Smith Family Reunion

Smith Family Update:

Payton playing with laundry... almost TEN MONTHS old!!

Wow... I am slacking on this blogging thing!! I had a goal to update the blog every Sunday but that has not happened as you can see. I have been very busy in my position at PCC. We are in recruitment season for the fall, and things are moving a long so slowly! In fact, we are down so many teachers that the past two Sundays we have had to cancel Sunday School. This has been a challenging time, however we know that God ultimately has a plan and we are seeking His face daily. So please keep PCC's Children Ministry in your prayers!

Since the last post we have had a lot going on. Josh's parents came for a visit, Jessica was in town for a short visit, we headed north to Maryland for a HUGE Smith Family Reunion, Payton had her first ear infection, I went and visited my nieces and nephew in Mississippi, my best friend had a baby and we are now in the process of trying to buy the house we have rented for four years! It has been an exciting time but overwhelming at the same time.

Let's start with Mississippi-- Payton, my mother, and I headed south to visit Kimberly, Tony, and my adopted nieces and nephew. Payton did amazing on her first airplane ride. She was not even phased! We had an amazing time visiting with Kimberly, Tony and the kids. They TOTALLY stole my heart. I am counting down the days till Christmas so that I can see them again. They loved Payton too! I also was able to enjoy listening to Kimberly leading worship at a women's conference at their church in Hattiesburg, MS. Tony gave an awesome message the Sunday we were there. Overall a wonderful trip! Only downside was that when we returned Payton got a cold and then an ear infection. We had several late nights, crazy rashes from medicine, and HIVES to boot!! Thankfully she really is a great baby and healed up quickly. Mommy just had a hard time seeing her little princess in pain. :(

hanging out with Titus (the dog), James, Payton and I

Watching Cinderella with my nieces and Payton!

Granny and Granddad Smith holding Payton

Granddad feeding Payton during our "BOURNE" marathon.

Josh's parents, Granny and Granddad's visit-- a week after our Mississippi visit Granny and Granddad came to town. We had a wonderful time hanging out, cooking together and playing with Payton. Payton adores both Granny and Granddad as do Max and Toby. The trip was over before we knew it but thankfully we were able to see them again when we headed up to Maryland for the Smith Family Reunion.

"My auntie loves me!"- Jessica and Payton

Jessica's pit stop visit-- Jessica arrived during Granny and Granddad's visit to VA. She was here on business plus there is a special someone that lives in VA that she also wanted to visit, and I am not talking about Payton. wink wink.... Anyhow... we saw her twice but for like three hours totally. It was nice... but short and sweet. We sure do miss our auntie and my little sis. Hopefully she'll be moving back to the mainland!

Josh's brother's family- Alaina, Garrett, Gabe, Alex and us

Taking a break during the Smith Family Reunion...

Payton LOVED the swing and cousin Kaitlin!

Granddad showing Payton around where he grew up...

Payton and I looking at where the Chesapeake Bay starts (we live at the end of it!)

Smith Family Reunion-- So we headed north to North East, MD. (about five hours from our home in Newport News, VA) We joined Josh's mom, dad, brother Alex, his wife Alaina and two boys Gabe and Garrett, sister Melissa, her hubby Tiger, and her FIVE children. We all stayed at the same hotel where we played cards till late at night and just had a blast! The family reunion was quick but a lot of fun. Seeing all of Josh's aunts, uncles, cousins was wild. Josh's dad is by far the handsome one out of the group (no offense to any Smith family members that read this). Payton enjoyed hanging out with her cousins, especially Kaitlyn... who seemed to make her laugh all the time. Adorable is all I can say!

adorable nieces and nephews; Caleb, Kirsten, Keirra, Connor & Kaitlin

MomMom and PopPop with all their GREAT GRANDCHILDREN!

