a few more pics...

David and Alice arrived on Wend night!!!

Out to dinner


Dancing the night away with nana

Carson loves to make up new dance moves...check this one out!


and another!!

Uncle Davey provided lots of fun for Carson...making a ride out of a beach towel...
pulling him in the beach cart! Carson loves Davey!

more pics

vacation has been a blast. here are some pics from the last few days. Carson spending time with dada as he spends time on the computer. poppi, dada and carson playing in the big hole we dig each day (that carson plays in for hours, digging, dumping, jumping, falling, and more and more digging).

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more updates on the smith vacation

Poppy and Nana arrived late last night. Today was overcast and very windy, but made the day on the beach very cool (I had to cover up with a towel to keep warm). Carson goes back and forth from digging in the sand to touching his toes in the water. He has loved EVERY minute with both poppy and nana, giving lots of hugs and smiles!!

vaction has begun!!!

We offically left today for our summer vacation!!! we thought it would be fun to post pics (as often as we can) of all that we are doing here. the car ride went great, we've settled in and even had time to take carson down to the water after dinner. when he saw the waves for the first time he began to shout in excitment. He then, without fear or hesitation ran right into them! we are excited to see what the rest of the week holds for us

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A visit from Grampi

Grampi drove up from NC to visit us these past couple of days. Carson LOVES his Grampi. When he walked in the door, Carson wasn't quite sure...he sat on the couch opposite him and slowly inched his way over. Then without hesitation, he dove into his lap.

On Sunday, when Grampi and I picked him up from nursery at church, he saw me and smiled. He saw Grampi and began to cry, reaching his arms out for him to hold him! Grampi was such a blessing to us all...letting me get some extra rest in the mornings, watching Carson while we had a doctors appointment, playing with Carson for countless hours, building towers with his blocks, going to the pool, helping around the house and of course, fixing a broken towel rack, outlet, and fixing up the van (it would not be a visit from Grampi unless he fixed something around the house)!!!

We love you Grampi and thank you so much for coming to see us!

We love Tucker!!!

We sure do love Tucker around here...especially Carson! I do have to say, Tucker is the best dog ever(so patient and forbearing with little buddy).

goodness and goodness only

This pregnancy has seemed so long, but now I have come to realize that I only have a few short months left with my little boy. It is as though my perspective has radically changed over night. There are so many decisions yet to be made concerning his birth and death, things to think through, pray about, things both jon and I have avoided thus far. At times it can just seem like too much too fast (funny that we have had 5 months now to prepare for this). the hardest thought of all is thinking that I soon am going to have to let this little one go. When I end with these thoughts, I am usually tempted to despair, but when I lift my eyes to Him who carries my burdens for me…I am filled once again with hope. He has given me grace each and every day for the past 5 months to carry this burden and I can trust that He will provide when ‘that’ time comes in a few short months.

My soul was feed this morning from the book, Besides Still Waters by CH Spurgeon (page 91). He knows our future needs and out of the fullness of Christ Jesus He provides from his goodness…it is goodness that He has prepared for the poor in heart. Goodness, and goodness only. ‘My grace is sufficient for you,’ (2 Cor12:9). ‘As your days, so shall your strength be.’ (Deut 33:25)…you will never be in a position where Christ can not help you. There will never be a bind in your spiritual life where Jesus Christ will not be equal to the emergency. Your history is foreknown and provided for in Jesus Christ.

bad hair day?

Carson woke up from his afternoon nap today with the best bedhead i've seen in quite some time (not counting what mine looks like when i look in the mirror each morning)! see for yourself...

4th of july fun...

We had a wonderful day spending time as a family today. We spent the afternoon at the pool and hung out with friends for some yummy food and fellowship at night. carson didn't make it till the fireworks...he crashed at 9pm (just as they were starting). maybe next year!!

