I'm back

I'm back...I haven't blogged in so long, but think it's time to start back up again.
Facebook has taken over my "thoughts", but I'm hoping to find time to blog again. I have a SBC Kids blog too that I might start updating again too. Not sure how much time I'll have, but we'll see.

It's Spring Break for us, but since I don't teach anymore I still work this week. I'm just so glad my office hours are flexible. I'm not setting an alarm all week! I'll do some more blogging this week for sure!

Just wanted to say I'm back!

Life is kind of blah!

This week has been a bit different around the Smith house!
Olivia is SICK - she doesn't get sick very often at least not to the point where all she wants to do is lay around. Monday she started having a bit of a fever and her cough was pretty rough, so I took her to the dr. Tuesday. No infection, but on the verge of one, so antibiotics here we come. Today she's not any better, in fact she's now not keeping anything down. This is NOT the week I can afford for her to be sick, BUT it's too bad.
Kristin had dance Monday night, tonight and again on Friday. Saturday is the recital and then we are DONE!! I think we are both ready for this to be over. Monday at school Kristin had splash day - it was a lot of fun. Then Monday night she had an identity crisis - I didn't know 6 year olds could do that. I think it's really a girl thing!
I've missed work at church all week, but I'm glad my job is flex enough for me to work from home. I'm hoping Olivia will feel better this afternoon so maybe I can get out there for a few hours. I'm not at the preschool today like I'm supposed to be, but that's ok, that's what subs are for!
Randy got his TAKS scores back. Overall the HS did well, but he had a few more kids fail than he expected. Oh well, it's over and summer is almost here!!
Not a very up lifting report, but that's whats going on here!

A Mother's day laugh

Happy Mother's day!

This morning I got Olivia's dress out for her as we got ready for church, she put it on and Randy buttoned the buttons and tied the bow. She goes on and gets ready for church. Little did I know she forgot to finish getting ready ;-)

As our church service is getting ready to start, we've changed things around and I'm kind of running around crazy. Olivia's SS teacher pulls me aside and says,"Anne, Olivia wispered to me this morning, Ms. Tina, I don't have on any panties!" Olivia then pulls up her dress to show Ms. Tina! OH MY GOSH...I was totally embarrased!!! That's my daughter - the pantieless wonder!

Happy Mother's Day!!

Olivia's birthday

Olivia Anne turned 4 today!



Birthday flowers and balloons from Daddy



Family picture


Olivia with Chuck E


Enjoying some pizza



Time to play games

Dressing like her bitty baby!

Sick and more

Just the other day I was bragging to Randy about how FEW times I've been to the Dr. in the almost 10 years I've lived here. Ok, so I had 2 kids, but other than my OB/GYN I've been to the dr. twice! That's pretty good right. The very next day I get sick. I was feeling SO bad Thursday night Randy went to the store at 1 am to get my some medicine! I went to work on Friday, but then spent the rest of the day in bed other than picking up kids. Friday Randy went back to the store for some more medicine with something stronger in it. I spent most of this morning in bed too, but finally the meds kicked in and I'm feeling better. At least I'm going to avoid the Dr., but that's what I get for bragging!

It's been a great day to stay inside since it's rained ALL DAY! We need the rain don't get me wrong, but still. It was darker at 3pm this afternoon than it usually is at 7:30! Tomorrow is supposed to get better though and then sun for most of the week!

Olivia took a 3 1/2 hour nap on my lap today. That was a special mommy moment since she doesn't nap very often anymore. I enjoyed just holding her and watching a Star Wars marathon!

Tomorrow is church, youth fundraiser, and lots of stuff in the evening. What a weekend!

Easter

He Has Risen!

Enough said

What a day!

What a day!
It started early for a Saturday (6:30am). I guess my body is just used to getting up early, so instead of being lazy like I usually do I actually got up and had a WONDERFUL quiet time! Our church was having a work day this morning to get things looking pretty, so I decided I was going with or without my family. It just so happened they all got up and got ready quickly and we headed to the church. It's amazing how quickly things get done when a good group of people show up. The church looks so good and it will only get better as more flowers grow!
I then headed home for a quick shower and then back to church for the Ladies Spring Luncheon. Jennifer did a GREAT job putting it together and there was a good turn out. The food was yummy and the speaker was really good. It was on perspective. It really hit home with me, so it was a good time.
Then Jennifer and I headed to Kohl's! I'm SO proud of Jennifer as she's lost over 30 pounds and needed some new clothes. It really was a lot of fun. I think it's the first time in 10 years I've shopped for myself with a friend. It's usually shopping for the kids, but this time we each bought ourselves outfits! What fun.
When I got home I then got the girls and we headed to WalMart - what fun - not really. It was good to spend time with the girls since I really hadn't seen them much today and they were really good, so that made it easy.
Now I'm home, writing this. The girls are heading to bed and I'm SURE I will follow soon. What a day!

