Top 11 of 11

My friend Amber from Click.Pray.Love along with two other bloggers, is having a year end link up of our favorite 11 photos of our children. I think it's a wonderful way to remember this past year!

Here are my favorite pictures of 2011 (not all of them taken by me)

I love this picture because it was the first time Jack started to copy us. We had tried many times to get him to wear sunglasses, but as soon as he saw Steve and I wear them he would not take them off! It was very sweet.

This was during father's day as we were giving Steve his presents. Jack was being a ham and trying to get everyone to laugh. He reminds me of bepop (Steve's grandpa) in this picture.

This was during Jack's first memorial day trip. He loved the water and sand and it was such a joy to watch him.

This was the first time Steve and Jack caught a fish. Quite the memorable day!! I'm glad we got a few pictures as this was a very special moment for them.

This was during Bepop and Memaw's 80th wedding anniversary. I just love the laughter in Jack's face and how his aunt Jessi is looking at him!

This picture was taken by aunt Jessi during 4th of July. It is a family tradition to go down to Anna Maria Island that weekend, and Jack loved being there. It was a special and memorable weekend.

This was during my short getaway with Jack to Anna Maria in September. I love the chocolate dripping all over his face- he is such a boy!! And it was his first full ice cream.

Had to include this picture of Jack running through the water the same day...

This picture was from our visit to NC with Winnie and Miles. I love that they all somewhat match and are actually looking in the same direction. Will always cherish this picture!

This picture was taken by my friend Amber at Davis Island. She did such a wonderful job of capturing Jack and I'm glad she got this sweet picture of us.

This is a picture of Jack looking at the trains under the tree. He loves watching them go round and round, and this was a very special moment captured on camera.

Wishing everyone a happy and safe New Year's!

Boy oh boy!

On Christmas day we found out with family we are expecting another little boy! Over the past month I've thought a lot about the ultrasound, the health, and whether this baby would be a boy or a girl... part of me hoped for a boy and part of me hoped for a girl.

When I was a few months pregnant, Jack and I went down to Anna Maria Island for the day as I blogged about here.

While we were at the beach, there was a group of four little boys under 5 years old playing with each other. They had built a fortress and a little pond and were having a blast! It was really fun to watch them, and Jack was sitting next to me watching them play too. Their mom must've felt bad for us staring at them by ourselves, because she came over and asked Jack if he wanted to play with them to which he quickly said 'Yes!!'

At that moment I really wished for Jack to have a little brother to play with, and of course thought about how it 'might have been' like had Andrew been with us. I hoped that Jack would have another brother one day.

But another part of me wished for a girl. My dear friend Bethany is expecting her second child just a few weeks apart from me and she's expecting a little girl! I've thought about how much fun it would be to have little boys the same age, and little girls about the same age too. So of course I would've been thrilled with a girl as well.

Two nights before we found out I was laying in bed thinking about two dear friends. Both of them due in May 2012. Both of them have lost children before. My first friend lost two boys one at full term, and the second one at 16 weeks. And just a few days earlier she had a GOOD anatomy ultrasound and was very excited to have another little boy! Just as her heart desired.

Then that night I found out another friend who had previously lost her second-born precious little girl, was expecting another girl too! Just as I'm sure she hoped for.

I told Steve that night- "Both of them are having what their heart desired... But I'm not sure what I'm hoping for- boy or girl?" And he responded wisely "Your heart simply desires a healthy baby and the Lord gave us a good ultrasound". And he was right!

So all that to share that while I would've been happy with a sweet little girl, there is no dissapointment and I am just as happy with a sweet little boy! Thank you Lord for graciously allowing me to be pregnant and for giving us the desires of our hearts, even if I don't know what that is at times.

Multitude Mondays

I am very glad to finally be catching up with blogging today. We've had family visiting from out of town for Christmas so it has been difficult to stay up to date. Also I'm looking forward to (and a little nervous) to be a guest speaker at our local MOPS group -Mothers of Preschoolers- on January 3rd and all my free time has been spent preparing for it. Hopefully I'll be able to get all my thoughts on to blogging here soon!

These past two weeks I've been thankful for...


December 12

916. Good news from my friend Shelly as she had been praying for
917. For Jack's laughter tonight

December 13

918. Good news of a friend who has lost two babies, now having a good ultrasound and healthy little boy
919. For the kindness and frienship of an old co-worker we met up with today
920. For Jack's laughter as Steve chases him around the mall
921. For relatively good health this flu season

December 14

922. For neighbors and new friends we had over for dinner
923. For good laughter (tears rolling down my eyes) as Steve and I talked to David over the phone tonight

December 15

924. For Steve letting me sleep in this morning, praying for me, and getting breakfast ready!
925. For my perspective being more steady and positive overall about staying at home

December 16

926. For being able to take a good nap today
927. For good weather tonight
928. For a fun night with family and friends at my father in law's Christmas party

December 17

929. For Steve putting our family first and making sacrifices to take care of me and Jack
930. For being able to rest this afternoon which allowed me to feel much better

December 18

931. For feeling significantly better and almost over my cold
932. For Steve feeling more upbeat this afternoon

December 19

933. For the wonderful news of a healthy ultrasound today!!

934. For the miracle of being able to see little toes and hands
935. For the relief and peace I had today

December 20

936. For a morning visiting Jack's old sitter and how much they love him at her house
937. For Jack's increasing vocabulary and how he's able to tell us how he feels at times

December 21

938. For the best cup of coffee this morning!
939. For a fun visit with Kindra this morning and Jack playing well by himself
940. For my sister Mariela's joy as she got to hold and kiss Jack today.

