Visit with Family

My parents, sister and my nephew Bobby were in town this past week. They were able to see the new house and spend time with us. Dad worked on the lawn and fixed the few thing that needed fixing (thank you so much Papa). Mom and Kristiina were able to go to Ikea one day and we all headed to the Airpark Cafe for breakfast (which both boys seemed to enjoy). We all enjoyed our time together, even though Carson had the most difficult time 'not being the only grandchild.' Between the tantrums and 'not sharing,' we had a good time. Thank you Papa,Mimmi and Auntie K for coming to be with us. We love you dearly and can't wait for vacation in the summer.

The boys playing out back









Watching the planes at Airpark Cafe





Just hanging out




After the boys went down...Papa, Mimmi, K, Jon and I played cards each night...

Move In and Carson's B-Day

Wow! Am I behind in blogging, or what??? Well, we are in our new home and it is nothing short of AMAZING!!! We have experinced nothing but the Lord's grace since we have been here. Carson has adjusted SO well, which is a HUGE answer to prayer. We feel settled and much at home. We thank the Lord daily for the gift in this new home, but more than that the gift in this AMAZING neighborhood. We are surrounded with so many friends and great neighbors. It is such a gift from God, every afternoon that it has been nice outside, Carson and I have been out back anywhere from 3-6pm with 15+ of our friends kids!

I am blogging backwards...posting pictures from Carson's 3rd Birthday Party (that we had last weekend) and pictures of the new home are soon to come!

This past Saturday we had a late birthday party for Carson and a cookout with neighbors. Of course, the theme was 'Lighting MaQueen.' Here are a few pictures from the event:

Opening Presents



His 'Cars' birthday cake (the most important part of the whole party to him)



Cooking Out




The Big kids taking a break!




These were too funny not to post...Carson and Gracie having fun with the tree...



And the result...

Quote of the Day

We were leaving the house to run errands. Carson held the front door open for me. After closing it, he said (with a huge smile on his face), 'Mama, I am a gendelman. I hold da door open for ladies.'

Easter Sunday

What a glorious Sunday! One of my favorite times of the year...Easter Sunday. Christ has conquered death and sin and he lives FOREVER! What joy it was to experience this blessed holiday with my family and friends.

We had the wonderful privilege of experiencing Easter morning with the Jansen family. Hot cross buns, fresh fruit salad (thanks to 'Dutch' -Mr. Jansen) and a time of prayer and fellowship. After hearing one of the best 'Easter' sermons at church by CJ Mahaney, we traveled to the Smith household to further celebrate. Nana spoiled Carson (and the rest of us) with beautiful Easter baskets and a delicious dinner. Carson's favorite would be playing with Uncle Davie and Aunt Alice's new puppy Asher (and of course Jovi)!

I am freshly reminded this day of the power of the cross. How an undeserving sinner, like myself is saved through the blood of Christ. Praise Jesus that He has risen!!!

Carson opening his Easter basket from Mana



Carson playing with baby Asher and Jovi





A shot with my two favorite girls...Nana and Auntie Alice




A photo shot with our 'other family' the Jansens' before church on Sunday morning

Carson's Full Name

Carson and I were on a walk the other day. I was teaching him his full name, Carson Foy Smith (Foy is my maiden name).



After practicing a few times, I asked him, 'What is your full name?'

He said, 'Carson 'lil' boy' Smifh.'

Conversations with Carson

The other night Carson and I were driving home in the car. He was talking to himself...

'Jesus died for sins...Jesus died..Jesus died right here (pointing out the window), no, right there...no I died right there.'

I said, 'Carson, we don't say that 'I died' to die is a sad thing. That is why Jesus' death is so important. He had to die for our sins'

Seeing that Carson was not following what I was saying, I said,

'Do you remember baby Chase?'

He said, 'Yes'

'He died and is now with Jesus in heaven. That is why Jesus died...so that when people who love Jesus die, they go to heaven to be with him forever.'

Carson immediately got quiet and had a concerned look on his face.

He said, 'Mama, I'm a sinner and need a Saviour.'

I am thinking...wow!!!

Then in the same breath he says....'and I'm the BAD GUY..Yeah...I'm so silly' (in a wicked little voice and laughing).

