Spring has Sprung!

The South is such a beautiful sight in the spring. Grass turns this amazing green, flowers start blooming and the beauty that God created is transformed into a new dimension. Spring symbolizes new birth, new life, change and new chances. Spring is so many things.
In the Smith House MANY things have changed. ...

We have been in Brunswick for a full year now and are completely in love with the area, our friends, jobs and church. God knew what he was doing last year when moving to Glynn County became an open door that we were terrified to walk through. He has held our hand and guided every step of our journey to make such beautiful memories. His timing is impeccable, and  astonishing. I look back on our year here and become overwhelmed with the ways in which God has guided us through his plan.

Addison is finishing up her Pre-K year....completely insane that she is old enough to do this! She will start kindergarten in the Fall. She is so incredibly smart, charming and beautiful. I can't wait to see where her path leads her.

Asa has grown from being a little baby into a full blown toddler! He doesn't stop talking, running, climbing, squealing, eating....the list will go on FOREVER! He had developed a beautiful personality that is charming and lovable. He has a tender heart and is in love with his family, especially Addison. He is speaking in cute choppy sentences and uses the cutest hand gestures and facial expressions. He still loves to snuggle and give lots of hugs and kisses. He recently learned how to hunt Easter Eggs for the first time!

We decided that we loved living here so much that we decided to buy a house!! 

When we thought that it couldn't get any better, I found out that I will be transferring to the same school Addison will attend!! We will start next school year together, WOOHOO!! 

I look forward to MANY more years to come!

Another Place at the Table

We are in the final stages of foster care approval with our foster care organization, and we couldn't be more excited and scared at the same time. As early as next week, we will be approved with the state to be foster parents for a child we have never met, but were created to love before we were ever born.

Ben and I discussed being foster parents or adoption on and off infrequently since we were married. The thoughts passed through our conversations over the past six years with a "yeah, I think we might want to do that one day" but then passed along to be discussed another day. We had two beautiful children in these years and have enjoyed every second of it...well, maybe not every second...but neither of us would trade anything for those times. :-)  
After we moved here to Brunswick, our mind, eyes and hearts were opened again and the fostering conversation began visiting more frequently. It became a normal topic of conversation and became a want in our hearts. The moment when I knew that God was leading us down this new path of family ministry was when Addison brought out her baby dolls and had this conversation.

Addison: Mommy, these are my new babies.
Me: I like those new babies.
Addison: Their mommy and daddy can't take care of them right now, so I'm going to take care of them.

We had previously talked to her about what new plans may be entering our home. We discussed what it might be like, good and bad. It was a little 5 minute conversation and she went off to play. But for her to bring this up two weeks later with the love and compassion that she had is amazing. At that second, I knew without a doubt that God wasn't just speaking to our hearts, he was speaking to hers too.

 In our church, we are surrounded with some amazing people who have opened their homes to our community's children. And through our church and these people, we were led to Faith Bridge.  God's timing is amazing, I believe I say this at least once a week! I can't believe how amazing it is sometimes. About a week after Addison became a foster parent to her baby dolls, we found out that Faith Bridge was having a series of meetings and trainings at our church. We signed up, with the idea that we were just "looking into things" and walked out of those meetings completely in love with the organization, the people who make it possible as well as the thought of a new family member that would one day join our home. Since the end of February, it has been a mad dash of paperwork, background checks, lost birth certificate for our youngest, physicals, baby proofing to the extreme and prayers that this was where God wanted us to go. Now, here we are waiting on our last visit before approval.

If it had not been for this organization, our church and our family, we would not feel this overwhelming comfort that we have now. We feel completely supported, loved and prayed for. We are truly thankful for everyone who is and has been part of our preparation. We look forward in sharing the journey with you.

"for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."

Philippians 2:13

Your Temple

Three weeks ago, our church launched a series that helped us look deeper into the body that God created. Are we treating our bodies like the temple he created? Are you taking care of your health so that you can do his work when he calls for you? Are you showing appreciation to the owner of all things including the body you live in?  The answer was difficult for me to answer. I had never looked at by health to see if it glorified God. I have had two children, eaten WAY too many cupcakes, became addicted to sugar, and found Pinterest over the past 6 years. My body look nothing like a temple to be proud of. I was embarrassed to call my body a temple for God. I knew then that something had to change.

I know, you think I shouldn't blame Pinterest for my unhealthy lifestyle.... but how many of you had the original though of wrapping cookie dough around an Oreo or brownie? huh? or... the 99 BILLION ways to make cheese dip "to die for"? Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Pinterest. I just didn't use it in ways that helped my health, nor my budget..but that is a different story.

