The Color of Love

TRACK SEVEN "You've never weathered a storm"

2009-06-22T09:52:00.003-04:00

Another song to the baby, this time from the Lord's own heart. This definitely has a bluesy feel to it and is in the Key of C...it almost feels like an addendum to "Keep Keep lovin' away" with the melody and the words as well. enjoy.

starting out so strong
been through some rainy days
but you've never weathered a storm

So when the rain pours down
and the thunder's loud
when the night's too dark
and there no stars out

Fall down
you can fall down on me child
I'm your Rock
I will hold you when it's wild
and still be there when it's calm
after you've weathered the storm
I'll still be strong

your day is just dawning
you're seeing some different shades
but you've never weathered a storm

But when your tears pour down
and you're crying loud
when your fears are so dark
and nobody's around

Fall Down
you can fall down on me child
I'm your Rock
I will hold you when it's wild
and still be there when it's calm
after you've weathered the storm
I'm still strong

There's no changing me
from the rainy nights to the calm days
I'm still the same
I'll never change
My love will stay strong forever more

my 5 month shot...6 month shot to come!

of course i had to post this hot pic of my boy, too!!

pictures in the cottage!!!

2009-05-26T06:17:00.004-04:00

One thing Jord and I liked about the condo when we looked at it for the first time was how the Crabb's had pictures everywhere!!! It made the place very homey! So Jord and I have finally (after a month and a half of living here) hung some pictures/frames!

This is the small wall in the dining room between the kitchen and living room. these are shadow box frames with displays of buttons i made from my great-grandmother's button collection- over 90 years old- most likely.

my sailboat paintings

to brighten up the stairway, i decided to go with white frames all the way up!! I want to add more frames as the years go by, but here's our start! (no pics yet.) I'm thinking of doing black and white pictures of us and our families!

we love our little home, and are thankful for the Lord's blessing us by letting us live here!

(coming soon.... my 5 months shot!!)

My cute fisherman and his sweet lures

2009-05-26T05:57:00.003-04:00

This is my fisherman! He is very hot and is good at catching largemouth bass (most of the time!).I love posting pics of him, but I wanted to post some pics of his little bait lures that I think are so pretty:)ha ha (I'm a dork I know....sometimes I catch myself thinking about buying a lure to use as a necklace charm, wierd I know..if anyone catches me with one on, please yank it off)

these remind me of the song on Little Mermaid "Poor Unfortunate Souls" :)

this is my fave

that's all!

WILD BABY GIRL!

2009-05-26T05:50:00.004-04:00

She kicks a lot!!!!

This is our little girl...she weighs 7 ounces, measures at 10-12 inches long,and has a strong heart beat!
We love her very much already and can't wait to meet her.

four more months to go!
thank you Lord for a healthy active baby so far.

baby track no.6

2009-05-26T05:23:00.002-04:00

"I give you sleep"

Hands up
almost to weak to surrender
let your eyelids drop like your tears
and your pretty toys

the curtains
make the sun so blind and
then your mind is made up
when you realize - you can't fight

So sleep. I give you sleep

Your lashes
flutter with your baby dreams
oh I wish I could be there
singin' at your side

I'm so tired
yet I could sit and stare back
at your beauty all night
but I let you go

So, sleep. I give you sleep

gone for a little while
sleep in your baby style
hands flat like stars
up by your face
Cradle at my hand
your cry's like my command
when you break
out of your peace

So, sleep. I give you sleep.
but if you wake I'll comfort you and hold you till you fall back
asleep. I give you sleep

Music and Lyrics written by J'Nelle W. Smith May 27, 2009 (all rights reserved)

prego shots and more

2009-04-27T14:04:00.003-04:00

hello everyone, obviously i have not posted in forever, so who knows when i will again...prob on the baby's first birthday or something:) just kiddin, but enjoy looking!
i hope you all are enjoying the your day and basking in the Savior's love for you!!2 months prego in the apartment!!!

4 month shot in our new and lovely condo!!!

date night with my hottieboy!!

five tracks down!

2009-02-19T19:53:00.002-05:00

I was listening to some more Alicia Keys tonight and was inspired to write this song. it's a little slower with heavy classical undertones but still a little raspy bluesy feel. it begins with a G6 chord, then goes into E. so I'm veering off the a minor theme for a little while here, but I feel this one directly flows with song no.4. So it still fits in!

lovely scene February 19, 2009

"fast little heartbeat
in his hand
the sweetest rhythm
matched up with my man

bright little eyes
flutter around
so wide-eyed
in this big town

And all you need to know
is love will never let you go

Soon enough
you'll know
the sound of a bird
and how to cry when you're hurt

and you'll crawl
out of our fingers
and take your first step
as the sunshine lingers

and all you need to know
is -baby love will never, ever let you go"

music and Lyrics by J'Nelle Wenhardt Smith (all rights reserved)

so, i don't think I'm totally finished writing this track, but I'm happy with the sound of it if I left it as is! Thanks for reading!!!!!!!!

TRACK #4!!!!

2009-02-15T22:12:00.003-05:00

Hello... this is my Alicia Keys track of sorts!! a little smooth R&B sound / lullaby feel. It also almost feels like a waltz. the idea for the song was inspired when Mom Smith said "you want your children to be dazzled by the Lord". so, this song starts in a minor (of course) but is actually in the key of G, so it resolves to a major chord for a sweet, uplifting, almost cheerful tone!
please enjoy!

