Even though I DID get to go to NYC this summer, and visit my friends in Mobile, if I were to say this has been a fantastic summer would be a bit of a fib. In all honesty ever since school let out for Carsyn I have been in a slight state of chaos. Frist off I was totally unprepared for Carsyn this summer. Her attention span and desire to learn caught me completely off-guard. In June she typically goes to Mrs. Jan's two days a week for playtime but since our swimming lessons interferred with that time we were unable to attend. I think this is where the downward slope started. Add in that this is my first summer to photograph several weddings consecutively in addition to my regular photog schedule and it equals to I just down right have done a poor job of time management. Oh yeah and that little butterbean inside me has not given me much motivation either. And to be completely honest the thought of my summer next year being even more chaotic down right scares the dickens out of me! So I am preparing NOW!
Also Carsyn's sleep schedule has been changing so she usually goes to bed around 9:30 (and I am close behind) and is up before or right after me! Then she only takes about an hour nap(I can tell it is slowly dwindling but she can't yet go without one completey). So I have not had any alone time in A WHILE. Today I was determined to find something to entertain her so I could get some work done!
Today I took her to a local jumpy gym that has summer drop offs. I was a little leary because in Carsyn's words "I am big but not real big, I am still little too!" so I worried she wasn't old enough but I was desperate. She ended up having a great time and I got a great deal of work accomplished. HOWEVER, when I returned home Danny was waking up with a violent stomach virus...GREAT! I made it all 12 weeks with no morning sickness and now I might catch this!!! Also today was my scheduled 12 week check up and Carsyn was supposed to stay with him. My babysitter was out of town, my mother and mil were out of town, so Carsyn ended up coming with me to the dr!
THAT was definitely a learning experince for her! She was appalled by the urine specimen..."Mommy what you doing...MOMMY DON'T PUT YOUR HANDS DOWN THERE!" And then I had to give blood Me "Carsyn can mommy hold your hand? " C - "NO" Me- "Can I hold Mr. Cow?" C- "NO, here you can hold my babydoll instead." "Oh mommy does it hurt?!"
She really did great with the almost 2 hour visit. THEN we went into the examing room and I told her she would get to hear her baby's heartbeat. The nurse came in and started trying to locate it...after five minutes my heart started to drop when she couldn't locate it. " OMG I knew I was feeeling to good, what am I going to tell Carsyn I started to think" BUT THANK GOD my dr. walked in and took it from the nurse and immediately found it. Talk about giving someone a heart attack! So afterwards, Carsyn and I scurried home to nurse daddy.....from a distance.
Pray we make it without getting his bug!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Baby Smith #2 week 9
Baby Smith #2
I still haven't announced to the public nor published my original blog about discovering our pregnancy but I want to document this journey as I did with Carsyn. We don't want #2 to start out feeling slighted! :) Although we know Carsyn will keep he/she in it's place!
So we have had our appointment to hear the heartbeat. As with Carsyn, my baby's growth shows a week behind what my menstrual cycle due date indicates. As of now the duedate is set for Jan 16th. As soon as the image flashed on the screen Danny said "Yep it's a girl." It seems he thinks it will be a girl again...and he is happy about it. I felt boy in the very beginning but as time has progressed I am leaning more toward girl as well. When I saw the iamge I also instantly thought girl. Of course we are happy with either sex as long as it is healthy(and sleeps :)) J/K!!! (sort of)
I was afraid since Carsyn found out so early she was going to be ancy the entire 9 months but it seems she is very nonchalant about it now. She still randomly asks me questions but not all the time.
My belly is ridiculously big for 9 weeks. I AM NOT KIDDING! Danny still has not told several people and so I am still supposed to be covering it up which is becoming increasingly difficult. I would say I am the same size as I was at five months with Carsyn's pregnancy. I am already not fitting in my pants and wearing maternity clothing. I will take a photo soon. (Of course I have already scheduled my maternity portraits with one of my favorite photographer friends)!
I have experienced more nausaea with this pregnancy than with Carsyn. Still no actual vomitting but sometimes I wish I would :( I went ahead and had them call in some zofran several weeks ago and it nips it in the bud! If I can keep my stomach full (usually with carbs/starches) than I can stay away from the sickly feeling. Surprisingly I have not been that tired at all. I recall with Carsyn crashing when I got home from work and wondering how do people with an older child keep going, but I have not felt any more tired than usual. In fact photographed a wedding this past weekend for over 8 hours and was fine! I hope this continues because I have a packed schedule until December!!
So the next appointment is on July 5th and I will have reached the end of the first trimester. I suppose I can publish this blog at that point as Danny still doesn't want to announce. Im not sure why other than he is superstitious.
I still haven't announced to the public nor published my original blog about discovering our pregnancy but I want to document this journey as I did with Carsyn. We don't want #2 to start out feeling slighted! :) Although we know Carsyn will keep he/she in it's place!
