Updates on the Smith kiddos

These little kids are growing by leaps and bounds, physically and emotionally! They play really well with one another (most of the time) and it's loads of fun to listen to their imaginations take them all over the world! Here's a few updates on them:

1. They both still love books. Bella falls asleep reading them every night and is readying well above a first grade level. Jonathan likes to find his letter (the letter 'J') in all the books or make up his own stories to the pictures.

2. Look at that determination! He has a very serious look when he's busy working.

3. These kids built a train to go all over the world. They labeled the chair for all of us and Mike and I had to sit down while we were being taken to China and Africa. They even had a safari once we arrived in Africa.

4. We have plenty of pushes and pinches and fights. But sometimes, these two love to give hugs.

5. Jonathan was painting Bella's Christmas present from him. He bought her a wooden castle to paint.

6. Welcome to the safari in Africa!

7. These kids love the fun train at the public library. They will get in there and read until I say we have to go - this is usually followed by lots of "but moooommmm!"

8. They like to sit as close as possible when they are watching their PBS shows. Sweet kids - until someone pushes the other. But you know. They are siblings! That's what siblings do, right?

Nap time

Hi everyone!

Uhm, it's been a long, long time. But don't worry! We will play catch up. I thought I'd first give you a glimpse into what our house looks like at naptime.

Bella falls asleep reading books. And Jonathan...well?

An intersection with grace

Every year I make a book out of all my blog entries for myself and the grandparents. And, each year I enjoy looking back at all the pictures. I cry and I laugh and I am thankful for the reminder of everything that has happened in the year. When I went to make this year’s book, I noticed it was not near as full as in years past. I didn’t blog as much at all - which is a pretty good indication of what this last year has been (read: school and busy!). But I still had some great pictures and moments documented. 

The end of this year culminated in my dissertation proposal. The weeks working up to the proposal were full of lots and lots of work, coffee, more childcare than I wanted for the kids, too much pizza and easy-go-to-meals, worry, lack of sleep, few date nights…you get the idea. Then the proposal came and went much quicker than the preparation period. So did my worry - It ended very well! 

Those moments where I’m not with my kids or husband as much as I want to be make the moments like this weekend so incredibly special. We celebrated with a nice dinner and ice cream. And most importantly, we cuddled after bath time and I read books with a little more gusto. We stayed in our pj’s all Saturday and ate too many pancakes. We went on hikes with a leisurely pace and crunched in the leaves. We chased each other around the house and danced to “Overwhelmed”. And I cried at most of these moments. Don't worry. My kids and Mike are used to these happy and thankful tears!

I’m so thankful for my family. And for my school. And for the grace that is taught through the intersection of the two. My kids went with me to school and sat at their "desks" one day. We went for coffee and hot chocolate before going to work. We toured the library at my school and had lunch with my friends. It was a special moment of sharing with them a little of my world while I always invade theirs as their momma. This intersection. This grace. I do not always see it for what it is but am getting better at noticing the intersection and leaning into it. I wish I could adequately capture the joy and peace and grace these pictures represent. But I can’t. So I will let them speak for themselves! I want a documentation of grace evidenced in my kids and our smiles!

Fall at duke gardens!

Grandfriends day at school

Bella had Grandfriends day at school. We are so fortunate to have lots of lovely people that act like Grandparents to our children. Bella wanted to ask Mrs. Cathy, Mrs. Joann and Mr. Reb to come - along with 5 others from church! But there was a limit to the number of Grandfriends to bring so these three came along. And Bella was so excited to show them all of her work, her desk, and cubby. Then they went to the bookfair and this little gal went to town with books! Bella picked out a big book that was one of the priciest. I tried to intervene and suggest picking something else out and was quickly reprimanded (in love) to not worry about it! She got that book and 3 others. It was so great to watch from a distance.

They loved her so much that day with gifts and love and excitement for her progress in school. Mike and I are definitely very thankful for people who love on our kids like they are their own.

No more pics!

This is what happens when I ask for my kids to say 'cheese' one.more.time.

Final garden harvest

Our garden has not done as well this year as the past few years. The temperate weather, lots of rain, and not much sunshine hindered our veggies. But, we still had fun harvesting and planting. Especially when you're with this cute little guy! He loves finding the tomatoes that are "red, not yellow or orange or green", as he says.

Mom dad

Ladies

Fall is here!

Y'all, fall is here in North Carolina. And that can only mean one thing (or a few). I get annoyingly giddy about all things outside - leaves changing, clouds moving, beautiful garden mums, leaves changing. My poor family. If they had a nickel for every time I made them go outside and look at the sky or breathe the fresh air. Now my kids sound like me when we go outside. "Oh, mommy! It's just wonderful out here". ha! Coming from a five year old with a dramatic flair is adorable! Needless to say, we are out a lot. My sweet husband humors me when I make him open the front door and just look at, uhm, nothing actually. Just the sky and clouds at sunset. He does every time too without complaint. That guy, so sweet you guys.

Anywho, I love fall. Did I mention that? I felt like I wanted to break out in a Disney song (or some other really cheery song) when I walked into Lowes. I guess it's because I grew up where we didn't experience leaves changing. Or because I have a bit of dramatic flair myself. Either way, we are happy campers with pumpkins and mums and scented candles and windows open.

Here's my 12 year old, I mean 3 year old, Jonathan. His daddy took him for a haircut and I think it's adorable. But it makes him look so much older so I am partially sad about it.

This little guy loves his cars and had to have them all lined up perfectly on the courtyard steps.

Then we went hunting for leaves.

After Mike got home from work, I went inside to make supper. This is the scene I saw when I went to check on everyone. Bella is probably singing "Let it go" and dancing in the courtyard while these two guys play with cars. Notice the door is open. Told ya I keep everything open in the fall!

Our courtyard and front yard are in full bloom with mums, pansies, hostas, roses, spiria, begonias, and daisies. It's so pretty right now out there.

Bella is on intercession from her school so I've enjoyed having her home for the whole day. She is becoming a great tree climber!

And they both like to hunt for spiders.

I hope everyone has some time to run and play and enjoy the beautiful weather! We sure are!