Soccer JOY

Irina has played in her first two soccer games and she is LOVING it! 

She is flourishing. She is listening to her coaches and she is learning. (on the left)

 She's scoring some goals. (This photo is right before her first goal.)

 She has some natural talent, but what I am most proud of is her attitude. She is SMILING. 

She is happy. She is agreeable to try whatever the coaches ask of her. 

Irina has tried every position and last week she even tried out goalie. She protected her goal well. 

And now of course, there are two other boys in the house who have a sudden interest in signing up for soccer. ;) 

Toothless Cutie

Surely it is getting difficult to eat with all these teeth dropping out? 5 teeth gone! Oh my.

Relax

I haven't been here on the blog lately because Darin and I went to
a tropical beach for three nights and four days (including travel on either end).

Doesn't that look heavenly? Do you think there is a beach in heaven? Well, here on earth I think of the beach as a little taste of heaven. I LOVE the beach.  It was warm (mid 80's) with a wonderful ocean breeze.

Isn't it funny how much effort it is to get ready for a vacation? Getting the four kids packed for their grandparent adventure took a lot of brain power. ;). And then there is re-entry into REAL life once we returned from paradise. Let's just say that it's been a little shocking to my system. However, I can stop and see ways that God answered prayers.

The idea of the trip was was to celebrate our 40th birthdays. Two months ago I turned 40. In two months, Darin will join me in this new fantastic decade. I specifically prayed that I would be able to relax. I'm pretty uptight and knew we didn't have a whole week for me to figure this out. So thankful that I was able to relax the moment we arrived at the airport. No lists, no meal planning, no grocery lists, no schoolwork, no laundry, no refereeing sibling conflict. I didn't even feel tempted to "work".  I enjoyed the view above every morning feeding my soul. I was not rushed. No one was clamoring for my attention. I could take my time and soak it all in. This was a gift. I filled up my journal. 

The place we stayed was pretty quiet the first two days. We heard that was not the case the previous two weeks so we were thankful for our timing. Another answered prayer: good health! Two of the boys came down with the flu three days before our departure. My parents graciously loved on them through their illness. The two other kids didn't get sick and Darin and I remained flu free! Hooray! So thankful that the germs did not spread like I feared. 

It was Irina's first overnight without both Darin and me and she did GREAT! I'm so relieved and thankful. Answered prayer! The days prior to the trip were a doozy with her nervousness and fear of the unknown. (She likes predictability and a clear schedule.)  The last several days following the trip have been full of complicated behaviors for all four kids.  Isn't that usually what happens after days of fun with grandparents? They have to get used to our routines again. :)  I'm so glad they ALL were so pleasant and agreeable while we were gone. Thank you, Lord. But even so... it is still a lot of work to take care of them. Just feeding them (and they have huge appetites) takes quite a bit of effort.  

Long walks, relaxing, reading, and bike rides (aren't we safe in our vests and helmets?)...time alone is TREASURED. We haven't done anything like this in nearly 12 years and the scenery then was not quite as spectacular as this trip. 

(Our trip to Ukraine alone was MUCH different and not nearly as carefree.)

Thank you, Darin, for planning such a special trip for us. 

Thank you, Grammy & Poppy, for loving and caring for all four kids while we were gone. 

(And for continuing their schoolwork while we were gone too! Above and beyond the call of duty.) 

I know where you can go if you want to get away and relax from all the commotion. :)

Surely it's too quiet at your house now. 

Walking

The pictures below have nothing to do with this post. I'm sure you don't mind. ;)

They just happen to be from a trail walk the kids and I took on Monday. 

I'm loving the "She Reads Truth" online devotional. 

You can sign up to get email notifications HERE. 

 Today I was reading in Luke 24:13-35 and 2 Corinthians 5:16-21. Read it!

 Love this quote from the devotional that went along with the scripture: 

"Do our hearts burn within us when we encounter Christ? Do we welcome His presence and listen as He reveals Himself to us in His word? Do we continue down the road a different person because we walk with Jesus?"

I hope and pray that my "walking" with Jesus changes me. SO thankful for His word. 

So thankful that He is ALIVE and can make all things NEW. 

Laundry Discovery

Okay... I may be way behind here, but I recently realized something that has brought me much relief.

MY CHILDREN CAN FOLD THEIR OWN LAUNDRY AND PUT IT AWAY! 

You may be scratching your head and saying, "duh!" Perhaps you already know this?? Why have I been in the dark?

Here is what I WAS doing... I'm very routine oriented. Monday is kid laundry day. Luke usually helps me sort out the colors and get it started Sunday evening. Then I finish up during the day on Monday and fold about 5-6 loads on Monday evening. Sometimes I would even put all their laundry into their drawers for them. Seriously... this madness needed to stop. If I had an evening commitment on Monday, I would feel anxious until all the laundry was folded and put away. I greatly dislike having unfolded clean laundry sitting around in baskets. It literally gives me stomach aches. 

Now? Ahhh... the relief. I run the loads through the washer. No problem. Then Monday evening, I spend a maximum of 15 minutes separating the laundry into four baskets. (The only loads that are really a mixture are the load of whites and 1 load of pink/red. Other then that the laundry is mostly separated by kid when it is washed.) I deliver the baskets to their room Monday night and VOILA! They fold it and put it away. 

Irina and Luke are very diligent. Irina hangs up most of her shirts inside out, but that doesn't bother me. She can turn them right side out when she wears them. Aaron (age 6) and Ethan (age 8) need a little coaxing to put it away, but even with that this new system is saving me at least an hour (if not more) per week! Does anyone have any more laundry time saving tips they want to share? I'm all ears. 

