Sorry if I scared you...

I got quite a few phone calls and emails after that last post. Sorry. I really am ok. Just a stressful week and sometimes I take it out on my blog.

This week has been a trip. Thankfully Tori is finally feeling better, though all of us are barking around the house with colds. Aunt Miranda has been visiting this week and the kids have had such a blast! I will post a video of what they were doing the other night while I was making dinner. They all were laughing so hard that they were rolling on the ground.

Then yesterday the twins had their program at school. HI-larious. Classic Smith twins. They know all the words to all the songs - and the motions - but they didn't sing a lick. Watch and see...

Incredible camera work by me, as usual.

Here's how things ended up...



Both girls sitting on the edge of the stage on Nonnie's lap. Not sure they are going to have Maggie's stage presence, which may be a good thing. I don't know if we could handle three divas in the family.

This past week or two

Things I have been doing:

*Wiping noses
*Giving breathing treatments
*Carrying around Tori like an extra appendage
*Craving chocolate
*Satisfying my craving for chocolate
*Buying medicine
*Administering medicine
*Yelling a lot
*Feeling guilty at lot
*Overall losing it at least a couple times a day


Things I have not been doing:

*Exercising
*Reading my Bible
*Praying - except for the occasional "God Bless America" out of sheer frustration and a desire not to teach my kids words they shouldn't know yet
*Blogging

I am pretty sure that the things I have not been doing are directly affecting the things I have been doing. OK, not the sickness part, but the yelling/guilt/losing it parts. I know myself well enough to know that I cannot change out of sheer will, but I really need the Lord's strength to change my heart so that I'll take better care of myself, and in turn I'll take better care of my family. So, Lord, hook a sister up!

Just Breathe...

Ah, Faith Hill, you couldn't have said it better.

As many of you may have noticed, I haven't been blogging much lately. This Fall I found myself involved in quite a few weekends and activities that required a lot of time and preparation. At first I was a bit concerned that I had gotten myself in over my head. Once I realized that was quite true I threw my hands up in the air and asked the Lord to take my commitments and use my however He could. As is often the case when we give, we end up getting so much more. What a blessing these past few months have been.

In September I got the chance to spend a wonderful weekend with my little family at our church's first annual Family Camp. It was a blast. Ian and I got to speak on the weekend and as much as I loved preparing and giving that talk, I loved listening to Ian even more. There's really nothing better (or more attractive to me) than getting the chance to hear Ian speak from his heart. I love it...and I love him.

The kids had a blast too. We all took a family canoe ride, went swimming in the lake, ran around the camp, and had a chance to sing worship songs together. So much fun to see my kids learning to praise the Lord. And so great to have older kids in the church loving on my three girls. At one point in the weekend I looked around for Maggie and found her sitting on a high school girl's lap, just enjoying being with her. That high school girl (Emily) is also our Jesus-loving, super fun, really cute and kind babysitter - Maggie thinks she hung the moon. What a gift to me to see Maggie in total admiration of sweet Emily. It was an answer to a prayer I've had (and continue to have) for a long time; that my girls will have people in their lives who love them and point them to Christ. And Zoe just loved running around "free" and eating S'mores, while the middle and elementary school girls passed Tori around all weekend. There's not much better than seeing other people really loving your kids.

Over the next week or so I'll try to post about the other things I've seen and experienced this Fall. I am so grateful. I am so tired. I'm going to lie down for an hour before I have to pick up the twins! Mother's Morning Out is from Heaven.

Quote for the morning...

"Mom...Zoe's eating her cereal in the den...and she's naked."

Big Girl Bed

So we have had quite a big change in the Smith household. It's a long story, and you know how I love a long story, but I'll spare you this one. I'll just sum it up by saying that Tori is sleeping in her own room and we've moved Zoe into the room with Maggie. Not only is she in the room with Maggie, but she's in a big girl bed! It is so crazy weird that she is that old, but she was really ready. Since we've made this change literally every person in our house is sleeping longer and more soundly. Tori (after a return to the sleep training book) is not waking up every night; Zoe is thrilled with herself that she gets to sleep in Maggie's room, and Maggie has been gracious enough to agree to share. (I think she secretly loves having someone to sleep with!). It's been really cute and fun. My girls are getting big!

