Jack has had some fun "firsts" this week. He went outside in his snowsuit for the first time this year when we had our big snowstorm:
Jack also got his first real haircut by Ms. Jena. Doesn't he look so serious?
Finally, Jack has learned how to climb in and out of many things, including his pack-n-play. While we don't have a picture, we thought he looked really cute after climbing into his toy chest in the family room:
Jack wanted to see his cousins dance with the elf music so we thought we would send this out. However, then we had so much fun we had to do some more...enjoy!
Jack, Lexi, Addy and Peyton video
Abby, Brady, Anna and Avery video
Some random Smith family members
The Original DeHaan clan
My students thought it would be funny to put the faculty into an elf dance video. There are three of us in this one, along with a student (to my left) and Eric and I thought it was pretty funny. Maybe you'll find someone that you can elf this Christmas season. Enjoy!
We needed to update some pictures of Jack so enjoy! We've got a fall favorite: apples from mid-October; raking leaves with mommy; playing the piano (Beethoven is his favorite to say); modeling his new pjs from MaMa; and working on a puzzle with Ma. Peyton and Addy - enjoy the pictures! We'll post video soon so you don't have to watch Jack shake his booty anymore. ;)
I've been inspired by Troy's posts...so for the second time in the history of this blog, I'm posting something completely unrelated to Jack. Sorry grandparents! :)
I've been having some great discussions with a few of my players on several books lately, and we actually came up with a book list during our last two bus trips. It has been fascinating for me to connect with them on an intellectual level as although I know learning styles, how they are motivated, academic and career interests as well as volleyball strength and weaknesses, I don't often get to hear what they think about, say, a book.
Our recent discussions have been over the book, Captivating, by John and Stasi Eldredge. Ironically, a MOPS book club option that came up recently was Wild at Heart, so we've brought that into the mix too. After reading WAH, and trying to get through all of Captivating (I ended up skimming near the end...couldn't take it anymore), and then reading several reviews on both books, I felt pretty strongly on my opinion of the book and was eager to engage my players/coaches.
I found many of us had serious concerns about the ideas presented in both books, although a few players did enjoy Captivating. The biggest concerns I have relate to what seems to me, a serious lack of scriptural backing and even, scripture being used out of context. In the interest of space and time, I'm attaching some links on reviews to the books and would enjoy hearing what others think about them. Maybe a nice adult discussion for our next get-together? Just kidding! Either way, enjoy the links and if interested, email me back with your thoughts. With no time for book club, no good friends (oh wait, no TIME for friends), and no Sunday School class yet as we haven't gotten that figured out, I receive my intellectual group stimulation via blogs. :)
Reviews on Captivating:
http://www.bethanycentral.org/resources/answers/details.asp?id=83
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/august/25.60.html
Review on Wild at Heart:
http://www.churchofthegoodshepherd.info/structuralimages/resourcesimages/WAHcritique.htm
Over the last few weeks, we've been talking with Jack about his big boy bed. We always offer to let him sleep there, but he hever accepted. On Sunday night though, he willingly went down in his big boy bed and proceeded to be very quiet and still. We left the door slightly open and went into the family room to work.
Within 45 minutes, we hear a pitter patter of feet down the hall and as Jack gets closer, we hear, "All done...All done....All done...All done," while doing the sign for All done as well. He had enough of the big boy bed! :)
Needless to say, he went back down with mommy in his big boy bed, slept through the night, and last night, slept in his big boy bed from 8:30 till 7:20. Way to go Jack!
During the last two weeks and this weekend, Jack has seen a lot of his family. He had a visit from his Ma and Gigi and Papa two weeks ago, saw Nana, MaMa and cousins Abby and Anna and Aunt Wendy this past weekend, and will be seeing the whole Smith gang this weekend for October birthday's. We thought we post a few pictures of Jack with Papa as they enjoyed one of Jack's favorite books, the Volleyball Media Guide.
Thanks Gigi and Papa for making the trip down to play with Jack and cheer on the team!
Well, after a long vacation of not much going on and no other work to do, we finally decided to post something and thought the best thing to post is Jack. Please note the sarcasm. But you'll notice Jack loves to draw (thanks for the help Megan!), likes to sit in the big person chair and eat by himself (note the left hand) and loves to read. Enjoy!
