Chicago Skyline

Chicago






We had a great time in Chicago. Union Zion Women were on the run and having fun. Looking forward to the next all girls weekend. I did miss not having my girls with me, didn't get to see all we wanted to see so we are planning another trip to Chicago ( hopefully within the next two or three years ). I have also broke down and have decided to plan a New York trip after years of hearing the girls complain about not having been there before. I will post some skyline pictures in my next post.

Its not over yet people

Monday Cousin Rod spent a few hours with Nicki and I working on her portfolio. Later we went back to Chrystal's home and just set around talking. It reminded me a lot if the old days. 4th of July we are all headed down to the beach to spend some time together before I head out for my mom's home. It really has been a good week ( not sure where it went ). I feel very blessed to have the family I have. I'm taking my camera with me ...hoping I can get some good shots. Rod gave me a few tips here and there, I'm excited by the potential to take better photos and expand my hobby just a bit. Of course he has my dream camera, but I have been surprised by the pics my little baby ( camera ) can take. I will post more details of the last week ( including VBS ) when I get back from Chicago. These pics should be pretty cool. I have only seen Chicago through my mom's eyes. I never imagined a day when I would be able to take this trip with her. I remember as a child seeing her pics and hearing stories about her first trip to Chicago ( I was very young at the time ). I have always dreamed of touring Chicago with her....never thought the dream would actually come true though. Isn't God awesome. He knows the desires of our heart and provides for us and gives us grace even though we don't deserve it!

Family Reunion

The gangs all here ( well minus a few from California, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia ).

John, Mary and Richard

Uncle Richard's Crew

Uncle John's Crew

Mary's Crew

The family reunion was a great success. It was so much fun seeing family members I have not seen in years. It was especially exciting to hear about our history and hear the stories about my grandfather and the other members of our family that have now passed on. The most interesting part about the weekend for me was hearing about the similarities that our children have in common. I am hoping that this weekend has really made us think about the importance in staying together as a family and spending time together not only for our benefit but especially for the benefit of our children and in the future their children's children.



It has been decided by the family that our second bi-annual family reunion will be held in Georgia in 2009 and will be hosted by Rod. Further information will be forthcoming in the near future.



See you all in 2009 ( if not before).

Still Alive

I'm still here...just busy at our church as VBS ( Vacation Bible School ) Director. This weekend is my family's reunion and of course for some crazy reason I am coordinating that also. So there has not been much time left to breathe let alone blog. I hope to check back in next week before I leave for Chicago to see the Color Purple. Holla at you all later.....DisneyCyndi.

Family Reunion

The family reunion starts tommorrow at 7 pm at Smithfield Baptist Church, Gloucester Virginia. See you all this weekend. If anyone has pictures or memorabalia they would like to display please bring them with you on Friday. Info about the weekends event will be handed out Friday night. Please remember to bring your registration fee if you have not already paid for the weekends events. Remember to check with your family coordinator about supplies for Saturdays picnic.

Family Reunion Update

The cost for the weekends event will be $15.00 per person ( this cost includes your meal for Friday evening, use of the lodge at Beaver Dam on Saturday, your reunion t-shirt and the family newsletter ). This cost does not include food for Saturdays barbecue ( see below for more info ). Please fill out registration form and include your payments ( make checks payable to Cynthia Jennings-Reunion Coordinator ) no later then June 22nd to reserve your spot. I need your t-shirt size and the number of people in your family that will be attending as soon as possible (by this coming Friday please) so that we can place our orders.

You should receive information concerning Saturdays barbecue and the food responsibilities list from your coordinator this week. Please refer to them if you have any questions or concerns.

Cyndi ( Mary's family )
Chrystal ( Richard's family )
Michelle ( John's family )

Please send info ( names, address, email, news tidbits, photos, announcements ) for our family newsletter to witfour@hotmail.com no later then June 24th.

Please contact Crystal chrystal_ss@yahoo.com if you plan to participate in our talent show Friday night. Please contact Michelle at ferebman@cps.k12.va.us if you have equipment that can be used for recreation at Saturday's barbecue.

We look forward to seeing you June 29th, 30th and July 1st.

Memorial Day

We spent Memorial Day evening with Glen and his family. Glen leaves this week for Iraq for a year. It's hard to believe its been over a years since we went to Hawaii to visit them and now they are back in the states. I knew Marc would want to spend as much time as he could with Glen before his tour began. The two of them went off for a couple of hours on Glen's bikes. You can see the picture's of them on my scrapblog taking off ( see link below). We teased Marc about needing some Excedrin when he returned. He didn't complain any.....so it must have been a good ride. I know he will miss his friend...we are praying for his safe return. We know he is in God's hands.

I spent the evening enjoying the view from the pool while Marc and Glen took a spin on the motorcycles. It wasn't until this morning that I realized there are no pictures of me.

Marc didn't get to barbecue at his own "kitchen" grill, but he somehow made it over to the grill at Glen's home. We warned them in advance that he is known for leaving the food and coming back when its on fire. Sure enough he had to be reminded that the hamburgers were ready (LOL).

