Super Bowl Tradition

Our Super Bowl party has become a Super Bowl tradition with kids.  We've been getting together with our neighbors for the Super Bowl to eat supper and have a good time, now with kids in the picture it's even more fun.  We (the moms) watched our kids play, fight and get into mischief more than we watched the game.  (unlike the dads)  It's so much fun watching our kids grow and mature.  Watching Matthew interact with all the other kids made Bradley and I feel so blessed, just to see how far he has come and how "normal" he actually is.  God is an amazing God.

Here are few pictures of some of our gang watching the game and then the cutest picture of our boys eating supper.  There was 16 of us total including 5 boys (5yrs-2yrs) and 3 girls (16yr old, 3yr old and a 3 mos.)  Of course boys will be boys, Matthew has his first "fight" that we witnessed, it was actually a tug of war fight with a play banjo.  Matthew was playing with it but Jackson wanted it so Matthew tugged back away from Jackson who also had a hold of the banjo and said "Mine!", which it actually belonged to Jackson.  Teaching boys, 2 yr olds at that how to "share" is impossible.  However, Jackson went on his merry way and Matthew won the battle.  Bradley and I are somewhat proud of Matthew that he stood up for himself but yet hope this doesn't become a horrible habit.

Our two most adorable little girls at the party was Miss little Lacy, 3 mos.  sleeping through all the chaos and her sweet motherly big sister Lily, 3yrs.  Lily pretend to be all the boys "mother" during the night-between her bossing them around and hugging and kissing them she somehow fits right on in.  The teenage years are going to be very interesting for ALL of us.  Matthew took a real interest in all the things Lily was doing, we caught them two in Lee's bedroom playing and standing on the desk which Lily ended up falling off of.  Low and behold, Matthew got gone and we heard a loud BOOM and Matthew was back in Lee's bedroom trying the same stunt Lily had just done and to no avail he falls just like her.  He seems to think he's invincible when around alot of other kids his age.

I saved the best for last, the most ADORABLE picture ever!!!  Matthew and Brayden are the best pals you'd ever meet.  They were stuck like glue together all night.  They both have alot in common -shy, don't talk very much, and they loved pop guns.  We've been patiently waiting for Matthew's speech to come, which by all means it is but compared his speech to Brayden's it's just about the same.  I hate to compare kids, but this made us feel good, 6 mos behind isnt' so bad, especially when these two understand each other. 

God has blessed us with families but he has also blessed us with "Friends".  This bond we have with each other before our kids came was strong and now even stronger which is something I hope we all pass down to our kids so that they too will stay close to each other as they grow and start there own lives.

Until next time, Good night and God Bless!

What A Week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a week!!!! This past week has been a trying one for me. Trying to be everywhere at once and being there for everybody.  First, Matthew gets sick at school with a 48 hour stomach flu.  HORRIBLE!!  Which of course I didn't get any sleep what so ever.  Luckily for us he was better by that Sunday for "open house" at Nancy Reynolds.

Nancy Reynolds is a  BEAUTIFUL school, Matthew is going to love it!!  They are having a Pre-K so he'll start there this fall as long as there is enough students.  YEAH!!!!

Here is a picture of Matthew's classroom.  As you can tell it's empty because fall of 2010 will be the first class.  His room has there own bathroom and laundry room.  My baby is growing up.

This is the kindergarten class room.  Notice the "chalkboard", my the times have changed.

And of course, Matthew's favorite place-The Library.  Matthew was still a little under the weather when we visited here but the books got his attention.

 Now for the BIG news!!!!!!  Matthew has a new baby cousin born the following Monday at 1:15am.  My sister wanted our mom and me to be there with her and her husband, so of course she decides to go at midnight with me only having about 5 hours sleep since the Friday before.  She had an interesting labor, 3hrs and 15 mins. long.  When she got to the hospital, Jacob's head was already out so she had NO PAIN MEDS.  She was a trooper though like always.  And like always I missed this birth to, got there right at 1:15am, just like I missed Nathan's (her first) due to Bradley thought he was having a heart attach and we were in the ER during that delivery.  At least I get to witness my own.

