7 Months & Thanksgiving

So I loved how my blog books turned out. So much that I want to try & keep up with the main events & holidays so I can't get too behind with documenting the details of the Smith life.

7 months: two bottom teeth broke through little Lexi's mouth. It's funny how things like that can be so exciting. But she still refuses to crawl and would rather stand & even takes steps with you. She crazy. Dad is trying to motivate her, but she would rather whine & do the super woman (i.e. hands & legs straight out...) The fruity puffs are like baby drugs. She loves them & they keep her quiet. She is getting better at putting them in her mouth, but she still tries to get a handful at once - one is bound to go in. I find the others stuck to her. And let me tell you, she LOVES eating off our plate. Eating is not this girl's problem. She is also becoming very social. She loves being around people.

But speaking of eating. Thanksgiving dinner was divine. This is basically the first year we weren't in SC eating Nana's country cooking so we knew it was going to be a little hard... to separate & have things so different. But alas, we were SO very blessed to be invited to the Harline's home. My parents drove up with a king bed they GAVE us. I know I'm spoiled! So between that and full bellies, we actually went to bed with Lexi at 8PM. We still had Nana's cream corn they previously harvested from the field so that made it perfect. It's so hard not to dream about the sweet potato pie, rolls, egg nog cake... I mean really - did I say the Harline's are wonderful people? I ate banana pudding the following morning for breakfast. Life is good.

The King bed will be a smallish adjustment for me since it feels like no one else is there - I sort of miss Mr Smith... but I'm pretty sure Mr Smith had no problems at all for the same reason. That has been his dream - extra bed space. Again, two years of marriage - go figure. But now you have a queen size bed when you come to visit! Come... any day. We also got an office desk from craigslist. Exciting home changes. No, we are still doing the final coats of poly on the kitchen table, don't get too excited. But hopefully we can re-do (I know kill me right now) the top of the old desk & then I can have a sewing/craft table. BRING IT.

I kind of wish we could begin putting up Christmas decorations . . . but they aren't really in the budget for the year, especially as renters. I still have the village nativity I'll put up, but I have to wait until after this church function where I am lending it. I'll try to add some Christmas spirit for Lexi, but we may have to borrow a tree for Lexi's Christmas photos. Wamp! No Black Friday shopping for us. We chilled at home with daddy & ate lots of yummy leftovers.

My Thankful List

Mr Smith - gracious, the fact that he is still by my side shows how wonderful he is.

Alexis - she gives me a greater purpose in this life. She lights up my world.

Family. They are always there. They love me even though I'm imperfect.

And friends, because they aren't forced to love me & care, but still do.

The gospel of Jesus Christ - it gives me so much hope & inspiration.

I'm grateful for my education - for the things I know & can still learn.

I'm grateful for my body. For my health. For the gift of life.

For this beautiful earth. For the good that is here. It inspires me.

For food. Oh man like breads & sugars

For modern conveniences & technology

For a country that protects freedom. For those who fought for it.

For photographs that allow us to remember & dream
The healing power of Music

I also like Netflix & red box & Aldi because they make life a little more affordable

The fact that my 1999 Nissan is still running

Mr Smith would also add OceanSpray fruit snacks & Papa Johns

He is out with the missionaries who love him because he is always willing to go with them when they call. He is so willing to serve & such an awesome example to me. Being a missionary isn't easy. I'm grateful for those who are doing their best to bring souls to Christ. It is truly a wonderful calling & even though they, like Elder Troy Looper & Sister Lisa Smith, are gone for a time serving where they are called, they are doing choice work. Work we are all asked to do. It's why we have this wonderful country to be thankful for. And it's why we get excited to put up Christmas trees. Jesus Christ is at the center. He was sent from his Heavenly Father to show us the way. And it is Him who is in all that is good. Even if it isn't always obvious, there is so much good. And ALWAYS something to be thankful for.