Do Justice, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly

Time for a picture break.

2011-10-23T21:07:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the lack of posts and pics of late. Things have gotten a bit crazy in our lives. Here are some pics and I will try to add more tomorrow.

Too Busy

2011-09-21T20:30:00.000-04:00

It is amazing how busy you can get when you have a three-month old in the house. How much the time revolves around his good moods, his bad moods, his feeding, his sleeping, his playing, his diapers, and whatever else he decides to have us do. I am really trying to be better about updated this blog and making sure that people can see him grow...so here is my attempt to start updating again more often.

Part two just pics

2011-08-30T11:10:00.000-04:00

Hey mom, daddy is teaching me to stick out my tongue.

No pics during bath time what are you thinking!!!

Hurry up and dry me dad.

No more pics dad, dress me and keep me warm.

Really, another picture..come on you two.

Why does the baby get all of the new toys, what about me?

Loaded with pics part 1

2011-08-30T10:49:00.000-04:00

I will try to get two sets of pics on here. Things have been busy the last few weeks with new teacher training, earthquakes, hurricanes, and my new schools power outage. I will do better about my updates so everyone can see.

Leave me alone dad, I need my sleep.

Sweet dreams

So there how the crying creature gets around.

So what do you want to talk about dad?

First Video

2011-08-12T21:46:00.000-04:00

Finally a quick video I record yesterday. I will have more in the coming weeks. Still trying to find the balance of crying, lack of sleep and play time.

Just Pics

2011-07-22T23:13:00.000-04:00

It's Amazing

2011-07-13T12:27:00.002-04:00

It's amazing how much a little 7 pound boy can change the lives of two people so much. Aside from the lack of sleep, ever changing schedule and crazy amounts of diapers one will go through it is amazing how much love you can have for your own baby boy. Jackie and I have found ourselves staring at him as he eats, sleeps or just laying around.

We have, of course, begun the discussions of who he looks like; whose eyes, hair, skin, demeanor and sleeping position he has. We are in debate over his eyes which are now blue but seem to be ever changing. The hair is looking to have the slight curls of dad. We are glad that he has a relatively calm disposition (though we know that in a baby that can change in a instant and for no apparent reason). The sleeping is great (well the position at least), he is still waking up and seems to now know what day or night is but doesn't always adhere to it. No matter how we lay him or what we wedge around him he is a slide sleeper just like his daddy. The arm goes up by his head and on the side he goes. Then he goes right into, as Jackie calls it his condor/trumpet routine. He likes to chirp and twist and turn throwing his arms around making us believe he is waking up or awake. When we walk over, he is fast asleep. Silly little tricky Nathaniel.

He is doing well feeding though he likes to try to eat too much and has begun spitting up all over his nice new clean outfits. He is still too small for bibs, but I am trying anything from napkins, to paper towels, to blankets.

Sleep

2011-07-05T17:22:00.003-04:00

I think we are starting to get some basic form of a sleep pattern down. I have been able to let Jackie go down early and try to take the night shift until 2am. Then I put Nathaniel down and let Jackie take back over. He normally wakes her up at 3:30ish with a diaper, but we are still working the kinks out. It is amazing to see how much a small 7 pound boy can bring joy to your life even when you are dead tired, but it is wonderful and we can't wait to continue to see the joy that he will bring into our lives. I thank the Lord for this bundle and can't wait to see him grown in the Lord.

Just pics

2011-06-21T22:25:00.006-04:00

Here are some pics, I will try to post tomorrow.

Visitation day

2011-06-18T20:50:00.003-04:00

We had a nice day full of visitors today. I was wonderful to have so many people stop buy, but we are ready to settle down and try to get a little rest this evening. The type of rest they give you in the hospital to check vitals, feed the baby, and general hospital busyness. We think we are going home tommorrow and we are so excited to be able to introduce Nathaniel to fury little Tumnus waiting at home for us. We get our last little class were we get to watch bathing, diapar changing and last minute baby stuff. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.

