I love watching my kids learn!

Specifically, I love homeschooling. Now, I know that I could wait for them to get home from school and ask them how their day was, but somehow I just don't think it would be the same as sharing it side-by-side with them. Friday, we went to the Aldridge Gardens. It was a planned field trip with our home school group. We went on a tour and learned all about trees. It was so fun. The best part to me was that our whole family went, even Daddy and the babies! I am so glad that these brothers get to experience things together. 

Then, after the field trip, I took the older two boys to pottery class. I absolutely love this teacher and loved watching them make their honey-pots. I am thinking this would make a fun-mom's night out. You can buy a piece already made and then paint it. She fires it and you pick it up the next week. All for 15-30 dollars! 

On another note: please be praying for Josiah Carrier. He is 18 months old and was injured when a big tv fell on his head. He is a little miracle child! Check out his website at caringbridge.com  Type in Josiahcarrier as the sign-in. Thanks!

close-ups of Charlie

Here are a few close-ups of my sweetie. I was working on a collage of Charlie before I broke the camera. I love these eyes!

TO BE CONTINUED...

new camera?

Sad to say, my camera is broken. My fault... I was packing the bags for our Saturday soccer games. I have found that I have to take only 2 bags if I pack my camera in the diaper bag. The camera bag is too bulky. I always take it right out when we get there and wear it around my neck during the games. Well... the bags were on my kitchen counter and I was on the other side of the counter pouring my second cup of coffee... I heard a crash...I felt like I was moving in slow motion...too late. There lies my Nikon on the ceramic tile. Now all the pictures are dark. Like, black. BUMMER! I tried to convince myself that this is no big deal, but it didn't work. I miss my camera! Now, I have to wait until we save up to buy another one. Thanks a lot Dave Ramsey...with all your debt free blah blah blah! Now I can't in good conscience buy a new one yet:) Maybe it won't be long. 

On a much happier note... my hubby and I celebrated our 7th anniversary! We are in awe of how much God has blessed us in the past 7 years. It has been amazing. He is my best friend and we have so much fun together. I know this might annoy some... but what the heck, this is my blog. :) Do something sweet for your spouse today to let them know how you love them!

My babies

I practiced photography the other day on my favorite subjects. I wanted to get some good shots of the babies while they are still little. First, I set up the backdrop and checked the lighting with my older 2 boys. They had so much fun.

What a cutie! He looks just like his Daddy!

I had a little trouble with the focus on this picture, but I love it anyway. He is such a sweetheart and I could take pictures of him all day.

Their patience wore off!

Charlie

Henry

Henry

Let me know what you think ... I am still learning so go easy on me!:)

We are doing good... soooo tired, but good. Today it actually took me ONE HOUR to get to a place that is usually about 2 minutes from my house. I got to the back, without my card, went back home to get it... went to the bank, then chick-fil-a, then back to the bank because I didn't get enough money out the first time. At this point my kids were getting so impatient (we were headed to this cool little splash park down the street so they were very excited). So, we get back to the bank and I dropped my driver's license and it was stuck in between the seat. I almost broke my hand trying to get it. I asked the boys to help... actually I asked for one, but 2 boys unbuckled and scrambled to the front of the van and dove onto the floor ( you would think they were given a pass out of prison or something) So they were on the floor cramming their little arms under my seat and practically fighting over who would get to the driver's license first. (It is still out there in my car under the seat right now) Thankfully, the lady at the bank remembered me ( how could she forget... I am the lady in the van with all the kids yelling, "3 suckers please, 3 suckers PUULLLLEEEZZEEEE!")

I think she gave me the 10 bucks out of her own purse just to get rid of me! HA

Okay, now I will quit rambling. Sorry for the long post. I could go on, but I will spare you!