Baby Fever

You read it right...I have baby fever. I don't want another child really, BUT there are so many people out there having babies right now. Now I know people have babies everyday, but not people I know. Seriously in the last 2 months I know at least 4 ladies who have babies and I know 6 more that are expecting in the next few months. All 4 that have had babies...all are boys! At least one that is expecting is a boy, but I'm not sure about the others! I guess it's just all the "babieness" (made up word) in the air that gives me baby fever. Randy thinks I'm crazy, but then again I've never denied being crazy!
I'm just so excited for the many of you with new little ones. Children truly are a blessing. I love my girls, I love their age, their smiles, their laughter and even their noise they make! I'm truly blessed to be a mom!

Weekend update

We have had such a WONDERFUL weekend. Aunt Sarah and Uncle Jack are here. Uncle Terry and Aunt Sandra along with Rachel were here last night and will be back tomorrow for the day. We've had such amazing weather, so we've been able to just have such a great time.
Friday we started the day at the park. The girls enjoyed a lot of play time while Randy jogged and Terry got a good walk in. I just enjoyed watching the girls play. We had snowcones for lunch - have to live here to understand the significance of this. We played softball at the church for a little bit - Kristin doesn't play this year, but does enjoy batting and learning to catch. Maybe next year she'll be ready to play, but if not that's ok too. We ended the day with a fabulous meal at River Point - great sea food, or at least that's what they tell me. (I don't eat it).
Today, I started with a jog - it was just so nice to be outside. Then the girls went to a birthday party at the Tae Kwon Do school. It was a LOT of fun. We headed to the mall after that and now supper is on the stove. It's been another beautiful day.
Tomorrow Randy will be ordained as a deacon at our church. That's why the family is in town. I'm SUPER proud of my husband and how God is using him. It's quite an honor for him since there is only one other man being ordained.
Once I have a chance to upload pictures I'll add some from the weekend.

I'm back

I guess I'm back. I don't really have must to write and don't really have much time to write, but I'm bored with Facebook, now that there is a new format - I don't like it at all. When there are important things or good pictures to post I'll be back in the blog world!

Mommy-Kristin Day

Finally something to blog about! SPING BREAK!!! I know for those of you in the real work world there is no such thing, but for those of us with teaching jobs it's a great week to look forward to!
We aren't going anywhere this year, so today I told Kristin it would be a Mommy-Kristin day. Now that she's in kindergarden I don't get to spend much one on one time with her. Today made up for some of that.
We started with lunch at Taco Bell. Then we went to get our hair cut, we actually got it cut almost the same. Mine is a bit shorter, but her's sure is cute! We then headed to the nail salon. I'd been promising her for awhile that I'd let her get her toes and nails done. She got a full pedicure and just her nails painted. I of course got a pedicure too. The cutiest thing was she kept laughing when they were scrubbing her feet - she's really ticklish. She loved it and wondered when she could go again. We then headed to the mall. She got her ears pierced back in February for her birthday and at the end of this week she can change her earrings, so we went to buy her some new ones. We also got a cookie and pretzel while we were there. Then our last stop was Target. She got a couple presents that we already had so we returned then and she wanted to buy something new. She found a hula-hoop and she's REALLY good, so we got that. It overall was a VERY good day.
I often wonder how my little girl has gotten to be 6 already, but today was a day I'll remember and hopefully we'll get to spend many more like that. She's a wonderful little girl, but she's getting very big very fast!!

Taking time off

I will be taking a break from blogging for awhile. I will continue to read other's blogs, so be looking for my comments. I just don't have time to sit and write anything meaningful. Once in a while I'm sure I'll post pictures, but even that takes time that I just don't seem to have right now!
Maybe again in the future I'll have the time...just not sure when!

Randy's Results

Randy finished the half marathon in 2 hours 30 minutes! I was so proud of him. His back held up just fine. He's pretty sore today, his legs more than his back actually. He decided, much like I did last year, that it was a one time event in his life. I'm so proud to be able to say I did a half marathon, but can honestly say I have no desire to do another one! 5K and 10K races are more our style!!

Half Marathon time

Half marathon time has come around again. This year it's Randy who's put in the many many miles and lots of time on the road. He's been doing so well, but last Saturday he threw out his back. He took this entire week off, so he's feeling better, but not 100%. He's going to go for it anyway. His race starts at 7:10 am (Houston time), so if you are up, say a prayer for him. I'll let you know how he does!

The newest member of the Smith family...Murphy!

Why? That's why!

There are some nights I leave Awana and wonder...WHY? Why do I do this, why do I spend time planning things, why do I work so hard at making this program work, WHY?
TONIGHT!! That's why...5 young kids accepted God's WONDERFUL gift of salvation!!! It was a beautiful thing. That's WHY I do what I do because GOD is still at work saving lives!!
Praise the LORD!!!

