A Very Special Sunday

 Sunday was a special day for the Smith family- we got to celebrate Craig and my Dad and McKinley was dedicated at church.

Craig and I, dedicated McKinley to the Lord, well before we met her on Earth.  And we strive our best to raise both of our children in ways of the Lord.  But, we had never publicly dedicated McKinley.  It was something that we really wanted to do, and felt like it was important to do.  This is normally done when they are babies.  Not 2.  But, our church had been without a pastor for some time, so no dedication was done, until now.  The dedication service was held pretty early in the service.  But clearly not early enough for McKinley.  Probably one song too long.  :)  There were WAY too many people in the sanctuary that she felt she needed to meet, instead of sitting still with Mommy, Daddy and Honey and Papa.  And clearly, being held in front of the church wasnt very much fun, she would much rather be on the stage.  All other babies were perfectly behaved.  :)  But, regardless, it was a special time, where we were able to dedicate McKinley to the Lord.. and dedicate our parenting to Him as well.  We are thankful for a church that loves our children and supports parents on the journey of trying our best to parent Godly children in a world where it is not the easiest.

After church, we were able to go to lunch as a family.  We never get to do this, because Craig has to be at work right after Sunday School on Sundays.  So it was a fun time.  We went to a local chicken place in town, where the kids get to eat free on Sundays.  :)  It was delicious and the kids were very well behaved. The kids gave Craig a strawberry rhubarb pie from Pie Junkie and a hedge trimmer.  :) He was very excited (especially about the pie!)

When we pulled in the driveway from lunch, she was knocked out.  So tired, all that silly fit throwing in front of hundreds of people, wears a girl out, evidently.  :)

We all took a great Sunday nap!  It was so so so so so nice!!!

After nap time, we headed over to Honey and Papa's for dinner, to celebrate my awesome dad, Craig and my brother, Ward.  All 3 are pretty fantastic dads, who love their children very very much! 

After we got home, McKinley went to bed, and Jackson got in our bed with us to catch up on some DVR'ed shows and some snuggle time.  It was a pretty perfect day!!!  I just wish I was able to get a pic of Craig with both of the kids.  They are way too busy for posed pictures these days!  But Jackson and McKinley both adore their daddy!!  We are all very thankful for him!

A Celebration, A Play Date and An Ear Ache

We had a fun, TORNADO FREE weekend! 

My sister in law, Amy and I went to Mahogany for dinner.  We had plans for a little girls night the Friday night before.. but as we all know, we spent that night glued to the TV, praying for the safety of Oklahomans again.. and cursing a local weatherman.  Soooo, we rain checked our date night and enjoyed the most delicious dinner free of bad weather.  My brother in law, had champagne waiting for us when we got there.  :)

Saturday, our friends, Mindy, Daisy and Hudson came over for a play date.  Both of our hubbies were working, so it was perfect.  And the weather was fantastic!  We set up the bounce house, and tent and the kids played really well together.  And Mindy and I were able to catch up. 

After our play date, we had lunch and fantastic naps!  :)

Sunday, we went to church.  Instead of Sunday School, we went to a class so we can dedicate McKinley next week.  I know, she is almost 2.  But our church was without a pastor for sometime, so this is the first opportunity we have had.  Better late than never.  :)

I have been dealing with this wierd thing going on with my right ear... it would go through phases (quickly) of being muffled.  Almost like I was hearing my heart beat in a muffled tone, but it wasnt.  It was annoying more than anything.  Craig and Mindy both told me they thought it was fluid in my ear.  I have never had anything like this.  But it made me think about how it was probably how McKinley hears out of her one ear without a canal all the time.   But by the time, Craig got home, it was shooting pain up behind my eye.. to where I had a major headache and then shooting a pain down my neck.  It was making me feel sick to my stomach and everything.  I sound major complainy right now, but I did not feel well at all.  Again, it made me think of my poor baby girl who had these ear infections ALL THE TIME, alot of the time I did not even realize it.. now I have a glimpse into how bad she felt.  Another reason to be super thankful for that tube.  Anyway, I read that decongestants often help with fluid in the ear.  Craig ran to the store, and literally an hour after taking the meds, I felt like a new person!  Today I am feeling some lingering pain, but no more wierd muffles. 

