I'm the mother of a 19 year old
But I still feel 19 myself! I was 22 when Warrick was born. I was fairly young to be a mother, but quite honestly, choosing to keep Warrick was the best decision I made. I was in college, finishing out my degree, almost penniless and single. The odds were stacked against us, however as I look at our oldest son I stand in amazement at God's grace and mercy on our lives.
Warrick is one of the most mature, most steady and most loyal people I know. In his entire life I have only seen him lose his temper twice, but I have seen him take joy in simple pleasures. He is non-demanding, understanding, giving and loving. When I look at this young man I really do thank God for what I see.
He asked a couple of weeks ago what his budget was for his birthday. He's been 'jonesing' for a new TV for a while. We came up with a figure and he went searching. Craigslist came through for him and he found an almost new 50 inch TV for sale that was in his price limit (he had to put a bit towards it). He and Terry went and fetched it on Thursday and seldom have I seen his face light up so brightly!
The piece de resistance was the surprise birthday party that we put together. As impetuous as I am, I do like to plan ahead for things like birthday parties, so I was surprised when, with 48 hours before his actual birthday Terry suggested we throw a surprise party. And yet we had many people turn up, even with such short notice.
God has blessed this young man tremendously, and I am thankful. We have come a long way since the day of his birth in Pretoria South Africa 19 years ago. And I know the Lord has good things in store for his future.
Labels: birth, Birthday, craigslist, teenager, Warrick
Hitting the Double Digits
Garrick is our fourth child to make it to double digits. I am amazed they've all lived that long quite frankly! We must be doing something right - although all of our kids, Garrick included - have had their share of bumps, bruises, cuts, scrapes, stitches and broken bones.
As I was getting ready for the day I thought back to the night Garrick was born - he was our first child delivered at home. In retrospect it was one of the wisest decisions we made: if we had chosen to deliver at the birthing center (where both his older sisters were born), he undoubtably would have been delivered in the minivan on the side of Southfield Freeway. From the first contraction to his birth was under 50 minutes; he might have decided to arrive after his due date, but when he made an entrance, he was certainly dramatic!
And some things never change - Garrick is a natural comedian (inherited his Dad's quick wit), and talented actor (again, shades of Terry); he has an excellent voice and is very musically gifted. But most of all, he is boy who loves Jesus.
On Friday night a group of friends will come over and a videogame-a-thon is planned - we are bringing out the Wii, the Playstation, and the Nintendo. Sleep is optional - and I doubt very much that it is on the cards!
Labels: birth, Birthday, drama, Garrick, homebirth, Nintendo, playstation, Wii
Happy Birthday My Love
I have known you for 5,475 days (give or take a day).
We have been married for 5,178 of those days.
Today you celebrate 43 years on this earth - that is 15,706 days (I included leap years too!), or 516 months.
Can I love you more tomorrow than I do now? Well, I love you more today than I did yesterday!
Happy birthday my love, may the next 15,706 days be the best of your life!!
Labels: Birthday, Love, Terry
Carson Lee Smelker
Our 'baby' is all growed up! Well, not quite, but almost. I was talking to a client this morning and mentioned that my baby was eight years old today and although I didn't get misty-eyed I came to the realisation that all my kids are truly growing up. Eight sounds so old, you know?
Carson woke up first thing this morning and raced down the stairs. He knew there would be a couple of gifts for him and he was not disappointed. He has been 'jonesing' for two lego sets - one an Indiana Jones set, where Indiana is chased by the giant ball. The other one was a Y-wing Star Fighter from Star Wars. Although he was allowed to open them this morning he wasn't able to play with them until returning from school. As Terry said, "I pity his poor teacher today. I am not sure he will be able to focus on anything!"
The minute he and his older brother Garrick arrived home they ran upstairs. Here it is 7:30pm and they are STILL building and playing! They took a short break for dinner and a bath, then they were back at it.
Here is the Indiana Jones set:
And here is the Y Wing Fighter:
Labels: birth, Birthday, Carson, Garrick, Indiana Jones, legos, Star Wars
Birthday Weekend
Whew! I have been so busy getting all my deadlines met because I am leaving for Detroit in less than eight hours (speaking at a writing conference), but I wanted to blog about my lovely birthday weekend. I was completely and utterly blessed and overwhelmed with good things!
