The Smith Family

Signing Off.........

2007-08-29T11:56:00.000-07:00

As soon as I finish this post, I will be disconnecting my computer and packing it up. As you know from one of our recent posts we have sold our house and are moving. Where?, some of you have asked. Well, that is a really good question. We had an offer on a house, put ours up for sale, sold our house, and didn't get the house we had an offer on. Major Bummer. But, God has a plan and only He knows what's in store for The Smith Family. As of right now, we will be staying at our friends' house for a week, before the kids and I move on to my aunts cabin in Eastern Washington. Shane will be staying with his dad so tht he can still go to work. I will be coming home on some weekends to look at houses and to see my great husband.
Please pray that we find a house soon. And not just any house, because those are a dime a dozen. We believe that God has the perfect house out there, we just have to find it, or the people who own it need to release it! We have a few kids and would like a little bit of elbow room. We also want a little bit of property for our kids to stomp around on.
We will have our same cell phones and will use those primarily. So if you know them don't hesitate to call! I know that I would appreciate hearing from my friends once in a while since I will be so far away. We will be using my old email address- shanesnavygirl@yahoo.com. So please feel free to email, I will be taking my computer over there.
Well, this is the Smith Family signing off.......

Sun, Sun, Sun

2007-08-13T13:48:00.000-07:00

This past weekend Shane and I and our family, took our friends, The Necelas, to my aunts cabin over by the Columbia River. Boy, was it HOT, and, so much fun!
On Saturday, we thought we would get out on the water as early as possible. So, at 11:30 we got out there. You know, to beat all the other boaters and have the water to ourselves. We had a great time tubing and wakeboarding. Shane and Tom both demonstrated great wakeboarding skills and attempted many tricks that I failed to capture on film. I'm sure they're glad. The kids barely got out of the tube long enough to have lunch. They seem to be getting more brave as we kept getting the thumbs up sign, meaning ,"Go faster!"
Nap Time......... Back at the cabin, the kids had a great time on the water slide. Up and Down they would go, over and over again. Any way they could, on their bellies, backs, upside down, head first, and I'm sure they invented a few new ways as well. They would slide down and then run as fast as they could to the other end to climb back up to do it all over again. Here's Tom reading the kids a bedtime story on Saturday night. Most of the kids slept like rocks from a hard day of play!Sunday consisted of a nice relaxing day. We watched the kids play some MORE on the water slide, as we relaxed on the patio. Several campers had Sunday afternoon naps, and Melissa and I took a few of the kids down to the beach to swim and play in the water.

I think that we all had a great time. Right, Charlee?

And, last but certainly not least, I want to thank Sherry and Steve for sharing their cabin with us. You guys are there almost every weekend and I thank you for letting us in on your summer time fun. You guys are the best!

Good-bye, 510 Deeded Lane

2007-07-30T05:57:00.000-07:00

Ok, Ok, I know, it's been forever since there has been any action on the Smith family blog. Pick your jaws up off the floor, and take deep breaths. But, before you faint from shock of the unexpected, I would llike to share just a few things that we have been up to.

If you haven't guessed from the title of this entry we sold our house. It was on the market for two days before we got a full price offer! It's not final, but if everything goes like it's supposed to, we will be out by the end of August. When we moved here in 1999, we had one child. Now that child is almost 11, and has 4 other siblings! Life is good, and God has been so good to us.

We have been quite busy lately, looking at houses, camping, Tyler went to wrestling camp, Jordan and Zack have been taking swimming lessons, Ryan had a birthday, and now he is a big three year old! And my precious baby just charms my heart!

Here are a few other pictures of our family. We have been having a blast together this summer!

His Father is a plumber! Daddy and his little girl. Ryan, taking care of "his baby girl". My Boys in the river. Charlee Ann

My Love Returns!!