Fall pics

Question of the Day: How long has it been since you bit into a Snicker's bar?

Answer: Five minutes. Yummmm I love Halloween in all it's glory. By the way, if you haven't tried the Reese's Fast Break you must, well, make a fast break from your computer straight to your kids' candy stash and rummage around until you unearth one. They are really really good. Dare I say better than a normal Reese's? Yes, I dare say.

I know I haven't been blogging. I've been doing so much other stuff this fall that I have really let this slide. I'm sorry, for the four or five of you who read my blog. I'll try to be better!

Here are some pics from the fall. Some from our fall festival in the neighborhood and some from halloween. I know it's a lot, but you asked for it, Mom!

Twins Eating Limes

This one doesn't touch the lemon video, but it's still pretty darn cute. Especially Tori's face at the end.

Happy Birthday Yesterday Maggie

This is a classic and I can't believe I've never put it on my blog. Maggie was almost three and she was being babysat by Julie Sessoms and David Kernodle. Obviously you are not going to want to call them to sit for your kids! Kidding.

Bridget, Gidget, and Widget

Maggie and Tori do program

Ok, here goes...

This past weekend my friend Martha and I did program for Women's Weekend at Windy Gap. It's a weekend that my best buds and I put on every year and it's so fun. You gotta come if you're over 18 and, well, a woman.

Annnnnyway, I can't believe I'm doing this, but here are the videos from the weekend. The first two are ladies called "The Jans" who sang at meals. After all, "A meal without music is like a girl without her pearls." The second two videos are of "Bridget and Gidget" and they are basically just two single ladies from somewhere not in the South (their accents change like the wind). These gals were just trying to teach everyone how to get a man.

Enjoy...

Two Jans Are Up and Gone to Target (In their Minds)

Two Jans are Cougarlicious

Bridget and Gidget are Single Ladies

Bridget and Gidget Ribbon Dancing

Busy much?

Lest you think I've been sitting around eating bon bons and watching Oprah, I thought I'd update you.

It all started in full effect this week. Maggie and the twins in school, my moms' Bible study on Monday mornings, PT and OT on Wednesdays and Fridays. Oh, and let's throw in a little outpatient surgery shall we? Tori got tubes in her ears this morning. We've been up since 5 am (Nonnie's been up since 4:30 and got to our house at 6!). Tori did great. She is such a trooper. The Lord knew what He was doing when he gave her such a sweet and easygoing disposition because if either Maggie or Zoe were going through these procedures we'd be up a creek.

So we're home tonight and then off to Family Camp for the weekend. (If you're reading this and you're a crook, please don't rob my house...unless you want a Little Tikes playhouse that's sitting on my back porch. Ian HATES that thing and refuses to put it up in the yard). Anyway, we are heading out tomorrow morning on a retreat with families from our church. Ian and I have the privilege of speaking on Sunday, which should be fun. I always love to hear him speak and I don't get the opportunity that much. Then we're back on Monday and leave again on Thursday for my Women's Retreat at Windy Gap. Woo hoo! I am doing program (skits) with my HI-larious friend, Martha, and I can't wait. It's also the only time during the year that I get to see my closest friends who plan this retreat with me. What a blessing to be a part of these two weekends!

If you're up for it, please pray for us as we go. Pray for good health mainly, and that our family will flourish in this time together. I am really excited!

Pics to come...

Things I did today that were exciting...

