My son loves playing in the bath...especially if the faucet is running.

This is my son's new big boy bath.  I love the colors and he loves it too.  THese are the suction cup mats to keep him from slipping.

60 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR MARRIAGE ROCK! 

1. PRAY TOGETHER ALWAYS 
2. READ THE SCRIPTURES TOGETHER ALWAYS 
3. Go on regular date nights
4. Hide notes in secret places
5. Go to bed at the same time
6. Listen to music together-share ear-buds
7. Buy him gifts he will love
8. Revitalize the romance with intimate dates
9. Wear shirts that tell the world you love your spouse
10. Praise your spouse to other people
11. Read a marriage devotional
12. Sleep in his t-shirts
13. Renew your vows privately with whispers and memories
14. Renew them publicly with cake and bubbly
15. Go away together at least once a year


For Women Only
16. Hang pictures of the two of you around your house
17. Make his favorite dessert
18. Make sex a priority
19. Spend time apart occasionally
20. Learn to enjoy something he loves
21. Surprise each other
22. Meet him at the door
23. Text each other from across the room
24. Set reminders on your phone to remember him/her throughout the week
25. Call him right now and tell him you appreciate him

For Men Only
26. Leave work on time and come home early
27. Engage every day in meaningful conversation
28. Compliment each other
29. Take one day a month to make your spouse your total focus
30. Argue fair: avoid these words “you always” and “you never”
31. Kiss every day
32. Find tangible ways to serve your mate without complaining
33. Forgive quickly
34. Be honest.
35. Get on the same page: plan your budget together
36. Look your best as often as you can
37. Guard your marriage
38. Laugh together
39. When you are together-BE TOGETHER (take a break from phones, technology, etc)
40. Tell her she’s pretty, especially when she’s not feeling it

Both
41. Make each other breakfast in bed
42. Do her chores for her
44. Get a couple’s massage or host your own privately
44. Dance together-soft music (both of you alone) or rocking music with the kids
45. Exercise together- hikes, bike riding, etc
46. Choose not to be annoyed by an irritating behavior/disappointment from your spouse
47. Thank your spouse often even for the least reason or gesture
48. Lay in bed together and stare into each other eyes, without talking
49. Learn something new together-take an art class, cooking lessons, etc
50. Leave a sweet comment on the Facebook wall
51. Support each other’s goals
52. Bring her flowers/gifts (even when she says they are too expensive)
53. Wear something your spouse loves
54. Share furniture-sit in his lap
55. Fight for your marriage
56. Make a point to eat dinner together most days of the week.
57. Never let your spouse feel like they come second place to your career or any other thing.
58. Talk about your dreams and aspirations. Be supportive of each other and dream big together!
59. Maintain a united front as your motto: Meaning- “Me and you against the world.
60. Speak well of your spouse.

Remember your Spouse Rocks- Even when they don’t at the moment!

My son loves his Bob the Tomato book from Veggie Tales, so I added some Bob touches to his 1st Birthday party. Material: Tomato, mozarella, black olives and a cherry tomato cut in half.

I fell of the blogging wagon for awhile and let life carry me along undocumented.  Something that has become increasingly important to me over the past couple years is natural foods.  I've learned so much about GMO's, food additives, and toxins that it leaves one to consider what is left to eat?  My response is to put the only natural, complete food into my body that I can find for at least one meal, rid toxins, and slowly transition the rest of my eating lifestyle to healthier.  My other response is to only feed my baby organic food from the start.  I hope to add myself to that as well and have become choosier about my food sources.  It's not easy, but it's a start.  If you'd like to join me on my journey, please leave me a message.  Company is always welcome!

Sharin the Shot

For those college students, super busy business persons, moms, performers, the list goes on... This ALL NATURAL energy shot has just been released.  It has no artificial colors, stimulants, or sweeteners.  The caffeine come from Yurba Mate and Green Tea.  The best part is that there is NO CRASH!!!!  You can get it here: www.oasisjoy.isagenix.com

Pinterest inspired DIY

DIY: My first Pinterest inspired project that I've done!  My friend Meg picked up a second hand Little Tikes picnic table for somewhere.  It was quite dirty and had paint stains on the top.  Thanks to Pinterest...I knew what I could do to shape it up.  Here is the result.  Three rolls of Duct Tape and some contact paper and viola!

