Today's the day!

Today has finally come... since the end of December I have looked so forward to today to meet our newest little one and it is finally here.  In some ways, this pregnancy has gone by so fast but in other ways it seems that it has been forever since I took that pregnancy test.  I slept much better last night than I thought I would and woke up hungry, just like I knew I would.  Sad that I probably won't see food until at least later tonight or possibly even in the morning.  I know once my little one is here I won't think twice about anything else.  I'm anxious about the pain that I know is coming but I also know that it passes and doesn't last forever.  I'm anxious about getting Luke here safely.... but all those anxieties thankfully go away with knowing that He is holding me and Luke and my family in His hands.  We are so thankful that He has blessed us with another little one, to love and nurture, to train and teach.  What a blessing and huge responsibility!  But this post is about more than how I am feeling today... it seems like just the other day that Chase was born and just yesterday that Jacob joined our family.

 Chase, born on 12/19/2006 at 5:13 a.m.

Jacob, born on 3/13/2008 at 11:20 a.m.

I can't get over how fast time goes by and how quickly they change and grow up.  I can't wait to see Chase & Jacob with Luke.  Chase is especially excited and I think he really understands what is about to happen and how things will change.  Jacob, on the other hand, doesn't really get it and I think he is a little anxious about everything.  He has been super clingy and a little fussy the last week or so and I'm hoping that changes once he sees his little brother and realizes he is now the big brother.  I am ready to hold and snuggle Luke as much as I possibly can because I know just how quickly that time passes and before you know it they are ready to sleep in their own beds and not as willing to fall asleep on your shoulder.  I am so thankful for today, so ready to hear his little voice and see his face, and so excited to become a family of 5.  Thank you, everyone, for your encouraging words and all the prayers.  They mean so much to me and to Charles and we can't wait for you all to meet the newest Smoak later today!!

Gone camping

Charles loves all of the new things he is able to do with the boys as they get older.  One thing he has been itching to do all summer is take Chase camping.  A few weeks ago Charles & Chase had the opportunity to go with his brother, Brian, and his little girl Emma (who is 6 months younger than Chase).  What fun they had!!  They left around 3:00 (after Chase was able to get an afternoon nap) and made it to their campsite around 6.  Getting to the campsite involved driving, parking the trucks, setting up the kayaks, and kayaking a little ways before finding a good spot to set up the tents.  Thankfully, Charles' brother had configured his kayak with a motor (don't ask me how but Brian is so handy and can do pretty much anything and everything you could possibly think of) and was able to pull Charles & Chase in their kayak.  That eliminated the work of having to balance the kayak, keep a 3 year old from falling out, and paddling.  I wish I had a picture of that because I'm sure it was a sight to see! :)  Anyways, they had a blast, it was as successful as it could be, but it completely wiped Chase out.  It took him a good 2 days to get back on track but he hasn't stopped talking about it since.  I was able to talk Charles into taking our small camera so here are a few pictures of their adventures:

Getting ready to leave and holding a camping staple: hot dogs :)

In the truck on their way ... he was so excited!

The back of Brian's truck... this picture kind of shows the kayak with the motor

Sitting and waiting patiently until the kayaks were loaded and ready

Chase pretending to sleep :)

Cousins fishing together the next morning

Back at the trucks, getting things unloaded from the kayaks

And this is what Jacob & Sam thought about being left behind.... not too thrilled :)

I guess since the Lord has decided to bless me with 3 boys I need to get used to the idea of camping... for now I'll let Charles go on short adventures and I'll be up to it when someone decides to invest in a camper! ;)  Just kidding... sort of.  I look forward to our camping trips once the boys get to a certain age!

Beach days :)

Going to the beach was something that both of the boys were looking forward to and I'm so thankful that we were able to make it a few times during our visit to HHI.  Being so far along in my pregnancy, the idea of going to the beach was not something that was appealing but thankfully the few times we did decide to go the Lord gave us some clouds to block the sun, which kept it from getting too hot.  The boys loved every second... they loved the wide open space to run, all the sand to dig in, and they loved splashing and jumping in the waves.  I have to say that going to the beach gets easier and easier as they get older because they can go and play and you don't have to worry about keeping up with them.  I was actually able to sit in a comfortable chair during our beach outings and just enjoy the sounds and beauty of the beach and take pictures.  I loved sitting there, relaxing, and just watching the joy my boys had written all over their faces.  Here are some pictures from our beach outings... so much fun!!!

Looking for treasures with Daddy

Busy, busy Jacob stopping for a quick picture with Nana

Digging in the biggest sandbox ever!

Brothers jumping the waves together

Showing Pop-Pop one of his many finds

So proud of his crab leg :)

Everything is better with a brother around to share it with :)  Melts my heart!

Chasing the waves as they go out ...

... and being chased by the waves on their way back in :)

This is what a 2 year old and a 3 year old's version of a sand castle looks like!

They actually took a second to sit down and take a picture!

Our beach time this summer was amazing, regardless of being 34 weeks pregnant.  I can't wait to see how our beach adventures change next summer with a 9 month old added to the picture! :)  Only time will tell...

Where has the summer gone?

Wow!  I can't believe it is August 11th.  The summer is over, Charles is back at work, and we're hanging on for a few more days before we have to find our new normal.  5 days... this time next week I will be holding and loving and taking care of our 3rd child, we'll be a family of 5, and we could possibly be getting ready to come home from the hospital.  Weird to think I haven't even packed a bag yet for the hospital... I will probably get around to doing that Monday night or Tuesday morning. :)  I seriously feel like school just got out for the summer ... I must have blinked because now it's over.  We have had a great summer, packed full of fun adventures, lots of playing, and lots of much enjoyed family time.  Between summer school and the AP training that Charles had to do this summer we didn't have time for much vacation time but we did make it to Hilton Head for a fun getaway.  Charles was down there with us for a week and then when he left to go to his training we stayed behind and enjoyed more time with Nana & Pop-Pop (more pool time was just a bonus).  I loved seeing how much of a difference a year makes when it comes to the pool.  Last summer Chase would barely get his head and face wet without pitching a fit and this summer he was all into jumping in, going completely under, and loving every second (see previous post for video of his counting and jumping skills).  I can't wait to see how far he comes between now and next summer. What an amazing time we had... we swam a ton, went to the beach, read lots of books, and went on lots of fun adventures. To keep this post from getting too long, the following are things the boys enjoyed doing while at Nana & Pop-Pop's house:

We dressed up like a fireman...

... and like a policeman.

We snuggled and watched shows with Pop-Pop.

We read and read... and read some more with Nana.

We loved every second we had with GG & Goomba.  We don't take these times with them for granted and are so thankful for how much time the Lord is giving us with them around!

We played golf with our cousin, Eli.

We did lots of swinging like monkeys on Nana & Pop-Pop's treadmill. :)

We kept each other company during all of our many, many potty trips. :)

Chase jumped and jumped off the edge of the pool until he could jump no more!

Jacob learned how to kick his feet but preferred to just be held tight while in the pool.

We shared mid-afternoon snacks with Nana (translated: acted like little birds who hadn't eaten in days!).

And finally, we enjoyed and loved every second of the trolley rides.  They would have stayed on that trolley all day if they had been allowed.  It's the simple (and cost-no-money) things that they seem to enjoy the most!

We went to the beach a few times but that will have to be a post all on it's own in order to keep this one from becoming too long (which unfortunately I was not able to avoid anyways).  I am trying to catch up so we can pick up with baby brother's arrival as soon as we can! :)  5 days and counting!!!!