Full Circle!

Four and three years ago, Nate and I lived in Sulphur Springs, Texas.  One day we were driving home from eating at Chili's when I noticed that a new baseball sign had gone up in front of a business and many houses.  The sign read Braydon.  My heart broke, for I knew that the sign meant another child was facing the horrible battle against cancer.  In Sulphur Springs, our community supports children with cancer by putting out signs with their names on them to raise awareness and benefit for the victims and their families.  Braydon would of been about 2 or 3 when Nate and I began to pray for a healing over, who was then, this precious child that we didn't even know.  Through the years, we moved back to Irving and then recently we have moved back to Sulphur Springs again.  We have even more recently joined a church.  Every Sunday at church Nate and I would smile at this precious little boy who would usually walk by us holding his daddy's hand.  Nate and I had no idea who this little boy was, but we both agreed that he was special and seemed to have this glorious presence about him.  Every time we saw him he would just flash us the cutest smile.  I was trying to explain to Nate one day that this child was truly special, and the only way I could put into words what I felt when we exchanged smiles was that it just seemed like the hands of God had touched this sweet boy.  During our recent move to Sulphur Springs, we have become extremely involved in our new church, working with the youth, bible studies, music, and fellowship.  One evening while I was in bible study, I felt the urge to stand and ask the 50 beautiful women in my study to pray for a friend of ours who has been diagnosed with cancer.  Upon pleading for prayer, a woman, Victoria Smith wrote me with her encouraging story that brought me to my knees as tears flowed down my face.  Victoria wrote me an e-mail about her story and her sons battle with cancer for three years.  She exclaimed that her now completely normal and healthy 6 year old little boy, Braydon Smith was doing wonderful, and had been healed of his cancer.  Not only was I encouraged and touched by her story, but I was completely taken by my Saviors perfect love for His people.  You see, Victoria is the mother of the little boy that Nate and I smile at every Sunday as he walks by holding his daddy's hand.  I had no idea that the little boy that Nate and I knew was so very special, was the child we have been praying for for the past three years.  Our God is so amazing in the way that He brings things full circle.  He never ceases to amaze us.  It is as if He wants us to know that He always hears our prayers and He is always waiting for us to come to Him, and He truly is beloved.   -(In the corner of my page you will see a link that states prayer and praise for Braydon Smith.  This is a link to his story, his battle, and then Christ's victory in Him!  Praise God!  What an awesome mighty God we serve that He cares so intimately for His children!) 

Love~The Smith Family 

Let's Play Catch Up

Let's Play Catch Up!

What a whirlwind of holiday events that seemed to have passed by us so quickly!  We were so blessed to be able to spend this wonderful holiday season in the company of great friends and amazing family.  This year was especially exciting!  We continued our Smith family traditions of fun train exhibits, rides, school parties, and baking Jesus' birthday cake -(just to name a few.)  Of course Santa was pretty good to Mr. Campbell this year too!!!  :)  Below are just a few pictures of the moments that our family delights in sharing with you all.  -(Not pictured is the amazing time we had at Papa and Lovee's house on Christmas Eve... silly me forgot to take pictures, but Nate was not innocent in the situation either.  He wore the camera around his neck all night.  Oops!) 

Smiling with Gogo on her vacation visit to our house!

Giving Jerry Bear a check up with our new doctor gift... turns out Campbell says he is going to be alright.  He just needs a sucker! -(At my parents house) 
My precious baby niece laughing at her silly Aunt Boo!  She is so beautiful in her little Christmas decor!

Campbell shoots hoops with daddy!

Daddy shows Campbell how to shoot hoops.
Unwrapping The Incredible "Honk" boxing hands from Powpow!!!  So much fun!
Waiting our turn to open all of our wonderful gifts from Powpow and Gogo!
Campbell's new favorite gift from Uncle Nick and Aunt Jamie!  Hoop it up!

Campbell on Christmas morning!  Thomas, Super Car, Bumblebee, and The Incredible "Honk" were all brought by Santa! -(Our house)

Playing on Christmas morning!
Opening presents from mommy and daddy on Christmas Eve.
Too many presents!

Enjoying the train light show. -( The train ride)

Looking out at all the beautiful lights.
Entering Santa's workshop... screaming Super car all the way!
In the caboose getting ready for the big train ride and light show.  So exciting!

Campbell and Carston playing duck-duck-goose!  -(Campbell's Pre-school party)

Campbell helps Carston open his present!
Playing the Rudolph Relay game... wonder how he got the nose to stick?
Dipping his nose in whip-cream to get the nose to stick in the above picture.  So cute!

In front of the train exhibit waiting to see Santa! -(The train Exhibit)

Inside the train exhibit and looking at all the cars with their cargo.

Telling Santa he wants a Super car, Incredible "Honk", Transformers, and Thomas!

We had the best Christmas and most wonderful Holiday Season we could of hoped for.  We hope that your holidays were bright and merry and we wish everyone a blessed New 2009 Year!!!  