*Went to a preschool meeting without my preschoolers
*Sat in the parking lot of McDonald's drinking my $1 coke and filled out medical forms...all while listening to the radio station of MY choice
*Had an uninterrupted meeting at the church where I was actually able to have more than one thought on any topic we chose
*Looked at two catalogs and wished I could buy lots of clothes
*Dropped of ALL of my girls at "school"






I loved doing all of those things. Today was really a celebration of sorts for me. I feel like it's another way that we've "made it" through another hurdle of parenting multiples.

I have to admit, though, that what I loved even more than doing those things was picking all three of them up today. Zoe and Tori told me all about their day (who was in their class, that they played and ate grapes...though I'm not sure about the grapes). And even though Maggie is a big time first grader she still runs off the bus and straight to me to give me a hug. I just love it.



Sweet Nonnie called me from Toys R' Us yesterday and said that she read my blog about small backpacks for the twins. She said that she walked in the store and prayed, asking the Lord to help her find tiny backpacks (especially for Tori), and if they could have Dora on them then that would just be icing on the cake. Well, as you can see, she found the last two tiny Dora backpacks...in pink, nonetheless. I just love it when the Big Guy is in the details. It's these little things that keep me encouraged, knowing that He is looking out for my "Little Thing".

Let's go, GNO...

Well, more like a GWO. Maggie and I spent the weekend here in Columbia together while Ian and his mom took the twins to Columbia. Ian had a guys weekend planned at my parents' lake place so Sandy and my parents watched the twins for the weekend. Maggie had "meet the teacher" day on Friday so we needed to stay here for that. And let me tell you that we had a blast. It was soo good and so fun to get to spend time with just Maggie. I mean, we get to spend a good amount of time together and do a lot of special things, but this was just really fun. I don't know that I'll ever get that kind of time with the twins individually, but this weekend with Maggie made me want to make one on one time a priority.

We still had all our normal arguments and drama ("Mom, why can't I have an ICEE", "Mom, WHEN is my supper going to be ready?", "Mom, I don't WANT to go to bed"). The attitude is in full effect and requires constant attention and whip cracking. But other than that, our time together was a blast. We went shoe shopping, painted pottery, went to the pool, played puzzles, ate popcorn for dinner and watched the Hannah Montana movie and "Princess Protection Program" ad nauseam. Getting ready for church was such a breeze, too. Took me back to the old days.

But I have to say that I really miss Z and T and CANNOT wait for them to waddle in the door here in a few minutes. I have really loved watching the two of them lately; the way they interact with each other and with Maggie. In so many ways I am ready for school to start tomorrow, but I have also really enjoyed watching my girls bond. They play like sisters and get each other giggling so hard they can't stop. I still believe it's the sweetest sound there is.

All that being said, school does start tomorrow for Maggie and then Zoe and Tori start Mother's Morning Out on Tuesday. As hard as it is to believe that Maggie is starting first grade, it is equally as hard to believe that I will be dropping the twins off at "school" twice a week, lunchboxes in hand. I think they're ready - they talk about it all the time. And I know I'm ready for them to go, but is it really time?! I mean, please picture those two getting out of my van THEMSELVES, walking into a church preschool with their teacher, and me just waving goodbye and driving off. Now picture a 15 pound child dragging a lunch box to class. I did a google search today for "tiny backpacks" but nothing is really tiny enough. Little T. Once again I can see the Lord's hand in giving her a twin sister to help her out and spur her on. I am so glad they're a team. It makes it easier for me to let them go, too.

Bottom line of this post is watch out Starbucks...Buffy's got 6 hours a week to herself!!!

Waaaah, waaaah

I have been thinking about my last post and feeling pretty guilty. Yes, it's been a rough weekend (well, couple years) in the health category of our lives, but we just have so many things to be thankful for.

This morning I checked my inbox to find my daily email from the Chromosome Disorder group we joined. The email each morning is basically a chat between parents or family of kids with different disorders. They post questions, fears, proud moments and problems. I am not able to go into detail here about the comments included in the emails because of a privacy clause, but I have to say that I stared at the screen stunned and amazed at what some parents deal with every day. Ian and I just sat here together and breathed deep.

