Catch-up!

Well, summer is officially here and in full swing! We celebrated last Thursday with an after-school-party at the park with about 15 friends. The kids made banana splits and played like crazy! That night, Jackson and I built a HUGE train track that took up most of the floor in his room. Our friend Caleb recently passed down to Jackson a big box of train tracks and trains. Jackson is thrilled, to say the least.

On Friday, I took Hope to the doctor for her 2 month check-up. I still can't believe she's already 2 months old! She had 4 shots and is doing great. (By the way, as awful as it was for her to get shots, it's MUCH easier than giving shots to a 3, 4, or 5 year old!!!) She is now 10 lbs. 5 oz. Amazing! Friday night we went out to Highland Village to The Richardsons and had a blast! The kids played in the water hose and just loved every minute of it! Stephanie and Jeffrey are wonderful friends and it was just so good to spend time with them. We also got to eat our favorite pizza from Palio's (a Katy favorite that has a Flower Mound location!).

On Saturday, Stephen's mom came into town, and we were so happy to see her. The kids were super excited. We went to Stephen's favorite restaurant, The Italian Cafe, to eat.

Sunday was a big day at church with our first annual Bluegrass and Blue Bell event. We had between 400-450 people! All generations. . lots of community people. . .it was a huge success!! The Shady Grove Ramblers played good music, we had ice cream, bounce houses, face painting, pony rides, and classic cars. . something for everyone! Jackson especially loved the inflatable obstacle course and fire truck, and Madison had a ball because she actually got to paint faces!!!! She worked at the station and also "went to the people" with a paper plate of paint colors and a paint brush! She felt so grown-up; it was just adorable.

Monday was a good day of hanging around the house with Marsha (Maw Maw). We all just really enjoy having her here to play and relax. We also had our first "Mission Monday" of the summer. Every Monday that we're home we are going to be purposeful in doinging something for someone else, so this week we made cookies and cards and delivered them next door to our sweet neighbor who is a widow. I think she really liked them, the kids and I really loved getting to cook and then share our goodies. In the afternoon we had 4 strange visitors in our backyard. They stayed for about 10 minutes!

Tuesday we went to lunch and Pei Wei before Maw Maw headed home. It's always hard to say good-bye when family leaves. . .we treasure our time together!!! Tonight the "big kids" and I went swimming with the Durhams at the INDOOR pool in the neighborhood. . not too cold, you see.

So. . that's the "catch-up" edition of the Smith blog. The kids are in bed. . .peace reigns!

Here are pics from the week. . . .

Engineer Jackson with our huge train track. We used EVERY piece of track

we had AND it call connected--pretty good, huh?

Jackson driving the fire truck. Notice the "baseball" that Madison painted on his cheek!!

Precious baby Hope was a favorite attraction. :) Notice the adorable green

gingham dress that my friend Cathy and her mom, Jan, gave to Hope.

Madison in action! She has a unicorn on one cheek and a butterfly

on the other (painted by Ms. Holly).

Our Monday afternoon visitors. . 4 armadillos!!! Crazy things happen here in Irving!

The Awards!

This morning something unexpected and special happened. . . .Madison received a certificate for Music Achievement at her school. She was recognized as an outstanding music student. . She was so pleased and wide-eyed, taking it all in. When her name was called she went up onto the stage to shake the music teacher's hand and receive her certificate. This is her first time in a school assembly to be recognized like this, and we were so very proud of her. Especially in light of our "discovering her passion" conversations lately, it was so precious for someone outside of her family and friends to encourage her and speak into her. Like my mom said, she's beginning to define herself, and this speaks to Madison the Musician. Also this week we met with her new piano teacher, and she's super excited about beginning lessons in the next week or two. Later in the morning, in a classroom awards time, Madison's teacher gave her the "Academic Award--Best All Round Student. . in recognition of being a person that shows the best effort in all areas" . Wow!!! Now we're doubly proud! So. . .I'm reminded that God knows the plans he has for my girl! He sees all her days before one of them comes to be. I'm so grateful.

*By the way, thank you to Stephen for designing my new "header" for my blog. I think he did a great job!


She just received her certificate.

With Ms. Hoffman, her music teacher

Proudly displaying her certificate

With Mrs. French, her principal

Gymnastics. . .

Thursday afternoon Madison and her class of gymnasts, displayed their skills for a captive audience of parents and various family members. Wow. It was an accomplishment for our family to have made it through an entire year of getting there on Thursdays from 4:30 - 5:30! What can I say about our first gymnastics experience? Well, Madison had fun! She absolutely smiled and bounced her way through each and every class. She did a great job at the program yesterday, she felt good about it, too. Stephen and I are really proud of her. We're not sure what we'll do next year. . . not sure what will be Madison's thing~her passion and pleasure that she'll want to stick with. We're going to try piano lessons this summer. . we'll see. . .here's our girl showing us her stuff!! :)





On a different note, I've been wanting to give you this AMAZING recipe. It's from the Dove's Nest in Waxahachie, and I'm telling you, you will not be disappointed. It's easy and yummy! I made a huge salad with field greens, apples, dried cranberries, candied pecans, feta, and grilled chicken one night for supper, and Stephen and I loved it. Enjoy!

The Dove's Nest Balsamic Maple Vinaigrette
(The measurements in parentheses are about 1/3 the original measurements. This made plenty for us.)

