Silver Lining

We have experienced so many blessings in this last month despite/as a result of God's plan for our family and my brother. It has been a difficult time but one that has screamed of God's goodness as well. I could go on and on (and eventually will) but this little blessing will soon be the most obvious...

Here we are at our first half marathon... at 6 weeks PREGGO (and yes, for all those of you out there gasping, I did get my doctor's blessing and ran slower than dirt). On a side note, this is pretty much the only photo from the Seattle marathon as I 'announced' to Ryan's family by running through the finish line as such. Their mouths dropped and cameras were forgotten. :) It was pretty classic.


The crazy thing is that today is the last day of my first trimester. I've never waited any longer than 4.5 weeks to blab to anyone and everyone with my past pregnancies. I've had four doctors appointments and two ultrasounds already. Um, yikes. I am 13 weeks PREGGO with Murphy bun #3. And it is going to go fast. With the timing of all we've been facing, it has been hard to relay or stretch my emotions in two extreme directions, as you can imagine. But we know that with all things God's timing is perfect and I am happy to have been able to share our news on Father's Day with my family, including Andy...and that he will be home with us by the time this new little person is here. We are so blessed.

Faith

I'm sure most of you who keep up with this have heard that my brother, Andy was in a serious motorcycle accident this past Wednesday. It has been a week like no other. A week that I never want to relive but that has increased my faith by unreal measures. A week that I have seen God become more and more tangible by the moment. A week that that a servent is being used to bring others closer to truth. Please log in to Andy's care page to keep up with details of our journey and to pray for him and our family. http://www.carepages.com/carepages/updatesandprayersforandy

Even in the midst of such pain we serve a faithful and mighty God.

Family

The 'Smith' family is moving on up! Here's my newly engaged brother, Andy & soon to be sis-in-law Katie who we love! Haddie calls her "Kitty" which we all think is going to stick permanently. It is precious. We're an all around quirky family. Get used to the madness, Katie. Unfortunately you're in for it...and a million more of these 'family photos' at every single get together. Apparantly whether you're six or twenty six, they never get old.

This photo freaks me out. No, not because of my dad's signature poker photo face... but that this could quite possibly be the final spouse tally? Wowsers. Weird! No pressure, Pat.

And just for measure, here's one of my younger brother, Pat and my classic dating photos. I swear, everywhere we go people think we're married and my kids our ours. It's hillarious. Um, I mean disturbing. :) It doesn't help when we tell them that we slumber partied together every time I came home until I was married. See, I told you we were a quirky family. :)

Something New

Holy Cow! A new post!!! I finally changed out my Classic Template (a pain) to the regular old plug and chug version ... and I'm working on updating/organizing my photos from the last SIX months. Ugh. It's completely overwhelming to let things go for so long and let's face it, Facebook is so much more enticing these days. But I'm feeling the guilt as Briggs & Hadley are growing like weeds ... Here's a couple of our cuties to tide you over.

Almost Four...

WHOA! Not sure I'm prepared for this, although we've been having some really cool conversations with Briggs lately. You never really expect them to get it when they're little. I mean, you KNOW those kind of conversations are coming but when they do your world is still rocked! Really, that little squishy thing is no longer a baby? It's hard to wrap my mind around.

Briggs: Mama, when I'm zero I was in your tummy.
Me: That's right, Briggs! Before you were born you were in my tummy.
Briggs: God put me there. Then I was one, then two, then three...
Me: And soon you'll be four.
Briggs: Mama, then I'll be nothing.
Me: What do you mean?
Briggs: When I'm nothing, then I'm gone. But I'm in heaven with Jesus! Will I be lost from you?
Me: (holy moly) Remember Briggs, anyone who asks Jesus to save then will be in heaven.
Briggs: The we will all be together and it will be so much fun.
Me: It sure will.
Briggs: And I can see Dada's dada.

WOW.