I know pain and problems are all relative, but it is good to get things in perspective sometimes.

Thank you Lord for my sweet girls, for my husband who loves me, and for the doctors who take care of us on a weekly (and sometimes daily) basis. I am grateful today for health insurance, for Nonnie living a few miles away and being able to pop in, for Mom and Dad who support me and adore the girls, for Granny Franny who showers my kids with love. Thank you for my family - brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, cousins. Sometimes it feels like trying to take a sip from a fire hydrant...You have blessed me with so much family and they all pour out Your love on us. And my sweet friends who support me, pray for me, keep my children, and bring me dinners (no pressure here, ladies).

And thank You, Lord for my house. For my neighborhood, for air conditioning, for toys to play with. Thank you for food on our table, for chocolate ice cream, and really good coffee.

Thank You, Lord, for You. Thank You for promising that You will never leave me...

Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again...
Rejoice!
Let you gentleness be evident to all,
The Lord is NEAR

Phil. 4

Not the inspiration I was hoping for...

They say that adversity is the springboard of creativity (I don't know who "they" are and I don't think that's a saying...maybe I am "they" and I just made up a slammin quote). Either way, I think I could have done without this burst of drama that is catapulting me toward my computer.

We have the flu.

"Type A" flu.

What does that mean? Normal flu? Plain old run of the mill flu? Or...wait for it...

The dreaded Swine?

No clue. All they said was that we have the flu and we need to stay home for a few days. So, all of us are on Tamiflu, all of us are cranky, and all of us are moping around, bumping into each other, refereeing fights and eating chicken soup.

And if I see "Hotel for Dogs" one more time I'm going to have to take a jackhammer to the side of the Redbox video up the street.

It's really not that bad. We don't feel terrible. Just kinda puny. Oh and then there's the fact that Zoe is cutting two molars, which makes her act more like a frantic rabid screeching owl than a sweet and cuddly Zo-Zo. But it could be worse. I know that full well. Just wanted to vent a little.

I tell you, though, it may not get much worse for my sweet friends who have been over here the past couple days with their kids. Beth and the girls were over on Friday swimming in the red neck pool and slippin' slide in the yard. Then my friend Stephanie was here Thursday night with her three kiddos and we were all holed up in the house because of the rain. And Jen came by with her two girls to drop off a birthday invitation and they came in for a while. I can't decide who has it worse so I'll just let you vote...

Beth and her family are going on vacation today and they are taking their 13 y.o. to a Jonas Brothers concert. I can only imagine the dissapointment/despair that will run rampant through Caitlyn's veins if they get sick and can't go.

Stephanie and her family are also going on vacation this week. On a Disney Cruise. So I'm sure that will be fun if we've given them the flu and they are not only sick on a boat hundreds of miles off shore, but they infect the entire ship with Smith disease. It's a Magical Day at Disney.

Or Jen and her kiddos who don't have any major plans this week, but just got back from a family vacation in Hawaii...wait a minute, they shouldn't be in the running for this. Hawaii?! No fair. Still, I hope they don't get sick.

It is only fitting that we get this dreaded flu. After all, we have literally had every sickness known to preschoolers in the past 12 months. Need I list them again?

*Hand/foot/mouth virus (Not hoof and mouth, people)
*Numerous ear infections (Tori may have to get tubes)
*Violent throw up virus that ran through the house
*Zoe to the E.R. with Viral Meningitis...yeah, that really happened
*Strep throat for Maggie
*Zoe cracked her head open on the concrete when she was throwing a fit
*Swimmer's ear
*Goopie eye (that required drops)
*RSV (breathing treatments and steroids)
*Various diarrhea viruses that seemed to come and go all spring
*Oh my geez, the teething. Seriously, this might be the worst.
*And, lest we all forget, casts on both Tori's legs for three straight weeks

I'm pretty sure there's more, but that's all I can stand right now.

