12 Years ago I said, "I Do"! and Now my 4 Year old wants to date!

Today Chuck and I are celebrating 12 years of marriage. It seems like yesterday he was asking me out on a date. I got my friend Dawn to go with us out to eat and he got her approval. I loved cruising around in his jeep with the top down. The single rose he bought me each Friday when he came into town was so sweet. Each Friday it was a different color. I will never forget the night he proposed. He opened my door on the jeep and the song "You light up my live" by Leann Rimes was playing as we gave me a single white rose. We had dinner and came home to a house full of people. My roommate had friends over. That messed his plans up a little but he just took me to the back of the house took at the ring and asked me to marry him. I was in shock, scared, and excited all at the same time. Ahhh the memories. Now 12 years later and 3 sons I can say I am so glad I met him! It is amazing to think of what could have been if I had taken a different path. I know I got the best end of the deal! I look forward to many more years together.
On the note of dating I have a funny story to share about Garett. He never ceases to amaze me with what he comes up with. Friday I picked him up for school and the first thing he said to me when he got in the van was, "Momma when can I take Ella on a date?" What?? A date?? My 4 year old is asking me if he can date?? I laughed and said, "Well Garett I guess when you get bigger." He informed me, "Ella said I have to take her on a date before I can kiss her!" What KISS??? My 4 year old wants to kiss a girl after a date??? Breathe, Breathe!! LOL! I don't even have these conversations with my 9 or 11 year old! He then told me, "Momma Ella is my girlfriend duh!" I knew she was his girlfriend he tells me EVERYDAY that she is his girlfriend and he is her boyfriend. Ella also tells her mother the same thing. He even saves her a spot by him at breakfast and when she gets to school he tells her to come sit by him! Later on that night I had him tell his dad about the date. I asked Garett if he would take me on a date and he informed me that I was to big and he can't drive. Oh and get this he told me, "Mommmmm daddy is your boyfriend duhh! He can take you on a date!" I asked him if he can't drive how will he take Ella on a date and he said on his 4-wheeler! I laughed. You see his 4-Wheeler is one of those battery operated power wheels. I guess since he can't drive that will have to do. I don't think they will make to far. I talked to Ella's mom on the phone and Ella was telling her the same thing. That they need to go on a date so they can kiss. At least she won't kiss him until he takes her on a date!! Oh the life of a 4 year old! Things are so easy and fun! I am dreading the day the real dates start. With a 11 year old I am sure I only have a few more years before the dating starts. Until then I will just keep wishing my boys don't grow up to fast!

Ringing in 2010!

I can't believe another year has gone by! 2009 was a great year for my family. I am excited to see what 2010 has to bring. This year I received my masters. I am so glad to be done and proud to have accomplished a goal I set for my self in high school. There is nothing like looking back and reflecting on your past. The other day I got out my senior book and looked to see what I had wrote. Isn't funny how differently you see your self when you are younger? Some of the things I had hoped for the future came true. I am blessed with a husband and children who love God. I have a good roof over my head. I LOVE my job. I have the best family and friends a girl could ask for. Sometimes I wonder how things could be any better. I remember the times when I thought nothing was going the way it should. Getting married at 19 and a child by 20 was not what I saw for my self in my senior book but its what made me the person I am today. I was blessed to have a supportive husband and family to help us. A personal struggle in my life came after Zachary was born. It caused me to question who I was, where I came from, and how could I have been lied to for so long. At first I was very bitter, mad, and sad but as time went by I realized that it could shape me into someone I did not want to be or make me stronger. I chose to become stronger and forgive the way God forgives me daily. Chucky supported me in finishing college even when baby number 2 came at age 22. He was there in my corner supporting me. A year after Chase was born we hit a rough patch in our marriage. I also hit a rough patch in my health. Both were very scary. The whole time the one thing missing was slapping us both right in the face GOD! After we moved from Horatio we never found a church family and started to let the ways of the world rule our life instead of God's way. After completing college and starting my teaching career, I met a great friend who invited us to church. Chucky got saved and I found my way back home to God. Who had never really left to begin with! As I read my senior book that is one thing I hoped to have a God fearing husband and a family in church. I am glad to say I have both. And we could not ask for a better church family than Spring Lake Baptist. Then baby number 3 came and I was blessed with 3 sons. As I read the page out of my senior book I saw I wanted 3 or 4 kids. I guess I accomplished that one as well. It is nice to look back and reflect on who we were and where we are now. I am glad to see that my life is so much more then I could have ever hoped for.
As I look at the boys playing together on the floor I start to think about the future. I am hoping that 2010 will be a year of new adventure, exciting and fun times with family and friends, and new opportunities in my job. But most importantly I want to live in the moment cherishing my precious sons not wanting the year to go by to fast. Not wanting them to grow up before my eyes. So here is a toast to the past may we remember where we came from and to the future my it be better then we can imagine! I hope 2010 is a GREAT year. God Bless and Happy New Year!

