Tuesday, December 20, 2011


- 2011 -
We are so privileged to serve a true and living God 
who has blessed us with 
THIS:

Another year of growing, learning, stretching, falling, rejoicing -
and all the while being equipped with EVERYTHING we need for life and Godliness 2 Peter 1:3

ETHAN
Turning 7 in January!  I can't even believe this!  
Mr. Personality defines Ethan.  With a constant spring in his step and  loud song on his lips, you know when he is around - (ask his Sunday School teachers!)  He is obsessed with bugs, snakes, lizards, frogs, and any animal that is alive.  His only request for Christmas is a pet!  (stay tuned after Christmas...shhhhh!)  A great leader, helper, teacher, worker, and a true love for Jesus, his newly accepted SAVIOR!
New in 2011: 1st grade and cursive writing, making eggs for the family, an increasing interest in Lego's.


LUKE
Turned 5 in May!
Sweet is Luke.  Luke loves his brother and follows his every step (and command).  He has a devoted and soft spirit that makes me want to squeeze him - but he won't let me any more!  He also finds a silly spark when Kate is around - the two of them together usually end up in some serious mischief!!  Luke does not know what he wants for Christmas, (except for what Ethan tells him he wants) but will be thrilled to finally dive into the packages that bare his name!  He has a intense Christmas twinkle in his eye this year!!
New in 2011:  kindergarten and reading, football video games, and a increasing spiritual interest.



KATE
Turned 4 in September!
2011 has been a big year of development for our little girl!  She was home with mommy this year with no brothers to follow and has turned into a great little helper.  She matches and folds socks like a pro!  She also has some personality and attitude (yikes!) that makes her a fun little girl to be around.  Everything girly, lover of candy, and entertainer of her baby sister.  
Kate wants everything for Christmas!
New in 2011:  soccer, cavities, dangle earrings, no more sucking her fingers!!!



NOEL
Turned 1 yesterday, the 20th!  *sniff
Mommy's squishy baby!  All smiles, squeals, and giggles.  Sweet, adorable, loving, cuddler, horrible sleeper (hey, can't have it all), soft, kissable, and wonderful!  Noel would love for Christmas to be in a room full of open drawers and cabinets, alone, so she could empty them all out onto the floor.
New in 2011: cooing, smiling, laughing, rolling, scooting, crawling, standing, teeth, eating, drinking, hugging, kissing, saying "mommy, daddy, and Kate", peek-a-boo, and her latest trick: walking!!



US LOVEBIRDS
Married 9 years now!
We've been in Alexandria, VA at Engleside Baptist Church for 6 1/2 years now!  Ben is still working with the youth, AWANA, and family ministries.  He also takes care of the church landscaping.  
The best daddy and husband around!  He proved that this year when he sent Noel and I to Colorado for 10 days and took on the 6, 5, and 4 year old alone (scary voice).
I have enjoyed my year squishing on my baby at home everyday and attempting to run a household with grace.  I joined Bible Study Fellowship and have enjoyed having something to keep me accountable!  I also ventured way out this year and became a consultant with Thirty-One Gifts and have had fun dabbling in that a bit.







We wish you all a Merry Christmas and remember with you the glories of Christ's birth!

The Son of God came down and laid aside His crown
Born without great renown, this Sovereign One
All holiness and might, all glory shining bright
Have come to earth this night in Mary’s son
O come, let us adore

O Christ the Lord, our hope and Savior
Son of God yet made like us
O Christ the Lord, our King adored
Born a child, our Lord Jesus

Messiah born so small, asleep in cattle stall
Come to redeem our fall, nailed to a tree
This tiny, helpless child through death would reconcile
The holy God and vile, His grace so free
O come, let us adore

The Son of Man Came Down - Sovereign Grace Worship


Friday, December 02, 2011

The 24 day WAIT
Trying to focus small children on the meaning behind Christmas can be challenging, at best!  The Christmas season brings candy, presents, cookies, bright lights, no school, friends and rarely seen family members, and tons of extra special activities all squeezed into one month!!  No wonder it's the favorite season of children!  No wonder it's my favorite season!  
Our family has lots of ways that we enjoy the long 24 day wait, or advent.  Most of them are geared specifically toward teaching and re-enforcing the birth of our risen SAVIOR.  Instilling the excitement of the wait - as the world waited for the prophesied Messiah
Micah 5:2
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Through you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting."

and as we wait for the return of Jesus
Acts 1:11
"who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven?  This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."

