Basically our crazy December

December was a busy month for us...
We traveled to Columbia 3 times and Charlotte, NC 2 times. ALOT of driving! Anyway since Danielle had a doctors appt in Columbia after we went there we decided it was a perfect opportunity to visit one of the parks there in downtown Columbia. It was Finlay Park. So pretty. We played there for a little bit and had lunch(crock pot BBQ Beef-which I cooked the day before..yum!)

Once we got to Charlotte and checked in to our hotel, we decided since I had never eaten at a Cracker Barrel that we should try it. Eeeehhh, I wasn't impressed. But I loved the peg game so much we bought one!

(Christmas with Danielle happened before the park and Cracker barrel,but to be honest I tried to move them and it would work!)

So the week that Danielle left we celebrated Christmas with her. It was kinda bitter sweet. My girl has never spent Christmas morning without me and this was a reminder that she wouldn't be there with us this year. I'm so happy her family in California enjoyed but she was missed at her home!

As in the the post 2 times ago...Elijah has hiding spots all around the house. In December they were:


...in my glad ware cabinet.

and behind the Christmas tree!

More pics to come but I gotta get on to my chore list!

Until next time...

Be Blessed,

FuNnY fAcE!!

When Rylie was about Elijah's age she used to always make this face when she was excited or if you said "Funny Face"!


Now that Elijah is about the same age as Rylie was in the picture above, he now makes the same face! Too cute! :)

New year, kinda new ways...

Happy New Year! :)

I have decided there will be no resolutions this year. Mainly because I NEVER stick to them and only partly because they are almost always depressing...like loose weight or stop eating out so much or get on a budget and stay on one. LOL So this year will different. This year our family will just strive to be more and more Christ-like. We should already be doing this but since we struggle because we are not perfect we will consciously make an effort to do it everyday.

Lucky for us, being Christ-like means eating better, being better stewards of our money and body and most importantly being kind, considerate, giving and LOVING to our neighbors and ourselves. Sounds more like a life style not a resolution. :)

And since we haven't uploaded any pics in awhile, be on the look out for some in our next post. Charlotte trip, Christmas and just hanging out around the house! Until then here's a teaser...

....this is Elijahs new hiding place...our glad ware cabinet. WE really need to install those baby latches!

Have Blessed and Safe New Year,

~*~Christmas Blessings~*~

Whew...where has this month gone to?? Shoot, what about this year??

It seems the older I get the quicker the time goes by.

Anyway, here in the Smith household we were probably like any other family this holiday season...CrAzy BuSy! I vowed that I wouldnt let it be that way but alas, it seems thats always the case. We are Blessed though. We have family, friends, church family and neighbors who love us and pray for us. I would have to say that that is and has been the BEST gift we have recieved this year!

I know, I know...very cliche. But for real, prayer has brought us through some serious things this year. Since my family is by far the most important next to God, I couldnt think of a gift more appropriate then that all year long to protect us from harm. :)

Speaking of gifts..material ones that is: Our children were abundantly blessed. Every year we say we arent gonna be buying much because the family does so joyfully, but again thats hardly ever the case. Danielle spent the holidays in California with her grandparents and aunts/uncles. She had a BLAST!!! But she also got the ONE thing (and many many other things) she has really really really really wanted for Christmas: An American Doll! The girl has more clothes the I have for my real baby! Hahaha

Rylie got a bike! Watch out world the child is a natural! She could ride that thing all day and NEVER tire...my legs remind of my lack of exercise and she reminds me that in order to keep up with her and her new bike I need to exercise! Funny girl I tell ya!

Elijah..sweet baby eli. His fav thing...hhhmmm. I think I would have to say the wrapping paper everything was wrapped in. He played more with that then any toy he was given. But coming in a close second was his Chuck trucks and cars. Definetly a must have for little guys and with no small parts or metal pieces it makes me a happy mama too...having a boy is waaaayy different. I{heart} my boy! :)

Kevin & Jacki: 1. A bill from MUSC totaling 10450.00 for outpatient treatment for Danielle with a copy of our account statement attched reading "PAID IN FULL-0 BALANCE-MERRY CHRISTMAS! MUSC Billing :) Praise God! He is always providing.