I cherish these times!!

We had a WONDERFUL time in Dallas this weekend. It was once again time for the Smedley Christmas at my Nana and papa's house. The only thing missing was the latest addition to our family Thomas Marc along with his parents my Uncle Mark and Eileen. But little Thomas is only 2 weeks old and not quite ready for a long trip.

We had a really good time visiting with my mom, Nana, papa, sisters, brother-n-laws, aunts, cousins, niece and nephews. The kids played well together minus the occasional little fight. But when you place that many kids together it is going to happen. Or that many sisters! Since there are 4 of us and we are all VERY strong headed. But the love is there no matter what!! That's the best thing about family you forgive move on and love each other no matter what!

This time with family is something I cherish. Seeing my boys with their cousins remind me so much of my cousins Bryan and Tori, my sisters, and myself playing together growing up at our family Christmas. Sharing, using their imagination, making up silly sayings, or telling secrets. Those are the things I love to see while their innocents are still in place, the bonds being formed, and a friendship growing. Its priceless! My brother-n-law Will had two boys when my sister Kasie married him.They have always fit right in like they have always been apart of our family! Austin and Zachary are a few months apart and Jordan and Chase a little over a year apart. They love playing together. Garett is right there in the middle of them all with my niece Adalyn making her self know in the group as well. She is a bossy little thing for only being 2. She is cute and she knows it. Its hard not to laugh at her sassy little self. My cousin Bryan has a daughter Taylor she is 3 months younger then Zachary and holds her own in a group of boys. My nephew Dominic wants to hang with the boys and is quite a character. Its hard to imagine Candi not always having him. I still remember to this day being in the court room when he was adopted. Definitely another blessing to count! Avery (Candi's youngest) was full of laughs. He is such a doll and has been one healthy little boys since the scare he gave us all at birth. Watching them together is the best gift I could get this year.

Chuck, the boys, and myself went down to Dallas Friday morning to help get things ready before everyone came on Saturday. We helped do some cooking and just spend sometime with my Nana and Papa before the mad house started with 20+ coming over. The boys had a great time cooking with Nana while Garett snuggled in papa's lap. I love that my boys have great-grandparents to spend time with. It is really neat. I had the BEST great granny until I was in 8th grade and God called her home!! I have the BEST memories of times with her in DeQueen, AR. I am glad my boys will also have those same kind of memories as well.

It is always hard when the time comes for everyone to go home. You want one more day, a few more hours, another game of cards, another talk, just a little more time before everyone leaves and another family Christmas comes to a end. I cherish the time I have with my extended family. I could not ask for a better family. I love them all!
Until the next Smedley get together I will cherish the memories we made, the fun we had, and most importantly the time we spend together!

My Bilingual Boys Give Away

I love amazon and order books and more from there all the time. Up for grabs in this give away is a $25.00 gift card. Check out her blog at:
http://mybilingualboys.blogspot.com/2009/11/25-amazon-gift-card-giveaway.html?showComment=1259474034402_AIe9_BH7nbTzMxW1mwPcIht13yssJZUYeDBJqvOtagmT1ys0YfpbHTxOfcylBEGtSoJUIr0D7sb1_hWPxRuSy1yBlUWm9Cj9qrBQO_14BKz9bNDJp74q07iyTSY8iXXUN3ylFDpt3EZNgoECwoDn0vSATTkd4srQMiudUpWPcjCbOCRMtBg7rVV7MTCuxIakfrZeYloie67xfGm3tTrCq8CpnRWMdoZJN28S4kIEBorwI4hRa9Z7kS23IhcURryPy4Pyy4P3u65u#c147362339932227391

Teaching Heart Giveaway

I love www.teachingheart.net. This site has good ideas and CD's and packets to purchase. Some items are also free. I also love her blog at www.teachingheartmom.blogspot.com it also has great ideas and time savers. She is once again having a BIG give away with 7 changes to win. If you are a teacher or parent check it out.

Thankful!

