My camera died. Well, it didn't exactly die... it just got sick. Anytime I tried to zoom in or out the camera would turn off which was really frustrating. Since that doesn't work very well with active kids and such, Chris was so kind enough to buy me a new camera. This one is really nice and takes really good pictures - it even came with a case! I'm so happy with it and excited to take better pictures!

Today we went swimming and these are the pictures I took. I can tell a huge difference and am so happy with my new memory saver!

Gavin and Ivey truly are best friends. Even though having them so close together (16 months apart) was really hard for the first year or two, they are playmates for each other now and it works out perfectly. Right now they are really hooked on playing Super Mario. I thought it was so cute that they were both tucked under the covers in our bed playing together. Of course, they continue to fight over who gets to be Mario - and I'm wondering, does it really matter?? Luigi is cool, too!

Has it really been over a month since I last blogged? Well, life has been... different. Since finding out that I'm pregnant with baby #4, I've spent a lot of time the last few weeks on the couch or in bed except for the one week that we spent at vacation bible school. Also, I often feel that my life isn't that interesting and sure that no one really takes the time to read this blog anyway. But, for the two or three out there that really do want to know what's going on here at the Smathers household, I guess I'll keep writing even if it means I only get to it once a month.

We are happy and excited about baby number 4. After several months of intense discussion and prayer about God's will for our family, Chris and I decided to try for one more baby. It took a little longer than we anticipated, but God's timing is for the best and we knew that all along. It was difficult to watch two of my best friends become pregnant during the time that Chris and I were trying, but God taught me many things during those few months. How to be genuinely happy for my friends when their successes were my failures, how to be thankful for the beautiful children with which God had already so richly blessed me, how to rely on God when what was happening in my life didn't seem to match up with what I thought I had clearly heard him say and especially that all that I have was given to me by God alone... and much more. So, when Chris and I found out that we were indeed pregnant we were very excited. But, of course, even when you're following God's plan, reality can be a bit scary. I had a sonogram several weeks ago and, yes, our blueberry-sized baby looked great. Absolutely amazing isn't it? But, on the way home I silently sobbed (is that possible?). I didn't want Chris to hear me because I didn't want him to think that I wasn't excited about the baby or was in any way sad about what was happening. I just had a moment of "Oh my gosh. I feel extremely overwhelmed right now." Thank you, hormones. And, thank you, God, for reminding me that I absolutely can do nothing without you. Chris and I did have a good discussion about it later and again God reminded me of another wonderful blessing in my life - my husband. Chris is the level-headed, everything's-going-to-be-okay, let's-pray-about-this kind of guy. So, everything was okay after our discussion and I felt much better.

Anyway, the last few weeks have been filled with the typical pregnancy issues... nausea, tiredness, generally not wanting to do anything. I believe I'm starting to round the corner now and things are starting to level out. We are excited about this new adventure and the blessing that another child is. Now, if I could just stop eating so much all the time...