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!