So don't I win some kind of award for surviving all these illnesses with my kids? Some kind of flexible spending account lottery or something?

Or maybe I just thank my lucky stars (and my sweet Lord) that we have made it this far without anyone keeling over and my marriage still in tact. Yeah, I'll take it.

Slacker...again

Hey. I know I haven't written in a while. It's not that I don't want to...it's just that I haven't been inspired. And I have quite a few things on my plate coming up for fall that require all of my "free time". And by "free" I mean trying to think while tuning out Playhouse Disney on TV, or sitting down during naptime to think only to wake up an hour later having not moved a muscle. Sorry guys. I'll get inspired soon.

Knock Knock

My nephew, Sam, is just about the sweetest thing on earth right now. Especially because he loves his "Aunt Buff" and he tells everyone just this by incorporating me into each and every knock knock joke he tells. It's hysterical. Keep in mind that he's not even two years old, yet he talks like a three year old.

So before you watch this video, let me interpret for you. This is how the jokes go...

*Knock Knock

*Who's there?

*Aunt Buffy

*Aunt Buffy Who?

*Tori! (Or Zoe or Maggie, but usually Tori)

We don't know why, but he always tells knock knock jokes, and he tells them the same way every time! Enjoy...

Country roads, take me home...

Last week the kids and I were in Columbia, as I've already shared with you, and we had such a blast. I have so much to post about it, but I'll start with this video from our visit to Papa's house. My kids LOVE going over there because they get these little snack packs that Papa fixes for them. Nana used to do it, but now Papa fills them up with sugar wafers (really is there any better cookie? have you had one lately?) and M&M's. The big kids get Mike & Ike's too.

Aaaaaanyway, my kids run in the door at Papa's house and then straight into the kitchen. Then they just stand there awaiting their treats. It's really cute. I caught the snack time on video and I have to tell you three things I love about it...

1. Papa's laugh toward the beginning of the video. It's just a classic laugh that we all try to mimic but we can't...it's just HIS laugh and it's awesome.

2. The way that my voice and my mom's voice turn ultra-Southern as soon as we walk into that house. Like when my mom says, "Oh Daddy, it's deeliiishous. Where'd you get that watermelon? At the market?".

3. The way Maggie interprets Tori's unintelligible sentence toward the end of the video. Thanks Mag. And watch how Maggie rolls her eyes and shakes her head at all of us. That's straight from me. Awesome.



In the back yard of Papa's there's an ANCIENT playset that the kids just love. I'm talking a "man I hope my kids are up to date on their tetanus shots" kind of playset. It's a blast, though, and Zoe and Tori were cackling while they played on it with Maggie. It's so fun to watch them all really become sisters. Enjoy the pics! Oh, and by the way, the last pic is of Zoe holding a picture of her real twin, my mom!

Riddle me this...

Why does a 37 year old woman who is babysitting her sister's children raid the pantry like she did when she would babysit as a 16 year old?

Ummmm, can you say popcorn, pretzels, beer and ice cream?

Straight chillin' in Columbia

The kids and I are in Columbia for the week and we're having a great time. Missing Ian a TON, but having fun nonetheless. Last weekend he was here with us and we spent the weekend at Jeannie and Kelly's house with just the younger kids. The older kids were at the lake with my parents at Camp Gammy and Doc. They had such a blast. Maggie called me every night and it went something like this...

"Mom, guess what?! I've got a surprise for you....I found PIRATE TREASURE!"

"Mom, guess what?! I've got ANOTHER surprise for you...I skied!! Gammy said I went almost as far as a football field!"

"Mom, guess what?! I've got one more surprise for you...I went FISHING with Doc. And.....I caught a fish! The biggest one out of the whole group!"

I can't tell you how happy it made me to hear about all her surprises. She was so excited and it just made me smile because I know she was able to relax, have a blast, and just be a six year old girl. They just played. And played. And played.