This time of year everyone takes time to think of the many blessings in their lives. Thanksgiving is a time to spend with family and friends but also a time to reflect on all of the things you have to be thankful for. I have many people and things to be thankful for.
Most importantly I am thankful for God's saving grace. Without it I would be nothing. I am thankful for a husband who loves the Lord. I love watching him play with the boys and encourage them. He is the best daddy and husband I could have ever asked for. Sometimes we see a future for ourselves but it is not the future God had in store for us. I am so thankful that God brought Chucky into my life. I could not imagine where or what I would be if not for him. He is my best friend and his support in going back to college meant so much to me.
I am very blessed with 3 amazing boys. My life would be so boring without them. Each of them is unique in their own way. Watching them play, fight, and defend each other is priceless. Though they may get mad at each other they will also protect each other if needed. I love watching Zachary and Chase interact with Garett. They have a lot of patience with him being the youngest. Watching Zachary and Chase build a relationship with God is also such a blessing to my heart. Garett is following along and loves to go to church and knows God loves him.
I am blessed with a wonderful mother and father you are there when ever I need them. I am so glad my dad has moved here and it is great to see him with the boys. My mom is still one of my best friends and I love her so much. I know I could call her anytime day or night and she would be here for me. My nana and papa are also a constant in my life. They are the rock that hold our family together. I can't not imagine life without them and know they are just a phone call away. My boys are very blessed with such wonderful grandparents. I am also thankful for the time I had with my mother-n-law before she passed. I never really got to know her well until the last few years of her life. I will treasure that time always. There is nothing like seeing the man you love care for his mother when she is ill. It makes you realize how blessed you are when you see the love he has for his mother.
I am also blessed with 3 beautiful sisters. Kasie is my best friend. She is my one constant in my life that battles with me through thick and thin no matter what happens she is ALWAYS there. Conni is my baby sister that is full of spunk. She has your back and will be there if needed. Watching the struggles she has gone through with her health makes me admire her spirit. She never complains or grips and I am thankful she has such a great husband. I have always admired my sister Candi. She adopted my nephew even though he had special needs she loved him unconditionally. She now has another son and is going to college. I admire her for that I know how hard it is to go to school with kids.
I am blessed with a wonderful church family at Spring Lake Baptist. I know I will hear God's word preached. They are my family and know that all I have to do is call and they are there.
I love my job! I could not ask for better co-workers or teammates. I love to teach kids. It is such a rewarding and challenging job. I am thankful for each student I have ever taught! They challenge me to think outside the box, inspire me to strive to achieve the unexpected, and believe that as a teacher I will in turn challenge and inspire them.
I am thankful for my precious niece Adalyn and my nephews Dominic, Avery, Jordan, and Austin. I wish I could see them more. But I love them just the same.
I am also blessed with some GREAT friends. I miss my best friends Dawn and Lori and wish we lived closer. Though we don't talk on a daily or weekly bases I know I could call them at anytime and confide anything to them. I truly love you both! I have many friends in my live but you two are truly my dearest friends.
Thank you to all the people that have blessed my life. Though some are no longer in it at some point you made an impact on me no matter how great or small. You are a blessing. In some way you helped shape me into the women, mother, wife, friend, teacher, and CHRISTIAN I am today. And for that I thank you.
I hope each of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Call a relative or friend you have not talked to in awhile and reconnect this holiday season. Most importantly reflect on the blessings in your life. We all have so much to be thankful for.

Growing up to fast!

Yesterday was Zachary's first girl/boy party! I can't believe it! The first few days after he got the invitation he said he was NOT going! He did not want to dance with a girl! Well when Saturday rolled around he decided he did want to go. He picked out an outfit and I ironed it. After putting it on he changed his mind and the picking out started all over again! I thought being the mom of boys outfit decisions would be a breeze but I guess I was wrong! Once we got ready and headed out reality set in my baby is NOT a baby anymore!!
Pulling up to the little girls house I saw several girls and a few boys already there and I really just wanted to turn around and head back home! I did want this time to come so fast but it was here no turning back!
The girls came up to the car as Zachary was getting out. I watched as his head did a upper ward nod as to say "what up ladies" and they squealed as the other boys came over to whisk Zachary away! No goodbye mom no nothing! Just my baby heading off on a new adventure!
Chuck picked him up and I was so happy he wanted to tell me about the party! He informed me he did dance but not when they played GIRL SONGS (Hannah Montana) even though he sings to her in the car. He could not let the others know that!! He did not dance with any girls and rolled his eyes when I even suggested it: NO MOTHER he informed me. How dare I ask such a thing! Only if he know how relieved I was that girls are still on the back burner for now! He is not girl crazy yet and the girls seem to be pretty calm when it comes to boys as well.

I remember being in 5th and 6th grade and chasing Toby, Mitch, and Chris around the play ground with the other girls at Shands Elementary. We already had boyfriends and talked on the phone. I am so glad that Zachary and the other kids at his school are still ok just to be friends and the boyfriend/girlfriend drama has not started yet. That will be next year when we start the middle school. Until then I am just holding on a little longer to my sweet baby boy!