Lucy -- 2 Months

I have a pretty good feeling that my blog posts will be significantly less than when Zoe was a babe. In the very rare times that both girls are sleeping, I simply would rather do something else -- like shower and eat. 

This little one is giving us a run for our money. It's a good day in the life of Lucy if she eats and poops. She smiles and chats way more than Zoe ever did as a baby, but she is definitely our high maintenance babe! 

Next week we'll head to State College so Cam's parents can help me wrangle our two little ones. I'm looking forward to a PA summer and the company of family and friends. 

With the help of family and friends, Cam just got a brand new road bike. He loves it! Recently a sweet friend and her daughter came to stay with me so Cam could go help his brother move. I am so thankful for those girls and how they helped me. Cam came home grinning from ear to ear telling me about the great time he had with his brother riding their bikes around town. It put a smile on my face picturing those boys riding around like a couple of 10 year olds. 

Life is both incredibly busy and incredibly slow. In the summer we travel a ton visiting our supporters. It's a good break from the school year, but we definitely talk about our students a lot and are anxious to see them in August. Hopefully our next post will be one of us enjoying the company and help of our sweet state college people. 

Ordination Weekend

I think this is one of those occasions in life where you sit back and say it's ok I don't have a ton of pictures from this weekend because I was simply enjoying the moment. And it was completely crazy at our house all weekend -- in a good way!

In fact this isn't even my picture haha

I knew this weekend was going to be a big deal (hints inviting people from out of town), but until it actually happened I never knew how big. 

Saturday morning Cam was up bright and early with a smile on his face. This is a feat in and of itself. We are NOT morning people, but Cam knew his friends were coming and to him that's like Christmas morning as a 5 year old. Sweet friends from all over the country drove to our humble abode in the middle of the country to eat pizza, drink beer, and play yard games all day long. I haven't seen Cam enjoy himself so much in a good while. Friends from college, seminary, and family all hanging out together in our yard -- it was bliss. 

The next morning (Sunday) we woke up and prepared to head into Knoxville for the day. Our church is about 40 minutes away from us and we knew they were throwing a party for us after the service. This is also the first time we took both girls for an outing. It was pure chaos. Wake up. Feed the baby. Put her down for nap. Get Zoe dressed. Shower. Eat breakfast. Warm a bottle. Pack diapers. Pack extra clothes for everyone. Warm coffee. Chug a glass of water. Change baby. Load car. 2 pack n plays. 2 sound machines. A stroller. Half way through this process I had my hands over my face and just started laughing -- half afraid I would cry and half out of complete exhaustion. 

We get to the church and both girls are sleeping -- while I drop my over tired toddler off in the nursery the family carried Lucy in who still needed to be fed and then wrapped up and put to sleep. Again. I only include all of this because 1.) I want to remember it and 2.) it's applicable to the sermon that day.

As I stood walking in the back of the sanctuary trying to put Lucy to sleep John Stone begins on what I know will be a memorable sermon. He starts, with ministry is done in chaos, always chaos. Amen! I'm sold.

More than being a memorable John Stone sermon because he's telling crazy stories and jumping around the stage, it was memorable because it was vulnerable and honest. He used the passage of the last supper where Jesus tells his disciples you've been with me through it all and yet you're still going to fail. Satan wants to take you, but I have prayed for you and I'm going to give you a kingdom. Paraphrase curtesy of yours truly. He challenged Cam and I directly and by name to speak truth and to speak words of healing. And the only way to do this is to know we will absolutely screw up, but the beauty is knowing the ONLY thing we have to offer is Jesus loves us IN our brokenness, He's praying for us, and He has a kingdom for us. As John starts sobbing from the pulpit telling us that last piece I completely lost it. Sobbing both in the beauty and freedom of what he just said, and then realizing how many of our friends, family, and students were sitting there listening to the same thing. With us. 

Cam was installed as a minister of the gospel and I may have let out a scream/squeal that started an audience of laughter and applause. Goodness I'm proud to be his wife! I just couldn't believe that only 6 years prior I was actually hearing the good news of the gospel in my own RUF. How could I be sitting in a congregation, with my TWO beautiful girls, watching my husband, the new RUF campus minister take vows and accept a charge into ministry? As I walked forward with Lucy in the wrap and Zoe in my arms, tears of PURE joy streamed down my face as my husband served me communion for the first time. Yesterday was beautiful. 

We left the church and celebrated with family and friends at the beautiful Stone's house. It's a day I hope we never forget. And a day I hope, that as we reflect on it time and time again, will enable us to do ministry for years to come. 