Easter Memories

Hallelujah! He is Risen! 

It's been a bitter sweet Easter season this year and I don't take this closeness with God for granted. Instead of running myself ragged doing lots of Easter teaching activities and crafts with the kids, we kept it simple and that was just right for us this year. (no guilt that I didn't DO all that I wanted to DO.) We read scripture together and worshipped together at church. I'm thankful that the truth of the season was in the forefront for me this year, which is not always the case.

Easter Sunday was a day for celebrating NEW LIFE, and God's promises kept! 

 We had a quiet and pleasant afternoon with my parents who live nearby. 

I made the traditional Ukrainian Easter bread, but learned of a new recipe that looks quite different. I'll have to try that next year.

The kids still get excited about hunting for Easter eggs. (even when half of them are empty!) 

I asked my mom when they would outgrow enjoying this tradition and she said, "I haven't." :) 

 They dyed eggs outside in the beautiful weather. 

Just a lovely quiet day... Thank you Jesus!

(We missed seeing all our other family - siblings, other grandparents, etc.. 

However, it was so good for us to have a relaxed schedule with no traveling.)

Run, Run, Run

The last two Saturdays have been full of running races. This past Saturday, the kids ran in their 2nd annual "Run for the FUNd" one mile race supporting the scholarship program at a great preschool.

I've had to accept that they don't love running unless it is in a game OR filled with the hype of a race. We tried a couple times to "train" and I was met with resistance. However, they all INSISTED I sign them up for this one mile fun run. Do you see those smiles? I think they liked it!

I learned later that Aaron offered to stay near Irina so she wouldn't be alone. (Do you see her at the edge of the first photo?) Aaron made sure he was near her until the end when he sprinted ahead to the finish. She has some great brothers!

 I'm not sure of their times, but Luke was the first Smith kid to finish followed by Ethan. 

Then came Aaron and Irina. This silly Mommy, got choked up each time one of them crossed the finish line. 

What is my problem!?! ;) So proud of them for their determination!

 At the conclusion of the race they gave out prizes for first, second, and third place boys and girls. 

Our little girly got her first trophy for coming in third for the girls! (The boys had some stiffer competition.) She was thrilled. I must mention that at the conclusion of her race, she was in tears declaring that she didn't want to run in the race next year. I certainly didn't coerce her to run this time. We'll see how she feels come sign up time in 2016. I have a feeling she'll remember her trophy more then her stomach cramps. The smile below says it all.

Then Mommy had a turn to run in a 5K trail run. It was a fun course, but I'm not accustomed to running on anything but the road. I was more sore from the hills and trails on this run then the 10K road race I ran last weekend. (Which by the way, I need to thank my fan club for coming to cheer me on last weekend in the frigid temperatures! brrr...)

 Somehow I got 2nd place for the girls! My first ever medal for running. I wasn't all that speedy (27:16), but it was really special to see the proud reaction from the kids. Made my day! They were excited to hear their Mommy's name called and were super sweet. (jumping up and down, giving me kisses, patting me on the back -- especially Luke and Irina.)

Thank you, Darin, for carting us to races early on Saturday mornings two weekends in a row. I know they don't excite you, but we are so grateful for your support!!!

Flowers Have Bloomed

Back in September, I blogged about my heart feeling like a dry dessert. (As seen HERE) However, in the midst of that dryness the Lord was drawing me to Him. I was thirsty and knew the only thing that would bring life was my relationship with Jesus Christ. As a result, I had HOPE. It was shaky, but it was there.

This passage of scripture was a source of great encouragement:
"The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy." Isaiah 35:1-2

Shortly after I posted my rumblings to the blog, I received this from a dear friend at church:

"Plant these now and in the spring you will be reminded of the new life that comes from Christ." 

And so, I followed her instructions and found a good spot to plant the crocus bulbs. Ethan was my helper. 

What could be more joyful on this day before Easter then to see these blooms? 

"O God, Creator of heaven and earth: Grant that, as the crucified body of your dear Son was laid in the tomb and rested on this holy Sabbath, so we may await with him the coming of the third day, and rise with him to newness of life; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  - from the Book of Common Prayer

12 years old

Do you see the little 9 year old cutie pie on the right? 

This is a photo of Irina and her friend Irina in Ukraine (yes, they shared the same birthday month AND name). Thanks to a program called "An Orphan Smiles" each child who was sponsored received a birthday cake at some time during their birthday month. (And thanks to that we have some photos of Irina from when she was 8-10 years old.) 

 It's hard to believe that same little girl turned TWELVE today!

In our exuberance to celebrate our dear daughter last year, we set the bar entirely too high. Oh, the expectations leading up to her birthday were nearly impossible to meet. There were so many emotions prior to the anticipated birthday. "I cannot wait until my birthday!" None of the kids settled easily for bed on Thursday evening. The boys were just as excited as Irina. Irina (our late sleeper) was up and ready by 6am! Oh dear.

After gift opening and a delicious omelet made by Daddy, we were off on a field trip to Shirley Plantation with classmates of the older boys. It was a great outing for the whole family. The weather was a bit breezy, but 79 degrees was perfect for a picnic following our tour.

 Ahem, Aaron... I don't think you are supposed to pick those daffodils. uh oh.

 She enjoyed the afternoon building legos and playing with gifts. 

Whereas the boys would be so embarrassed to be sung to at a restaurant, 

she really enjoyed her Mexican serenade.  She loves the spotlight!

 Happy Birthday sweet girl! You have learned so much in the past year and 

you are growing into a lovely young lady. We love you!