A Day in Elijah's Life!!

Elijah had a very busy day yesterday. We snapped a couple of shots so you could enjoy his ventures. As I was busy doing something else, Elijah decided he wanted some powdered sugar. He may have even said powdered sugar once or twice, but being the great mom that I am I ignored him. So, being the industrious child that he is...he got a chair, pulled it up to the counter and helped himself to some powdered sugar.....the whole bag!!

Then, he decided to brush his teeth. The dentist would be so proud. We do NOT have coerce this little one to brush his teeth!! Then we went to Bible Study Fellowship where he learned about baby Jesus being born AND he got to play on the playground.

Finally, we got a DVR box....big time technology for a family who hasn't had cable TV for twelve years. As we were playing with our new box, we found a free on demand Exercise channel. We clicked on a cardio workout and away the kids went. In the end, we had to say it's time for bed...they might have exercised all night.

It was a full day for our little man!!!

Sharing our Lives!!

This past Saturday night our Life Group was able to participate in the Wes's proposal of marriage to Libby. It was an amazing time of joy, excitement and love. We gathered at our church and spent time praying and celebrating. That's what it means to share our lives!!!

Congratulations Libby and Wes!!

Here are some pics from Wes and Libby's post-proposal party. A great time was had by all. Congrats Wes and Libby!!!

Soccer, Soccer and more soccer!!

Noah and Hannah played their first soccer games on Saturday. They both played very well and we are excited to spend our weeks immersed in soccer the next few months. We average five practices per week and three games per week. So, it does keep the Smith family quite busy. Elijah is already quite anxious to play soccer. If we say it's time to go to soccer practice or a soccer game, his face brightens and he says "Soccer practice?", gets his shoes on and goes to stand by the door.

Haiku - Clara

Clara didn't want to be left out of the Haiku writing. Here's Clara's:

Ocean waves crashing ashore.

Palm trees swaying in the wind.

Dolphins jump in air.

Haiku - Hannah

This week in school we have been writing Haiku's. Here's Hannah's:

Summer Evening

Plane ride brings great joy.
Sun sets and twilight arrives.
Mountains granduer rise.

Haiku - Diane

Autumn Morning

Trees ablaze with color.

Crisp air blows gently on skin.

Coffee warms my soul.

Something To Think About...

Something to think about...



Thanks Shelly...

Big D...

A Week In Review!!!

Oh what a busy week it has been
David traveled to Georgia and then back again.
Noah started Kindergarten and had lots of fun
and the same day kicked off soccer and began to RUN.

Hannah is enjoying her home as her school
but there are many adjusments before it's all cool.
She found that soccer is a great place to develop her social skills
and youth group is not so scary, especially since her teachers are so real.

Clara deserves a medal for making it through this week.
She's played soccer six days and tonight a win they will seek.
Her team won two of their tournament games.
She's learning life lessons which are more important than fame.

To conclude our week David and Diane went out.
and enjoyed our dinner, then wanted to shout.
Our friends are having a baby...maybe it will be a boy.
The week ended full of joy!!

Elijah's Quote of the Day!!!

Yesterday Elijah and I were driving home from work and we were driving past a new home being built. He looked over at it and said and I quote, "Boootefil" I was amazed that he knew such a big work and amazed at his skills of observation. His next statement was

"Dirt, I love dirt".

While I saw a massive house being built. He saw the yard which is a big large dirt pile and to him it was bootefil!!

What Hannah's Learned This Week!!

My favorite quote from Hannah this week happened during her school day. She was at the computer doing some research regarding the Pacific Islands. I was cleaning the kitchen. She kept ooohhing and aaahhing and saying "mom, come look at this". And, she was showing me gorgeous pictures from the pacific ocean...sunsets, clear blue water, etc. We were talking about the importance of learning and loving to learn. She said "Mom, I've learned something today." I'm thinking, YEAH!!! Then she shared what she has learned. This is what she said...

"Mom, I learned the Pacific Islands are calling my name!!!"

That's my girl!!!!

Noah's Second Day of Kindergarten!!