Thank you to each one of you who came to watch and support us in this big moment of our lives. Those who drove from all around the country to our students and friends in Jeff City, to those who couldn't make it, but have been supporting us all along the way -- we love you and we're thankful for you. 

Praise God from whom all blessings flow. 

3 Weeks in with Lucy

Lucy Elouise Smith

8 lbs 12 ounces

21 inches long

April 7th 2015

Tuesday @ 3:50 pm 

Cam and I really wrestled with what to name our second little girl. We played with names we had as runner ups to Zoe and none of them seemed to fit. As I thought about Zoe's name and the meaning, "life", I really pushed for us to name our second a name that had equal significance. We searched and searched and finally I came across, Lucy. When I looked up the meaning, I knew it was the winner. Cam took some time to come around to the name, but eventually bought in. 

Lucy is our child of light. I love that our girls have names that represent two biblical themes that have have played such significant roles in our lives. 

Elouise: we desperately wanted a name that would represent St. Louis for Lucy's middle name. Carolina was perfect for Zoe, and I wanted to continue that theme of a place for their middle names. Eloise was a name on our list since we found out Zoe was a girl, but it wasn't until Cam mentioned a different spelling that I knew we had found the winner. E-Louis-E as in Louis for St. Louis. 

St. Louis was a place of many trials and great growth for Team Smith. When we talk about it now, Cam and I have nothing but fondness for the memories made there and the people who continue to greet us with open arms. 

And now we're 3 weeks in with two babies under 16 months. Life is kicking our tails right now. We love our girls, but this has got to be the hardest job I've ever had. Really, nothing else compares. I feel all kinds of guilty when friends and family ask how we're doing and I want to burst into tears and tell them I feel like I'm treading water all day and 5 pm rolls around and someone throws a baby to me -- while still treading water. I looked back at Zoe's 3 week post and man are we simply surviving right now. I'm so thankful for all of you who have told us you'll pray for us -- we need it. I NEED it!

All in all, Lucy has been a pretty average baby. She eats and sleeps which is more than a lot of moms can say -- so for that I am thankful. I am amazed by you mama's who have/had babies with colic, or reflux, or simply unhealthy babies. I'm confident there will be treasures in heaven for you!

We're taking life one step at a time, and honestly one hour at a time. Cam's ordination service is this weekend and I can't wait to celebrate the incredible accomplishment of my husband. Friends and family are traveling in to witness this great moment in our lives and he deserves every bit of applause. A week later we pack our bags, and our girls up, and head to Summer Conference. I may be crazy for taking two kiddos this young to summer conference, but hey if our life is already crazy, might as well be crazy at the beach with friends :)

My pace of life has slowed down and I'm trying my hardest to treasure some of the sweet moments. 

- Zoe saying "baby" any time she hears her sister

- Lucy's wide eyes that are so vulnerable and trusting

- Moments of silence during the night feedings

- Sweet friends making dinners and cleaning our house

- Family doting over our girls

- Sharing chocolate and ice cream with Zoe while Lucy sleeps

- Cam's mornings with Zoe

- Cam's incredible patience, tenderness, and stability

A little bit of everything

Life is about to get chaotic for us in just a few short days. Since Zoe was only born a little over a year ago I remember the newborn stage pretty clearly. This past week I've been waffling between wanting this child out of me already and then panicking at the thought of caring for two babies! Or so badly wanting to see this new little girl and then desperately wanting to soak up this time with just Zoe. So we're waffling -- A LOT! 

Here are some snap shots of life in the Jeff as of late ...

My very best friend and her husband (he's not too bad either) came to visit for an over night. I never even dreamed of how much the connection between my kiddo and these friends would mean to me.

We took a trip to St. Louis to see friends and introduce the newly exploring Zoe to some of our favorite places. She absolutely loved the zoo. 

The new book I'm reading -- it's fascinating!

The end of every day consists of some sort of treat -- I'm fully taking advantage of the whole "I'm 39 weeks pregnant" card. This particular one was photographed for my sonic loving friend back up north.

The Zo-ster has some new kicks that I love. She knows just where her shoes are and constantly asks to put them on and go outside. It's been a fun new stage of life!

We do a lot of "exploring" the driveway. She's got a weird thing with grass right now which is kind of a pain and really nice at the same time because she doesn't dare step foot off the driveway. 

While we were in St. Louis a sweet seminary wife took some pictures for us. Us Smiths are a little like animals in the winter -- we gather some extra pudge :)

This girl continues to grow! As soon as I get a decent amount of clothes in one size, she's moving into the next within a few weeks. We just bought her a new rash guard for Summer Conference since this one is far from covering her anymore. 

Our students only have 4 weeks left of class! I can't believe how quickly this year has gone by! 