The reason I love it so much for her is because my sweetest memories from growing up are from time spent at Nana and Papa's lake house at Lake Murray. We went there almost every Sunday afternoon when the weather was warm, and often stayed a few days if we could talk Nana into keeping us for longer. Every time I am on the water riding in the pontoon or sitting in the porch swing at my parents' house I get this "little girl" feeling again. My memories of being at the lake growing up are just so peaceful and so relaxing. And so full of fun and laughter...and food. But I digress...we've already covered the Sloans' obsession with all things Southern and fried.

On Sunday we all met up at my parents' lake house to pick up the "big kids" and watch them do all their tricks they learned at camp. We also gathered because it's my parents' 40th wedding anniversary. Yep, I said 40. Wow. Don't see that too much anymore.

When Nana and Papa had their 40th we all went to the lake and had our picture taken. That was probably 1987 and let me just say that for a picture taken in the 80's it's really not too terrible. My hair, though sprayed within an inch of it's life, is still relatively normal looking. Anyway, that shot hangs in all it's glory at every Hair/Sloan/Stanton/Meyer household in the southeast. Sooooo, Jeannie got the idea that we should do the same thing for Mom and Dad. We did and let me just say that it turned out ok. Granted, there are a couple kids in the pic who are either not looking or are making faces like serial killers, but overall I think it turned out pretty good. To see the pic, just go to my sister-in-law's site because she has it posted from the weekend. http://www.ashevillesloan.blogspot.com/

Poor Ian, though. He was only going to be at the lake for a few hours on Sunday before he drove back to Jacksonville. And that time got shortened considerably because our van battery decided to die so he and my Dad spent the afternoon driving to and from Wal-Mart to find and replace the battery. I have to say that I love my husband for so many reasons, but when he takes care of things like that for me I just want to give him a big wet kiss on the mouth. I was single for a long time (at least it felt like a long time) and I had to take care of a lot of things on my own. I remember what it's like to have to haul things by myself, to call tow trucks, to pump gas when I'm all dressed up for a wedding or something. I know those are little things, but they sure do spell out love to me. I'm just grateful for this hunka hunka burnin love that God gave me.

Gotta run. I'm at Jeannie's tonight with her kids while she's at Bible study and Watts and Nate are upstairs going ape in their bunk beds. It's time for me to regulate. I so love that I am here...I never get to do these normal everyday life things with them, like threaten them within an inch of their lives.

A great summer day...

The last day of Jeannie's visit was spent basically at the pool and outside. The kids had a blast and were wiped out (which was the plan all along). I love the pics of the kids snarfing McDonald's...is there anything better after swimming for four hours than some yummy nuggets and chocolate milk? Seriously, I used to HOUSE some Mickey D's after swim meets when we were growing up. That's where my affinity for Big Mac's started - and continued with voracity during my pregnancy with the twins. Hmmm, maybe THAT'S why I'm having to do Weight Watchers...ya think?

Burn it, swim team.

Our summer...

We like to start em out early
(Thanks Uncle Kelly)

Maggie, Amelia and Elizabeth putting on a show

Mom and Tori on the train at the mall

Jeannie's oldest boys, Watts and Nate

Here are some random pics from the summer. Some are from our last trip to Columbia - that's me and Watts, my nephew, making faces. The others are of the girls in our "outdoor shower" (aka nasty roof runoff water).

Things have been going pretty well around here. Last week my mom was visiting and we had a really great time. We took the kids everywhere, but we didn't have an agenda, so it was really nice. We even got a sitter so we could have some girl time (without the girls). We went to the mall twice ( 'cause "Women Be Shoppin") and they have a new train there that takes you all over the bottom level of the mall. It's a trip and really fun...unless your child decided she wants to ride in the front "coal carrying" car that is not covered and is out in the open so everyone can see you as you ride by each store. It was fun, though.

