Pictures

Here are the pictures that I tried to upload the other night. Seriously, if anyone knows of any good deals on laptop computers let me know. I really want to get a new one quickly.

He is amazed by the camera in his face. I love my baby's eyes!

This is where we took the bunny pictures. The photographer let me take one with my camera (without the bunny). We could not get Samuel to smile but I still think it is a cute picture.

Same picture-Close up

Justin was tickling his feet :)

Palm Sunday

Samuel and Chloe

Look what was over our house Monday night- a double rainbow!

I watched Samuel crawl for the first time on Tuesday. He has figured out how to get on his knees and crawl but he leaves his head on the floor. He is changing everyday!

Thank you

Thanks to everyone who gave advice on my last post. I have such a hard time making decisions so I like to get other opinions. He did wear outfit #2 for the bunny picture and he wore outfit #3 for Palm Sunday. I think for Easter he is going to wear #1. (We will have pictures in all 3) If you would like a picture of Samuel in your favorite outfit please email your address to me.

beth.johnson@pcs.k12.va.us

I tried 3 times to post pictures last night and our computer would not cooperate. I finally gave up and went to sleep. I think I am going to get a laptop and just let Justin keep his business stuff on the computer we have now. Any suggestions on the laptop purchase?

Last night I started feeling stressed. Maybe because we have to be out of our house by April 16th and I am really going to miss our house. Instead of packing, I went to my swing and brought out an old McKameys CD. Justin was still working, Samuel was asleep for the night and Olivia could not talk so I really listening to the words even though I have all of them memorized. The song "Look How Big My God Is" had a whole new meaning to me. I have probably heard this song hundreds of times and no doubt climbing the "mountain" of infertility I would be stuck on the praying the first verse. Now every time I look at Samuel I want to scream "look how big my God is!!!"

"Look How Big My God Is"

The McKameys

My will within me was fading

As I struggled to my knees

Oh Lord behold my mountain

To me it's much to steep

My strength is quickly leaving

My hope is almost gone

Lord come now to my rescue

I need your strength to carry on

Through my tears I heard him whisper

He said child you've asked of me

To come behold your mountain

But I've already seen

I promise I'll go with you

Together we'll conquer this

So run now to your mountain

And say look how big my God is

-Chorus-

Look how big my God is

He is greater than my need

He is higher than the mountain that has brought me to my knees

I'll not be discouraged

I'll not talk defeat

I'll just look how big my God is and claim the victory

(Now I like this verse :) ) Praise God!!

No more to live in bondage

No more to walk in fear

No more will I have to be alone

Wiping away my tears

Because he's promised to be with me

That my battle was also his

I'll just run to those mountains and say look how big my God is!

Keep the faith! We are serving a BIG God. He is greater than all of our needs.

Update and Vote

Samuel has a double ear infection and eczema. With three different meds hopefully he will be feeling better soon.

This Saturday Justin and I are taking Samuel to get his picture taken outside with live bunnies. I am very excited but I cannot decide what he should wear. I have 3 outfits that are all very cute.

Please leave me a comment and tell me which outfit you think he should wear for the bunny pictures. If you vote, I will send you a picture of Samuel in your favorite :) Thanks!

#1

#2

#3

Samuel

Please help us pray for Samuel. He has a really bad cough and I just called the babysitter and she said he is getting worse. She said he will not eat at all. We are taking him to the doctor at 4:00 this afternoon and I hope that he can figure out what is wrong. Samuel just finished a round of antibiotics and decongestant meds. and he is still sick. The doctor told us over the phone to try allergy medication but that has not helped at all. :( Hopefully he will help us today.

Strawberry Shortcake Birthday

Today was our niece Holly's birthday. She is the big 6! We went to her party tonight and had a great time. For some reason food is always better at the Strode's house :)

Justin holding the pinata and Lauren with the bat. Watch out!!!

Lauren, Chloe, and Anna watching Holly open her gifts.

Samuel and Chloe. Samuel knocked over a drink and one of the children said "Samuel is a bad boy" Chloe looked at him with a serious face and said "Samuel is NOT a bad boy" So sweet. She loves him to death.

Samuel opening his party favor. (Teething tablets yummmm!)

Who could not love a Strawberry Shortcake party?

The sweet birthday girl with her DELICIOUS strawberry cake. (I ate 2 pieces and told myself that since I did not know when I would get to eat another strawberry cake I should take advantage of it being there. :)

The three sisters. Their dresses were adorable.

Justin and I had to leave around 7:30. I dressed Samuel in his pajamas hoping we could rock him to sleep. No luck. His bedtime is 7:00 and Justin and I have learned that it is best to have him in his crib by then. At 7:01 he turns into a handful!

We hope you had a wonderful day Holly. We love you!

our SPRING weekend in pictures

The weather was perfect here this weekend. On Saturday afternoon I thought about how the temperature will surely be like this in Heaven. Not too hot- Not too cold- Just perfect! We spent most of the weekend outside :)

Some of our friends came over Friday night and here is Landon telling Samuel a secret (or trying to bite his ear off) They already love each other.

Me, Olivia and Lisa with the babies

On Saturday Justin and Stevie started working on our land. They are supposed to start our house this week. I decided to drive over and see what was going on. This is where our house will be.

This is what our view will be from the front of the house. I am not thrilled about living in the country but the land is beautiful.

Here is Samuel on his first day on the job. He did not come dressed for work but was happy to be there. Does anyone know why our camera sometimes takes pictures like this where the coloring is messed up? Justin and I cannot figure it out. One picture will be like this and the next one will look normal. ???

