Simple life

We've now lived here in our little "God Pod" as everyone calls it, for 7 months now. It has gone way better than we had ever imagined. I mean, I guess we should have imagined that it would being that we live with our 2 best friends. We've always joked about just getting one house together to save money-and then we wouldnt have to have late nights driving to and from each other's houses. But circumstances kind of lead us here anyway without really planning it. We check in on them often to make sure that it is still okay and that everyone is still comfortable with the situation. And so far so good. Our daughters love it here. They say it is so cute and cozy. We've all decided to give it another year and then we will re-access. See how things are...make changes if necessary. But for right now, we are happy and content in the small things. Actually, I hope we remain just that. Happy and content with little. Because that is what we've been learning these past 2 years. SIMPLIFY. I'm loving the simply life....

Life at the Smith's...

Here I am again. It's been a long time since I've posted & a lot has happened since. The girls started a new school since we moved & so far, all is well. I think they miss their friends & just the familiarity of the routine. Isabelle said to me" I like our old school better because they taught you about God in EVERY subject. "

wow!

It's crazy that a 1st grader noticed that. I miss that part too though. It was comforting to know that they were being taught how God is IN everything. When problems happened they were taught to lean on Him & find peace & solutions.

Yes, of course we also teach these things at home but there's something to say about it when you hear it outside of your own parents & hearing it from every teacher.

Beyond this we still feel like we've made the right decision to switch schools. Our family life has become less stressed, we have TIME now in the evenings together where we never did last year. Sometimes we ride our bikes or walk to school. Everything is just better this year. And our family needed this time of "togetherness" after a hard & stressful year last year.

I have been searching for a part time job-something, anything that I can do while the girls are at school. During this search David & I have been talking a lot about me just staying home to continue writing.

About 5 yrs ago I wrote a book that I've been too fearful to do anything with. Yet God continues to whisper to me to just DO IT & trust in HIM! So, I'm moving forward(again)and this time not stopping.

A few weeks ago I had a focus group of women over of all walks of life to read & discuss my book.

The response was amazing! Young & old told me that I needed to get this book out there.

I had young women say to me," I never thought of it like that, I'm going to try to do those things"

That's what I want for this book. Women's hearts changed. Girl's hearts opened. For them to see that they are loved & noticed.

That book is basically done. I'm just praying for a low cost editor to clean things up for me so that I can send out the manuscript to publishers.

So, I'm gonna keep writing. I have several ideas for other books & David has a few ideas up his sleeve also that he wants me to start writing.

If a job comes up that is like 3 days a week or so, I might consider it, but for now I'm gonna write.

What a different season we are in as a family. Our hectic, busy lives are over right now & to be honest...I am glad.

Don't fool yourself & run, run, run. It may seem fun & okay at the time but you gotta s...l...o...w down. Life is too precious to miss something really important. And what's really important is right here with your family...just being together-taking walks to Handel's ice cream, riding bikes, playing ping-pon, telling stories cuddled up with a blanket, laughing at a comic strip, collecting rocks, coloring, talking about God & his world, laughing till you pee your pants...these are the ingredients to a happy, healthy family life. Try it you'll be glad you did.

In awe of God

I can't believe how time has flown! I know I say that almost every post, but it is sooo true!

Much has happened to our family over the course of a year. We lost our home & have moved in with our dear friends. The economy has taken a toll on David's job & his sales have been at a record low. I am constantly amazed at my God who protects & encourages during these times & I just could not imagine life without Him.

What a blessing to have such an amazing pool of friends who offered help, prayers, their time & their homes to us! We were in awe each day...

We were especially amazed at how God brought us our living situation. Dan & Jen(friends of ours for over 20 years) bought a home & fixed it up. They realized that the home was plenty big for both families to live in & asked if we'd like to stay. There would have been no way for us to fit our entire home in a small apartment & I'm sure we would have been paying WAY to much for rent anywhere else. We literally JUMPED at the opportunity. And those of you that know the 4 of us know that we've always joked about living together...I mean why not? We were together ALL the time anyway. So since June we have been "house sharing" and we truly love it! The house stays cleaner, the dishes stay washed, we have a laundry mat downstairs so you can do 2 loads at once, jobs around the house get done faster & it's just plain fun to be able to hang out after the kids go to bed.

