is my ONE front tooth! We've been singing that song to Caleb since he lost one of his big front teeth on Sunday.  Now he looks like he's been living on the streets with no dental care, but we still think he's cute!        Derek and I brought this little painted box back from…

On Monday night we headed to my brother and SIL's house for an early Christmas celebration with my Dad and Christy…Mark and Anne joined us too.  Michael and Olivia did such a beautiful job hosting and preparing a yummy meal.  We opened gifts (I got the CUTEST brown and pink polk-a-dot robe!).  And we played…

My dad and Christy came to celebrate Christmas with us this week.  On Monday morning we took the kids bowling and had the best time.  It's been way too long since I've tried that and it took me a while to get in the groove (let's face it…I really don't have a groove!)  I had fun…

Did a BIG grocery shopping trip this morning.  Now I will become a permanent fixture in my kitchen over the next 6 hours as I… make lemon pound cakes…4 of them, to be exact (a Smith tradition) make more cranberry bars for neighbor delivery tonight make enchiladas for tomorrow make tres leche cake for tomorrow make…

We go every year to the mall to sit on Santa's lap and get a picture taken.  We moved here in 2000, just in time for the new mall to open (August 3, 2000…Derek thinks I'm weird for remembering).  That Christmas Jacob was 15 months and we took him to see Santa.  That SAME Santa…

Everyone at our house is thrilled about having a two-week break from the routine of school.  I went yesterday to attend the boys' classroom parties, and was reminded once again about how grateful I am for their teacher's this year.  We've had not so good years.  But Mrs. Tennison and Mrs. Rutter really "get" and…

For over 6 months now, I've had the privilege of teaching a great little class of 5 year olds at church.  Many of the classes have dual teachers, but I'm on my own.  At one point, I had 8 kiddos in my class, but now I only have 7.  And they are so sweet.  They…

Christmas gifts for teachers…DONE Christmas shopping…DONE Christmas gifts wrapped…almost DONE Christmas cards sent…as of one hour ago, DONE Christmas treats delivered…halfway DONE Christmas packages sent…DONE Christmas sinus infection treated with antibiotics…DONE Christmas visit to the collision center to have car repaired…DONE (well, my part is done…their part is just beginning, thank you Enterprise rent-a-car) Christmas…

My favorite Christmas decorations are the ones that depict the birth of Jesus Christ.  I love to see the different interpretations.  I have been collecting different nativities for a few years now, and I love putting them out each year.  Here are some of the ones in my collection.   I love rustic, simple nativities. …

Over Thanksgiving, my Dad and Caleb worked together on Caleb's letter to Santa…on a BIG poster board!  It was not as much a letter as it was a drawing and a list of 10 items he was wishing for…two of which were living things.   When we got home we rolled it up, rubber-banded it and…