Day 2 into 3

2011-06-18T08:46:00.006-04:00

We have made it past 24 hours and
haven't collapsed. We are definitely tired, but were able to get a little sleep last night. They are coming in every three hours to feed but the mini naps are helping. Nathaniel Patrick is becoming himself more and more every day. Here are a few
more pics. We will be here at the hospital until Sunday afternoon. Then
we are apparently trusted to take him
home and take care of things ourselves.

975 turned into Nathaniel Patrick

2011-06-17T09:37:00.004-04:00

Good morning everyone,

Jackie and I were amazed as we welcomed Nathaniel Patrick into our lives last night. I got a call at 1:32pm and Jackie told me that she had been having semi-consistent contractions since 11:30. She had already called the doctor and they wanted us to come in. When we got to the doctor we sat and waited to be seen for about 30 minutes. As before, they began to subside and we thought it was another false alarm. Even after seeing the doctor they thought the contractions were done for today. There was a brief discussion about whether or not to monitor us just to see...thankfully we went on monitor. Once we were on monitor we had contractions every 7-9 minutes. They decided to send us over to labor and delivery to have some additional monitoring (I think the fact they were closing in 20 minutes helped this decision (: ). We got to labor and delivery around 5:15. They hooked us up to the monitor and the contractions took off. The anesthesiologist came in and the race began. Doctors came in out out to talk, give shots, and prep. They took Jackie back, me 10 minutes later and then at 6:51 we had our little baby boy.

He weighed 6 lbs 10 oz and was 19 in long. He stayed in the nursery until about 1:30 am were we kept him for 2 hours before we needed some much needed rest. We slept on and off until they brought him back down at 5:30. We are little rested, clean, fed, and happy to be holding Nathaniel. We will try to get more pics and keep you up-to-date.

Getting there...

2011-05-23T21:37:00.003-04:00

We are still playing the waiting game and are trying to get the last minute things taken care of, even though we have no idea when the last minute will be. :)
Jackie is 34 weeks as of last Friday and we are told that anytime in the next 6 maybe it. So it is exciting, anxious, and crazy all at the same time. I know that the Lord will bring us our boy in His own time, but we are both so ready to hold him. Here are a few pics of the latest nursery upgrades.

April Pics

2011-04-21T19:06:00.004-04:00

Hey All, this is about 30-31 weeks. We are running around using spring break to get the house updated, the babies room in more order and general house cleaning that won't get done in a short 10-weeks. We are so excited and can't wait to see our bundle of joy and try our best to be parents.

We are so glad that we are going to have our summer to delve into this crazy, stressful, amazing, and wonderful journey. It is fun to hear all the possible names people are trying to pull out of us, but we are steadfast/stubborn (at least I am) in only telling you that it is 9-7-5. Until next time...and I will try my best to make sure next time is more weekly that the random monthly that I have been.
Love you all

Small update

2011-04-16T16:37:00.005-04:00

Pic taken in February, need to take some more and will add pics as we go. We have been in the process of updating the house, putting together furniture and updating and getting the small things ready for the new coming boy (975).

Office with new paint and rearranged. One of the four new rooms with paint jobs and decoration change. I guess the nesting started early for the both of us.

One more piece added to the nursery. The crib, chair, and changing table are in and together. Now some finishing touches with nightstand and bookshelf and we will be ready.

I will try to get my pics together and add some more posts over the next week. We are out on Spring Break and I will have time to sit down and organize a bit. We are so excited, nervous, and going crazy trying to make sure we have everything in place...only to realize when it is time that we have forgotten everything. :)

New Zealand- intro

2010-07-29T21:17:00.005-04:00

Jackie and I spent 6 days in New Zealand and we will be updating our blog with several new posts over the next two weeks. Check back to hear of our journey and stories and pics we will have to share. Stories from figuring out strange washers and thermostats, bubbling mud, molten earth, left side driving, black sand beaches, rafting, to amazing drives through the most beautiful land on earth .