Yes, yes we've also set up some boundaries...I mean everyone need privacy & time alone with your family. I am constantly checking in with them to "make sure everything is still ok" and they tell me that it's good.

So praise God for such great friends who love us regardless of our past failures & mishaps who are literally sheltering us during our storm.

In the midst of these trials we have learned so much about pride, money, making wise choices & allowing people to love & help you even when you THINK you have it all together.

Thank you God for your love, your guidance & for such amazing friends! And I mean ALL of you!!!!

oi vey

oi vey, so it has really been a long time since I've even touched my personal blog...that's what a full time job, plus being a mommy, a wife, a friend, a chef & a maid will do to you...yikes!
Where has time gone? And yes, I do say that ALOT! But so much has taken place since my last post, when I get an extra minute-hee hee-I'll share more!

My God will provide all my needs

Yes, yes my God has provided. Over the last month a lot has happened. No, we did NOT sell our house yet. But thru much prayer God has provided a full time job for me. After the retail store where I was working was not giving me the hours that I desired I started searching for a full time job. What a pain that was. Interview after interview. Driving mile after mile to the interview. The interview turning out to be "too good to be true". At one point I almost walked out before I was even seen because it didnt look like a reputable place. Yikes. I was tired of searching. Bummed at our situation. Bummed that I had to keep fighting for more hours.

One day David was having breakfast with some of his guy buds from church & mentioned my "job search". Jason quickly said " have Angie call Kim right now-there's a job opening in her office"
David called me. I called Kim. She set me up with an interview for that week & I was hired the next day!
Now that's cool!
I've been working at a Doctor's office as a Medical Receptionist for 4 weeks now & I really like it! I'm learning everyday but I love that I get to talk with patients & love on them as they come thru the door.
Thank you once again Lord for taking care of business for us. We will continue to pray for growth during this time in our lives. We know that you've put us here to mold & shape us. We will trust in you & know that you WILL provide ALL of our needs. More than we could ever hope or imagine.

Thankfulness...

I know, I know...I always say this...but seriously, can life just please slow down just a little bit? Here I am yet another month gone by & I have no idea where it went.

I have truly enjoyed admiring the fall colors of our October days & I love making fires out back & roasting marshmellows late at night with my family. We have taken more hikes this season just talking & laughing about our crazy life. Yet, life still flies past me like the passing wind.

I have so much to be thankful for though. My families health, happiness, the celebration of a great new job that I landed(with a lot of help from my friend & much prayer), unexpected acting jobs that provided us with some extra doe. I am thankful for 2 amazing little daughters who make me laugh daily. I am thankful for a husband who inspires me & encourages me & love me like no other man in this world could. I am thankful for a God who loves me unconditionally-even though sometimes I forget about Him. I am thankful for friends who give advise & wisdom during the rough times(even when the advise is hard to hear). I am thankful for the same friends who constantly pray & lift us up before this same God who not only loves me but forgives my shortcomings.
I have watched God move in so many ways over the last few months...it has been so amazing! For these things I am thankful.
I want to continue to be thankful-even when things don't go MY way. I want to continue to be thankful when times are hard. I want to continue to be thankful when there just does not seem to be anything to be thankful about. I just want to be thankful.

I'm Back!!!

I just realized that I have not blogged since the end of June. Wow. Time really does goes by quickly & it seems that this summer has flown!

Here's an update...



Abby had her tonsils taken out & is doing beautifully

Isabelle learned how to ride a two wheel bike(no more training wheels) :)

David got a huge job that will go into the far lands of Dayton & Cincinatti

I lost 3 more pounds

I stopped biting my nails (again)

Our house STILL has not sold

Our kitty Winner died(she lived a good 16 years)

We learned how to make a rockin sand castle

We've finally made a decision that the girls will be going to a private Christian school this year

Got another call from my casting directors-will find out more tomorrow (hopefully)

Spent some awesome time with friends during the month of June

Hung out at every park known to man(at least near our house)

Went swimming

Laughed alot with my girls

Played at Kalahari with our friends

Went camping on the islands

As a family we worked hard together & won a scavenger hunt



Summer is soon ending & I plan on making the most out of every day we have left before the girls go to school & I head off to work...more fun, more laughter, more swimming, more parks...enjoying each moment.



