Emery is brilliant at screaming. She leans her little head back and wails with the best of them. Some babies laugh; some babies grunt. My sweet baby daughter screams. And screams. And screams.
I imagine this is her genius way of being noticed. Her father has no problem getting my attention, especially when he smiles and the wrinkles around his eyes make me feel so much happiness I might split open. Her sister is precocious and adorably (not always, mind you) naughty, grabbing my eye with ease. But Emery, with her calm demeanor and low-maintenance personality, must find ways to be the focus of this family's notice. So she screams. And screams.
Ainsley is such a little person. After she woke up this morning I asked her if she would like some milk and she replied "I would like some water, actually." I broke a little inside. My baby girl is not so baby any more. She has opinions and creativity. She tells me stories and remembers funny instances from weeks ago. The years are short.
My two girlies. So very opposite to each other. Both equally delightful.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Good Friday.
With the kiddos at Grandma's house and my husband fast asleep in a post-Good-Friday-coma, I have found myself in a nearly unthinkable position: alone in a quiet house! Just me, my trusty computer, and the strongest cup of coffee I know how to brew. Alone to think and process Good Friday.
When you marry someone who works at a church, you are also marrying into a family that does Easter quite differently. For us, the week of Good Friday and Easter is hectic, intense, busy, and EXCITING. Joel and I see little of each other in those days leading up to the believer's most anticipated days of the year. So much preparation goes into creating a Good Friday service for our church and my husband plays a big role in that.
This year was no different. There were songs, videos, monologues, even a rap. Special lighting created an unsettling atmosphere that perfectly fit the tone of the service The uneasiness in the sanctuary was palpable. I left last night with the same feelings as I have every Good Friday service I've been to at Harvest: It was my sin that nailed Jesus to the cross. It was my jealously that placed the crown of thorns on his head. It was my unforgiveness and pride that mocked him. My anger. My doubt. My selfishness. My sin crucified my Lord.
Praise God the story doesn't end with Good Friday. Death could not hold him. The battle was fought and WON. My Lord is risen.
I cannot wait for Easter.
When you marry someone who works at a church, you are also marrying into a family that does Easter quite differently. For us, the week of Good Friday and Easter is hectic, intense, busy, and EXCITING. Joel and I see little of each other in those days leading up to the believer's most anticipated days of the year. So much preparation goes into creating a Good Friday service for our church and my husband plays a big role in that.
This year was no different. There were songs, videos, monologues, even a rap. Special lighting created an unsettling atmosphere that perfectly fit the tone of the service The uneasiness in the sanctuary was palpable. I left last night with the same feelings as I have every Good Friday service I've been to at Harvest: It was my sin that nailed Jesus to the cross. It was my jealously that placed the crown of thorns on his head. It was my unforgiveness and pride that mocked him. My anger. My doubt. My selfishness. My sin crucified my Lord.
Praise God the story doesn't end with Good Friday. Death could not hold him. The battle was fought and WON. My Lord is risen.
I cannot wait for Easter.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Hot spot.
The Smiths had a night on the town- suburbs style. A frozen custard place recently opened two blocks from our home. When the reserves were low, dinner out looked QUITE appealing. Joel came home from work and whisked his three ladies off on a little date. Two cheeseburgers, a vegetable grilled cheese, and a plate of sweet potato fries soon made their way to our little table. Delicious, folks. Truly delicious. Between the conversation and the caramelized onions in my grilled cheese, the evening was superb. So was the sunlight at 6:30pm. SPRING IS COMING!!!
Thursday, January 24, 2013
the four of us.
Last week, Joel took his three ladies out for dinner at our favorite little pub on Chicago Street. Ainsley spent the entire dinner telling him what she did that day over and over while Emery sat quietly on my lap. Our daughters are already so different. Joel, the ever-devoted Daddy, humored his jabbering toddler while giving me winks across the table. My heart was FULL.
We've been the four of us for six months now. Six bonkers, rewarding, hilarious, maddening, wonderful months. We have moved into our first house, seen Joel off on a two month bus tour, potty-trained a toddler, turned thirty (only I did that one), had two little Mommy/Daddy Only weekends while the littles were at Grandma's, learned to roll over (Emery's feat!), memorized the Dora theme song, read Not the Hippopotamus MANY times, and had several hilarious family dinners in which more food ends up on the floor than in Ainsley's mouth. We have seen the Lord move in major ways in our marriage, our kids, our families, and our small group. Turns out, the four of us is more exciting than the three of us and most certainly than the two of us.
We've been the four of us for six months now. Six bonkers, rewarding, hilarious, maddening, wonderful months. We have moved into our first house, seen Joel off on a two month bus tour, potty-trained a toddler, turned thirty (only I did that one), had two little Mommy/Daddy Only weekends while the littles were at Grandma's, learned to roll over (Emery's feat!), memorized the Dora theme song, read Not the Hippopotamus MANY times, and had several hilarious family dinners in which more food ends up on the floor than in Ainsley's mouth. We have seen the Lord move in major ways in our marriage, our kids, our families, and our small group. Turns out, the four of us is more exciting than the three of us and most certainly than the two of us.