~Love~

The Smith Family

Peanut Update

Quick update on our lil' Peanut.  Doctor says he/she is measuring perfectly and roughly about the size of a grape.  If you look close you can see little arms and legs that have begun to form.  (The baby is upside down in the picture.)  The two lobes have formed and the four chambers of the heart have developed as well and will continue to get stronger as the baby grows.  The bright white spot is the babies heart and the line that follows the curvature of the babies back is the spinal cord.  The baby has eye sockets and no more tail.  As you can see things are moving along and we are quite excited as we wait in expectation to see the child God is knitting together. We are still due on July the 3rd, and baby seems to be happy and active.  Campbell and Nate enjoyed the sonogram and it was so fun to see Campbell get so excited about his little sibling.  We can't wait to meet our lil' rambunctious Rambo baby... (we call him/her Rambo because the doctor was amazed at how much the baby was moving.)  As for momma... I am super excited, but still experiencing the wrath of first trimester sickness.  It has actually calmed down a little, but I can't wait for better days ahead. 

~The Smith Family

Let The Good Times Roll!!!

Recently Nate and I have moved into our first house.  We feel extremely blessed and fortunate  to have family that loves to share in  momentous occasions such as these.   Campbell's Powpow, Gogo, Uncle Nick, Aunt Jamie, and Cousin Elaine came for a visit, and we had the greatest time.  We would like to say thank you for visiting our new house and thank you for good times and wonderful memories!!!  Just a few pictures and an inside look at what a wonderful family we are blessed to have.

Below Campbell swings with Powpow on his new playground.

Below Campbell shows Powpow how he slides down his slide!!!

Below Uncle Nick is being silly as Campbell shows him how he can swing by himself!

Below Cousin Elaine gives Campbell a smile that will not soon be forgotten.  She has a way of doing that!

We love to share these precious moments from our family to yours.  We hope you enjoy a glimpse into the moments that make our world go round!!! 

~The Smith Family

Let the Festivities Begin!!!

Last Friday was the big Thanksgiving Feast/Program at Campbell's pre-school.  He never ceases to amaze us.  He sang great and introduced us to many of his new friends.  Below are just a few of the wonderful moments we were delighted to be able to share with our precious son.

At the table eating a wonderful dinner.

Daddy and Campbell pretend to be little Indians.

"Tina... eat your ham!"  -Campbell loves his food!!!

Campbell shows daddy his turkey hand with pride.

Campbell in his Indian costume after singing.  (Too cute!!!)

From Our Family to Yours with Blessings and Prayers.   We wish everyone a Happy Fall and delightfully say, "Let the Festivities Begin!!!"

~The Smith Family

More Happening Halloween!!!

Below Campbell is showing off his O-Prime muscles to some of the neighborhood ladies.

Below, Campbell is getting ready to walk up to the house of Heather and Brian Cromer... we let him keep their candy!  :)

Heather is handing out candy to the neighborhood kiddos!

Below, Daddy is walking his strapping Transformer to another house.

Again... Happy Halloween!!! ~The Smith Crew

A Happening Halloween!!!

Every Halloween Nate, Campbell, and I carve pumpkins, make yummy treats, and go to The Fall Festival at First Irving.  This Halloween was not that much different, with the exception of missing out on the Fall Festival at our former church.  We decided, instead, to trick-or-treat for the first time ever!  (Now... I have a cool little trick that my dear mom taught me, and I would love to share with you all.  No kid should have to miss out on the fun of getting to knock on neighbors doors yelling trick-or-treat, or in Campbell's case, trick-and-treating!!!... but if you are a protective mommy like myself, you probably aren't comfortable with letting your kiddo devour candy from complete utter strangers.  That is where my little bag of tricks comes into play.)  Last night Campbell had a blast ringing door bells, growling at other children, and yelling the famous catch phrase of course... Trick-or-Treat!  When our journey was complete, I told Campbell that he could eat some candy after he had a bath.  He ran to the bath tub with no arguments... upon which I handed Nate Campbell's treat sack so that he could dispose of our new stash properly.  Nate quickly dumped all the candy we had accumulated in the trash where he then filled Campbell's treat sack with our own candy that we had purchased from the store.  After Campbell was done with his bath, he enjoyed a few pieces of candy-(that he thought was the result of his brilliant tactics to bribe strangers), brushed his teeth, and went off to bed.  Our story concludes with breakfast the next morning.  As I was pouring milk in Campbell's cereal, he began to explain to me that it was time to get dressed as Optimus Prime and start all over!!!  Fun times! 

Waiting for the door to be answered above, and below we are flexing our awesome O-Prime muscles!

Below, Campbell is getting ready for his Halloween Costume Party at school!

Below, Campbell is proud of his Captain Jenkins pumpkin carving.  (Captain Jenkins is my parents cat that Campbell is best good friends with!)

Below, Campbell is gutting the pumpkin.  At one point, he put the guts in his mouth and gagged horribly... it was quite a sight for sure!  Our dog loved the guts though, and didn't gag... (I know what you are all thinking... where were you?  I was taking pictures laughing and smiling the whole time!)    :)

Happy Halloween!!!!  ~The Smith Crew