Dancing with mama

Riley is sharing some her dinner with Carson

Swimming at the pool with dada

Having fun with Riley and Carthy

some new pics of our little buddy...

trash excitment!!!!

For those of you who heard Brain's sermon this past Sunday, you'll remember his illustration about Liam and the garbage truck. his illustration became alive in the smith household today. i went to get carson from his morning nap. as soon as i turned off the noise maker in his room he heard the 'beep, beep, beep,' from the garbage truck backing up. his eyes widended and he began frantically grabbing for the curtain next to his crib (little does he understand that it looks out to the backyard). his arms threw high into the air and with desperation on his face, he whinned for me to pick him up. we rushed to the front window so he could see his friends, the garbage men! his intensity and seriousness made me laugh the whole time!

Smith baby #2 is a....

BOY! We found out at our last doctor’s appointment that we are having a baby boy! No names as of yet, but we will keep you posted. Carson was very active in the womb, but nothing compared to this little fellow. As I lie awake at night from his fierce kicks, elbows and jabs, I imagine that he is going to be strong. I imagine that just like his big brother he is going to love to dance and run and kick the ball. I love to imagine him running, unlike Carson constrained by mama’s words of, ‘no street, son,’ or ‘hold mama’s hand,’ or the fence in our backyard, I picture him running in fields so vast and beautiful- beyond my imagination. Colors so vibrant and alive, too beautiful for my meager mind to comprehend. I picture him dancing to a melody never heard before by Carson or I. A melody so sweet, so fragrant, so amazing, breathing life into his soul. I imagine his smile (will he have a dimple like his brother), will his eyes glisten, be blue?!? I imagine him worshiping and dancing from day one, something that has taken Carson a year to figure out…this little one will be doing from the very beginning. I imagine the day when I will be able to dance hand in hand with my son… not on his wedding day…but on a day more glorious and more special…the day when we will both be face to face with our Savior!

It breaks my heart to imagine how frail and weak my little boy is now within the womb. But when he kicks me with such strength, I am reminded how in only a few short months he will be made new…no deformities, no weakness!!! I imagine how the Lord is going to use my son’s strength for his glory and his purposes in Heaven. What even brings me more delight is to know that the strength of the Lord truly is going to be his delight each and every day. How precious these moments are for me as a mommy, to feel my son within me. My love for my new son grows stronger with each and every kick. I know that far too soon I will long for these days again (as hard as some of them have physically been). I am blessed with this time now that he is my womb, for I know until ‘that day’ comes when I will see him again, this is my time with my precious little boy! Please pray that I cherisher each and every one.

Whats new with us?!?

Carson is turning more and more into a little boy each day (although i still try to baby him as much as possible). He is saying more words by the minute...apple, ballon, ball, all done, amen, tuck, baba (bottle), and his favorite, bye-bye. He loves to wave (a backwards wave to himself) and say bye bye when anyone leaves the room. He LOVES to dance. he hears the word 'music' and his beautiful blue eyes light up in excitment. He loves to jump around in his crib after a nap, throwing his animals and blankie out and going crazy (jumping, throwing himself down, running back and forth). and is laugh is priceless...my favorite is his little squeel. he smiles so big (his little dimple comes out) and you can just see the delight in his eyes. he brings us so much joy...an undeserving gift, indeed!




The whole family was having a dance party...Tucker included!!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DADA!!!!

Dada, I LOVE you because…..
You always make me smile. You give me tons of hugs and kisses and always tell me you love me. You give the best baths (you’re the only one who knows how to make the waterfall). You give me the ‘good’ snacks…chips, chettos (things mama usually doesn’t do). And talking about food…you give me tons of sugar! When you get home from work, its loud time…fun time… the best time of the day. You play rough with me, throwing me on the couch, throwing pillows at me. You let me ride Tucker. You give the best smonkers ever. You convince mama to buy the cool flip flops and cool clothes. I always see you reading your bible in the morning and praying to God (although I’m not quite sure what it means, I know it must be important if you do it every day). I can’t wait to be able to read to do it just like you. you always tell me you are praying for me, I know you love me cause you do. You serve mama and me every day, by going to work to serve God’s people and then coming home to play with me and help mama in so many ways. I can’t wait to get big like you so that I can do everything just like you do! I love you so much dada and there is no one in the world that I would rather be like, thank you for your example! I love you, I love you, I love you!!!

