it is his "new hair that Grandma gave him") Kota looks so cute--er, should I say handsome...girls are pretty and boys are handsome he has recently informed me.

That's life at the Smith's residence..hope all is well with everyone else

Spring has Sprung

Dakota and Alexis...can you tell they are excited?

Sitting with Grandma

The Crocodile...during the Captain Hook part of the show

Lilyann..all happy go lucky...on the way home

Spring is here!! I love Spring almost as much as I love Fall. My 2 favorite seasons-->beautiful weather and seeing all of the changing colors....and you can't forget about yard sales!!

Dakota and Lilyann are loving the wonderful weather...minus the pollen, of course. With such awesome weather, we have been spending more time outdoors. Lilyann is getting over her bout with croup...it still seems to hit her in the evening time, but the cool spring air helps.

Well, let's see...what all has happened since my last post? I already informed you all about Lilyann's croup. She was on steriods for 3 days..which seemed to help alot. She is doing better...as active as ever. And walking sometimes better than mommy. It is amazing to see my little girl walking all over the place and being so independent. You might see in some of the pictures that Lily has a booboo on her head. She fell down the front steps (it was just 2 steps) trying to get her sippy cup...and it resulted with a egg on her head, and sippy cup in hand. She is one determined little girl.

This past weekend, we made a trip to Dallas, TX. Grandma (Jed's Mom) had purchased tickets for all of us to see Disney on Ice....Dallas is a halfway point between us and Brittiany, Andy, and Alexis. So we all--->meaning Grandma, Boo, Jed, myself, Dakota, Lilyann, Brittiany, Andy, Alexis, and Alex<---met up in Dallas. Since we were in the area, we stopped in to Great Grandpa Frank and GG. (This is Grandad's mom and stepdad) We had a great visit...Lilyann was all over the place...walking with her hands behind her back and sporting the poochy lip when she was told no. If I ever catch Miss Poochy Lip Lily on camera, it will be one priceless picture. Dakota did well also...looking at everything, running around, and riding on the exercise bikes there.

Disney on Ice was spectacular....definitely a must see for all who have never been. It was amazing to see the kids' faces watch the movies they love and enjoy come to life on the ice. Lilyann was pointing and jabbering for the first 10 minutes of the show. She recognized some of the characters...and she just kept pointing. Dakota sat with Alexis on Grandma's lap...and they were so excited. Dakota to be "with his best friend Lexi" and Lexi to be with her Dakota and Grandma. The show consisted of story lines from The Lion King, Lilo and Stitch, The Little Mermaid, and Dakota's all time favorite, Peter Pan. To see his face when Wendy, John, and Michael flew with Peter Pan was priceless. It was a wonderful show.

When you thought I wasn't looking

Mom and Dad~finally empty nesters~ June 2008
My Dad with Lilyann~ June 2008

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING
~~ Author Unknown ~~
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking."


Saturday was my dad's birthday...and tomorrow is my Mom's birthday. I have the best parents a daughter could ever have. They have taught me so much. I know that if it weren't for all that my mom and dad taught me, I would have been wreck last year. Thank God for free long distance because I think I called my mom everyday for those few months after Lilyann's CHD diagnosis. To have someone tell you it is all right and God will pull you through this and give you the strength to make it to the next day means alot. I often wonder why I bickered and argued with my parents as I grew up. It was because I didn't see all that they saw. I'm not perfect; but i I think when I became a mom, I realized why my parents did what they did. It wasn't because they hated me or wanted me to "suffer"; they did what they did because they loved me.

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
~I Corinthians 13:11~

I remember my dad teaching us this verse during family devotions...and now I completely understand it.


My Mom and myself~ I think I am 2 yrs old here (1984 ?)

Happy Birthday, Dad and Mom!!

A little about us all...