First of all we arrived at the Watermark Hotel, a four-star hotel and we were were warmly welcomed by the staff before going to our room on the 6th floor. Everything was top notch! Wendall and Laurie surprised us by arranging to have chocolate covered strawberries on hand. There was also a beautiful gift basket filled with yummy goodies for us to enjoy! We stayed in the room all night Friday...
Saturday we donned swim suits and enjoyed the beauty of the rooftop pool and hot tub, all the while watching the ebb and flow of people on the Riverwalk below us. I had been itching to see "The Bourne Ulitmatum" so we took in a matinee before heading back for a nap and then hitting the pool again.
Wendall and Laurie had invited us to a five star restuarant for dinner. I can highly recommend Las Canarias! The food was divine and the company entertaining. We had a wonderful time before walking back over the river to our hotel.
Sunday morning - I am now officially 40 years old! Tell me - how does 40 feel? I certainly feel no different! Unlike many others I know I haven't sunk into a depression wondering where my life has gone. For the most part I feel I am exactly where God wants me, doing what He has given me to do.
We checked out of the hotel at noon, and then drove 30 minutes to a special event. A custom built home was built out in the country and the builder decided to open the home to the public for a price. However all proceeds went to the San Antonio Food Bank. We might not have made it a priority, but a friend of ours, Chris Voss, who is a fourth generation iron craftsman was commissioned to create all the iron work for the house, and he asked Terry to do some of the designs. The house, worth 2.9 million apparently does have a buyer! Pity I didn't have three million just lying around! I would have bought the house on the spot.
After we left there, Terry suggested we take a scenic drive into the Hiil Country. His little Honda is so zippy and with the sun roof open the wind creates just the right atmosphere. We had a pleasant hour drive in the country before heading back to kids and responsibilty!
Little did I know the drive was just a diversion. Terry, the sneaky man that he is had planned a surprise birthday party for me! I was completely taken in - a first for Terry. He's never been able to pull a party off before. I was completely bamboozled because I had planned the entire weekend, from the hotel stay, to getting the tickets for the home tour that I had no clue he was plotting behind my back! Opening my front door and having about 20 people yell SURPRISE can be a little disconcerting! Janelle, our sitter for the weekend even arranged for the guests to park around the corner and up the hill so I wouldn't suspect anything.
So, I am now 40. I think I am entering the best years of my life!
Labels: Birthday, Surprise party, Watermark
Where Does The Time Go?
Seventeen years ago, in a hospital in Pretoria, South Africa my world was changed forever. I went from being Corinne, student, and daughter, to Corinne, mother of a son. Little did I know then when I wrestled with names for this infant of mine, what a blessing he would be, not only to me, and my family, and then later on my husband and his family, but to the people around him.
Warrick exudes an air of quiet confidence, and natural leadership. He is one of the most driven people I have ever met, and I marvel sometimes that he is my son. I picked his name because it means to "Crown a King" and "Leader", little knowing that he would live up to his name. I had initially wanted to call him Aidan - which means "Happiness" but under pressure from family, caved in. In retrospect, I made a wise choice in his name.
Today he has proven himself to be trustworthy, reliable, a go-getter and not afraid of hard work. He graduated high school 2 years early and is on his way to College to earn a Business Management degree, but the company for whom he is working already has him keeping their books.
So today as I reflect on this son of mine who is no longer a child, I thank God for him. My life has been enriched and changed because of him, and I can honestly say he has taught me so much - he is wise beyond his years.
Labels: birth, Birthday, Warrick
Another Birthday Comes Around
On Wednesday night, October 21st, 1998 at 10:20pm I went into labour with Garrick. 45 minutes later, at 11:05pm, dark-haired Garrick made his arrival, weighing in at a respectable 7lbs 12oz and measuring a titchy 19 inches! I called some friends of mine to announce his arrival and Joanna said, "Oh, I was expecting your call, it's Wednesday after all."
Warrick had been born on a Wednesday afternoon, 6 years later his sister made her appearance on a Wednesday afternoon, followed 17 months later by her sister on a Wednesday morning. When Garrick went past his due date the joke at church was I had to wait to the following Wednesday before having the baby - and he complied!
Garrick is now a smart, energetic, art-loving 8-year old, with a quirky sense of humour and a very sensitive nature - and I would not want him any other way.