This afternoon a friend & I saw the musical Mama Mia in the downtown Theater District. It was so much fun! I recommend this musical to anyone who loves to laugh & sing! There was a song in particular that was between the mom & her daughter who was about to get married. I just balled. It was such a beautiful picture of the relationship between a mother & daughter & how you have to one day let them go. Yikes. I hope that day does not come too quickly but I'm realizing that it probably will. I need to take the good & bad days & treasure them with such passion. Because one day they will be gone. I told the girls tonight as I was putting them to bed about this song & how it reminded me of them and Isabelle said to me, "Don't worry Mom, I just won't get married. I'll live with you FOREVER"

Let's see how she feels about that in 20 years. But it was heart melting at the thoughtfulness.

Commercial work

I just got an email from one of the commercial jobs that David & I did. You can finally view them. Check out http://www.foundyourcalling.com/
click on the commercial under the section that says"I.T"(under Fatal Error), then the one that says"fashion design"(under Doggy Wears Prada) and also the one that says "business"(under Mail Clerk). It's not Hollywood but boy was it fun!
Enjoy!

Summer Break!!!!

Congrats to Abby on another year of homeschooling! Wow she will now enter 2nd grade! Isabelle will be in Kindergarten! They both will be attending either private or public school next year. They are growing up so quickly right before my eyes.

Since I started working I just noticed them both acting differently...well, they have had to adjust to me all of a sudden not being around as much. So with much thought, I decided to only work on Saturdays. I was nervous going to my boss to ask such a thing, but she was amazing! She didnt think twice at allowing me this blessing. In fact, she told me to only work every other Saturday during the summer & when the girls are in school next fall I will go back to full time. Crazy. What boss would allow that? Another God thing in my opinion!So props out to my boss! She really is awesome!

So, our summer has begun. We've already taken advantage of our time together...going on walks, playing at the parks, swimming...what fun! I will cherish this time I have with them.

Here are a few picks I took before they each got their hair cut for summer...enjoy!

God's blessings

In the midst of everything going on God has continued to show himself faithful to us. Why? I'm not sure, He is just like that. That is just my God being who He is. I certainly do not deserve a lick of grace but He keeps showing it over and over again.

David & I have been talking about going to one car for about 6 months now...with gas prices at $4 who can afford to drive 2 cars anyway? We experimented with the thought & he would drive me to & from work to see how we could survive...well, it wasnt easy but to save some money we decied that would be best. Our leases on our cars will be up this year & we wanted to get out of them early & just get one good car. Well...........I guess that wasnt in God's plan because a good friend of ours just decided to give us their car. Yep, I said GIVE...they are getting a new car themselves & have an old car they wanted to give to someone....so, they are GIVING it to us!!!!Amazing! So, now we will be taking our leased cars back to get a good car & we'll also have this FREE car to use if we need it! Again let me say... amazing!!!!!

I'm not sure why I am always amazed at what God does...I should just expect great things...but I forget sometimes.

Thank you Lord once again for taking care of us...

Re-locating

Yep...we are relocating...again.
The economy has really taken it's toll on our household & David's job that we've decided to downsize so that we don't find ourselves in any trouble down the line. So, who knows what's in store for the Smith's? I do believe that God's hand is in all of this because David & I both feel a sense of peace about it. We are actually excited to see what lies ahead!
Also, we may have a potential buyer (which is CRAZY since the housing market is so slow). So we can only give glory to Him!!!!!
Why should I worry when my God in Heaven is watching out after me?
I'll update as things progress...

Time

Time seems to be going so quickly. I can't stand it. I just want life to somehow s...l....o....w down. It won't. Since I've started working 7 weeks ago I just feel like life is just passing me by. Somehow, somehow I need to savor the moments. The time with my kids, the time with David(which seems like "hello" then "goodbye" anymore) seems so quick, so rushed all the time.

I need to look at each opportunity & just take a picture...click. Remember it, enjoy it, savor it. Love each short minute with each person that I love in my life....my family, my friends.