This morning when Noah got up, he snuggled down into my lap and said the quote of the day. He said, "I'm NOT excited about Kindergarten anymore." It didn't take long for the reality to set in for Mr. Noah. He did however have a wonderful day talking about kissing hands. And, I don't think he was kissing any hands!! This is the poem he came home with yesterday with his handprint at the bottom.

It's my first day of school
And "The Kissing Hand" is what we read.
It's about a raccoon
who did just as his parents said.

Like the raccoon's first day at school
I was scared and a little shy.
But because of what you said
I was brave and I got by.

All through the year
I'll make more things for you
So as I change and as I learn
You can see my growth too.

Noah's First Day of Kindergarten!!

Noah had an excellent day at Kindergarten today. He woke up with a smile on his face, went to the bus stop with a smile on his face, and got off the bus with a smile on his face. And all this even though he really doesn't like to have his picture taken. He did have to pull his bee clip today for talking. (He takes after his mother.) Now, we are off to soccer practice. He should sleep well tonight!!

The Slatons Visit the Smiths!!!

We have amazing friends scattered all over the world!! We enjoy it so much when our friends are able to visit "Hotel Smith". Our recent guests, the Slatons, are dear friends from Ohio. During their visit what struck me the most is how quickly time really does pass. We vacationed with the Slatons and two other families a mere seven years ago in Gulf Shores, AL. Clara was two years old. She and Parker (the Slatons youngest son) were so little. I remember we would say "No laughing" and they would both just laugh and laugh and laugh.

On the last night of the Slaton's visit, Parker and Clara were walking together in the park just talking and talking. I wondered what they were talking about. And, I had a flashback and saw two little people laughing and laughing and playing together on the beach. And now, here they were a boy and a girl who haven't lived in the same city for almost five years and yet they were able to pick right back up and enjoy spending time with one another. Even though time passes quickly, friendships make the time rich indeed.

Take Me Out To The Ballgame!!

Noah played his first season of T-ball and loved EVERY minute of it. To conclude their season his coach arranged for his team to run out with the players of the Memphis Redbirds. Noah ran to first base and stood with there during the National Anthem. Then, the player autographed his hat. Then, he ran hard as he could off the field. Here are some pics to share the evening with you. He had an absolute BLAST!!!

Painting Frenzy

The Smith's have been searching for the "right" paint color for our living room for several months. Recently when we went to stay with friends in Ohio I walked into their house thought to myself..."this is the paint color I've been looking for". So, upon our return from Ohio a bee flew in my bonnet and we began to paint, and paint, and paint. Thanks to our friends Michelle Watson (pictured with Clara) and Wade Hagen for helping us paint)

A Walk in the Woods!!

Recently we visited our old stomping grounds, Dayton, Ohio. It was a nostalgic trip for our family. We spent wonderful moments with friends, ate fabulous food and visited some of our favorite spots. This picture was taken at Grant Nature Preserve. I love this picture!!! My family is walking down this beautiful path together. I've never done this before...but I'm asking for my readers to share your comments on this picture. When you look at this picture, what do you see? (Besides a group of people walking).

Smith Crew

Here's our crew on vacation. It's amazing that we actually got a picture of them all together, all smiling and all looking the the general direction of the camera.

Sale!!!

There is two-day sale on John Piper books...here's the e-mail I got this week...

All Books $5
Every book in our store will be $5 on June 27-28, Wednesday and Thursday this week.
No limits, so spread the word.
(This sale is online only.)

Later...

Big D.

P.S. I plan to purchase two that have been on my wish list...Don't Waste Your Life and The Commands of Jesus...

David's Dad

David left this morning to go to Georgia. His father is in ICU in Athens, Georgia. Please pray for David's dad that the doctors would determine what the problem is and work to fix it. At this point they believe he may have a tear in his esophagus. Please pray for safety as David travels. And, pray for David's mother as she is dealing with this. This is a difficult blog entry to post, but I wanted to get the word out.

Noah Graduates from Preschool!!

Noah is so proud of himself as he walks down the aisle in his cap and gown!!

Noah receives his diploma from his preschool teacher, Ms. Leigh Ann!!
Smiles abound at the reception!! He is ready for Kindergarten!!!

The Smith clan + Grandparents celebrating Noah's graduation