Hi out there to all of our friends and family! Hannah's new swim team is having a Swim-A-Rama in October and she has been asked to raise $75 before the end of October. If you would like to donate, she can take a flat donation or if you are feeling adventurous, then you can choose an amount per lap that she swims that night. All is for a good cause. The money earned will let the team buy more equipment, ribbons for meets, and help with meet fees.
Steve does have a PayPal button on the side to do on-line donations, but a few dollars will go a long way. Find a dollar or two in your couch and it will help her out and your couch will feel a little lighter.
Thanks so much! Swim team season has begun!!!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
We Did It!!!
We made it! We did it! We don't have to buy any more.....
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DIAPERS!!! NO MORE DIAPERS! Say it with me: NO...More...DIAPERS!!!
Needless to say it has been a long time coming, but we are done! Katy has been diaper free for 6 days now and no accidents at night! Well, we did have one accident last night that Katy peed on her panties because Steve was going to the bathroom and didn't finish fast enough for Katy, so she peed on the floor and all over his foot!! Serves him right. When a girl says she's gotta go, she's gotta go!
I need to throw a party just because we are all done with diapers. I think she has been the easiest of all the girls because we really didn't do anything. Just lots of praise from everyone including the big sisters and well diaper days are done. I can say that this is one of those happy days of being a mother. I know that the girls are not little anymore, but we are moving on to bigger and better things with no more diaper changes!!
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DIAPERS!!! NO MORE DIAPERS! Say it with me: NO...More...DIAPERS!!!
Needless to say it has been a long time coming, but we are done! Katy has been diaper free for 6 days now and no accidents at night! Well, we did have one accident last night that Katy peed on her panties because Steve was going to the bathroom and didn't finish fast enough for Katy, so she peed on the floor and all over his foot!! Serves him right. When a girl says she's gotta go, she's gotta go!
I need to throw a party just because we are all done with diapers. I think she has been the easiest of all the girls because we really didn't do anything. Just lots of praise from everyone including the big sisters and well diaper days are done. I can say that this is one of those happy days of being a mother. I know that the girls are not little anymore, but we are moving on to bigger and better things with no more diaper changes!!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Eight Years Ago Today...
WoW! Eight years have come and gone, seasons have changed, addresses changed, sisters added and today would have been your baptism day. I look for you my son in the things that I do. The butterflies that gently float by remind me of you. I look at your sisters and think about the boy that you would be today. Today your father would have baptized you with all of your family and friends gathered together, but somethings must wait for later. I love you my son and wonder sometimes what you are doing in heaven. Are you having fun with all of your grandparents and other angel babies who check in on their parents from time to time?? I sure miss you but know that you are busy and happy. No longer bound to the little body with a broken heart, but perfect in every sense of the word to run and play and do all those things that little boys do. Today I will be able to go to your grave on your birthday for the first time and reflect on the few short hours that we had together all those years ago. You are my child and I am so thankful for eternal families. Hug your babies today and tell them that you love them!!
In moving and unpacking I found a letter that my grandma send me while I was preggers with Ben. And it's so true. Only after being a mother, do I get it. I thought that instead of posting Ben's story this year I would write this out for you. If you wanna read Ben's story it is posted on his birthday last year just click here ---> Ben's story
Grams letter:
We are sitting at lunch when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family." "We're taking a survey," she says, half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?"
"It will change your life." I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.
"I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations...."
But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physicals wounds of child bearing will heal, but that becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.
I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die?
I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. The the urgent call of "MOM!" will cause her to drop a souffle or her best crystal without a moment's hesitation.
I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of her discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.
I want my daughter to know that everyday decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in the restroom.
However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother.
Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give it up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years- not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs.
I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor. My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to power the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.
I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice, and drunk driving. I hope that she will understand why I can think rationally about most issues, but become temporarily insane when I discuss the threat of nuclear way to my children's future.
I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her that belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real, it actually hurts.
My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You will never regret it, " I finally say. Then I reach across the table, squeeze my daughter's hand and offer a silent prayer for her, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of all callings. This blessed gift from God....That of being a Mother!
