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...

Last week, we went to Pigeon Forge for family vacation with some members from my side of the family. Others couldn't come because of work. There was a lot that we could have done, but we stuck with go karts, swimming and shopping for the few days we were there. We had a good time. Chris even went "zorbing" one day - rolling down the side of a mountain in a ball. He said it was a lot of fun and it really did look like it. Maybe next time I'll try it too!

Chris ending his zorb ride.

The kids LOVED the go karts!

About a week ago Ivey and Gavin both learned to ride their bikes without training wheels. Thanks to a healthy dose of peer pressure from their buddies down the street, they were excited to have their training wheels taken off. I wasn't so sure how they would do, but they both caught on right away. Gavin LOVES to ride his bike now, we have a daily riding session every afternoon!

My little guy is so accident prone... part of it is just because he's fearless. In four years he has had countless scrapes, scratches and bruises, been run over by a toy jeep, had a broken leg, a pencil stuck through the inside corner of the eye and now a finger slammed in the car door at Grammy's house. His finger began to get bloody right away and he screamed for a really long time which isn't normal for him at all. After Chris and I decided to just head home and put the kids to bed, Gavin couldn't sleep at all because of the pain. Our PA friend, John, told Chris how to poke a hole in the fingernail to allow the blood and pressure out. Well, he forgot to mention that you don't actually POKE a hole, you are supposed to heat up a paper clip (or something of the sort) and burn through the fingernail. So, I tried to hold Gavin while Chris tried to poke a hole in the fingernail. The agonizing screaming was too much for me and I told Chris to let John do it. So, the following night after the finger was extremely swollen and very bloody underneath, Chris took Gavin to John's house for the procedure. John's wife, Cacee, said that she could hear Gavin screaming from outside! Poor little guy! I'm glad I wasn't there. But, as soon as the blood came out if felt all better and he was ready to play! That's my Gavin! Now his finger looks just fine except for a little blood at the bottom and a hole in the middle of his fingernail!

This is a picture of his finger after we got home that night. By the next day, blood completely covered the underside of his fingernail and it was oozing out the top. Gross!!

Chris and I decided to try Savannah this year for our birthday/anniversary get-away. It actually turned out not to be the best choice for us... I honestly thought it was a little boring, I guess since I'm not really in to history. But thanks to my husband who always looks on the bright side of things, we had a nice time. It was really nice to spend time together and have a chance to talk and just be together. The weather was absolutely beautiful and we did get to spend a couple of hours at the beach at Tybee Island. We also took in a movie, Iron Man 2, which I thought was awesome! We walked around all of historical Savannah, looked at old homes, a cemetary and lots of little parks. We really look forward to taking a weekend trip or two every year to really spend time together, talking, laughing and just hanging out. We have our best conversations on the road, when it's just the two of us. Our kids were shuffled around between family members while we were gone, but they were excited to see just about everyone in their family in one weekend! It was a nice weekend to be together and we always enjoy our weekend getaways.

This is the bed and breakfast that we stayed in...

Walking on River Street...

A beautiful entryway to one of the larger parks...

The kids' end of the year program was adorable. Each class wore a fruit of the Spirit and sang lots of songs. Of course, everybody in the church sactuary could hear Ivey singing loud and clear. On the contrary, Gavin wouldn't even open his mouth. He started sing a time or two, but then noticed that we were watching. That little buggar! I love watching all the little kids singing praise to God at such a young age. Ivey also had her graduation ceremony. It was really sweet, but I didn't cry! I didn't even get teary! Ivey and Gavin both loved their teachers this year and it was a great preschool year!

Soooo disappointing. I don't know what's up with my camera, but it hasn't been saving the pictures I've been taking. I lost a picture of Morgan mowing the grass... yes, it's that time! YAY! He wasn't as excited as we were for this new job of his, I think he spent about an hour in the bathroom and getting water trying to prolong the inevitable, I guess. The first attempt at mowing was... well... let's just say that Helen Keller would've probably done a better job. So, Chris made him do it over again with more guidance this time. He still missed a few spots, but the improvement was wonderful. I'm sure my neighbors were glad.

The other pictures I lost were of our trip to the aquarium last week. We had a really good time with our neighbor and her children. We bought the Mommy and Me passes back at the beginning of the year. Next time, though, I think I won't choose to go on Friday - I forgot about Spring time and field trips! But the kids had a great time. The were especially fond of the whale sharks!

Last week, Ivey's teacher gave her the letter bucket to take home and fill with things that begin with the letter X. Um, OK. Other than xylophone and x-ray I'm left with pretty much nothin'. We did find an x-box game, other than that we just had a few random x-items, like a magnet and puzzle piece of the letter X. She was pretty down about it since we couldn't fill the bucket all the way to the top (over-achiever.) So, we decided to make the day better with X-cupcakes. Hey, it's all I could think of.