So we have had our appointment to hear the heartbeat. As with Carsyn, my baby's growth shows a week behind what my menstrual cycle due date indicates. As of now the duedate is set for Jan 16th. As soon as the image flashed on the screen Danny said "Yep it's a girl." It seems he thinks it will be a girl again...and he is happy about it. I felt boy in the very beginning but as time has progressed I am leaning more toward girl as well. When I saw the iamge I also instantly thought girl. Of course we are happy with either sex as long as it is healthy(and sleeps :)) J/K!!! (sort of)
I was afraid since Carsyn found out so early she was going to be ancy the entire 9 months but it seems she is very nonchalant about it now. She still randomly asks me questions but not all the time.
My belly is ridiculously big for 9 weeks. I AM NOT KIDDING! Danny still has not told several people and so I am still supposed to be covering it up which is becoming increasingly difficult. I would say I am the same size as I was at five months with Carsyn's pregnancy. I am already not fitting in my pants and wearing maternity clothing. I will take a photo soon. (Of course I have already scheduled my maternity portraits with one of my favorite photographer friends)!
I have experienced more nausaea with this pregnancy than with Carsyn. Still no actual vomitting but sometimes I wish I would :( I went ahead and had them call in some zofran several weeks ago and it nips it in the bud! If I can keep my stomach full (usually with carbs/starches) than I can stay away from the sickly feeling. Surprisingly I have not been that tired at all. I recall with Carsyn crashing when I got home from work and wondering how do people with an older child keep going, but I have not felt any more tired than usual. In fact photographed a wedding this past weekend for over 8 hours and was fine! I hope this continues because I have a packed schedule until December!!
So the next appointment is on July 5th and I will have reached the end of the first trimester. I suppose I can publish this blog at that point as Danny still doesn't want to announce. Im not sure why other than he is superstitious.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Mother's Day
****Written on Mother's Day*****
Four years ago during Easter I learned that I would become a mommy. Little did I know then what that really meant. I don't think that no matter how much people try to inform you or prepare you about motherhood you never really "KNOW" what it is like to be a mother until you become one. You never understand the exhuastion you will go through or the joy you will receive from this precious baby. I don't think you ever fully appreciate your own mother until you become one! Carsyn can drive me absolutely crazy and in the next five minutes fill my heart with so much love and laughter. /
I did ALOT of complaining during my pregnancy and made ALOT of mistakes with my precious princess! Like a new year's resolution, there are LOTS and LOTS of things I vow to do differently the next time around. This may be selfish but one of the reasons (out of many) that I decided I wanted another child was a chance for a re-do! I want to get to experience it one more time and try to not complain as much during the pregnancy. I feel this will be more likely because I will actually know what the end result will entail which the first time around I had no idea the joy I would know. I also would like to see if I could correct some of the mistakes I made the first go around which I definitely think is possible! I also think you get to enjoy your second child as a newborn more because first off you actually have a clue what you are doing! Don't get me wrong 3 years ago has very much erased lots from my memory but Im pretty sure I won't panic over some of the first time parent issues I did before. Also I think with your first that you are so excited to watch them grow that you anticipate the next phase rather than living in the present and enjoying them as babies. As I have mentioned before Carsyn has been asking for a baby for a while now so I certainly want to provide that for her. Hopefully she and her sibling will be very close and be there for each other forever. I have LOTS of close friends and cousins I consider close as siblings but in the end I am by myself and as I have said before I will have to tend to my parents alone when they age. And finally I feel that a second child would complete our family. It will no longer be mom and Carsyn and daddy but a final member to make us a complete team.
And a little by surprise as I had not expected it to happen so quickly(not as quickly as the first time around but still pretty darn fast)....around Mother's Day I discovered that we were pregnant and hopefully all of these hopes would come to fruition. I don't know how I will keep Carsyn patient for 9 long months!! She wants it here NOW and she wants it to sleep in her bed NOW! When I told her that God has answered her prayer and he put a baby in my belly she squeeled and then she said without stopping for a breath "Do I get to feed it and changes its diapers and buckle it in its seat??! Will the doctor let me sit in your lap? Will they bring it in a wheelbarrow into the room?"
I have to say even though this may sound silly I instantly knew I was pregnant. I took a weekend trip to the coast last weekend with my momfriends and the entire time I had a feeling I was. Granted I had no physical symptoms (still don't) but I just felt like I was.
Now since my body is usually like clockwork and I had missed my period I definitely felt my intuition was right...so I took two pg tests the day after my period was to arrive and both came back negative. A few days later at Carsyn preschool end of the year program I tried and tried to hold back tears but I just couldn't stop(Im not a huge cryer so I thought okay emotional nelly you are definitely pg!) BUT two tests said NO so I didn't take anymore. I had a couple more crying spells over the weekend but still I ignored it. THEN on Tuesday I cried not ONCE but TWICE during Regis and Kelly and still had no period and I was like OKAY I have GOT to be pregnant! This is ridiculous! So off I went to the store to buy some more tests because now it had been over a week late....And...they BOTH were positve!
