FAMILY LIFE: Marriage, Kids, and Clouds

At the center of my life is my family—a beautiful gift from God that I treasure every day. I’m blessed to share this journey with my amazing wife, Holly, and our three incredible children: Rylan, Addyson, and Ryder.

Holly: My Partner in Life and Ministry

Holly is the heart of our home. She’s my best friend, my biggest encourager, and the steady anchor in both our family life and ministry. We began dating in 2004 and got married in June of 2010 but it didn’t come without its valleys. I remember two main things when we met. The first was remembering the day she walked through those doors at church and all I could think was, “Oh my gosh that girl!”. The second thing, more seriously, was telling her when she was 16 that I had a calling on my life and she either had to be for in and buy in to it, or we wouldn’t be able to build a relationship together. I made this statement to her, not to scare her off, but it was to do something I never did in any other relationship, and that was to make sure the plans God had on my life were the priority. Now, together, we’ve built a home rooted in faith, laughter, and unconditional love. Whether she’s supporting our ministry, cheering from the sidelines, or simply being the glue that holds us all together—Holly is truly irreplaceable.

Rylan: My Cheerleader

Rylan is full of drive, confidence, and joy. She really has no idea how big of a blessing she really is to us. When you read the next section you will understand why.

Before we had Addyson, we started going to an Infertility doctor to get answers on why we could not have anymore children. One of the biggest things that came up was when we were asked, “So you have a daughter? Is there anything wrong? Does she have deformities? She Is perfectly healthy?” All of these answers were positive answers that Rylan was a perfectly healthy child but then the doctor said “I don’t know how you have a child without anything wrong with her based on your blood results.” Sir, I know exactly how we do. He Is God.

Watching her shine in cheerleading competitions is a true highlight of my life. Her dedication to her team and her growth as a young woman make me incredibly proud. Holly and I are her biggest fans—whether in the crowd or on the sidelines, we’re always cheering her on.

Ryker and the two Smith Babies that followed:

In May of 2013 we had just found out Holly was pregnant and were expecting our second child In February 2014. The excitement of having another baby was very apparent until one of the hardest, darkest days not only In our life, but also a day that could have altered and took a toll on our marriage. September of 2013, Holly didn’t feel right and went to the OB/GYN to be seen. When she was headed over, I told her I would leave work and meet her but she Insisted for me to stay at work. As usual, I didn’t listen to her. We went back for an ultrasound and I stood there watching the monitor waiting to hear the heartbeat like we had done numerous times before, except this time I didn’t see or hear It. Holly looked at me puzzled and asked what I was looking at, and all I could say was “I don’t know!” because honestly, I didn’t In that moment. It was at that moment I knew what was happening. It was confirmed that we no longer had a heartbeat.

A few days later Holly was admitted Into the hospital to have a DNC and actually deliver the baby because she was 16 weeks pregnant. When she gave birth, a part of me died that day. It was a boy. A boy I and any other daddy wanted. I could count his toes and fingers. He was only a few Inches long. I cried, and cried, and questioned God. And then I could only think about how Holly was feeling, being a mom that just lost her child that she had been carrying. That day in the hospital, we named him Ryker and he was so loved. We talked about him often to Rylan so she knew she had a brother. After that, Holly had been pregnant two more times and each time, it was the same result. I know we have three children in Heaven waiting on us one day. I honestly don’t know what would have happened If we didn’t have Rylan to look back at and realize we had a perfectly healthy child.

Addyson: Our Sweet Heart

Addyson brings a quiet strength and kindness to our family. She’s compassionate, thoughtful, and creative—always looking out for her siblings and finding ways to help others. She isn’t just the middle child, but she is our RAINBOW BABY and she’s the center of so much love in our home. Her presence is a blessing to everyone she meets. It took a lot of painful shots and medication for Holly to endure In order for us to have Addyson and she was worth every bit of It.

Ryder: My Athlete

Ryder is a miracle baby. Why? Because I could easily say he is a product of a failed vasectomy, but honestly, he is a product of God’s promise and faithfulness to me. He is all heart and hustle. Whether he’s on the baseball diamond or the basketball court, he brings intensity and enthusiasm. His love for sports is matched only by his big personality and sense of humor. Holly and I love supporting him—coaching from the bleachers, celebrating the wins, and even learning through the tough losses.

Family is where my calling begins. From late-nights to early-mornings, church events to dinner on the go, this is the life I love most. Everything I do—in ministry, in my career, and in leadership—flows from the strength and joy I find in my family.