Stephanie Smith

A fresh start!!

2009-01-28T19:16:00.000-08:00

Sometimes we find encouragement from people and places we would never think, but we should thank God for each and every one of them!

Me and my daughter have been talking about me and why I have been so Blahh! for, well since all of our battles last year. I told her I wasn't sure why I couldn't snap out of my depressed state when I have nothing to be depressed about! She is so grown up now, she and I talked about staying in our Word and praying more with and for each other. We also made a vow to each other to start being in church every service like we always have. I just seem to find every excuse in the world not to go any more and all of them are just that, excuses.

I'm glad God gave me my 2 wonderful children! If not for them and my wonderful husband, I don't know where I would be. I know I would not be the person I am today!!

Home Alone!

2009-01-25T14:17:00.000-08:00

Well, Bethany left at 7:30am to go skiing at Winter Place with church, Merlin left about 4:00pm to take Lonnie to meet his ride back to Clemson and that leaves me home alone!

This rarely happens and I don't know if I like it or not. You would think I would enjoy the peace and quite and take a little time for myself, but I don't really know how to do that. I haven't felt very well today and just don't feel up to doing anything. Still I would rather have my crowd home with me even if I am yelling for them to stop fighting or to clean up!

Merlin and I have a few days alone this week and he will be working a double on Monday and then on Tuesday he will have to recover and then Bethany will be back on Wednesday! The only way for us to spend time together is go out of town and we never do that alone. One day we may get there, but not in the cards right now.

A new week!

2009-01-11T17:30:00.000-08:00

Well, this week has been pretty good. Not many upsets or disappointments. Lonnie didn't come home from school this week, but he is suppose to come home next week end, thats always exciting. School started back, which means dance started back, which means I'm back in the taxi cab business. That is when I start appreciating what Lonnie did for me when he was home. My daddy helps me out greatly also. I guess I should be greatful I can still pick her up and be with her all the time. In May she will turn 15 and get her permit and then, well the rest is history.

My daddy goes back to Charleston tomorrow for and endoscopy, so please keep him in your prayers. They are going to make sure everything is ok and they can take the feeding tube out.

He went to church with my uncle JM today at Calvary and then to the river for my cousin to be baptised. We were going to go with him, but I hated to miss my church. I think it may do him good to go without me sometimes. I want this to be all him and me be there for help and encouragement, not trying to do this for me or my children. He has had some temptations over the last few weeks, but I'm praying he ask God to help him through them.

I'm going to claim that this week will be as good or better than last week!!

Christmas 2008

2009-01-07T21:59:00.000-08:00

I guess I forgot about Christmas. Well, not really, but I never got around to posting anything for Christmas. I didn't end up getting many pictures. Lonnie got sick and we had to leave my mothers. Also I need a new camera. Mine the pictures have not been coming out very good. Good think I have a birthday coming next month also. Someone (Dale) needs to let Merlin know I need a new camera for my birthday. You may need to help pick one out too!

Mountains 2009

2009-01-07T21:52:00.000-08:00

Well, we took a small vacation this past weekend. We were planning to take Lonnie back to school, and help him move in his new room, but he decided he wanted to wait until Monday to leave for school. Since we had already planned to go out of town, we did. We went and picked up BB and headed to Pigeon Forge, TN. We only stayed one night but we had a blast. I think BB really enjoyed herself. Lonnie didn't go with us and we missed him, but I guess we need to get used to that, he is grown now. He will be 19 next month. Whatever will I do??

Our exciting New Years Eve!!

2009-01-07T21:46:00.001-08:00

Well...we decided to let Bethany go to a party for New Years Eve at a friends house and Merlin and I could not thing of anything to do to stay awake until the party was over (I know we are sad). So we went to the movies and then to Wal-Mart (no one was there never seen Wal-Mart so empty) we got groceries and some hats and went home to watch the ball fall. We did make it until New Years and when Bethany came in and saw us sitting in the recliners with our hats on she about rolled. You know she thinks we are crazy anyway, so she really got a kick out of that!

Looking forward to a good year!!

A New Year Is On The Way!

