Sometimes it's easy to get discouraged over all the little things...unmet expectations of others, unmet expectations of yourself, comparing yourself to others, etc.  Sometimes we just need to take a step back to say, "It's okay!"  So I joined up with "It's OK" Thursday.

It's OK that it is Friday instead of Thursday. 

It's OK to spend gas money on last minute trips to see friends and family.  You can't put a price on that time.  I once neglected to visit my grandmother because of gas money and decided I would visit on my way to the beach the following week.  I never got to visit her.  She passed away before our trip.  So, yes, I will ALWAYS say that it's OK to make trips to visit and spend time with others...no matter how many silly miles or gallons of gas it takes.

It's OK to eat a dozen donut holes for breakfast.  I'm perfectly content with that this morning, and I now know that I must be careful about my intake the rest of the day.  Like...maybe a salad only!  Ha!

It's OK to say "No" when you are trying to save money.  Some of the wisest people I know are those who are very conservative with their money.  Not greedy - conservative.  Being careful what you spend it on...especially when you don't have it.  Living in an apartment is one of the ways we have tried to save money.  Although there have been times when I was embarrassed to say, "We live in that apartment complex called...", I know that it is OK because one day I will appreciate it and be glad we did.

It's OK that I don't have home-cooked meals every night for my hardworking husband.  If my husband desired that, it may not be okay.  But, Russ couldn't care less about big fancy meals every night.  One day, when we have a growing family, I'm sure I'll need to cook a well-balanced meal more often.  But, for now, it's OK.  I think women often are quick to judge other women.  This goes for all ages - it starts as young women judging outward appearances, then it moves to wives judging cooking and cleaning skills, and it continues to mothers judging parenting choices, etc.  I wish more women spent more time encouraging one another instead of judging others and bringing them down.  I have been guilty of this in the past, and I am very aware of it now.  It's OK for you to cook, clean, dress, and parent however is best for YOUR family.  It's OK!

It's OK to laugh at yourself.  If you learn this at an early age...you will have a lifetime of free entertainment!  I'm so thankful that I grew up in a family who spent countless hours a day laughing.  Laugh!

It's OK to bring dirty laundry when I visit my parents because our dirty clothes are out of control and I didn't have anything to wear.  At least I'm washing them myself and not asking my mom to do it.  But, if I did ask Mama to do it...that would be OK too!

It's OK to stand firm in your beliefs.  Make a stand for something or you'll fall for everything.  Walk away when you need to, distance yourself when you need to, and speak out when you need to.

It's OK to spend time tearing up with your husband at Gracie Bleu because we read a sad email about dogs.  Our dog is our baby, and we hate to think that he may go before us.  Like...seriously.  I can no longer linger on this topic, because I'm getting sad.  And it's OK.

It's OK to spend an entire day without showering, brushing your teeth, or getting dressed because you are watching the new 90210 on Netflix from the beginning.  There will be plenty of time in the future to get up and dressed before 6 in the morning when babies are crying and needing to be fed, held, or rocked.

It's OK that my husband helps me clean.  This means that we work well as a team.  We don't have much else that we must tend to outside of work and paying bills, so it's OK for him to clean the toilets.  He's the one that gets them dirty anyway!  I always leave my potty sparkling clean.  Ha!

It's OK that Elise went home on American Idol.  I got nervous every time she started talking back to the judges.  It's NOT OK, however, that Skylar was in the bottom three...or that Colton went home.  And it's OK that I totally text my votes in for American Idol AND Dancing with the Stars.  I have much invested into both.

What are you OK with today?

The More Things Change...

This past weekend, I decided to fly by the seat of my pants.  I had original plans to go to Super Bulldog Weekend for a fun day outside surrounded by all my Bulldogs.  I asked off work.  We worked hard to find someone to cover the store since Jamie was going to be out too.  I was excited.  Until Russ couldn't get his shift switched.  Poo.  I checked with my sister, but she was hosting a baby shower Saturday so she wouldn't be going.  Now I was off work and couldn't decide what to do.  I never would commit to a plan.

Until Thursday morning.

Thursday, I made the decision to make a last minute fly by the seat of my pants trip to Jackson.  I needed to visit my grandfather, and I have several friends I never get to see.  So I packed up after work and left.  Literally last minute.  I later realized I didn't even pack shampoo, hair dryer, straightener, or a hairbrush!  Ha!  Thankfully I choose my friends carefully...they would share a toothbrush and never think twice...if I needed one!  It's just that I'M the one who would think that was gross!

