I marvel at the four miracles that are mine.
All four in their new quilts. Megan and Emily share a room so naturally...matching was a must!
Ashley
Emily
Megan
Shayne
So, I guess I really did learn something from my Grandma! Grandma Emma is the real seamstress in the family...but someday with LOTS of practice, I hope to catch some of her talent! The kids have overlooked my little "oops" in each quilt. I prefer to call it quilts with character!
Shayne, Megan, Emily and Ashley
Following in their mother's footsteps....my children LOVE to cook! YEAH!! Tonight they cooked for us one of Todd's favorite desserts....hot chocolate pudding with mint ice cream. Todd grew up eating this yummy favorite and he is SO happy that his kids can now make it for him! Good stuff!
We are so proud of Shayne for sticking with the trumpet...even though it is NOT his favorite thing!
A typical December day in Arizona..... a pile of fallen leaves with Christmas decorations. Got to love Arizona!
the staircase (with Ashley)We have a tradition, I guess, in our home that I hang the lights outside and inside for that matter. Todd has few things in life that he hates. Hanging Christmas lights and Disneyland top his lists of "things I hope to never do in my lifetime" with not many other things below them. Sad huh? I mean WHO doesn't like those two things?? I actually don't mind. I get out the ladder and get to it. Because we have to have Christmas lights! My neighbors aren't quit sure how he "trained' me to do this. I've only almost fell off the roof 1 year. 1 out of 6 years..that's not to bad if you ask me!
So for the rest of the month I'm counting on the smells, sights and sounds that only happen at this time of year!
Never would I have imagined that would be explaining to my young kids why God created Adam and Eve....not Adam and Steve. I feel like I've robbed them of some of their innocence. We've had the sign in our yard for several weeks now and had the basic conversation, but last night for family night we got into it a little deeper. On one hand it angers me beyond words that my kids at their tender ages have been exposed to such a prevalent issue in today's world. On the other hand it brings me so much joy to be able to share my testimony with my kids on why marriage has been ordained to be between one man and one women since the beginning of time. I'm so thankful for the knowledge that we as members of Heavenly Fathers church about His great plan. Sometimes "unpopular" issues are hard to talk about with kids and are avoided at all costs. I knew that today at school our kids were going to be talking about the election and different issues that are being voted on. We wanted to "arm" our kids with as much knowledge as possible. We had a great conversation that led into many other issues that are being discussed this election. I'm so glad that we have scriptures and a living Prophet that have armed us with the knowledge that we needed to teach our kids.
While I feel so bad that kids these days can't be the innocence kids of yesterday, knowledge is power. I hope that in the long run, my kids will always remember to stand up and be counted and not be afraid to voice their opinion. Because there is nothing worse than people who complain about issues that they had the power to change, and instead choose not to.
We went to our ward party last night and a great time was had by all. I love when our ward party is before Halloween so we can have a "dry run" of costumes. Besides, the kids want to get as much time in costumes as possible. I'm not the biggest fan of Halloween to be honest. I guess maybe its because I seem to have people that LOVE to scare the crap out of me every year! ! And yes, I am a big ol wimp with scary stuff! But besides my own personal fears....costumes in general are getting more skimpy, scary, gory and just cost to darn much! This year I told the kids to hone their inner creative being and dumped out the dress-up box. I think they did a pretty great job! It also doesn't hurt to have cousins and friends that are willing to lend out costumes. I'm preparing myself now for a weekend full of sugar rushes and crashes!
These past few months have caused a great deal of reflection for me. I've been a bit overloaded with stress, to say the least.
I was feeling the weight of all the "hats" that as mothers in Zion we wear. Most of the "hats" I've brought upon myself, thanks to the gene inherited from my mother. That gene that makes me say yes to everything and everyone. Not that I think that's a bad thing. Lets see... YW 2nd counselor, Ptso president, wife, mom, room mom for 2 of my kids classes and then I feel so bad that I didn't volunteer for the other 2 classes that I go help as much as humanly possible and the list goes on. I know that really compared to so many others around me, my list is nothing. I don't know how some people do it and make it all look so easy!
I've learned so much from having this gene. These "hats" that I wear have given me something else to think about, worry about and do something about when other things are out of my control. My mom is the best example to me. She is always out and about doing service for someone in her ward. There is hardly ever a time that I call that she is not "on her way out" or "just got back" from helping someone. I hope to someday be like that! What are we always told? Lose ourselves in service. So simple, yet so life changing.
I guess as I've been "sifting" thru my "hats". I really had to refocus my priorities to what matters the most, and they all sit around my dinner table every night. I really wish that I would put all the time and energy that I spend on "perfecting" everything else into becoming a kinder more thoughtful, funner mom. These past few months we've all, and I mean all, have been home a lot more. While I'm not going to lie and say that having an unemployed husband for the last 6 months has been a party, I've noticed so many little changes in our family. We've had to become more creative with fun activities, we've had to change to way we see things, we've had to teach and reteach the differences between wants and needs. I also been able to see and be apart of so many "tender mercies" and countless blessings and little acts of thoughtful service.