The Advent calendar
behind each door is a nativity ornament we talk about and hang on a small wire tree.  
A small treat also awaits the children each night.

We started this last year
Adorenaments from Family Life
A set of 12 ornaments that highlight the names of God.  
We do these the 12 days leading up to Christmas.  The kids love to see each new ornament and take turns adorning the tree.




This is an idea I got from Life as Mom that we are doing this year and I am so excited!!  This is a "fun" countdown.  THIS is how I am squeezing in all the extra special activities into our month!
Each day of  December has an envelope that encloses a top-secret family activity.  Life as Mom has a whole list of activities and cards ready to print here, but I decided to make up my own activities that are "must haves" at the Smith house.  I made sure their were lots of outings balanced with lots of at home activities (with a few "bail out/ we're pooped/ can't muster the energy" activity cards that Ben and I can swap out at will)


I just printed out our FUN on card stock and cut them to fit into envelopes.


Made a master plan list (in pencil, of course), numbered and stuffed the envelopes.

Kate and I made a chain out of our scraps to add to our decor.


 Can't wait to open that envelope tonight!!
Enjoy your advent season!!


Sunday, November 27, 2011

I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.
Psalm 69:30
snapshots of a few of 
our many blessings




Thursday, November 03, 2011

Birthday!
(someone turned 32 yesterday...and it was NOT me!  :)

This is Ben's favorite cake...ever!  Chocolate, raspberry, cream...can't go wrong there!



 (one day I will make sure the family is dressed appropriately at dinner table...espcially when we're taking pictures...one day)


Happy birthday, my love!  I hope your day stood out a little from all the rest and that your family made you feel special!  We love you and are thankful for a daddy who loves the Lord and leads us in love!

FESTIVITIES!!

PUMPKINS




ROASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS...mmmmm!


MEATLOAF HAND & MUMMIES FOR HALLOWEEN DINNER - CREEPY!



NINJAS



CANDY GIRL AND PUMPKIN




LOOT!!

FUN!!

Tuesday, November 01, 2011

 C-O-L-O-R-A-D-O
A few months back, Ben had this idea that I should take Noel and go see my family in Colorado.  My grandparents had never met Noel and I had not seen them in a long time!  So, after I made sure Ben knew that  -  I leaving with 1 kid = HIM staying home with 3 kids  -  I bought a ticket!

Noel on her first plane ride!


The fist day of our trip was spent catching up with Jamey, Autumn, and Rachel...but I guess I was too busy gabbing (and eating OREOS) to take any pictures.  You will have to imagine us girls comfy on Autumn's couch sipping tea, catching up, and watching Noel and Axel, who are just 1 day apart, bang on each other's heads.  It was wonderful.
Jamey dropped me off to spend a few days at Granny Stutz's house the next morning.  We stayed the nights with my Aunt Carol and Uncle Bill.  (THANK YOU, OH SO MUCH)

Noel and Great Grandma  and Grandpa Stutz



spending some time with Pops!



Grandma and I decided to spend one of our days puzzling...whew...what a doozy!


Aunt Hannah and Uncle Isaac picked us up from my grandma's house on their way from Nebraska and we traveled over the mountains and through the woods (no woods) to grandmother's house!






Great Grandma Ehmann loved Noel.  It was fun to see how much joy a baby brings to an older person! 
 (Relax, mom and dad!  I'm talking about Grandma not you guys...hee hee)




notice a little 10 inches of me gone??
yeah, Hannah got ahold of me!  
Gotta love new hair!

What a great trip!  Thank you, Ben for the great idea and encouragement to go.  3 kids - alone - 10 days - WHAT A GUY!!