Added Grace

i read this poem the other day and was encouraged so much. i was reminded of how much more of Him i have seen and beheld than ever before! what an amazing Savior!

The Thorn

I stood a mendicant (beggar) of God
before His royal throne
And begged Him for a priceless gift,
which i could call my own.
I took the gift from out His hand,
but as I would depart,
I cried, "But Lord this is a thorn
and it has pierced my heart.'
This is a strange, a hurtful gift
that Thou hast given me."
He said, 'My child, I give good gifts
and give my best to thee.'
I took it home and though at first,
the cruel thorne hurt severe;
As long years passed I learned at last
to love it more and more.
I learned He never gives a thorne
without this added grace...
He takes the thorn to pin aside...
the veil which hides His face.
-Martha Snell Nicholson

Welcome Baby Long

My nephew Robert 'Bobby' Julian Long was born today. i wish so much that i was there to support, celebrate and share in this moment with my sis, her hubby and newborn. Baby and mom are both doing well (and dad is VERY proud). Kristiina, know that i am so proud of you. even though i have not yet meet my adorable little newphew, i love him so dearly! can't wait to meet him!

confessions of an almost two year old

We have a white chair that has a large stain on it. not sure why carson automatically assumed, but when he first saw it he said, "oh-no, coffee, dada.' I asked, "did dada spill his coffee?' nodding yes, he said, 'dada, oh-no"

snap shots from our life...

here are a few photos that capture life here at the smith household...





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cooking lessons from carson...

lesson number one:

brown sugar and fresh squeezed lemon juice don't taste that good together!

i mentioned that carson loves to cook. carson saw me squeezing the juice out of a fresh lemon tonight while making dinner. taking the other half, he squeezed it, just as i did...added a little brown sugar and took a nice big bite! that was the end of cooking for the night for him.

long time...

no post!!!!!

okay, okay...i have heard from a lot of you that i have not posted in FOREVER! my computer has crashed and time that i have to use jon's compiter, i have wanted to be with him instead...can you blame me? so, i don't have any pics to post right now (i know, the best part), but i can give you some updates on life here in the smith household. the biggest...we have become a household of 5! newlyweds, seth and janet have moved in to our basement. it has been a joy getting to know the both of them over the past two weeks and learning so much from them already! after a season of sickness, everyone seems to be doing well (praying that it will continue that way). my dad came into town and painted my kitchen yellow..i love it...thanks dad! updates on carson...where to begin? he brings so much joy to jon and i each day. he loves the movie 'Cars' and plays with his play cars ALL day. he LOVES to cook. each day he asks me at least 20 times if we can 'cuook.' he then proceeds to ask me for an 'eqee' (which means egg). it amazes me how much he learns just from watchiing me...he will crack the egg on the side of a bowl and throw the shells into the sink. for those of you who know that my boy does not sleep well...he has been sleeping MUCH better (praise the Lord). he is trying to talk more and more each day (i feel like each day has a new word from him). i feel like i could go on and on. i hope to be able to post again soon and next time with pictures!