Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our family to yours.  May the true meaning of Christmas shine through you today and all the days to come. 

Luke 2:1-21 says 

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he was conceived. 

Happy 23 months Will

Will turns 23 months old today. He weighs 21.3 lbs and is 2ft 8 inches tall. Will had a follow up at the cardiologist today. He had a great check up. Will was born with a hole in his heart and so we have had to go for yearly check ups to watch and see if the hole will close on its own or continue to stay open. Well after the EKG the doctor said that the hole is CLOSED!! Praise God! So now we only have to go for another check up in 2-3 years. 

Will had also started a new routine with a new caregiver because I have gone back to work. I miss him like crazy everyday but it's the best thing for him because he is growing and achieving so many things since he's been around other and older kids. 

Will is saying a lot more words and speech therapy is helping him so much. He can tell you where his belly and head are. He knows a lot of words and there are way too many to mention. He loves to sit in his chair and look through books. He knows how to operate my iPad and iPhone and find and watch Mickey Mouse. All of this is thanks to my mother. 

We can't wait for his 2nd birthday next month. We have so much to look forward to as Will approaches age 2. More things to learn and do as he continues to grow. We still can't believe he will be TWO next month. Crazy!!!!! 

Santa, Horses, and more Santa.....fa.la.la.la.la

We have been busy this Christmas season doing as much as we possibly can. Can't believe its only 10 more days to Christmas. Shopping is done and we have gone way overboard for Will. Oh well, its all about the kids!

Our Christmas decorations were put up after Thanksgiving and our tree is in protective custody from Will. This idea was given to us by Will's occupational therapist so thanks Lydia! It still has been decorated by Will because he has thrown his blocks, trucks, footballs, and cups into the tree. All the decorations have been moved up high. For instance, my glittery deer that usually sit on the floor by the fireplace are now on the mantle above the fireplace. The ornaments (which have not been broken yet) are "balls" and something Will thinks he should be playing with. My mom has taught him that her tree is "hot" and something we shouldn't touch so every time he goes near her tree he says "hot." It's a hoot to see!

The finished product

Helping daddy assemble the tree

Wondering what that thing is

Cool it has lights!

We made a trip to the mall to see Santa. Will wasn't a fan of the jolly ole man. He screamed, kicked, cried and wanted away from Santa. When I rescued him, he looked at Santa and waved "bye bye." It was absolutely the funniest thing I had ever seen.

 

 

Next up we went to see the Budweiser Clydesdales that were in town for the Tupelo Christmas parade. Unfortunately we didn't make it to the parade because it was 32 degrees at night and I wasn't taking a chance of Will getting sick at this time of the year. He didn't miss out though and never knew there was a parade in town. I, on the other hand, was upset because Tupelo has not had a parade at night in many, many years and was really looking forward to it but it is not all about me, its about keeping my little one well! We saw the Clydesdales and all Will cared about was the dog. Of all the pretty horses there, Will liked the dog. Oh well!

 

 

Then we had Brunch with Santa at the Tupelo Country Club. Will still didn't like Santa. Maybe next year!

 

 

As for now, it's all quiet on the home front until Christmas with all the family (posts to come later). New adventures and routines start tomorrow as I go back to work full-time with the bank and Will goes to Mrs. Bonnie's (his new keeper) house for the week and then he's with his daddy for 2 full weeks while mommy works full time. Life is fixing to get CRaZy!!

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving day! We started the day off by watching the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade and then we went to my mom's house and had a great lunch! This year we are thankful for Will and all the progress he has made this year. We have gone through a lot of ups and downs this year but God has been with us all year and we are thankful for his continued guidance in our lives. So here's to a happy and blessed Thanksgiving from our house to yours!

Smothers Family

All of Nana Karen and Poppa Bill's turkeys

Happy Birthday Nana Karen

Yesterday was my mom's (Nana Karen) birthday and anniversary. Her and my dad have celebrated many many years together. We are thankful for Nana Karen and all that she does for us. She has such a big heart! She loves Will and all her other grandchildren to death. She keeps Will and they make frequent visits to WalMart together. WalMart is my mother's home away from home. Last night we got together and celebrated her with a birthday dinner at Mary's house. Mary and John just redid and refinished my grandmother and grandfather's house. So it was awesome to sit in their house and enjoy a great meal!

Happy Birthday Mom and Nana Karen! We hope you have many more birthdays and anniversaries to celebrate!

Peyton and Will helping Nana open her gifts

Anna Grace decided to help too

An attempt to take a Nana and all the grandkids picture. Failed attempt but at least Will and Nana are smiling!

Playing outside

Yesterday was a beautiful day so we got outside to enjoy a little bit of the nice weather. Will loved playing in the leaves and chasing Maddie around.

Riding our truck outside

Posing for the camera

Figuring out the leaves and what that crunching noise is

Oh look, a stick!

Posing again

Thanksgiving with the Penny's

Last weekend we had an early Thanksgiving dinner with Doug's side of the family. We ate on Sunday at Nic and Kim's house and had a delicious meal planned by a wonderful cook, Kim. Thank you Kim and Nic for the food and fun and the absolutely delicious meal. This is the first time in a while all the kids have been together and they played exceptionally well. We look forward to many Thanksgivings with the Pennys.

Kalyn and Will playing with a balloon

Kids and their ipads and iphones

Avre and Will playing on the tri-cycle

Photo session with Kalyn

Will and Avre playing in the kitchen

Ross and Papaw

It's always fun to climb on Aunt Kimmie

Imagine that, Will has someone's iphone

Will found a new favorite toy so I guess Santa needs to add a tri-cycle to his ever growing list