My girls will be going to school next year(that is "outside" of our house-I've been homeschooling for the last 2 years) so on every day off that I get I just like to play (well, when school is done for the day). We play star wars, play-doh, Narnia, littlest pet shop, dress up, lions...whatever the girls imagine, we play.

I have to enjoy this time. Even though inside I am soooo tired, and soooo ready to just fall asleep, or I'm starting to think about all the housework I have to do, I just have to remind myself to just PLAY. Play hard. Love my time right in this moment.

Straight up now tell me

This afternoon over lunch, we started talking about "future husbands". Isabelle who is now 5 says "I really wish that I could marry Daddy!"
" I know sweetie, he is the best isnt he?" I replied.
" Yes, I just want my husband to be JUST like him" she says back with a huge smile.
" Well, why don't we start praying for your future husband to be JUST like your Daddy..someone who loves God, who is kind & gentle."
"Okay. "

At this point I thought the conversation was over...then we start talking about American Idol. They watched it for the first time with David the other night & they are now hooked. (David Archuletta is their favorite).
Then Isabelle says "Mom, I wouldnt want to marry someone like that mean guy on that singing show" she paused then continued," I wish I was a boy then I would marry that nice girl"
"Which nice girl are you talking about?" I asked her.
"The one who always says the nice things" she replied.
"Oh you mean Paula!"
"Yes, I wish I was a boy so that I could marry Paula!"

That's right folks, my daughter wants to marry Paula Abdul.

We are opening the new store this week & what a blast it has been! I am so glad that I am part of the team to open this beautiful, chic store! We were able to work on some projects as a group & it gave us the opportunity to get to know one another. So far everyone has been awesome! We have an incredible diverse team!
I never realized how tired I was going to be when I got home after work...but wow...I am tired! The moment I sit down to rest, I'm pretty much OUT.
So, I'm just checking in while I have a free moment before I crash tonight. I actually have 2 days in a row off so I'm gonna soak it up-then next week we will be working hard to get the store ready for opening day! Which means LOTS of hours!
Nighty-nite....

life of a working mommy

Since I have been working I need to figure out how to schedule my "new" life. It has been a full week of work & overall it went pretty well. I love the new job! I find its like a race. Quite literally since I am on my feet all day & running around helping people. I actually lost 3 pounds in my first week :)
I like dressing up the store windows-undressing the mannequins is a little strange, but it's fun to make things look appealing. I've really enjoyed helping people with fashion questions & I'm learning a lot.
But my life at home needs some work too. I need to prioritize my days when I'm home. I am still homeschooling Abby & we're finishing out her 1st grade year so I need to do school, clean, do laundry, play, make meals...etc on my days off. I started to get down on myself for not being able to do it all. Then I realized that I have just been taken away 32 hours out of my normal routine from home....wow!!!!! 32 hours!!!!!
So, I am making out a schedule of when things "get done". And when they don't...oh well. I am not superwoman.
David has been a great help with everything & we're trying to figure out our new way of life together.
I really look forward to coming home to my family after work. The girls actually run up to me to greet me. Since I've always been with them I have never really gotten a whole lot of that before. It's a great feeling. So I am really treasuring my time with them even more.

Spring Ahead?

When I think of spring & Easter time I think of cute little spring dresses, easter egg hunts, trees beginning to bud with flowers...not snow!!!!!
The snow has been nuts around here. The entire winter has been strange. Some days we'd have 60 degrees other days we'd have a blizzard all within one week.
I have to say it has kept us in to rest which has been much needed.
Since our commercial shoots, my new job, my business taking off, David's extra jobs, sickness, homeschooling & just keeping up with life...we have been pretty busy. So, it was nice to take a break, to be forced to NOT go anywhere & just chill (literally).

We had a blast sled riding down our hill (our driveway), making igloos, playing fetch in the snow with our puppy, going on a winter hike in our backyard & sipping hot chocolate when we got back to the house. It was a wonderful weekend of rest.

Give me a F...give me a L...give me a U...what does that spell?

Yep. Influenza struke our entire household this past week. Aches, chills, fevers of 103 was common among us all. We are finally starting to feel better-if you call having a harsh cough better. It literally took us like 6 days to get over this nasty flu.

But now we are ready to roll again. School is back in session & housework is being done. Fun, fun fun!

