Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Happy Birth Date Ann Austin Smith!


My brother and sister-in-law, had their precious baby girl, Ann Austin, this morning at 12:49. We were all there for the excitement including my children...until 2am! Hayden was so pumped he stayed up past midnight for the first time ever. Ann Austin surprised us 3weeks early and weighed 6lb1oz and was 18 1/2 in long. She is so sweet! Leah has already asked if she will be able to play "dress-up!" So proud for Andy and Anna!

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Awaiting Cole


Well I did start this blog with good intentions...a year and a half ago! Unfortunately, the progress stopped as quickly as it started. I have even better intentions this time! I hope the blog will help keep all our friends and family informed in the near future when Cole arrives.
For those that don't know our story, Neil and I are expecting our third child sometime in the next two weeks. I am currently 34wks 5days pregnant with a baby boy, Cole Benton Pillow. We are blessed with two other children, Hayden 6yo and Leah 3yo. When I was 18wks pregnant, we went for the exciting appointment to find out the sex of the baby. We quickly found we were having a boy, which Hayden had been praying for! (so much so that he had convinced his baby sister that she too wanted a boy!) Shortly after the exciting news, we were told the baby had fetal hydrocephalus which is severe when able to diagnose so early in pregnancy. His head already measured 3weeks ahead with enlarged ventricles. We were heart broken as we heard all of this, but the Lord has brought us to an amazing place in the 3 1/2 months since. He has truly begun a miracle in our hearts as we have grown to love and anticipate Cole just as he is... perfectly created by God Himself. We have been surrounded with the hands of Jesus through our family, church, and friends who have loved and prayed for us the whole way.
Since the original diagnosis, the fluid in Cole's head has continued to increase as the doctors would expect. The long term outcome is very vague as there is little anyone can tell us for certain at this point. With this uncertainty, Neil and I have learned a DAILY dependence on the Lord we have never known before! We go back to the doctor on Feb. 7th for an ultrasound and hope to have a delivery date set! As with any pregnancy, you become anxious in the end I know...this time I feel even more so. We are ready for Cole to arrive and get the care that he needs...in God's perfect timing! Praying for our patience!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Boston

Boston and Nonquitt, MA - July 09


Neil and I traveled to Boston in July and had a wonderful time. We spent two nights downtown and saw as many historical sites as we possibly could (plus the Samual Adams Brewery). Then we met up with Neil's aunt and uncle and stayed 4 nights in their Nonquitt summer home. It was a beautiful coastal scene, and the weather was perfect. We even spent one day bike riding on old country roads. It was a perfect introduction to
Boston Harbor New England; we will definitely return!














The cool old rock fences throughout Nonquitt

Westminster Pres. VBS 2009


VBS was a great week - exhausting but wonderful! The theme "Live Like a King" studied a different king of the Bible each day, with Christ, the King of Kings, being the final King. Hayden loved his teacher for the week and had his best buddies with him. During the week they built the armor of God and were able to proudly wear it the final day for all the parents. The week was truly blessed and was a blessing!


















T-ball

First T-ball season


























Hayden loved his first T-ball season! They won EVERY game of course! And he only got a trophy the last game because they "won!" As you can see he was "always" focused on the field - well almost. It was so fun to watch because he was so excited wherever he was on the field, but of course he did love it when he actually got the touch the ball - that meant he beat out at least 4 teammates to get the ball! :)

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Pinkalicious


















































What better way to begin this blog than with a PINKALICIOUS birthday party! Leah loves the book and pink is officially the ONLY color she knows, so the choice was obvious! And Hayden was just as excited as Leah, if not more, for the party to arrive! The children swam, we ate, then for the cake. Neil's mom, Stevie, has made every family birthday cake for the past 40+ years - totally from scratch and perfectly decorated. Well, I had requested just pink cupcakes - pinkalicious of course - that should be simple enough. Well Stevie doesn't know simple and couldn't stand the thought of no real cake, so she totally surprised us with the most unbelievable Pinkalicious cake ever!!!! All Leah could say was "PINK!" Stevie truly is amazing! The birthday was much fun. I think Leah's favorite part was the singing as she BEAMED with all the eyes on her! :)