Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Congratulations!


I couldn't ask for a better husband. He is truly a rare find. Priceless.

We have known each other for 9 years. I remember meeting him on a mission trip to New Orleans. We talked almost the entire bus ride back to the church. It took maybe 2 months before he asked me out after that. And I agreed to give him 1 "courtesy date". We still laugh about it...I did tell him about calling our first date a courtesy date (the college president's wife always told us to give the guy a chance...at least 1 courtesy date and then make your decision. Don't just blow him off right at the beginning..give him a chance.) And look what 1 courtesy date turned into!! Amazing!

In May, Jed and I will celebrate our 7 year anniversary. We have 2 children and 1 on the way....It's amazing how things start out and then continue on and on and on and on.

Congratulations (again) to my wonderful hard working husband. He placed 3rd in overall commission-able sales and placements with his company last year. That's 3rd place in a company of over 4,000 employees

More photos from Arizona trip

Trying to make a funny picture...Me holding up a rock!

Jed and I....this was on The Boulder Trail...had some great views!

The Boulders....there was a guy rock climbing...you can't see him due to the sun...but it looked like fun!

The bird that lives in this cactus.

They were all over the place...some were hopping along the trails with us

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Home from Arizona

The natural beauty of Arizona





I know everyone loves to get away from it all every now and then...I am one that LOVES to!! But not for very long. I miss my house, my kiddos, my day-to-day life...you kinda get the picture, right?!

So........You can probably guess what I am going to say next...I am SO HAPPY to be HOME! To be able to kick my feet up, watch my TV, drink Sweet Tea (yes, the resort did not have Sweet Tea), have transportation at my leisure, and most of all...See, Hear, and Hug my wonderful kiddos.

The resort was FABULOUS!! Everything was done top notch. And right now, I am super tired. The 2 hour time zone difference in addition to being pretty much in an airport or airplane most of the day....It has a way of being exhausting.

Enjoy some of the pictures for now.

Walking back to the room from breakfast, I stopped for a photo...side view of Baby #3...they say you show early, I BELIEVE THEM!! 3 months along

Jed has the right idea of relaxation...I would love to have a big bathtub like this in my house

Breakfast on the Terrace

My strong Husband...holding up one of the Boulders

Friday, March 25, 2011

Late night, er-Early morning Musings

It's my mini vacation and I can't sleep...go figure! I think it has to do with the time change. I was so exhausted after the flights, registration at the resort, and then just the excitement of being here..that I'm sure I looked like a zombie at dinner. I think it's a 2 hour difference here from Texas time...So, really, it would be 5 in the morning. I slept for a few hours and now I am up and flipping wide awake.
Jed had a good time at the Welcome dinner. He was hobnobbing with a few big wigs. He was able to talk with the guy who was over parts distribution for the entire company. It amazed me at all that he knows about the different machines, etc. He was also talking with one of the vendors that so down to earth. He is a vendor of Kimberly-Clark. They sell the hand wipes to SafetyKleen. I told Jed to stay in good with that dude...His company also makes Huggies and Kotex:) lol
So, that's the happenings here. Oh! and it was freezing this evening...I was wearing a skirt and sandals...so sometime today, we are going shopping to find some pants for the night time events. The outdoor heaters were nice...But in the desert area and having the welcome dinner on the driving range was a bit too chilly for me. I think the next few group activities will be indoors. A lot of the other guests were in the same boat as myself. It was neat to meet people from all over the nation. I even saw some delegates from Canada.
This resort is GORGEOUS!! On our way to dinner, we saw rabbits and quail...I should have taken my camera with me...Don't worry, it is going with me today.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Upcoming trip emotions

I don't know if I have talked about this before...But at Jed's work Christmas party, we found out that Jed won a trip to Arizona to a resort for highest sales or something similar to that. But it isn't just a free vacation. It's a company sponsored trip..so each night there are Welcome dinners, Themed dinners, and an Award's Ceremony with dinner included. We pretty much have the day to ourselves which is fantastic. I could use a break to just relax...no one asking me for more cereal or to watch Tom and Jerry again.

