mylife

2009-10-30T17:08:00.000-07:00

Oh My Word! It has been way too long since my last post! Where do I even begin? We are still working on the house... I will post new pics soon. Sophie is about to turn one! My sister is having a baby... what else???? Well, I think this is enough to start!
Since the last post we have so much progress on the house. We are painting right now and the cabinets should be hung within the next few weeks, then comes flooring! We never thought it would take this long, but it has so we have embraced it! ha ha
Sophie turns one year old next month. It is so hard to believe that it has been a year since she entered our lives. She has taught us more than all of our years combined... from what I'm told children have a way of doing that. She is almost walking. She just makes her way around the house now. She really is such a blessing! We are so very excited for what this next year holds for her... but I wouldn't mind if the first year was twice as long! But since it isn't I will continue to do my very best to enjoy the "moment" with her.

Faithful

2009-07-05T17:53:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I almost forgot to tell you! You all know that Jordan has been working both at the church and T-Mobile for over a year. We have been believing that provision would be made so that he could quit T-Mobile. Last weekend Jordan had someone from the church approach him and tell him that they wanted to match the amount he was making at T-mobile each month. He and his wife want to bless us with the money, until we say we don't need it anymore! Praise God! He is faithful. What a blessing it will be to see my husband at normal times and not just when we go to bed! He will have so much more time to be with family and just enjoy the things that he loves. We are so so so very thankful! And we are believing that this couple will be blessed in return!

Holiday Weekend

2009-07-05T17:40:00.000-07:00

So, as you know, Jordan is in the Dominican Republic on a mission trip. I got a call from him last night - which made my day! He said things are going well... very hot, but well. I can't wait for him to get home. Sophie and I miss him like crazy! Sophie had her first July 4th! She did her usual; played outside, went for a walk.... pooped on my parents white carpet. That's right! She pooped while she was sitting on their floor playing and in a second it was out of her diaper and all over their carpet! My brother was totally disgusted! So little Sophia got her second bath of the day. Sometimes I think she does it on purpose so she gets another bath. She just loves the water!

2009-06-15T16:53:00.000-07:00

Okay... so I was informed this weekend by my cousin that I am no better at keeping up with this than Jordan was... I know! I'm not gonna make excuses. I know! So... as always things here are crazy crazy! Jordan and I were in PA this last weekend for Doug and Jessie's wedding, then I took him to Erie, PA for youth camp - where he will be this week (no, I am not all that thrilled about it; I HATE when he is gone). He will leave this Friday for a friends wedding in CA, which, I just realized, will cause him to miss his first Father's Day! Then he will be home for four days and then leave for the Dominican Republic for a missions trip. I miss him already! But he is amazing and is making an impact in the students lives this week... he makes me so proud.
Sophie and I are chillin' at grandma and grandpas and having fun! I'm very ready for the pool to be ready for us to jump in! Sophie loves the water and gets so excited each time she sees the pool! She's just so cute! Which reminds me that I got to meet sweet little Paisley - too cute! She is just so sweet! I was so happy I got to see her (and Janelle and the boys!)
Here are just a few random pics... I don't have any from this weekend because we forgot our camera here!

2009-05-25T17:53:00.000-07:00

Where have the months gone? I know it's been a long time since my last post. As you can guess things here have been pretty busy. Sophie is growin' like a weed! I can hardly believe she is six months old! She is just the "life of the party" She loves to "read" her books and talk to us like she is carrying on a conversation. She is very much aware of EVERYTHING that goes on around her. She is such a blessing to our family; we just thank God for her.

The house... I am asked so often about our house. When will it be done? I have no clue! Jordan said I'm no longer allowed to go over; apparently the list of things to do keeps getting longer each time I am there. But isn't that normal? Regardless, we are having fun in the midst of our two biggest undertakings yet (Sophie and remodeling a home). We are so very thankful for the opportunity and look forward to seeing all of you here once it's done!!!!!

Here are a few pics of the house. We gutted pretty much everything. The pics are of the new kitchen and living room...