I didn't know whether to be excited or scared!?!?! Which I guess I am both! Unlike the first pregnancy where I was naive about lots of the bad that can happen I definitely am more aware of watching and hearing of friends and such who have had to experience such turmoil. Also now that I KNOW how difficult it is to take care of a baby even though I think I will be more prepared Im still nervous! My business is finally taking off and I hope to continue and adding to more responsibilites will definitely be a new challange!
BUT come the new year in 2012 a new baby Smith will "God -willing" enter our lives healthy and make us all very happy!
Four years ago during Easter I learned that I would become a mommy. Little did I know then what that really meant. I don't think that no matter how much people try to inform you or prepare you about motherhood you never really "KNOW" what it is like to be a mother until you become one. You never understand the exhuastion you will go through or the joy you will receive from this precious baby. I don't think you ever fully appreciate your own mother until you become one! Carsyn can drive me absolutely crazy and in the next five minutes fill my heart with so much love and laughter. /
I did ALOT of complaining during my pregnancy and made ALOT of mistakes with my precious princess! Like a new year's resolution, there are LOTS and LOTS of things I vow to do differently the next time around. This may be selfish but one of the reasons (out of many) that I decided I wanted another child was a chance for a re-do! I want to get to experience it one more time and try to not complain as much during the pregnancy. I feel this will be more likely because I will actually know what the end result will entail which the first time around I had no idea the joy I would know. I also would like to see if I could correct some of the mistakes I made the first go around which I definitely think is possible! I also think you get to enjoy your second child as a newborn more because first off you actually have a clue what you are doing! Don't get me wrong 3 years ago has very much erased lots from my memory but Im pretty sure I won't panic over some of the first time parent issues I did before. Also I think with your first that you are so excited to watch them grow that you anticipate the next phase rather than living in the present and enjoying them as babies. As I have mentioned before Carsyn has been asking for a baby for a while now so I certainly want to provide that for her. Hopefully she and her sibling will be very close and be there for each other forever. I have LOTS of close friends and cousins I consider close as siblings but in the end I am by myself and as I have said before I will have to tend to my parents alone when they age. And finally I feel that a second child would complete our family. It will no longer be mom and Carsyn and daddy but a final member to make us a complete team.
And a little by surprise as I had not expected it to happen so quickly(not as quickly as the first time around but still pretty darn fast)....around Mother's Day I discovered that we were pregnant and hopefully all of these hopes would come to fruition. I don't know how I will keep Carsyn patient for 9 long months!! She wants it here NOW and she wants it to sleep in her bed NOW! When I told her that God has answered her prayer and he put a baby in my belly she squeeled and then she said without stopping for a breath "Do I get to feed it and changes its diapers and buckle it in its seat??! Will the doctor let me sit in your lap? Will they bring it in a wheelbarrow into the room?"
I have to say even though this may sound silly I instantly knew I was pregnant. I took a weekend trip to the coast last weekend with my momfriends and the entire time I had a feeling I was. Granted I had no physical symptoms (still don't) but I just felt like I was.
Now since my body is usually like clockwork and I had missed my period I definitely felt my intuition was right...so I took two pg tests the day after my period was to arrive and both came back negative. A few days later at Carsyn preschool end of the year program I tried and tried to hold back tears but I just couldn't stop(Im not a huge cryer so I thought okay emotional nelly you are definitely pg!) BUT two tests said NO so I didn't take anymore. I had a couple more crying spells over the weekend but still I ignored it. THEN on Tuesday I cried not ONCE but TWICE during Regis and Kelly and still had no period and I was like OKAY I have GOT to be pregnant! This is ridiculous! So off I went to the store to buy some more tests because now it had been over a week late....And...they BOTH were positve!
I didn't know whether to be excited or scared!?!?! Which I guess I am both! Unlike the first pregnancy where I was naive about lots of the bad that can happen I definitely am more aware of watching and hearing of friends and such who have had to experience such turmoil. Also now that I KNOW how difficult it is to take care of a baby even though I think I will be more prepared Im still nervous! My business is finally taking off and I hope to continue and adding to more responsibilites will definitely be a new challange!
BUT come the new year in 2012 a new baby Smith will "God -willing" enter our lives healthy and make us all very happy!
Monday, April 25, 2011
I never want to forget
There are some interesting and sweet words my little chatterbox has been coming up with lately and I never want to forget them!
We finally got her new swingset put up last week and to say she LOVES it would be a HUGE understatement!! Everyday we have to go play on it atleast twice sometimes three times a day!