I'm so, so grateful.
It seems to me that when everything around is spinning out of control, the only thing that is in perfect view is family. And while I love to help at the school and love to be that mom that teachers know they can count on, and while I try to do "extras" for my friends, family and neighbors, it has all taken a back seat this year. This year, for a short amount of time, its all about those people who sit around my dinner table that mean the most to me. That "hat" is the most precious of all "hats" to me. The hat of mother and wife.
Isn't this a hoot? I was going around doing my last check on all the kids before I climbed into my own bed, and this is how I found Emily. She was out cold, mask and all! The sun wasn't going to wake her up!! When I went in this morning to wake her up, she pulled the mask off and said "oooh..it's so bright in here." Oh boy.. 5 going on 15!
I guess we didn't know how popular Betty-Sue was going to become! She's going on the Oprah show! Yeah for her but she is taping the show on the same day as the event at Poppy's. So the date has changed if you want to go. October 2nd, Thursday, at noon and 7 pm she will be doing her thing at Poppy's. If you want to join me, call Poppy's to get your tickets 480-325-4900. Its going to be a fun time! Hope to see you there.
Emily is 100% all personality! The things that come out of her mouth amaze me. For instance..
The girls and I were all shopping the other day at the mall. Emily was in a VERY goofy mood!
E- Hiiiii
Strange lady- Oh well Hi to you.
E- what ya doing?
SL- shopping for my daughter. What are you doing.
E- buying me a bra.. (..she's 5 and no we were not shopping for a bra)
Of coarse, Megan and Ashley couldn't contain their laughter and neither could I!
and then same shopping trip..
E- (talking to a passing stranger)- Hi beautiful..can I buy you a soda?
SL- What?
E- Laughing..that's what my friend Hannah says (as in Hannah Montana)
E to every mirror we passed- Hi beautiful..can I buy you a soda?
I guess she really has no problems talking to herself or others! I just hope that her and the mirror don't become to good of friends!
different trip
We were checking out and behind the counter were two cashiers. One young, one a little older.
E- Whats your name
C- Jennifer. Whats your name?
E- Emily. What's your grandmas name? (pointing to the other cashier)
C- Oh, that's not my grandma, she works here.
E- Oh, I thought she was an old grandma
YIKES!
and then just today I was picking her up at school for a Dr apt when the her Librarian stop me to tell me what Emily said to her!
L- I'm going to read to you this wonderful book, please wait until the end for question.
E- in the middle of the story...hand raised not making a peep
L-Yes Emily
E-Your beautiful.
L-Well Emily you are now my new favorite student.
She's really liking her new found word...beautiful.
Its a darn good thing that I think she is beautiful and I can hardly wait to hear what she'll come up with next.
For any of you that watched last years Biggest Loser you know this is Betty Sue..team pink! Her daughter Ali is the one who won it all. Betty Sue was nice enough to come speak to all the YW in our ward. She was awesome! She had us laughing and crying all at the same time. You know she's a great speaker when you have a group of 50 young girls and they are completely intrigued by every word she said. If any of you are looking for a great activity that will inspire and fully entertain all who are in attendance, you've got to call her. She wants to go on tour to talk to all the women and young women in the church. I have her contact info if your interested. I'm not sure who enjoyed it more, the girls or the leaders! 
This last week has been a fun filled week. All of Todd's brothers were in town. We had a mini reunion last weekend up in Prescott with everyone. Talk about girl overload. Poor Shayne only has 2 boy cousins on the Smith side and they are much younger, but he takes it in stride and loves to play with them. We starting the weekend at Links Lake. All the kids went fishing.
Emily gets the prize for most improved. By the end of the day she was no longer casting her line hooking Todd's arm or hat or face!
Megan and her cousin Tessa were two peas in a pod.
Shayne took full enjoyment grossing out his sisters and myself putting on these worms! Todd dared him to eat one.. I guess the price wasn't high enough! 
Ashley was actually the best fisherman! I don't know how I didn't get a picture. She could cast her line farther than just about anyone!
We rented this little boats to mess around in. The peddle boat made for some great laughs. Todd and Mike peddling against the wind for a good 30 mins was pure joy! Doug opted for the power boat with all the girls, I don't know which one was smarter!
Me and Laura had our turn luggin the girls around... not quite as much joy! Of coarse the wind picked up when it was our turn!We had a great time everyone in town! The noise level has gone down a bit. 28 people in one confined space makes for some loud but great memories! Thanks Laurie for planning the whole sha-bang!
Notice the twist curl on the side of her head
Her version of Princess Leah without ever seeing the movie!
She even figured out how to use a crocodile clip!Man I love this girl!