We're still house hunting ... it's a slow, slow process in a tiny town that doesn't see much turn around. Literally there is not a house for us to even look at right now. 

Funny story: we've had our eye on a house that we loved, but weren't quite ready to pull the trigger on. After 3 months of considering we finally were prepared to make an offer. This house had been on the market for 200 days without a single offer! That morning, as we handed our letter of why these people should pick us to buy their house, our real estate agent told us another couple made an offer that morning way higher than we could ever offer. We were crushed -- I cried and probably threw a fit that rivals my 1 year old. Fast forward a week and Cam and I are sitting in the local coffee shop eating lunch. In walks a cute couple with a kid Zoe's age!! (When this happens in Jeff City you don't hesitate, you make friends) After a few minutes of talking to them we find out this couple is the one who made an offer on our beloved house. So now, once I can get over myself we'll be friends, but isn't that just a smack in the face! Really, what are the chances?

Cam's ordination service is quickly approaching and will be followed by Summer Conference. Hopefully I'll get someone to either take pictures or hold my children while I do! We've got a busy summer coming up, but I'm embracing it with open arms!

Team Smith turns 4

Four years my love...

- 4 moves

- 5 states

- 6 "homes"

- 3 years of seminary

- sweet friends becoming Christians

- 1 year of remodeling and Chick fil A

- 1 year of RUF

- 2 years of counseling

- 3 babies

- 1 child in heaven

- 1 baptism

- 3 church  memberships

- Countless road trips

- Treats to last a life time

- 1 trip to disney

- 4 years of birthdays

- tons of date nights

- Numerous arguments and I'm sorries

- hundreds of diapers changed

- thousands of hours of sleep lost

- millions of cups of coffee

- Friends scattered across the country

- And a fight for each other and Team Smith that continues to grow

You're the clearest picture of God's never stopping, never giving up,  unconditional love in my life, and daily I'm humbled by this gift of marriage. Thanks for continually choosing me to start for your team. I married up indeed!

So much snow

Today was our millionth snow day... only kidding it's been a week. And I just got word that they canceled school tomorrow too! Living in PA with snow was bad, because it always came with seriously low temps. Living here with snow feels worse because you know there's a possibility of getting out, but the South refuses to buy equipment to clean the streets. 

So today after my long and dramatic rant of how I feel caged in and am about to lose my mind, Cam decided to take some time and play outside with us. We piled on clothes and set Zoe's feet on the ground only for her to start sobbing. So with 6 more weeks until this next little girl comes and I no longer have options, I held her the rest of the time. 

She was a trooper and the outside air felt so so good. The thing that kept her most entertained was the dog next door. She's obsessed with dogs -- why I have no idea, but she loves them!

These two have a pretty special bond. I'm glad because when baby girl #2 comes they will be spending LOTS of time together. Zoe is convinced her dad hung the moon or made dogs... whichever is more exciting in her sweet one year old mind.

Her other latest obsession, balls. Ball is the clearest and possibly the only real word she says. In the morning as she starts chattering in her crib, she very clearly starts asking for her ball. All that to say, the mini snow ball was a huge success!

This kind of happiness only comes from Zoe spotting Cam ... and finally being taken inside. She's a riot and a joy. My hands are full and my heart is fuller. Now sunshine and warm temps please come back ... or a plow truck. I'd take either at this point :)

Small Victories

How does it feel like there is NOTHING to do and at the same time like you're being pulled in a million directions? Three words really... winter, sickness, and kiddos.

It's so stinking cold here and from what I hear from friends in PA and MN, I have nothing to complain about. That being said, I've bundled Z and myself three days in a row only to walk up our street and back to the house. The little love is sick and fresh air does her good -- me, I just need to be outside to keep the crazies at bay. 

With Cam studying for exams and prepping for another semester, Z and I are trying to make everyday inside another adventure. What that really looks like is a whole lot of crawling around the house looking for things to explore. This cabinet with sauces and vinegars has been a favorite. 

Our cautious little miss has been standing in the middle of the room more and more these days. It's hard to tell with her whether walking is right around the corner or if we've got a couple more months. She's pretty satisfied with the skills she has in her tool belt, and we continue to be amazed as she drinks from her own cup and bobs those little legs to music. 

The mundane can become glorious when you don't expect a thrilling, new type of something to entertain. Moments like this where we sneak dad away from studying to walk around the block. Or this morning, when I whined and complained because the expected outing of church was canceled due to sickness, and I walked into the living room to see my two loves dancing. 

This week, month, and maybe even year I am titling "Counting the Small Victories". Hopefully my blog will show the small joys of this season in life.