Dazzled By You Feb.15, 2009

"I want to be dazzled by you Lord
not by anything in this whole world

Let my eyes light up at your grace and love
Let my heart skip a beat when I hear your name called

and Let my longings and strivings and cravings be for you
and then my happiness will all be true

I want to dwell in your house, O Lord
always, always
Dance in your courts, O Lord
i want to stay, always
Safe in your hands, O Lord
and satisfied in your love"

Music and Lyrics by J'Nelle Wenhardt Smith (all rights reserved)
Can't wait to teach da little baby this one! (well, for jord's sake---Babies)
night! thanks for reading!

3RD TRACK

2009-02-15T10:45:00.004-05:00

Okay, I finished this track last night.

This song is simple to. A man is observing a family gathered together for a holiday from his window. although they are enjoying time spent together to the fullest, there is always an awareness of how fleeting time is, even alluding to the fact that they have to keep track of how many more days they have left till they all must return home. This has more of a classic Frank Sinatra/crooner feel and is in the key of G major, although still utilizing a minor chords in the prechorus. time sig. is 8/8. (I think)

Something to break the clock February 15, 2009

"they all feel it on the inside

but they don’t say it

Cause it’s just too obvious

In their laughter

From the window

Even I see

That they all know

They can’t slow it down, or beat it

Bury time and wait for it to come back around

When it’s good, or when it’s needed.

There eyes sparkle with sighs from deep down

Oh give me something to break the clock

Give me something to break the clock

Something just to make everything stop

Nothing's happening

but right here

they’re wearing down

the carpet dancing altogether

they love their family

but they waste

their vacations

keeping track of days

They can’t slow it down, or beat it

Bury time and wait for it to come back around

When it’s good, or when it’s needed

There eyes sparkle with sighs from deep down

Oh give me something to break the clock

Give me something to break the clock

Something just to make everything stop"

thanks for reading!! enjoy your sunday.

SECOND TRACK!!!

2009-02-14T22:11:00.003-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day Everybody!! Well, Jord and I just celebrated our last Valentine's Day without children (Lord Willing!:) It was so much fun!! the day started with a wonderful baby shower for my sis Kate at Mom Smith's, then we went to Mag's game and got to sing the National Anthem. It was great till the end when I totally messed up the finale note. Not Cool. But good playin' sis!! then me and Myboy got Carrabas take out, and ate at home. then he surprised me at the mall and told me i could get a whole work out outfit and running shoes!! we ate some dark chocolate, ran into kate and clay at the mall, then headed home. we were going to record soundtrack no.1, but are too tired.SOOOOOOOOO.....

......I will have to just keep you interested in the lyrics to these pieces for now! please enjoy reading the lyrics to track no.2!! This song was finished today. I guess to sort of keep with the theme for the soundtrack, it's in a minor again, although it's the a minor harmonic scale so I play with E major quite a bit in this piece.in 2/4 time signature.

We're Shipwrecked (Feb. 14, 2009)

"Keep, keep lovin away

cause love never fails

Storms blow through, love stays

cause love is the wind in our sails

We're shipwrecked- you know that, right?

midnight sounds the alarm

But something, tells me we're alright

Still wrapped in eachothers arms"

simple, poetic, old-timey, and strangely light-hearted, this is sort of a breather from the first song, which is a long one. Jord and I think this one is perhaps best suited for guitar and his voice, but we shall see.

hope you have a wonderful night!

soundtrack no.1

2009-02-12T23:10:00.003-05:00

GREETINGS LONG LOST BLOGGERS WHO HAVEN'T GIVEN UP ON ME!

for those of you who enjoy viewing my facebook, I have already hinted that I am working on writing an entire soundtrack that is in my head. Completely instrumental with words to fit the melodies, here is the first song of it. It is in 3/4 time sig. in the key of a minor. and yes this will be for the baby (or as jord likes, the babies) to fall asleep to.

Please enjoy my song lyrics. meanwhile, jord and I are working on recording to be posted of it soon.

"Caged above" February 12, 2009

One hundred and fifty doves wanting to fly free
loudly beating caged above, something echoes their plea

What do you do when the bright sun bleeds and drips all over you
water moves in salt and leagues, but you let her love burn you through

and no one gets hurt
while the cage holds the bird
warm and confined and amused
a brave song is exposed
when the cage won't close
so it's free, fullfilled, and confused
Love doesn't promise
a white picket fence
but, boundaries grow pleasant with years
Love is a gift
undeserved, undefensed
with a fire to build or to burn in tears

what do you do when a heart like mine, refuses to give her up
you run and run till your heart explodes, and you sweep your one chance up

one hundred and fifty guns pointing straight at me
if all I do is beat the cage, too proud to be set free

And no one could know
or even care
while we sing or laugh or fight
but a heart long ago
so confined to a tree
bled and died then took flight
Love wasn't born
here with you or me
although it's truer than any
Love was the one

who could set himself free

but stayed caged to shed love on so many

thanks for reading and goodnight

I've been TAGGEDDDDDD!!!!! AAAAAHHHHH!!!

2008-11-24T20:16:00.006-05:00

this is a pic from our honeymoon... we ate Carraba's on the beach this evening!! so fun!

I tag Liz, Kate, Jap, Mag, Luke

(Thanks Reagan for tagging me!!)

October family fun

2008-11-15T08:42:00.005-05:00

A couple family nights ago, it was Jap's turn to make the meal...well, she had a little more than that planned!! Even with a busy schedule, working full time, she put much thought into the evening by buying pumpkins for us to carve after dinner!! it was such a blast making memories with the fam! (sorry the evening is in backwards order, I'm too lazy to try and move all the pictures)

Dad and mom invited this weird orange guy to our family night...so, in order to make him feel more comfortable, Jackie got some pumpkins to carve so he'd have some friends that look like him.

