Coffee CubBuster

I'm not one to be described as quiet. In fact when a developmental psychologist told us last July to make sure we talk a lot around Levi so that his language develops properly after being in a quiet NICU for four months, I told her that that would absolutely not be a concern in our home. Even Silas can be found talking to himself on a daily basis. So when this season of "quiet" staycation approached during the holidays, I wondered if I'd feel isolated or lonely. The exact opposite has occurred. We are certainly social people, but being "forced" to change up our daily life and sit still with each other under one roof has been amazing. Matthew agreed that everyone should take such a time of hiatus every so often just to evaluate what we are doing and why we are doing it. For the first time in my life, we had only three people at our Thanksgiving feast (four if you count the few minutes Levi was awake). While it would seem sad to some, it was beautiful becau...

If I told you that I was jealous of my friend Kyra who died three months ago would you think I was depressed? If you don't know Jesus, you probably would. It's true. I'm jealous of her, sometimes more than others, but many times it feels like she received an invitation to the unbelievable feast, and I'm still slowly nibbling saltines. The party started, but I didn't get invited. Don't misunderstand... I LOVE my life, but after Kyra died, I realized even more what the Bible means when it speaks of our "true home." Instead of wanting to do certain things "before I die," I will be ready and excited when God calls me to Heaven regardless of what I've accomplished. Not because I long to see Kyra, but because I long to see God. While I think I'd miss my family and friends here, I know I won't miss them when I'm in heaven singing praises to my creator.  Loving this life more than Heaven just means we haven't quite grasped our p...

Most people snap those precious, first baby photos between birth and two months of age. Well, our little Levi will finally get some wall time here at the Smith house now that we relished in a short, but very sweet, photo shoot thanks to our friend Morgan ( www.photographymhc.com ). And thanks to my sweet friend Dana, I am hopeful that Levi will one day take a picture likes these sweet preemies too: Little Things Little Levi is doing well too... - After a month with his leg braces on, we will see his orthopaedic doctor on Monday to check the progress. Hopefully we only have two months left of all day  brace wear! - After a GI visit this week, it looks like much of our future progress is at our discretion, and with feeding specialists' guidance, Levi tried his first taste of what I affectionately call banana milk soup today! He's had a few drops of milk by mouth before but nothing else, so this was HUGE! While he gagged somewhere ...

I have had several people recently tell me that I am a "strong" person, and I should take some credit for my ability to walk through my story with a smile still on my face. I do not think this is a coincidence colliding with the fact that Matthew and I recently conversed about the lost art of humility. Humility is lost because even those who desire it, misuse and misunderstand its definition. It is not self-deprecating, nor is it false martyrdom. True humility only exists when the beholder is oblivious to its existence, yet its illumination attracts everyone else. It is not with modest roots or humility that I claim no credit for my persona or attitude, and I am not blowing smoke when I say that I deserve no accolade. It is sheer honesty when I say that it is God and God alone who enables us to walk with joy in the midst of trials. "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore y...

Like most things in 2015, our Halloween/Matthew Birthday was a bit out of the ordinary this year too. Instead of passing out candy or roaming around our neighborhood, we went across town to Cartersville to sweet Kyra's sweet family and trick-or-treat with them for a little bit. Silas LOVES Ellie, Reid and Kyra's middle daughter. They are buddies and it was precious to watch them run around together. I loved my little monsters and wished I had more time to come up with an adult version of the Pip and Posy Scary Monster book costumes.  Quick update on our little monster: - Levi has been on the acid-reflux med for a week now, and he's still spitting up anytime he's awake at the end of a feeding (his feeds still take one hour to cycle through 120 milliliters of milk). It's hard to always force him to stay asleep at the end of his feeds, so I'm looking into what else (if anything) we can do to help him keep food down better. - Levi is up to a wh...

Halloween (and my husband's birthday) came and went, and I will soon post a few pics of the sugar-filled weekend, but we had a busy week so this post has been in the making for several days... Change. The word gives some people spinal shivers. Such people would rather have a spinal tap than experience any uncomfortable altercations to their normal life. Other people feel a sense of excitement. Exhilarating surprises are eagerly anticipated. There are of course moderates in both parties, but either way, you either tend to like or dislike change. I used to be one of those people who worried incessantly about potential future life changes. Now, however, I've come to learn that we as a species are quite adaptable. New change happens to be extremely endangered because once we've experienced it, it's no longer new. It is amazing how quickly we adjust to new surroundings, new hardships, new norms. Whether it be an unforseen change in our own circumstances, or one we wil...