In moving and unpacking I found a letter that my grandma send me while I was preggers with Ben. And it's so true. Only after being a mother, do I get it. I thought that instead of posting Ben's story this year I would write this out for you. If you wanna read Ben's story it is posted on his birthday last year just click here ---> Ben's story
Grams letter:
We are sitting at lunch when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family." "We're taking a survey," she says, half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?"
"It will change your life." I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.
"I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations...."
But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physicals wounds of child bearing will heal, but that becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.
I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die?
I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. The the urgent call of "MOM!" will cause her to drop a souffle or her best crystal without a moment's hesitation.
I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of her discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.
I want my daughter to know that everyday decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in the restroom.
However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother.
Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give it up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years- not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs.
I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor. My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to power the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.
I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice, and drunk driving. I hope that she will understand why I can think rationally about most issues, but become temporarily insane when I discuss the threat of nuclear way to my children's future.
I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her that belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real, it actually hurts.
My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You will never regret it, " I finally say. Then I reach across the table, squeeze my daughter's hand and offer a silent prayer for her, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of all callings. This blessed gift from God....That of being a Mother!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Oh Lordy...I turned thirty!!
It has been a fun first day of being thirty! It started on Friday night when Steve grilled me up some awesome salmon. Let me tell you it was the best thing that I have had in a long time. We had enough to gorge ourselves and have some left over all for less than what one meal would have cost us at the OG. It was yummy and the best part...no tip for the server :-)
Last night Steve and I had a great laugh with the letter and present from Hannah for me! Here is the letter from Hannah....It reads..."Hi Girl! I got what you want. She is a cooger. I got it in them now. Love Mom Happy Birthday. Love Hannah" She even gave me her little Cosmo cougar that she has. Steve and I just laughed and laughed about the whole "hi girl" part all night long!
Today was awesome. Even with Steve leaving today we made the best of what time we had together! I so skipped breakfast just because I knew Steve was taking me to Superior Grill for lunch. I haven't had cheese dip for EIGHT YEARS!! It was still as good as it used to be. yummy! Steve of course ate all of his plate of his Crazy Javier and I had to save some for later tonight. I do eat those leftovers! Yummy!
Grams present was here for me when I got home from the airport. She sent me a whole new set of bread pans. Little ones, medium ones, and big ones too! I can't wait for bread day this week. I need to make some white bread and I promised the people who own our house orange rolls too!! With Steve gone I have some time to kill in the evening, so why not try out some new bread and orange rolls!!!
My gift from my mom, dad, and the boys came later today. It's a HUGE ice cream maker! Needless to say we will be making some sort of dessert tomorrow. Us girls know how to do it when the only boy of the house is gone for the week!! I can't wait to pick something out to make!! The part that you have to freeze was in the freezer about 5 seconds after we got it out of the box!!
Today has been a good day. I still can't believe that I made it to 30!! WOW! Those 20s are gone. The next 10 years should be a lot of fun. Just raising the kids, going to school, being a mom, and wife. It is going to be an incredible journey!!
Last night Steve and I had a great laugh with the letter and present from Hannah for me! Here is the letter from Hannah....It reads..."Hi Girl! I got what you want. She is a cooger. I got it in them now. Love Mom Happy Birthday. Love Hannah" She even gave me her little Cosmo cougar that she has. Steve and I just laughed and laughed about the whole "hi girl" part all night long!
Today was awesome. Even with Steve leaving today we made the best of what time we had together! I so skipped breakfast just because I knew Steve was taking me to Superior Grill for lunch. I haven't had cheese dip for EIGHT YEARS!! It was still as good as it used to be. yummy! Steve of course ate all of his plate of his Crazy Javier and I had to save some for later tonight. I do eat those leftovers! Yummy!
Grams present was here for me when I got home from the airport. She sent me a whole new set of bread pans. Little ones, medium ones, and big ones too! I can't wait for bread day this week. I need to make some white bread and I promised the people who own our house orange rolls too!! With Steve gone I have some time to kill in the evening, so why not try out some new bread and orange rolls!!!
