My Wish

Tonight Owen had a tough time falling asleep at bedtime. Ever since he was itty bitty we have left the radio in his room on the local country station and he seems to be okay with it :) Tonight "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts came on and we danced. The lyrics perfectly put into words exactly what I want our children to know as they grow and blossom:

I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow

And each road leads you where you want to go

And if you're faced with the choice and you have to choose

I hope you choose the one that means the most to you

And if one door opens to another door closed

I hope you keep on walkin' til you find the window

If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile

But more than anything, more than anything

My wish for you

Is that this life becomes all that you want it to

Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small

You never need to carry more than you can hold

And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to

I hope you know somebody loves you

And wants the same things too

Yeah, this is my wish.

I hope you never look back but you never forget

All the ones who love you and the place you left

I hope you always forgive and you never regret

And you help somebody every chance you get

Oh, you'd find God's grace in every mistake

And always give more than you take

But more than anything, yeah more than anything

My wish for you

Is that this life becomes all that you want it to

Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small

You never have to carry more than you can hold

And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to

I hope you know somebody loves you

And wants the same things too

Yeah, this is my wish

(My wish for you)

Looking back...

Here is a journal entry from July 2009:

Today we found out that "it's" a BOY!! Before the sonogram Jarrod and I took one last guess: GIRL. Emma kept saying "boy, boy, boy". At first only Jarrod and Emma could see the screen. I finally saw him near the end. We were so surprised when it was announced that it is a boy! Our son was moving a lot. His little mouth was opening and closing and his little arms and legs were moving! The radiologist measured him at 1 lb 5 oz and also said that I was measuring to be 24 weeks along, exactly one week ahead. They probably won't move my due date. As we walked out of the office Jarrod said "Now we can get lots of camo"!

Here is another entry from July 2009:

We have decided to name him Owen Barrett Smith. Owen means "well born and noble".

Exactly one year later, here is our amazing son! God is so good. Owen is the most cuddly, giggly and sweet little boy ever :) It is so neat to think back to just a year ago when we were just learning more about the baby who would join the Smith household that Fall. Now we can't remember life before him :)

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." -Pslam 139:13-14

Kirsten's baby shower

This weekend we traveled to Comanche to host a shower for Kirsten, Jarrod's second cousin. She is expecting her second child, Zalee, this Fall! Her colors are pink and green and the nursery already looks fabulous :)

The hosts with Kirsten

The Big Brother/Little Sister shirts we gave them

My first attempt at painting wooden letters to hang above her crib

The diaper cake!

Closet dividers

Grandpa Ed & Owen :)

Diaper Wreath

If you are looking for a fun and unique baby shower gift I have an idea for you! Every new mommy needs a festive wreath to hang on her hospital room door. This is a great way to announce a brand new bundle of joy! Furthermore, new parents NEVER have enough diapers!

My crafty friend Sandra was so sweet to surprise me with one when Owen was born! I decided to try it out and make one for my cousin Chassati when she welcomed baby Anaiah into her arms last week :)

Materials needed:

foam wreath
25+ diapers (I used size 2)
clear hair rubber bands
curling ribbon (2 colors)
tulle (optional)
Cardboard letters (to spell name)
main (bigger) toy or stuffed animal
small baby items (the lighter the better!)

Instructions:

Open each diaper and wrap it around the wreath with its open flap facing outward. Scrunch diapers together. Wrap one clear rubber band around each diaper. **I use size 2 so that the wreath can be used to decorate the nursery for a little while :) You might not use exactly 25 diapers...could be more and could be less!**

Next, tie one of each color ribbon around the rubber bands. Curl as you go:

Place your main toy (or stuffed animal) in the bottom middle. Then, take into consideration all of the small baby items you have to include in the wreath. Get an idea of where you wish to place these things so that the display looks symmetrical. Travel size bath products work really well. If the mommy registered you might take into account some small items remaining on her list! Bibs, spoons, tiny shoes and washcloths work well. Onesies and other items can be much too heavy. Secure the items with ribbon (I found tulle to work better on some items).