Kate's with the smug smile

Jap's "phantom of the opera"

Dad's shrek dude with carrot ears

Jap was a little embarrassed cause mine kept winking at her...that is so dumb I know, but I had to put it

Clay's catch

A serious moment

sissies...

kissies

our lovely hostess

Thanks Jap for making such a yummy meal for all of us... Philly cheese steak sandwiches... they were so delicious. then we ate homemade caramel apples with mini chocolate chips on them!!!

Pa and Ma!!! they are so cute together!!!!!

you may wonder...where are Jord and Liz....well, Jord was doing homework inside on the couch (thanks, Cutie for being so diligent even though you would have liked to carve!!)and Liz...well, yunno, she had to talk with her boyfriend!! HE HE HE!! we miss you Luke!!

when the bridge closes...well, we kiss

2008-09-27T10:21:00.002-04:00

the bridge closed on us after lunch a few Sundays ago.....

so, we kissed!

little chugga choo

2008-09-27T10:17:00.002-04:00

you probably can't imagine how excited we are til we get to see little baby chugga choo (as jap calls baby Van). i just had to post this pick of Clay n Kate!!! This is a pic of them when they hung out at our crib recently!!! we love you guys! (soon it will be 5 of us when we double date)

baseball bat and a movie about a rat

2008-09-27T10:01:00.004-04:00

yes indeed...we had a double date with Matt 'n Mag! it was so fun. we went to a tides game with some free tickets that we had been blessed with...They watched the game... while i watched people. (guessing from this picture, the guy in the background had resorted to watching people too after the game turned into a typical Tides game.) We laughed a lot in the car, and the two in the front talked and talked and talked!!!! ;) then we went to the Smith's and watched Ratatouille...

Jord crackin up about something...he is always joyful!

Thanks kids for goin out with us. Lets do it again soon!!!

love language

2008-09-27T09:37:00.007-04:00

can you guess what myboy's love language is???

gifts!!!!:)

A tune that only caged birds know...

2008-08-07T23:11:00.003-04:00

a precious sister in the Lord went to heaven this morning after a hard, caging battle with cancer. I am so sad she is not with us anymore, so sad...but, she is wrapped in the arms of the Lover of her soul... she has fought the good fight and has finished the race with vigilance and joy. She rejoiced in the midst of thick trials, leaned on the Savior as if her husband, loved her son sweetly, trusted God's word, surrounded herself with godly friends, and truly laughed at the days to come. This is what I remember her like...She knew the song of a caged bird as a disease overtook her body....now she knows a song only the throng in heaven can know fully...

anniversurprises

2008-07-29T13:35:00.021-04:00

myboy and i have been married one whole year!!it was the best year of my life, and went so fast... here's how we celebrated!

The festivities began Thursday night when we ate one of our fave meals together... chicken Marsala and mashed potatoes! MMM! Friday morning we had a yummy breakfast together, and chewed our fave gum that we chewed on our honeymoon. We worked 1/2 a day (thanks boss!!!),Jord surprised me with my fave...lemonade! then headed home to get our things together for the beach! here's where it gets interesting...(jord had asked me what I wanted to do for our Anni so, I had told him I wanted adventure and PF Changs:)... He told me to pack whatever I wanted to wear to dinner, like some make up and hair stuff...and we were off!!! while we laid out on the beach, jord told me we could change in this family bathroom on floor 9 of some hotel... he kept telling me "you said you wanted 'adventure'"...so, I didn't buck the plan, just smiled nervously and kept laughing at the thought of us washing off our oil with a boardwalk shower, then lugging my hair straightener, high heels and everything up to a random bathroom and try to look decent for dinner...so, as we headed to a REALLY NICE hotel with our stuff, I was gettin nervous, "Jord, let's go to 7-eleven!!!Please!!!!! how are we gonna get past the guys at the door?? i feel like we're gonna get caught or something!"...I had Kate's floppy straw hat hanging way low over my eyes so i didn't have to look people in the eye...then we got to floor 9.........and Jord pulls out a key to room 908!!!! can you beleive it! I was SHOCKED!!!!!!! he had this whole thing planned! the room was perfect and cheerful! our view of the beach was so fantastic that it didn't feel like we were at home! we got all ready, and he told me that there was another adventure! YAY...he led me to the boardwalk....it felt like he was gonna propose to me again or something :) and shocked me again with a pair of beach cruisers!!! we love to ride bikes together! Then we went to dinner MMMMM! then rode bikes on the boardwalk till really late!!! It was such a fun and romantic getaway!

our bikes are on the left

our fortunes

my hot boy

Thank you cutie, for your thoughtfulness on our anniversary. It was the best! Most of all thank you for your faithful friendship, zealous love, passion for God, humble leadership and for providing for us so well!! I am so thankful to God for allowing us to be married one whole year so far and for His provision for this weekend. His Grace is amazing! I look forward to years more of anniversaries and adventures:) ....and thanks to "everyone" who helped make our adventure very special;)

our little square in this world

2008-06-03T09:14:00.014-04:00

Welcome to the Smith Square! Our little apartment wears whatever I want it to as long as Jord approves! So, i have about 10 projects going, to hang on the walls (I'll post pix as I finish the projects...don't hold your breath)! I would like to call my style a mix of Hollister/Pottery Barn/Urban Outfitters/Grandma's sigh-worthy house (minus the pink knitted tissue box covers)...but, i think it is still a bit bareboned! It lacks color and pictures on the walls...but, as i said I am slowly progressing in that...plus, i'm decortating on a dime, if you will! So, enjoy the tour of our wonderful home that God has entrusted us with!!!

