Ramblings. . .

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my blog-reading friends. I've totally been wanting to write a sweet, thoughtful Christmas-post but too much has happened and too much is happening! When I did sit down to write, I found out that all our Christmas pictures are on Stephen's computer and deleted from the card. . so NO PICTURES here to post! Yuck!

So. . . we'll just move along to current ramblings in Smith world in no particular priority order. :)

First, is High School Musical taking over anyone else's world besides mine? Those songs are everywhere I go! The other night when Madison's friend spent the night, they sat on the couch watching the movie and singing along with the songs on her new karaoke machine (Thank you, MawMaw!). It was pretty cute. They also wrote 2 more original songs--"Who's that Man?" and "It's the Word". They both sound a little bit like "Who's that Boy?". . . .Hmmmmm. . .

Second, these are the new foods that Hope-y has recently sampled: dog food (twice), Carmel corn, and Ritz crackers. The first 2 she obviously scavengered for on the floor--that girl can crawl like crazy! She can make it from the living room, through the breakfast room, through the kitchen and to the laundry room were we keep Gretel's food in no time!

Third, my Jacks-man is a nut! He plays non-stop! This morning, though, he got into some of Madison's nail polish!!! He "painted a stream" on the top rim of the tub! Fortunately it (mostly) came up. He also painted his nails! Exciting.



Fourth, my amazing husband surprised me last night with. . . an IPHONE!!!! No kidding!!! My 2nd hand Nokia has served me faithfully (again, thank you, MawMaw), but it was time to retire that baby! Funny, I just FEEL cooler when I hold it! :)

Fifth, I made a very easy, yummy supper last night, and I thought I'd share it with you busy girls out there. This recipe is from my mom's friend, but you call it Saucy Chicken and Pasta!

Ingredients:
1 8oz. cream cheese (full fat or fat-free)
1 can cream of mushroom soup (regular or 98% fat-free)
1 stick of butter (or 1/2 a stick)
Chicken tenders or breasts (about 3 breasts)
1 small pack angel hair pasta or thin spaghetti

Directions:
Melt the butter in a sauce pan. Add the soup and cream cheese, whisking to combine.
Put the chicken in a CROCK POT.
Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken.
Cook on HIGH for 4ish hours or LOW for 6ish hours.
Cook the angel hair pasta.
Serve the saucy chicken over the pasta.

**My mom made the original version for us over Thanksgiving, and it was so creamy and yummy! I made the the low-fat version (with whole-wheat pasta) last night for us, and it was super creamy and good. Next time I make it I'll experiment with adding a little garlic salt and/or onion powder.

Enjoy!!

Sixth, can I just complain for a sec? I really don't like taking down Christmas decorations!!!! What a mess. . I'm only half way through!!!

Seventh, my nephew Caden is hopefully going to be coming home before long. They're at least starting to seriously talk about it! Please keep praying that he'll continue gaining weight and get to come home soon!! Also, for Mel and Nathan to hold up.

Lastly, my precious husband is just not feeling well today. . he's been laying low all day. .. sore throat. . .looks like we'll be singing lots of girl-songs at church tomorrow!!

OK--I'm out. Time to feed Hope, wash more clothes, clean up this messy, messy house, be Stephen's nurse, cook supper, give 3 children baths, and get us ready for church tomorrow! See ya!

NEW song from Madison and Hannah

While hanging out today, Madison and Hannah wrote a brand new song. Enjoy the latest hit single from the duo that calls themselves the Jesus Freaks. Here it is..."Who's That Boy?"

Carols and Candlelight 2007

These are pics from Sunday night's Carols and Candlelight service--our church's very elegant, choir and orchestra, candlelight service. It really was a beautiful night.  It was a landmark night for me personally because I WORE A CHOIR ROBE!!! This was my very first time to wear a choir robe and sing in and ADULT CHURCH CHOIR!!! I must say that I enjoyed it (the singing, not the robe) very much.  Standing next to Janell made it fun! Stephen did a wonderful job emcee-ing (is that a word? probably not!).  Take note of just how gorgeous the sanctuary looks with  all the Christmas decorations up.  Last year my precious friend, Tara, came up from Houston to help the girls and me arrange all the tree toppers, wreaths, swags, and garlands.  It looked stunningly beautiful again this year with the poinsettias and lights. 

Medieval Christmas at our church

Amazing song from an amazing night. Kemper Crabb and band do "Down in Yon Forest" on Dec. 9th.

What a weekend!

Wow! So much happened over the weekend! Maw-Maw (Stephen's mom) came to Irving Friday night (in all that terrible rain!). We were so happy to see her.  On Saturday, my parents came into town. . more hugs and kisses. I made Olive Garden's Pasta Fagoli Soup for supper, and I'll just tell you--it was yummy!

Then. . on Sunday morning. . .the reason our sweet family came to town. . 

 

Madison was baptized by Pastor John. What a thrill! She had such a sweetness about her--she was so excited and honored by all the people who stood in support of her decision and her witness.  An incredible moment. . beyond words that I can form. . . 

Stuart (Stephen's brother) and his precious wife, Nicole, were there to celebrate with Madison. . .and we just can't pass up an opportunity to play with Stuart. He is one incredible guitar player!! As is my handsome husband! He just is made to be playing that guitar. . I think he was looking EXTRA cute!

Then we came home and had a celebration lunch (pot roast with carrots and potatoes). . also incredibly yummy!!!

Here are a few pics of the kids in their Christmas get-up.

The Caden Report . .

I haven't given an update on my nephew Caden lately, and some of you may be wondering how that precious boy is doing. My sister just gave the latest report on her blog, and if you'd like to see it, hop on over to

thelilleyfamily.blogspot.com

It's worth zipping over to see a picture of his adorable little face!

Maddie as Mary

Look at my sweet Madison! She was Mary in our church's Family Christmas program last night. Our High 5 Choir (elementary choir) sang several songs and created a manger scene. Maddie was escatic on Wednesday night when she found out that she would get to be Mary. . . and she did a wonderful job. Here's another picture.

Also, in another performance, the Durham's came over Friday night for smores and fun, and the kids put on a little play. . .

Lots of fun! What an adventure to be 7 1/2. What an adventure to be the mom of a 7 1/2 year old!

Our weekend was full with a quick trip to lead worship at Faithbridge UMC in northwest Houston. It was a great morning, and as a wonderful bonus, we got to spend Saturday night with our precious friends, the Hills. I could go on and on about what a great time we had. . .it was so refreshing to spend time with them!

So.. . busy weekend. . full and wonderful!