2.26.2013

Glass

Okay, I know change can be a good thing.
But if I am really honest this is really freakin' me out!
Google's new product GLASS.

Like a pair of glasses, except they're not.
Seems kind of robotic.
But also seems to make so much sense. 
Just simply say
"Okay Glass, take a picture." and it does.
"Okay Glass, take a video." and it does.
"Okay Glass, how far is it from Portland Oregon to Vancouver BC?" and it tells you.
Its like Siri and Google had a baby that you wear on your head.
I know, freaky.

Check out this video or a better understanding,
and read their site to see what its all about.


photo via the Washington Post

2.25.2013

This Week

This week I will:

- try my best to not lose my temper with Claire

- keep my house clean and tidy

- dream of sunny vacations

- use my time wisely

- post pictures on my blog

- sing songs with Claire and hold her close, giving her my undivided attention

- go to bed early

- organize my thoughts 

- read my Bible and ground myself in the Word

2.21.2013

#throwbackthursday

On Instagram right now there's a popular hashtag (#) called
#throwbackthursday
Basically just taking an older photo and 'Instagramming' it.
Kinda fun.

If you don't have Twitter or Instagram,
I am sure the concept of hashtag is confusing. 
(Click on each word for the Wikipedia link) 

Here are three of the 
#throwbackthursdays I posted today:

Visiting Whitney in Caronport November 2008

 October 2010 - backyard here in Portland

May 2011 - camping on the Oregon Coast
7 months pregnant

2.20.2013

Back At It

Claire and I just returned home from two weeks in Canada.
The first week we were there,
we stayed at my parents house.
They were vacationing in Mexico with my grandparents.
Actually, my brother and sister-in-law were as well.
It felt kind of strange to be there without them.
But Claire and I had free roam of the whole house
to play with the dog, and entertain a few friends.
It was really nice to see some girlfriends
and catch up on girl talk.
I visited with my friend Lisa and her three kids,
it was super fun having 4 kids run around. 
I even met up with an old friend whom I've known since grade 1.
That was really fun to see her again.
And I had Jessi and Angela here to keep away the Boogy Monsters as well.

Unfortunately,
while writing an email to a friend saying
'I think we're finally over this sickness!'
(referring to the ongoing cold symptoms and upset tummy we've been passing back and forth)
I came down with a WICKED head cold.
AH! Totally jinxed myself. 
So I had to cancel plans with my other friends that had small kids.
As much as I was really bummed to cancel,
I would have felt even more terrible passing it into their homes.
Especially after they had just got rid of it themselves.

The next weekend my parents returned home from their holiday.
The same weekend Spencer was flying from Portland to Calgary, AB 
to write Part A of his Canadian Chiropractic Board exams.
This is for licensing so he can practice in Canada,
kind of a big deal...
Once the exams were done Saturday,
he enjoyed spending the evening with the guys hanging out.
But we were really happy to be reunited the next day and have those exams be behind us
(until June.)
We were also eager to head up to Sun Peaks for a bit of a break 
and his brother's wedding.

The same weekend began Jessi's wedding festivities!
It was her first bridal shower and the first of the events to come
in the next couple of months before her wedding. 
Afterwards we went out to see Les Miserables. 
It was fun to have a whole girls day.
It was a great way to complete a whole week of being with the girls.
I saw Jessi and Angela everyday that I was home,
and it felt so good to just BE with them.

That weekend my parents came down with
the Super Flu (aka Norovirus or Norwalk Virus).
A kid had it on their flight home,
and due to the air circulation on the plane,
my parents took home a nice souvenir.

It was passed around at Sun Peaks too,
starting with Claire on Tuesday.
Spencer and I spent all day Valentines Day in bed together.
No, no, not TMI.
We spent it SICK in bed together.
In sickness and in health, right? 
At one point he managed to roll over and hold my hand,
looked into my eyes and said,
"There's no one else I'd rather be sick with on Valentine's Day then you."
Aw, so romantic! 
Howard and Diane managed to get it as well.

