Why?

Why are we told not to hold our beautiful babies too much because they might get spoiled? I say spoil them all you can while they will let you hold them. All too soon he will want to venture out on his own.

Very Proud Big Brothers and Sister

Andrew, Joellyn, Brandon and Tyler are thrilled to have a new baby brother. We are so thankful for all their help. Andrew and Joellyn are old pros at this baby brother stuff and Brandon and Tyler think Connor is very "cool." They like to know where he is at all times and need to hold him at every opportunity.

Connor Matthew Robert Smith

October 20th the Lord blessed us with a beautiful baby boy. Connor made his entrance into the world at 8:01 am at 7 lbs. 15 oz. and 21 inches long. Ron and Joellyn were in the delivery room with me - a planned C-section. Joellyn's comment after the delivery was that it was "amazing." We (Ron and I) had a very hard time naming this little boy and finally decided on Connor because it seems to go with Brandon and Tyler; Matthew meaning "gift of the Lord" and Robert after Ron's maternal grandfather.

WE THANK THE LORD

Joellyn, Brandon, Tyler and I were on our way home from church last Sunday morning going about 45 - 50 miles an hour when a guy driving a small red truck pulled out in front of us giving me no way to stop. I slammed on the brakes and almost avoided him, but caught the corner of both vehicles causing both of us to spin and our airbags to deploy. Joellyn had injuries mostly from the airbag, I had the same plus my hand hit the windshield taking a divit out of my little finger. Brandon and Tyler had bruises and scrapes from the shoulder belts. Once I realized the kids were okay, I was, of course, very scared for the baby. I took a very uncomfortable ambulance ride on a backboard and ended up being at the hospital for 7 hours. 3 hours in the emergency getting xrays and a very basic ultrasound and then 4 hours in labor and delivery getting a very indepth ultrasound and then being monitured to make sure the baby is okay.

We are so thankful that we are all okay. Now we start the look for a new car - oh joy!

Amazing!

How deep the Father's love for us
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
And make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of seering loss
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the choosen one
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the man upon the cross
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and ressurection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
by Stuart Townsend

Wore out!

It is really hard work playing with all those cousins!!

Smith Grandchildren

From left to right: 1st row - Tyler, Gabrielle, Josiah, Arianna, Brandon 2nd row - Gracie being held by Robbie, Joellyn, Jocie, Timothy, JED, Breanna being held by Natasha 3rd row - Andrew, Jodi, Sonja, Jaymi, Larissa being held by Zachary. The Smith grandchildren range in age from 2 months to 20 years with a few more on the way.

Profile

I had my ultra sound on Tuesday, June 7 and we watched the video with the kids on Saturday. Here are a few pictures so you can see what we have been looking at.

A Big Tummy

The ultrasound technician said that babies with big tummies at this stage can end up being BIG babies. I hope not TOO big!!

A Foot

Girl or Boy??

This view is from the baby's bottom and it should be pretty obvious what you are seeing. Ron is still hoping that this is really the umbilical cord, but the ultrasound technician seemed very confident that Ron's hopes are in vain. I guess the gender pattern continues in this Smith family.

DIRT !!!

After many, many phone calls we finally have progress on our lawn. As you can see someone has finally come to plow down the jungle that was our front yard and hopefully we will be finding out soon how much dirt they need to bring in and what the cost will be.

Brandon's New Bike

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Smith and Grandma and Papa Rickard

Happy Anniversary

beautiful flowers from my dear husband to celebrate 18 wonderful years

Baseball practice

I asked Brandon the other day after practice how many balls were hit to him and he just shrugged his shoulders. Then I asked him how many planes flew over the field during practice - he immediately answered, "Three."

Vietnam Memorial

Last month, Joellyn and I joined the rest of her 8th grade class from Emmanuel Christian Academy ina tour of Washington, D.C. Maybe you only begin to appreciate these memorials as you get older. Today on Memorial Day, I am remembering the many times over the years we, as a family, have visited Washington D.C. and the Vietnam Memorial. Thank you to all those who gave their lives in defense of our country and others freedom.

Joellyn - 14

Joellyn - 10 years

Joellyn - 2 years

the Word was, the Word is, the Word will be

i've done every devotional
been every place emotional
tried to hear a new word from God
and i thinks it's very odd
that while i attempt to help myself
my Bible sits upon the shelf
with every promise i could ever need

the Word was,
the Word is,
the Word will be

people are getting fit for truth
like they're buying a new tailored suit
does it fit across the shoulders?
will it fade when it gets older?
we throw ideas that aren't in style
in the salvation army pile
and search for something more to meet our needs

the Word was,
the Word is,
The Word will be

i think it's time i rediscover
all the ground that i have covered
like seek ye first - what a verse
we are pressed but not crushed
perplexed but don't despair
we are persecuted but not abandoned
we are no longer slaves
we are daughters and sons
and when we are weak we are very strong
and neither death nor life
nor present nor future
nor depth nor height
can keep us from the love of Christ
and the Word i need
is the Word that was
that put on flesh to dwell with us
in the beginning

the Word was,
the Word is,
the Word will be

by Sara Groves