Overall a FUN weekend in the Smith household. 

Memorial Day Weekend

I still need to blog about our crazy, heartbreaking week in Oklahoma.. but first I am going to share a few pictures from our Memorial Day weekend.  It started out much like every weekend, but ended perfectly since Craig was able to have Monday off.. we were able to have a great family day!

Sunday morning, the kids wore their red, white and blue to church.  :) 

During Jackson and McKinley's AWESOME Sunday afternoon naps, I started painting the kids bathroom.  It is one of the many projects that I want completed by McKinley's birthday party... Craig is thrilled.  And I know that the guests at McKinley's party dont care if all of our painting and projects are done.. but it is a good goal for us!  Afterwards, we worked on potty training.  McKinley LOVES sitting on the potty.  And she LOVES toilet paper.  So much so that we have to limit to one square until she actually GOES to the potty on the potty.  :)

Monday, after a great morning at home, and after nap time, we went over for a cook out at mom and dad's house.  They set up the little pool and water table out in their front yard,  because the grill was in the back yard.  Yes, Jackson is in clothes... in fact his shorts are on backwards and so is his shirt.  He changed clothes during the course of nap time.  :)  And was not interested in putting on his swimsuit (STRANGE, right?!?  the kid wouldnt take it off during the winter months).  We had a bit of a dramatic scene as we were loading up the van to head to Honey and Papas.. somehow Jacksons hand got stuck in the van door.  I had vivid memories and feelings of my finger in the submergible blender.  Thankfully, there was no blood or broken bones, but alot of hurt feelings.. poor guy! 

Once we got to Honey and Papas and he dramatically showed them his fingers, he was ready to play.  There was alot of happy squeals going on, in the 40 + mile per hour winds.  Seriously. 

We havent bought swim diapers for McKinley this season, so she just had a regular diaper on.  The huge wetness, really really bothered her.  Once Jackson stripped down to his undies, she felt that it was necessary too.  She really wanted to be completed naked, but we figured that wasnt the best idea.  :)  In the above picture you can see my issue with panties for my tiny girl.. they just dont make them in a small enough size for her. 

Once we got inside to warm up.. McKinley decided she wanted to snuggle with her baby doll in the bouncy seat. I dont know too many 2 year olds that fit pretty well in a bouncy seat.. ha!  Sweet girl!

Thankful for a long weekend with my family!

Mothers Day 2013

We had such a GREAT Mother's Day weekend!  I think Craig's work gave me the best Mother's Day present of all- by letting their sales execs have Sunday off!  W.A.H.O.O!!!!!!!!

We got up on Sunday morning and got ready for church.  Only McKinley would take a posed picture with me.  :)  Jackson was too busy playing with his Thomas... priorities you know.  We decided to only stay for church.. since we rarely get a WHOLE DAY together.  We got home and Craig made a tasty brunch and McKinley laid down for a nap.  I'm not a big gift person, especially when there is so much that I still want to do to our new house.  I'd much prefer Craig buy us a gallon of paint to paint Jacksons room, then buy me something that is fun.. but I just dont need.  :)  SO, I told him for Mothers Day.. I would love for us to get Jackson's room painted and get my van really clean.  We havent gotten Jackson's room painted, because we need Honey and Papa to have a slumber party with him so we can get it done without help from our sweet 4 year old.  But Craig and Jackson took my car to get it washed and cleaned out really good on Sunday afternoon, while I got to take a nap!!  Pretty fantastic! 

After naps, we played outside and finally I was able to get a picture with both of my kids AT THE SAME TIME.  Its not perfect, but pretty representative of our life... constant motion.  :)

My parents, Ward, Reese and Baby Merritt came over for dinner.  Craig grilled fajitas, which is my absolute favorite meal that he makes.  He did such a great job, and everyone loved it.  I had made homemade key lime pie ice cream for dessert.  McKinley was in total show off mode and had us laughing all night.  Jackson was mesmerized with sweet Merritt.  We have ALOT of love in our family for that little girl. I can not wait til she can run around with them- they are going to have the best time!!

I sure am thankful for Jackson and McKinley and the opportunity they have given me to be a mom.  I am far far from perfect, but strive everyday to be the best mom I can.  :)  One thing is for sure, I am pretty positive that I could not love them more if I tried.. they are basically the best. 