2007-03-31T10:26:00.000-07:00

Nothing but pure joy could describe this moment! It was wonderful to finally lay eyes on Shane. He is just as wonderful and handsome as I remember him, and I am so thankful God brought him home safe and whole.
We had a great time in Mississippi. For those of you don't know, that is where Shane had to demob at, and that is where all the brides met their grooms. We stayed in a condo right off the Gulfcoast, and just had a splendid time getting reaquainted.
Shane was the first one off the bus. (They land at a nearby base airport, get on a bus, and then get a police escort to where we were waiting at a nother nearby base. When I seen that it was really Shane and not my imagination playing tricks on me, I screamed and ran! He picked me up and swirled me around, it was just like the movies. But then we noticed Charlee was gagging on the flag she was holding! Poor girl. But she was happy and full of giggles to see her Daddy.
We had four days before Shane had to go back in to start his demobilization process. That took only two days, and on the last day was when he got his itinerary of when he was flying home. I bought a military ticket, one that let's you change your dates to whenever you need to. So I was just going to change mine to match Shanes. I put my original date out a few days and just thought that I would bring it in when we got Shane's dates. Well, in theory that sounds really good. But we didn't know that airlines only reserve a certain amount of military seats on a flight and so many civilian seats on a flight. Well, to make the story short, I couldn't get on Shane's flight, or a flight the same day even. I couldn't get on a flight the next day or the next. All the flights were full so the guys who came home, could actually go home. So three days later Shane and the kids came and got me at the airport!! Shane came home picked the kids up at my mom's and had them for three days by himself before I got to come home! Crazy huh? But, that's over and we are all together again as a family. It is WONDERFUL!!! I
Shane has adjusted really well from war zone to family zone and is doing extremely well.
I did want to take this time to thank all the people who were so generous to us with their time and prayers, and help throughout this deployment. I truly know and believe that prayer kept my husband safe from harm. And kept him who he is. And I also could not have made it if my friends weren't out there praying for me. You guys are all truly jewels to my heart! I love you.
And, to My Husband, Welcome Home.

Roses

2007-02-05T23:19:00.000-08:00

Roses
Originally uploaded by Smith 6.

I have got the most romantic husband in the world! On Febuary 1st, we celebrated 10 years of married bliss! And Shane had a dozen, beautiful, long stemmed roses delivered, aong with a bottle of my favorite perfume. He is so thoughtful and loving. He knows just how to make me feel treasured! Here's to 100 more!
PS-The kids and I have started the countdown! I fly out to meet my Love on March 15! Just 38 days away!! WOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!!!!!

Sweet Baby Girl

2007-02-05T23:13:00.000-08:00

Sweet Baby Girl
Originally uploaded by Smith 6.

I just love this picture! Charlee is so much fun and such a joy to our family!

My Love

2007-01-06T00:07:00.000-08:00

My Love
Originally uploaded by Smith 6.