She always says "First Im gunna swing fronts, then Im gunna swing backs, then Im gunna swing on my tummy, then Im gunna do monkey bars, THEN Im gunna SLIDE!"
Today as we were eating dessert after our lunch she said "Hey momma, let's take our pudding cups out to the swing and have a snackover!"
Also last week Danny and I were having a disagreement and she said "Hey can't we stop and all be friends?!?!?" Nothing like a 3 yr old to put life in perspective for you!
Lately at church she has tried to sing along with us, she grabs the bible thinking it is the hymnal and babbles as she trys to sing. I so hope she will be able to continue her musical interest.
Also at church she has started bowing her head and putting her hands together-sweetest sight ever.
On our way to church one Wed evening I was wearing a sundress I had on all day. It was one shoulder but I had brought my cardigan to put on once we reached church. As we got into the car to leave she said "Mommy you can't wear that you are going to show everybody your everything!" "You can see your back!" REALLY?!?!?!
While eating dinner... "Momma Im eating my broccoli but have you ever heard of ranch on broccoli? I think that would be a GREAT idea!!" (Carsyn puts ranch on EVERYTHING...especially scrambled eggs!)
Last night in her prayers she thanked God for just about every person she knows and then she said " And dear God thank you for giving me a baby brother or sister"
Nope sorry that is a negative...she better watch what she prayers for she might not like it if it comes true!!
Her favorite phrase is "Are you KIDDING ME?" She says it atleaset ten times a day!
When Carsyn asks me a question and she wants me to say yes she will repeatedly say "Whatever? Whatever Mommy? Whatever?"
Apparently I saw Whatever a bit too much!
When we went to see baby Emma in the hospital and they wheelend her in the room in the cart
she grabbed my leg and whispered "I looked just like that when I was born like the picture in my baby book!!!" I don't think the hospital striped blanket/hat combo will ever go out of style!
So no pictures for this blog but I will work on doing a better job. It has been called to my attention that I have been slacking! :)
We finally got her new swingset put up last week and to say she LOVES it would be a HUGE understatement!! Everyday we have to go play on it atleast twice sometimes three times a day!
She always says "First Im gunna swing fronts, then Im gunna swing backs, then Im gunna swing on my tummy, then Im gunna do monkey bars, THEN Im gunna SLIDE!"
Today as we were eating dessert after our lunch she said "Hey momma, let's take our pudding cups out to the swing and have a snackover!"
Also last week Danny and I were having a disagreement and she said "Hey can't we stop and all be friends?!?!?" Nothing like a 3 yr old to put life in perspective for you!
Lately at church she has tried to sing along with us, she grabs the bible thinking it is the hymnal and babbles as she trys to sing. I so hope she will be able to continue her musical interest.
Also at church she has started bowing her head and putting her hands together-sweetest sight ever.
On our way to church one Wed evening I was wearing a sundress I had on all day. It was one shoulder but I had brought my cardigan to put on once we reached church. As we got into the car to leave she said "Mommy you can't wear that you are going to show everybody your everything!" "You can see your back!" REALLY?!?!?!
While eating dinner... "Momma Im eating my broccoli but have you ever heard of ranch on broccoli? I think that would be a GREAT idea!!" (Carsyn puts ranch on EVERYTHING...especially scrambled eggs!)
Last night in her prayers she thanked God for just about every person she knows and then she said " And dear God thank you for giving me a baby brother or sister"
Nope sorry that is a negative...she better watch what she prayers for she might not like it if it comes true!!
Her favorite phrase is "Are you KIDDING ME?" She says it atleaset ten times a day!
When Carsyn asks me a question and she wants me to say yes she will repeatedly say "Whatever? Whatever Mommy? Whatever?"
Apparently I saw Whatever a bit too much!
When we went to see baby Emma in the hospital and they wheelend her in the room in the cart
she grabbed my leg and whispered "I looked just like that when I was born like the picture in my baby book!!!" I don't think the hospital striped blanket/hat combo will ever go out of style!
So no pictures for this blog but I will work on doing a better job. It has been called to my attention that I have been slacking! :)
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Carsyn at three
Trying to get a pic with my baby at her Valentine's party!!!
School Valentine's Party!
Posing for mom before party.
MOdeling for my tutu mini sessions
Our Christmas card picture this yearOh Three...the Trying Threes! How I did not like thee...but now I am starting to enjoy this fun silly age of my little Belle. I have always heard that the threes are worse than the twos especially if you were lucky to not have such bad twos. Well I have finally realized a pattern to my child. It seems as though every year about two months prior to her birthday she becomes quite difficult and exhausting which I am deducing (because you know I have studied child behavior...not!) is due to her brain having so many new advancements and growth! I am pretty sure I read that in some Parenting magazine ;) . Anywho this year was no different and I found myself NOT liking the three year old age AT ALL! But now life has seem to settle a little and she has been cracking me up with her adult like behavior and funny commentary.
