Strengthening the Family

Well, it's me. The blog that you always pass by because it usually says -"last update- one month." So not to disappoint or ruin my reputation- here I go again. The year has been great so far! We've had fun as a family with game nights (it's no nice when the kids get old enough to play) we got to visit family in Provo and kiss my nephews' cute chubby faces, last night we took the kids on the front runner again to Salt Lake but then had to take trax to the Huntsman Center at U of U campus. Never again! Frontrunner's OK but Trax on the other hand- let's just say we were quite entertained and when we got back Zac informed his grandparents that he met 15 Hobo's. Our kid's also made the comment on the way back that they reaffirmed their committment that they were never going to touch drugs or alcohol! One lady had a conversation with Hailey about Human Development and why kids spill milk all the time. She intently listened with eyes wide open. The train was making some funny "gassy" noises and Brooklyn said- "The train TOOT-TOOED" We watched the Lady Ute Gymnasts compete against Washington. They were amazing!!!!! The kids were in giddy awe. I can see why the Utes are ranked 3rd in the nation. AWESOME!!! It was a great experience though the $5 hamburgers weren't that great.
So Wes and I started taking the Strengthening the Family class on Thursday nights in our ward. It was been such an edifying, thought provoking, and life changing experience and so I encourage everyone to take this class when asked by their Bishop or ask about taking it. I come away every week with a desire to be a better parent. During the week I am more mindful of my tone, my words, how I interact emotionally and physically with my children, how they feel, and well- just everything! I have been more mindful of my weaknesses and the desire to ask Heavenly Father -daily- for the things I need to work on and then praying for guidance on how to help my children with the things that they need help on. I hope that I can continue to have these desires and put them into action when I'm through with this class.
Well, dad had surgery on his hernia, Grandma Smith had surgery on her gall bladder the same day, and then when dad got his stitches out he was walking around the hospital waiting for my mom and saw Grandma Childers in a hospital room because she slipped and fell on the ice and broke her wrist, and then last week my sister in law Natalie had surgery to blast a kidney "boulder" and take it out. I hope everyone gets better soon- and please- no more hospital visits people! We look forward for Cherisse and their family to visit us the end of this month-to participate in the blessing of Baby Lucy. Yea!