I miss my husband so much. He is the rock of our family and life is so weird and hard without him. He sent a box home the other day that just had some miscellaneous stuff in it, and I just cried and held the things that I knew my husband had touched. I haven't seen Shane since August 29th. It just feels unreal. I don't even know if there are words to explain what I feel. This home is so full of Shane. Everywhere I look I see my husband. I sleep on his side of the bed, sit in his spot at the kitchen table, drink from his coffe cup, and wear his shirts. None of this is really what I want. I want to hear Shane come home from work and kiss me like he always did, and then move on to what usually turned into some kind of wrestling match with our kids. I want him to ask me whats for dinner, or if I know where he left his keys. I want him to open my door for me, and hold my hand as we walk somewhere. I want Shane to see our baby girl roll over, and smile that toothless smile, show off her dimples and her eyes that are turning brown. I want my husband to fix the leaky toilet, replace the broken light fixture, and make sure our children are ok . That's what I want. But right now, I get to be strong. Because that is what I need to be. My Lord has given me this strength for now. I will carry on, do my best and uphold our family. Our children will be ok, we will be ok. Why? Because our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth. He who watches over us will not let our foot slip, He who watches over us will not slumber, The Lord watches over our coming and going. Psalm 121.
I love this picture. I love to see Shane smile. He has great dimples! There are some of the kids' drawings behind him. It's kindof weird to see some of here over there.
Shane isn't exactly having the time of his life. He is out on a project, where he sleeps in a tent and maybe has a luke warm shower. He gets half of Sunday off, where he says all the guys sleep during that time. He will most likely stay there until he comes home. Hopefully sometime in March. (Please Lord!)
March really seems just around the corner. We will hang on until he returns to us.
We love you Shane, and we wait for you, and pray for you every day. We talk about you all the time, and talk about what we are going to do when you get home. Tyler wants to get a dog, but Zack says he can't bacause he's getting a pony and a dog might chase his pony. Jordan talks about how her daddy calls her Baby Girl, and Ryan kisses your pictures and says, "Hi, Da da." Charlee knows who you are. Because her spirit knows her daddy, and because I tell her all about her daddy. I tell her how great you are. How strong, yet how gentle. How you sacrifice so much for others, and how much you love her and can't wait to meet her.
I am so in love with you, Shane. I would wait forever for you.

Oh the life with brothers!

2006-12-21T08:56:00.000-08:00

Charlee and a Beetle
Originally uploaded by Smith 6.

For my friend

2006-12-10T18:21:00.000-08:00

This is for Kelley! You are so faithful. I love you!

Christmas Tree Adventures

2006-11-26T12:08:00.000-08:00

DSCF1994
Originally uploaded by Smith 6.

Shane and I usually go up to the mounatains to get our Christmas tree. But before Shane left he told me that I couldn't go up by myself, so I took his brothers. Liz and Olivia came too, they're just behind the camera. It was very cold, very wet, and a few of us didn't dress appropriatly for the weather. But, we got a tree, Rich and Liz got a tree, so it was a success. And did I mention that we went the day before Thanksgiving? We beat all the day after traffic. I thought it was a brilliant idea.
Doing some of our annual traditions really makes me miss my husband.

Patriotism runs in the family.

2006-10-02T23:11:00.001-07:00

Ok, this is just a little peek into what really goes on in our house! And this is also for Nicole! I hope I did this right. And no I did not make her do this. She is quite the star!
http://www.dropshots.com/smithx7

Ryan and Charlee

2006-09-30T22:32:00.000-07:00

Ryan and Charlee
Originally uploaded by Smith 6.

Can you guess who loves his sister? Ryan is constantly asking to hold her. It is so sweet to see him love on her. He climbs up on the couch and pats his lap, saying, "More baby!" It is just adorable. He helps me burp her, and tries to help me change her diaper. It's great having such wonderful helpers.

Bring on the cheeks!

2006-09-30T22:29:00.000-07:00

Bring on the cheeks!
Originally uploaded by Smith 6.

What would a Smith baby be without the famous Smith chubby cheeks! I love how she is plumping up, but it makes me a little sad to see her change already. She is just scrumptious.

My sweet Zack

2006-09-13T21:45:00.000-07:00

My sweet Zack
Originally uploaded by Smith 6.

Shane's civilian job found out that we had a baby and sent gifts to all of our kids. This was Zack's present and what he drew just brought tears to my eyes. Isn't this just precious? Lord, let this time go by fast. And bring my husband home safely, yet living out the calling that You have placed on his life.

Tyler gives the thumbs up to his new hat

2006-09-13T21:41:00.000-07:00

Tyler and his new hat
Originally uploaded by Smith 6.

Shane sent Tyler an early birthday present, and sometime yesterday when I wasn't looking Tyler took several pictures of himself in his new hat with all kinds of funny and diffrent poses. Click on the picture to see more pics.

1 week old already

2006-09-13T21:21:00.000-07:00

Charlee Ann 1 week old already
Originally uploaded by Smith 6.