Anywho, I am eager and anxious at the same time (2 different feelings all together). I am eager to get away, see somewhere new, attempt to take some pretty fantastic pictures, etc.. But I am anxious about the unknown, the fancy dinners-meaning I need to find something to go along with the dress code. Jed will have to wear a suit and tie for the Award's Ceremony...something he hasn't worn since we got married (except for a wedding he was in). I'm headed out today with Miss Lu to find something that would be considered cocktail dress worthy. I hope to find something nice and versatile..especially with this blooming belly. ♥

So, yes! that is how I am feeling today...and I still need to pack, get all the kids laundry washed up and ready for Grandma and Boo to be here with the kids, write a note to Dakota's teacher about the change in pickup, etc. Thursday can't come soon enough....

The kids are excited that Mommy and Daddy are going to fly on a big plane. Lily wants to fly with us...Dakota is excited that Grandma will be here.

I need to start some laundry...and then pull out the luggage...I am attempting to pack everything in 1 bag!!! I think I can do it.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Makes My Monday: "fishin wif Daddy!"


Lily is one that doesn't let you forget what you tell her you will do. Last weekend, Dakota went fishing on the boat with Daddy and a friend. Lily was devastated! She wanted to go, too. She stayed up til they got back from their night fishing trip..and told Daddy "I ready go fishing!" So, Daddy promised she could go in 7 days! (the next weekend) Well, Miss Lily told everyone and anyone that would listen for the next 7 days that she was going "fishin wif my Daddy!" We would go into a public restroom and the lucky person washing their hands would find out about Lily's plans. :)

Saturday morning came (Jed is usually a night fisher, but he opted for a morning trip with Lily) and we headed out to the lake. Lily was SO excited. She was kind of stand offish about getting into the rocking boat..but we got in, life jacket on...and headed out. Of course, the motor was a bit a loud to Lily...the reason for her plugged ears in some pictures. We didn't stay out for a long time...but Lily "caught a fishy"...She reeled in her pole and was ever so excited to see a tiny fishy on the hook. Given it was the minnow we used as bait...but she was still excited! We did get to see some pretty seagulls and ducks. Lily conveniently spilled her bugles in the boat, so they were tossed in the lake...attracting quite a show!

getting used to the sound of the boat motor

Lily and Daddy

fishing!!



The rest of the day was spent outside...working on house stuff and mowing the backyard...and of course, playing!

Kota having fun in the backyard...He stayed overnight with grandma, so he didn't go fishing this time

Looking for More Makes My Monday posts???
Check out Cheryl's blog at Twinfatuation for MORE Makes My Monday!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Life is.....CRaZy!


Dakota playing in the creek




Sorry I haven't posted anything since Monday....I tried to get on Tuesday evening to post a Way Back When-esday post, but my computer wasn't a fan of blogger that day or for the next day...crazy computer!!

The kids have been ....let me tell you...in a bit of moods this week. It must the time change in addition to "spring is in the air", and Spring break on top of all that. One minute...happiest kids in the world. You couldn't find a kinder brother or sister. Then within a blink of an eye, it's crazy time at our house. One whining about "that's mine!" the other hollering "You ARE NOT THE BOSS!!! Mommy is the boss!!"

Pregnancy is going good... I have never been this tired in all my life. I could sleep all day, wake up to eat and shower and then go back to bed. (wouldn't that be the life?!) I am so forgetful lately, too...so if I already posted about this..just skip on down to the next paragraph. This pregnancy, coffee makes me so sick. I am so used to having my daily coffee...and now, It's just water or decaf tea ( the kids love tea, but I don't like when they have all the caffeine). I hope by the 2ND trimester, this little one will let Momma enjoy a small cup every now and then.