I read a book yesterday entitled "Crossing the Valley: Biography of Ramon Rivas." It was incredible. This man's love and passion for the Lord were absolutely inspiring. He was a missionary in the Columbian jungle in the mid 1980's. His love was for an unreached people group, the jungle people of Berrocal, Columbia. His sister actually led him to the Lord when he was 20 years old and they were the only ones in their family who were Christians. He attended World of Life Bible Institute in Argentina and then went on to Columbia after receiving an unquenchable desire to serve that forgotten people group by man, but knowing that God had never forgotten about them. His service to the Lord was absolutely amazing, reminding me much of Paul. Wherever he went, he preached the Word and people came to receive the Lord Jesus Christ. Then they would beg him to stay or to come back to visit them, forsaking arrangements to visit in other cities. Ramon was killed after only serving in the jungle for 2 years. He did not ever know that both of his parents and all of his siblings became devout believers after his death, nor did he ever see his vision of a Bible Institute built in Berrocal become reality. This poem was one that he loved and I was touched by it as well:

"That Comes from Me"

'Our confusions are His occasions'

Soul, I have a message for you, I am going to whisper it into your ear so that you shine marvelously in the midst of the storm clouds of your life. The message is short, only four words. Let them penetrate deeply in your heart so that they carry you to true peace.

That comes from Me.

Have you thought that everything that worries you also worries Me? Because "he that touches you touches the apple of his eye." (Zechariah 2:8) You should know that when temptation entangles you and the enemy is surrounding you, that comes from Me, because your weakness needs My strength and your security is only based on what you leave Me to fight.

Are you in difficult circumstances? That come from Me. I am the Lord of the circumstances, your environment, your neighbor, they only do My will.

Are you in economic difficulties? Is it difficult for you to overcome? That comes from Me. I am responsible for your money. I want you to have to come to Me and depend on Me. My wealth is unlimited. (Philippians 4:19) I want to show you that My promises are true.

Are you crossing through the darkness of life? That comes from Me. I am the "man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3). I allowed the earthly counsel to fail you so that you had to turn to Me and you will reach the enternal Counselor.

Has a friend disappointed you? One to who you had opened your heart? That comes from Me. I have permitted this disappointment so that you would know that I am your best friend.

Were your plans undone and are you tired and overwhelmed? That comes from Me. You made plans and then you asked My blessing. But I want you to allow Me to make your plans; then I will take the responsibility because "this thing is too heavy for thee, thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. " (Exodus 18:18) You are only an instrument.

Did you want to do something big for Me, and instead you were confined to your bed in pain?

That comes from Me. I could not get your attention when you were busy; I wanted to tell you my deepest secrets. "Also they serve those that are on foot and wait." Some of my better laborers I exclude from active service so they learn to use the power of prayer.

Were you suddenly called to a difficult job, full of responsibility? Trust in Me. I believe you are capable of overcoming difficulties "for this thing the Lord they God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto." (Deuteronomy 15:10) In this day I deposit in your hands a receptacle with sacred oil: use it with prudence. Oh soul! Anoint with it all the events, every word that hurts you, every interruption that makes you impatient; every expression of your own weakness. The sting disappears

when you learn to see me in everything.

"Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, ... for it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life." (Deuteronomy 32:46-47)

Our family went to the Braves game this past Wednesday night with our friends Cacee, John and Asher. It was fun, but the kids kept asking when the game was going to start. We were sitting so far away in the nosebleeds that we could barely even see the ball! We finally decided to leave at the top of the 9th because the guys behind us were screaming curse words and wouldn't stop even when asked several times. Of course, as we were walking to our car we heard fireworks and lots of yelling from the stadium. Chipper Jones had hit a homerun to win the game and we missed it!!!! Oh well...It was fun though and I guess it was our "big outing" for Spring Break. I sure do wish I was at the beach though!!!

Our family poses for a picture. Gavin absolutely hates to get his picture taken. A side few was as best as we could do, oh well...

Ivey does the tomahawk chop. She was such a fun cheerleader to watch!

Our wonderful friends, John, Cacee and Asher. God has blessed us with so many awesome friends!

Yep, we were pretty far away!

John, a.k.a "Ham", kept taking the camera and taking pictures of himself. HA-HA, joke's on you!!!

This is the beginning of a compost pile. When I was a little girl, I remember my grandmother keeping dried egg shells on the counter. Out of curiosity I asked her about it one day and she told me that she used them for fertilizer for her plants. I thought, "Hmmmm, that's interesting" and then never thought another thing about it. Well, as the reasons for many things that my mom or grandmother did when I was young become clearer, I decided to look up exactly why eggs make good fertilizer. After researching a little bit, I decided that it was indeed a great way to use natural things that I already had and put them to good use. It also turns out that used coffee grounds are also a great fertilizer for plants, so I decided to start my own pile. In the end, hopefully my plants will be happier and I'll feel good about reusing things that would have been thrown away.

