Monday, December 20, 2010

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.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

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!!!!

Monday, December 6, 2010

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.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving 2010!!!!

Yes, it's Thanksgiving one of my favorite times of year.  My family LOVES to get together.  At least the majority of us do.  We eat, laugh and play lots of games.  Matthew really enjoyed this Thanksgiving because he's no longer in the high chair and has moved up the ladder to the "kids table".  Matthew is at a stage now where he wants to mix all of his food together and then eat it.  As long as he eats it I don't care how it gets there.
Below is a picture of the "Smith Cousins"at least the majority of them.  There's 14 of us in all.  We look back at our pictures and boy we are getting OLD.  My aunt Judy tells us were going through the mid life spread. HAHA!
All in all we had a GREAT Thanksgiving it just went by way to fast.  Below are just a few more picts of our Thanksgiving.
My Aunt Margaret, Matthew and my Aunt Judy who we're so thankful to God that she's still here with us after her stroke this year.  Below is my uncle Gurney and my cousin Beth.

I am so thankful to God for the family he put me in.  I love huge gatherings and my family is HUGE, when we ALL get together there is about 40 of us and soon to be more.  Family is one of the best gifts God gives, however, I'm most thankful for my son Matthew who can show doctors and others that miracles still happen.  I thank God for her Mercy and His Blessings on me and my entire family.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Milestone UPDATE

Matthew is making HUGE strides in his development lately.  Just watching him you can't really tell that he's behind much.  His walking is improving everyday, he's starting to do more of a heel to toe walk and is almost trying to run inside some.  We're still working on walking outside in the grass and gravel, hard to believe but he does better walking in gravel than in the grass. 
Matthew is also starting to be a little dare devil and test his own abilities.  On Sunday I caught him trying to stand on one leg without holding onto anything.  He's starting to dance a little too, he loves ring around the rosies and the theme song to the "Wonder Pets" cartoon.

And our big news for the past couple of weeks, Matthew has started to pee in the potty standing up, he does it at school and here at home about 3 times a day and at night of course before bed.  He doesn't tell us but he does show us.   He does so well at remembering how to do things, stand on stool, pee, pull pants up, flush toilet and go wash and dry his hands.  With this new achievement also comes a scare.  Last week at school while potting, Matthew lost his balance and hit his chin on the toilet seat and bit his tongue.  He's ok but wouldn't eat much for a couple days.  Poor thing.

Matthew's fine motor skills are improving also, we've been working on how to hold a crayon and draw a circle.  He almost has it down.  He's at a stage now to where he wants to throw things, his crayons, balls, clothes, food , etc.

Matthew's speech is slowly, slowly improving, his understanding is improving but his speech comes and goes.  Matthew has a new speech therapist as of last week so maybe we'll see an improvement.  I still think it's his articulation and stubbornness.

He loves to pretend play and help out around the house as you can see above.

We are so, so proud of him.  If you're ever in doubt, God still does miracles-my baby is one of them.

Good night and God Bless!!

P.S.  Hope you voted today.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Happy Halloween,  Matthew really enjoyed Trick or Treating this year, by the time we were making our last stops Matthew finally got the hang of what to do.  His favorite candy by far is a Snickers bar and a Reeses Cup.

These are some of the crafts Matthew made at preschool.  Friday they had a Halloween Party and brought there crafts home.  Ms. Rose said that Matthew loves to paint and couldn't wait to paint his little pumpkin.
Matthew's first stop for Trick or Treating was to his buddies' house.  We had a puppy dog (Lee), a cow (Jackson) and a Sheep (Matthew), almost a complete farm.  Aren't they adorable!!!!!

Sunday, October 17, 2010

FRIDAY NIGTH LIGHTS!!!!

Yes Folks it's here, Friday Night Lights!!!!  We decided that we'd take Matthew to his very first football game this past Friday night.  It was our High School's Homecoming Game so what better time to go.  Matthew had a really good time.  He loved the lights, the band, all the clapping and his little visitor (a dog).

Here is a little preview of some of Matthew's time at the game.

It was a little bit chilly but sitting where we were the wind didn't hit so bad.  Bradley and I haven't been to North Stokes Football game in 15 years.  We've now realized at how old we are getting.
Once Matthew got settled in the stadium he refused for us to hold him, all he wanted to do was walk around and he was headed right for the stadium steps.  He has a new found love of walking up and down stairs all by himself.  We're so proud of him, however, Bradley had to pick him up and walk him around due to the temper tantrum that was about to come.


When we left at half time the score was 40-0. (Us being 0).  Oh well, it's all about having fun.