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!

a special visit

I had a very special visit from two of my most favorite people today...Jessica and Laura, my college roommates (and two of my closest friends). The last time that we were together was over two years ago (and 3 children less). Laura is visiting all the way from Alaska. Her husband and her (and two kids) are currently stationed there. Tony is currently in Iraq (we covet your prayers for him and family) and Laura is visiting family in VA. Jessica and her hubby (and son) live in Towson MD and we jumped at the opportunity to get together to see one another (and meet Caleb, Selah and Carson for the first time). i love and respect these ladies so much in so many ways...the time we had today was way too short! Lord willing, we will be able to get together again before laura heads back home!

The kiddos...Carson, Jaeden, Caleb and Selah

Beautiful Jaeden

Jessica and Caleb

Jaeden and Carson having fun jumping on the couch

Laura and her two girls, Jaden and Selah

a present help in trouble

'God is "a very present help in trouble." But He permits trouble to pursue us, as though He were indifferent to its overwhelming pressure, that we may be brought to the end of ourselves, and led to discover the treasure of darkness, the unmeasurable gains of tribulation. We may be sure that He who permits the suffering is with us in it. Let us not rely on feeling, but on faith in His unswerving fidelity; and though we see Him not, let us talk to Him. Directly we begin to speak to Jesus, as being literally present, though His presence is veiled, there comes an answering voice which shows that He is in the shadow, keeping watch upon His own. Your Father is as near when you journey through the dark tunnel as when under the open heaven!' - Mrs. Charles M Cowman, from Steams In the Desert

The BIG day...

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The wedding yesterday was such a testimony of God's amazing grace!It was such an honor for the whole family to be a part of it, not only because we love Dave and Alice so much, but because the Lord was glorified in so many ways. Dave and Alice both love the . Every detail of the wedding and reception were beautiful...most importantly, the bride. The evening was full of so many things...Carson being able to meet family on the Smith side for the very first time (and Jon and I being able to catch up with them). having my angel, Jessica and her hubby Mike there for the whole event. seeing friends from college again that jon nor i have seen since our wedding 4 years ago. having poppi officiate the service for his own son. catching up with my dear friend jen (who came all the way down from canada). seeing the joy and delight in both poppi and nana as they celebrated with their son and new daughter! and something that was so meaningful to us both, having the whole ceremony dedicated to our precious baby Chase. even though he was unable to be there, he was remembered by all. thank you Dave and Alice for allowing our whole family (even baby Chase) to be a small part of this amazing day!

70's style

The rehearsal dinner last night was done 70's style. everyone came in costume and the Smiths decorated the entire restaurant with decor from the 70's! unfortunately, i forgot to take some pics...so the one below is the only one i have. jon's costume says enough!!!

Best Buds

Since we have been back from NC Carson has had a lot of opportunituies to play with one of his best buds, KJ Hydoski. Here are a few shots from thier time of playing today at our house. Not only has it been a blast for little buddy to have KJ over so much to play with, but it has been so good for me to see his sin come out.
i now know that we really need to start working on sharing!! They had so much fun playing in the kitchen sink. As you can see KJ got a really excited. By the end the two boys were soaked and my kitchen was too (good thing today is cleaning day for me).
It was adorable to watch the boys play together...anywhere one went, the other was quick to follow. KJ decided to take a juice break and lie down on the floor. Seconds later, there was Carson, juice in hand, lying down right next to him.

Its been a long time...

Since I have posted. Carson and I went out of town for a week to NC to visit my family and then every time i attempt to post, my computer dies. So here is an attempt to post a short blog. the main reason for the trip down south was my sister, Kristiina's baby shower. i've attached a few pics from the event. it was such a joy to see my sister glowing (in beauty, excitment and anticipation)! Lord willing, next time i post her and little baby boy (due Feb 26th), i will have pictures of the little fella to include. i promise to try and post again soon with more detials of what is going on here in the smith household (i just don't want to push my luck with this computer)!!!

More Christmas photos

What a wonderful time we had with Poppi, Nana, Dave and Alice. time just seems to go by far too fast. Carson absolutley loves being at the Smiths house. he has a current fixation with Poppi...he must be within arms reach at all times (i am not kidding!!)...it is adorable to watch. he learned how to say uncle davie and please (i am SO excited about that one). and unfortunatley, he got sick while we were there...just when the throwing up ended, it started all over again. although we were not able to do as many fun activites as we had planned, it was wonderful snuggling with him (when he would allow time away from poppi) during the day and at all hours of the night! thank you poppi and nana for the MANY ways that you made our time SO special.

Christmas morning at the Smiths

Here are a few pictures from our time here at the Smiths!

Anyone want some pudding?

Carson loves to have pudding for desert. tonight, he was more intrested in playing with it than eating it. I went into the kitchen for a bit and when i returned this was what i saw (with dada encouraging him on)!!!!

My Angel

This post is WAY overdue. We have communicated our thanks for so many things through this blog to the reading world, but there is one person that I have yet to introduce you all to...my angel sent from above...Mrs Jessica Somerville (and her wonderful hubby Mike). the Somervilles approached Jon and I months ago with the desire to serve us in any way that they could. they offered Jess's help around the house and with carson a few days a week. A 'few days a week' eventually turned into everyday. Jessica did it all...cleaned, cooked, changed diapers, ran errands, laundry, cared for Carson in every way possible...

I have not only been served by Jessica practically over these past few months, but I have been given such a gift...an amazing friendship. I hardly knew Jess prior to this, but now consider her one of my closest friends. I miss her joyful spirit filling my house each day, encouraging me when needed, praying for me, making me laugh, teaching me so much (through her example and wisdom), and extending such love to me and my sons. I pray that I will be able to be the wife that she is to Mike, the friend that she has been to me and my family, and the extraordinary woman of God that she is one day!

Jessica, I love you dear friend and am grateful beyond words for you!

Finnish Baking

Today we had a visit from a very special person, my mom's best friend Tuula. I should restate that, not only my mom's best friend, but a second mom to me! Tuula is one of the kindest, most generous, and most loving persons that i know. She drove up from northern virginia today to do some traditional Finnish baking with Carson and I. Knowing that we are spending Christmas with the Smiths this year, she wanted to provide some traditional Finnish foods to the holiday (star cookies, karelian pies, and a rice dish). Although Carson was more fussy than usual today (which made it difficult to completely devote my attention to baking), it was WONDERFUL to spend a few hours together. Tuula, thank you for loving me and my family like your own children. We love you!


Since we are talking about my Finnish heritage, I thought that i would add a cute little picture of my part Finnish boy!

Here is another picture of holiday fun around the house...Carson checking out the Christmas tree (note how he climbed on top of some presents to get a better view)!