WASP Ceremony

2010-03-10T21:25:00.007-05:00

Jackie Lake Carmine- 43-w-8 (WASP)

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo /2896569360026766405EUERLK

I was able to go with Jackie today to the ceremony to honor the Women Airforce Service Pilots with a Congressional Gold Medal. Jackie Lake Carmine was a member of class 43-w-8. Check out the pics and sites to learn more.
Websites:
http://www.wingsacrossamerica.us/wasp/index.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_Airforce_Service_Pilots

Were here...

2010-02-22T18:29:00.003-05:00

Yes we are here and not lost to all the world. Just neglectful to the world of blogging. I keep telling myself that I am going to do better and update on a regular basis, but then I get doing other things that life brings about. We had such great plans to put great snow pictures, great valentine pictures, great winter pictures, but what happened oh yeah. In one way or another I got lazy. But no more, I am going to dedicate myself to keeping out Blog up to date as best as I can. I mean if I want people to know what is going on in the world of me and Jackie what else am I going to do. I also need to get back into a routine as more than the blog is suffering in my lassiez-faire attitude. I need to refocus my life and my walk with the Lord so that I know I am walking in the Light of the Lord instead of the shade of life.
Me and Jackie are doing well and just in the midst of the middle of the school year dregs. The kids are just coming back from over two weeks off of school so they are having to relearn the material and refocus and SOL's will quickly approach us and make all the stress flood back into the school. But that is all for now as I will talk to you again soon. God Bless.

"Do whats right because it right and let the chips fall where they may"

Back for teachers

2009-08-16T18:12:00.008-04:00

Well I officially start back to school this week for teacher training. I have enjoyed my summer but it has come to an end. We have time this week to set up our rooms and get our lessons together for the first week. We will get our schedules and class rosters. Here are a few shots of my room...it is pretty big so I have to find stuff to fill up the space with. We are still bummed that we are not in the same school, but our hope is that after this year that I will be able to make it back over to Spotsy. We just enjoy one saving gas, but also have time together on the ride to and from home. That way we don't feel so bad doing our own things in the evening if we have or want to.

School is coming to an end and...

2009-08-06T09:50:00.000-04:00

Well the summer is comng to an end and the time to prepare for work has begun. Jackie has already started back for the year and I will start the 17th with the students rushing back to us on the 24th. I must say that it is a nice welcomed change. I am ready to get back to working with students. I have enjoyed the few times I have had to relax and the vacation to the Caribbean. I am going to try to post on a more regular basis throughout the year so that those few who follow with know what is going on.

Summer Update

2009-07-26T19:22:00.000-04:00

Summer officially began on June 13th and its been wonderful. Brandon is now one of the train conductor's at Short Pump mall (pics to come later). Jackie has been working her summer hours as dictated by the office which include ten hour days. We were fortunate enough to have time to take an eight day cruise on the Carnival Freedom out of Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. Our ports of call included Cozumel, Mexico; Limon, Costa Rica; and Colon, Panama. We returned to the Mayan Ruins of Tulum in Mexico where this picture was taken. This time, however, we brought our suits so we were able to enjoy the awesome beach below.

Costa Rica attacked us!!!

We started our excursion in Costa Rica with a bicycle ride through the jungle and a town. Then we descended to the rapids of the Reventazon River. We think the translation is roughly "explosion." That is exactly what happened to us. We were minding our own business paddling when the river threw us out of the raft. After a drenching soak in the river (lungs and all), we resumed our ride. It was awesome! We survived and therefore won.

Our last port in Panama was uneventful and somewhat disappointing. Overall, the cruise was great.
As July comes to a close, Jackie will resume work August 3rd. Brandon starts at his new school (same county) August 17th but is very busy driving the train until then.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith (M Ed x2)

2009-05-14T16:31:00.001-04:00

The day has finally come. I am getting my Master's on Saturday, and as much of a pain as it was I am happily ready to be done. So now there are two M Ed in the house at 913 Kilby Station Rd. Both me and Jackie were also informed about two weeks ago that we would both be back into the county, but that we would have to wait to determine what school we will be at (Rusty...our wonderful principal is trying to get us both back). We want to be back as well we love our school and our kids. So I will be able to update my blog on a more regular basis. I will be able to find out what it means to sleep a normal nights sleep, I will be go spend more quality time with Jackie and our kitties. The days of staying up to research and type papers is over. What a wonder time. Hopefully, that will open up my schedule to get back in contact and see more of you on a regular basis. I knew that God would get me through this, but it was a long and stressful journey. His grace and mercy has gotten me through this and will continue to guide me in my journey of life.

