Lions, and Tigers But NO Bears.... is just fine with ME!!

FOR THE LOVE OF THE BIG CATS.

I AM SO EXCITED!!!    

Today I had an experience of a lifetime and I have been floating on a cloud all day long.  I  accompanied my photography meet-up group today for an adventure of a lifetime.  We went to Rockwell, NC to Suzie's Pride, a Lion and Tiger sanctuary for a hands-on photography experience.  We were able to get up close and personal with the Big Cats and photograph them in their home environment. 

Suzie's pride is  a no-kill, no-breed facility for unwanted, abused and neglected big cats from private owners, commercial entities, zoos and other sanctuaries. They provide big cats with a place to live out their days in a compassionate respectful environment; we give them proper care enabling them to have a good quality of life. This sanctuary is operated by a wonderful family who have dedicate their lives to save these precious animals.  They love and care for these exploited and unwanted "Big Cats". 

I was blessed to have been given this opportunity.  

Meet Ella

Meet Sarah

Meet Hobbs

PLEASE help support Suzie's Pride.

http://www.suziespride.org

A New GIG For Me!!! YEAH!!

A few weeks ago, I received official notice that I have been chosen to write my own column for a local Charlotte parenting website.  I submitted several writings and I was chosen along with several other "Moms" to write a weekly column about parenting issues.  Right up my alley with this crew.  Life is never a dull moment Down Smith Lane.  I am overjoyed and delighted and cant wait to share a little bit of myself and my journey of parenthood with other local parents.

They asked for me to choose a title for my column, so I have tossing ideas around the house and have narrowed it down to a few favorites.  You will have to stay tuned to find out my choice.

Big Brother is Home

The house was recently buzzing as our eldest son came home with his girlfriend Jeanie for a visit.   Pito came home and surprised the kids.  We haven't seen him since last summer when we took a trip to New York.   It was such a wonderful visit and we all had the time to spend some quality time together. 

Many of my readers are probably curious and didn't know we had another son besides Matthew.  Well, Pito came into our lives back in 1997 when he was almost 14 years old.  I worked as a Caseworker at Pius XII foster care and adoption agency for almost 10 years and resigned upon the birth of my daughter Taryn in 1996.  Soon after, I was contacted by the agency to see if my hubby and I wanted to be foster parents for 2 teenagers who had recently come into care.  Without much hesitation we decided we would open our home up to Pito and his sister Jackie as well as several other young people who needed our help and our love.  

Jackie was 16 and Pito was about to turn 14 when they came to our home.  They both fell into the routine of the Smith home and quickly became members of our family.  Jackie became a single mother at an early age and left our home to attend college.  Pito remained in our home for another 3 years and left to attend Job Corp in the state of Maine. He graduated high school and left upstate NY to live in New York City where he continues to live today.  Jackie gave birth to a beautiful little girl Alexis in May of 1998 and now is attending graduate school in Chicago, Ill.  Pito is currently employed at a drug treatment center in NY as a drug treatment counselor.  We are so proud of both Pito and Jackie.  

Having them as a part of our lives has been such a amazing, challenging.... but mostly,  rewarding experience.  Being a foster parent has taught me that I have so much of myself to give to others.  They have taught me to love unconditionally. They were victims of hard circumstances, yet they keep loving and holding out hope for the best. We gave them our best as well as  love and direction and commitment that they yearned for.  Love is not always enough, but when you add unlimited patience and a sense of humor, you can usually get through. 

I had a wonderful conversation with Pito while he was here, a Mom to Son conversation which was amazing and extremely heartfelt.  We talked about life in general and about his plans for the future and it amazed me to see this young man standing in front of me with thoughts, hope and dreams and a vision to reach his goals.  He thanked me for being a wonderful Mom to him and thanked me and my hubby for believing in him and for being such an influential part of his life.  All of those years of dedication, devotion, and unconditional love really paid off when he thanked us for helping him become the man he is today. 

