Sweet Simplicity

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.

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!!!

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.

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

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 . . .

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 . . .

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!