New Season

2009-04-02T14:21:00.000-07:00

It's been so long since our last post... much has happened. We finally closed on our house and are working to get a few things done before we can start our long list. I guess when you work with HUD it doesn't mean much when you close; you still have to do what they want first. But it's all good...
Jordan leaves on Wednesday for the Dominican Republic for 10 days. I know it's a good thing but I'm also sad. I hate to be away from him. But they will do awesome things for those people! We know God has so much for them to do. He has been very busy at work and the youth is doing awesome. We had an awesome service last night and the minister called Jordan out and spoke some things over Him that were AWESOME! It's so amazing when God confirms things. I'm so excited to see those changes come to pass.
Sophie is getting bigger and bigger; rolling and trying so very hard to crawl. She's teething now and is doing so well with it! It's amazing how quickly they change. I honestly have a hard time looking at pictures of her when she was just home from the hospital. I try so hard not to cry when I see them and see how big she is. I know it's good that she's growing but it's just happening so fast. She is just amazing; we LOVE her!
As for me... I'm staying busy with everything a wife and mom stay busy with. I am back to work 2-3 days a week now. I really enjoy what I do, but know it probably won't be forever. Other than that; I FORGOT JORDAN AT CHURCH LAST WEEK!!! HA HA HA! I'm only posting this because I know it will make the few of you that read this smile. I don't usually drive to church by myself. Jordan works there so my parents let me and Sophie ride with them and then we come home with Jordan. But his car was getting some work done to it so I drove and was his ride home. But I forgot! I actually got all the way home before I realized what I had done! I pulled in the garage and looked at my phone to see 3 missed calles and a txt that said " where are you? I can't find you, did you leave?" I called him right away and apologized like 50 times and told him I would leave right away to get him. But one of his friends was already bringing him home. I know; it's kind of sad, but I have 100 things on my mind these days... I guess that's the life of a mom.

Sweet Simplicity

2009-03-06T11:47:00.000-08:00

Days seem to come and go so quickly. I don't always get much accomplished, but I do enjoy every minute of watching little miss Sophia. She has been growing so quickly and it seems that each week she is doing something better than the last week. We just love to sit and make her "talk" and watch her smile. I often wonder what we did before we had her. She took her first "walk" to mail box yesterday with my sister. She really seemed to like being outside. She played in the water with Nini (my mom) and loved that as well. As much as I look forward to hearing her first word and seeing her first step there is very much a part of me that wishes I could keep her this small forever. Just to have her hold tight to me and smile so big when she sees me... I hope that never goes away. And as much I know it will probably change for her it won't for me. I am so thankful for her... what a sweet blessing.

2009-02-17T14:59:00.000-08:00

What a week! It's crazy how quickly time goes by. I remember hearing my parents say that when I was younger and I always thought they were crazy. But it is so true. The older I get the more I cherish my time with the ones I love. I am so blessed with such a wonderful family - and it keeps growing! I think I am really learning to slow down and enjoy each day. But with that said... Jordan and I bought a house and close in March. Jordan was gone for work for 4 days and is gone today and tomorrow picking up his car in Boston. So as much as I know it's important to slow down and enjoy life, there is much to be done! Esp in the coming months! I have to be honest; I almost had a nervous break down when Jordan told me they accepted our offer on the house. All I could think about was being alone with Sophie...all the time! (ha, ha) We have been so blessed by my parents with them letting us stay with them while we were looking for a house. And for me that meant so much help adjusting to being a mom. I think Jordan knew right away why I was so quiet when he told me because after 30 seconds of silence he assured me we wouldn't be in the house until this summer and even then I will be at my mom and dads to swim. He knows me so well! How do all of you do it? Being a mother I mean. When do you shower? When do you eat? I had the luxury - and I do mean LUXURY - of taking a shower whenever I was ready because there was someone to watch Sophie. Don't get me wrong I have been alone with her plenty... I'm not sitting around doing nothing while someone else raises my child. But there is laundry, cooking, cleaning, showering, eating, feeding the baby, changing the baby, answering all of peoples many questions on how you are liking being a mom... the list goes on. How do you do it alone????? But Jordan and I know it's the right time to make the move and we are excited. We have a lot of work to do to the house, but again, lots of help! FAMILY IS WONDERFUL!

I'm Taking Over!!!

2009-02-05T18:32:00.001-08:00

So... I have decided to take over the blogging! Jordan stays pretty busy and doesn't have much time to keep it up to date. Sophie is getting so big. It seems like every morning I wake up and she's out of an outfit she could wear the day before. It's amazing how quickly it goes by. She has changed our lives and we love it! She wakes up (after sleeping 8 to 9 hours!!!!!!!!!!!) with big stretches and even bigger smiles. She tries so hard to talk (or something like it) and makes the cutest little noises ( I know - every parent thinks this of their child). We just can't seem to get enough of her. Many times I find myself doing nothing the entire day except watching her sleep then stretch then eat then make faces and talk and then do the whole thing all over again. We are so thankful that God has given her to us... she's just perfect.

2009-01-27T20:51:00.000-08:00

Here is a little something I have been meditating on lately. You could call it a litmus test for discerning the will of God. I think the will of God is two-fold. You need to feel called to something. That's the first fold. But you also need to feel released from where you are or what you're doing. That is the second fold.

Here's where it gets complicated. Feeling called to and released from don't always happen simultaneously. In fact, they rarely do! If you feel called to something, but don't feel released from where you are, then you need to stay put. And God will honor your faithfulness! Where it gets even tougher, emotionally and spiritually, is when you feel released from something, but you don't know what God wants you to do next. It's like spiritual no-man's land. And that is when you need the courage to take a step of faith.