I like to put the baby's first name on the very top to give it a personal touch!. These cardboard letters come in all colors!

Happy Cousins day!!!

Not only is July National Ice Cream and Purposeful Parenting month.....and not only is today National Cowboy day but it is also Cousins day! Yes, they have a day for EVERYthing :) Just check out Holidays for Everyday! I am blessed with a total of 16 first cousins and I can honestly say that they are among my favorite people in the world! I have so many wonderful childhood memories of our holidays and gatherings! We still get together as much as possible.

Most of the same people in the photo above are in the photo below - and in the same order! These were the early days of the Parmer cousins. I am so glad that our moms made us take so many photos together growing up! Often we would put together short plays and we would draw on the back of wrapping paper together:)

The photo below is of family on my dad's side. We loved when they came to Waco to visit each Summer! We enjoyed going to Lion's park together for swimming, putt putt golf and the Kiddieland rides (especially the train and super slide)!! The kids and I are really looking forward to being in Napa for Sara's upcoming wedding.

This past week we welcomed Miss Anaiah Bauman into the world!! She is my tiniest second cousin and is absolutely precious :)

By the way, tomorrow (July 25) is both National Hot Fudge Sundae AND merry-go-round day! I told you, there is a day for EVERYthing!! :)

Yoe mini cheer camp

Emma enjoyed Yoe mini cheer camp this week! Her favorite cheer was "Peanut butter jelly, spread it out"!

She got this fun t shirt (although it is gigantic on her)! Several supportive local businesses donated the shirts.

Each day was a different theme. Tuesday was "crazy dress day" and her ensemble is shown below. She has recently become a matching marvel so I wasn't sure that she would do it! It doesn't get much crazier than a hot pink tu tu with knee high socks, a boa, a sethoscope, bumble bee wings and side pony tails with non matching bows :) Wednesday was "water day" and today was "maroon out"!

Most of her local little girl friends were there and she is such a social butterfly! Last week we met a new coaching family in town and they have two daughters close to Emma's age who also went to camp! Salma's mommy took this photo going into camp on Tues. When the girls saw her grab the camera they both immediately posed with hands on hips....where do they learn to be so sassy?!?

Emma made lots of cute crafts such as a magnetic picture frame, shoe pom poms and a sports bead necklace. There were over 100+ mini cheerleaders in attendance and the 3 & 4 year old group was the largest!

We enjoyed the performance and award ceremony this morning. Jarrod was even able to take a break from strategic football planning to sneak over to watch! Emma won an award for "top crazy day participation"! Go Emma Go! She had no clue what to do when they called her name....but here she is after accepting the award :)

Emma is looking forward to cheering at a home varsity football game on October 15th under the Friday night lights! Only 23 days until the first scrimmage of the season.....GO YOE!!

Nine months old!

Owen is nine months old! That's 3/4 the way to his first birthday (yes, I've started planning the party)!

These monthly puppy pics are getting quite challenging! He immediately crawls away!!

At his check up he weighed 18 lbs 11oz (just below 25th percentile) and measured 27 in long (15th percentile). His head is still in the 97th percentile (it's all brains)! He is now between size 2 and 3 diapers and is finally wearing size 6-9 months outfits! He has been teething like crazy over the past several days and Dr. Flippin said that his first tooth should pop through any day now! Hopefully he will start sleeping again after that.....

Bath time is still a favorite! He loves his toys and has started leaning forward far enough to almost topple over....time to find a toddler tub chair!

He has finally started consuming an average of three jars of food per day. He still loves puffs and crackers and has recently started snacking on teething buscuits. After having two infants I am confident that these are the messiest things in the world!!