I have mentioned it before but my child really is super sweet to her friends. She shares everything all of the time which I admit is more her father's behavior. However recently at a school function one of the other mothers said (as she watched my child run around laughing and yelling) "My Carsyn has such a BIG personality where does she get that from?!" To which I replied...."Ummm NOT her father so I guess me!"
Carsyn is also extremely sensitive to discipline. One harsh word from me and she bursts into HUGE croccodile tears which usually escalates my anger. It really is a hard battle! BUT once again I know this is a trait she gets from me. Or perhaps because she is female?
A BIG BIG BIG HUGE HUGE HUGE advancement we have had in the last two weeks....Carsyn is sleeping all night BY HERSELF!! She still has a few bumps every five days or so but Ill take it! I haven't slept this much since we went on vacation without the little Belle!!! I started a sleeping chart much like our potty train chart but in actuallity she was already starting to start the sleep trend prior to the chart. The chart has seemed to just encourage it! YAY CARSYN!!!
Every day and I am talking like ten times a day she talks about her baby brother and when her baby brother gets here.....no I am not expecting! All of her friends have had siblings this year and she is just dying to have one herself. I don't think she knows that means she has to share me!?
Carsyn still LOVES music and singing. Listening to her try to sing to an adult song is so cute and funny. I definitely have to get her involved in some type of music/dance class soon.
lately here are some conversations from my little belle...
After throwing up several times....
Carsyn " Mommy do I have to go to heaven to feel better?"
Bless her!
Carsyn "Mommy I want does things what dey called...you know not the crunchy ones"
Me "Tortillias"
Carsyn" Yeah toetiya"
She has repeatedly told me "whatever" this week. *sigh* I believe this has been picked up from daddy!
Carsyn "I can't talk right now...Im busy rubbing my tail (on mr. Cow)."
Carsyn " I LOVE VAlentine's Day! I LOVE Parties and Candy!!!"
Carsyn atleast five times a day " Mommy can you be married to me?!" " I want you to be married to me not Daddy!"
Aggrivated at my husband for being over an hour late coming home (without calling) I said "Carsyn I am so aggrivated at Daddy!" and she replied "Can't you give him a break?!"
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Christmas 2010
Among all of the drama in our household during these holidays I was determined to allow Carsyn to enjoy all of the magic that Christmas entails.
During this month we...
Went to Christmas Tree farm and cut down a tree with daddy.
Got our first elf on the shelf that Carsyn affectionatley named Zoe- although she didn't quite understand the concept of not touching Zoe and that Zoe would tell Santa about her behavior. Maybe next year?
Went to the Pike County Little Theater Christmas musical....where they sang Happy Birthday to Carsyn during Intermission ;)
Drove through the Live Nativity and listened to the story of Jesus birth
Watched Carsyn sing and shake her jingle bells at her school Christmas program
Carsyn enjoyed a Party at school and got WAY TOO much candy!
Listened to the SAME Christmas cd over and over and over and over again for 4 weeks
Went to the Summit Christmas Parade which was super fun and one of her fave friends happened to be beside us to make it more special! Carsyn of course LOVED LOVED the bands!
Went to the Teddy Bear Christmas Tea Party at the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans which was SPECTACULAR and well worth the substantial price tag! This was definitely the highlight of our month aside from her birthday. The Snow Princess stole Carsyn's heart more than Santa himself. Although she did run and jump right in his lap unlike years past and told him she wanted a feeding baby doll!
Drove through the Tylertown Christmas in the Park which was super beautiful! She was in awe and never stopped talking the entire time about the lights.
Made Christmas breakfast and Christmas Eve/Day food together.
Enjoyed time with family.
GOT WAY WAY WAY toooo many presents! Aunt Katie gave C the same baby doll she had asked Santa for so we had a little mishap Christmas morning but all is well now that Walmart let us exchange one of them.
Watching Christmas through a child's eyes is so magical and definitely what our family needed. The back of our Christmas card said "May you enjoy your holidays with a child-like innocence." which I believe was pefect for us this year~
During this month we...
Went to Christmas Tree farm and cut down a tree with daddy.
Got our first elf on the shelf that Carsyn affectionatley named Zoe- although she didn't quite understand the concept of not touching Zoe and that Zoe would tell Santa about her behavior. Maybe next year?
Went to the Pike County Little Theater Christmas musical....where they sang Happy Birthday to Carsyn during Intermission ;)
Drove through the Live Nativity and listened to the story of Jesus birth
Watched Carsyn sing and shake her jingle bells at her school Christmas program
Carsyn enjoyed a Party at school and got WAY TOO much candy!
Listened to the SAME Christmas cd over and over and over and over again for 4 weeks
Went to the Summit Christmas Parade which was super fun and one of her fave friends happened to be beside us to make it more special! Carsyn of course LOVED LOVED the bands!