It was a great day...Bike ride with Jack in the morning, Fell asleep watching the Reds in the afternoon, Family walk after Jack woke up from his nap, and a relaxing evening around the house.
Sorry to all that you've had to look at the back of my head for the last two months. I know you'd much rather look at my other side.
After a long blogging vacation, we are now committed to much more frequent posting and will try to keep you updated on our goings on during the summer. Here are a few pictures to catch you up on the last couple months...
As I handed Brittany the clippers tonight to cut my hair, she asked me if it was the right attachment. I assured her that it was. Well, I was wrong. We'll see how long I can last with this trendy new "do". Good thing I don't have an office job.
Jack is teething....
again. He has his four front teeth on the top and bottom, but now has FOUR MORE teeth that have just barely broken through: two molars on each side in the back on the top and bottom...OUCH!
He is being such a trooper though, but does like to be distracted by anything in the kitchen drawers and of course, being comforted by chewing on his bottle. We can't complain and just are trying to enjoy the extra cuddle time!
With the help of Uncle Jon, Aunt Wendy, Abby and Anna, who visited Upland this week, Jack has learned a very fun new skill:
Grandma Huyser was born May 9, 1919 and went to glory on March 31, 2007. She was an amazing Grandma who we miss very much. We grew up going to church with Grandpa and Grandma, spent time with them out at the cottage, and always enjoyed seeing them at our sporting events, music events and other school/church activities. Some of my favorite memories of Grandma include:
For my birthday, I asked for a bikeseat so Jack could tag along with me on bike rides. Well, that's what Brittany got me and it's our new favorite pastime. When the weather is nice, we take at least one ride a day. Jack loves it!
After watching all the videos of Cousin Nora dancing, Jack has vowed to practice everyday until he can beat her in a dance-off. While Nora's got the fancy footwork and hip action, Jack has the "cloth diaper booty shake"!
Some of you may have already heard that I am taking my volleyball team to South Africa in August for a mission trip. We will be going for almost two weeks to run volleyball clinics for youth and adults in schools, communities, prisons and other organizations. We also will be competing against university teams and doing outreach ministry after our matches. Sports is a huge magnet for people in South Africa and we were told to try to schedule as many competitions as possible, as many people will come up to us afterwards to talk.
We are very excited about this opportunity and already have seen the Lord work out details in our trip planning. I hope that you will join with us in prayer as we are preparing for the trip: the itinerary details, the ministry, the witness to people here and in South Africa, and for finances. Some have told us we are crazy to pursue a trip of this size and duration due to cost and details. Yet, we have held on to our conviction that this is where we are supposed to go, a quote that President Habecker loves so much, and a verse in Ephesians as we prepare for this trip:
"God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible - what a pity that we plan only the things we can do ourselves." A.W. Tozer
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20 - 21
Thank you for praying with us!
I've been getting some grief for not posting more often to our blog...So, I'm turning back the clock to take a look at the Smith/Souzis family birthdays one year ago today:
For any of you Narnia fans out there, Disney is holding an Ultimate Narnia Fan contest where the winner will receive a trip for two to the set of Prince Caspian, which would be an amazing once in a lifetime experience for most of us! One of my students at Taylor, Randy Kizer, is a finalist in this competition. He also happens to be the older brother of one of our incoming freshman volleyball players, Rachel Kizer.
Go to www.narnia.com to cast your vote. You can vote up to twice a day per computer. Voting ends this Friday, so please start voting now!
...For the longest time, we thought "Deddy" was just how Jack said Daddy, but we've recently realized that it's his nickname for another, more furry member of our family. Enjoy the video, with a bonus clip of Jack's acrobatic prowess.
Like many of you in the midwest, we were blasted with snow and blowing snow yesterday. As a result, our house is more like a snow fortress right now. The snow is actually serving as an insulator, which is pretty cool because we don't need the heat turned up as high today.
Taylor's classes were cancelled yesterday and today, so we've enjoyed having Brittany around all day! However, she did have to bail out Dallas (her team manager) when she got stuck in a drift on the road last night.
Here are a couple pictures and a video to document our winter wonderland.