Jacob Christopher was 7lbs 11oz and 20 3/4" long.  He's a really good baby too.  Nathan loves him to pieces.

Matthew didn't know what to think about little Jacob, he did kiss him a couple of times but didn't want to hold him.  While I fed Jacob, Matthew sit beside of me the whole time with his hand on my leg.  He's slowly learning he's not the baby anymore but once he got used to Jacob, Matthew started playing again with Nathan.  (just like boys)

After the birth I went back home and got Matthew ready for his first dentist appt. and back to Winston I go.  His appointment went really well and he done so good.  He actually enjoyed it so now we're going every 6 months.  Once I dropped Matthew back off at school I went home for some sleep (at this point I'm going on 8 hrs since Friday) but to no avail an hour into my sleep I get up sick with the stomach flu which made me feel like I was dying.  Laying beside the toilet in the bathroom is no fun.  Finally after a couple of days we're all back to normal and caught up on sleep.

Matthew is also getting prepared to move up a class at preschool, which is a good thing.  He's starting to miss his friends and with the younger kids coming into his class he's not getting all the stimulation and encouragement from kids his age and he starting to act like he's still a baby.  I talked to his pediatrician about this because we were worried thinking it could be the "Jourberts" but according to her this is all "normal"and could last for a couple of months.  Toddlers HATE change.

Til next time

Looking Back at 2010

Looking back at 2010 has been a real eye opener, from heartache to pure joy.  God has carried us through this year sometimes it takes moments of reflection like these to really see it.  I know He will carry us through each year whether good or bad I just hope I keep that in mind at every moment.
Matthew was for the second time diagnosed with Joubert Syndrome back in May and it was confirmed in August while we visited at NIH.  Most children diagnosed with this rare genetic disorder (500-600 children worldwide) have global delays.  The average age for walking and talking is 4yrs old.  Some individuals have issues with their kidneys, liver or eyes too.  While participating at NIH we found that Matthew did have an abnormal texture pattern on his liver but it also could appear to be normal too, hard to tell til he gets older, also we found that Matthew's optic nerve was malformed but to NIH's surprise doesn't affect his vision as of now. 
Matthew, however, has shown us a complete miracle.  Here are a few of his milestones that he reached in 2010 that he wasn't suppose to reach:

1.) Walked at 20months
2.) Started to potty train at 22 months
3.) By 24 months could use a spoon and fork well, do zippers
4.) At 24 months could draw a circle and horizontal and vertical lines
5.) At 24 months could say at least 20-25 words, still dropping the ending, but could sign a two-three word sentence.
6.) At 26 months started preschool
7.) At 26 months started running a little, more of a fast walk.
8.) At 28 months could say at least 60 words, still dropping the ending some and starting to say two word sentence.
9.) At 28 months started to sing the words to "Up on the House Top"
10.)  At 29 months became the ultimate RISK taker by wanting to climb, jump and stand on anything that can and cannot   move and wants to do everything all by himself.

These are just a few of the BIG milestones we've overcome.  Matthew is doing so GREAT, God is sooooo good.  I love his MERCY and His Grace.

Now to Our New Year's Party

We had our New Year's Party at my cousin, Jonathan's house, this is his dog Maggie.

We finally finished our Phase 10 game and played another one by midnight.  Our excitement of the night though is when Jonathan's smoke detectors went off and we couldn't get them turned off.  We honestly thought the house was on fire because we had candles burning and a fire in the fireplace.  Needless to say it woke us up good.  Jonathan said that's the first time that's ever happened since he's lived there.  What luck our family has when we're together.

Matthew and Linda fell asleep while we were playing cards.  They couldn't hold out.

On New Year's day we head to my parent's house for my mom's Birthday Party.  She's a New Year's Baby. (57 Years Old)

This paddle (it's a boat paddle) has been in our family for years, it belongs to my uncle Gurney.  This paddle has been around since I was little, so it's over 30 yrs old.  This is known as the "Birthday Paddle".  Everyone in my family has had their birthday whoopings with this.  Matthew had the honour of giving my mom her paddling- HE LOVED IT!!!

Hope everyone had a safe and Happy New Year, let's hope and PRAY that this Year 2011 will be better than 2010.