Went to the Teddy Bear Christmas Tea Party at the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans which was SPECTACULAR and well worth the substantial price tag! This was definitely the highlight of our month aside from her birthday. The Snow Princess stole Carsyn's heart more than Santa himself. Although she did run and jump right in his lap unlike years past and told him she wanted a feeding baby doll!
Drove through the Tylertown Christmas in the Park which was super beautiful! She was in awe and never stopped talking the entire time about the lights.
Made Christmas breakfast and Christmas Eve/Day food together.
Enjoyed time with family.
GOT WAY WAY WAY toooo many presents! Aunt Katie gave C the same baby doll she had asked Santa for so we had a little mishap Christmas morning but all is well now that Walmart let us exchange one of them.
Watching Christmas through a child's eyes is so magical and definitely what our family needed. The back of our Christmas card said "May you enjoy your holidays with a child-like innocence." which I believe was pefect for us this year~
Sunday, December 26, 2010
A growth spurt
It seems the Smith family has experienced a growth spurt this month.
Not a physical growth spurt but rather a maturity growth.
As many of our friends and family who already read this blog know my family has been faced with many trials and much tribulations lately. In February of 2010 my father in law was diagnosed with a rare case of colon cancer. He fought a great fight with chemo and several surgeries throughout the year but unfortuntaly for us God still wanted him for his army. Anyone who knew this man knew he was on this Earth to serve others and almost always had a warm smile on his face. His calmness added much security to this family. Carsyn will probably never remember the time she spent with Pop but we will be sure to remind her of him. The Christian example he set will be a legacy for us to pass on to her.
On his last night on Earth with tears in his eyes Carsyn sang to him her Christmas program songs. It was a touching moment I will not soon forget. It has been difficult to explain the loss to Carsyn but she will understand in time.
Here is the uology from his funeral last week. (this is mostly for Carsyn to have in her memory book)
Allan Smith passed from this life December 10, 2010, at his home in Summit, Mississippi, after a nearly year-long battle with cancer.James Allan Smith was born October 15, 1954, in Meridian, Mississippi, the firstborn child to James Prentiss Smith and Barbara Ann Morgan Smith. Though the family had very little, James and Barbara gave Allan a loving home that instilled a spirit of confidence, allowing him to use his imagination and to spread his wings. From these meager beginnings, Allan developed the qualities that he so admired in his heroes from history: faith, initiative, drive, determination, and humility.As soon as he could walk, Allan was on the move. His mother recounts the story of Allan as a toddler. While his father was working long hours six days a week at Lott Furniture, his mother was keeping him and his infant sister Ann at home. She took her eyes off him for a few moments, and he disappeared. She searched everywhere, and finally had to call his daddy in on the hunt. Allan apparently had ridden his tricycle several blocks away in a very short time. No one ever knew what his mission was that day, but he would spend the rest of his life being active, and driven to achieve.The family moved to Laurel, where they lived a short while before moving to Jackson. By that time, the family had grown to include another sister, Allison, and his maternal grandmother who came to live with them when his mother went to work with his father at the store. Grandmother Morgan made sure all the kids were at church every time the doors opened, and Allan became an excellent Bible student. By the time he was 10 years old, Allan had decided to make Jesus his Savior, and he was baptized into Christ. Not long after that, his parents followed their young son’s example, forever changing the dynamic of their home. Allan’s bold step had become the model for the whole family to emulate. Allan excelled in school, and he enjoyed all the usual sports and games that little boys do. He took an interest in the band, playing the clarinet and the saxophone. He developed an early fascination with history, becoming an expert on the Civil and Second World Wars, in particular. Allan was also enamored with airplanes, and he was always constructing a model airplane or battleship with exacting specifications. Soon he joined Civil Air Patrol, and he couldn’t wait to learn to fly. In fact, Allan got his pilot’s license before he got his driver’s license.It was a good thing that Allan did get his driver’s license, because he was so responsible at a very young age. At 15, Allan had three siblings to cart around, including a new baby brother, Andy. By then, Allan had already been working at the store for several years. He learned the business from the ground up, cleaning floors, dusting, putting merchandise on the floor, helping with deliveries, and driving the truck when he could convince one of the deliverymen to let him. He saved up to buy his first car, a gold Oldsmobile 442 with black racing stripes. Eager to get on with his life, he graduated early from high school, and he made the trek to Starkville to become a Mississippi State Bulldog. He made his mark in academics and school politics, and he came back to Jackson ready to tackle Lott Furniture as his life’s career. With his professional life on track, Allan set his sights on Serrie Baker. After persuading her to go out with him, it was not long before they married, and he adopted her daughter, Samantha. Soon after, the family welcomed a son, Danny.When Harold McRaney decided to retire and sell the Lott Store in McComb, Allan took all the experience and wise counsel he could gather, and he determined that he would do well as a furniture dealer in this new small town. He and Serrie left the big city and immediately forged an enduring bond with the community. The community welcomed them in