We had a wonderful Easter! We enjoyed a wonderful morning of celebration at church and then went home to complete a few tasks before enjoying the rest of the afternoon with family. We had quite a spread of delicious food for lunch and then just sat around and visited. It was such a wonderful day and truly a blessing!

I want to be different. That's my prayer. Lord, I'm begging you to change me. Yes, I'm posting it here for the world to see. No more hiding it within the secret places of my heart, so that I don't feel badly when people don't really notice a change. This is true accountability. My prayer for the last few weeks and, for forever more, has been for the Lord to take me and mold me into what He wants me to be. I don't want to say things that hurt other people, I want to be encouraging to my brothers and sisters in Christ, I want to be a light in a dark world, I want to be salty, I want others outside of the church walls to know who I really belong to and whom I really serve - Jesus Christ. I want the lost to know that they are lost and I can introduce them to the only one who can save them. I will believe that Jesus can save anyone. I want my friends and family members to understand that there is so much more to this life than what we will experience as humans on this earth. We will live for eternity, either with God or apart from him. And living apart from him isn't a dreary, boring, gray place, but a wretched place that will torment those living there forever. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. An ugly, horrid place that makes those living there wish they had made a different choice. On the other hand, living with him won't just be a beautiful, peaceful, rainbow-every-day type place where you get to see your Grandma again or catch up with friends who have gone before you, there will be rejoicing, shouting of praise, singing at the top of your lungs, worshipping at the feet of Jesus... forever. I won't be apologetic for offending others because I know the Truth and aren't afraid to speak it. I know who Jesus is and I know what he did for me and for you. I will pray for people to understand the cross. I will live so that others can see Jesus in me. But, most of all, I want them to know Him. He has changed me and I want to live as a changed person.

Can you say Y-U-M!!! Saturday night we headed out for a pre-race meal for Chris and his running buddies, then went to WalMart (isn't that what all married couples with children do on date night?), then decided we would go across the street and enjoy a wonderful dessert - CHOCOLATE FONDUE! It was absolutely delicious!! This particular one was call Yin and Yang - a mixture of dark and white chocolate. Except the dark chocolate wasn't bitter... mmmmm is was so good! And, to dip was strawberries, bananas, poundcake, cheesecake, marshmellows, brownies and rice krispy treats. Absolutely one of my favorite desserts ever!

Our 7-yr old dog, Charlie, is absolutely Gavin's favorite friend. She is such a sweet dog... now. In her puppy days, I couldn't keep a good pair of shoes and her favorite thing to do while we were away was to open (and empty) the kitchen trashcan. But, now that she's calmed down and mellowed a bit, she is a wonderful pet and certainly the best dog we could've ever asked for for our kids. This particular day, Gavin was using Charlie as a pillow as he sometimes does, but he actually fell asleep on her. I thought it was very sweet. Two ole pals.

Yes, it was our turn this past weekend for Happy Turtle to visit our home. Such is the life of a preschooler.
Ivey was SO excited to bring him home! He went everywhere with us except to downtown on Saturday where we went to pick up Chris' race packet for a race he did on Sunday. We certainly didn't want to risk leaving Happy Turtle on MARTA... I think her class would have been devastated and I certainly wouldn't want that for 15 four-year olds! So, Happy Turtle slept with Ivey all weekend and played and read and even went to church with us Sunday morning. I'm sure it was his favorite part. And once or twice she even let her little brother hold him. So long, Happy Turtle. I hope you have as much at your next home to visit!

I forgot to post these pictures of our last snow fall. It was actually the only one that the kids got to play in this year... we were out of town for the others! Even though I wasn't thrilled about them playing in the snow (I knew they would miserable in about 30 seconds since we own absolutely NO snow-playing worthy clothing), I decided to let them go for it. Actually, I stayed inside while Chris watched them outside. Yes, I do have the best hubby ever!!! I'm pretty sure he had the best idea of all the parents outside though... he got out the firepit to stay warm!

Throwing snow balls and having a great time!

Even Charlie loved the snow! After running around in it for a few minutes, she just enjoyed laying down and watching the kids play.

Chris and Gavin have their cake and eat it, too! Enjoying the snow while staying warm by the fire.

I thought it would be fun to dye Easter eggs this year, so, after being inspired by some really cute decorating ideas, I decided to get all the supplies we needed in order to have a fun craft night tonight. We designated tonight as family night and headed off to Subway for dinner. Then, after running to the grocery store for a few groceries, we went home to dye eggs. It really was a lot of fun and I think I enjoyed it as much as the kids did. In fact, we had so much fun we decided to do it again tomorrow! However, I'm really looking forward to making the Easter cookies that everyone talks about each year. The ones where you put them in the oven over night, seal up the oven with tape and then in the morning you find that the cookies are hollow... just like the tomb that Jesus was put in. Ivey's teacher sent home the recipe for the cookies last week along with the Scripture verses for each step. It sounds really fun and I think the little kids will really understand it this year!