California Christmas

For Christmas this year we headed across the United States (all the way across) with our sweet pea's and celebrated Christ's birth in sunny California. It was so nice to see everyone and introduce our sweet Olivia to all our family :). That is the stinky thing about being so far away...we miss everyone.

Anyway we crammed all that could be crammed into the 4 days while we were there!

Then we came home and crashed for a week, trying to recoup :) haa haa...we had a great time.

love and kisses.

We are back...a quick update!

I know that it has been way too long since my last post....and there is a long story to go along with the reason. But the main point is that both our computers (laptop and desktop) crashed and died within one week. So we had to order new computers and wait for them to arrive. Then it was time to pack up and get ready to leave for our California Christmas. Anyway we have made it back and I have so much to catch up on. I promise to update soon :)

love and kisses :)

Olivia Update

Liv had her 2 month check-up last week...and here is her info :)

Weight: 11lbs 13 1/4 oz ~ 75 percentile

Length: 22 1 /2 inches ~ 50th percentile

Head: 15 inches ~ 50th percentile

Liv is doing wonderfully!!! She is the happiest baby! She loves to coo and smile at you. It's funny to watch her try to suck on her pacifier and smile at the same time, she always ends up dropping the pacifier! She is doing all the things she should be doing, like eating, sleeping, smiling, holding her head up...etc.

Last night she slept from 11:oo p.m. to 7:oo a.m. this morning...so that was lovely!!! She has done this about 4 times now...so it is still not consistent, but even when she wakes up it is only once, and then she goes back to sleep right after her feeding.

She has a couple nicknames...Liv, Livi, Liver, Chicken Liver (I know...I know)

We love her to pieces and continue to be overwhelmed by what blessings our sweet little girls are!!!

Love and kisses....

Trick or Treat

Hope you had a safe and happy night out!!

love and kisses...

But Jesus said, "Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Matthew 19:14

Malachi (Kai) James Smith was called home into the arms of our loving Lord this morning.

As a mom my heart is breaking and my tears flowing for Rachel and Wes as they deal with the loss of their son. As a beliver I am rejoicing with them...they know that Kai is in heaven with his Creator the King of Kings!! Kai is no longer in pain...he is free!!

Rachel, his mom has been a true testament of a woman of faith...her knowledge, trust and peace have touched my heart and challenged me in so many ways. She reminds me that our children are a gift from God, and that my job is to grow and shape them in the knowledge of Him. They are not mine to keep...they are His and we don't know when He will call them home.

I am asking that you lift up prayers for the Smith family as they begin this new journey...pray that they will find rest and peace in the arms of their loving Lord...just as Kai has.

love and kisses...

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/malachismith

Funny girl...funny faces

Hope this brightens up your day :)

love and kisses....

My girls

(I still can't believe I am the Mommy of 2!)

I will admit right away that I am light years away from being the Mom I should be...light years!!

But I will also tell you that I love being a mom to these two girls more than anything on this earth (that is after being Andrew's wife).

Here are a couple things I am currently being taught by two little girls:

I need to be more patient.

I need to enjoy the mess (you have no idea how hard that is).

I really love coloring!

With the right attitude 2:00 a.m feedings are precious, precious times.

Hearing a two year old say "please" and "thank" without you prompting them is a great paycheck!!

I need to be more patient.

Teaching a child to pray challenges me to have a better prayer life.

Bath time is priceless.

Kisses make any type of boo boo feel better.

It is mathematically possible to love more than one person with ALL your heart!

love and kisses....

Pumpkin Patch

This weekend Epic (Andrew's work) had a wonderful family day event at a farm/pumpkin patch. There were hayrides, corn mazes, animals, hay slides and pumpkins! It was so nice to go out and enjoy the beautiful fall weather!

Liv sleeping on the hayride

Me and my girls :)!!!

Andrew and Soph playing in the hay

Sweet Livi

Love and kisses....

Olivia Sue

Here are some pictures of Liv from over the past couple weeks.

Sleeping in her bouncy chair.

Looking at what big sister Sophia is doing.

Fell asleep in the car.

Enjoying the beautiful day!

So sweet!

Love and kisses....

joy...pure joy

I know I have been remiss in posting pictures of our sweet sweet Livi, and I apologize. I have several to post...but truth be told when I have a free moment these days: I choose rest :)

Liv has brought so much joy to our lives (as has her sister). Andrew and I feel so overwhelming blessed to have two precious little girls.

These are a couple pictures from Olivia's one week photo shoot...we had the same photographer take Sophia's and we love her and her work! I know we will cherish these pictures and memories for ever.

I promise to post more soon...love and kisses :)