My gift from my mom, dad, and the boys came later today. It's a HUGE ice cream maker! Needless to say we will be making some sort of dessert tomorrow. Us girls know how to do it when the only boy of the house is gone for the week!! I can't wait to pick something out to make!! The part that you have to freeze was in the freezer about 5 seconds after we got it out of the box!!
Today has been a good day. I still can't believe that I made it to 30!! WOW! Those 20s are gone. The next 10 years should be a lot of fun. Just raising the kids, going to school, being a mom, and wife. It is going to be an incredible journey!!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Can we say Busy??
It has been an awesome, fun, and very busy first few weeks in Alabama. We have had the Price's over for dinner and to talk, been to Mt. Cheaha for a Labor Day BBQ with folks from the other ward, and already been to a birthday party (no not mine) but for Rowan (my friend Evyn's little girl). Needless to say the house still has a lot of boxes in it, but who wants to unpack when there are more fun things to do??
It has been a fun weekend too with all the college football games that have been on! We waited very patiently for the BYU game to come on Saturday night and it was an awesome game! Holy Cow we took out Okalahoma and their #3 ranking. I was proud that we could do it after Utah beat up on Alabama last year. Sorry to bring that up for all my friends who are Alabama fans! It was good for our conference and earned us a little bit of respect in the college football business.
Speaking of Alabama and Auburn....Steve and I decided that we have some rules on who we will cheer for and when. We are TRUE BLUE fans for BYU, so we will not be picking a side in the long battle for the state of Alabama. We will cheer for any Mountain West team that is in a bowl game or any big game. Case in point...we had a lot of fun wearing our 'Utah Red' for the game last year. So the Smith house is neutral territory for all you crazy fans out there. You can come here and have some fun. So when you see the van with it's BYU flags sticking to the windows, that is us. You don't have to do double takes. Our biggest rivals are probably the Tippetts here in Jacksonville when it comes to the BYU-UTAH game, but that is okay! We will stick out in our blue and white and have a good time.
Our best thing yet about being BYU fans was standing in line for the free chicken sandwiches at Chik-fil-a on Labor Day. We had lots of double takes with our van and still riding high from our win over Oklahoma. We are there waiting and a guy comes up in all his Roll Tide Stuff and tells Steve. "Can I shake your hand and give you a high five??" Steve was like okay....Then the other guy bursts out with "Thanks so much for taking Oklahoma down!!!"
So there you go. That is what we have been up to these days!!
GO COUGARS!!
It has been a fun weekend too with all the college football games that have been on! We waited very patiently for the BYU game to come on Saturday night and it was an awesome game! Holy Cow we took out Okalahoma and their #3 ranking. I was proud that we could do it after Utah beat up on Alabama last year. Sorry to bring that up for all my friends who are Alabama fans! It was good for our conference and earned us a little bit of respect in the college football business.
Speaking of Alabama and Auburn....Steve and I decided that we have some rules on who we will cheer for and when. We are TRUE BLUE fans for BYU, so we will not be picking a side in the long battle for the state of Alabama. We will cheer for any Mountain West team that is in a bowl game or any big game. Case in point...we had a lot of fun wearing our 'Utah Red' for the game last year. So the Smith house is neutral territory for all you crazy fans out there. You can come here and have some fun. So when you see the van with it's BYU flags sticking to the windows, that is us. You don't have to do double takes. Our biggest rivals are probably the Tippetts here in Jacksonville when it comes to the BYU-UTAH game, but that is okay! We will stick out in our blue and white and have a good time.
Our best thing yet about being BYU fans was standing in line for the free chicken sandwiches at Chik-fil-a on Labor Day. We had lots of double takes with our van and still riding high from our win over Oklahoma. We are there waiting and a guy comes up in all his Roll Tide Stuff and tells Steve. "Can I shake your hand and give you a high five??" Steve was like okay....Then the other guy bursts out with "Thanks so much for taking Oklahoma down!!!"
So there you go. That is what we have been up to these days!!