Todd is the CTR 5 teacher... 7 kindergartners all to himself. Todd is such a great interactive teacher. The kids love him. Our Emily is one of the kids in the class so it makes it so much fun for Todd to be in there with her. If you know Todd, you know he is the king of bribery. Each week he has some sort of snack for those little ones. Yesterday the lesson was on following the Holy Ghost's promptings. He took each of the kids and blindfolded them and had another kid whisper into their ear to guide them around the room. Well after all the kids had a turn, Todd decided to blindfold himself and have the kids lead him around. After several minutes of vague directions and a bit of sideline whispering, he took off the blindfold. All the kids were laughing. He looked around to see what was so funny to discover the bag of candy he had brought for the kids was empty! Those sneaky little kids! While his eyes were covered our angel Emily, aka the ringleader, when and unzipped Todd's bag, took the candy and passed it out to all the kids. Todd discovered candy in every ones pockets and of course their mouths were stuffed full!! Too funny. Todd was offically outsmarted by a band of 5 year olds! I love it!!
So all that know me know that I love to cook and bake. Not only do I love to be in my kitchen, I love to create or warp recipes into my own little creations. I am so inspired by all those food blogs out there. I have my favorites that I visit on a daily basis to help me create my next recipe. Sometimes when I'm looking for dinner ideas, I'm like huh.. I don't have any of those fancy ingredients! So I've learned how to "dumb" down the recipe to work with my pantry. I really have a secret desire to be in a cooking contest or try to make it on that food channel, maybe someday.
My family loves all things Italian.. pizza, pasta, lasagna, spaghetti, you name it, we love it. I have perfected (in my eyes) my homemade pizza, even sold a few to some willing friends, and have many go to recipes that we love. So I thought it would be fun to post a tried and true recipes my family loves. Its a "go to" on nights like tonight when we had football, scouts, meetings and had to be done before the Olympics started! So I decided to start little. This is a family favorite.. a simple staple.. it's whats for dinner tonight!
1 1/2 lbs hamburger
1 pkg onion soup mix
salt and pepper to taste
1 clove garlic
1 pkg sub rolls (I get the fresh ones at WalMart)
2 C Italian sauce (I dress up the traditional prego brand with a little sugar, cider vinegar, fresh basil and garlic)
Fresh Mozzarella cheese
Combine the hamburger with the dry soup mix, garlic and salt and pepper. Roll into balls. Cook in a 2 in frying pan until brown. Remove from pan and set aside. Pour Italian sauce to pan to pick up drippings. Dress up the sauce with any extras (see above) if you desire. Add meatballs back to pan and let simmer for 20 mins. Slice sub rolls (careful not to cut all the way thru) and lightly butter them and sprinkle with garlic powder. Place rolls under the broiler until bread is slightly browned. Remove from oven and place meatballs onto the garlic bread rolls. Add fresh mozzarella and return to broiler until cheese is melted.
Whip these up next time you don't have much time! My family LOVES them. I'd love to hear some new idea's from all my blog friends. What's on your table tonight?
I can't believe she's 9! Boy how time flys. This girl of mine is just the right combination of sweet and sassy! She has a smile to melt your heart, a quick wit to make ya say "huh?", a heart that is almost to big for her little body, the stubbornness of a mule (like her mom), the compassion of angels and the biggest desire to do whats right. We love you!
I just got back from girls camp with this great bunch of girls and leaders. We had a great the best time. These girls are so amazing. We had some late nights, not much sleep, a few bug bits, great stories, lots of laughs and pulled off some sneaky pranks! Who doesn't love girls camp?? I became a big kid up there. Thankfully so did all the other leaders! Now if I can just get those darn camp songs out of my head!!What's that spell? A fun week at BYU! No, I was never a cheerleader but aren't you impressed with my cheering skills? Last week we took Shayne up to a football camp at BYU. He went with his friend Samuel but ended up knowing several boys from his spring football team. They all stayed in Heritage Halls for the week. I couldn't believe that I was dropping off my son for a week to fend for himself. I have to admit that I got a little choked up when I drove away from the dorms that day. It turns out he had the best time ever and can't wait to go back next year.
We went to watch him do drills everyday for a little bit. It was so fun to see him out there showing off his "stuff." He loves football! One of his coaches was the BYU center last year. He also got to meet Bronco Mendenhall, who went over plays and videos with the boys everyday. This was like a dream for him! Hopefully this put a little fire in him to become a better student so that one day he can actually play football at the Y, his BIGGEST dream of all!
While Shayne had fun on campus and on the field, the girls and I, including my mom had some fun of our own. Thanks to my mom for tagging along while Todd was at home putting a new business plan together! Most of our activities revolved around water (the river) or shopping.. surprise, surprise!
The river is just one of the best places in Provo. The water was icy cold, but the girls didn't care one bit.
The last day we were in Utah, after picking up Shayne, we headed back up to Bridal Veil Falls. Shayne, Ashley and Samuel hiked up the falls to the top. It took them about an hour to do but it was a great accomplishment. What a great place that holds great memories for me! 
I'm glad my kids enjoyed this beautiful place as much as I do.
