First of all, we didn't get to go on our trip to Chicago. (Sorry, Diana and Stefani. We miss you!) Things were happening with Christopher's job, and as a result he will be changing jobs soon in order to stay in Tulsa. We didn't want to go on vacation right in the middle of everything, especially when we were uncertain about our future financial situation. We are not out of the dark yet, but Christopher is looking into various opportunities. We will let you know what becomes of all of this. I'm sure it will all work out for the best. As far as Chicago goes, we are hoping to visit next summer if not before.

Since Kyler has been out of Day School, most of my time has centered around him and just being "Mama." I have also been able to spend some time working at the Powerhouse office as Kyler naps or spends time at Grandma's house. Besides mall-walking with Grandma, we've been pretty busy this summer doing a variety of activities. 

Kyler completed the summer reading program in just four weeks. He would have done it earlier, but we had to visit the library four times. He had 30 books read to him in just two weeks, but we stopped counting after that! We have continued going to the library at least once a week, where Kyler checks out many a book! I'm glad he shares my love for Children's Literature--at least for now, anyway! Hopefully HE will prefer deeper content someday!!

Christopher and I worked at Vacation Bible School this year as the opening and closing leaders. We had fun leading songs and introducing/summing up the theme of the day. Kyler got to stay in the nursery each evening, which he absolutely LOVED! He could tell it was more than just regular church or school. He even called it "Vacation Bible School," or "Bug Safari," which was the theme of the energetic week. The church was wonderful to include him and the other toddlers in many of the activities the "big kids" did, and Kyler already is asking if he can do "Vacation Bible School" again when he is three! I guess that means we're on the hook to volunteer again next year!

Speaking of next year, Kyler also still talks about his swimming lessons for two weeks at Jane Whit Swim School. He says he is going to do that again when he is three, too! I think that was a great way to get him used to the water. We rewarded his efforts by buying a small pool for our backyard. I'll see if I can find some pictures to post to the site soon.

Message In Movement is moving right along! Right now I am especially excited about our workshop at New Haven. Just today we decided to make it an ongoing class, as opposed to the usual short-term workshops throughout the year. I am really excited about the possibilities this change will bring about, including less "deadlines" to worry about, as we work towards various presentations in worship. It is especially exciting to see different age groups (age 5 through adult) working together in cooperation. Even boys are starting to join in the fun!!

Happy Birthday wishes go out this month to my one and only sweetheart and husband, Christopher. Unfortunately, he will still be one digit younger than me, but that's okay, because everyone still thinks I am the younger one! Besides, doesn't that mean I have the upper hand?! By the way, can you believe that we have now been together for almost ten years and married over seven years? We just celebrated our anniversary last month. Time flies when you're having fun!!

Please be sure to sign our guestbook before you leave our site! I hope you are enjoying your visit. God bless you and yours!!

Things have changed quite a bit since I last wrote. At the beginning of this year I officially became a full-time mom! Since then I have been trying to figure out why I am still so busy! Kyler and I have been spending a lot of time at home, but we have been going places too. We go walking twice a week with "Grandma B" (my mom, Linda), and we have been getting involved in a variety of activities, like swimming lessons and the library summer reading program. Kyler doesn't have Day School this summer, so I have been trying to think of learning activities in which to get him involved. He was going to take a music class this summer, but it got cancelled. I'm trying to decide if I should enroll him in another one. 

Even though I am no longer full-time at Powerhouse, Kyler and I try to help out a couple of days a week. Kyler helps by napping in the studio while I answer phones and do work. Bryan and Kendra have also been keeping Christopher and me busy DJing parties on the weekend. We are in high demand! We are actually looking forward to working a friend's reception together on July 20th, since we haven't worked together in awhile.

Our family stays pretty on week nights, too. Christopher has been playing softball with his office and on the church team whenever possible (church games are on Saturday nights). I am busy dancing, as usual, but only one night a week right now in addition to my Saturday morning tap class. The evening class is pas de deux ballet, which is different and fun! I also have church choir practice on Wednesday nights. Christopher usually practices handbells right before choir practice, but the bell choir takes the summer off. When we have time, we all like to do something together. For instance, we recently took Kyler to the movies and bowling for the first time!

Besides playing with Kyler, I have been spending my spare time learning how to update webpages! I just finished updating Message In Movement's webpage, so I thought it was high time I did something with this one! 

Speaking of Message In Movement, we just had our 2nd Annual "Dance Celebration" Concert on Sunday, June 9th, which involved a lot of planning and rehearsals. After overcoming some obstacles with the location arrangement, the concert went over great! I am hoping we will be able to publicize more next year so that we will have a better turnout. We are taking a short break before resuming rehearsals, but we are just about ready to start again! I am trying to find email addresses of church leaders so that I can get the word out about the group. We plan to have another dance workshop soon at New Haven, and we would like to do some dancing of our own as well. I will try to keep you posted on what we are doing, either here or on the Message In Movement site.

Well, it's busy as usual around the Smith household. Kyler keeps us busy, of course, but we also stay busy with our jobs.  I have been mostly running the Powerhouse office, since Bryan has been quite busy at the recording studio lately, and I also occasionally do DJ gigs on the weekends. Especially now that the wedding season is in full swing, it's never a dull moment at Powerhouse! Kyler is still coming to the office with me, but we have lots of help from his Grandma and lovely babysitter Jennica.  He really likes coming with me, which is great! I do plan to take him to day school for two days a week in the fall, and Jennica will go to college, so things will be changing.

I have also been working on getting my new dance group, Message in Movement, off the ground. We have been working on a big program for June 3rd and are rehearsing fairly often. We are also planning to create a patriotic dance for the 4th of July. You can read about Message in Movement at our new website, http://www.messageinmovement.com.  I will post pictures at some point after the program.

Whew! 2000 has been an interesting year so far! If you haven't already read my birth story, you should check it out (unless you're pregnant or . Kyler was born on March 22, 2000, weiging a "whopping" 9 pounds, 6.4 ounces! He has been gaining at a rate of about 2 pounds per month. One of my famous quotes now is, "Mommy didn't ask for the biggie size baby!" I really do feel like I was given a bonus with Kyler, even though my muscles aren't keeping up with his growth!! He is such a good baby! Christopher and I and the dogs are having great fun with him. Read more about him on his page.

My latest news is the formation of a new dance troupe, "Message in Movement." We dance at churches around the area. I got some dancers together to dance at East Cross United Methodist Church in Bartlesville on July 30th, and we are sticking together! We already have plans to present our dances at a Claremore church in September. I hope to have a website soon or at least have some pictures posted here. If you would like a unique worship experience at your church, send me an email for more details.