We love you Garrick!
Labels: birth, Birthday, Garrick
The Twins Are One!!!
Yesterday, October 4th the twins I carried for a couple here in town turned 1! Where did the time go? Last night the mother gave me a call and said, "Right now a year ago you were getting ready to push out Kendall." Wendell had arrived 12 minutes earlier. She said, "Words will never adequately say thank you for what you gave us."
These photos are from June when the twins were 8 months old, but I should get some photos this weekend when we celebrate their first birthday at a big party.
Wendell and me (his mom is in the background)
Kendall and me
Labels: Birthday, Surrogate, twins
Hayley's Happy Day
On Sunday Hayley officially turned nine. What is it about the 'almost double digit' age that does something to kids? Hayley's poise, maturity and general sassiness never ceases to amaze me.
Hayley is in my many ways my clone, we call her 'mini-me' because although she looks more like the Smelker side (actually the Bachelder side) of the family, her interests and personality reflect me. Except for waking up in the morning - Hayley is NOT a morning person!
I never imagined my life could be so complete, and Hayley is one of the reasons I am so happy!
God bless you sweet Hayley, Dad and I love you!
Labels: Birthday, God, Hayley, iPod
Our 'Baby' is 6!
On Sunday, March 5th, 2000 in the wee hours of the morning my first contraction came. I called the midwife right away and then woke Terry up. This was our fifth child and our second home birth and we had everything ready because the baby was already a couple of days late. Although we (actually I!) had chosen not to discover the gender of the baby, I just knew it was a boy.
Two and a half hours after my first contraction, Carson Lee Smelker made his entrance into this world. The dawn was breaking and he was welcomed by his oldest brother, and two sisters (his other brother was still sleeping), his grandmother, Daddy and an exhausted Mommy. Carson weighed in at a respectable 8lbs 8 ounces, but his length is what got us - 24 inches!
Today Carson is 6, attends Kindergarten and loves all things Thomas, and Buzz. He is a bright, happy-go-lucky boy with a smile to melt all hearts, and a hearty laugh.
We love you Carson!
Labels: birth, Birthday, Carson, God, Terry
Teagan is 10
Last night at dinner (spaghetti, the birthday girl's choice) Terry and I reminisced about the day Teagan was born. She arrived at 12:10pm after a six hour (drug free) labour, weighing in at a tiny 7lbs. With a shock of black hair, and tiny features she was so different from her big brother, Warrick who was born with blond/reddish hair.
I remember as though it were yesterday, the nurse handing a neatly wrapped Teagan to her Daddy and watching the tears of joy and pride trickle down his cheeks. There is no better sight in the world than to watch a father connect with his child for the first time. It was love at first sight for him.
And so our lives with Teagan (an old Irish name that means Beautiful One) begun. She has brought great joy to our lives and as we watch her grow we are amazed at the wonderful gift she is to us and to our family.
We love you Teagan!
Labels: birth, Birthday, God, Teagan, Terry
Parties and Pottery
Today we celebrated Garrick's 7th birthday at Peter Piper Pizza. Here are a couple of photos of him having fun:
I have also mentioned Teagan and her love for pottery and how good she is. Here she shows off her finished work - note the coffee cups in the front! I think they hold about 4 ounces of coffee, but the important thing is she made them herself for us!
Labels: Birthday, Garrick, pottery, Teagan
Happy 7th Birthday Garrick!!
Our 4th child, Garrick celebrates 7 years today. I have to remind myself that he is not so little any more. He is now in 1st Grade and is bright, funny and extremely sensitive.
Happy Birthday Garrick - we love you!
Labels: Birthday, Garrick
Busy Lives
When did we get so busy?
Tomorrow (Saturday) is insanely busy for the Smelker family. Teagan has pottery lessons from 10:30 to 11:30, the same time as Hayley's swim practice. From 11:30 to 1:30 Teagan has a birthday party to attend at the local pizza joint - which fortunately is where Garrick's birthday party is going to be from 1:00 to 3:00. I am meant to attend a Mary Kay party at 3:00 but I think I might give the make up a miss, and spend the rest of the day with the kids!
Next weekend doesn't look any better!
Labels: Birthday, Garrick, Hayley, Teagan