The living room viewed from the kitchen... the marble table was a gracious gift from Mom Smith! I love it. Projects for this room include: paint the end tables, paint a picture for above the couch and love seat, cover the pillows, and make curtains! until then... we love to eat, have quiet times, watch American Idol when it was on, and hang out with friends in here...Oh yeah spy on the neighborhood..hahaha:)

Kitchen viewed from the living room... the walls used to be pumkin orange, but are now a lovely green/grey color titled "squirrel"! The table and chairs were from Tim and Lisa Hulme...what a blessing! I do most of my painting projects on this table so it is covered in bright multi-colored right angles...i hope to paint or stain it down the road so we don't really care. The paintings on the walls are originals, except the one on the far right...Jacquelyn painted that for us as a wedding gift! This wall will eventually serve as the gallery spot in the house covered in paintings! The basket seats need covering and i store a lot in them. Kate and I made our "kitchen thing" (dishes holder) out of a dresser. I just figured out where to hang that wreath!

The view of the laundry area from the kitchen! Jord, Dad Smith and Pa Korday helped us so much with finding and installing the washer and dryer!!! I spend a lot of time in that odiously undecorated corner!!!

simply the bathroom...

if i ever paint it, the shade will be called "cairo blue" :)

Ahh, our repose! I failed to mention earlier that my 5 sisters, brother Clay, and friend Matt painted our living room and our bedroom while we were away on our honeymoon!!! it was the best surprise and just the colors we wanted (well, i wanted:)... this is my main priority!

As most of you know...Katy made, yes, MADE the lovely and comfy quilt on our bed, it has this fine patchwork on the one side and an Urban Outfitters cover on the other side!We Love it!!! Jap found the corner dresser in someone's trash!!! My love hung everything in our room but the curtains. project's include: blown up photo above the bed, a sheer bed veil hung over the bed from my dear sis Liz, more photos!

this is our music room/library...we have so much fun in here!!! Jord rules in the music department! His own and borrowed guitars are in one corner and the great keyboard he gave me for Christmas has been such a blessing, and relief for my itching fingers to dance upon!!! Our projects for this room include: read some of the books we own HAHA, try to keep our music quiet after 10:00 PM, glorify God with what talents he has blessed us with, and record songs to post on the blog and hopefully bless others with in the coming years! It seems that our dream to write and play and record music together has come true!!!

Best for last...our quaint coo-coo clock from mom and dad Korday above the stove...i love the tiny "tick-tock, tick-tock"

So, there you have it!!! I would be remiss to end our tour without thanking God for our warm-in-the-winter, cold-in-the-summer (jord likes it refrigerator cool), cozy, happy Smith Square home!!! And everyone who had even a small part to helping us get started and settled! We are so grateful! We can't wait to invite more people physically into our home... have more dinners and ice cream nights with the Smith and Korday family...boys nights with Dowling boys, Joey and beau...more girls' game nights... and so on..

We Love being home, and at home is where we have most of our fights and most of our happiest times together! At home is where we are most ourselves and where the "working out our faith with fear and trembling" takes place... it is a place, if not THE PLACE of loving refinement that God works in and through His children... I will leave you with these words...

"But, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" Joshua 24:15

and these... "Think about the last time you took a little time to count each blessing one by one, for makin your lunch in the little kitchen, while the sound system bump boogie root drum".... from: boogie root

I will set before my eyes no vile thing...

2008-06-02T10:20:00.012-04:00

Here's the true test: can you walk away from a movie or a tv show actually and honestly thanking God for what you have just viewed???

I just finished a chapter in the book Not Even A Hint by Joshua Harris entitled "Half A Poison Pill Won't Kill You" (How Do I Cope With The Temptations Of The Media?) Jord had encouraged me to read it, and I would encourage you adults to also read it for yourself.

The chapter was refreshing, convicting, and prompting! Here's my trouble: I'd like to answer that agitating question without a moment's thought -purely and honestly- "Yes!"...but, i don't think i could, in full faith! Why? Because I am a sinner (saved by Jesus). And this sinner (saved by Jesus) makes choices to listen to the Spirit's voice or to my own sinful desires... and those choices, when not informed by and submitted under God's word, bring consequences. Here are some quotes from the book about media that i found very insightful and helpful:

"Television and films stir up feelings and emotions that bypass our minds and go straight for our affections. The incredible power of media is that it can make something evil look good or exciting without appearing to make any argument at all" (p.118)

again...

"No rating system based on content can replace a heart that wants to please God. If we're to honor God with our entertainment choices, we must be willing to carefully evaluate how what we watch affects our love for God" (p.119)

and again...

"Take this rule:Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of conscience, obscures your sense of God, or takes off the relish of spiritual things, in short, whatever increases the strength and authority of your body over your mind, that thing is sin to you, however innocent it may be in itself." (p.120- John Wesley's mother wrote this describing sin to him.)

lastly...

"and if we're the only people in the world who don't see the latest summer blockbuster movie, we'll be alright" (p.125)

"The only thing that's essential is walking with God and pleasing Him".

I am excited to take all this in and apply it to my own life, i have so much to learn!!! And I hope what I have shared encourages you in your striving to please God and to walk in His wisdom, and deepens your love for our Savior who came to save us from sin... which is crafty enough to masquerade as good, bright and beautiful.