I am one proud Mom and I am happy to call him, My Son!

 

Matthew Taryn and Pito - Days gone by.

This is an awesome family picture.  One for framing for sure.

 

The Golden Hues of Autumn

WELCOME AUTUMN!!!

Before we know it the frost will be in the pumpkin and those steamy Carolina summer days will be but a memory.  I have always loved when the fall would come and bring along those cool crisp nights and those breezy but sunny days that quickly lead up to those cold and snowy winter days of the Northeast. 

I loved to watch the transition of summer to fall when I lived in New York.  Beauty would be in abundance.  Mount Beacon along the Hudson River and as far as the eye could see would glisten with golden and reddish hues that screamed winter was on the way.  The colors that sprawled across the mountains were an artists perfect palette of amazing and breathtaking colors.  

The smell of fall is such a memorable one as the cool air and gentle breeze would swirl around the aroma of crisp leaves, lavish apple trees, burning fires and home-cooked meals.  I spent many days as a child sitting in the apple trees in my grandparents orchard witnessing the beauty of God's creations transform into yet another stage of grandeur.  Home-made apple pie and simmering meatballs and sauce always filled the air.... and I would sit and watch.  I remember sitting there and it seemed like forever and I would wait for the last leaves to fall and giggle at the Weeping Willow Tree dancing in the Garden. 

Life was so simply back them and I try every year to sit back and look at the world around me as if I was seeing it through the eyes of my own children.  I try to instill in them the importance of taking time to smell the daisies or take time to dance freely in the grass or to watch the falling leaves.  Life quickly passes by and I think it is so important to once in a while stop and enjoy the simple things in life.  

The following Pictures were taking last October in Milton New York

at a family farm (Trapani Farms)  

It is a beautiful and breathtaking place.

Good Bye Summer.... Hello School

The day has come where we retire the swimsuits and beach chairs for school books and new book bags. Summertime is almost over and the school buses have flooded Union County as the 2010-2011 school year begins. I am sure may Mommy tears have flowed this morning and I am sure some Moms had a sigh of relief. For me.... I had a slight sign followed by some feeling of loneliness. I do admit I did love the sound of the buses buzzing through the neighborhood. With the start of the school year begins the daily grind the 5:30 a.m. alarm clock, packing of lunches, homework, after school activities, fall soccer and softball and yes.... a quiet house, for the most part.

Matthew has begun his second year of college at CPCC. He has a full course load and seems to be excited about the classes he has chosen. History.... OMG... I am sure we will get daily trivia from Matt as he is well of knowledge. It amazed me that this kids knows such random facts and a little bit about EVERYTHING.

My Taryn is starting her Freshman year at Sun Valley High School. Where has the time gone. It seems like yesterday that she started Pre-K and now she is a big High Schooler. I am so excited for her. She admitted that she is a bit nervous but is delighted. She can not wait to take the year round Art class. That girl is really talented. :)

Jaedan is still at Sun Valley middle and is starting the 7th grade. After this... one more year and she will join Taryn at the High School. Jaedan is excited about the start of the new year and can not wait to see her friends. Aww... to be almost 12... friends are so important to them. She is a bit worried about Math already as this isn't her favorite subject. Mine, neither. She was accepted into the drama program and for her this is a year long course and she is so excited. My little actress. Go, Jae!! You are already a star.

And last but truly not least... Tristan is entering into the BIG 3 year old classroom at First Presbyterian Preschool and can not wait for her first day. She will have a new teacher this year but as she told me she would only visit that class but wanted to be with her Ms. Angie. Angie has been Tristan's teacher for 2 years now, so I am curious how that transition will go. Fingers Crossed!!

 

And for Me, MOM.... Damn this coffee is great. And I can hear a pin drop in my humble little abode.

Across the Pond

What an exciting time for my Matthew.  He has been "across the Pond" in Europe for 3 weeks now and I miss his horribly.  I am sure he is relishing in the excitement of it all.  He left for his adventure on July 15th, for a 5 week backpacking excursion throughout Europe.  I will admit I am excited for him to be experiencing this although I am saddened to see him spread his wings becoming more and more independent. 