Weird feelings

I'm feeling kind of weird today. My ex-brother in law, Steve, passed away this morning. Almost a month ago he was sent to the hospital. My mom called me and was pretty sure he would pass away that day. He recovered a little bit, but was under Hospice care since then. Well this morning he passed on.
My sister and Steve were divorced awhile back. I haven't seen him in at least 5 years. He wasn't a good husband or dad to my niece Sarah. You see, 18 years ago today he chose to drink and drive and wrecked his van so badly that he was brained dead and in acoma for 6 weeks. He survived that, but was never OK after that. He tried to get better for awhile, but was never able to hold down a job. In fact he got to the point where he wouldn't even get out of bed. My sister was pregnant when the wreck happened, so Sarah never knew her dad as a "whole" man.
The reason I'm feeling so weird today is that I'm really sad for my niece. She's so precious to me and she's hurting today. Steve was never a "good" dad, but he was still her dad. Sarah is VERY close to her dad's mom (grandma), and Grandma is really struggling. On the other hand of being sad, I'm not sad at all the Steve has passed. He just wasn't a very nice guy at the end of his marriage to my sister.
There are a few things that happened that did show me that God is totally in control. First, Sarah is not in school right now. She'll start college classes next week. Also, her half brother Jason has come back into the picture so to speak. When Steve went into the hospital Jason came to visit. I think it was good for him and for Sarah to be able to reconnect. Another amazing thing was the Grandma woke up about 1 am this morning and realized she wasn't going to be able to fall back to sleep. She started to pray. At 2am she got the phone call that her son had passed. She said that God was preparing her for this. I know God was in all the details today, but it just still seems weird.

Packed and unpacked

Today was unpacking day and clean up Christmas day. I got all of my stuff and the girls stuff unpacked from our trip, but Randy's stuff...well he's on his own for that. I started the laundry and hope to finish it tomorrow. I also decided to take down all the Christmas stuff including all of my snowmen. I usually keep them up until February, but decided to get it all done at once this year. Now given today was 80 degrees and the girls were playing outside in their bathingsuits...just because they could. It was crazy warm here! I'll post pictures of our trip and today when I get a chance...over 100 to load and edit...maybe next week!

Goals for the new year

Happy New Year - 2009!
I've decided not to make new year's resolutions this year, but to set some reasonable goals! Here are a few:
1. Get back in shape...this time last year I could run over 10 miles easily...not I can't hardly run a mile without passing out. That's what happens when I let Randy train for the half marathon this year. I don't want to run 10 miles again, but at least 2 or 3 without feeling like I might die would be nice.
2. Try to send birthday wishes to all of my nieces and nephews on or at least NEAR their special days! I used to be really good about sending cards, but now TEXT messages or emails will have to suffice!
3. Be better at STUDYING the bible. I mean I read my bible on a regular basis, but how much time do I spend actually STUDYING it? Not nearly enough. Randy got me a Chronological bible for Christmas, so now I have a new tool to use. I'm very excited.
4. Read more Nonfiction books. Actually this last year I didn't read as much as I used to, but this year I want to read to learn and not just for fun. I mean fiction every once in awhile are good too, but for every fiction book, I need to read a nonfiction one too.
5. Spend more time playing with my children. Don't get me wrong, I play with my kids, but as time goes by I realize they are getting bigger more quickly... or at least it feels that way. I want to spend time playing, reading, and just enjoying this time in my kids lives!
I've also set some goals for the children's ministry at work, so I have a lot of work to do this year. Just goals...no resolutions!

SURPRISE

Have you ever tried to surprise someone and it actually work!? I'm not a very good secret keeper from my mom. I mean I can keep a secret, but I pretty much tell my mom everything. Well, this time I kept the secret as did my brothers and sisters, sister in law, and my nieces and nephews! I started looking into flights for my family to go to Indiana for Christmas. It was crazy expensive, so I just decided it wasn't going to happen. Then I found out my brother Brad and his family were coming, so it made me want to be there even more. Then I decided to go through cheaptickets.com and realized if we fly the day after Christmas the tickets would be $700 cheaper. TOTALLY worth it. So I decided not to tell my parents, but I did tell my brother and his family. Then it became even more exciting because 2 of my nieces from Florida were coming too! So...low and behold the day after Christmas, with MUCH flight hassle - won't even get into all that - we surprised my parents at 11:30 at night. I SO wish I would have had a camera on my mom's face when we walked up to the front door! We are having a wonderful time, it's super cold, but no snow. We've enjoyed a couple trip to Ivanhoe's already (you have to know Upland, so there is no reason to explain), TOPPIT tonight for supper, and I've even seen a couple high school friends! What a treat to spend so much time with my family and my girls are just having a blast getting to know their cousins a little bit more. I do wish all of my family would be able to be together, but maybe next year!
I do love a good SURPRISE!