Here are some tools that Jord and I wish to keep close and have found helpful when we are considering viewing (primarily) movies, but these apply to tv too...

#1 God's word: Psalm 101:26

"I will set before my eyes no vile thing"

#2 God's word...okay, we get it!

#3 friends'/family's advice not to watch something

#4 Chapter 7 from Not Even a Hint

#5 http://www.pluggedinonline.com/movies/

(Excellent, descriptive reviews on movies)

#6 God's word

coming soon to a blog near you....

2008-05-23T19:38:00.003-04:00

pictures of NEW ATTITUDE 2008!!!!!!

pictures of our apartment-sweet-apartment!!!

see ya

"Lord....let me recover my sight"

2008-05-19T10:35:00.003-04:00

"Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me!"

"Lord, let me recover my sight"

From Luke 18

When my EYES and ears and lips and heart and mind and strength and song- created to worship God- worship the creature rather than the Creator...When they seek inspiration and sustenance from things other than the all-powerful, almighty, merciful Lord and Savior...when they attribute beauty and awesomeness to anything but God...when I allow my gaze to drift form the Cross, my hearing to tune into another message, my words to subtly or overtly worship me, my heart to flutter at whatever temporal happiness the world has to offer, my thoughts to run a marry-go-round of me me me, my desire to be for anything but Him, my strength to be conjured up in me, my song to credit myself and not Christ.......When I am in this place...which is -to one degree or another- as long as I live here on earth, a sinner saved by the blood.....I will cry "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me...Lord, let me recover my sight" Oh, let me behold the Almighty Creator, the Crushed Lamb,the Obedient Substitute, the Victorious Savior and his empty cross and grave, the Merciful Intercessor, the Radiant King on high.....worthy of worship...worthy that my gaze should catch and fix magnetically upon Him, His glory, His creation, His ways, His words, His awesomeness...worthy that my ears should relish in His children's tunes and filter through the stones cries; and what God-glorifying beauty will my ears find in both that is not to be credited to Him? ...worthy that my tongue should move to praise and sing His songs, confess my endless sins and lift thanks to Him who forgives them, speak his truth and love to all while it is called 'today'... worthy that every faculty He has endowed upon me- those which are currently strong, weak, effortless, draining, pleasurable, loathsome- should be motivated for His glory, empowered by His grace, controlled and convitcted by His infallible perfect Word, conformed to Him, Inspired by Him, grateful to Him, flourishing in Him, Serious about Him, held against a standard of Him, cling to Him, Look to Him, Interested in Him, filtered through Him, Strengthened For Him and His purposes...finding all rest, joy, sustenance, peace, hope, faithfulness, love, mercy, self-control, trust, perseverance, discernment, forgiveness, conviction, perspective, satisfaction, supply...In Him alone! Whatever the cost.

"Heavenly Father, Though hast placed me in the church which thy Son purchased by His own blood. Add grace to grace that I may live worthy of my Vocation...My heart is not always a flame of adoring love, but, resting in thy Son's redemption, I look forward to the days of heaven, where no langour shall oppress, no iniquities chill, no mists of unbelief dim the eye, no zeal ever tires. Father, these thoughts are the stay, prop, and comfort of my soul." (parts taken from "Vocation" from The Valley of Vision)

If you think of it...pray for me to fix my eyes on Jesus, release any idols to Him and allow His Spirit to help me change to love Him and His word more!

Happy Ma's and Mom's day!!!

2008-05-14T09:35:00.003-04:00

I love you both so much! Ma, thank you for loving me. Thank you for homeschooling me all those years. Thank you for teaching me bible verses and playing with me when I was little. thank you for your humble example of a wife and mom! thank you for always forgiving me! thank you for your friendship!! And thank you for teaching me how to be a good wife and homemaker. thank you for being one of my closest friends...i adore you! Mom, thank you for raising Jordan up to be a wonderful man, for teaching him about God and the bible, for loving me and wrapping your arms around me into your family. I love being a Smith!!! Thank you for always taking time to talk when I call you. Thank you for your example of warm and loving hospitality and kindness! i love you so very much!

The thing I am most grateful for in both of you is this: it is very evident that the most important part of both your lives is Jesus Christ!!! I hope I can be like both of you mixed together when I am a mother!

Love you so much, Nelly

mild salsa sisterhood

2008-05-14T08:49:00.003-04:00

To the most loving and kind and precious sisters in the world!!! I love you each so much and am so thankful to God for each one of you! Liz, you have been a huge example of caring for others. I remember one night when we lived in our town house and it was just you and me home, you had a TON of homework to do and i wanted to spend time with you...so, you took time away from your mound of school and made smoothies for us and we listened to Point of Grace music together! I'll never forget that night...it made a huge impression on me! I know it is a huge blessing to mom and the rest of the family that you help with making meals while mom's leg is healing! A few months ago, you also showed me so much care when you lovingly brought an observation to me! Your demonstration of joy, trust in God, and submission to God's will for your life are just a few evidences of the wonderful fruit in your life! I am so grateful for you! Kate, you inspire me by your close walk with God. I love it when you post on your blog or tell me on the phone how grateful you are for the big and small things God is doing in your life! you remind me to take advantage of the gift that each day is and not live like life is just the same old routine every week. Your love, care and loyalty to Clay are such an example to me, and -now that I am a wife, too- i am very thankful for a humble example like you to follow! Jord and I love hangin with you and Stanger! Jappy, you are my sunshine. Your love for God and strong desire to honor Him makes my heart rejoice! I have loved growing up as "the younger two" and learning from you even though you are "the younger one". One thing that i am so grateful for is your tender heart! When we would get in fights, we would both be mad and i would want to quickly make up...but, you would really think about your sin and come crying to me repenting and asking forgiveness! That has made me want to be more concerned about the sin in my heart toward God, than even making up quickly.