2. My dream minivan- a new Honda Odessey with ALL of the bells and whistles. My fav: heated leather seats...aaahhh!

Family: Baby Jesus...The Ultimate Gift!

We hope everyone had a blessed Chirstmas and a safe and happy new year 2011!!

**jOyFuL GiViNg**

Joyful Giving.

This season I am trying to teach my children about giving. Not just giving because you should
but giving because He gave. It has been a pretty hard topic to teach by traditional teaching methods. Plus as I was thinking about how to teach this to them I was reminded that the best way to teach is by modeling. Especially when it comes to matters of the heart. :) Jesus taught by modeling and what better way to teach my children.

While out shopping in every store we have repeatedly heard " Mommy, I want this!" or " Why cant I have this?" or "But _____'s mom let them have it before Christmas." I will admit my children have repeated these things to me while in Target a few times, however the argument ends very quickly with an answer that surely turns other parents attention to me. I share with my children that although we have the ability to purchase these items that they claim to "want" and that we also all "want" things, these things are very rarely things that we need. So instead of the argument that happens at simple sight of a toy, my kids have been learning a lesson in giving and receiving.

They will ask and I will respond....

"Tell me how this toy will help you serve the Lord today and everyday you own it."

I completely agree that kids need toys to learn through imaginative play and so on and so forth but our children have an OVER ABUNDANCE!!!! So most of the time my kids really cant give me an answer that will convince me that they can use the toy for anything more then personal pleasure. However, other days they completely surprise me by their answers.

Just the other day Danielle and I were at Target.(i know, i know we are always at Target. lol) She not one time asked me for anything for herself. This is a RARE occasion. As we approached the Christmas Section of the store she asked if we had given to "Toys for Tots". We give every year but usually to gain something in return. (Im very embarrassed to admit this. but we are not perfect by any means) An unwrapped toy gets you alot these days. Sad. Anyway, she said she thought we should give 2 toys this year and that those 2 gifts should be something that her and Rylie had on their gift list. She said "Aren't we supposed to give stuff that you really want so your heart feels happy when another child gets a toy that they probably really really wanted?"

She went on to tell me that when we helped a family and donated to the BREAD BASKET at our church that she felt really happy inside. She shared that when she saw Kevin and I praying for needy families and helping a family friend, that it made her want to do it too. Then she asked "Is that joyful giving, if you feel joyful when you do it and not sad that someone got what you wanted?" Since then Danielle has given her very own savings(not all fo it...we are also working on being a good steward of her money) to various programs that her school sponsors including the Cancer Association and the local food pantries in our area. When asked why she will respond:

"Because I have been blessed." Simple child like faith. I love her.

Be blessed,

xmas card 1

Rudolph's Ride Christmas

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Who needs toys when...

.....you have a HUGE pile of leaves??

On Saturday, Kevin and I decided to take the girls and Eli outside to play. It's always much more fun when daddy is home to do it with us! Lately we have not been able to go out with daddy because it has been cold on the days he has been off! Saturday it was PERFECT!!!



Rylie decided along with daddy that Saturday was a perfect day to wear PJs all day...even outside during our leaf pile jumping. My Elijah LOVES to be outside and he loves to get dirty.

Here he is playing in the dirt...

Danielle making "leaf" angels!

I really love our family time that we have! In the days before Thanksgiving I am always more aware of the things that I am thankful for but I would LOVE to be able to keep that spirit all year long! We really have so much to be thankful for daily and I feel like we should be reminded of this as we sit down this year to enjoy food, family and fellowship!

So since I am trying to keep my heart in a thankful state I have been searching for verses in Gods Word to remind that I am called to ALWAYS be thankful. Not just at this time of year but everyday! :)

"Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is Gods will for you who belong to Christ Jesus!"

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably in reverence and awe..." Hebrews 12:28NIV


"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body [we] were called to peace. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15NIV


Be blessed and thankful!