The Smithson family thinks to a different beat on a few things.  One being how the Christmas story is told.  Steven and myself love the traditions of the Nativity story but much of the story is just that– traditions that ADD too Scripture. We personally own three Nativity sets.  Steven loves to dote on the fact that they are ALL far from realistic.  I must admit we have gotten into a few light-hearted “arguments” over how we want the story told to our children.  Steven’s version– facts only.  Mine–  build the basics and then reveal the trivia later. I mean you don’t have to tell them Jesus wasn’t born in a stable when they are two!!!

Regardless, have you been able to do your research this year??  Do I have you totally bewildered by what I’m talking about??? Well here’s a little clip we loved so much we showed to the youth department this morning.  Igniter Media did a great job in capturing both truth and the real meaning of Christmas in this little diddy…  Enjoy!

A bit of a distraction don’t you think… We’ll just leave it at that!

So for all of you educational professionals and  speech pathologists….  is it normal for kids to mix up their p’s and f’s?  I’ve heard of s’s, r’s, l’s and more but the p’s and f’s are a new one for me.

Here’s how the conversation went:

Monica:  I go to bafroom on big fotty mommy

Me:  You sure are!  Good Girl.

Monica:  We have little fotty at home… it’s fink.

Me: Yes you’re right.

Monica:  I pinished Mommy!

We were making a rare attempt at getting our kids on video tonight– the results will be posted on here very soon.  However, while Steven was editing it we came across this:

Notice Eli is still in diapers~ and if I remember correctly Monica was “calm” by the time we started recording.  Eli totally had her captivated!

Phone-a-friend- that’s the bonus I took as a mom today….

It all started when I told one of my children it was nap time.  We got “Pony”, “Mr. Chubbs”, and blankie all snuggled up together with us.  I was going to lay down with them a moment when the demand came, “I want ‘Chicken’ and ‘Monkey’”. (Yes we do get very creative with our names around here!)  Well you must understand this child is not particular about “who” they sleep with. It changes daily.  Since “Chicken” and “Monkey” were not in sight I simply replied, “Not this time maybe tonight we’ll be able to find them.”

Well…… an escalating drama began!!! I did concede and give them “Chicken” and “Monkey” but then they didn’t want to lay down either….  a case of good old fashioned stubbornness was visiting!  During the 45 minute episode that ensued, I reached a point I had to call someone to help me hold on to the fight.  The conversation went something like this:

Friend: “Hello?”

Me:   “Will my child continue to breathe despite the fact that they are crying so hard it sounds as though they are suffocating?”

Friend:  “Oh dear what happened?”

Me: “A good case of separation anxiety and strong will over “Monkey” and “Chicken” not being in bed.”

Friend: “Uh-Oh! The not-so-fun part about being a mom! and yes they can still breathe…”

Me:  “So stick with it? Make them mind?”

Friend:  “As long as there is nothing physically wrong, yes you must.”

Me:  “Thanks, they just got out of bed again.  Gotta go!  I needed the emotional support to win this battle”

Thankfully I am rejoicing that it was only five more minutes or so after that call before this battle was won. I didn’t enjoy one minute of the event.  A good lesson in parenting for me.  I must remember sometimes I’m just gonna have to MAKE them mind and prayerfully by the time they leave the nest this battle and all future ones will have a lasting victory over the war of stubbornness!!

The scary part about such a display of strong-will is that I can totally see myself within it.  There are seasons I go through that God has to put me in my place over and over again.  There are tears, drama, and fleshly determination I battle before I just let go and obey!  I don’t know why I put up such a fight when I know God has His best interest in mind the whole time.

I only pray that as a parent I can help be apart of the molding of my kido’s heart in such a way that they won’t fight quite as hard with God when they’re my age.  I’m so thankful God’s love is greater than myself.

So all that to say– even Mom’s need to “phone- a-friend” every now and then!

I broke a life long tradition this past week and put up our Christmas decorations early.  I totally freaked my mom out because I used to be the Christmas decoration nazi– NO decorations until the day after Thanksgiving!!!  It was so funny to hear her remarks of how now she is ‘free’ to put up hers since I’ve deemed it okay…..  Sorry Mom for what I put you through =)!