Year in Review -'08

Happy New Year Friends and Family! I can't believe how fast this last year has flown by. Time sneaks past you the older you get-not to say that I think I'm getting the least bit old.(ha!) The beginning of the year started off with a lot of drama with different family members and has ended with gratitude and faithfulness to our Savior Jesus Christ.- It's a long story, but any how.
Wes keeps busy with work and still really enjoys it. Most of last year he spent training new hires so he had a lot more responsibility. Wes has diligently put his shoulder to the wheel and pushed along in his calling as bishop. It is humbling as his wife to hear people bear their testimonies giving Wes love and giving thanks for how he has helped them individually. I really know nothing of his calling or the burdens he has to carry, but I know that Heavenly Father has blessed the lives of others through Wes and his faithfulness.
I am the Laurel advisor and know of no better calling than to be with the youth of the church. They have such great knowledge and excitement about the gospel, and of course it gives me the opportunity to act "young" every once in awhile. I am still teaching dance once a week to about 45 students. I'm still fine tuning things but am quite content with the skill level and growth in my students. I love it! I am of course still busy at home with projects and the raising and nurturing of 5 great kids.
We celebrated 10 wonderful years of matrimonial bliss this last May. I'd like to say that we have marriage down to a "T" but I know through the ups and downs of life is where we strengthen our relationships and increase our love and respect. I am very greatful to have "My Wesley" for eternity and look forward to another great 10 years. We have five beautiful, wonderful, healthy children.
Zachary turned 9 and started 4th grade. He is so kind to his siblings, a peacemaker, and a great help to his parents. He loves scouts, dance, soccer, wrestling, and mom started him in piano this year and then got him a guitar to start getting him musically inclined. He has a very nice voice and has sang a few times in sacrament this year.
Cameron turned 8 and got baptized and confirmed this year. It was a great day. He is in 3rd grade and a little smarty pants. He has a great gift and was asked to go to a special summer camp for gifted children. He is a great artist and am amazed that he can see things in his head and put it on paper. I have to look at a picture already drawn to draw it. He is a great soccer player, doing well in piano, and loves to wrestle around with his brothers at home.
Jonathan just turned 6 a few months ago and started Kindergarten this year. He is doing well and his reading skills are quite good already. Jonathan does well in anything he wants to do. If he wants to do something, he just keeps at it until he can do it. He is quite athletic and wants to do everything his brothers d0. With that will power also comes obstinence and stubborness. He does not like being told no. He gets hurt a lot obviously. He knocked out a tooth, has scars on his face, arms and legs. He's still such a cutie!
Hailey turned 4 and is going on 16. She's our little drama queen. She loves her daddy and has quite the crush on him. She plays dress up almost every day and is quite the dancer and entertainer. Her brothers get quite the rise out of making her scream but she has to be all about their business anyways, so must not mind too much. She's no bigger than a minute so it is hard for me to see her going to Kindergarten next year. She has mastered spelling her name though so at least I can check that off the list. A friend of mine and I started doing pre-school together once a week and it has been helpful. She's so excited to come home and do her "homework".
Brooklyn turned 2 this year and is acting so big. She's finally had a little growth spurt and can talk very clear and complete sentences. She is her sister's little shadow. They love each other and can't be without each other. Brooklyn also loves dressup and dance and sings songs around the house. She got princess underwear in her stocking for Christmas and ever since then has been doing really well going potty in the toilet. She loves getting into mom 's makeup and drawing on walls.
Well, that's about it, other than we'd like to tell family and friends how much we love and appreciate you and our home is always open to all of you any time. We have great fond memories and experiences with all of you and look forward to many more. We are greatful for the gospel and the peace and joy it brings into our lives as we try to live it and all because of a loving Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ. Have a wonderful 2009 !

Holiday Happenings

Well, it's been awhile since I've updated my bl0g. I haven't been by a computer that I can download pictures on and so have put it off. I just got done reading my friend Mattie's blog and just realized she rarely has pictures posted and I just love reading her blog. So here are the latest Holiday Happenings. Thanksgiving was great. Mom and Dad finally have a kitchen to cook in and so it made preparing the feast an easy feat.(They've spent a year in a kitchen with only a utility sink(part of that year dishes were done in the bathtub) stove, refrigerator, and card table) Dad did a great job like always. The cabinets are beautiful and there is so much more space to hold all the numerous bodies that come for the holidays. I guess you could say it was worth the wait and the work. Grandma Childers came and stayed as well as Uncle Dave, Aunt Colette, Ashley, Joe, and Sam. It was fun being with them. Are visits with them are too far and few between. Lots of the Smith side were at Grandma and Grandpa Smith's house and Aunt Connie's family were at her house. So there were many bodies back and forth among the three houses at "Smith Compound" with games and food. We took the four-wheelers up into the snow covered mountains for our annual picking of the Christmas tree. I just love going up in the quiet, serene, beautiful mountains, the smell of all the fresh pine trees and crisp snow. The spotting of wild life. While we were there dad hiked to where he shot his elk to retrieve his antlers. He left the hide there after he shot it because it was late and to big to drag whole. It amazed me that my dad knew right where it was.
The Christmas season has come and gone. I got some of the things accomplished that I wanted to get done. I decked the halls, the Holiday candies were dipped and divided, the presents were bought, half of my dance classes performed dances to Handel's Messiah, I made it to most of the ward choir practices without the kids doing too much damage to the nursery but got sick the day of our performance, went Caroling with the youth, cleaned the WHOLE house(that rarely happens), saw the Nutcracker and Savior of the World, but darnet all, I didn't get the family pictures done. It's almost a miracle to find the time to put seven matching outfits, with hair done and smiles on faces at once. So if you were looking for our Christmas letter, well you'll just have to wait and hopefully get a Happy New Year's letter. The most important thing was that I hope our family felt the real spirit of the Holiday season. I felt His presence in our home and in my heart in which I am truly grateful. Wes's family has been down again this Christmas so we have had a house full and been busy just going here and there. I've missed my family but am happy and felt a great blessing of peace because my sister Alisa is BACK from California, my mom is with my sister Melanie in Connecticut instead of being alone this Christmas, and everyone is healthy, happy, and doing what they should.
We had a great Christmas and the kids were spoiled like they are every year with different toys and gadgets but the greatest gift of all is the knowledge that we have of the Savior, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and our Wonderful Eternal Family Unit. I hope you all had a great Season and thank you for your friendships and love.