turn, making a home for the Smith family, which now included Allan and Serrie’s youngest child, Morgan. Son Danny and his wife, Amanda, followed Allan’s footsteps, making a home in McComb with their daughter, Carsyn, who affectionately renamed Allan, “Pop.” Of all the titles he would acquire, “Dad” and “Pop” would be his favorites.During his time in Pike County, family would become Allan’s driving force. Allan would often say that it was good to be successful in business, but if you didn’t have time to share it with your family, it was worth nothing. Allan lived this example: coaching little league teams; taking family trips; and, supporting his children at their many school and sporting events. Allan extended his family through engaging the community. His church family at McComb Church of Christ was dear to him. He became an MPSA referee; he joined the Rotary Club, serving as President and being honored as Rotarian of the Year three times. He was also named Mississippi Retail Furniture Dealer of the Year on two occasions. He served the business community through the McComb Main Street Association; was a member of the Board of Directors for both the Pike County Bank and the Interdenominational Care Association. To the community that had provided such a supportive and warm home for his wife and children, Allan donated two of his buildings for the Saint Andrews Senior Center. Despite the various gloomy economic forecasts over the years, Allan had a vision for Lott Furniture, expanding with a new location and a sister business, the Ashley Home Store. In business and in his life, Allan had a propensity for defying the odds. Many people, when given the unfortunate news that Allan received in February of this year, might fall apart. Not Allan. Allan continued to make time for his family and community. In the midst of chemotherapy, Allan attended church services and board meetings. He made trips to Starkville for State games and visited Shiloh, something he had always wanted to do. Perhaps most important to Allan, he spent as much time as he could with his family, enjoying the sounds of “Dad” and “Pop.” In short, Allan was determined and driven to live and move as long as he could, but not just for himself. He wanted to continue to be and do what everyone around him needed. Even with all the accolades and praise he received for being a pillar in his community, he would have never described himself as important or special. He lived a life of service to others and love for his family and friends. He will certainly be greatly missed.
Not a physical growth spurt but rather a maturity growth.
As many of our friends and family who already read this blog know my family has been faced with many trials and much tribulations lately. In February of 2010 my father in law was diagnosed with a rare case of colon cancer. He fought a great fight with chemo and several surgeries throughout the year but unfortuntaly for us God still wanted him for his army. Anyone who knew this man knew he was on this Earth to serve others and almost always had a warm smile on his face. His calmness added much security to this family. Carsyn will probably never remember the time she spent with Pop but we will be sure to remind her of him. The Christian example he set will be a legacy for us to pass on to her.
On his last night on Earth with tears in his eyes Carsyn sang to him her Christmas program songs. It was a touching moment I will not soon forget. It has been difficult to explain the loss to Carsyn but she will understand in time.
Here is the uology from his funeral last week. (this is mostly for Carsyn to have in her memory book)
Allan Smith passed from this life December 10, 2010, at his home in Summit, Mississippi, after a nearly year-long battle with cancer.James Allan Smith was born October 15, 1954, in Meridian, Mississippi, the firstborn child to James Prentiss Smith and Barbara Ann Morgan Smith. Though the family had very little, James and Barbara gave Allan a loving home that instilled a spirit of confidence, allowing him to use his imagination and to spread his wings. From these meager beginnings, Allan developed the qualities that he so admired in his heroes from history: faith, initiative, drive, determination, and humility.As soon as he could walk, Allan was on the move. His mother recounts the story of Allan as a toddler. While his father was working long hours six days a week at Lott Furniture, his mother was keeping him and his infant sister Ann at home. She took her eyes off him for a few moments, and he disappeared. She searched everywhere, and finally had to call his daddy in on the hunt. Allan apparently had ridden his tricycle several blocks away in a very short time. No one ever knew what his mission was that day, but he would spend the rest of his life being active, and driven to achieve.The family moved to Laurel, where they lived a short while before moving to Jackson. By that time, the family had grown to include another sister, Allison, and his maternal grandmother who came to live with them when his mother went to work with his father at the store. Grandmother Morgan made sure all the kids were at church every time the doors opened, and Allan became an excellent Bible student. By the time he was 10 years old, Allan had decided to make Jesus his Savior, and he was baptized into Christ. Not long after that, his parents followed their young son’s example, forever changing the dynamic of their home. Allan’s bold step had become the model for the whole family to emulate. Allan excelled in school, and he enjoyed all the usual sports and games that little boys do. He took an interest in the band, playing the clarinet and the saxophone. He developed an early fascination with history, becoming an expert on the Civil and Second World Wars, in particular. Allan was also enamored with airplanes, and he was always constructing a model airplane or battleship with exacting specifications. Soon he joined Civil Air Patrol, and he couldn’t wait to learn to fly. In fact, Allan got his pilot’s license before he got his driver’s license.It was a good thing that Allan did get his driver’s