He can army crawl like a champ...and is getting faster by the day!! Often I will look up and see him on one end of a room and a few moments later look up and find him on the opposite side of the room! I have already found him trying to pull an outlet cover off....what a curious little guy! He has pulled up from a sitting position to standing on the bath tub and in the hotel crib earlier this month. Slow down buddy! It has become rather challenging to watch out for his sister's small toys and pieces to toys....what a job! He finds EVERYthing!! Emma has finally become more particular about what he can and cannot play with. I knew the day would come.

He has started exploring with his voice and often says "Dadada" although I don't think he associates it with "Daddy" yet. When I say "Mama" he stops what he is doing and studies my lips to figure out how to do it :) He has finally started getting more hair but not much!

"A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten and the future worth living for." -Anonymous

Recycled toys!

During our most recent move we put an abundance of toys in storage. Since Owen has finally reached the playful/mobile stage we sanitized the toys and introduced him to them! He especially loves this house! He manages to army crawl all the way across the room to reach this fun toy! It was Emma's "big" Christmas gift when she was 2!

Where's Owen?!

Conversations with Emma

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. -Deuteronomy 6:7

Yesterday morning Emma and I had the following conversation:

(Owen was in his high chair)

Me: "Emma, will you talk to Owen for a minute while I get breakfast ready?"

Emma: "Sure! Can I talk to him about Jesus?"

Me: "Of course you can!"

(She pulls the high chair closer)

Emma: "Owen, do you know that God is always with you?"

This made my heart happy! Of all the things I hope she teaches her little brother, this is most important :)

Later the same day we had this conversation:

Emma: "Mama, can I go outside?"

Me: "Not right now, we need to get lunch ready for Daddy!"

Emma: "Well I can go by myself."

Me: "Not right now."

Emma: "But Roxie is out there. God and Roxie are always with me!"

What more could a girl need???

The sweetest sound on Earth is Emma singing "Jesus Loves the little Children" and reciting Bible verses. Two verses in particular that her Sunday school class has been working on are:

As for me and my house we will serve the Lord. -Joshua 24:15

Love one another. John 13:34

Not just a building....

In 1981 I was dedicated to the Lord as an infant at First Baptist Church of Temple. I attended there until I moved away to college.

I will never forget the tall enchanting stained glass windows. On Sunday mornings the bright sunshine seemed to dance in them! Each Decemeber a simple poinsettia was placed on each window sill to decorate the church in celebration of Jesus' birth. As children my brother Joseph and I always participated in the Hanging of the Green service and would carry either a poinsettia or garland down the aisles with our friends. During this season the walls of the sanctuary were also adorned with huge beautiful banners finely detailed with satin and jewels. A few of them read "Messiah, Lamb of God, King of Kings and Jesus".

I will never forget the Sunday morning when together my brother and I publicly made known our decision to invite Jesus into our hearts. Our parents guided us to the altar to meet with the pastor. I was eight and Joseph was five. Just a few weeks later we were baptized in the FBC baptistry by our maternal grandfather "Papa"....what a wonderful memory!

It was in this sanctuary that I observed countless Lord's suppers and prayed many prayers. I remember one Sunday evening service in particular. Joseph was about four years old and his age childrens choir was performing. The boys greatly outnumbered the girls. He and a couple of other rowdy boys grabbed the microphones off of their stands and pretended to be part of a rock band. Now he is a pastor.

Throughout my childhood I can remember my mother filling the sanctuary with the beautiful sound of the the piano, organ and hand bells. Occasionally I would accompany her to the church to practice on Saturday afternoons. I would position myself on a plush blue cushion in the multitudes of wooden pews and flip through a Hymnal. I can also recall climbing over the pews chasing Joseph up and down the rows (I'm not sure how much practicing my mom got to do!)

In my younger days I sat on the piano side a few rows back with my parents. In my teenage years I sat near the middle of the sanctuary with my friends....usually writing notes back and forth on bulletins.

Our youth choirs ('Sound of Love' and 'Glory bound') performed musicals upon returning from mission trips. It was much different to sit in the choir loft and look out into the people sitting in the pews! It was also in this very sanctuary where my family participated in several Easter pageants. At the very beginning of the performance we would enter from the back and would whisper to the people "Jesus is coming, Jesus is coming!"