Thursday night I spent the night with Pat and Felicia, treasured friends from med school.  I never have to worry about coming unannounced to stay with Felicia.  She's always ready for my visit....complete with tomato gravy and biscuits in the morning!  I'm thinking that alone is worth my three hour drive.  We spent our day Friday visiting, tending to her youngest baby, and eating a nice lunch outside at Rooster's.  It's so funny how I could look in the back seat and see baby gear, yet our conversations stayed the same as before kids.

I think we were driving down Lakeland Drive when it hit me, and I told her, "The more things change...the more they stay the same."  This was after I realized our conversation ranged from God, adoption, infertility, and Proverbs 31 women to burping, comparing stomach rolls, and other things I would never tell you!  While doubled over laughing at one of the "I will never tell you" conversations, I see the ever present Gobstoppers that Felicia has always kept in the console of her car. 

Yep.  The more things change...the more they stay the same!

After we picked up Toby from his grandparents' and visited with them, we headed back to the house for Felicia to do more motherly duties.  I just stole the children away to play when I could.  I hogged Nate and enjoyed listening to Toby's (almost 3 years old) impressive vocabulary while he talked about, counted, and named all his trains.

I mean, he is quite advanced.  I see photography in his future too.  Just take a look at his skills...

Felicia and Pat are wonderful parents, and I always feel like I'm learning tidbits and sticking them back as I watch them with their sweet boys. 

Friday night Pat's mom came to visit, so I decided it was time to move on to see who else would take me in.  I called my cousin, Clancy, and we met at a Mexican restaurant for some adult time.  Two hours and much too deep of conversation later, we went back to her house for the night.  We spent the night talking in the kitchen with her hubs, Jack, and her dog.  We all snuggled on the couch to watch a movie, but none of us made it to the end.  The next morning, I heard Jack in the kitchen.  He was cooking omelets for us!  So good!  I also found out that he cooks EVERY morning!

After calculating the calorie count in that huge omelet, I borrowed some shampoo, a hair dryer, straightener, and a hairbrush before going to visit Pops.  Once I found Pops sitting in the day room watching an old black and white movie, I enjoyed my visit.  We talked for a while in the day room before I offered to take him on a ride downstairs for a Coke.  Downstairs is carpeted and is full of windows looking over the pond.  It was rather cold on Friday, so I didn't take him outside.  But, we enjoyed our hour looking out at the pond.  Yes, I do realize I was dressed for the summer.  That was one problem with flying by the seat of my pants...

At one point, Pops couldn't think of what he wanted to say and he said, "Aww heck!"  It was then that it hit me...things may have changed dramatically since I was younger, but Pops is still in there. 

The more things change...the more they stay the same.

Upon leaving the nursing home, I texted my college roommate to see if she was up for a last minute visit.  "Of course" was her reply.  So, I headed over to see Kelly for the first time since her second son was born.

We talked while Clark napped, and I went straight to hold that sweet Griffin.  Kelly and I caught up on families, husbands, adoption, and other college friends.  Then, she told me.  She had footage.  Footage of our college apartment life.  Lots of the video footage was sure to be random and pointless...just like we always were during our years of rooming together.  I couldn't wait to see it!  So, we loaded up on the guest bed and watched the hilarious nonsense.  Let's see...there was video of Russ and I sitting on my bed doing homework, video of our "downstairs roommates" showing Kelly how to unlock my bedroom door with a Q-tip, video of us breaking into one of our "downstairs roommates" rooms while he was watching a movie with his girlfriend, video of me and Russ having an argument on the phone complete with tears, video of Kelly's candlelight, video of us mooning and flashing each other, and more.  It was so fun to relive those moments with Kelly.

Things may have changed since then...but as we watched those and commented on each crazy antic...we realized things haven't changed much.  We are always able to pick right back up where we left off. 

The more things change...the more they stay the same.

Saturday evening, I headed back over to Felicia's for the night.  I was looking forward to visiting the church Russ and I attended during our time in Jackson.  Sunday morning was a little different from my normal Sunday mornings.  As I got ready, I realized this family had been up since 6:30.  Toby was already dressed and ready, and Pat had him outside swinging and playing while Felicia gave Nate his medicine, got him dressed, and put him down for a nap.  Yes, it was already time for a nap before we even left for church.  Things had changed.

As we loaded into the car, I realized again how much things had changed...

...but things have ultimately stayed the same!

It was a delightfully fun last minute trip!  I am so thankful that I am still able to make last-minute decisions like this and visit at a whim.  I am sorry that I didn't get to see everyone I wanted to.  I guess that just means that I'll need to make plans for another flying by the seat of my pants trip to see what else has changed and I hope...