Quisha doing what she loves best.

Nicki spent most of the weekend at the water park, then proceeded to spend five minutes in the pool on Monday. I guess she had enough water for the weekend.

Its been a busy weekend...starting with Friday's birthday dinner for a friend. Saturday we chilled a little bit in part because Marc was preparing to preach on Sunday at my grandfather's church. In many way's it was surreal going back to my family's roots. Our friend's Rob and Diane...along with my Aunt and Uncle went with us. My mom met us at church so it was a very special day for me spending so much time with family and friends. We had a nice dinner together and then headed right back to attend a second service with our church. I'm surprised we didn't crash once we got back home. I am beginning to appreciate a slower pace life. As I set by the pool last night it motivated me even more to get some things at home in order. I am looking forward to the work we have planned for the backyard. I could have set out by the pool all night just enjoying it all. The lanterns burning reminded me of our trip to Hawaii...but they also reminded me of the Poly at Disney World. I have been getting a little homesick for my favorite place in all the world. Guess it's time to start planning again.

Family Reunion

Hello Family Members,

Welcome to the 1st Bi-Annual Smith Family reunion of the children and grandchildren of Richard Smith, John Smith, and Mary Smith Gordon. We are looking forward to seeing you on June 29th, 30th and July 1st.

Lodging is available at the Comfort Inn in Gloucester, VA. We suggest that you call right away if interested in staying near the activities.

Scheduled Activities

Friday: Family Reception at the Richard W Smith, SR Fellowship Hall in White Marsh, VA

Saturday: Picnic in the Park at Gloucester Beaver Dam Park

Sunday: Worship Service Sunday morning at Union Zion Baptist Church, Ware Neck VA

Cost associated with the event will be sent out within a few weeks.

If you have any questions or concerns please email me (Cynthia Jennings) at witfour@hotmail.com.

There is a Registration form available here. Please send the info to witfour@hotmail.com by June 18th.

A website page with additional info can be found here.

The Girls at Easter

I forgot I hadn't posted pics of the girls at Easter time.

Women's Day

I really enjoyed our Women's Day Services. I was a nervous wreck because it was my first time being Worship Leader there. It's not the same as being in front of my family and friends at my home church. All in all it turned out to be a very blessed day and a very blessed service. The Men of GMZBC have to really get to work now (lol).

Tea Party

These are pictures from the Women's Day Tea Party at our church. I had so much fun setting this up. Of course I could not have done it without Mrs. M and our girls. From everything I have heard the ladies really enjoyed it. Mrs. M found some wonderful organic tea called Yogi Tea. I have never had tea in a bag this good. As soon as you open the box you smell the aroma of the tea. There were several to choose from including tea for stress, calming tea, and my favorite India Spice.

Happy Birthday

I had a beautiful birthday. Spent most of the day setting up for our Women's Day Tea Party and then later that evening Marc and I went to Applebee's for dinner. The highlight of the day was hearing my mom, sister and nephew sing to me.

Women In Touch

Several Women In Touch Wives were in attendance at Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church for our annual Women's Day Celebration. Our speaker of the hour was my very special friend Pamela C Lee. And of course she rocked the house.

Grill

Well Poppa has a brand new toy.

Easter Photo Shoot

My daughter the photography did a wonderful job of shooting photos for us Easter Sunday. To bad it was to cold for me to wear my cute skirt and sandals during the shoot. These pictures were taken out in front of our home under a beautiful flowering pear tree. Its actually the future site of my new bathroom and walk-in-closet, so I thought it was time to take a picture of the blooms before we are forced to have to cut it down. Of course in this house this may be many years from now (lol).

Cleaning Spree

Yes, I did it...I finally cleaned out the fridge and to the surprise of family and friends...I labeled my shelves. But its working for now (lol). Last year I watched as Stacy J did this, but originally I got the idea from here . At the time I thought the women was crazy, but because this year I decided to clear out in order to do some remodeling next year...I am so on the simplify 101 bandwagon. I promise you by the end of next year family and friends will not recognize this place. By the way...you should see the upstairs hallway...TJ cleared the computer desk and chair out, along with a ton of other "stuff". All I can say is I need to choose a paint color for the walls ASAP, its looking pretty rough up there. Keep in mind the walls have not been painted in nearly 13 years !

Speaking of TJ, the lovely lily is from my sweet son. I would never tell him this...but he has a bit of his dad in him. Love both of these guys. And he is the same way with my mom, sister, and even his two little sisters. They got pedicures the other day on him. I don't think the boy knows how to tell those two no. Now as far as the Lily is concerned they have a bet going...as to how long it will last. I am very well known for killing plants ( even the easy ones ). Its not on purpose ...I just forget to water them. I even caught Quisha telling the plant that she wouldn't last long..poor thing ( her words not mine )...because her momma was a plant killer!! Now, I have to prove them wrong. I have been talking to my plant and checking it everyday. Yesterday she even bloomed for me. So we shall see (smile).