December 22

941. For wonderful news that my dear friend Natasha's good ultrasound and is expecting a little girl

December 23

942. For my mom arriving safely today and her excitement over seeing Jack
943. For a photoshoot with the grandmother's so they can have nice pictures they will cherish forever

944. For my mom helping me with cleaning up the house and allowing me to rest tonight

December 24

945. That despite a busy and hectic day trying to get all of our family together, it went better than planned
946. For being able to make it to service today as we were not able to last year
947. For my mom's delicious cooking and an evening with both sides of our family

December 25

948. For the anticipation and joy as we celebrate Christ's birth today!
949. For a second Christmas with Jack in which he has good health
950. For finding out this morning this baby is going to be a boy! (The video is pretty funny and will try to share it here at a later time)
951. For being able to be with family today as I know many people are not able to be with their loved ones
952. For wonderful gifts that we do not deserve

2 years and 3 months

Dear Jack,

You are now 2 years and 3 months... and I can't believe how fast you are growing up. You are now speaking in short 2-3 word sentences and I am loving hearing you talk. Although at the same time, you can be very particular about what you want or don't want, so that has been a little bit more challenging for me as well :)

Everyday at some point during the day, you will sigh real big and then put your arms up towards me and say 'Miss me Ma-ma, Miss me!'. I can't tell if it's your own way of saying 'Pay attention to me' or 'I love you'. I will take either.

Very often lift up your shirt, point at your belly, an tell me there's a baby in there!! Shall I dare to say 'Only mommies can have babies, boys can't have babies', you quickly reply with 'Yes mama, yes baby!' and point back to your belly again to let me know you are right. Then you will go on to say 'Roman baby belly too' and then smile- which I'm guessing means that you think your friend Roman is also having a baby. Not sure what is going through your little head, but you always make me laugh.

You are very busy, curious toddler and with lots of energy these days. Way much more energy than I have, as I'm usually wiped out and ready for a nap in the afternoons- while you are not crazy about yours. However you have been napping consistently these past few weeks which has been a huge blessing. It's incredible what  few hours of down time to get things done or rest can do!

You love trucks, balls, cars, and pretend fluffy animals. You are all boy and love to be outdoors and 'run fast' as you like to say.

I am very proud of you and thankful for this season we have together.

With love,

Your mama

Multitude Mondays

I'm glad to have continued keeping my gratitude list these last two weeks, but somehow I have not been able to find the time to post it. I'm excited to be past the 900 mark, and haven't yet decided if I'll continue to post past the 1,000 gifts.

I have lots I'd like to share in regards to how the pregnancy is going, an update on Jack (and the funny things he comes up with these days!), among other updates- so hopefully I'll be able to find time this week to put them all in writing.

These past two weeks I've been most grateful for...

Monday Nov 28

880. For the opportunity to minister to a friend today
881. For two little boys in the backseat of my car

Tuesday Nov 29

882. For a good doctor's appointment today and a strong little heartbeat!
883. For Steve faithfully being by my side at every doctor's appointment
Weds Nov 30
884. For a delicious and much awaited free pumpkin spiced latte on a cold morning
885. For the opportunity to open up our home and host others for lunch

Thurs Dec 1

886. For  a safe delivery 30 years ago after my mom had severe complications
887. For the incredible blessing of another year of life with good health
888. For a changed perspective on birthdays I learned through Andrew- that they're not really about glorifying us, but gloryfing the Lord and thanking Him.
889. For the safe arrival of Austin Joseph Smith today. So glad we get to share birthdays!
890. For celebrating with Steve's family today over dinner

Friday Dec 2

890. For fun conversations with dear friends over dinner
891. For a late night Starbucks outing with Amber and Kindra after dinner
892. For my mother in law kindly babysitting for us tonight

Saturday Dec 3

893. For the promises God has made in the bible to us
894. For being convicted to have a quiet time before watching TV

Sunday Dec 4

895. For being asked to speak at our local MOPS group in January
896. For the freedom I've experienced in certain areas of my life and the joy in being able to share it with others

Monday Dec 5

897. For a routine day with my sweet and funny little boy

Tuesday Dec 6

898. For hot cocoa and cookies
899. For little Jack and Roman playing around in the softball field and having a blast
900. For being able to come to Steve's last game of the season

Weds Dec 7

901. For the time to learn God's word and grow in my relationship with Him
902. For building new friendships
903. For conviction to look a little bit nicer when Steve gets home from work
904. For the book "The stewardship of Life" which has prompted me to make the most out of every opportunity these past 3 months

Thurs Dec 8

905. For time to catch up on the house and completing errands
906. For Jack's laughter as I chased him around the sidewalk today

Friday Dec 9

907. For a beautiful day out in the park
908. For Bethany's kindness in bringing crafts for the boys to play with

Saturday Dec 10

909. That after a 6 month process, today Steve and I are finally cleared to volunteer at Everday Blessings
910. For stories about foster children which really touched my heart
911. For a much needed date with Steve tonight
912. For being close to family and the help they're always willing to give

Sunday Dec 11

913. For my father in law's kindness in treating us out to lunch
914. For finding a good present for Jack in Craigslist that was affordable
915. For being able to rest today