Well, it was a brief moment!!!

Blog Changes

I have made a few changes to the blog...why? Because all of us here at the Smith household long for summer. We are already planning our first surfing trip of the season!! Carson even told me the other day after waking up that he had a dream he was at the beach. He said, 'I not scared, mama. I surf, just like dada...I not scared.'

Carson Quotes

It has been a while since I have posted some of the things that Carson has been saying these days. Here are a few:











He picked up my cell phone and said, 'Wait Mama, just wait. I gotta get a message. A message from the Lord.'



We share a bedroom and when I went to bed the other night he was still awake. A few minutes after 'trying' to go to bed, he said, 'Mama, you bored? Let's make an airplane.' He continued to tell me how to make it and then we took off. He squeals in delight, 'I'm so excited mama, I'm so excited.'



It is funny...quotes happen all day and yet I can not remember them! Overall, Carson is becoming such a boy. He brings so much joy to my day each and every day.

Here are some pictures of his new 'big boy hair cut!

Bobby 1st B-Day

Carson and I spent the weekend in Raleigh NC to celebrate my nephew Bobby's 1st birthday. It has been so much fun spending time with my sister, uncle Sam and of course, Bobby! And the party was great...Kristiina did an amazing job planning a party for 30+ people. Here are some pictures from our time:

Play Time




Bobby's first bubble bath (with some help)







The Birthday Party



Beginning to eat the cake



The final result



Playing outside with Bobby and his other cousins

Where Have We Been????

Happily tucked away in the basement of the Jansens. Life here is WONDERFUL! I am daily amazed at the Lord's kindness in bringing us here (or should I say, pressing it upon the Jansen's hearts to open their home to us). We are benefiting so much from the Jansens....

Although relaxing, our time here has not been dull (thanks to Carson). Here are a few funnies/accidents:

* I entered into the bathroom to give Carson his bath. He looked at me and said, 'I did it mama,' pointing to the toilet. 'You did what,' I asked. 'the plug, is down the toilet.' I then proceeded to look everywhere for the plug to the bathtub. It was later confirmed that Carson did flush it down the toilet when Emily tried to flush the toliet later that night to no prevail! Thank you Lord for plumbers!

* The family dog Cassie ran away one day. Mrs Jansen (Gigi) was out in the car looking for her. I got Carson ready to get in the car to help her look. Walking up the stairs Carson looked at me and says (with much concern on his face), 'oh no mama, Gigi run away.'

* during our first week here, we had just returned from the grocery store. I left a bag with a carton of milk and a tub of cottage cheese on the stairs to take to the downstairs fridge. Carson proceeded to throw the bag down the stairs, milk and cottage cheese exploded and went everywhere! trying to get cottage cheese out of a burber carpet is NOT fun!!!

On a serious note...we are so grateful to God for ALL that He has blessed us with. We are excited to get into our new home, yet enjoying every minute that we have here with the Jansens'.

I hope to post some new pictures soon!

We have been busy!

It has been a long time since i last posted! In the past two weeks we moved our house into a storage unit, settled on our home, moved into the Jansen's basement, and celebrated Christmas with the Smiths. We have experienced nothing but the Lords grace to us in each event. He provided SO many people to help us, making the move possible. Thank you to all the helping hands. He provided a rich time with family, enjoying time with one another and celebrating the birth of our Saviour again (what more could you ask for?). The Lord provide us an amazing temporary living situation with the Jansen's (so much more than we deserve). They have not only opened their home to us, but welcomed us as family. Words can not express how thankful we are to them...we will be eternally indebted to them. Thank you Jansen's!!!

I regret that I hardly took any pictures while we were with the Smiths. This is the only one I have from our time opening gifts.



Dave got Alice a puppy for Christmas...little Jovi!



Carson LOVES Jovi. He had the best time chasing her outside (getting tackled again and again and again).




Carson loves being at Dutch (Dennis) and Gigi's (Susan)house. It has taken him a while to adjust to all the change and understand that we are not leaving to go back home. We are getting into more and more of a routine each day. We have all enjoyed every moment that we are able to spend with the Jansen's and learn from their compelling examples in so many ways.




And Carson has a new best friend...the family dog Cassie! Here he is getting lots of kisses.