1 down, 260 to go

Our weekend with Caleb came and went... fast!  

We started our three days off in Charleston with a lunch at Caleb's favorite place... MOE'S!  Then we went to the South Carolina Aquarium which Emmalyn loved!  

Once we got back to Lexington we arrived at Porter's first birthday party.  With the whole Smith clan in attendance, there was a lot going on!  All the kids (including the adults) were having fun: )  There is never a dull moment with this family!

And of course Daddy got to hang out with Porter's dad too!

After partying it up it was time for a bath and bedtime.  Daddy got to help with potty time, bath, and even read Emmy a new bedtime story.  I could help but get a snapshot of this sweet cuddly moment.

The next morning started out slow.  We took our time getting ready in the morning and then took a nap while Emmy napped.  Once she woke up, Caleb wanted to get her but he was gone for a long time so I went into her room to see what was holding him up and found this...

I just had to grab my camera and get a photo.  However, after taking the photo I held my breath as Caleb struggled to get out of the crib in fear that it would break but it didn't... Good to know!

On Saturday night we met my parents for dinner to celebrate my mom's birthday.  I'm pretty sure Emmalyn thought all the celebrating was for her (that's how the only grandchild gets treated!)

Once we were done with dinner we went to the arcade to play some games.  While my parents entertained Emmy for a minute, Caleb and I played a friendly game of skeet ball, which I WON!  Caleb would tell you I was just lucky, but I'm sticking to it being all skill!

Sunday was another lazy day spent with Caleb's parents.  After church we had steak and potatoes for lunch and read books with Emmy.  She loved showing us the animals.

After relaxing while Emmy napped, we took a walk around the pond and played outside.

That night, while Caleb's parents stayed with Emmalyn, we got to spend some time together alone.  We went putt putting at Frankie's Fun Park and then to dinner at Yamato's!  It was so great to be alone with him and not have to be concerned with another person.  I felt like we were back in high school!

Then Monday came.  

The entire morning I felt like my stomach was in my throat and I was nauseous.  However, once we got to the airport I felt peace and was just thankful for the extra time we got to spend with Caleb before he headed overseas.  

Emmy was so tired at the airport that she was delirious and it was so funny!  She would be in my arms and then launch herself to Caleb and then back to me laughing the whole time.  She lifted our spirits and made us laugh during a very tense time.  

Even though we were crying as we kissed good bye we know God has this all under control and we can only trust Him. 

Being an army wife really makes you cherish the small moments even more and I'm looking forward to the next time we get moments like this... whenever the army decides that will be.  

And they're off...  1 day down.  260 days to go.

Thank you all for keeping us in your prayers and for supporting the soldiers and their families.  The words of encouragement mean more than you know!

MIA

Today I will meet my husband at the airport and my daughter will walk up to him.  Today I actually get to hold his hand and hug his neck.  I am beyond excited!  Needless to say, I'll be living up the little bit of time I get with him for the next four days and won't be thinking about much else.  So, I'll be back on Tuesday to tell you all about our weekend together!  Have a great weekend!

Saturday Morning Dance Party

This is what we do on Saturday mornings...

Yes, dance to Sesame Street tunes with our pj pants on our head.  What?!  You don't do that too?!

Looking forward to: Fall tv

So, with no husband around to rag on, one has to find other things to be excited about.  My best friend, Ashley and I have a love for "our shows" and have been tv buddies since college.  Now, my roommate, Crissy, is the same way and its great!  The line up this fall looks pretty enticing so I wanted to share the shows that I'm looking forward to, to help pass the time away ya know?!

One of my guilty pleasures.  Don't know why, but I love this one! 

I started watching How I Met Your Mother as reruns late at night when I was up feeding Emmy.  Now that I get the story line, it is kind of interesting - but geez, could we meet the "mom" already?!?!?

I love Zooey Deschanel.  I first noticed her in Failure to Launch (with the bird that wouldn't let her sleep) and Elf (epic Christmas movie!) and now she has a new show!  Zooey once a week?  Yes please!

And the other new show I'm looking forward to is Up All Night.  First of all, the cast seems great and poking fun at the hardships of parenthood is always a blast!  

Of course there will be the usuals, like The Bachelor, Army Wives, and American Idol (all starting in the winter).

**Note: I was a nursing major.  Although I know how to speak english, writing is a different story and even though every one of my english teachers would cringe to read this, I still have no idea how to properly write movie/show and/or book titles.  Do you italicize or add quotes or underline?  Anyone want to enlighten me with an english lesson?

New Babies and New Friends

After getting home from my beach trip, Crissy and I decided to have a girls night on a whim.  We went to dinner and a movie with three other lovely, fun ladies!

These girls have been friends since high school!

Finally got a photo of Crissy and myself! 

This pretty lady and her bun that she is cooking always put a smile on my face!

And this professional golfer is hi. lar. i. ous!  I've known her since high school, but we were a year apart and never got to know each other... until now.  I'm loving this new friend!

After dinner at the always delicious, Copper River, we went to see Friends With Benefits.

Funny story:  As the five of us waited in line there was a group of nine high school girls in front of us.  We hoped they weren't going to see the movie that we were and overheard them buying tickets for Harry  Potter.  However, when we got into out theater we realized that the girls were under 17 and had snuck into Friends With Benefits (I'm pretty sure there were more than a few scenes that they did not need to be seeing). 

Before the movie started, one of the girls turned around to ask me if I knew when the movie ended.  Umm... No.  Apparently, they had a curfew and rushed out to meet their rides as soon as the closing credits started.  

Good. Laugh.

On Monday afternoon, Crissy and I headed to Spartanburg to visit with the new parents of Elijah Carter. Both his mom and dad went to high school with us.  They are the sweetest people to be around and their son is absolutely adorable!  

I took some newborn photos for them which didn't go as well as I had hoped because little man was HUN GRY!  

Emmy was very concerned with him at all times (when he was crying, when he was swinging, when he was eating - unless she was eating too  : )

After getting a few good photos of the family outside their apartment, we caught some of Eli and Emmy.

NOSE!!!

then I finally got my hands on the little guy instead of snapping photos, but Emmy was getting tired and needed her momma so I got both kiddos at once.

I just thought this next photo was so funny and shows how silly my child can be!  Boy do I love her!

Christmas in July??

I've always hated that statement.  Christmas is such an amazing time of year and everything that goes with it like the snow (in more northern states), big coats, scarves, caroling, lights, hats, fires, you get my drift.  And July is unique in its own way.  The hottest and longest days of the year occur in July.  It's typical beach bum weather and smells of sun screen fill the humid air.  Also, I turn a year older every July.

So, I started thinking.  If we can have Christmas in July, why can't we have New Years in August?  I've been thinking and praying for myself lately.  What do I want to do with my life - or better yet, what does God want me to do with my life?  Is this it?  What more can I do/be?




~ Be more frugal

~ Smile more

~ Offer more selfless services

~ Write more thank you notes

~ Call old friends more often

~ Thank God more often

~ Workout



I start my new job on Monday... Finally!  I'm excited and nervous.  It will get me out of the house for more than to just spend money and will allow me to reach a whole new variety of people to share God's love with.  Prayers are needed/welcome.

Thanks for reading my thoughts today.  I know it wasn't the more interesting post but I'll keep you posted on my "August Resolutions" and I promise the next post will be full of recent photos!