Thanks (by Scott)

I'm sitting in the bathroom while the girls take their baths this Friday morning.  They smelled of turkey gravy.  Kayt and Ella are taking turns dumping water over the other's head.  Kristen is out braving the hordes of raging, sleep-deprived soccer moms doing Black Friday shopping. (Although, I know a couple of my most masculine/jacked friends are out there too.  I told them to lower their shoulder if they encounter anybody too crazy.)  She loves the shopping and the people watching.  I love staying home, listening to the girls play, and shopping online. 

It's supposed to be around 60 degrees today, the perfect temperature for a nice run with Kristen.  Afterwards, we'll start putting up the Christmas decorations.  Tonight we'll go over to a friend's home for a pie contest.  Yesterday was Thanksgiving, and we spent it with more friends.  In the evening we talked and laughed with family at home in Idaho.

Maybe it's the nostalgia of starting of the holiday season, the annual accounting of all our blessings that comes with Thanksgiving, or simply having a few days off, but I'm just so happy with life.  I really feel I need to acknowledge the Lord's hand in all the good in my life.  I've had so many breaks, been given so many opportunities, been blessed with so many little things I never deserve - and they all come from the Lord.

Kristen is just getting more beautiful, more wise, more service-oriented the longer we're married. I've been close to her for 10 years now and still have nothing but admiration for the real Kristen.  She's a natural mother.  She's still a crack-up.  Everyone she meets becomes an immediate friend.  In crisis, she turns first to God.  Last night we laid in bed and laughed until our faces hurt.  She's almost been a single mom at times with my work, school, and church responsibilties but has never been a complainer.  In the mean time, she's become the expert on wherever we're living and my link to normalcy.  What an example for our strong little girls.

Kayt is so sweet that if she wasn't just five it would be hard to believe.  She has a deep concern for everyone and everything.  Movies and books that she's seen and read over and over still bring out the rawest emotions.  Real life is even more drastic.  She doesn't want anyone to be hurt or left out, and is so meticulous in caring for others that I'm afraid she'll wear herself out before she's a teenager.  I haven't come across a more intelligent child.  Yes I'm biased, but the details she remembers and concepts she grasps at first pass are really remarkable.  She also has some fire.  One time I cornered her while playing chase.  She looked around, picked up a board, and was ready to club me in order to get out.

Ella is the definition of childhood joy.  She runs everywhere, her thick hair always bouncing and trailing behind her.  She laughs hard, has great comedic timing at the ripe age of 2, and loves to wrestle.  She loves to hit playfully, and give squish-hugs.  She's picked up the alphabet, numbers, months, days of the week, etc. just as quickly as Kayt - probably quicker as she's attended pre-school with Kayt a few times.  She's also started calculating the cost-benefit of things she really wants but that aren't allowed.  I think she'll be our first trip to the emergency room, but is always the first to make us laugh too.

I'm so grateful for where I come from.  Living away from family has made me realize just how unique the loving, respect-filled relationships we have with our parents, brothers and sisters, grandparents, and extended family really are.  We're close to everyone, and can honestly say we'd like to spend any night of the week with them.  They're all just solid, good people and have been for generations.  You look at the virtuous daughters and can see the influences of mothers, grandmothers, great-grandmothers.  You look at the strong sons and can see the influences of fathers, grandfathers, great-grandfathers.  I feel that legacy.  It's been cemented this year with the death of my grandfather, and a scary period where we thought that Kristen and the baby she was carrying were in serious trouble.  The religion of our fathers, their prayers on both sides of the veil, and the way everyone circled the wagons was just another testament to the strength god-fearing parents can build into their families.

Friends here, in Columbus, and in Idaho have always been a wonderful blessing.  Our wards in Fairfax and Columbus have become family.  They've exposed us to so many new and wonderful things and have been there when family was just too far away.

I'm grateful for the blessing of education, and the breaks a lazy high school student was given that ended up leading to great college and graduate school experiences and a lifetime of security.

I know that all of these things didn't come from my own doing.  I was incredibly lucky to be born into my family, to be raised in my hometown, to meet my wife and become a part of her family, to be blessed with two healthy girls, to have the means to attend some great schools, to live in a place where opportunities are limitless.  All that "luck" comes from a Savior that is looking for me to use it.  I'm trying.

