Hello everyone,
Well, the past week has been jolly and busy as usual, despite a bit of sickness that has been floating around. I think we forgot that it actually gets cold in the winter, and that a cough and headache are rather usual at this time of year.
Little Bret has been very nearly the center of attention around here, and has been growing like a weed! (Or maybe kudzu would be the better term considering the location, lol). He weighed in last night at 9 & 3/4! What a delightful blessing he is! We're enjoying watching him change and become more alert each new day. Ah, the Lord is so wonderfully good and merciful isn't he!!

Daddy and Beth just finished editing a video, consisting of interviews of Katie, Mama, and Mr. and Mrs. Morton talking about various aspects of the birth. So Lord willing we'll get it onto one of the websites this week, and I'll post a link here on the blog so that anyone who wants to can go on and see it.

Alas, we have been greatly missing Bethy these past few days as she has been off to Roswell. Saturday evening we had a grand time visiting with some of daddy's family, in honor of our dear Nana's birthday, (in which I unfortunately left the camera in the car and failed to get any pictures) and afterwards Bethy went home with Uncle Jerry, Aunt Brenda, Zoey and Avery.
So today Mumsie and the little boys, and Katie and little Bret were off to the wild blue of Atlanta to do some shopping and pickher up. With a stop at Benihana's ~ ooh la la (to borrow your phrase Auntie;) and then a drop by Krispy Kreme. The latter being essential to any trip up thataway of course!

We also were delighted by the addition of two new baby lambs to our little flock! It is quite humbling to me to think of the Lord comparing us to sheep in His word, lol! What a patient and just Father He is to us!! Well it has been intensely cold here (uh, this coming from a girl who grew up in the south and the Caribbean, so you can take that in context), so Daddy and Armani built us fire and brought the two little balls of fluff in for half an hour. More for amusement purposes than true necessity I think, lol! Bethy and Armani are always so faithful to look after the sheep.

As we have had quite a few requests for pictures of the newest addition to the Alan Smith family, I proceeded to submit the following post:) “What a joy brothers…” I could just eat ‘im with a spoon he’s so sweet!! Yerik has been reveling in his position as an uncle, and has stated his intentions of “teaching baby how to play guns, and cowboys” when he “gets big” lol! Little boys are so much fun aren’t they?

Bethany is ever busy and industrious, and has been crocheting and knitting all sorts of lovely things, (I'll have to snag some pictures sometime and post them) and making plans for the garden, and had her first success in noodle making with the assistance of the Pethtel children, when we enjoyed a visit from their family last week:) So the days pass, God is good, and we look forward to what He has in store for us this year. Won't it be fun to get into our spring and summer wardrobes this year girls?

Humm, we saw Michael and Kressant last week, when they came up with Mr. and Mrs. Morton, and they were doing quite well. It was such a joy to spend some time with them! The ladies, us girls and the little boys enjoyed a tea, while the men went out to eat with Daddy.
We are ever so excited about Michael and Kressant's baby, which seems to be coming along just fine and dandy:) They look so cute holding their little nephew.

Well y’all have a good week, and may the Lord protect and guide us all as we desire to seek His face and follow in His ways:)

Sincerely,
Rachel for the Smithy clan