Back to the health series.... So to kick our butts into gear and stir up our competitive nature, The Biggest Winner contest was introduced. Participants were selected to represent the 4 different services and were given a coach for 5 weeks. Each team weighs after each of their service times and totals are recorded.
Being selected for this opportunity was very exciting and motivating. I had extra weight that I had been carrying around for a long time and I felt trapped in  the body that I was living in. I really started looking at the way I was treating the temple God created and realized that he deserved better.

Our team began training with our coach multiple times each week and I started a clean eating meal plan. OMG...I was not happy with this meal plan. No sugar, No dairy (CHEESE), No wheat products, No coffee and many other yummy goodies that I have been downing for the past 6 years. I didn't know how I would survive! What do you eat if you can't have cheese?!

It took a few days of crying and complaining about the things that I would have to give up before I realized that this was nothing compared to what God gave up for me. The whole point of this experience is for us to better ourselves and to develop a better relationship with our creator. What better way than to give up the things that you crave and "feel" like you need? My mindset quickly changed so that instead of this being a "diet," it was a fast. One that I can tell you has brought me much closer to our loving God.

My communication with God has increased drastically. It started out as prayers of strength, and encouragement and turned into thankfulness, appreciation for this opportunity and his ability to open our eyes to so many things that we were blind to.

So, as we are starting week three, I look back at my "before" picture I took when I started going to the gym in October. Not only can I see a smaller person, I see a woman who has changed her outlook on her health, and a woman who is proud of the temple God created for her.

In the past two weeks, I have lost 9 pounds and 1 pant size.
Since October, I have dropped 18 pounds and 3 pant sizes.
I am working up the nerve to share pictures of my success...I'm not there yet. Stay tuned!

" Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;  you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

New International Version (NIV)

Two in One!

So, I have missed a few important events in the past few months....so here goes two months in one post! 

In September, our little man turned one! What better way to celebrate our gentleman than to have a "Little Man" theme? So, we had mustaches, ties and bow ties! We we thankful for the family that could make the drive down to Brunswick, for those who couldn't make it, you were greatly missed. 

Happy birthday Asa!

Emma enjoyed the festivities too!

Tattoo mustaches rock!

Mmmmmm, cake!

We mustache that you come again! 

After the birthday party, our little guy grew up....he began running and tackling Addison every chance he got. 

The two just love each other.

Here are just a few pictures from the past few months...

Playing in the ball pit Asa got for his birthday.

Big boy learned to sleep on a cot!

His new favorite place to hang out.

Nanny and Papa with all the grand babies! 

I know Asa's pictures outnumber Addison's...I will be sure to post more of her next time ;-) 

A Hiking We Will Go!

I feel like we are an official family now that we have gone on our very first and true "Family Vacation" with the four of us.  We rented a cute little cabin in Helen, Ga, loaded up and drove through the night! We arrived at our cabin late Thursday night and we all passed out in our KING sized bed! ;-) I totally want one now!
Friday morning, we awoke to the beautiful sound of birds chirping and the wonderful view of the mountains. Our first destination was Baby Land General Hospital in Cleveland, Ga. What a sweet and adorable place! Addison and I both feel in love with magical atmosphere. I felt like a little girl again..wanting to run around and hold all the cute little babies and kids. They are all so darn cute! Not sure about the boys, but Addison and I were had the time of our lives ;-)

 Look at my little Cabbage Patch Babies!

Asa loved the big animals

Of course, we can't visit Baby Land without adopting a new baby! Addison was so excited to pick out the perfect addition to our family. After walking around and looking at every baby, she finally made her choice.

 Look at that smile! 

Adoption Oath.

Happiest little Girl EVER!

I just love this!

Asa didn't really care about anything but his teeth that we coming in ;-)

Stay tuned for more! 

Happy Faces

The little Smith nuggets are still growing at a high speed. It is hard for me to catch up! 

Addison started her first business this past weekend, she earned a whopping $.50! At her defense, the weather had other plans and decided to end the lemonade business after 30 minutes. We have plans to try every weekend.

 We are trying to teach and show her that God uses us to help others by providing us with talents and spiritual gifts. She is also learning that when we have anything extra that we don't need, we can give to  those who may benefit. This little firecracker has a warm and loving heart for God at such a young age. I am so proud of her. With the money that she collects from her lemonade stand over the rest of the summer, she is planning to give it to church and the hungry. (Her choice) Because of this, I will make sure that we are always stocked with cups and lemonade! If you are in our area, please stop by and donate to her cause ;-)

I had to also add this next picture of the smallest nugget... He is just too cute!

Back in Action!

After our car was broken into, and my camera stollen....our county police department recovered it!!

I can not tell you how happy I am to have this little guy back in my life! I haven't put it down stick I disinfected it ;-) Oh, forgot to mention the best part.....it had ALL of my pictures still on it!!! 

I am so incredibly thankful!