Moving!!

We’ve been blessed by the relationships that have been forged through our blog.  You all have faithfully walked with us through the heart journey….babies….miscarriage….moves….transition….good, bad and ugly.  You’ve prayed us through some dark nights and kindly offered friendship as we’ve waded through some deep waters and walked some lonely roads.  You have cheered us on, dirtied your knees on our behalf and rejoiced with us in answered prayer.  For your support and encouragement, we are humbly grateful!

What was started as a way to keep family and friends informed of our sweet Evie’s struggle as we journeyed through the hardest chapter of our life while navigating the “club” we never wanted to be part of with congenital heart defects and subsequent medical issues following her heart surgery, has in years since, grown into a family journal of sorts.  Our Evangeline Shalom for whom this new blog was named has been the impetus for a theme God continues to weave into our lives.  Shalom means Peace and through the fragility of her heart and the transitions of our lives, God continues to teach us peace in the storm and is drawing us to dwell in that perfect shalom….perfect peace found in Him!

With the arrival of our 8th family member Gigi, now nearly 3 years ago, it became apparent that we’d outgrown our “seventh smith” title.  And so, we are moving!!  With excitement, we launch a new comprehensive site to consolidate the many facets of our crazy life and busy family.  Take a peek around.  We don’t want to loose anything (or anyone) with this move, so please consider “liking” our Facebook page to get notifications of updates.  We hope you’ll continue to check in and share this exciting adventure with us!

Special thanks to my very talented and creative brother Isaac for designing the site….and for pushing me to branch out!

Thirty One Gifts $25 Gift Certificate (CLOSED)

UPDATE!!  CONGRATULATIONS KATHY JOHNSON ON WINNING THE $25 GC.  PLEASE CONTACT ME TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE!

Thirty-One Gifts $25 Gift Certificate Up for Grabs!!

We have some super fun things to share with you this week in celebration of our “move”.  In addition to a web “makeover”, we’ve also had a little corner of our home “madeover”.

My desk nook was in dire need of some “sprucing up”.  My friend Tammy of Thirty-One Gifts took it upon herself to dress up the space with some organization and asthetically pleasing additions.  I LOVE the end result!  This is my nook….and altho my scissors constantly go missing, the kids know this desk space is “Mommy space”.  Here I put together my photo orders, do my editing and correspondence and occasionally, whip out a sewing machine for a project.

A Your Way Rectangle and a Fold N’ File on the shelves keep my gift bags and folders handy.

The multi-compartment Keep It Caddy on my desk contains note cards, gift cards, and writing utensils and scissors….(when I can find them:)

I have found the Hang Up Home organizer to be infinitely useful in keeping paperwork from growing into insurmountable piles on my desk!  And you all who know me know what a sucker I am for monograms!  Score!!

The Mini Utility Bin and Littles Carry All de-clutter my space by containing my flash-drives, discs and other photography supplies.

Before…

and After….

Id say its a drastic improvement:)!!

So, I need someone to take a $25 gift certificate to Thirty One gifts off of my hands!  To be entered:

1. Please request joining Tammy’s facebook page first.
2. Leave a comment below with why you should win the giveaway and what you would use the gift certificate for.  Tammy will be selecting a winner from the comments!

Coming up for Air

Even my own mother is concerned after a month of silence from the blogosphere that there might something wrong.

Just popping my head up for air from under the “to do” pile to assure you that indeed, all is well on the home front. Lots of on-call hours and long labors for recent births Ive attended. Then with tons of new babies has been tons of fun newborn photoshoots. And with that, tons of hours of editing which has devoured my creative outlet evening time. And you know what?….Im getting older! My days of staying up till 2:00am to get it all done…and waking up at 6:00 are fleeting! Im requiring more sleep than I used to!

Hubs has been traveling extensively. A dear friend visiting whom Im enjoying every second with. Middle school science project deadlines. Stomach flu which has hit our home twice. PTO meetings, swim practice, hair to braid, lunches to pack…. Nothing noteworthy to report. Just beautiful life blazing by. Most days, Im lucky (with great difficulty and at least one toddler on my lap) to even get my make up on and hair fixed.

No creative Pinterest projects to post or spectacular outings to report or amazing meals Ive concocted.

Just normal, lovely, every-day days with dirty dishes in the sink, dust bunnies under the couch, giggles, messes and silly kissy Gigi pictures in the mirror.