While we were all sick we celebrated Isabelle's 5th birthday on Feb. 26th!

Amazing!

It seems like just yesterday that she was born.

She has made our lives such joy since she's been a part of our family. She adds a lot of humor & laughs into our everday routines. She really knows how to make you smile just when you need it. I love how Isabelle crawls into bed with me on Saturdays & gets really, really close to my face & says"Goodmorning beautiful mommy"

And her bright smile just lights you up inside!

Isabelle has such a gentle kindness to her. She always notices when someone is in need. And she will immediatly fill whatever need at any moment!

She is learning everyday & growing up before my eyes.

The other day we were looking at the "Isabelle book"(the scrapbook I made her of her life so far)and it was such fun to watch her expressions as we turned the pages. She has been a blessing from God since day one & I can't wait to see what God is going to do in this amazing girl's life!

Happy Birthday my sweet Isabelle!

I landed some more commercial spots. It's funny how things happen when your not really looking. I stopped looking for opportunities & they keep coming to me. Thank you Lord. And the best part is they are paying jobs. I have an opportunity to work with a web company that is starting to market companies websites. They are making commercials to add to their websites to help promote them better so that people can physically see what they do. Not Hollywood, but great for my resume & learning about the filming industry.
My first commercial I'm playing a boss(kind of like Lumburgh from Office Space-except female) mmmmm-k?
That will be fun.
I then have another commercial where David is also going to be in it...we are playing a married couple who is leaving their dog with a doggie day care type place while they are on vacation...we actually get to work with a dog & trainer for this shoot. Even more fun...a doggie & my hubby!

We have some more lined up that I'm not sure of yet...I'll post some pics if I can get my hand on some while we shoot...
Have a nice day-mmmmmm-k?

After a long couple of weeks, I'm ready to get back in the saddle. Both of my girls ended up having strep throat (at different times), and when they did they both felt horrible. They only laid around wanting someone to snuggle them. I was blessed to be the one who comforted them since I am able to stay home. I didnt get much done...well, actually nothing got done. But that is all part of the mommy job. You love, you comfort, you put things aside for your kids. Sometimes it is difficult to remember to not worry about what the house looks like but after you see the sweet little faces beaming up at you...you just don't care about anything else but them.

I love being a mom. I love snuggling in bed on Saturday mornings watching cartoons (well, they watch cartoons I just snuggle & get some extra sleep). :) I love hearing them call me "momma" still. I love seeing their eyes light up when I am away from them & we return together (even if I'm only gone for an hour). I love the deep conversations that we have. I love the crazy playtime of tickling, wrestling & pretending that we are characters from another world. I love dancing around the kitchen shaking our "toushes" .

At moments I wonder how I'm going to get through the day with all the chaos. Some days are just crazy. Lots of tears, lots of disagreements. Little girls argue over some crazy things. But thankfully my God somehow gets me through. Each day. And each day I thank Him for my life. The good & the bad times.

We are about to embark on a new chapter of our lives.
The girls will be going to school next year. And I will be going back into the "working" world.
I am excited yet in another breathe somewhat scared & sad. It has been almost 8 years since I left my job. I loved being at home with my girls. But I am excited to see what God brings my way. My resume' is already out there. I want God to lead on this one.
I had an opportunity at my old work place but it would have required me to start working now. Abby would have had to go "into" a school in the middle of her first grade year, and I would have had to find somewhere for Isabelle to go. I interviewed for the postition & I really wanted my old job back but I did not get it. In a way, I'm relieved. I was frantic. I did not want the girls lives to be turned upside down mid-year. Again, God took care of that. I know He has the perfect thing out there for me, in His time.

still waiting

I'm still waiting to hear how things are going to turn out...I'll post more when I find out. In the meantime, I've been spending a lot of time giving things to God. He is in control...no matter what happens. Even if NOTHING happens, He knows what He's doing. He may just be wanting me to focus on Him more, to give up the steering wheel & let Him drive. He may just be opening my eyes to other opportunities, things I may not have thought of before.

I don't know. And that's okay. He knows & that is all that matters. By the way, my twitching eye has stopped (the minute I stopped worrying-was the minute it stopped) :)

Thank you Lord for your timing & not my own.