Well, I have had several comments and questions about what our daughter's name is. And the reason why I didn't post it was because she didn't have one. But now she does. This is our 5th child, our 2nd daughter, Charlee Ann. Her name means strong and graceful. Shane's middle name is Lee, and I just thought it most appropriate to name her after her daddy. She is so precious. And she is just a dream of a baby.
Thank you Jesus for my family. Bless my children's daddy as he protects our freedom and those abroad. Give us the grace to get through this time, and thank you that you are here in my home and in our lives. Your presence is what is getting us through each moment.

She's a beauty!

2006-09-07T11:14:00.000-07:00

Well here she is. I haven't even had time to blog about my trip to see Shane and now I even have more news! Smith baby #5 has joined our family! She came yesterday, Sept. 6 at 5:36 in the afternoon. Weighing in at 6# 10 oz and 19 inches long. She is absolutley beautiful as you can see! I will post more later when I have time. Ha Ha!

I'm a giddy schoolgirl! Seriously.

2006-08-23T14:42:00.000-07:00

Ok, I get to see my husband in just 2 days, and I am soooo excited. It's not that this past month has been extremley difficult, it's just the thought of laying my eyes on Shane has me feeling all fluttery. I get to actually do something with him, instead of sitting on the computer with him, or speaking to him on the phone. I get t o hold his hand and walk down the street, sit next to him in the car, or plant a big smackaroo right on his lips!
The kids are all ready and excited to go to their temporary homes for the weekend. And surprisingly they are doing really good with the fact that mom gets to see dad and they don't. Please pray for them though, as they are all going to seperate places. They have never been seperated like this before and I'm a little anxious to see how Zack does without Tyler for the weekend. Ryan and Jordan actually will be together, and they are pretty inseperable anyways, so I know they will be fine.
Well, I better get packing. I just had to let everyone know how much I love my husband!

PS- Here's a little picture of the kids this morning. Who knew the movie Flipper could be so entrancing?

What have the Smith's been up to?! Well, let me tell you!

2006-07-28T09:29:00.000-07:00

Ok I know it has been forever and a day since I have posted anything, and thank you so much for not hounding me! Once Shane got orders everything that wasn't an absolute priority got put on hold. But now that he is gone things have slowed, slightly. So, here are just a few little things that we have been up to since June.
We took a little vacation to Napa Valley, California for a week. It was wonderful. The coast there is absolutely gorgeous! We also saw The Old Faithful geyser. Did you know that there are only three geysers in that world that are faithful and erupt on a predictable basis? And we got to witness one over and over. It erupts about every 20 minutes or so. They also had a little miniature petting zoo. Below are pictures of the kids having a blast. Ryan could not figure out for the life of him why this goat would not eat this rock!

On our way home we drove throughthe red woods. Boy are they amazingly huge. And of course a trip through the Red Woods is not complete without driving through the "Drive through Tree" . But, we drive a suburban, not a geo metro, and it was not fitting! So we posed the kids and tried to get a picture, even with Ryan having a meltdown. The kids also just had to sit on this big fallen tree, so we let them.

Well after our trip there Shane and I were blessed by some of our Amazing friends and family to a weekend all by ourselves. It was a great time to reconnect as husband and wife and to create some fun memories as well. We went to Mt. Rainier and stayed in a beautiful place called the Carriage House. We went hiking, and sight seeing and just had a grand time hanging out together. Shane took me on a hike through a bat cave, which was totally pitch black. (I think it was just a ploy to get me in the dark)! And I was quite glad that we didn't see one bat. We dined in a beautiful riverfront restaurants and saw some magnificent sites. It was just wonderful!

We have taken several little camping trips as a family and many days just hanging out together. Lots of fun walks to the river and having lots of family time and memories to get us through the coming year.

We had a fun little barbecue with a few friends and family. Here's a picture of Shane with his dad and two brothers.