GO COUGARS!!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
First Days of School
The first thing that we got to do on monday morning was get the girls ready for school. I already knew that Hannah could not start on the day she registered, so we were prepared to start school on Tuesday. I figured that Monday morning would be great for school pictures, so here they are!
Hannah was so ready to go! until she realized that she had to run a morning full of errands with me after we did the whole school thing! Katy is no where to be seen since she decided to sleep in until 11 am that day!! It was an easy day for Steve to watch her.
Ruby loved school and hasn't looked back since that first day. She is having so much fun and loves her teachers. The Children's House is the best ever and they really do love their Ruby Jo.
Hannah loves her teacher too and loves that she is getting 100% and A+ on her assignments. I am glad that she is now at the top and enjoying being an awesome student! No more fights about homework, since the whole weeks worth is how much she would normally have on a single night back at Challenger!!
Hannah was so ready to go! until she realized that she had to run a morning full of errands with me after we did the whole school thing! Katy is no where to be seen since she decided to sleep in until 11 am that day!! It was an easy day for Steve to watch her.
Ruby loved school and hasn't looked back since that first day. She is having so much fun and loves her teachers. The Children's House is the best ever and they really do love their Ruby Jo.
Hannah loves her teacher too and loves that she is getting 100% and A+ on her assignments. I am glad that she is now at the top and enjoying being an awesome student! No more fights about homework, since the whole weeks worth is how much she would normally have on a single night back at Challenger!!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
thoughts on moving
Maybe it is a start over or maybe because I feel at home back here in Jacksonville, but moving for me has been a new start. Maybe moving back to my home turf has allowed me to feel like life is a little easier and the pressures of the conformity of Utah are gone. It is fun to be ME out here. I am unique out here in this little town of Jacksonville. The typical mom stuff is fun. Going to take my kids to school and to be there when they are done is fun. Creating a strict schedule that the kids have never had before is working well, even though it is a lot of work every day. I now understand why my Mom would get up early in the morning before us kids: To enjoy a quiet moment before life started for the day. Eating a bowl of cereal and catching up on the news for a few moments before that schedule starts is refreshing to me.
The house is amazing and I have never been "in love" with a house before this one. Every little nook and cranny is even better than the last. The space is amazing and I just have to sit in amazement that it is mine for now. The yard is HUGE and I feel safe to let my kids go outside and play. Be kids and explore without the fear of a busy street. Heck we don't even have sidewalks. Taking a stroll down the middle of the street barefoot is just fine here and all the neighbors either stop and say hi or wave as they go by. The Southern comforts...maybe that is what I have been missing in my life.
I love knowing that dinner is at 5 pm every night and that I don't feel overwhelmed by a kitchen. Sure I still have boxes around, but they are slowly getting put away. We have the internet after a fun day of trying to get it. To take a break from the TV and the web was nice. It sure does make for more family time and evening walks. For instance Katy and I took a walk yesterday morning just to get out of the house. We needed a break from the house since it is just her and I in the mornings now. We took a stroll over to where my mom used to live. Only 3 blocks away from our house now. Katy got all mad because her grandma wasn't there. She even called and said "Hi Grandma. I'm at your old house. Where are you?" Sure it is hard being away from my mom, but in many ways it is like my mom is here. We drive the same streets. Hannah is with old teachers of my brothers and well....it is Jacksonville. Changed but still the same.
I just take a deep breath and realize that I have come home. Home to my neighborhood that I wanna raise my children in. Home to where the life is a little bit slower. It's okay to sit on your porch and watch the fireflies dance in the night. Slow to take your time to notice the sounds of nature that are all around you. Slow to know that life can go at a little slower pace. I will catch up eventually, but right now I am taking it all in. Yes, moving has been good to me. I just hope it lasts through all of nursing school.
The house is amazing and I have never been "in love" with a house before this one. Every little nook and cranny is even better than the last. The space is amazing and I just have to sit in amazement that it is mine for now. The yard is HUGE and I feel safe to let my kids go outside and play. Be kids and explore without the fear of a busy street. Heck we don't even have sidewalks. Taking a stroll down the middle of the street barefoot is just fine here and all the neighbors either stop and say hi or wave as they go by. The Southern comforts...maybe that is what I have been missing in my life.