Happy Halloween!

I LOVE HALLOWEEN! I didn't realize how much I loved Halloween until I realized how many different costumes I try to incorporate through out the Holiday and impose on my family. Our ward fall festival was on Wednesday. Three of my dance classes performed. The little kids did a Happy Halloween dance, Zach's class danced to Tocotta in D minor in which I was a mad scientist that brought all of my creations alive and we danced until at the end the mad scientist was overtaken by all of his creations. The kids loved to dance to it, especially the part where they ran around the stage chasing me. HA! I also had one class to a dance to Phantom of the Opera. They wore white masks and I made capes with wooden dowels on the end of the cape so they could hold the cape up and dance with them- It was pretty cool if I so say so myself. The kids love the fall festival, because there's games, food, and trunck or treat. The next day the kids had their school Halloween party. Zach was hilarious- he was a door to door brush salesman- and had quite the sales pitch. Cameron was the Grimm Reaper, Jonny was a Ninja, Hailey was pirate one day, Snow White another, and Sleeping Beauty on Halloween Day, and Brooklyn was a pirate. We decorated our front room for Halloween. We stuffed a Werewolf, the Grim reaper, and Phantom at the piano. I had organ music playing and then dressed up like a witch. I was quite the actress as I invited all the trick or treaters in for some of my witch's brew (root beer with dry ice) and a treat. I only had about 3 kids cry, but I had a lot of big eyed kids that left quite quickly. HA HA HA! I can only imagine what it like to work in a real Haunted house like my friend Jared. The funny thing is - I am the BIGGEST Scaredy Cat of them all!!!! Serves me right for trying to scare all the neighborhood kids. Anyways, twas a Happy Hallow's Eve!

Jonathan's Birthday

Well Jonathan is now 6- getting a little closer in age to how big he acts. He wanted a Pokemon cake- I have no clue who Sand Slash is but that is what he picked for his cake. We were going to take him to a movie and dinner and he opted to go to wrestling practice instead. He loves it, and does well. When he's not wrestling on the mat he is flipping on his head and jumping around- AHHH to have that much energy! He does really well though. His first match in his first tournament he grabbed the boy and threw him and pinned him on his back in about 3 seconds-literally, and he did it all with a huge smile on his face. He is our monkey! He can do anything his big brothers do. He's quite determined if he wants to do something- he keeps trying until he does. He was riding a bike at age 3, swimming without a life jacket (though we still make him put one on usually) at 4, and riding a rip stick at 5. So that's what he wanted for his birthday, a rip stick. I fought Wes on it since he is so small he is in a half chinese split when he's riding it, but I lost. He is very smart and artistic. He is a kind and quiet in public, but very stubborn at home, he does not like to be told "No" when he wants to do something. He is very sweet though and love to cuddle with his mom and dad on the couch- WE love our Jonny!