Reconstruction?

Yesterday, McKinley had her 6 month otology appointment.  She had her hearing tests and she passed with flying colors in her good ear.  The audiologist was even able to do the "piano" test, and McKinley passed!  The tube is still there and is open.  So it is doing everything that we need it to do!!

When we met with Dr. Berryhill and his PA, they were both pleased with McKinley.  In fact, for the first time I ever, I heard these words come out of Dr. Berryhill's mouth. "I dont think we need to do anything at this point.. lets just keep doing what we are doing."  Which what we are doing now, consists of speech therapy with Sooner Start, and putting drops in her ears when they start draining.  :)

The PA asked a question before Dr. Berryhill came in... "so have you guys discussed reconstruction?"  A very valid question.  A topic that many people have spoken with us about.  Obviously, medical professionals have to give you all options.  Which I appreciate (eventually).  In McKinley's case, they can reconstruct the ear, but it will not look like her other ear.  It will look like a reconstructed ear.  Or we can do a prosthetic ear.  Or we can do nothing.

For Craig and I, making a decision like this is not easy.  First of all, McKinley is absolutely perfect.  The size of her ear or lack of canal does not change that.  We think McKinley is absolutely beautiful.  Again, the size of her ear (or the flatness of her belly button does not change that).  Her underdeveloped ear is small.  BUT it grows, just like her other ear.  And the way her hair is forced to part, it completely covers her underdeveloped ear.  So, if it was just up to my desires.. we would do nothing.  I would prefer to not put her through additional surgeries that are unnecessary.  My desire is to raise McKinley to be confident.  Not to be focused on what others could see as a physical imperfection.  For her to know and truly understand that God created her to be unique and special and absolute perfect.  I desire McKinley to have such a beautiful, compassionate heart that others are drawn to her, not because of any physical attribute but because of her heart for Jesus.  Thats MY desire as her mom.  BUT, we have to take into account what she could want in the future, as well. 

SO, since we dont HAVE to make a decision for 3-4 more years.. Craig and I will continue to pray for wisdom, so we will have no doubt what our decision should be when the time comes.  :)  In the mean time, I am going to be thanking God for McKinley's passed hearing tests!!!!

Seaside, Florida

Craig and I had the opportunity for a long weekend in Seaside, Florida!  It was FANTASTIC.  One of Craig's former students, who he has remained really good friends with, got married.  Craig performed the ceremony, so we spent the weekend celebrating Trey and Lauren.  They are a perfect couple, and we are so thankful that we were able to be a part of their big day!

Craig and I had an EARLY flight.  Like 6 am, early.  Meaning, we got up WAAAAY early.  See those circles under our eyes... but super excited smiles on our faces.  This was our first time away together without our children, since McKinley was born.  I had zero expectations for the trip.. other than to be totally relaxed.  :)

After an hour delay in Houston, because of bad weather in Dallas (?), we finally landed in Panama City Beach.  We found this super cute mexican restaurant on Seacrest Beach (near Rosemary Beach).  The service was awesome, and the food was DELICIOUS! 

We drove into Seaside, got checked into our house, and immediately walked down to the beach.  It was a bit chilly, and cloudy, but still absolute perfection.  There is something about a beach, that automatically makes you relax.  I really think its my favorite place ever.  That evening, we just hung out with Trey and Lauren a bit, had dinner together at a little place in town.  And drove back to the airport to pick up our friend, Ben. 

Saturday, we slept in, got ready and went to Great Southern, a restaurant in town, that several friends recommended we go.  My friend, Mike, commented on a Seaside picture on instragram and said "Great Southern, Grits a YaYa, you're welcome".  So, of course we had to try the Grits A YaYa, and they did not disappoint.  So so good!!

After breakfast, we all changed and went down to the beach.  It was sunny for approximately 3 minutes and then it got cloudy, SUPER windy and a bit chilly.. but we tried to stick it out for as long as we could! 

It was Craig and I's 5th anniversary!!!  A pretty fantastic place to celebrate, I'd say!

We stayed on the beach, until we just couldnt take it anymore!  We went back to the house and hung out and laughed alot!