And then my daughter, who just hates to have her picture taken, learned how to ride her bike without training wheels. Just 2 weeks before her 4th birthday. Which is today, 7/28.

Zackary is the proud owner of his first wiggly tooth! Be sure to stay tuned as I will be sure to post pictures as soon as it falls out!

Here are a few pictures of when we dropped Shane off at the airport. The kids were in charge of the camera, as I knew I would be in no shape to take any pictures. Shane was such a good sport to pose time and time again for al the kids to take their own picture.And yes it was a very tearful goodbye. It was very hard to watch him go, but he goes with a purpose that I fully support. I don't think that Jordan quite understood what was happening until we said goodbye and then turned and walked away and left daddy standing there. She cried most of the way home as did the rest of us. So we talked about how brave Daddy was and how he is going to help people, and do things that will help people have a better life. We are so proud of him!

A few days after Shane left, I took the kids camping at Alder Lake. My family has a family reunion every year and I thought it would be a great distraction. It was very hot, and I wished time and time again that our camper had air conditioning! So I hung out in my Grandma's trailer or at the lake. The kids had a blast swimming and building sand castles and playing with cousins.

And finally, just a little something that I found waiting for me outside my shower .

Well, there ya have it. I will try to be more diligent in the future. And as soon as Shane sends me some pictures I will post them for you all to see. Hope your all having a great summer!

July 19, 2006

2006-05-21T12:47:00.000-07:00

July 19, 2006. This is the date Shane is to be activated. The call came Friday morning which started the finalization for Shane's mobilization. The paper work will be done on Sunday. I can't believe it is actually here. It is now official and it feels so surreal. We have known for over a year that this was most likely going to happen and now here it is. We have been walking around in a daze for the last few days. I think that the realization of it has now hit me. MY HUSBAND IS GOING TO WAR. I have so many feelings at once, so I know Shane has to be feeling weird too. Although he is so much more logical than I. It's weird to think of the things he will miss. The birth of our fifth baby, Christmas, Thanksgiving, family reunions, birthdays,dinners, and conversations. All of this I can live with.
I firmly believe that what Shane will fight for is noble. He is helping to bring freedom to those who do not have it. He is helping a country learn to help themselves and not live under oppression. Our Lord goes with him. Not only with him, but in front, behind, to the sides and over and under. Our Lord is our Refuge. My prayer is that Shane will be used heavily by the Lord during this time. To strengthen brothers, to increase the kingdom. Shane's actual job is an epuipment operator for the Navy Seabees. They are a construction battalion. So I do not fear heavily for his safety. He will not be on the front lines, but instead behind building things. Many people have asked why he doesn't get out. Well, the answer is quite simple. My husband is a man of his word. He has honor and is noble. He joined the navy and takes the bitter with the sweet. He does not run when the going gets tough. He stands by his fellow soldiors. He doesn't leave them to do the work, but gets his hands dirty as well. Knowing the sacrifice is great. I am so proud of him.
Thank you Shane for your courage. Your sacrifice, your strength, and your character. I am honored to be your wife. I will be on the front lines on my knees for you. You will be covered in prayer and with my love. I will wait patiently for the day of your return, knowing how sweet it will be. Our children will pray for you and help each other out when they get lonely for their dad. You are a great role model for our children. You are an incredible man, Shane. I have so much respect for you. May the days go fast, our love grow stronger, and our walk with Jesus closer. I love you.

It's A Girl!

2006-05-13T13:33:00.000-07:00

Here she is! Isn't she just beautiful? We had our ultrasound a few weeks ago and found out we are having another little princess. Our family is very excited to welcome another girl and to know how precious and what a treasure she will be. Jordan just cracks me up. She is constantly talking about how cute our baby is and wants to rub my ever expanding belly. I once called the baby "my baby" and I was immediatly corrected that this was "our" baby! And of course she's right. She also has a baby in her uterus (her words, not mine. Just part of having a mom as a student midwife!) She knows all about the placenta and the umbilical cord. She reminds me of myself when I was younger, always inquisitive. But I think that's great. She also wants to see babies come out all the time. Seriously. On the computer, books, video's, it doesn't really matter. As long as there is crowning involved she's all for it. Shane thinks we're weird. He may be right.
Well that's it for now, Hope everyone has a fantastic Mother's Day!