(Payton is being held by big cousin, Kirsten)

Buying the house-- please be praying for us as we decide whether or not we can afford to buy the house we have been renting from my parents for four years. They have been amazing by allowing us to live here but we feel it's time we try and settle down here and take the house off my parents hands. The hard thing is the down payment requirments as well as the fact we are not able to recieve the tax credit because of the fact my parents on the house we are buying. Lovely how it makes you feel the government is anti-family at times. Anyhow... we really need lots of prayer over this big move. Please pray that we would listen to God during this process and not our own desires. THANKS!

Last but not least, AVA GRACE ROBINSON is here!! My high school friend, Kate "Swanstrom" Robinson gave birth to a BEAUITFUL baby girl on September 12, 2009. She was the EXACT measurements and weight as Payton. I think that this is super special! However, Kate was in labor for almost THRITY hours. CRAZINESS.... thankful both baby and mom are doing well. Can't wait to meet her.

So I am off to Washington, DC tomorrow with PCC's Children's Ministry Coordinator of Elementary age classes. We are attending curriculum training at Capitol Hill Baptist. I am very excited but annoyed that I have a cold. Anyhow... super excited to stay in DC but very nervous and sad that for the first time in almost TEN MONTHS I will be away from Payton. Daddy will be watching her in Newport News... however DC is too far for my liking. Please lift both Patti and I up during the conference, my nervousness as well as Josh as he takes care of little Payton. My heart hurts already but I know I have to face this sooner or later.

Well we hope everyone is doing well. Until next time... enjoy your family and eat some yummy pizza!

Melissa and kids....

Cousin Kierra (4 Months) and Payton (8 Months)

Caleb, Kirsten, Payton, Kierra, Connor and Kaitlin (who wasn't feeling well)

Kaitlin is such a cutie!!

Yummy Dinner time....

Payton holding fruits of daddy's labor...

Sorry for the late post.... the weekend was packed and filled with wonderful new memories. Last week Josh and I stayed busy with finishing the fence and with my new job. I kept busy by hanging out with some great ladies from out church on Thursday evening. We had a wonderful time playing "get to know you games" and Pictionary. I ended up leaving early so that I could visit with my mom and dad briefly as they stopped by. They were in town visiting friends from Hawaii. Dad spent the night and Payton was able to hang out with her Pop Pop for a little bit the following morning. Then on Friday evening Josh, Payton and I attended a cookout with our home group (bible study) members at the Chan's home. It was wonderful seeing our friends after being apart this summer. After a few hot dogs we enjoyed playing some NERTS before having to head home to put Payton to bed.

Saturday we were super excited to Melissa and the kids visit. We have not seen much of the Rhoades family since our family grew as well as theirs. With Tiger in "Sin City" on busy... Melissa decided to come down for a quick visit. We made a yummy dinner together... homemade pizza and MORE hot dogs... lol. Then as I prepared for Sunday's crafts with Kaitlin's help... Connor, Kristen, Josh and Melissa played MORE NERTS! :) Once I completed my projects for church Kaitlin and Caleb joined me by snuggling together in my room while watching "Enchanted". Have a said yet how ADORABLE these kiddos are. We really do miss them! Kierra is FOUR months old now and is such a cutie pie. Payton enjoyed playing and laughing with her cousins.

Sunday I headed to church early to get things ready for the services and Josh stayed home with the kiddos and Melissa. It's my understanding that Uncle Josh made some nice waffles with bananas.... yum!! Once I returned from church we headed to Virginia Beach to visit the Aquarium there. What a blast we had!!! I really enjoyed looking at everything and watching Payton's expressions... priceless! After fighting traffic to get home... we popped in a movie and crashed! Melissa and the kiddos ended up leaving the next morning leaving Payton and I lonely! However, we had a fantastic time and can't wait til the next visit!

New Job....Family Ties...

My amazing husband and daughter... hanging out!

Payton sun bathing.... (how do you rotate pictures on her??)