The kids enjoyed a sunny picnic lunch ..It was shady when I put the blanket down....but now sunny. Of course, just in time for the candid photo!

the house...before we started doing any home improvements

Not quite finished...so this is still a work in progress...but looking good thanks to my mother in law and Boo


Lily got into Mommy's nail polish this week...She wanted pink toes and that is just what she gave herself!! She was SOOO proud of her pink toes!

Monday, March 14, 2011

Daylight Savings


What I enjoy the most about Spring Forward Daylights Savings Time is the longer evenings. This evening, we took advantage of the extra sunlight and went for a walk after dinner. We walked up to the football field and let the kids kick the soccer ball around for a bit. The kids didn't seem to want to share the ball...so more running and "gimme" went on ...but at least, they ran some energy off.

Here are some pictures for your enjoyment!



Lily...looking a bit dis shelved. She couldn't decide whether she wanted her jacket on or off

the sun going down

Makes My Monday: Windows and Kumquats

Lily with her bouquet of flowers from the backyard....you can tell she has been outside playing all day with her dirty hands and face.


This weekend, we worked on windows outside and inside. I painted shutters (we are going from white to brown), cleaned the inside front windows, changed out the blinds, and cleaned out one flowerbed. Jed and his mom worked on getting all the old caulk off the windows and replacing with new caulk. We will be repainting the windows sometime this week. Lily was quite the little helper. She wanted to help with EVERYTHING...painting, window cleaning, etc. I finally convinced her that I needed her help to blow bubbles for me which she readily agreed to do. After that, she helped me by picking some more flowers. Dakota is more the kinda kid who wants to sit inside and watch TV or play video games. He was out and about for a bit. It was a perfectly sunny weekend.

Lily spraying the window...Boo (Jed's grandmother) is the one sitting in the chair

Helping mommy clean windows

Lu Bell and Daddy taking a rest

And of course, I had to throw in one of Dakota

I am now at Week 10....The baby is the size of a kumquat. Last week, Dakota was telling everyone that the baby was the size of a grape...thanks to babycenter.com for the visual aids in explaining to Dakota how the baby starts out super tiny. Things are going well. I am starting to get used to not having my morning cup of coffee. This baby must HATE coffee. Every time I drink it, It makes me sick. And my sense of smell is through the roof....I don't venture to the gym as much because of the conglomeration of smells there. But I do try to make it a few times a week. I am losing a bit of weight which I think is a combination of the baby's dislike for certain foods and the fun of morning sickness. I am not losing a rapid amount...so I'm not too worried.

This week is Spring Break for Dakota....which is fantastic. It came at the perfect time. Time Change effects everyone but especially us. Thankfully, we will have a week to get back on the right schedule. I hope to get out and about a bit this week with the kids...since we can go whenever and wherever.

*Linking up with Cheryl from Twinfatuation for Makes My Monday

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Surprise!!!



It's official!! We are expecting Baby #3....due October 10Th. I am currently 9 wks and 5 days. I had my first sonogram today and Lily said (when the sono tech showed Lily the screen) "there's a baby in your belly, Mommy!"

We were taken completely by surprise with this pregnancy. The weekend of Dakota's birthday, I was so sick...I thought I had caught the flu from Dakota. I had a head cold, fever, and body aches...in addition to nausea (which I thought then was just from sinus drainage). The nausea continued...so on February 2ND, I took a home pregnancy test..and It was positive!!!! I was in complete shock!

I am still getting used to the idea of being a mommy of 3...but It is getting easier to accept. This year is going to be full of changes. We are still in the process of finishing home improvements to sell our house....we HAVE to find a bigger house or at least, make this house accommodate our growing family.
Dakota is excited. He wants me to have a boy, so that he can have a brother. But he did ask if I could make sure the brother was 4 years old, so that he would have someone to play with. ♥
Lily still doesn't understand much..but she does know that there is a baby in Mommy's belly....she thinks she has a mouse in her belly, though...hahaha! the way a child's brain works.