You each mean so much to me and I love you so much!!!!

Beach date...Or not!

2008-05-14T07:08:00.007-04:00

A few weekends ago, me and myboy went on a really fun date!!! On a pleasantly warm and sunny evening, we headed to the beach around dinner time. From the parking garage to the last road before the boardwalk, it was nice and warm... but, the moment we crossed the street and reached the boardwalk, we were so chilly. So, we took a few pix by Neptune and booked it to our car! So, then we hit Lynnhaven mall and walked around for a while, took pix on the sweet mall rides :). And -of course- I couldn't leave the mall without smelling like four different perfumes!!! Then we got Pizza hut and picked up the movie Band of Brothers(thanks Dad Smith for letting us borrow that... it's so long, but I'll make sure we have it back to you by '09). We watched as much as we could before 12:00am! See, last datenight movie (which took like three evenings to finish) was Jane Eyre!!! One of my top favorite books...so, this it was one of Jord's fave books on movie! I'm so thankful for my cutieboy...He is truly my very BEST FRIEND and I love spending time with him all alone...What a treat!!!"Hi-ho silver" Alright, that's all

we spotted our sign!

On the way home we had fun with the camera!

Bona fide accountant

2008-05-13T21:06:00.003-04:00

myboy started a new job on monday working at a law firm as an accountant. We are grateful to God for this job! (And I think he looks so cute with his tie on!!!)

just 2 kids...

2008-05-13T20:57:00.005-04:00

the dishes pile up

the trash overflows

the bed's not made

we're just 2 kids in love

"Luke...i am your father"

2008-05-13T20:51:00.003-04:00

we have a new little addition to our family... can you guess who he is?

oh and.... may the force be with you!

While it is called "today"

2008-04-21T09:29:00.003-04:00

Do you look back at your past and see a broken road? Either because of sin, circumstances and events out of your control, choices you have made, or trials and heartache you wish would never have visited? Maybe you are not a christian yet, and are skeptical about this Jesus who can forgive all your sins, and heal your wounds. Perhaps, if you are a christian, you still struggle with guilt from your life before knowing Christ. Maybe it is something you dwell on a lot. Maybe you choose not to think about it. I don't know. But, one thing I do know is this...Christ came to seek and save the lost. He came for the sick and weary and brokenhearted. He came for those who look like they're doing well on the outside, but on the inside are so torn up and tangled with sorrow and pain and sin and guilt. He came for those who run to the things of this world for refuge and satisfaction, so they may run to His open arms. He came for the little children. He came for the wandering youth. He came for the old man who lived a crooked life and on his deathbed asked God to forgive his sins and dwell in his heart. He came for the adulterous, the insane, the young, the old, the greedy, the philanthropist, the ordinary, the beautiful, the repulsive, the woman deep in sin, the man dabbling with sin, the helpless, hopeless, friendless, homeless, confused, guilty, and enslaved to sin. He came for the "red, and yellow, black and white". That we may be sons and daughters of God the Father on High. He came to live the perfect life we could never live;He came to do the will of His Father and die a sufficient death which covers the sins of the world; He came to rise again so that the power that raised Christ from the dead is the same power His Spirit gives to God's son's and daughter's to overcome sin. If you are a christian, basque in the joy of your Savior's love and mercy upon you today! Lift a song of praise to the king of kings that you, out of millions lost, are His child- precious in his sight. Your past, He has forgiven. You are His forever. If you are not a Christian, in a saving relationship with Jesus Christ... do you find yourself somewhere above? Do you know that Jesus can forgive your every sin: past, present, and future; wash it clean as snow?...just like that! take your eyes off your past for a moment and take in the truth of these words...

1 John 1:5-9

"This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleans us from all unrighteousness."

Psalm 95:7b &8a

"Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts"

we all can see that this life is short, a vapor really... and so for those who know Christ, "let us rejoice and be glad in Him"! for those who are not yet Christians, may those words speak truth and hope to you.

March 7

2008-03-07T13:50:00.004-05:00

Matthew 25:21b

"Well done, good and faithful servant."

(these flowers are in loving memory of Libby Anne and Sam)

Refuges

2008-02-25T09:31:00.010-05:00

I love G-U-M!!!!

Since i was about 4 years old one of my very favorite things has been Gum! At that age, if I wanted a chewy, pink stick I would quickly say "mom, can I have some g-u-m?"spelling it out, because Jap was still too little to chew it. Over the years it's purpose (to be chomped) has changed a bit, but i still love it any time of day or night! (And still chomp, unfortunately) I also do very odd things with it like, keep it on one side of my mouth while I chew my food on the other side, generously split it with friends when they ask for a piece, or save it in a bowl in my parents fridge when we go there to eat because "i just put it in my mouth before we arrived!". I could come up with perfectly good reasons why my actions are not strange or gross or wacky at all, and my sisters may admit to entering in to some of my weird treatments of gum, i don't know...but the truth is I have some bad and wacky habits on my hands and I don't know if I will ever change!!! Do you have any habits (whether they be BAD or "TOTALLY NORMAL", which can sometimes be the same thing) that are safe to share and worth telling for a good laugh???