Even though our week at Sun Peaks was a bit tainted,
we are so thankful we had Howard and Diane there to watch Claire.
And we are even more thankful that by the wedding on Saturday evening
we were all feeling better and were able to enjoy the night.
And, if you can believe it,
we are even MORE thankful that Tyler and Lorna (and Travis)
were able to avoid it.

Tyler and plans to come up to Sun Peaks Friday night
while Diane and I were out with Lorna and her friends.
The guys were going to skiing the next morning,
then meet us in Kamloops.
I know Tyler was disappointed that it didn't pan out that way,
but I really do feel that him being there could have gotten him sick.
Spencer and I ended up spending the evening in Kamloops
with them, while Diane and Howard stayed with Claire on the mountain.
It still worked out to be a great weekend.

The last two weeks 
were filled with sickness.
(Spencer and I are still coughing, and Spencer suspects bronchitis) 
But looking back on the last two weeks,
that is not what I see.
I see a time that was full of family,
friends, and beautiful celebrations.

The next two months are going to bring a lot of time on the road for Claire and I
as we continue celebrating Jessi and Craig.
Showers, girls weekend at Sun Peaks, a staguette and finally the wedding.
In between that there's school, 
spring cleaning and a visit from Tyler and Lorna.
All of the busy-ness is sure to make the time fly,
it certainly won't make it go slower, or even hold it still.
Right now we have about 4 and a half months left of our time in Portland.
And by the time Jessi's wedding is done,
it will be just a couple of months.

It is actually crazy to think our time here is coming to a close.
If you think about it -
please pray for complete and utter contentment with
where we are each day.
I feel that so much right now, but I want it to continue.
We are making decisions, making plans and collecting boxes.
This transition has been in the works since we left to come down here,
but I was not prepared for how rooted we'd become in Portland.
Its going to be a difficult transition.
There is so much pulling me back to BC,
and yet I know that there will be pieces of me left in Oregon as well.
It is where we made and had our first baby!

xo






2.19.2013

And Two Became One

On Saturday,
February 16th our family welcomed another Mrs. Smid!

Our younger brother Tyler married Lorna.
The ceremony and reception was held at the Brownstone Restaurant
in a downtown historic building. 

Tyler met Lorna in October 2011,
following a very exciting summer.
What a better way to finish the year then by meeting the love of your life!
He brought her to Christmas dinner that year,
and since then she has left an imprint on the Smids hearts.

It is so exciting to have another sister in my life.
Things are starting to even out between girls and boys.
(I also have a brother on my side, and he gave me a sister-in-law two and a half years ago.)

Spencer and Travis stood up for Tyler as he made his vows.
They gave an amazing tribute to their brother that evening.
Many people commented on how touching it was.
The love those boys have for each other is evident,
and I feel so blessed to have witnessed it for many years.

The evening was wonderful.
The vows were a mix of what they wrote themselves and traditional.
They stood up in front of 39 of their closest friends and family
and promised to love and be faithful to one another until they day they die.
Its beautiful.
We toasted with champagne, mingled, visited, met new friends and new family,
ate delicious food, cried happy tears and celebrated the beginning of a new life as man and wife.

Now the couple are off to Jamaica to enjoy some SUNSHINE.
(I can't say that I'm not a bit jealous.)








http://www.facebook.com/RozalindEwashinaPhotography

2.05.2013

We Survived

Claire and I drove to Canada yesterday.
Just the two of us on a road trip.
Despite the fact that she only slept
one of the six hours it took us we had a successful trip.
Yesterday was Day 1 of single parenthood,
and I think its safe to say so far so good.
One dog and one baby vs. one mama
and I've made it almost through another day alive.
 
Not sure how much blogging I will be doing this week.
I think if I can keep my head above water I'm good.
We have some adventures up our sleeves
to keep each other sain this week.
Some visiting, lots of napping,
sleepovers and crafting.
 
Spencer has part A of his boards this weekend in Calgary.
Please say a prayer for him Saturday!
 
 
xo

2.01.2013

Business Card


He's got a card! 
And a fancy-pants doctor email.

Its crazy how these little things
(which are big things in our house)
are reminders that our time here is coming to an end.

Soon, I will be married to a chiropractor.
Crazy!