Here is basically what I started with:

And here is the finished project!

K- now has a new table!

January and a New Year! I only have about 6 weeks left (officially) until Boberry arrives. Am I ready? Physically...yes! Home/Nursery wise...no!!! Let's see...I can't sleep, laying down brings ligament and pelvic pain, and I'm starting to feel less able to do most things :-(. This is not good as my sweet husband is incapacitated himself. He is wrapping up his final round of Chemo tomorrow then will need to recover and rebuild his strength. This is a trying time in our lives, but we eagerly await our new little boy.

Merry Christmas Everyone! It has been a year of the unexpected. My trip to Kenya went very well and I feel blessed to have been able to go and be there. I met many wonderful people in the Village of Kandaria. While there, I discovered I was expecting our first child. I couldn't wait to get home to share the news with Bo in person...though I hated to leave Africa at the same time.

Once home, Bo and I went to Miami for a small vacation together and stayed with good friends from Saudi. We enjoyed the beach, Cuban food, and a real Cuban birthday party...all the family present :-).

I was able to get a short trip in to visit my grandpa in California before the school year resumed and enjoyed a visit from my best friend and her family while I was there. They drove up from So. Cal to see me.

Then, this fall came...football season, busyness, and my husband's usual fatigue...only it wasn't usual...it was worse than normal. Upon finally going to the doctor, we were stunned to receive the diagnosis of him having Leukemia Cancer. Not the news I hoped for, but God has been holding us close throughout the whole thing. Our church has been right there supporting us, my school community where I work has been so loving and supportive, and Bo's school has been supporting us in any way they can. Needless to say, Bo was unable to continue the football season having to spend the initial 5 weeks in the hospital. Now, 2 follow-up treatments are done and one is left next month. We are really praying for a remission report when he is through. Our baby boy is due in early March.

Tiki is ornery as ever, but makes us laugh a lot at his curious antics.

Bo and I just celebrated our 3rd anniversary and are praying for many more years to come.
Love and Hugs,
Heather

Getting a Kenya Mindset...

On Thursday, I leave with a team of 31 people for Kenya. For the past week I've been repeatedly asked, "Are you ready?" My answer has typically been, "I guess." Which simply means, I haven't stopped to think about it too much. It's easy to get caught up in the preparation for the trip and not truly engage with thoughts of the trip until you're on your way.

When I left for Uganda Feb. 12, 2003...I spent a sleepless night before I traveled and then was hit with, "What was I thinking?" thoughts. I was moving to a foreign country where I knew no-one, had never been, and who no-one knew my family...for 2 1/2 YEARS! This was a completely new experience for me. I was my own entity...people would get to know ME and I was starting completely fresh for probably the first time in my life. It was a bit daunting to say the least. Now in hindsight...it was the best experience of my life and is lodged in my heart forever.

Back to the present (June 2011)...Preparations about done...three days til take off...only a 10 DAY trip this time...but a new experience nonetheless. I know about half of the team I'm traveling with and don't even know the names of the other half. We will be doing construction, adlib VBS and teaching as requested, home and church visits (which may require spot preaching/singing). Most of which are outside my comfort zone as I'm not what you would consider a conversationalist. I'm both excited and nervous at the same time. So...I'm beginning to get my mind back in Africa mode and beginning to think about the journey. I AM ready and AM excited now that I've been able to stop and think about it. I'm excited about what God is going to teach me through this trip and about the people I will get to meet.

Now the only question is...should I use my African accent...or just speak normal. ;-)
Please pray for us!
Good Relationships
Smooth travel
All baggage to arrive WITH us
Good Health and no Injuries during Construction

Love,
Heather Smith

Thank you to those of you who have supported me so far for my mission trip to Kenya this summer. I have only about a $1000 left to raise by May 7th! I know God is able to provide the rest! *Grateful* If you'd like more information, please send me a message!
oasisjoy77@hotmail.com

In Debt to Him for All He's Done,
Heather Smith