God Bless
Brandon Smith M Ed.

The Blessings of Snow.

2009-03-01T21:41:00.000-05:00

Ahhh, A much needed snow day tomorrow. I have neglected my blog for too long, and I have so much to share. I have been running around like a crazy rabbit these past few months and can't wait for May. I am taking 4 graduate classes to be able to finish by May so that my teaching license doesn't expire and so I can work next fall. But, then about a month ago me and Jackie find out the same day that due to budget shortfalls, we will not have contracts next year. Well then we are infomred that we are on a call back list. This means that if someone leaves or retires then we get called if we are at the top of the list. But there is no way to find out where you are on your list. So you just have to wait. Ahhh.
So we are just waiting now and hoping that this stimulus will help both me and Jackie as well as all the others on the list as well. This are nuts, things are busy, but we are good. God is Good and always provides. Especially when you need a SNOW DAY.

913 Kilby Station Rd

2008-11-26T09:26:00.000-05:00

Well, we have finally moved in and have all of our services connected- tv, internet, phone, power, water. It is so nice to have a house again. One that we can decorate, and clean, and cook in. Thankfully we have some time over Thanksgiving to begin the process of after unpacking. Everything is getting out of boxes, but it is nowhere close to where it needs to be. We still need to hang pictures and frames. We really need to put a shed out back, install some more closet shelves for space and all the fun it's-my-house stuff.
I must confess something though. We we packed up all of our books from the old house, we took all of the screws from the bookcases and put them in their own bag inside of a larger bag. Makes sense right??? I will never do that again. We lost the so very important bag and had to go find new ones. I forgot why I dislike moving so much. Too easy to lose things. But, here are a few pics. I will try to to better with the blog now that we have our internet back. :)
Have a great Thanksgiving!

Our New Home

The beginning of the settling in and placing everything were it needs to be. And of course Jackie is relaxing with Tumnus.

The back of the house- still need to
add a shed and a nice outdoor dining table.

And what is a home without
lots of crazy stuffed animals?

New Job and update on house

2008-09-27T22:18:00.000-04:00

Well the new job has definantly kept me busy. Teaching in the public school is a very different joy than teaching in the alternative setting. I love the new job and the kids are great. I have plenty of annoying kids of course, but they are half the fun and trying to get them to listen and behave. But more importantly our house is coming together and hopefully we will be able to close sometime in the beginning of November. I think we will be doing some painting and little decorating prior to moving since we only get plain white on the walls and we want some color. We are hoping to start moving things in on our long Thanksgiving weekend. But here are some updated pics.

The front of the house obviously.

Living room with gas fireplace.

Office

We couldn't post the other pics because it was raining outside, and well...we dont have lighting yet so the shadows are awful. We will post more as it comes together

Foundation is In!

2008-07-23T11:34:00.000-04:00

Last Saturday we discovered that our foundation had gone in. The news from the builder is that we should be ready to move in by Thanksgiving. We are so excited.
On the current home front, we are in the process of working out a contract. A lady who has shown interest for a month or so has finally provided us with proof that she can get a loan. Keep your fingers crossed for us! Here are some pics.

This is the front of the foundation from the street.
913 Kilby Station Road.
Side view from the left
The back of the house from the wooded edge of our lot.
This is what our house will look like before the siding...sometime by the end of August.