David Isaac, my nephew getting ready to go down a water slide in Stafford, VA... brave boy!

Payton loves mommies wallet... hanging out at the Mariner's Museum Summer Concert!

My adorable niece, Isabella on the 4th of July

PopPop with Payton and Isabella (Payton's cousin)

What a great week we had! Josh continued working on the fence which is almost finished. Hopefully by tomorrow it will be complete and not a minute too soon. Even this past week our oldest dog, Toby decided to sneak out the hole in the fence in the backyard. Needless to say, after yelling for him for a while and a few tears later he showed back up. I was so happy to see him back, that the little bugger didn't get in trouble. He was having a lucky day for sure!

This week I started my new job as the Children's Ministry Coordinator (Infants/Toddlers). What a blessing this week was with helping out at the church. I am extremely excited for the opportunity to meet and get to know people at Peninsula Community Chapel. Another ministry I am involved in is our mother outreach program, mom2mom. I am also very very excited for the fall and for what mom2mom will entail. Check out our new site: www.peninsulamom2mom.com

Thursday I was able to visit with my mom for a hot second before her cousin, Jane and Jane's family arrived. They crashed at our place Thursday night and then we were all off to my grandparents for the day to visit. My sister and her three children were there as well as my Aunt, Uncle, cousins, and cousins babies. It was one WILD, FUN FILLED day. We are very blessed with a wonderful family. Payton enjoyed hanging out with other kiddos as well.

Saturday night was pizza night and our buddy, Chris came over. We played some cards and had some laughs. If you have ever played the card game NERTS you'd understand. If not... Josh and I will have to show you how to play. Good Times! Saturday was also my sister, Kimberly's birthday. What a year she has had, she and her husband adopted four kids this year from the Ukraine. What a blessing this year has been for she and her husband, as well as our family! I am so thankful for her and hope she had a fantastic birthday, first birthday with her children. Memories.... :)

Well, on to another busy week. Until next Sunday evening... have an amazing week and God bless!

Good Times....

Smith Family- Norfolk Botanical Gardens (Payton at four months)

Josh, Payton and I in front of Muller's Ice Cream Parlor in Chincoteague... YUMMY!!!

Payton playing on the beach in Chincoteague, VA (six months old)

Kate's baby shower.... best friends!! (Payton, me, Kate, and Calista)

Smith Family is now blogging....

So I am not real big into blogging but figured since I look at my sister, Kim's blog everyday maybe I should start one for our family. Many of you may be wondering why we named our blog the way we did. I'll try and explain.... Josh and I have started trying to brainstorm different things we can do with Payton, kind of like weekly traditions. We have come up with two so far, homemade pizzas on Friday nights and ice cream treats on Sundays! This past Friday we made our first homemade pizza... we are SOLD! It was a lot of fun and is definitely cheaper than going out. As for ice cream on Sundays, that is easy and happens already.

Today was a big day for the Smith family. Josh started working on finishing the fence around our yard. I am so excited. Not only will I be able to let the dogs go out to do their business, but now I don't have to watch them or stand out in the rain or cold. Plus, when Payton starts running around it will be nice to have her safely placed in the backyard as we play!

This Sunday was also a big day for me. It is my last Sunday NOT on staff with the church we attend. Starting this week I start my NEW job. I am so thankful for God's continued support for our family. I will be overseeing the nursery and toddlers at our church. Basically I make sure the there are teachers, materials for that Sunday's lesson, oversee room setup, and more. I can also do most of my work from home if needed! God is so good!

We had a great couple of days with Vivian, my cousin. I especially enjoyed going out and seeing a chick flick, walking around the mall, and her prom dress fashion show. We miss her company already! Josh and I were also able to catch the new Harry Potter film. Great film as always but lacked the intensity I was hoping for since it was the sixth film (book) and the intense ending is approaching. I hope they pick it up in the next to films!

Well until next Sunday!!! Have a blessed week!