Settling In and My Funny Dream

               I took this on my webcam and edited it in iphoto. 
Hey! I recently read in an article that it takes some mom's longer than others to "settle in" to motherhood with each baby. Usually about 6 weeks. Next week, the twins will be 6 weeks. Some days I feel like I have "settled in" and everything is easy, then WHAM... I feel like I am a first time mom and I have no idea what I am doing. After 3 babies, you would think I would have this down, right? 

We are doing great though and I have found that the key to staying sane right now is trying to maintain an attitude of thankfulness. I have tons to be thankful for, so it should be easy. :)

Last night, I had a funny dream that I was on a treadmill and people kept handing me these glass balls that were extremely valuable and I could not drop them. The treadmill was going faster and faster and people were handling me more and more balls. I think God intervened in my dream because all of a sudden there was a huge basket by the treadmill and I thought, I can't do this all alone, I will put the balls in this basket and God can take care of them. Isn't that a cool dream. I am really not sure if I was awake or asleep, it was kind of like a day dream, only at 3 a.m. But, I felt really at peace when it was over and I slept so great... until 6 a.m. :) 

So, was it a God given dream, or have I been watching the Olympics too much before I go to bed?

By the way, my 4 year old wants to swim faster than Michael Phelps one day. I told him he could with enough practice. He believes he can and I do too.  Have a great weekend!

Whew!

I am so excited to have 5 minutes to spare before my bedtime! I still have laundry to be done, dishes to be put up, etc. but it can wait. I miss all my blogger friends. I confess... I have not been reading your blogs people, but it is not because I don't want to. For example, my hubby is standing behind looking over my shoulder waiting for the computer. I have been on it now 2 minutes:) Granted, he is trying to research a few cars before an auction tomorrow. Have I mentioned how awesome he is??? No really, he isn't even standing there anymore... I really do think that he is:)

Update on us: ( and then tomorrow, I promise, maybe I will catch up on you guys!)
Henry and Charlie are great, gaining weight inspite of nursing woes. Hopefully that will improve in the next few days because right now my life consists of what the lactation gurus call triple feeding... nurse, feed them a supplement (45 minutes) and THEN pump for 15 minutes. It occured to me that this was insane to attempt!!! I mean, I should not even be driving right now I am so tired. :) So, I tried just pumping while they take their bottles in the middle of the night so I could get back to bed within 30 minutes. Genius! Then I was telling my friend of the triple feeding nightmare that was going on during the day. " oh, I am not sure I can handle this much longer... my kids need me, my husband needs me, my teeth need me (to be brushed, ya know?) " She says, "Why don't you so the pumping while bottle feeding routine during the day also, until they are strong enough to nurse and get enough milk from that alone?" Why don't I? Well, I will tell you why I don't... because that would be TOO SIMPLE!!!! So, thanks to my dear smart, well rested friend... life has gotten easier over the past few days. Hence the blogging...

Okay, the ramble has gone on long enough and my 5 minutes are up. Off to laundry, dishes and maybe a bowl of cereal with Blanch, Dorothy, Rose, and Sophia. I have been loving me some Golden Girls and Multi-Grain cheerios every night. Thanks DVR!!

Our Boys Are Here

Henry on the left... Charlie on the right.

Charlie

Big brother and little brothers!

Hey there! Here are a few pics of our beautiful baby boys! They arrived on July 10th at 1:16p.m. and 1:18p.m. Henry Davis Smith weighed 6lbs 1 oz. and Charles "Charlie" Rhymer Smith weighed 5lbs 1 oz. We are all doing really well. We are delighted to have them here and even in these sleepless days and nights... we are so thankful and already in love with these two! They are so sweet.  

Also, tomorrow is my oldest 6th birthday! 6 years years ago about this time (10:00 pm) I started having my first labor contractions ever. I was 1 week overdue and I still wasn't sure I was really in labor. About an hour later... I was sure! I had never felt any pain like it before! But, I was so excited to be meeting our first little one that I did not care about the pain. I think it is interesting that 6 years later... here we are sitting up with our TWIN newborns!  5 boys in 6 years... how amazing! I would not change anything about it.

Happy Birthday Jackson!