...that more things will stay the same!

The Good Life

 This month Russ is working night float, which means he works 15 nights out of the month.  Sounds rough until you know that the other 15 days, he is OFF!  I actually like this schedule.  Dr. Russ isn't a huge fan...mainly because it messes up his sleep pattern.  However, today I was very thankful for night float!  I worked today at The Square Cupboard.  There are MANY differences between this job and teaching.  One of those being, I get off at 6 instead of 4 (or 4:30 when I get my classroom ready for the next day).  So, I'm not big on cooking big meals.  Okay.  Let's face it, I haven't been big on cooking period since we moved from Jackson.  There are a few reasons for this.  One reason is that Russ and I just don't eat many big meals.  It's not worth it, to us, to purchase all the ingredients and not eat all the meals.  Secondly, our schedules are very different from when I was teaching and we just get hungry before I can get home and cook.  And, thirdly, I'm just not one of those wives that enjoys cooking all that much.  I don't mind it, but I don't love it either.  So, there you have it.  My confession for the day.

When I opened the door after work, I saw a studly man standing in my kitchen...

He was "grilling steaks" on the stove!  We don't have a patio in our apartment, so our grill is not here.  There were also potatoes in the microwave.  All I can say is YUMMY!  Now, I did help a little.  My job?  Taking the salad from the bag and putting it in a bowl.  I also poured the dressing.  It was a good salad too!  Ha!

Yep.  It was a nice surprise.  A delightful dinner.  And just the reminder I needed that...

I'm living the GOOD LIFE!

Easter Madness

So....this brings us to what many of you have been waiting to see.  The big Annual Smith Easter Egg Hunt! For those of you playing catch-up, the Easter bunny has always hidden Easter eggs for us.  When we were young, there are pictures of us with our hair in rollers searching the house for dyed boiled eggs before church.  No idea how my parents managed to get us all up, ready, hunting eggs, and made it to church on time.  I guess it helped that we lived next door.  Ha!  Over time, the egg hunt evolved...until the Easter bunny decided to get serious.  Putting money in our eggs.  Nothing can bring a college girl home for Easter like money in her eggs!  Just kidding.  We would have come home regardless, but the money certainly raised the stakes and excitement of each egg hunt.

Over the last few years, we have added to our family...which forced the Easter bunny to increase the egg count.  Then, I decided this hunt had become serious enough for uniforms.  So two years ago, the Smithites (the originals) had our first hunt decked out.  Last year, the guys were given their shirts and dubbed worthy of wearing them.

After the traditional pre-hunt photo, everyone lined up along the back of the deck.  When my parents say the word "GO!" it's game time!  Watch out!  If you are in the way, we are not responsible for injuries that may follow!

This year, Lee figured out Dustin's strategy.  For those of you who have followed for a few years, you already know that Dustin ALWAYS wins.  I guess Lee has been studying all those years he couldn't participate.  They both raced to the left corner of the yard....

This is the first time I'm realizing Lee was allowed to use the giant basket.  This explains a lot!  We need a rule book!

...while Russ and I scoured the right corner.

I'm pretty sure I was already wheezing at this point.

Occasionally, we would look up and realize we are all in a wad.  We would immediately head out for a spot no one had yet traversed.

Toward the end, you may see couples start working together for leftovers.  I mean, you know, since "your money is my money" and all.  Ha!  Don't start feeling sorry for Dustin or anything.  Let me be clear that last year he used TWO baskets, and this year he was allowed to use a giant gift bag.  Fair?  I think not. But since he's "the favorite" and we all know it, no one argues.

When we begin slowly turning every leaf and bloom to find no more eggs, we all gather on the deck for the business portion of the day.  Counting eggs and taking names.

Typically you will find lots of smiles as we empty our eggs and begin our count.  Somewhere along the way, someone realizes they are behind....or worse, losing!  At this point, things begin to get a little quiet.  I wouldn't necessarily use the word "pouting" since we are all over the age of 23 or 24...but it looks a little like it at times.

Meanwhile, the parents and spectators who have come to watch the free entertainment spend their time visiting, laughing, making fun of us, and reminiscing over past egg hunt results.  You will see that even some spectators have begun to dress for the occasion with bunny ears.

We, first, reveal the number of eggs found.  Once those results are recorded, we begin the most important count...the contents.  Dustin has won our egg hunts for as long as I can remember.  However, when we found our spot to begin our egg count, I heard him mumble under his breath..."I think Lee beat me."  This could be catastrophic and historic and monumental and any other dramatic word you could thing of.