Tomorrow is Matthew's 19th birthday and he will be celebrating in the beautiful city of Rome Italy.  Matthew phoned me today to tell me of his visit to Vatican City in Rome.  In his own words "Mom. it was totally amazing".  He said it was extraordinary beyond belief.  He said the Sistine Chapel was breathtaking with all of the historical paintings.  He said there was history all around him and he has learned alot and experienced as much.  God, I wish I was there to experience the wonder of it all.  In spirit, I was standing right beside him.  I wonder if he felt my presence. 

Matthew has been keeping touch with us through Facebook messages and brief phone calls.  I can not wait for him to come home so he can elaborate more on his adventure.  It is so hard to hear it all on a phone call that only last a few moments but I can hear it in his voice.  This is an experience of a lifetime and I am so glad he has had this chance to experience life this was even if it is only for a few short weeks.  I can not wait to learn all about the places he has been, what he has seen, the foods he has tasted and the people he has met along the way.  He has already been to London, Paris, Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid and Rome and he is on his way back to Paris, Brussels, Germany, Amsterdam, and then back to London, then home to Charlotte.  So far, that is the plan but Matt and his friends are being spontaneous along the way.  Ahhh, to be young again!

I will close this entry for now as it is the early morning hours.  Stay tuned for more on Matthew's European adventure.  Maybe I will ask Matt to be a guest Blogger.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Matthew.  I will be thinking about you today as I do everyday.  I love you.  Be safe.
Godspeed, My Son.

Matthew getting ready to head to the airport.

 

Saying Good-bye to Brother.

Matthew and Hannah....  Awww.

All ready with Passport in hand.

Last minute Wisdom from Dad.

Until we meet again.  God Speed.

Fun with Grammy & PaPa

While Grammy & PaPa were visiting a few weeks ago, memories of Grammy's childhood flooded back as we spent an afternoon on my sisters family farm.  Grammy grew up in Georgia where the family lived a simple country life tending to their farmstead.  Grammy was delighted to experience this all again and she shared many childhood stories about her life growing up on the farm.  Grammy and PaPa enjoyed feeding and petting the horses in the coral.  Black Tie, Senator, Misty and Sugar Cube enjoyed the attention and loved the treats of carrots.  The ducks made their presence known as they quacked and waddled their way up the hill from the pond.  Grammy admired Linda's garden and spoke about the vegetables grown on her childhood farm.  She shared with Linda some ideas about canning and preserving.  My hubby tried on his country hat while he played like a little boy on the farm tractor.  I think city life suits him better.  LOL.  We walked with the children about the farm and saw the other animals such as the mommy and baby goats, the cows, and Grammy's favorite was the chickens.  It was brilliant to see the excitement in her eyes as the memories flooded in.

Grammy & PaPa on the Farm

We enjoyed a wonderful dinner of wheat free and gluten free foods prepared by my sister and my niece Monica.  YUM!

I think the highlight of the day was when Isaac took Grammy on the Quad for a ride.  She was so excited and thought that at 78 years old, she may never have the chance again....  so she willingly climbed on and held on for dear life.  I am sure she will never forget that ride.  PaPa quietly declined a ride as he liked the fact of being safe on solid ground.  I don't blame him. Grammy & PaPa loved their day on the farm and we enjoyed experiencing this with them.  A memory that will not be forgotten.

We also held an art studio session with Grammy & PaPa while they were here.  I pulled out some canvases and some paint and brushes and the kids and their grandparents got to work.  Everyone enjoyed this painting session.  PaPa is almost 80 and he had never done something like this before so he was a bit reluctant.  But he jumped right in and was happy with the outcome.  He has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, so this was a great activity for him and for Grammy.  The kids had a blast.

Tristans Creation.  A goldfish Cracker.  ADORABLE!