Friday, September 14, 2012
This week...
Ainsley learned how to say kangaroo. She also learned the phrase "stinky buns" and loves to say said phrase whenever she wants her diaper changed. And also, I failed at potty training.
Joel left for the bus tour. He will be gone for 15 days. Over the last two months, we will be apart for a total of 34 days. God is so good, though. I feel so thankful for His sustaining grace and the way He consistently blesses me in ways I could not even imagine, through His word, providing truly wonderful friends and family, quick conversations with Joel, answered prayers, and daughters whose cuteness just won't quit.
I went to Trader Joe's and rediscovered their vanilla wafers. Oh.My.Goodness.
Renegade Craft Show!!!!!!!! On Saturday, my lovely friend Joanna (whose birthday is today) called to tell me about this fabulous craft show (really, more of a flea market of a bunch of etsy sellers) that was happening on Sunday. Our husbands once again proved how wonderful they are and each took our respective children for the day so that Jo and I could shop sans kids. I bought a ring and a print for the kitchen. I also could not stop telling Joanna that I was having SO much fun. This needs to be an annual event, I feel.
Joel left for the bus tour. He will be gone for 15 days. Over the last two months, we will be apart for a total of 34 days. God is so good, though. I feel so thankful for His sustaining grace and the way He consistently blesses me in ways I could not even imagine, through His word, providing truly wonderful friends and family, quick conversations with Joel, answered prayers, and daughters whose cuteness just won't quit.
I went to Trader Joe's and rediscovered their vanilla wafers. Oh.My.Goodness.
Renegade Craft Show!!!!!!!! On Saturday, my lovely friend Joanna (whose birthday is today) called to tell me about this fabulous craft show (really, more of a flea market of a bunch of etsy sellers) that was happening on Sunday. Our husbands once again proved how wonderful they are and each took our respective children for the day so that Jo and I could shop sans kids. I bought a ring and a print for the kitchen. I also could not stop telling Joanna that I was having SO much fun. This needs to be an annual event, I feel.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Friday, September 7, 2012
This week...
I am starting a new trend on my blog that I'm sure very few of my tiny readership will care about, but I know that I will enjoy looking at over the next few years and reminiscing of the way things once were in the Smith family. I've decided that every Friday, I will write a recap of the highs and lows, for posterity's sake.
SO, this week...
Joel and I went on a lovely date to this sushi place that I've been nagging him to try. Four (yes, four!) delicious rolls later, we left feeling giddy from the conversation and good eats. I am convinced that dates are even better the longer you're married. I never remember having this much satisfying, soul-stirring conversation when we were dating. Not to sound trite, but I truly love being married to that man.
Ainsley and Emery both had doctor's appointments. Ugh. Ainsley is in the 90th percentile for everything (weight, head-size, height) and Emery is in the 50th for weight but 90th for height! My tall girlies. Ainsley was so impressed with the bird sounds her doctor made...I was unsure of what to think.
I caught up with the Suits episodes that I had missed in our interim of no television. Turns out Suits and vanilla wafers are a winning combination.
My parents, Aunt & Uncle and Grandma came to town and installed all of our hardwood floors!!!!! Our house is starting to look like a house. We had a wonderful time with them. My uncle was incredible- giving everyone jobs and solving so many home-related conundrums. My dad, mom, and aunt worked so furiously that you would not believe how much they completed. My grandma provided sweet conversation that made the whole weekend even more enjoyable. AND, my hardworking husband cut and nailed every corner round, ran to Home Depot about 20 times, moved many a box and various pieces of furniture and looked good doing it all.
Ainsley used her big girl potty for the first time. Sweet victory.
Tomorrow is official potty training day. Fingers crossed, hopes high!
SO, this week...
Joel and I went on a lovely date to this sushi place that I've been nagging him to try. Four (yes, four!) delicious rolls later, we left feeling giddy from the conversation and good eats. I am convinced that dates are even better the longer you're married. I never remember having this much satisfying, soul-stirring conversation when we were dating. Not to sound trite, but I truly love being married to that man.
Ainsley and Emery both had doctor's appointments. Ugh. Ainsley is in the 90th percentile for everything (weight, head-size, height) and Emery is in the 50th for weight but 90th for height! My tall girlies. Ainsley was so impressed with the bird sounds her doctor made...I was unsure of what to think.
I caught up with the Suits episodes that I had missed in our interim of no television. Turns out Suits and vanilla wafers are a winning combination.
My parents, Aunt & Uncle and Grandma came to town and installed all of our hardwood floors!!!!! Our house is starting to look like a house. We had a wonderful time with them. My uncle was incredible- giving everyone jobs and solving so many home-related conundrums. My dad, mom, and aunt worked so furiously that you would not believe how much they completed. My grandma provided sweet conversation that made the whole weekend even more enjoyable. AND, my hardworking husband cut and nailed every corner round, ran to Home Depot about 20 times, moved many a box and various pieces of furniture and looked good doing it all.
Ainsley used her big girl potty for the first time. Sweet victory.
Tomorrow is official potty training day. Fingers crossed, hopes high!
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