Let me know!

Well, this is not just a post to tell you gross stuff about me, or to make you think twice before you conclude your habits to be normal. But, I wanted to share with you a habit that has been -over the years and to differing degrees- a refuge to me!

Recently, Jord asked me to help him think of things he tends to make his refuge in place of God. (By "refuge", I mean things or habits we run to for any number of reasons instead of running to God for help and comfort and joy and satisfaction). After we collaborated for his list, i started to name my refuges. My list was getting PRI-TY long! And somewhere close to being my #1 refuge besides God was a habit!!!

here goes: Picking zits on my face!

i know that comes as no surprise to many of you who know me. For years I have been asking for prayer for this from my family and close friends! The most prominent time of struggle was between my junior year in high school and my freshman/sophomore year in college. I would come home from school, immediately go up to the girls' bathroom and look in the mirror and start to pick anything that remotely resembled a zit. I would end up squeezing half the pores on my face. Then I would cry! Angry and ashamed at myself, i would wash my face- hoping that it would cool and calm my enflamed and swollen skin...but, it would just sting. I knew the result of picking the zits would be more zits...but, i didn't really care that much. It became an everyday habit. I would pick so hard sometimes that my nails would leave little cuts, or scratch my skin. i literally looked like I had the chicken pox on my face! But, I liked how I could "take my frustration" out on my face. sometimes, instead of telling a family member that I was anxious about school or a friendship or a sin issue, I would just let my face know! one sunday, I even asked Katie Coughlin to pray for me because I felt addicted to picking my face! Worst of all, I was doing this in place of praying to God and running to Him! In a sense...I was using me face like a blogpage for my sin. I would cry to my mom "I hate when I pick my face! I hate having zits!" and she would pray with me. She and the rest of my family, katie dowling, maggie, and jord (who was just a friend at the time) started asking me challenging questions. Like, "when are you tempted to pick?". They all offered accountability in different ways: prayer, not letting me be in the mirror for a long time, giving me verses on self-control, charging me quarters for every zit that I popped (that did not last long:)yada yada. through their love for me and the truth in Scripture, i began to see that I was not just stuck in a bad habit but, a pattern of sin. God, my true refuge, was revealing my sinful heart to me. Now, I could see what I wanted to ignore, the SIN in my bad habit!!! I was making a refuge of picking my face. I was ransacking the temple of God. I was not being self-controlled. I was not casting my cares on God, but casting scars on my face. change did not come fast! I still wanted them to feel bad for me because i "couldn't help picking" sometimes. I still wanted to justify doing it now and then, especially the days when I was really anxious about whether or not Jord liked me (before I knew that he did). I still tried to hide it, by putting on a lot of cover up. I still wanted to have that refuge I carried around available to take my "frustrations" or "anxieties" out on! I still wanted to make it seem like a bad zit problem rather a sin issue simply published on my face! I still picked!!! But, change did come!!! with verses plastering the mirror, my room, closet, car... I started picking only once or twice a day rather than several times! then, it became only three days a week. Soon, I would pop one, then pull my hands away and say "[jap, liz, kate], don't let me pick my face!". then it was a mere prayer whispered under my breath, "Lord, I'm really anxious about something...please help me not to be anxious. help me not to pick my face! I want to make you my refuge!" He alone had produced this change, and had used His word and my family to help me! Instead of letting me run up to the mirror in our bathroom to pick after school, my mom would engage me in conversation about my day, school, friendships, walk with God, conflicts, and so on. And help steer me to prayer and trusting God. I am even grateful for the fact that she didn't right away offer to buy me expensive face products. She wanted me to see my heart more than a way to fix my face. Later, we did get some good products, but after much change. I still struggle with picking my face! sometimes I'll go a month without picking, then make up for it in one day. But, I can definitely say that God, by His Awesome Grace, has produced so much change in my life in this area. i am thankful for my refuge, Christ my God, he is my everything!

The verses that spoke the most to me during this time were Proverbs 25:28 "A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls"/ 1 peter 5:7 "casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you." / Romans 12:1 "present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship!"

Thank you for taking the time to laugh at me for one of my habits, then rejoice with me for God's faithfulness to me with a sinful habit. I would encourage you to take time to think about your own refuges that take the place of God. He desires His children to draw near to Him and realize He is our everything and our ONE refuge.

CHEW MORE GUM!!!

myboy is the best husband in the world because...

2008-01-28T09:44:00.000-05:00

he points me to the lord

prays for me(even in the middle of an argument)

writes songs for me

gives me lots of affection

picks up the house

patiently listens to all my questions

makes our bed (most of the time)

lets me decorate the house any way I wish

is very kind

has blue eyes

I love myboy so much!!! I am grateful to God for allowing us to celebrate 6 months of marriage today!!!!!

my eyes are quiet and even calm

your eyes electrically charge me

if my eyes were amps into my heart

than your eardrums would have blown...

my heart -a drummer so poorly taught-

should throw its sticks out and jump out and say

"can i be yours and you be mine

just so I could have

an extra heart and pair of eyes"

from: 'my eyes are quiet'

thank you jord for being that heart and extra pair of eyes for me! I can't tell you how much it means to me when you hold up a mirror to my sinful heart, correct me with love and grace, and read my feelings so well through my eyes. you demonstrate the heart and eyes of Christ for me here on earth!

Jordan Smith...I'll love you till the day heaven ends!Ha

dork and dorkerer

2007-12-09T00:10:00.001-05:00

well, here we are...awkward as ever...it was nerd day at enrichment, but jacquelyn and i didn't get the memo. Evidently, we thought it was bum day. needless to say, no one got near us!

