Birthday

This is old news and long overdue, but I just wanted to give a shout out to all those who made my birthday an almost perfect one! It would have been perfect if Christian was here. First I woke up to my Mom slaving away in the kitchen, making my all time favorite breakfast,

Then Jaydia and I got to have some Face Time with our besties, Gentry and Zoe,

Then while I was on the phone with Gent, somebody came to the door with this from my sweet husband,

Also my husband, Christians parents, and my parents all got me this,

Then my amazing friends, Chelsea, Megan and Marianne showed up with all this,

Then my incredible parents took me and my little sis Jasmine here

Then it just so happens that I know some people in Cedar Hills and they decided to spout off some fireworks for me, so I went to a firework show with my in-laws and then went back to the Smiths and played games. Ah, good times. Good people.
With all that, plus the phone calls, FB messages, and texts it was quite the extraordinary birthday. I have some pretty great people in my life. Thanks everyone.

We bought a house!! It was only 1.3 Mil!

Joke. This isn't our house.  Gah haha. I'm awesome. 

We did it. We did something I never could have imagined doing. Not only did we move, we moved to a place I told Christian I would never move. Yet here we are. And the worst part is...we're happy. We miss family like crazy but this feels like where we are supposed to be right now. It feels like home for now. It's actually quite strange how calm and peaceful we are about it.

I know you're only supposed to look at the positives, but it ain't all roses here in the great state of Texas.  Here are some pros and cons.
Pro-We have a MASSIVE back yard. This literally is only the half of it.

Con-We discovered that no one here uses back yards (unless there is a pool in it) or plays in the grass. Sweet. Now what do we do with our yard? Our back yard is also home to turtles, bunnies, frogs and I'm sure many other awesome insects and killer bugs. And please take note that I don't mean "killer" in like a stellar awesome 80's way, I mean it in like a flesh eating ruin your life way. (Also please take note that I've never stepped foot out there and have yet to see any really scary pests. I just hear things and that's enough to keep me off.)

Pro-We  get to drive by this beautiful lake every day!!! This photo doesn't do it justice. I took it while Christian sped down the parkway. It's called Lake Woodlands. Google it Barbara.

Con-There used to be an alligator in it (until it got hit by a car) and they have also found Pacu fish in it (cousin to the Piranha).

Pro-The shopping here is awesome. They have a beautiful Mall with a Pottery Barn and a waterway. There is also an area called Market Street that has amazing restaurants, great shopping, local bands, green space to play, farmers markets, and so on. I love it there.

Con-If you think I have anything negative to say about these shopping centers you are sorely mistaken.

Pro- Exercise is good for you.
Con-I have to wake up at the crack of dawn to run or else my shoes would melt.
Pro-The Olympics are on.
Con-Once they leave me I will have no friends and nothing to do all day.
Pro-We have an AMAZING concert venue just 10 minutes down the road and my all time favorite artist Florence+The Machine is coming to concert!!!
Con-Christian doesn't really care to go, and we don't have a baby sitter for Jaydia. Should I just go alone? I would. I might. I'll let you know.

Our neighborhood is great. There is also an aquatic center nearby that we haven't been to yet and really cool nature walks, hikes, and bike trails. This is a picture of the entry into our little neighborhood. I love it.

All in all life is great. It's been a lot of fun getting settled in to our new place. Pest Control people are coming every 2 months and I have an Air Conditioning system that works great. What more could I need in a place like this?

Outta here.

There once was a day that looked like this...(job interview in Texas)

That day turned in to this...

Then I was all like this...

Then we decided to do this...


And now, the truth is...we're moving to Texas and we feel pretty darn good about it ya'll. (I've always wanted a legit excuse to say that!)
Well be living in a place called Spring or The Woodlands which is about 30 minutes north of Houston. Christian accepted a job at NOV (National Oilwel Varco) where he'll be doing all sorts of important engineering things. We leave tomorrow to go find ourselves a house and survey the neighborhoods. I'm really just hoping and praying we end up in a good neighborhood with people who want to be friends with us. I can't imagine leaving our family and friends but I don't think about that too often yet. We'll be packing up a penske, towing the worthless Subaru (I say "worthless" cause you all probably think it is, but it really isn't to me. We've been besties since I turned 16) and I'll be driving the super cool Mazda3 behind (or probably in front of) Christian. With Jaydia in the back seat. Wow. Lets not think about that for now.
Either way we'll all be okay as long as we have this,

Oops! I mean this,

The Gift

Thank you for the Gift. You could have been anywhere, with any family, maybe even your biological one. But you found your way to ours instead. And we found our way to you. You belong with us. Forever. So thank you, for the gift of you.

The way you laugh.
The way we laughed the same laugh together.
The way you hated smiling with your teeth, but when you did...Wow.
The way you hugged so tight.
The way you looked at Jaydia.
The way you apologized when you felt bad for something.
The way you rolled your eyes at my silly sense of humor.
The way you love longboarding like I do.
The way you appreciate music the way I do.
The way you always told me to stop singing aloud in the car.
The way you would always sing aloud in your bathroom.
The way you looked at me when I asked a stupid question.
The way you treated all animals.
The way you hated wearing shoes.
The way you intimidated most of my friends.
The way you stood up for who ever was loosing the family argument.
The way you protected the beliefs of others.
The way you love your Mother.
The way you love us all just the way we are.
The way you sat by the fire with me and played "would you rather".
The way you played the flute.
The way you were naturally athletic.
The way you drew.
The way you hated to see other people in pain.
The way you wished you could take pain from others and give it to yourself.

The way in which all who really knew you, could see Christ in the little things you'd do and say. You resembled him more than you ever knew. I wish you would have seen it. Oh it was amazing. Your compassion, your kindness, your bravery, your love, your selflessness.

Maybe because of you, I can be a little more kind. A little more patient. A little more loving. A little more brave. A little more accepting. Maybe because of you, I can be a little more Christlike. So thank you, for The Gift of You!

AF Canyon

We have a little family tradition of going up the canyon in the Ranger every fall. You'd think we'd be experts on getting up there at peak season, but somehow we are always about a week or 2 late. It's still fun and pretty and Jaydia loved the ride. She was such a good girl and it was so fun to be all bundled up together.

Fall Family Pictures

Thanks Leah!

Lullaby to Jaydia 6/5/2011

6/5/2011- The day I had to check-out of the hospital and leave Jaydia.


Josh Groban
Lullaby

Hush now baby don't you cry
Rest your wings my butterfly
Peace will come to you in time
And I will sing this lullaby

Know though I must leave, my child
That I would stay here by your side
And if you wake before I'm gone
Remember this sweet lullaby

And all love through darkness
Don't you ever stop believing
With love forlorn
With love you'll find your way
My love

The world has turned the day to dark
I leave this night with heavy heart
When I return to dry your eyes
I will sing this lullaby

Yes I will sing this lullaby
Oooooohhh