Christmas Memories

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The True Meaning of Christmas

Matthew had his first debut in his first Christmas play last night at church.  I know this picture isn't the best.  The lights in the church where turned down way too dark.  My video didn't even show.    Matthew done so good.  We're so proud of him, he couldn't wait to walk up the isle with his Sheppard's staff.  Last year at this time if you told me that Matthew would be able to do this- I don't know if I would've believed you.  It's humbling to see the "Power of  Prayer".
As with any Christmas play involving little ones, nothing ever goes according to plan.  My nephew, Nathan was just the little menace through the whole thing and my sister all 8 and 1/2 months pregnant was just as moody and nasty as her own son.  Christmas, it brings the best in all of us out. HAHA, sorry just a little poking the fun at my sister, but last night it was the truth.  ( Nathan and her needed a NAP)

Earlier in the day, we had our annual SMITH Christmas Party at the fire dept.  As you can see being a Smith we all tend to be a little nutty.  It's in the genes.

Our family gathering took place at our local fire dept. which was ok, but I think it should've been held in someone's home.  More intimate that way and Christmassy (if that's a word)  So, being the LEO that I am, I told our clan that next yr. the party is at my house and of course I got the LOOK from Bradley- gotta love him.

You wouldn't be a Smith if you didn't take cards seriously.  Look how intense this game of "Phase 10" is.  We've been trying to finish this game since Thanksgiving and we're still not done.  Hopefully we'll finish up at New Year's.

Besides the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ being the best gift ever, God gave us families as second.  I'm truly blessed with a wonderful family.  Yes, we're all disfunctional, but that's what makes it so grand.  My family fits with me and each one makes me who I am, they're apart of me, have become apart of Bradley and they all are apart of our sweet son, Matthew.  My family has taken Matthew under they're wing like no other and they all help Bradley and I make him feel Loved, Confident and Special.

I am truly, truly BLESSED.

It's Beginning to Look ALOT Like Christmas!!

It's starting to look a little like Christmas here at the Marshall's!  Matthew LOVED the tree, he hung his ornaments in the same spot and he then tried to hang his Christmas Stocking on the tree to, it was so CUTE!!

I think I had mentioned before in one of my previous blogs that Matthew is in our church's "bell choir".  He and my nephew Nathan are little sheppards.  Matthew surprisingly does very well walking with his staff and participates very well with everyone and does his part.

Our fist debut was our own Danbury's Tree Lighting Service.  It was so cold and windy that I put Matthew's snow suit on him just to keep him warm.  The picture above is just a few of our little choir.

The finale was the actual lighting of the tree!

Just an update of sorts.  We're all battling a terrible bug.  Matthew has strep (again, a back set from 2 weeks ago), I have a sinus issue and poor Bradley has the stomach thing going on along with the sinus issues too.  Just love this time of year.

Good news!!!  Matthew is saying about 40 words now, he's still leaving the ending off of some of the words but is doing Great at talking some.  His speech therapist Amy Claire is going update his goals for the next six months.  This is so EXCITING.
 Matthew is now in a toddler bed.  We're going through the night time battles of him wanting to get out of bed and walk down the hall saying "Mommy" and then just getting him to stay in bed is the big one.

 He's such a MIRACLE!!!

Good Night ALL and GOD BLESS!!!!

Breakfast with SANTA!!!!

We LOVE this time of year.  Matthew got to participate in his first "Breakfast with Santa" given by Stokes Partnership.  It was so much fun, Matthew really enjoyed.  It was so COLD, we had to wait in line outside of the church for at least 10 mins.

Matthew enjoyed his pancakes, fruit and his milk.  See how HAPPY he is.  Below is us waiting in line to see Santa, Matthew done really good with him, he didn't cry one bit.  He walked right up to him.

 After talking with Santa we headed to the crafts.  Matthew had wanted to get his face painted but once in the chair he refused.  At least he tried.

We left just before lunch and we decided to do a little Christmas shopping.  Once we came out of Wal Mart it was putting down the snow, I couldn't believe it!!  Matthew loved the snow he was trying to catch the snowflakes out in the parking lot.  He's so sweet.

This is a picture of our ride home in the snow.  God perfects beauty with breath taking moments like this.