Ice Cream at the Rio

One of our favorite spots to go is the Rio. We decided to go tonight after dinner so that Carson could watch the ducks in the pond, run around like a crazy man and eat some yummy ice cream.

Swimming

Carson has found a new favorite for the summer time...the pool! he loves going to the community pool and today discovered his own pool in the backyard.

a fortress and refuge

'But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and refuge in the day of distress. O my strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love!' - Psalm 54:16-17

The Lord continues to reveal to me that He alone is my fortress and refuge. the past week has been difficult...I have been more sick than normal and more weak due to it. I continue to look to a change in circumstances, more rest, the 'right' food to eat that will stay down, help with Carson, help with the household chores for my refuge. If only...than I will feel so much better. The Lord has been so gracious to provide all of the above for me (well, maybe not that perfect food that works), and yet I still find myself weak and in the trenches of this sickness. He continues to draw me to Himself. To see that although he has not taken these circumstances away, it is Him and Him alone that continus to be my rock and provider. He provides my daily strength again and again and again. Oh, how great is the steadfast love of the Lord! Help me Lord, to sing of your praises all the day long!!!!

Our favorite time of the day

Our most favorite time of the day (for the whole family) is when dada gets home from work. When Carson hears, 'dadas home,' he runs to the screen door (with his side kick Tucker, of course) to await Jon's entrance. He squeals in delight as Jon gets closer and closer!

Tears...

I had a harder day this past Saturday. A number of circumstances and events brought much sorrow and pain to my heart. In spending time with the Lord that day, through many tears, I was only able to make it through singing the hymn 'How Firm a Foundation' to my Lord. Though this was all I did in the hour I spent with Him, my soul was uplifted. The pain and hurt still remain, but I fear not, for I know that I am upheld by His righteous right hand. I trust that He is with me, my troubles to bless!!!

(parts of the hymn...):
Fear not, I am with you, O be not dismayed;
for I am your God, and will give you aid;
I'll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,
upheld by my righteous. omnipotent hand.

When through the deep waters I call you to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be with you, your troubles to bless,
and sanctify to you your deepest distress.

When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
my grace, all-sufficient, shall be your supply;
the flame shall not hurt you; I only design
your dross to consume and your gold to refine.

carson's funnies this week

Carson provides so much entertainment for me each week, I just have to fill you in on what I can remember. Carson loves to watch big trucks. When I hear the recycling truck arrive on Thursday mornings, I rush to open the front door. Carson presses himself up against the glass door, banging with excitement and waves to his friends (the recycling workers). They love to honk the horn for Carson and give lots of waves back.
In an attempt to step over Tucker this week, Carson got stuck half way in between. Realizing that he was sitting on top of Tuck, he grinned ear to ear and began to try and ride Tucker like a cowboy! Tucker allowed so much, before getting up (throwing Carson off).
Tonight, Carson shared an orange with me right before going to bed. We sure know one thing, sugar makes our son go CRAZY! Sprinting around the house, pulling ALL of the toilet paper out of the bathroom, climbing on everything, hitting himself in the head, laughing at who knows what. He provided much entertainment for us!
Then there are so many little things..looking at a picture of dada and then running to the front door expecting him to walk in. Running to me on the couch, repeating the words, 'yumyum, yumyum,' then running into the kitchen to see if I will follow to get him a yummy treat. Repeatedly hitting himself in the head anytime he hears the word 'ouch.' Jabbering on and on about who knows what in a language only he can discern. Oh, how much I love my son!