Teenagers and Toddlers

10 years ago, or the last time I had a toddler in this house I didn't have a teenger just yet. No real talking about boyfriends and clothes and teenager drama.

Sis listens to every word her big sisters say, she thinks they are awesome and wants to be like them.

Leading to a few new Maddi'isms
" I broked up with my bofriend (I left the y out deliberately, that's how she says it) because he told me wrongo bongo and I not like dat!"

"Ummm, I think dat girl is wearing hoochiemomma makeup"

"Momma, can you wear hoochiemomma make up and still be nice 'cuz I like to wear lots of makeup!"

"Her is really a drama queen, it drives me crazy!"

"Riley is a poopchunk!"

"Momma, I wanna look at my prom dresses on the 'puter"

This is just the tip of the iceberg.

Happy 21st Birthday Michael Eugene Smith!!

Michael Eugene Smith

8 lbs 1 0z

20 inches

January 22nd, 1989

He was the cutest thing I had ever seen in my life, all that black hair and round face, chubby cheeks. They lay him on my chest and he started nursing and I fell in love with this little man, my baby boy, my only boy.

I was home with him everyday, and all we did was play and snuggle and play and snuggle. From the minute he was born until he was nearly three the only place he slept was laying on my chest. What a snuggle bear. Mike and I spent so much time just staring at him that in the car he would say "turn around turn around" because he wanted us to STOP staring.

He loved listening to Dwight Yokem, repeatedly. He loved both his great grandpas. He was blessed to have them both. Oh, he loved his great grandma Ginger too. Of course his other grandparents as well.

When he was 2 1/2 he got a baby sister, his first one. He loved her so much and she bossed him around from day one!

He kept getting sisters as everyone who knows us already knows. When Missy came in 96, he hugged me and cried and told me how thankful he was that God gave him another sister and that we were all healthy. PRECIOUS! They are so close to this day.

He is maybe the biggest mommas boy EVER! In jr. high and high school he could really push my buttons, and especially Mikes. He got a little lost in highschool, not drugs or alcohol. More lack of motivation. He didn't graduate with his class and learned a really hard lesson.

In the fall of 2007 he lost his best friend. It was devastating to all of us and something that will affect him his whole life. He really loved Justin. We all did.

He's an adult now. He's not perfect, but he is amazing. He still struggles a little with motivation, but he's getting there. He got his GED right away. He's had several jobs and he's currently searching hard for a new one. He plans to go back to college in the fall. He's had the same very sweet girlfriend that we love very much for almost 4 years. They have lived together for a year and a half.

He is an amazing brother and son. We talk on the phone at least twice a day. Him and his girlfriend do NOT drink and party, in fact, if they have a free weekend all they want to do is have his sister come stay. He spent his 21st birthday with his parents and his girlfriend. He helps his grandma with everything, from dropping off her water bill to shutting in her chickens, even though they freak him out.

He's a LOT like me,he's a worrier. He's a little like his dad and has a hot head, that's getting better too. He's big softie mushball. He's trying really hard to be a surrogate brother to Justins baby sister and it makes my heart melt to see him do that.

I've NEVER seen another boy so involved with their sisters, he just really loves, cares for and wants the best for them. They are so blessed to have him.

This baby and I have grown up together. I probably made my biggest mistakes as a parent with him, but we have both grown and learned.

I thank God for this little boy that made me a mom, and for the man that he's growing to be.

Happy 39th Birthday to Me!!

Today I'm 39 years old, I only have one year left in my 30's and I'm sooo excited! It's funny really, when I was 29 the thought of turning 30 was not a pleasant one for me. I was all in turmoil, we had 4 of our kids, but our relationship was strained. I was trying to figure out what I wanted, was I going to go to school and if so what for?? I was a little overwhelmed to say the least...



In the ten years between then and now I went to school, graduated, worked on my career, went into management (hated it), spent too many hours at work and missed WAY to much at home, with my babies AND my hubby.



Now, I'm 39, and I'm excited about 40. Life is still crazy, don't misunderstand me. We have 6 children now, 21 years old down to 7 months. I'm again wondering about school, maybe, maybe not. Undecided really. But life is GOOD! And I know it, I think that's the difference. Life was good then, I just didn't know HOW good. I had to spend a few years finding something, only to find out.....wait a minute I already have it.

The most important thing that has changed is that I've put God first in my life, once I did that then everything fell into place around me.


Come on 40, and 50, and 60........you get the picture!

Christmas

Christmas was great! Fun memory making time with our friends the McFalls on Christmas Eve then home to find Santa had been here already, our house must have been one of his first stops! Michael & Brit, Meggie & Brandon, Mike, myself, Missy, Kadie, Maddi and Melanie, fun! Sis was so excited over her vanity set that wasn't wrapped that she started flinging (literally) the rest of her presents out of the way to get to it. Christmas is awesome with 2year olds. Every gift she opened she said " OH, this was JUST what me wanted!!!" The rest of the kids really enjoyed watching her and everyone was happy with their own gifts as well.

Here are a few pics!

Happy Birthday Missy Moo!

14 years ago last night at around 11:34 Melissa Marie Smith was born. 6lbs 4 oz and 18 tiny inches of her. She was by far the smallest of my babies, but she began to show us very early on that big things (personalities) come in small packages. Her big brother fell in love with her the minute he saw her and she is still very much a "bubby's girl". He went in the bathroom with me and cried and cried when we made it home safely that day.



I shared this pregnancy with my sister Lish, and it still stands out in my mind, and that makes the pregnancy itself extra special.

She seemed so tiny at first, everything but those big eyes.

Missy was all BIG brown eyes and fluffy hair, little bitty girl that wanted her mama! It was with Missy that I first discovered "wearing" my babies, because she wanted to be held all the time. It was with Missy that I learned about "high needs" babies and toddlers. High needs as in "I highly need all your attention right now mom!". Sometimes when she was a toddler she would storm off to her room for "by myself time". She was sweet and sassy and so much fun! So determined, this little bitty baby walked at 8 months, she looked like a baby doll walking.

Now, at 14, she's still all big brown eyes in a little bitty package. She's a funny, happy girl. I very rarely see her in a bad mood ever. She's still loud and loves to sing! She's in love with her little sisters and best friends with her sister Kadie. She was in the room with me when Melanie was born, I hope that moment was as special to her as it was to me, I know it will be special for their relationship. She has a very strong opinion on what's right and what's wrong and stands firmly in her convictions. She is very much a social butterfly, loves to hang out with her friends, but does NOT follow the crowd and is not afraid to tell her friends if they are making a mistake. Even though our little house drives her crazy she loves our big family and wants to have 10 or more children herself someday. She's very mature for her age, responsible, but she's not afraid to still act like a kid, I LOVE that.
Out of all my girls she is the most like me, good and not as good alike. She says that she's a daddys girl, but for a daddys girl she loves to snuggle her mom...She could read all day....She really appreciates all we do for her...There are so many things about our Missy Moo, my mini-me that I love and appreciate and admire. I look so forward to watching her grow into womanhood and pray that the closeness we have now continues to strengthen over time. Oh, and did I mention that besides being this amazing and wonderful young woman that she is also gorgeous?

I REALLY love this girl, so glad God gave her to us.