license, because he was so responsible at a very young age. At 15, Allan had three siblings to cart around, including a new baby brother, Andy. By then, Allan had already been working at the store for several years. He learned the business from the ground up, cleaning floors, dusting, putting merchandise on the floor, helping with deliveries, and driving the truck when he could convince one of the deliverymen to let him. He saved up to buy his first car, a gold Oldsmobile 442 with black racing stripes. Eager to get on with his life, he graduated early from high school, and he made the trek to Starkville to become a Mississippi State Bulldog. He made his mark in academics and school politics, and he came back to Jackson ready to tackle Lott Furniture as his life’s career. With his professional life on track, Allan set his sights on Serrie Baker. After persuading her to go out with him, it was not long before they married, and he adopted her daughter, Samantha. Soon after, the family welcomed a son, Danny.When Harold McRaney decided to retire and sell the Lott Store in McComb, Allan took all the experience and wise counsel he could gather, and he determined that he would do well as a furniture dealer in this new small town. He and Serrie left the big city and immediately forged an enduring bond with the community. The community welcomed them in turn, making a home for the Smith family, which now included Allan and Serrie’s youngest child, Morgan. Son Danny and his wife, Amanda, followed Allan’s footsteps, making a home in McComb with their daughter, Carsyn, who affectionately renamed Allan, “Pop.” Of all the titles he would acquire, “Dad” and “Pop” would be his favorites.During his time in Pike County, family would become Allan’s driving force. Allan would often say that it was good to be successful in business, but if you didn’t have time to share it with your family, it was worth nothing. Allan lived this example: coaching little league teams; taking family trips; and, supporting his children at their many school and sporting events. Allan extended his family through engaging the community. His church family at McComb Church of Christ was dear to him. He became an MPSA referee; he joined the Rotary Club, serving as President and being honored as Rotarian of the Year three times. He was also named Mississippi Retail Furniture Dealer of the Year on two occasions. He served the business community through the McComb Main Street Association; was a member of the Board of Directors for both the Pike County Bank and the Interdenominational Care Association. To the community that had provided such a supportive and warm home for his wife and children, Allan donated two of his buildings for the Saint Andrews Senior Center. Despite the various gloomy economic forecasts over the years, Allan had a vision for Lott Furniture, expanding with a new location and a sister business, the Ashley Home Store. In business and in his life, Allan had a propensity for defying the odds. Many people, when given the unfortunate news that Allan received in February of this year, might fall apart. Not Allan. Allan continued to make time for his family and community. In the midst of chemotherapy, Allan attended church services and board meetings. He made trips to Starkville for State games and visited Shiloh, something he had always wanted to do. Perhaps most important to Allan, he spent as much time as he could with his family, enjoying the sounds of “Dad” and “Pop.” In short, Allan was determined and driven to live and move as long as he could, but not just for himself. He wanted to continue to be and do what everyone around him needed. Even with all the accolades and praise he received for being a pillar in his community, he would have never described himself as important or special. He lived a life of service to others and love for his family and friends. He will certainly be greatly missed.
My husband's growth spurt has come from now realizing that he no longer has his daddy to call for help. He now is the only male head of household in our small family. He now has to run this large business without his father's assistance. Thirty-one just became a lot more mature.
In addition; at the same time as my father-in-law's degression my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. She chose to have a double mastectomy to eliminate the possibility of future complications. The week before his death was my mom's surgery. To say we have had a lot going on since our return home from the Bahamas is an understatement. In an instant your life can change and you realize that every minute on Earth is not guaranteed. I went to be with my mother and for the first time in 29 years I had to be the caretaker. My mother's surgery was successful and she should not need any further treatment other than a recommendation for a hysterectomy this year. I rely on my mother more than any person on this Earth and to have her incapasitated made me appreciate her more than anything.
And then AMONG all of THIS my sweet baby girl turned THREE! THREE! She is such a BIG GIRL! Such mama's little helper! She comes up with some of the most incredible things! And of course having to deal with her "Pop" passing has been a learning experience among itself. We told her that Pop was now in Heaven with Jesus and was her guardian angel, so when we went by the live nativity and saw the angel standing at the manger she wanted to get out and see him! And she has been obsessed with angels and Christmas songs about angels. Also the day of Pop's funeral visitation at church we sang " Joy to the World" and a week later she looked at me when it came on the tv and said that is the song we sang when Pop was in church. I COULD NOT believe she remembered that! (Music is definitely one of her favorite outlets and she has asked to take dance next year).
To say that our little family has had its share of growth experiences is an understatment but among all bad there comes some good. And we are so lucky to have Carsyn's excitement and enthusiasm for life to help us get though this time.
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