This week the fun continued as Jeannie came to visit with her boys. Man, there were a lot of kids in my house. They were so good, though, and really ilarious. The older three just stuck together and swam until they turned into prunes. The younger three were content to just run around in circles and crack each other up. I loved every minute of it (except when I would lose my cool). I would so love to live in the same place as my sister and her kids, and my brothers and their kids. It's something that will always be a dream of mine, though I know it's unrealistic...but hey, a girl can dream.

My little Hannahs...

I'm a Slacker

Hey you guys. Sorry I haven't blogged in a while. No excuse, really. Just kinda enjoying a laid back summer.

I do want to thank you for voting for Miss Nancy! She won the voting and is waiting to hear if she won the whole contest. (At a closer look we realized that, amazingly, the Ouidad people could finagle it so that they choose the winner. Vague. We're still holding out hope that she wins since she totally killed everyone in the votes and she's got a great story). I took some pics of Tori and Nancy when we were there last week. Maggie went too because it's basically like kid paradise at that place. There are tons of cool toys and gadgets, tiny workout machines and gym mats. The pics of us wearing crazy glasses is a game that somehow helps your eye coordination or something like that. No clue really, but it looked funny and it was fun.








Stay tuned for some funny videos. I have been trying to get the girls singing Hannah Montana and I think I finally got one.

I know, I know...2 year olds singing Hannah Montana. It could be worse people. At least it's not Flo-Rida.

Numero Uno!!!

You all are amazing! Nancy is in first place. Yesterday at 3:30pm she had 13,492 votes...now she has over 20,000!!! I am sure this is directly related to all you folks checking my blog! Just kidding. I do think we've really helped a ton, though! Ian put it on IC (inside Carolina message boards) yesterday and that, along with some emial and facebook pleas, has launched her to the top! Woo Hoo!

Thank you so much for doing this. Remember you can vote once a day and tomorrow is the last day. Can't wait to let you know how she did!

Nancy's #2!

Holy cow. I really can't believe this! Please scroll down and vote for Nancy as much as you can. Only four more days.

She has moved from #14 to #2 (and I'm sure it's because of all the "Sleepless" blogettes). Thanks for supporting Tori by voting for Nancy!

Nancy's up from #14 to #7!

And I attribute that completely to all my peeps in blogland! Don't forget to vote for my little curly headed friend/OT! Scroll down and click the link...you'll see it.

All about "being healthy"

I don't like talking about my weight on here. And don't worry, I won't do it a lot. I just have to say, though, that it is just way too easy to slip back into old habits all too quickly. Like tonight after I got the kids to bed...are you ready for this...I turned on my gas stove and roasted marshmallows so that I could eat not one but TWO s'mores. Somehow I don't think that's going to get me to my goal. I know now why they have weight watchers meetings every week. It really is like an addiction sometimes. I am not comparing my plight with Hershey's to the struggle of alcoholism, but I do see that the 12 steps guy was onto something. There is just something important about being in it together with other people who share your struggle and are going to urge you on.

Once again, Troy and Gabriella of the High School Musical trilogy had it right when they proclaimed the universal truth, "We're all in this together."

Where would I be without HSM? It leads me and guides me - it plays over and over in my head and on my van DVD player each and every day.

Anyway, long story longer...I need to get back on the WW wagon. For my own sake!

Miss Nancy

So Tori has just the best Occupational Therapist ever here in Jacksonville. She is kind and generous, and she's exceptionally good at her work. She really cares for Tori and for our whole family. She's not just concerned with "her portion" of Tori's care, which is such a blessing for me, but she really involves herself in the whole self of Sweet T.

Oh yeah, and she has really beautiful curly hair. Which brings me to my point...

Nancy has been entered in this curly hair contest and she'll win a trip to NYC, a makeover, tickets to a show, some moolah, and a bunch of other stuff if we vote her in. I normally don't do stuff like this, but I am asking all you in blogland to just click on the link and vote for Nancy. She, like all of you, has been such a part of Tori's growth and development and I would LOVE for her to have this treat! Here's the link so you can see her cuteness and vote.

