Happy Birthday Phill

 

Oldest son of ours ~ whom we are so proud of! 

Phill is so thoughtful, thinks of others first,

responsible beyond measure,

knows how to have fun,

LOVES sports, and his family,

and has the BEST laugh. 

As a baby, he was content.....

and he is STILL easy going this day.

 



 

 



Phill and his bride ~

 

His ever growing wonderful family ~

 

One of our 4 kids ~

whom we cherish.

 

And.......one of the SMITH crew,

whom we love dearly.

 

 

Happy Birthday Phill!!!!!!

 

We love you so much

 and pray God's blessings on your year ahead.

 

Happy DAY!!!!!!!



Mother's Day 2013

 

Special ladies in my life ~

Mothers

 

Of course, top of the list ~ my mom! 

She raised 4 daughters ...was always home for us,

was QUITE the fashionable lady,

loved to sing (actually made a record in her younger years) [and all of us girls LOVE music],

she was QUITE the golfer, exercised, ate wisely,

and I just wish I could sit and visit with her this day.

I love her....and miss her.

 

AND.....

Alden's Mom was a dear wonderful example

of God's love to me.  She loved me as her own.

I miss her terribly and love her lots.

 

My sisters,

Dianne, Susan and Kim ~ amazing ladies, wonderful moms and dear friends to me and so many.

 

Courtney ~ my first born daughter. 

Gift from God then and through the years she grows more dear.

I love her tons ~ and admire her with her 6 children. 

Super Mom for sure.....inside and out.

 

Christy ~ daughter in "love" ~ married our oldest son.

She's full of life, loves her kids, , the best cook, enjoys family and friends.

I so appreciate her....with love!

 

AND my special friends......they know who they are.

I love how you love your kids, sacrifice for them, and encourage them.

 

Mothering ~ my most fulfilling role in all the world.

I have loved it.  I wouldn't trade it for anything.

 

 

Steve, Hannah, Courtney, Phill ~ the JOY of my life!

 

Parenting.........It IS the greatest JOY and.....the greatest CHALLENGE.

 

Thank you God for giving me the gift of my kids ~

and these wonderful ladies in my life.

 

Happy Mother's Day!

 

 

Grandkid Spree

What a fun few days recently with "grandkid activities"!

 

 

Last week Bailey had a musical at her school ~

I mean "REALLY"!!!!!  :)

 

Alden and I loved being there ~

The benefit of being grandparents.....vs parents.....we get to enjoy the evening......

following an event!

Clyde's is just down the road from them ~

 



 

So, yep......we used a gift card and had a relaxing dinner.....just the two of us.

Wonderful ~

 



Last Saturday ~ we enjoyed Andrea's soccer game!

What a GREAT goalie she is!

 

 Such a blessing to be with her. 

 

Today ~ Courtney and I ate lunch with her elementary kids at their school.

 

Lincoln first ~

 



Then Joshua!

 



Finishing up with Bailey!

Rebekah has a band concert tomorrow night, but I also have an event at

my school.......

thus, I went to her REHEARSAL today.

 

She did GREAT and has so much fun doing it.

 

Yep ~

 

one BLESSED grandma (and Papa too!) over here! 

Thank you God for these very special moments.



Happy Birthday Pat

 

 

It's Pat's 36th Birthday!

 

 

Pat is a GREAT husband, father, son, brother,

and friend. 

He loves his Lord with all of his heart.

 

 

 

He loves sports ~ here with Joshua.

Just a tad bit competitive.  :)

 And he loves to have FUN!!!!!!

 

Pat we wish you a GREAT birthday!

We appreciate you so much.

 

Alden and I love you

and pray God's blessings on your year ahead.



Spring Break 2013

Oh yes, we got some beach time.......

It was so beautiful!

But first......

dear Aunt Louise was in the hospital ~ not doing well.

We stopped to see her as we went down to the beach ~

and actually came back to Raleigh during the week to see

her one more time.

Little did we know when we headed down for Spring Break ~

that we would be saying goodbye to her. 

We enjoyed our time with her so much.  Sang to her.

Talked to her.  Prayed for her. 

Sweet, sweet ....tough time. 

As we drove away that last time ~

we REALLY took in the beautiful sky ~

the beauty that God has given us here on this earth ~

and the joy of Louise in our life. 

We then drove through Fayetteville to see the neighborhood

that Alden and Ken are developing. 

And enjoyed seeing Alden's home church ~



We met up with Kim and Heather at Myrtle Beach ~

and had SO much fun!!!!!!



It was quite chilly that first weekend ~



But we enjoyed each other......and the area.

Some March Madness ~ oh yeah!

We girls did some exploring ~
 



Aren't they SO cute!!!!!

And found some REALLY cute stores.

SOOOOOOOOOOO southern right???? 

 This is one of our favorite restaurants in MB and

it became Kim and Heather's too!!!!!

We did get the girls on the beach a bit ~

Oh how we l.o.v.e the beach off-season!!!!!!
Less people, jeans and sweatshirts........



Kim and Heather had never been to Zaxby's ~ thus we HAD to go!!!!  :)



I got to spend some good time with my dear friend ~ Pat! 

Loved seeing some other dear friends ~ The Hoopers and Tammy!

and of course.....eat at the Shack!

What would a trip to NMB be without that!!!!

We fell in love....okay, I did.....with this sweet little duck.

We named her Myrtle!

Then.....we got some GOOD beach time. 

Warmer temps.

 Sooooo very thankful this man FINALLY got some rest ~

no better place to do it. 

The white sand of NMB ~

Friday/Saturday was Louise's viewing and service ~

The night of the funeral ~ Alden, Steve and I headed BACK to

the beach. 

Enjoyed the sunset ~

reminisced about Louise....and Cecil.

Found this beautiful shell heart on the beach.....

and added Louise's name. 

It was as if God was saying ~ "she is with ME ~

and Cecil.....and happy as can be". 

A very special moment for us.



The next morning ~ Easter ~ Alden and I went down to the beach for a sunrise service.

So good to sing worship songs, be with other believers, and hear a great message.

Azalea's were just beginning to bloom.

Not the Spring Break we expected ~

but a very special one indeed.

Thank you God for time.

For people.

For the beach.

For the many blessings you give us on this earth ~

AND most of all for YOU....

who gives our life purpose and HOPE for the future.