Today the baby...

...weighs as much as a large cabbage.

Decorating the Tree

It's hard to believe it's already time to decorate for Christmas! We picked up our Christmas tree on our way home on Saturday so we would be ready to decorate on Sunday. The kids did a great job decorating the tree. We only broke 1 ornament this year (so far)!

A first for Jeremy...

...but probably not a last:)

Thanksgiving morning Jeremy got up early and by the time I went up for breakfast I had a text saying he got an 8 point buck! Pretty good for his first deer!

Thanksgiving 2010

This Thanksgiving we traveled to Virginia to celebrate with my side of the family. We had a great time with family and enjoyed being together. There is much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving as we reflect on the year 2010 so far. Here are the things our kids shared they are thankful for:

Bryn - coloring, getting my hair cut at the cutter, playing with Mommy

Lydia - Daddy blowing leaves

Carson - my baby brother Spencer (it's official, Jeremy finally named this baby!), Jesus

Carson & Owen making the place cards for the table

cousins

the original Smith family

Today the baby is...

...the size of a butternut squash.

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Vist with the Watsons

We had the privilege of a last minute visit with the Watson family this weekend. We so enjoyed our time with them and enjoyed connecting with them. Our kids had a great time playing together as well. Stephen and Darci became good friends of ours when we first moved to Clemson back in 2005. At the time Stephen was the Baptist Campus Minister for Clemson University and he was such a blessing to our church and pastors as we planted Crosspoint Church. We are so thankful for their friendship then and now. Stephen is now working for Chick-fil-A and they are preparing to move to Pittsburgh to manage a store there.

Carson & Titus had a great time playing all weekend.

Because they are in between locations with the job they have their van packed full. They pulled things out on Saturday to reorganize the van. They will be ready to get settled in their new home.

Titus, Carson, Molly, Bryn, Thomas, & Lydia

Darci & I

Third Trimester...

...here we come!

Today the baby is the size of a Chinese cabbage (about 2 1/4 pounds and 15 inches long).

Myrtle Beach Getaway

Amy and I headed to Myrtle Beach to meet up with Scarlet (aka Nana) on Wednesday afternoon and enjoyed a few nights of relaxation and fun. We missed not having Allyson and Leigh with us. Wish they could have been there. I'm thankful for a restful and sweet time with my mother in law and my sister in law. It was a blessing from my in-laws to have these few days away. We enjoyed leisurely mornings, walks on the beach, eating out, and shopping.

This picture is at the Carolina Opry for the Christmas Show (missing Allyson & Leigh).

this was the view from our porch...beautiful!

Today the baby is...

...the size of a head of cauliflower.

Old Friends

Some of our college friends were in Clemson for the weekend and we weren't able to see them (because of the wedding) until today. The Cochrans and Reeves were in town and joined us for church this morning and then we (Tidds, Finleys & us) all met at a park for a picnic lunch after church. It was a quick visit but I'm thankful for this time to see them and their kids!

The ladies (L to R: Stacey, Reagan, Cayce, Liz, Jill)

The kiddos (missing one) - 15 kids ages 1 to 8

The men (L to R: Jason, Matt, Chad, Jeremy, Adam)

Peg & Joshua's Wedding

Jeremy and I had the privilege of attending the wedding of Joshua and Peg this weekend. Peg became a dear friend during her time here in Clemson as a student. She attended our college small group and it's been a joy to watch God's faithfulness in bringing she and Joshua together. After their engagement they asked Jeremy to officiate the ceremony. This was Jeremy's first time officiating a wedding and he did a great job! I'm so thankful I was able to be there! Their ceremony was beautiful. It was truly a worshipful celebration of marriage!

Tara's Shower

Last Thursday evening Ashley, Molly, Amy & I hosted Tara's first bridal shower. We had a great time loving on Tara and showering her with some gifts as she prepares to become Mrs. Denton!

Tara and the hostesses

We played a game and then had a surprise video of Matt (the groom) answering the same questions. Matt & Tara would have done well on the newly-wed game;)

I love this girl! I am eagerly awaiting her wedding day with her!

the whole group

Exhausted

The last 24 hours have been pretty rough around here. Both girls have been fighting a cough the last couple days but last night Lydia took a turn for the worse. She was up most of the night (and therefore so was I...and therefore so was baby boy inside me!) wheezing and crying and struggling to breathe well. I went back and forth all night whether to take her to the ER or not. Another little girl in our church was diagnosed with croup on Monday so I knew to watch carefully and be concerned. Lydia and I went from her bed to our bed to the recliner to the bathroom for a steam shower and back to my bed. I maybe got an hour of sleep last night. I was reminded of the demands of being a mom. These are the hard moments that call me to, in a very real way, lay my life down for my children. I called the doctor first thing this morning asking to bring Lydia in and she was diagnosed with croup. I'm thankful we went so that she could get some medicine to help open up her airway. I am hoping tonight goes much smoother! I just got the kids in bed and this day needs to end really bad! I'm thankful that His mercies are NEW every morning!

On a better note, I also had my (Lord-willing) last appointment at the high-risk doctor. I had an ultrasound this afternoon and everything looked great; they didn't see any blood from the placenta! I'm so thankful for God healing my womb and caring for this baby. I'm getting more and more ready for February. I'm battling sciatica pain shooting down my leg (much like it felt when I was pregnant with Carson) so these last few months may be pure endurance to the end! I will be ready to hold this boy in my arms! Here are some pictures of that sweet boy from today...