It was in this special place that Jarrod and I exchanged vows and made promises to the Lord in front of our friends and family. What a special time.

On Tuesday morning January 19, 2010 a 3-alarm fire swept through and destroyed most of the church. The sanctuary was gone. At one point over 70 local firefighters were battling the blaze and later arson was determined to be the cause. I was extremely saddened to learn of this. I felt so empty inside....I hoped it was just a bad dream.

Our family had not attened FBCT in several years, but a GREAT portion of my childhood was spent within the walls of that church.

It took me awhile to go back and see the damage. When I did I just parked my car as close as I could get and sobbed. Jarrod and I went back last week and there is a lot missing, where once stood lots of memories.

Senior Sunday 2000

Walking down the aisle......notice the windows :)

First photo as a married couple - right outside the sanctuary doors

The kiss :)

This is where the sanctary sat - it was connected to the bldg on the R. The bldg on the L was the church nursery where I spent lots of time as a little girl :)

Here are 3 beautiful trees - scroll back up to the Senior Sunday photo and compare.

God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble.

-Psalm 46

PLEASE VOTE!!

Wouldn't you agree that our kids should win a 'CUTEST KID CONTEST'?!?!

I think so too!! If you are on Facebook you can help us out by voting for Emma & Owen to win my friend's photography contest! We could even win a FREE session! The photos above are the ones you should look for :)

Simply visit the Rosie Toes Photography page and 'LIKE' it. Next, find the contest and vote (click 'like') on Emma & Owen's entered photos. It's just that simple - THANKS A BUNCH!!

Sunday Funday

While Jarrod did this today........

The kids, my mom and I headed to Waco after church! After picking up lunch and visiting with Aunt Mary we headed to I'm Yours ! This weekend was their annual warehouse sale. Established in 1979, this business creates the cutest shirts and accessories around! They are a factory outlet and ship items to the finest childrens boutiques in the nation. They have shirts for ALL holidays and occasions and make great gifts!

I wore I'm Yours shirts as a little girl and it's so much fun to take Emma to pick them out now. Her size XS shirts lasted for a couple of years but finally got a little too short. She is now in size Small! One of the most fun parts of having a daughter is getting to shop for all things PINK, frilly and sparkly!! Jarrod had made it very clear that I shouldn't bring anything home for Owen :)

Here are the shirts we left with today:

Cheer camp, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter are covered!!

Cow Appreciation Day

Today was 'Cow Appreciation Day' at Chick fil A restaurants across the country. In exchange for my cute kids dressing up like cows we got FREE food!!

Coupon craze!

I was SO proud of more smart and savvy purchases I made today and just had to share!! This week's CVS weekly advertisement is full of great deals and combined with manufacturers coupons I made some pretty amazing purchases :)

Our family of four lives on one (full) salary and every dime counts! I am determined to figure out how to put my coupon craze to the test in order to pay the least for groceries possible! If YOU have any ideas or advice PLEASE share!! (Please note: CVS is one of the only shopping options in Cameron).

The retail value of the items shown above is approximately $64 but the amount I spent was (drum roll inserted here)....$21.69+tax!!

Formula ~ $19.99 4.99

Baby wipes ~ $7.99 5.25

Johnsons bath ~ $4.49 1.99

(2) toothbrushes ~ $5.993.99

Loreal make up ~ $141.00

Tide ~ $8.99 3.97

Dawn ~ $1.99.50

Each of these items is a staple in our household. I can either find an awesome deal on it now OR wait until we are desperate for it and pay full price. I don't think we will EVER run out of Dawn dish soap...but then again I will never pay full price for it again either ;)

Another great incentive CVS offers is an ExtraCare membership. You get 2% back on everything you purchase as well as bonus "ExtraCare bucks" to use as value toward future purchases. They now have a machine in the store lobby that spits out new coupons each time your membership card is swiped! How cool is that??!!