I have been trying to get around to posting on the blog...It has been over a week since I sat down and posted. I will sit down and check emails and see what is happening with friends and family on facebook and then I have a child pulling on my arm or telling me, "I need to go pee pee, Mommy." Dakota has been potty training (yet again) But this time, he is doing 100% better. He is staying dry most days...we are working on getting the poopy in the potty instead of in his pull up or underwear. But I am happy with the pee pee success right now.

Lilyann had her 15 month checkup. She now weighs 20 lbs 3 oz (finally into the 12Th percentile for kids her age) and is 29 1/2 inches tall. Yes! we now consider her tall instead of long...Lilyann is a walker and sometimes a runner. It felt good, sitting in the room waiting on Dr. Waldrop, when I heard her say, "Wow, Lily has gotten big..she is finally growing and putting on some pounds." Lily is doing great gaining weight and growing given her 1st year of life. We are now working with Lilyann on learning the different parts of her body and talking more. She can say, Mama, Dada, and Na Na Na Na Na (she uses that for everything).

Here in East Texas it has rained for 3 days. And with the rain came cold temperatures. It has been in the 30s and 40s the last few days...and did I mention the rain?? Not complaining about it though; we have needed rain for a while. After the first day of rain, outside looked greener. It was as if the rain washed all the brown and yellow away. Earlier this week, we truly thought that Spring was here....the weather was gorgeous...in the 70s and up. And now, it is 37 degrees as I sit here typing.

Lilyann and Dakota at the park

our backyard today--it was still drizzling outside

Jed and I have been working on losing weight and getting more active. I have lost 7 lbs and I feel good. My goal is to lose more by the time Jed and I go on a weekend trip for our 5 yr wedding anniversary. April 30 is my deadline...we are planning on a trip that weekend, since our anniversary is a holiday weekend (Memorial Day weekend--May 28)

That is all that is going on with the Smiths this passed week...I hope you enjoy the pictures.

For what is your life?

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
~James 4:14~

Wilson P. Owens (1938-2009)

As the title asks: "For what is your life?" Is it remembered? Did you leave behind a legacy? Life is gone too quick...it is here one second and then gone the next. Do what you can with the life that God has given you. Live your life so that when you see the Saviour, he can greet you with a: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

Grandad left such an impact on all the lives that he touched. Whether it was someone he met in the Navy so many years ago, or a nurse or doctor in the hospital during his stay with Polio. Or maybe it was someone while he cut their hair or gave them a shave. Or even while he was the pastor of Oak Hill Baptist Church and later, New Hope Baptist Church. Or as he drove those many of miles across the United States as a trucker. Grandad was an influence to many and he will be greatly missed.

On Thursday, February 26, 2009, Grandad went home to be with the Lord. It was a bittersweet day. Grandad was going to heaven...no pain, no tears, no Polio, and no cancer. He is in a better place; but we were sad to lose our dear Grandad.

The viewing was held on Friday evening and the funeral on Saturday. It was such a wonderful service...full of memories, and tears of sadness and joy.

Just as we always do--so not to break tradition--when family is in town, we eat and have fun. Well, we kept that tradition. With all the delicious food sent from friends and family, no one went hungry. We spent Saturday afternoon and evening just spending time together (and eating, of course). Below is a picture of all the cousins that were there:

back row: Jessica, Brent, Brittiany, Jed

front row: Jerilyn, Jackie, Alexis, Katie, Dakota, Brooke (Lily was sleeping)

Boo and Lilyann--blowing kisses

This weekend, Lilyann learned to blow kisses. Her Boo taught her..it was the cutest thing watching the two of them blow everyone kisses. And I can't leave out what Lilyann learned from Uncle Leonard. He would clap his hands and try to get her to copy..which she would copy us...but when Uncle Leonard tried, Lilyann would clap her head...it was the cutest and always left a smile on Uncle Leonard's face and not to mention on Lily's, too.

Keep us all in your prayers...and for those following our blog, you can add Patria Owens (Boo) to your prayer list for blessings and strength during this time.