I read a story about Peter Marshall, former chaplain to the U.S. Senate in the 1940's, before he moved to DC to assume the pastoral position of New York Avenue Presbyterian Church. He was approached by their search committee and asked to serve as their pastor. It was the opportunity of a lifetime. And he felt called. But he didn't feel released from where he was. So he said no.

This is an excerpt from the letter he sent to the chairman of the search committee.

While realizing that no man's work is ever finished, I am persuaded that there yet remains much work which I am to do at Westminster [the church he pastored in Atlanta]. I could not conscientiously say that I have done all that I could have done here.

I feel furthermore, that I am not yet ready for the responsibilities and the dignities which would be mine as minister of the New York Avenue Church. I am too young, too immature, too lacking in scholarship, experience, wisdom, and ability for such a high position.

God has not yet indicated that I am to leave here. I am aware, and keenly conscious of the call to Washington, but not, as yet, of any call away from Atlanta.

For the record, the search committee couldn't find a better candidate so they checked back in eleven months. At that time, Peter Marshall felt released from his current position. He not only served at New York Avenue, but it opened the door to become chaplain to the U.S. Senate.

Peter Marshall once said, "a call of God is a two-sided call--there is a call 'to' a work, and there is a call 'from' the present work."

I cant help but make this blog a little spiritual and share my thoughts every so often. So for those few who were hoping for a pic . . . oh well. go to www.facebook.com and check out my wifes page :)

its all how we look at it

2009-01-18T16:38:00.000-08:00

Just recently, Sophie has been smiling in response to anyone who smiles at her. Shes not selective about it either. The person can be a complete stranger and when they give her a genuine smile she always smiles back with the cutest grin and often sticks her tongue out too! its so pure and cute. And for me, its amazing. Ive never felt anything quite like it . . . when im holding her, i love to look into her big brown eyes (that look just like Courtneys) and smile at her. Within seconds she begins grinning ear to ear uncontrollably and her head bobs side to side in excitement. She doesnt smile much on her own but she always responds to a smile with one of her own. Its an awesome thing that i often find myself thinking about all through the day longing to see her do it all over again when i come home.

Yesterday, Sophie and I were exchanging smiles when i realized that this must be how God feels. He is just waiting for us to take some time to look at Him, focus on Him, look deep into His eyes so we can see that He is smiling at us. And i thought - I wonder how many people dont realize how much God loves them. How much God would love us to spend some time realizing that He is smiling at us. I wonder if we would recognize this if we would smile more, if we would enjoy life more, if we would love others and love ourselves more? You know, the way Christians are suppose too. So I wonder if today, we spent more time thinking about much God loves us and is always smiling proudly upon us, and less time thinking about our shortcomings and failures, if we would have more of an impact on our world around us?

disappointing . . .

2009-01-18T16:28:00.001-08:00

I just finished watching a very disappointing Eagles football game. 5 NFC championships in 8 years and only 1 of those trips converted in a super bowl appearance which ended up being a loss.

I have come to the healthy conclusion that sports are a lot like relationships. Sometimes they let you down but for a true sports fan and someone who understands the importance of great relationships, you realize that they are always worth it!

Now ill throw a pic in here because that's what you all really want to see -

its been awhile . . .

2008-11-30T16:45:00.001-08:00

so heres a little update -

sophia brielle smucker is doing great! i can tell she is very excited to meet all her family in PA soon. she cant stop talking about it! courtneys doing great too. i dont have much to compare it too but she seems to be doing really well after just 1.5 weeks since a loooong labor (21 hours). sophie sleeps at about 3-4 hours at a time and is awake for an hour or so. which gives court and i a good nights rest. i go back to work tomorrow after a good amount of time being off and i have a good feeling im gonna miss my daughter!

i would go into more detail but im not sure who all reads this blog and i think its just my mom and sister and they know everything anyway so lets get to some good pics!

life in a hut

2008-10-13T10:50:00.000-07:00

so the whole HUT project thing started this past saturday - its been interesting thus far. Pastor Mike made a comment in every service about feeling free to stop by and honk your horn at 3am . . . so people have done very similar things. one beautiful thing about living in this brilliant idea of a hut is the number of people that bring us food. we have plenty of food brought to us daily. the conditions arent really that bad. last night i was pretty cold but all in all, its worth the fact that we have raised over 5000 dollars which is waaaaaay more than we thought. this is literally giving us the ability to pour concrete floors and dig a well for a poverty stricken area of the dominican. we have had so many people commend us for doing what we are doing which is great. our church truly understands that this isnt just for fun (cause its not fun trust me) and its not just because Noah and i are kind of odd, but its to help change lives and give us an avenue to share the amazing love of Christ to a people need a message of hope and love.

without further adu. . . check out the pics - the one is a picture of inside the church looking out to the hut in direct view of where everyone walks in and out of the church! its great!