If These Curls Could Talk! Sponsored by Ouidad

Right now she's number 14 out of 551 so maybe we can put her over the top!

Just a few nuggets about two year olds...(in particular ones named Zoe Smith)

1. Don't feed them grits


2. Don't take them out in public unless you have loaded up on juice, snacks, and Xanax.

3. Always have chocolate ice cream on hand so you can run to the freezer and chow down as soon as their naptime begins.

4. Know that there is nothing more adorable than a two year old when she sings...

My Famous Friend...

Well, she's not famous yet, but she should be and she will be. Just wanted to tell all you folks in blogland about my good friend Margot Starbuck. What a cool name, by the way. It just makes me want to curl up with a mocha frapp and read a good book. And now I can do that and read HER book.

I just finished reading The Girl in the Orange Dress (Searching for a Father Who Does Not Fail). Well, it was more like devouring than reading. I blew threw that puppy and it's a really good book. I've never had a close friend write a book before. It was so fun to read, knowing the time and heart she put into it. There are some nuggets in there that I know I will chew on for a long time. And that's high praise coming from a woman who can barely communicate a complete thought these days.

What I love the most is that I feel like she could have been sitting in my living room and sharing her story with me. Her sense of humor comes to life on the pages and the way she tells her story is really real. I can't wait for you all to read it. Here's the link to her site...

www.margotstarbuck.com

Have any of you read Junie B. Jones books? You know, the ones about the little girl in kindergarten that is quite a character. I LOVE those books - Maggie and I read them all the time. Little Junie B. has a way of saying things that are just right, and super funny. I felt like I was reading a grown up Junie B. when I read Margot's book. It's filled with truths that will make you laugh and remind you of the real Truth. Get it! Read it! Yeaaaaaa Margot!!

Happy Birthday/Father's Day/Birthday...

It's a busy few days around the Smith household. Saturday was Ian's 35th birthday, Sunday was of course Father's Day, and today is the big 37 for me. The twins are so confused - they have sung the Happy (insert holiday here) song a million times lately so now they just sing it all the time. Pretty cute.

Thanks everyone for your emails, calls and comments about my hard day last week. I really appreciate it - your support helps me more than you know. I sometimes feel alone with this whole chromosome disorder thing and knowing you are with me makes me feel like, well, you're with me.


We have had such a fun summer so far. The day Maggie got out of school we piled in the van and headed to SC for fun with the Sloan fam. The cousins had a blast (we missed you, Asher and Lucy!), and then we went to the lake for a couple days. It was really relaxing and I wasn't ready to come back! There's just something about being there - it feels so remote, yet you know you're only 20 minutes from a Wal-Mart...well, who isn't these days. It's so great to sit around at night and swing on the porch while Dad plays guitar and the kids run around. And I always am ready for bed around 9 because it gets so blissfully dark and quiet.

Our last morning we went out on the pontoon for a while and it was a blast! Maggie is a little daredevil and she would ride on that thing all day. Zoe decided she wanted to try it so we rode together and she was happy as a lark. Then I decided to give T a try and she got right in there with me. I couldn't believe it! She liked it too, which was so fun. I was so proud of all of them, especially Tori because she usually doesn't like to be bombarded with water and noise and all that. She did so great! It was so fun and I want to go back. I wish we still did things in the summer like go "away" for three months to the beach or lake or wherever. It's just good for family. Ian wasn't able to be with us this time, but hopefully we can get back up there and spend some time with the kids before school starts again. I think those summers at the lake growing up are my favorite memories and I so want that for my kids.

Needless to say, my waistline has not enjoyed all this vacationing/celebrating. I gotta get back on the wagon here this week and stay off the (chocolate) sauce. Mmmm, it's been so fun to splurge, though!

Weight Watchers here I come. (BTW, I don't even think I've mentioned that on the blog. I am doing WW with a good friend and it's been so great. Lost 11 lbs so far, but gotta get back on that counting train tomorrow!).