Thankful... looking back and now

2007-12-04T18:44:00.000-05:00

More pictures of Ohio trip to come... but, since uploading pictures has been next to impossible, i thought I would write a few things I'm thankful for!

It's interesting and bittersweet to me how growing up just happens. One summer night, I'm a little girl in bed at 8:oo, looking out my bedside window and chatting with 'all the neighborhood kids who get to stay up and ride bikes in the circle street'. A few days later, it's 7:12 PM and my gold engagement and wedding rings clink as I'm typing on my blog while I should be rushing to the rescue of my poor neglected living room or scrubbing a greasy and awkward pile of pans and plates. (By the way, myboy is sound asleep on the couch:) I remember, bedtime was especially frustrating to me in the summer, and for many reasons. The number one reason was that the big sun took forever to fall. I mean, it was light till 9:00 PM or later. I wanted to play! Another reason was that once it did get dark, I would lay awake thinking about one of two things: playing "girls' camp" with Jacquelyn the next morning or thinking that there were Indians and coyotes in the neighborhood. I would often ask Lizzy (we shared a room at the time) if we could close the window to make me feel better...so, we would...and I lay there sweating like a pig(Liz was too, I'm sure)...but, hey- at least the coyotes wouldn't get me! Sometimes, Liz would even let me sleep on the top bunk with her. We would talk a little while and scratch backs, then I would usually pick at the popcorn ceiling, always getting some in my eyes. Anyway, growing up happens much quicker than anyone imagines it could, and sadly, for some, growing up happens way too early!!! I am thankful for happy and silly memories such as these(I obviously did not grow up too quickly).I am thankful for a sister like Liz who was so accommodating, caring, and selfless with an annoying, curler-headed, and sleep-depriving sister such as I. I am thankful for a husband who loves to be my 'boy' and yet, is the best MAN of God. I am thankful for parents, sisters, brother :) who love each other no matter what. I am thankful for The Word that teaches me to still have 'faith like a child'. And, I am thankful for a Father in Heaven who watches over my soul from the real wild "coyotes" in my life: you know, those things that seek to whittle and weigh us down with fear. Well, like I said...I should be doing other things, because right now, Myboy and the Christmas tree are the ONLY things nice to look at!

Ohio Trip- part uno

2007-11-26T21:26:00.001-05:00

Whether sleeping, carsick, groggy, frantic to "stop the car!" for a good picture, exiting for yet another starbucks (or 'dingleberries'), eating kate's delish wraps on the edge of a rusty coal-mining town, throwing rocks at coalbarges, or feeding a stray kitty...or listening to the same book on cd all the way there and most of the way back...Th roadtrip was so much fun. Thanks Clay and Kate for putting up with us and letting us use your car!!!

quote-ables:

Clay: "none of that!" (Jord and Nel kissing)

Kate and J'Nelle (at the same time): "i'd rather not stop at subway to go to the restroom, because I feel bad not buying anything...over there is an Exxon, go to Exxon!"

The dumbfounded boys:"you'd rather go to a gas station than a clean bathroom?!...whatever you say!"

Dinner and an EP

2007-11-20T23:41:00.000-05:00

Hello All - Tonight nelly and i ate chicken caesar and listened to the new "Fall" EP by jON fOREMAN. Our favorites are "Southbound Train" and "My Love Goes Free". I will try to put one of the songs on here, you all should check it out. As Usual the din was delicious. Nate, Sorry about lettin you down. Read scripture it will pick you up!!

Before and After: From Ugly to Pretty

2007-11-20T21:01:00.000-05:00

Here is a creation or rather renovation that Nelly and Katy worked on a few weeks ago. I'll be honest when Nelly first started this project I didn't think it would work out, but it did! Also here are some sketches that she wanted me to post because she thought they were wicked awesome! (Just kittin'.) I will soon put up a picture of my lip after the football collision!

POOP

2007-11-20T19:56:00.000-05:00

Hello All - We can't post any dang pictures on this here blawk. Sooo when you see knew pictures, that means we posted some nu pictures

BOO!!!!

2007-10-31T07:32:00.000-04:00

It was our best attempt!

After the Harvest Party

2007-10-28T21:51:00.001-04:00

Nale this ones for you a picture of me (and the hotty). Nelly and I went to a Harvest Party at Dave and Jessica Rocket's house. We had a great time hangin' out with friends! They had dark chocolate for the s'mores.

The Best Meal in the World

2007-10-28T21:30:00.000-04:00

Ladies and Nale, my wife is the best cook that God has ever created! Sorry ladies its a fact that must be stated. This dinner is one she whipped up after work. It is just a sample of the wonderful meals i have enjoyed! The burgers were great and the fries kicked butt! She made up this great seasoning and cooked them to the perfect crisp. So take a look and just dream what it tastes like. The fries are awesome but she can't give the secret recipe away. Nate get a wife!

honeymoon in Naples, FL

2007-09-28T07:23:00.001-04:00

The Magnificent Banyan tree.

God took his time decorating Florida

Our fave

looking out at the gulf

myboy

our porch where we ate breakfast every morning

me and my wicked-hot boy

looking out from our balcony... literally stairsteps away from the ocean

(more to come!!)

The Color of Love

2007-09-25T20:22:00.000-04:00

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes...a blog! Here begins my blogging career. It will be fun to post pictures of me and myboy and tell you things about our extremely exciting life. :) Hope you enjoy your visits to my blog!