I love knowing that dinner is at 5 pm every night and that I don't feel overwhelmed by a kitchen. Sure I still have boxes around, but they are slowly getting put away. We have the internet after a fun day of trying to get it. To take a break from the TV and the web was nice. It sure does make for more family time and evening walks. For instance Katy and I took a walk yesterday morning just to get out of the house. We needed a break from the house since it is just her and I in the mornings now. We took a stroll over to where my mom used to live. Only 3 blocks away from our house now. Katy got all mad because her grandma wasn't there. She even called and said "Hi Grandma. I'm at your old house. Where are you?" Sure it is hard being away from my mom, but in many ways it is like my mom is here. We drive the same streets. Hannah is with old teachers of my brothers and well....it is Jacksonville. Changed but still the same.
I just take a deep breath and realize that I have come home. Home to my neighborhood that I wanna raise my children in. Home to where the life is a little bit slower. It's okay to sit on your porch and watch the fireflies dance in the night. Slow to take your time to notice the sounds of nature that are all around you. Slow to know that life can go at a little slower pace. I will catch up eventually, but right now I am taking it all in. Yes, moving has been good to me. I just hope it lasts through all of nursing school.
We did It!
We made it to Alabama very late on Friday night! It was a super long car ride and at times it was hard to stay awake and drive, but we did it! The girls and I left American Fork on Thursday at 4 pm. and raced to the airport to get my dad at 5. We took off in our attempt to catch Steve and Paul. It took us a few hours but we did. In the first run, Steve almost ran out of gas in the truck! I will let him tell you the story.
We drove all night long and in the morning we were already almost through Nebraska! Then into Iowa for breakfast and on our way into Missouri. We stopped in Independence for a short stop, by then it was almost lunch time and we still had a long way to get to Emily's house. The kids were doing great both days, since they slept a really long time and then on Friday for most of the day Ruby was in the truck!!
Our last stop was about 40 miles outside of Nashville. Steve was so tired that he was acting like he was drunk! The poor lady said she couldn't understand him when he wanted gas and told me a few times that he didn't need to be driving any more. That is the only part that makes me worried for him to drive by himself in a few weeks. I hope he doesn't push it too hard. I need a husband around.
I was tired but my dad and I took the last leg into Emily's house. He told me that this was my move, so I needed to head it in for the last leg! So I loaded up on my 32 oz. Dr. Pepper and a bag of sunflower seeds and I was good!! We pulled into Emily's house around 1:30 in the morning. Total hours in the van from American Fork to Harvest, AL only took us 33 1/2 hours!! I think that is great with a 26' truck packed to the gills, 3 kids, and a cat!! Nutmeg did great with the drive and is glad to be out of her crate.
I gotta get Hannah from the bus, so I will post later for what we have been up to since then!
We drove all night long and in the morning we were already almost through Nebraska! Then into Iowa for breakfast and on our way into Missouri. We stopped in Independence for a short stop, by then it was almost lunch time and we still had a long way to get to Emily's house. The kids were doing great both days, since they slept a really long time and then on Friday for most of the day Ruby was in the truck!!
Our last stop was about 40 miles outside of Nashville. Steve was so tired that he was acting like he was drunk! The poor lady said she couldn't understand him when he wanted gas and told me a few times that he didn't need to be driving any more. That is the only part that makes me worried for him to drive by himself in a few weeks. I hope he doesn't push it too hard. I need a husband around.
I was tired but my dad and I took the last leg into Emily's house. He told me that this was my move, so I needed to head it in for the last leg! So I loaded up on my 32 oz. Dr. Pepper and a bag of sunflower seeds and I was good!! We pulled into Emily's house around 1:30 in the morning. Total hours in the van from American Fork to Harvest, AL only took us 33 1/2 hours!! I think that is great with a 26' truck packed to the gills, 3 kids, and a cat!! Nutmeg did great with the drive and is glad to be out of her crate.
I gotta get Hannah from the bus, so I will post later for what we have been up to since then!
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