Our 2012 egg count

And it was.  Lee beat Dustin by 3 eggs.  There was still hope, though.  Our second count is INSIDE the eggs.  This is where things begin to get very quiet and secretive until all the numbers are recorded.

Dustin found that not only did Lee beat him, but Russ actually squeezed in just ahead of him too.  Uh oh. Thankfully, Maw Maw left us each a five dollar bill to help his aching heart.  I'm not sure he'll ever be the same.

Next year may be trouble.  I'm thinking about wearing shin guards for protection.  I wouldn't put anything past these boys!  Oh...in case you are wondering about me and Kristin...we always lose.  We really don't even count.  However, if you are taking notes, I did find one more egg than she did.  And as Kristin analyzed, "Even though we may lose each year, our numbers are getting better."  We're all about progress.

The Easter bunny must be getting tired, because the total egg count was off.  Or either we found three leftover eggs from last year.  Then we were $5 short on the total amount.  After lots of discussion, some scouring the area, and some bickering between the Easter bunnies, we decided to just let it go!

Russ and Farley looking for the lost five dollars

Dustin coming face to face with the reality that he did not win

Our family may not be perfect.  In fact, we are FAR from it.  We have quirks, attitudes, the occasional blow up, hard times, enjoy doing strange things, and can be down right weird.  But we share moments.  We take traditions to heart, and we enjoy fun things together.  Thanks to a pair of great parents who sacrifice WAY more than we even know so that we can enjoy annual traditions like our Easter egg hunt.  We make memories that no one can put a price on or take away.  I am incredibly blessed and thankful for this family.

 
Russ and I can only hope and pray to raise our family to enjoy time together.  We hope to take advantage of every opportunity to make fun memories with our children that will last a lifetime and bring smiles and laughter for years!  And, all those goofy quirks....well, they just make for the best stories!  So I'll take all the quirks!

Some people may look at this and think it is MADNESS.

We just call it FAMILY!

Easter Bonnets

Down South, we are known for dressing to the nines for any special event.  But, Easter...oh Easter!  Easter is a southern tradition that dates way back.  Back to strolling along the sidewalk modeling your new Easter frocks.  Back to frilly socks and smocked dresses.  Back to Easter bonnets.  Back to clip on ties and suspenders.  Easter attire is a southern tradition that may never fade.  Although we may outgrow buying our "new Easter dress," we never outgrow our Easter family pictures outside near the azalea bush, front porch, or on the church steps.

At least, our family has not outgrown those photo opportunities!

This year, Russ's side of the family decided to gather for a family photo.  We usually spend Easter day with my side of the family and the Saturday before Easter with his side.  We stopped by on our way to my parents' after church to take part in the photo op.

Now, you know with four families represented, eight children, and three siblings...there will be various combinations of photos.  I won't give them all to you, but you can get the idea.

Party of Two with Russ's parents

The "original Johnsons"

Jimmy and Roan's family

It took about an hour to get everyone together, organized, and pictures snapped.  When Russ and I left around 1, there were still come combinations left.  It was the perfect day for photo shoot!

A look at how our hour went

We raced back to my parents' house in hopes that no one had changed clothes yet.  After all, the Smith photo shoot had yet to begin!  They are always so excited to see me coming with my big ole camera!  [insert sarcasm here]

We had a few combinations of our own...just not quite as many.  No little ones yet...and quite familiar with the "Easter drill!"  Ha!  I think it took a total of 15 minutes.

Smithites

Smithites plus 2

Family picture

Wait!  That wasn't everyone!  Don't you know by now that my family is not complete without our furry loves!

Complete family picture

That's better!  We can't forget our honorary Smith...Lee's mom!  We pretty much claim her as ours at every holiday and special event.

The Tulls

Here's to, what I hope is, our last family Easter photo without a Baby J!

Me and Russ

Our morning started out with sweet surprises left by the Easter bunny!  Yes...the Easter bunny AND Santa still come to our house!  The Easter bunny used to leave our baskets of goodies next to our beds on Sunday morning.  Now that we're married, he/she leaves our goodies in our bathroom.  Of course, Farley has never had to do without either!

Russ, my, and Farley's Easter baskets

After church, Mama got busy on the finishing touches for lunch.  This is the one time of year that we break out Mama and Daddy's fine China from their bridal registry.  The table is always beautifully set, and the food is always divine!

Easter is serious business in our family!  We do it right!

Easter has always been a special time for family.  A special time of celebration.  A sweet time for our families!  We can't wait to share all these special times as our family grows!