2008-09-29T07:02:00.000-07:00

our youth ministry - especially the staff - comes up with some creative ways of fundraising.

in april, we are going on a missions trip to the Dominican Republic. we are taking 14 students and 7 adult leaders including myself. well . . . this is a pricey trip as you can imagine, so we are trying to be creative in finding ways to raise money to keep the cost more manageable.

thats where the hut for humanity comes into play. Noah and i built a 'replica' of a Dominican hut and we are going to live in it starting oct. 11th. for every 500 dollars we donated, we will spend 1 night and 1 day in the hut. its just hanging out in the church parking lot, its going to be our home soon. its hideous and we are both a little surprised that administration is allowing us to keep this hut in the front of the church as advertising. we have an awesome church! look at this thing . . .

tiff and johns wedding

2008-09-23T18:31:00.000-07:00

recently, court and i went to hilton head SC for courts sisters wedding. it was a destination wedding and it was awesome. we had soooo much fun. we stayed in a huge house right on the beach with friends and family. noah and steph nickel (great friends) followed us down on the long trip. we left right after youth group on a wednesday night and noah and i talked on our walkie talkies the whole time giving each other the strangest fight match ups between friends and people we never met and determining the victor. it made time go very fast. we couldnt make it the entire way without pulling over to sleep a little so we pulled off into a hotel parking lot that look fine at 5:30am but at 7:00 am in daylight it looked a little shady. oh well.

the wedding - right on the beach behind the house, gorgeous weather. the reception- right in the backyard, awesome sunset. it was a fun 4 days for us. the trip home seemed a little long but we made great time. at one point, a few of us were swimming in the ocean when a school of 30-50 dolphins started jumping 20 yards in front of us. kinda surreal. jordan yoder, noah and i were very tempted to swim out with them and then we realized ' these are wild animals'. heres a few pics . . .

baby pic

2008-09-22T19:44:00.000-07:00

so you cant actually see the baby but you can see the belly that the baby is in. . . my sister took some awesome pregnancy pics for courtney and I and we think they turned out great. man my wife is hot! thanks jess!

2008-09-02T17:50:00.000-07:00

this was our first project as parents . . . putting together our pack n' play!

Courtney had a staff meeting today where she was surprised to find that all the people she worked with pitched in and bought us this. Very very cool! Soooo . . . my wife is not very patient when it comes to opening and playing with gifts; as soon she got home she started to put it together. Now she is very handy but there was one part that she just couldnt figure out. I, however, figured it out with one hand (literally, i was on the phone with the other). I know, its a gift, im very talented!

I think our little baby girl will like this very much. since we tend to travel in and out of PA a lot she should get very comfortable with it.

Building a hut

2008-08-29T09:26:00.001-07:00

Sorry. I tried to send this picture from my phone and it didnt work so well.

Ill update you more on this in the future but for now . . .
Our youth group is going on a missions trip to the dominican republic in April 09' and my friend and i are living in a hut to raise money. How, you ask??? well, we will have people sponsor us per night we stay in this hut. no showers, no change of clothing, living in a hut that we build ourselves (still building it as we speak, ill show pictures when its finished) right in front of our church. Our goal is to raise 2500 dollars and to sleep in this thing for 5 nights. we love our students!!!

2008-08-24T12:33:00.001-07:00

this is funny . . .

2008-08-24T09:28:00.001-07:00

so Jordan Yoder randomly came across this and sent it to me and i thought it was so very true. its pretty funny, you need to check it out -

http://www.offroaders.com/Destinations/Lancaster/Lancaster.htm

an email i recieved earlier -

2008-08-20T06:36:00.000-07:00

Mike Guglielmucci is a worship leader for hillsong and is widely known through integrity music - God gave him this song the same day that the doctors diagnosed him with cancer. i thought it was inspiring and i thought everyone would enjoy. . . copy and paste the link
http://www.ccli.com/usa/Community/CCLITV/Default.aspx?v=ef9e450c-ee35-4bdf-935e-2f6dd60aa65d

this is my blog

2008-08-19T19:05:00.001-07:00

the purpose of this entire thing is to share my life (i enjoy sharing my life) with my amazing friends and family in my neighboring & home state of Pennsylvania. it seems as though ive been on a journey for the last 2 years that some of the people i care the most about haven't been able to share with me. im not always the best with communicating whats going on in my life through phones so i thought i would give this a shot. im a transparent person - so family and friends - this is my way of sharing my thoughts, my days, and hopefully many pictures too!

our baby is getting bigger ---->