1 cup balsamic vinegar (2 1/2 ounces)
1/2 cup pure maple syrup (1 ounce)
1/4 cup minced shallots (2-3 Tablespoons)
3 cups olive oil (1 cup)
2 teaspoons salt (1/3 teaspoon)
1 teaspoon pepper (1/3 teaspoon)

Combine all ingredients in a jar with tight-fitting lid. Shake together. Chill. Enjoy!!!

A Tribute to Melody

Good morning. Well, a few days ago I totally laughed out loud when I got an email from Melody saying that I put a picture on my blog of her with a mad-face, and that I made her sound like a cry baby!!! (She was teasing me, of course.) Anyone who know our family very well knows that historically, I am the one who can be found crying at ANY maybe cry-worthy (or not) situation! Melody, historically, has more self-control, saving her crying for truly cry-worthy situations! So. . . it was noteworthy, in our family, for HER to cry and not me on Mother's Day!!! But it got me thinking. .. so today I'm including some lovely pictures of my BEAUTIFUL sister, and I want to say a few of the things that I admire and love about her.

Melody. . . .
I love how LOYAL you are to your family and friends. You can always be counted on to be there for your family. Your group of "girls" is so special, and I think it's awesome how ya'll stick together.
I love how you are always willing to COME-THROUGH for the people you care about.
I love how you are a HARD-WORKER. You have amazing expectations for yourself--and you achieve them.
I love how you are HONEST, never decietful in the slightest, about your thoughts and feelings.
I love how COURAGEOUS you are. Leaving the corporate world and getting your teaching certificate was a bold step. I'm proud of you!
I love how SMART you are. Oh, my goodness! You're smart!
I love how much FUN you are. You're always up for a movie or a puzzle or a game. . .
I love how you're a MOMMY. Just knowing that Caden Joseph Lilley is growing inside you makes me smile!
I love what a great AUNT you are. Thank you for loving my children. Thank you for being willing to play with them!
I love what a great WIFE you are. It's been so sweet to watch you and Nathan grow in your relationship over the last several years.
I love how you're a TEACHER. I know your students adore the lovely Mrs. Lilley! Even the tough ones. You are an excellent teacher of little minds.
I love how your WORK OUT! You are truly and inspiration to me!!
I love how your FAITH IN GOD shines. Walking through life's struggles hasn't always been easy, but you have trusted God's plan. This has been an encouragement to me.
Melody Summer Lilley. . . I love that your name rolls off the tongue like a song.



Look how cute! Melody as a toddler. I'm pretty sure this was 1982.

Melody with Madison on the 4th of July 2000.


Melody and Jackson at the beach Labor Day 2006.


Melody and her awesome husband, Nathan.


Melody and me a few years ago.

Jackson's Kids Day Out Finale!

Well, Jackson has completed his first year of school. This is quite an accomplishment for a 2-year old, don't you think? The first completion of many school years, God-willing. He has loved going to school on Monday's and Friday's. Ms. Michelle has been a great teacher, and his class is so sweet.

This is class singing. They sang "I'm Jesus' special friend. . . he helps me know what's right to do" to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell" and "Clap you hands and sing this song. . . thank you God for Jesus" to the tune of "Mary had a Little Lamb". Jackson did great!

Jackson with his friend, Finn. He really sang out like a true Smith!

Isn't he adorable? Before the program, whenever I'd ask him what song he was going to be singing, he always sang a Doodlebops song for me (a Disney channel show). I'm pretty sure he thought he was going to have a solo act!

This picture is from Madison's choir's production of Donkey Tales on Sunday night. Stephen designed the barn! He created it and painted the background red, then a set-painter came in to add the details. Madison is on the right hand side, third from the right.

Check out that incredible foot-work!!! Yee ha!!! Go, Madison!

Pretty exciting, around the Smith house. :) Thank you, God, for these sweet children. They fill my life with so much joy and so many reasons to smile and laugh every day!

Size Ones

My precious baby Hope is 8 weeks old today, and she's officially in size one diapers. I'm feeling just a little melencholy about the whole thing. . . no more newborn diapers. . . she's not a newborn anymore. Since I fully expect (unless God intervenes like crazy!) that Hope is my last baby, I just can't help noting all these milestones. . a series of firsts and lasts. Hope's first days in size ones, my last baby in newborns. I'm truly making an effort to treasure my little one. I have to admit that it's kind of fun that she's so little. . . she's staying little a little longer! :)

She's such a precious, perfect baby. She has actually slept through the night for the last 5 nights! And I mean in the bed at about 10:00 and up at about 6:00. Now that's a milestone to celebrate. . .I'm not going to go getting sentimental about my lack of sleep these last 2 months! :) She is just the cutest, sweetest thing. She goes with the flow, happily taking her 4 naps in her bed or in the carrier. She is starting to smile responsively a little bit, and we just all love her to pieces. If you haven't had the chance to hold her, I promise that I'll give her a kiss for you. I find myself kissing those oh-so-kissible little cheeks all day!

These 2 pictures are from today. . . both ASLEEP!!!

Well, that's enough gushing about Hope for now! We're off to Jackson's stage debut for Kids Day Out pretty soon, so I'm planning to gush about Jackson tomorrow! :)

I'm an aunt!

Happy news!!! Melody (my sister) has a baby BOY growing in her tummy!!! We are all thrilled! She is 19 weeks along. . everything looks healthy! Thanks be to God! Baby boy Lilley had his hand in his mouth and was, of course, terribly adorable on the ultrasound monitor! We love you, baby, already!!! Thank you to all of you who have prayed for Melody and Nathan. I'll keep you posted...