Well now that we travel for the holidays and our calendar is packed with events I decided to try and beat the rush.  I put them up Monday and have LOVED the feeling of getting to enjoy the season already start.  I LOVE the season of Christmas- the reflection of the nativity, the smells, the family, and the list goes on of “LOVES.”  One more though is the family traditions I hear of each year.  Do you have one?  Is it a food? An activity? An order of doing things?  I know it’s a bit early for most people to ‘go” there but please add to my festive cheer?  What do you look forward to doing each year?

P.S.  This is Monica’s first Christmas she’s really gonna have fun with.  She was determined the baby Jesus below needed one of her diapers….  Also we strung popcorn for the kids trees.  Within 45 minutes Monica had pulled off her strand to start eating it!! Just means we can string more after Thanksgiving, I guess!

Monica’s stories are getting ready to come more frequently now that she’s talking.  Lil’ Miss Independent is starting to show her colors.  If you’ve been around us in a group setting you know that Monica prefers other mommy’s to her own.  Her philosophy from 20 months on has been, “I’ll see you when I get home mom.”  I’m okay with this right now because my little Miss loves to cuddle and dotes on me with kisses when we’re alone, but in public NO WAY!–  (Wasn’t that stage supposed to come later?!?!)

Anyway I thought I’d share a few things I’ve heard her say over the past week. Her independence continues with her speech.

Eli got in the car after preschool. “Monica, how was your day?” Monica pondered, “Good.” Eli, “What did you do?”  Monica- “I pay wif Roco. I dink apuh juice. I pay wif toys….” She came up with a list–

“Eli, you not ‘beyin’ me!” (obeying)

“Be qy-et, Eli.”  (quiet)

“Momma spank me, Daddy.” (tattling already)

These things have been so fun to hear (accept for the bossy streak). Eli at this age had a five word vocabulary.  He didn’t start talking until a couple months after he turned two.  With what Monica’s already verbalizing, I can tell I am in BIG TROUBLE!!  Don’t you agree…

Today has been very relaxing and fun!!  I got to hang out and move furniture around at a friends house, have Steven around, bake cookies for my family who’s coming up tomorrow, and the best of all have my nieces over for the afternoon!!!!

All four Smithson kidos together are quite a sight! They definitely are not lacking in personality….imagine that!!  I was encouraged by how easy it was having four kidos. They totally have entertained themselves and laughter has filled the house ALL afternoon!!! What a JOY! Bath time was a bit tricky but other than that it’s been a breeze….

In the pics the blue-eyed ones are ours and the brown-eyed one’s are Stu and Sarah’s:

This is the only one I got with all the kidos looking at the camera—  notice Monica got some help.

The Real “Them”

Left to Right

Emily- Caroline- Eli- Monica

cool down with Peter Pan…. check out their expressions!

Monica trying to make a “face”- it’s blurry but I thought it was cute.

]]> http://whatsupwithus.wordpress.com/2008/10/17/cousin-fun/feed/ 4 Habbakuk 3:18 looking the real deal img_7422 img_74071 http://whatsupwithus.wordpress.com/2008/10/16/poor-monica-grace/ http://whatsupwithus.wordpress.com/2008/10/16/poor-monica-grace/#comments Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:53:54 +0000 Habbakuk 3:18 http://whatsupwithus.wordpress.com/?p=670 ]]>

The world is a tumultuous place.  This is affirmed by the recent news flashes over the past weeks– yes??

Tragedy has not seen fit to by-pass 22 month old Monica today either.  Not only have her parents decided to take away her most beloved friend….. her passy. (they can only get together at night now)  But our satellite provider has taken off her favorite TV show, “The Big Comfy Couch.”  This devastation struck to such a degree I actually e-mailed PBS to see if it was gone forever.  Here was their reply:

Hi Stephanie,
Thank you for contacting AETN. “Big Comfy Couch” has moved to our digital
channel, AETN-4. It currently airs Monday-Friday at 6:00 am and 6:00 pm.
AETN digital channels are available over-the-air to viewers who have a
digital television set or a digital to analog converter box, used with an
appropriate antenna system for their location.  AETN digital channels are
also available on some cable systems across the state, but it is at the
sole discretion of the providers to make these channels available to their
customers. If your cable provider does not offer the AETN digital
channels, we encourage you to contact them to request they carry the AETN
digital channels.

Sincerely,
Darbi Blencowe
AETN Viewer Services Coordinator

Poor Baby Girl…  I guess it’s an opportunity to teach her to count her blessings! I mean after all, we still have Elmo.