A little update on the Smiths

2006-03-31T13:46:00.000-08:00

Well, Shane and I have decided that it is time to let the world in on our little secret. The secret isn't all that secret anymore, but I know that there are some people who don't know. Shane and I are expecting another baby again in September! For those of you who are having a hard time keeping count this is number 5. We are very excited and being that I am 15 weeks now, and starting to have a hard time buttoning my pants, we figured we couldn't hide it anymore. We thought that we were done having children, but our Lord has other plans. And so he has yet again created life within my womb, out of the love and passion that Shane and I share for each other.
There was a time that this really freaked me out. I thought having another baby, going to school, homeschooling, and the stress of Shane going to Iraq, was going to require me to be medicated. Seriously. But God is so good to me. He does not plant me on a limb and leave me. Like the gentle man He is, He guides me and speaks to me and lets me know that even if I do have to birth my baby without my husband even in the states, that I am not alone. I am not forgotten with what to me at the time seemed like a staggering amount of responsibility. I am surrounded by a love so deep and so intense that He would die for me.
So, I have surrendered to what God has planned for my life. It might not have matched up with what I had planned, but who am I to argue with the One who created the earth and the sunsets, and this life. So, as my body nurtures this little one, and my heart grows to love and nurture it's soul and spirit, My God nurtures me.

Welch Haven

2006-03-15T14:17:00.000-08:00

This past weekend we went to Welch Haven, which is Shane's uncles cabin over on the peninsula. It was a wonderful time just hanging out together. I love my family. They are so precious. They never cease to make us laugh. From Ryan saying uh-oh for the first time, to Tyler trying to swim in the middle of winter, they are just so fun and adventurous. We had a great time climbing trees, roasting marshmallows, playing games, and exploring the beach.
I once heard a well known family and marriage counselor speak on what makes a family close and stay together and connect. His answer? They did things together! Go figure.

This is a picture of Shane and Tyler climbing trees. I love the way Shane is reaching down to Tyler, and Tyler is reaching up to his dad.

Here's Tyler swimming. He reminds me a little of those people who Polar Plunge on New Years Day in Alaska! We didn't think he would really do it once he stuck in his toe. It didn't last too long and I ran back up to the cabin to get warm clothes and hot chocolate ready.

The kids have found a star fish and are all clustered around it. We first discovered it up at the cabin looking through Tyler's telescope.

This is our attempt to take a family picture with the self timer.

Trendsetter

2006-02-27T12:38:00.000-08:00

We purchased a new camera a few weeks ago, and I am finally getting around to posting a picture. Here is Jordan, dressed in her "princess clothes". Complete with rubber boots and a clip on tie. When she came walking out of her room she informed us that her new name is Princess. And as her and Zack were playing she would only respond to him if he called her by her new name! Well, she has since put away all her finery and came back to earth, but not before I could chuckle and document the proper attire of a princess!

Back into the life of the living

2006-02-06T15:54:00.000-08:00

Ok, so it's been a while since I have last posted anything. But I have an excuse, we have had the flu forever. Or at least it seems like forever. And when 6 people get the flu, then get better, then someone else gets it, it just goes on and on. I felt so sorry for my little guys. They felt horrible. There were a few days Tyler just laid in his bed. Zack was the only one who pretty much stayed on top of his game. Not much slows him down. He's been that way since he was in the womb though.
Well some other news. Shane and I have decided to buy a new home. We are looking pretty consistently, and hope to find a new house soon. The sooner the better as we'd like to be settled well before summer. So pray for us as we go into house seeking adventure.