Friday night was the rehearsal in the pretty chapel in Seaside.  It was lovely.

Then we had the rehearsal dinner at Bud and Aly's Pizza Bar.  We really had a fun time catching up, and laughing really. really hard.  There were even moments where we were laughing so hard, there were tears.  Funny funny people!

My Aunt Judy and Uncle Jerry drove in from Baton Rouge to stay with their friends in Destin, since we were going to be so close!  It was such a treat, we met them for lunch at the Santa Rosa Beach Country Club's restuarant, called the Vue.  The food was good, but the view was AMAZING.  Saturday was a gorgeous day and the water was so much calmer than previous days.  We loved catching up with them.  It was SO SO nice that they drove down to see us! 

That evening was the wedding.  It was perfect!  Lauren looked beautiful and Trey looked like he was on Cloud 9. 

The reception was SO fun!  They had lawn games for everyone to play.  The decor was FANTASTIC.  So so so so pretty.  Gorgeous flowers, fun light fixtures, sequiny table cloths.  Seriously fantastic.  The food was incredible!  After everyone ate, and all the pictures were taken at the beach, a dance party broke out.  :)  Again, we laughed hard and had so much fun dancing.  They had alot of kids at the wedding, and I was thoroughly impressed with their dancing skills.  It made me excited for when Jackson and McKinley think its fun to get out and dance with everyone.  Craig and I were able to catch up with a few precious people from Hot Springs.  We both really miss the people of the church in Hot Springs.  Really really wonderful people. 

Thanks Trey and Lauren for including us in your fun wedding weekend!  Looking forward to many many more years of friendship!

Dress Up, Potty Training and Meeting New Friends

McKinley is all girl.  She has shown a preference into what she is wearing for a while now.  Sometimes, I am not really sure why she is so insistent on some things.. but she is.  For instance.  She is REALLY into onesies right now.  And we really dont have that many onesies that fit her.  So once we find one that fits her, she has to have on pants.  She put this little outfit together on Friday evening.  The pants are size 3 months.  :)  They are definitely capri length now.  I thought she would be happy, but then heard her sobbing in her bedroom.  She was trying to reach her bows that are hung on her wall.  She needed her outfit, to be complete. Obviously.

And then, we slowly started the potty training adventure with her on Saturday.  The Easter Bunny brought her some little panties.  The smallest size they make is 2T.  She still fits in size 3 month pants.  :)  SO... we had to safety pin her underwear... which works for now. 

It is already POLAR OPPOSITE than training Jackson.  Not that she is necessarily grasping the concept (we had zero successes), but within the first 3 minutes of having her first pair on, she had an accident.  And it made her SO upset.  She slowly lifted her leg, started crying, ran to the kitchen, got a towel to clean up the mess.  She just wanted me to hold her.  I think she thought she might get in trouble.  Sweet girl.  Jackson was TOTALLY fine with peeing on himself.. did not slow him down at all.  And he definitely wouldnt have even thought about cleaning it up. 

Another difference, McKinley was totally good with just sitting on the potty.  We did alot of singing "Itsy Bitsy Spider"  This little girl loves some song singing with hand motions.  And cheering.  We must cheer at appropriate times.  :)

We have a long journey ahead of us with this potty training, but I dont think itll be as long as Jackson's potty training journey.  At least, I pray not. 

Sunday evening- we had some new friends over for dessert.  Someone from our old church contacted me about one of their friends, who has started walking a journey (again) very similar to McKinley's.  I am not going to go into their story (its theirs to share), but we are just SO VERY thankful that we get to walk this journey with them.  Our hope was that we could provide them with some knowledge that we gained through the experience, including doctors names that we believe in and trust fully.  And while, I think we were able to provide some hope in our words, I think McKinley provided the most of all.  For them to see, such a perfect little girl, who is in all accounts healthy, was such a good thing.  McKinley LOVED them.  She immediately gravitated to our new friends and loved on them.  We were able to show them her precious belly button (scar), and they were amazed.  It IS amazing.  God has done so much in our daughters life, and really in our lives, through McKinley's journey.. we want to be able to share it!  We want to be able to encourage and provide hope to other people walking similar roads.  We cant wait to meet their new baby boy!  McKinley will be ready to love on her new friend!!!