"My Dear Sweet Wesley"

Well, Fall is in full swing- so other than trying to hurry and finish outside projects before the snow falls, I'm just absolutely lovin the weather, colors, and short days.(The kids get to bed earlier because it's darker earlier) We stay busy with just the daily grind of things that go on in a household with 5 kids. Work is going well for Wes, and I am grateful that he has a job that is not effected during an economic downfall. He works hard, and does not get stuck in the mud trying to play politics or brown nose. He does his job well, and then comes home to his family. He has always been watched over and protected and for that we are most thankful. He has now been Bishop for 16 months and seems to be in the groove of things, although I really don't know or understand the burdens and challenges he carries. The bishop's wife really is the last one to know anything that goes on. I've attended several weddings that he's performed. Try explaining to your kids when they ask where you're going and you say "Daddy is going to marry someone". We've had some pretty interesting and funny conversations trying to help them understand that dad is not actually marrying someone but "marrying them". I think they got the concept now as Hailey does quite the enactment from Princess Bride- "Dearly Beloved, we are gathered here today in Holy Matrimony to join . . . . ." About three weeks ago our Stake (Huntsville Stake) celebrated it's 30 th Birthday.(it's as old as I am) Marlin Jensen (now member of the quorum of the 70) was the first Stake President, and so him and the three other Stake Presidents that proceeded him spoke. It was a great meeting, the spirit was strong. Before that meeting they had a celebration BBQ, games, and tables set up to show the evolution of our stake, and the church in the valley before the stake was organized. If you didn't know, President David O. McKay grew up in our great town. One of the displays they had pictures of all the bishops that have served in the wards since the conception of the stake. Here's a pictue of Wes I took one Sunday evening-He's so handsome-huh! and he looked like a teenager(a little exaggerated) compared to all the other pictures of bishops displayed. Anyways, I've seen Wes in a whole new light since his calling. Right after he was put in as Bishop a family in our ward was in a car accident. Three members passed away Janine(mother), (Matthew 11), and Ester(9). Calob (7) was in very critical conditions. I went to the hospital with Wes on one occasion and saw Calob. Dr's were attending him trying to get the pressure in his brain to go down. At that moment it was around 37. The father wanted to give a blessing but was not emotionally able to and so asked Wes to. I do not recall all that was said but I do know that Wes said that the priesthood was real, that there were many prayers and fasting on behalf of Calob, and that he was entitled to those blessings. As soon as the blessing was over, Calob's pressure had went down to a 7. I saw relief immediately in the father's eyes. The father left to check on his other child in the hospital and when he did his brother and father stated that they had given Calob a blessing right before Wes and the father came in and that he felt like that is was probably time for him to go and that we should not try to pray Calob to stay here if it was God's will that he should go. I talked with Wes after and he had great hope and said that miracles do happen. It has been over a year since the accident and Calob is your normal, everyday, 8 year old. He is a Miracle! I am grateful for the priesthood, the power of God, and that Wes has remained worthy to hold it and excercise that power with his faith. I am grateful that Heavenly Father sees fit to bestow callings on his children that may seem overwhelming with all of our own personal weaknesses and challenges, and then gives them the strength, wisdom, and foresight to accomplish their duties. It has not been a sacrifice for our family as Wes has diligently been serving in this calling, but a blessing. We have not felt any ill effects of him been absent from home more often or felt the burdens that he has to bear. He's a grrrreattt dad and I love him. Thanks Wes, for all you do. I just felt like paying a small tribute to you and letting you know how great I think you are, and that I'm so blessed and lucky that you are mine- for eternity. "My Dear Sweet Wesley"(Princess Bride)

First Day of School

Well school is back in full swing again. All three boys are now in school so it's just us girls and home in the mornings. Zach is in 4th grad, Cameron in 3rd and Jonny is in Kindergarten. They tested him before school started and we quizzed him on all of his shapes, numbers, letters, and colors and thought is would be smooth sailing. Then they asked him was his moms name was-AHHHH he didn't know! Anyways, I guess there could be worse things than not knowing your mom's name. He loves school but is somewhat quiet in public (not at all at home) but when he get's off the bus he pops this huge smile and says school was AWESOME. So school is in full geer, and so school nights are spent doing homework, reading, practicing piano, chores, dinner, and then it seems like it's already time for bed. This is a picture of us and all the other kids that ride the bus at the end of our cul de sac. LOTs of Kids!