I was going to word this all differently. We found out we were pregnant on Groundhog Day...so I told Jed that I guess it's not "6 more weeks of winter for us" but 9 months of exciting changes!!!

Today is the Big Day!!

I am a bundle of nerves...but all is good.
I will give you more of a for sure update when I get back from the doctor's office *hint hint*

So, just bear with me at least til lunch :)

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Way Back When-esday: Look at Me NOW!!!


Lily...March 2008...just over 3 months old


Today at the gym, I saw someone familiar. It was Lily's night nurse, Miss Venus, from when she was hospitalized before her surgery. She was our favorite. Her and the Nurse's Aid, Fiona. They always knew just how to keep Lily comfortable and that's where Lily got her nickname Lily bean ... from Fiona. She would come through at night with fresh warm blankets and get Lily all snuggled down for the night. Lily was so very tiny back then...that was why she was hospitalized. Her diagnosis (besides her heart condition) was Failure to Thrive. Lily was just over 3 months, I think, and she was barely weighing 9 lbs. This was when she had to have the NG tube put in...after that, she started gaining some weight.

Lily...with NG tube added

Just chilling at the hospital...This visit lasted 11 days.

So...My Way Back When-esday post is being brought to you by seeing a wonderful nurse today. Sadly, I don't have any pictures of the nurses during our stay...but I do have some of Sweet Lily.

Lily Bell....March 2011

Linking up with Cheryl from Twinfatuation for Way Back When-esday

And for all my avid readers....Check back Thursday....I have something exciting to post about !!

Monday, March 7, 2011

Makes My Monday: The Wall is UP!



Lu loved when the frame was up...she was in and out, and out and in!



In June, we will have lived in our house for 6 years. And finally, almost 6 years later, we have put up the wall in the garage. We would have put the wall up earlier, but time and money were our main enemies. When we bought our house, the garage was considered unfinished. They had put a makeshift wall up out of the garage door...and most of the walls of the garage were sheet rocked and border was put around the room. But we had the garage door taken down and we replaced it with Lattice to keep people out and our stuff in.

Jed and his mom (who I am sure could have her own HGTV show) worked most Saturday and Sunday to make the frame, rip down old siding, and finish up the wall.
Dakota even got in the action...helping paint the siding boards to match the rest of the house. Lily just loved being outside the whole time.

Lu Bell...enjoying some good outside time!

Jed showing Kota what to do

The guys painting the new wall!

Home improvements Make My Monday!! We are one step closer to either a quicker house sale or making our house bigger to accommodate our growing children. ♥

*Linking up with Cheryl from Twinfatuation for Makes My Monday

Friday, March 4, 2011

Fresh Air and Dollar Tree prizes

We have had some gorgeous weather this week....And look what's blooming in my backyard!! Spring is near!

Who would have thought that a trip to the Dollar Tree could bring siblings together?! Lily actually let Kota "take her prisoner!"

After a day of beautiful weather, playing with her brother...Miss Lu is all wiped out!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Flighty!




Hello to all my readers!
Sorry I have not been staying on top of updating the blog and posting frequently. I try to update as much as possible....whether with a comical picture or a witty thought or even just a play-by-play of our day. I will try to do better.

It is beginning to feel like Spring here...we are still almost 3 weeks short of the 1st day of Spring..but the temperatures, sunny skies, and chirping birds beg to differ.

With seasons changing soon...there will be a change going on here at the Smith house. I will share about this little change in a couple of weeks. So stay tuned.

As for now, I am starting to declutter and pack a few things. With this gorgeous weather, we should be able to knock out some of the home improvements we need to do before putting our house on the market. I try to do at least one home activity each day...whether it be going through clothes or packing away dvds, clearing off bookshelves...you know, small things that make the house more show worthy.

The last 2 days we have ventured out to the park...On Monday, we flew kites! It was fabulously windy kite weather.