Too much excitement= Nap time on the swing

My sweet baby boy!

On Saturday night Justin and I went on our 1st date of "The Great Date Experiment"

http://springdale.reachforlife.tv/2010/02/the-great-date-experiment/

We really had a great time and I am looking forward to date #2. My favorite question was "If you could relive one day of your childhood, and you could take the kid version of me with you, what day would it be?" I immediately told Justin that I wish he could have been by my side the day I hiked the Grand Canyon on Teens Westward Bound. The Grand Canyon was amazing and plus he could have helped drag me out. Ha!

At the end of our date we carved our initials and the date in a tree at a park in town. Justin was pretty impressed with my carving skills :)

Our handsome little man getting ready to go to church.

Infertility's Common Thread

For some reason infertility has been on my mind lately. I placed "Infertility's Common Thread" on my side bar. I read what the thread stands for and thought it was really neat.

Pomegranates, a longstanding symbol of fertility, serve as a strong analogy to those suffering through infertility. Though each pomegranate skin is unique in colour and texture, the seeds inside are remarkably similar from fruit to fruit. Though our diagnosis is unique—endometriosis, low sperm count, luteal phase defect, or causes unknown—the emotions, those seeds on the inside, are the same from person to person. Infertility creates frustration, anger, depression, guilt, and loneliness. Compounding these emotions is the shame that drives people suffering from infertility to retreat into silence.

In addition, the seeds represent the multitude of ways one can build their family: natural conception, treatments, adoption, third-party reproduction, or even choosing to live child-free.

http://stirrup-queens.blogspot.com/2006/09/history-of-infertilitys-common-thread.html.

Now that I have my precious miracle baby, Samuel, all the feelings of frustration, anger, depression, guilt and loneliness have disappeared. He has filled a place in my heart with great joy where for many years these emotions reigned. However, I will NEVER forget the feelings I have had over the past four years. I often think about people who are still waiting for their miracle- the people who are feeling all of those emotions now. I am glad that I openly talked about my feelings with those who surrounded me. I could not have managed to keep all of my feelings inside. Sometimes the hurt seemed so deep that I would refuse to be comforted. I am so thankful for an understanding husband, family and friends who stuck with me when it would have been so easy to walk away. I am so thankful for the people who shared their infertility experiences with me and offered hope when I did not see how God would make a way. Most of all, I am so thankful for a wonderful Savior who knows all things. He sees the future as if it were today. He held on to me when I could not hold on to him. He brought me my miracle in his perfect time. He has given me "...the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness" Isaiah 61:3.

I never thought I could ever say this but I am thankful for infertility- Without it I would not have my son.

CREIGHTON JAMES SMITH....

is 5 years old today!!!

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday dear Creighton

Happy Birthday to you!

We love and miss you sooooooooo much!

We hope you have a very special day.

Love- Justin, Beth and Samuel

Pictures

Samuel LOVES his thumb.

Creighton- Uncle Juss says hello and he really misses you and Finley. He hopes you can come to Virginia soon :)

This is Samuel with his Tempur Pedic Bear that was given to him by a man from Danville. Samuel loves his bear because his bear "hugs him back"!

Carrots are the winner! Samuel ate a whole jar of carrots the other night. I don't want him to turn orange :)

His favorite toy/seat these days is his walker that Kyle and Lori are letting us use. His feet now touch the ground but he only pushes himself back. He likes to keep moving!

Six Months and Sick :(

Please keep Samuel in your prayers. Justin took him to the Dr. this morning and he has an ear infection and a bad cold. I am learning how hard it is to see your baby sick. Not fun!

Samuel was 6 months old on Monday. I cannot believe he is growing so fast! He now weighs 17.5 pounds and is 28.2 inches long. It feels like only a couple of weeks ago when he was placed in my arms. He is no longer the tiny baby that I held 24/7 for so long. I feel torn between different emotions. On one hand, I am so happy that he is a growing, healthy and happy little boy but on the other, I want him to be my baby forever. With every new milestone I feel really excited and also a little sad. I know that even when he is 18 he will ALWAYS be my baby. :)

"I didn't give you the gift of life,

But in my heart I know.

The love I feel is deep and real,

As if it had been so.

For us to have each other

Is like a dream come true!

No, I didn't give you

The gift of life,

Life gave me the gift of you."

Author- Anonymous

I will try to add pictures to this post tonight. Also, please keep Justin and I in your prayers we have some decisions to make in the coming months and we want God's will to be done. Have a great day!

Last weekend our family went to Lbg to celebrate Finley's 1st birthday. I cannot believe it has been one year since she came into our life. Time is passing so quickly! She is such a sweet little girl. We are very blessed! I had not been home since Christmas so I was very excited to pull into the drive and see my parents coming to meet us :)

Unfortunately, I forgot the SD card for our camera. Justin went to get a new one but then we forgot to format the card. When I started trying to post pictures last night I realized that there was no way to get them on the computer :( Leslie posted these for me.

(Erin- this is why I do not have the picture of us with our babies. We will have to get together again soon! I enjoyed catching up :)

Here is the birthday girl loving her new bear.
Celebrating over dinner. Robin decorated and everything was pink and beautiful!

Creighton and Samuel

Finley getting ready to give Samuel a kiss. Mom and Dad said that when we are not there she hugs and kisses a picture of Samuel. They say "love Baby Samuel" and she grabs the picture. Too sweet!

Leslie and I went on a walk Saturday. We were going to see my Uncle John and Aunt Brenda but they were not home. We did enjoy our walk but I am really ready for warmer weather. Hope you are having a great week!