Early tomorrow morning a group of 8 teenagers along with me (Greg) and 5 other adult leaders will be heading to El Salvador. This is the first time Discovery Christian Church is sending a group of teens to work with the orphans in this poverty stricken third world country. Last night we spent a couple hours packing up many of the items that were donated so we can deliver them to the orphans. I am extremely pumped up about this opportunity and the entire team is excited. I know this trip will be a life-changing experience not only for the teens, but also for the adults that are going. Please be praying specifically for the following for our team:
1. Safety- we will be travelling a great distance to a foreign country (I’m glad that Jon Snyder will again be leading this trip as his experience is invaluable).
2. Changed Lives- pray that the students and leaders lives will be changed as well as the kids and adults they come in contact with in El Salvador.
3. Strength- I know that the group will be working very hard from the time we wake up every morning until the time we go to bed at night. Pray that we have the strength and stamina to make it through the week.
You can follow the progress of our week via this blog.
so life has been busy with two toddlers, summer events for youth, and now we’re packing to move! we close june 30 and are getting boxes packed now. here’s just a few pictures from the last couple of weeks.
of course i got carson on the four wheeler as soon as possible and mason loved it…he kept going up to it, pointing, and saying “ride, daddy, ride.”
we also had devon’s family in town…mason liked playing with hope and isaiah.
It is good to be home! Devon is feeling better and moving around…just at a little slower pace. Her headaches are dull now, so just hoping that each day things get better. Carson fed last night about every two hours, which I can’t help with at all; so Dev is a bit tired today.
It is going to be fun to watch Mason and Carson interact. At bedtime last night, we had both kids crying in stereo…really surround sound if you count the monitor : ) I laughed a bit, but I’m told the novelty of kids crying at the same time doesn’t stay novelty for long.
Mason was brought home by Grammy and Pap, who have been watching him since Sunday. Mason loved spending time with them and cried when they left! Grammy did a great job with him all day long. Mason got to see his brand new room and really seems to like it. Carson has the nursery to himself, so hopefully they won’t keep each other awake.
It has been an exciting two days for us! Devon couldn’t get out of bed yesterday, or even sit upright because she had a spinal headache (which affects your back, neck, and entire head.) She was given a “blood patch” last night and this seemed to clear up the problem immediately. For those interested, they take blood from your arm and insert it into your spine through a large needle. The blood then clots the hole where the spinal fluid was leaking. Today she is getting around much better. She is still experiencing a dull headache, but worlds different from yesterday (thanks for your prayers!) She has pretty strict orders to take it easy…I’m still trying to convince her that her definition of easy is not what they are talking about and she needs to REALLY take it easy.
Travis, Reba, and Zion dropped by for a little visit too. Zion is great with babies and I love getting to spend time with her (and Travis and Reba!) Zion and Mason get along great too.
Mason came with Grammy and Pap Pap (he’s been staying there and having a great time!) Mason got to meet his little brother for the first time. He didn’t like seeing mom with IV’s all hooked up and was concerned for her. He is going to make a great big brother though. There were times he would stick his hands out because he wanted to hold Carson. After a little bit though, he tried to push him off of our lap (like he does with our dog) so we’ll be working on that!
Carson Thomas Smedley arrived Tuesday, April 14 at 1:11 AM. He weighed 8 lbs 1 oz and was 20.75 inches long. He is precious and we love him so much already.
Devon did an amazing job. The epidural had some minor complications; the needle went into the wrong part of her spine and is currently causing some headaches and neckaches. When she sits up it makes it much worse. They are supposed to take the catheder out after 24 hours and then possibly do a “blood patch” to remove the pressure causing the pain. It was a quick labor and once Devon was induced, she had Carson in 4 hours. Thanks for all of your prayers! Continue to pray for Devon and her recovery.
Well, Carson has not arrived yet, but will be here very soon! Dev is definitely ready. If he doesn’t come before Monday, April 13, we are supposed to call the hospital and head in for them to induce labor. We’ll keep you posted. Here are a few pics.
I woke up at 7 AM to a blasting CD sound. Mason had turned on his radio when he woke up. I went in and he started dancing (at about 24 seconds into the video till 42 seconds.) I don’t know where he learns all this stuff from : )
Well it’s been longer than ever before. Maybe that is from the holidays or too much facebook or just plain laziness. Well you all (who read this anyway) saw that Devon and I are having another boy…Devon is due April 20th and is looking great. We have a name picked out, we are sharing, and if this blog is how you are finding out…sorry…but it works : )
Drum roll please!!! Carson Thomas Smedley is the name!
Devon had her sonogram this morning. The baby looks healthy for all they could tell. And…we are having another boy! Should be pretty exciting, Devon will be outnumbered 3-1, but I’m sure she’ll be able to handle us : ) It will be fun to see their different personalities. We haven’t decided on a name (or really thought too much about it), but we’ll let you know when we decide.
Well, this is a little late, of course, but we wanted to get some pictures up of Mason in his Halloween costume. He was a lion and a pumpkin, but unfortunately, we don’t have any pictures of him in his pumpkin outfit. He was a pumpkin with Grammy and Grandpap Smedley for trick or treating. Greg and I were up at Brad’s wedding, so we didn’t get to take any photos! We took Mason to Pittsburgh Zoo’s Zoo Boo and had lots of fun. Mason got lots of goodies, or should we say Mom and Dad got lots of goodies! He did seem to enjoy the slurpee though, which you can see Greg feeding him below in the haunted house. Hope you enjoy these.