2008-12-30T19:43:00.000-08:00

I am so ready for a New Year! I feel like I may can take a breath. This year has been so crazy with my dad being sick and Lonnie going off to college. These were very big events in our lives.
Things seem to be getting better with both of these situations, but I still seem like my world is falling apart most days. I just can't feel relaxed, I always feel uptight and stressed. I need a good LONG vacation!!! Merlin want him and me to go on a cruise, That seems wondereful, but I do hate to leave the children. I know we need to go away together and I know we will, but there I go again feeling like the world can't survive without me, we all know it can! Just pray for me and my crazy life, that should be enough to keep us all busy!!

Weary Week!!!

2008-12-19T21:45:00.001-08:00

Well, it has been a very long and exhausting week this week!! I have had so many emotions running through my head... anger,sadness,aggravation,hurt. I have just not been able to function normally this week at all. I can't go into any details, but all I can say is please pray for my family! As if it isn't hard enough raising 2 teenagers, trying to keep an extended family going is a pain also.

I think I'm tired of trying to keep everyone on the right track and taking care of everyone. I want to be taken care of for a change. I don't want to pay bills, make sure every one is at doctor appointments, dance class, school, etc. I just want to be pampered and not have to worry if we have the money to do something or not. My husband is very good, but he is also very spoiled and he couldn't do these things on his own. I guess that's why God put us together, so we could complete each other.

I guess everybody is ready for Christmas? I am, but not really feeling the spirit this year. I'm usually really excited, but not this year. I mean I have much to be thankful for, my father getting better and everything, but just thankful we have each day together.

The Joys of Parenting!!

2008-12-03T21:32:00.000-08:00

Some time I wonder if I will ever get this parenting thing down pat?!? You think you finally got the hang of it and something happens you can never imagine. I know God has to keep us on our toes, but he has really been on be lately. I guess I should not blame God, he gets blamed for enough he has nothing to do with. No matter how these things come my way I know I have to depend on him to carry me through them. I thank God for his arms & shoulders. I know I have used them a lot in the last year.

Hump Day!

2008-10-08T18:06:00.001-07:00

My daughter and her friend Ashlee thought I was crazy when I told them last week that Wednesday was hump day. They had never heard of that, so I explained to them what it was. They thought it was so funny, but said they better be careful who they told that at school or they might get expelled.

I think most weeks I feel like I have 5 Mondays! Always busy, but that is good. There are many people today that don't have a job. I thank God we are blessed to have a good job and I also thank him for each day he gives me to be with my family.

I can't wait for the weekend!!

I learned to add pictures...What will be next???

2008-10-06T19:13:00.000-07:00

Couldn't seem to find a picture of me anywhere. Maybe that should tell me something, I take terrible pictures. But these are a few of some big events that have taken place in the last few months. Hope you enjoy them!

One of those weekends!!!!

2008-10-06T18:03:00.000-07:00

This weekend was one of the worst I have had in some time. Lonnie was home, which was good! My husband washed all the vehicles, which was good. Me and Bethany cleaned and washed clothes, which was good. Then Lonnie, Bethany, BB & me went shopping and out to eac, which was good. I guess you are wondering where the bad comes in. Well, I really don't know where it crept in either, but it was like something took over my body, mind and spirit. I was depressed to the point I could hardly walk. I know that sounds stupid, but thats how I felt. It hurt to even try and get out of bed. There are only a few people I can really talk to and feel better and they all live away from me right now, this weekend I was told that I was trying to take back my burden from God! I thought why would I want to do that. Then I thought about it and I guess that was right. I had given something over to God several months ago and have not worried about it anymore, just been depending on God and now, after 6mths I'm trying to take back some of this from God.
My friend also said every time you do that it is like slapping God in the face. I do not want to take back my burden...it felt so good when he lifted it from me....I pray that God helps me to continue to be strong and know he is in total control, even if things don't work out like I would have them to.

Currently my favorite song!

2008-10-03T15:17:00.000-07:00

"I'm In Better Hands Now" by Natalie Grant

Join the Club!

2008-10-02T19:08:00.000-07:00

I guess it's time I join the club! I didn't do My Space, Face Book or any of those COOL things, but if Jill can do it I can too! I really enjoy looking at the pictures and comments about the life of all my friends, so I guess I can put myself out there too. Just don't be surprised at what you read. I will probably have some people thinking how in the world does she even hold down a job as crazy as she is, but just know it's only by the Grace of God I haven't been committed!