Gid is good

2008-06-27T10:53:00.000-04:00

I left work yesterday with a message to call Jackie's principal back. After talking to him I accepted a postition as a special education math teacher at Spotsylvania High School. I will be going up there on Monday to sign my letter of intent. I am saddened at having to leave my current job, but am excited about the doors I now have opened in the public school system. But the saving we will have in gas being able to carpool together and with another employee in the area are wonderful. This has been such an answer to prayer. It is hard to remember that God always provides for his children, especially the many things He has given me in my life. I will post more later as I hear more information.
Praise be to the Lord
His servant

Two days

2008-06-24T18:26:00.000-04:00

I have almost made it. I have two more days until my summer officially begins. Well one if you leave out the field trip to Kings Dominion. It is officially work, but hey there is a little fun there too. Then I get to relax a little bit, but only a little because I still have two class I'm taking for the summer. I did finally get called for an interview in Spotsylvania County High (jackie's school). So know I am just praying and waiting. Hopefully, I will hear soon so my current school isn't in a bind.

Almost summer

2008-06-01T22:04:00.000-04:00

The school year is finally dragging on too long. Jackie is finished on the 13, but I must lug on until the 26th of June. On top of that, I am taking 4 graduate classes. ahhhhhh. Where are the summer of my childhood, when I could just ride my bike to the pool and go swimming for hours on end. Ah yes, I am a grown up now and have to wait for a vacation.

Weekend Update

2008-05-18T21:22:00.000-04:00

Good evening,

The waiting game has begun. We have had our first showing of the house, but we are trying not to get too excited about any showings and the market is great right now. We know that it will sell in His time and all we have to to is wait. We have until the sheet rock goes on on our new place until we have to worry. That is not for another 4-6 months. So right now we are just in waiting. If it sells before our other house is ready, we have a place to stay and will just put our stuff in storage. We looked at final plans last week and added a fireplace and moved a window. In the coming weeks we will meet and discuss colors and carpet. The only downside I can see right now is that if we don't sell our current place, we will have designed a great house for someone else.

The Current and Future State of house.

2008-05-07T22:13:00.000-04:00

Lot from street

Back of lot

I went by the lot last weekend after signing the contract with the contingency of our selling of 1213 N. 24th St. It is just a bare lot right now, but I also have a few pics of what the house will begin to look like as it goes up.

What the front of the house will look like, plus some siding of course.

Back of house.

What did I sign???

2008-05-01T21:57:00.000-04:00

Good evening, me and Jackie signed what is to hopefully be our new house contract this evening. Even though it is contingent on us selling our current house. A little bit about the house...it has no foundation as it is not built yet. It is located in Ashland, Virginia on Kirby Station Rd (913 to be exact). Don't google it yet because remember no foundation yet. We have until the sheet rock goes up hopefully in the next 3-4 months, to back out if our house isn't selling. But all we can do know is pray and see where God leads. I will try to keep the post more up to date and get some pictures of the empty lot and the house as it goes up. Love you all and God Bless

Time to post again

2008-04-27T22:43:00.000-04:00

It's been too long since our last post and hopefully I will be able to do a much better job at posting in the future. Well me and Jackie are busy with school and hopefully I will be joining her in Spotsylvania County Schools. She is loving being a school counselor, yet as we all do have days where here kids drive her crazy.
For those of you who don't know we are looking to move to the Ashland area this summer (pray and crossing our fingers that our house will sell). We met with our realtor this afternoon and discussed what all we have to do with the house to help it sell. Which we hope will happen soon since we already know the house we want in Ashland. It is new construction and have tentatively put a contract in with the contigency that our house here sells (who can afford two mortgages anyway). But as things move along we will keep you posted and try to get a few shots of the new house as it goes up. Talk to you all soon.

Brandon

The enviornment can breathe again.

2007-11-28T16:39:00.001-05:00

I can say now that I am doing my part for the environment. I had to say goodbye to the trusty Saturn and have purchased a much more fuel efficient Nissan Sentra. I was tired of adding 2 quarts of oil a week and spewing trails of grey smoke down the interstate. It is also a plus that I get up to 36 miles per gallon. No more buying oil and fewer times at the pump what else could I ask for. Oh yeah, more safety features, more airbags and a working horn.

New Blog

2007-11-27T22:23:00.000-05:00

I have finally moved into the modern age. My first blog. I will be attempting to add to this on a regular basis and catching everyone up on the coming and goings of life here in Richmond. I miss you all and will be sending you the link to the blog as I finish. I love and miss you all.