I'm going to stop the rambling now and I hope this isn't interpreted as boasting.  I know a lot of people struggle to find anything to smile about.  Sometimes it's just for a moment, but sometimes it doesn't seem to end.  I've been there too.  In one of my darkest times when I was ready to abandon the Lord, He told me to be humble.  I've found that humility and gratitude and joy are intertwined.  The first step for me is humility.  Again, I'm trying.

Be thou humble in thy weakness, and the Lord thy God shall lead thee,

Shall lead thee by the hand and give thee answer to thy prayers.
Be thou humble in thy pleading, and the Lord thy God shall bless thee,
Shall bless thee with a sweet and calm assurance that he cares.

Be thou humble in thy calling, and the Lord thy God shall teach thee
To serve his children gladly with a pure and gentle love.
Be thou humble in thy longing, and the Lord thy God shall take thee,
Shall take thee home at last to ever dwell with him above.

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving, and have a great Christmas.  Sure love you.

Play Dough

Kayt and Sherie played with play dough just before she left.  Kayt created this hairy crab.  I thought it was so cute, and she was so proud.  A picture had to be taken.  The clay looking thing hanging from it, "his pincher claw" - Kayt

A surprise visit!!!

Is there anything better than a surprise visit from family?  In my world, NO.  Scott's mom called about a week ago and asked what we were doing for Labor Day.  Scott is in another busy season so we had zero plans.  She said that is great because I am coming out?

I love Scott's mom.  She has a knack for knowing what you need before you know.  If that makes sense.  After she left, I realized how timely her visit was for our little family.  It has been a roller coaster month, to say the least.  It was so nice for both Scott and I to be 1) taken care of and 2) have an excuse to step out of our normal routine.  My girls especially needed some grandma love. They always do, no matter how much they have gotten!

I think it was especially good for Scott to connect back to home.  I really feel like he needed his mom.  He has been worn ragged trying to take care of me, our girls and then also work.  He got a little behind playing Mr. Mom for a bit and had to catch up last week.  No matter how old you get, there is nothing like having your mom around.

The visit gave us an excuse to get outside.  We went to Old Town Alexandria and met up with Tiff , Kurt and Kylie  Linford.  We also played at the park, multiple times and went swimming (of course).

Thank you so much for making the quick trip mom.  It was what we all needed!

Old Cemetery in Alexandria.  The Revolutionary War tomb of the Unknown soldier is here.  And it was also the church were George Washington had his funeral.

Playing by fountain in the town square.

Tomb of the unknown soldier.  I thought the inscription on the top of the tomb was so beautiful.  I am going to share it.

Here lies a soldier of the Revolution whose identity is known but to God.

His was an idealism that recognized the Supreme Being, that planted religious liberty

on our shores, that overthrew despotism, that established a people's government,

that wrote a Constitution stting metes and bounds of delegated authority, 

that fixed a standard of value upon men above gold and lifted

high the torch of civil liberty along the pathway of mankind.

In ourselves his soul exists as part or ours, his memory's mansion.

And yes, Ella made it to the top by herself!!

My Mom Has Come!!!

So, I was asked to be part of girls camp this year on a stake level.  I was so excited and my wonderful mother came out to watch my kids.  Well, that was the excuse anyway.  She came on a Wednesday and camp wasn't until Monday!!!  I have never had my mom visit my home by herself so I was super pumped.  All of my excited was justified.  I love being around my mom.  I love just hanging out and talking with her.  Doing things to together etc.  My mom and I are so similar in many ways it makes it easy to be around each other.

It was so nice to just be together.  Chatting, playing with the girls, watching old movies while eating popcorn, touring around, cooking.  All the good stuff!!!  Scott especially enjoyed the good food (mainly breakfast!, he never gets it at our house.)

My girls were dying with anticipation.  They asked everyday for a week if grandma was coming.  My mom got in around 11:30 and Kayt refused to go to bed because she wanted to pick her up.  When she say her, she just sprinted down the terminal yelling "GRANDMA!!"  I love that my girls have such strong relationships already with their grandma's.  My grandmothers are so special to me.  And my childhood is filled with so many fond memories with them.  I want that so bad for Kayt and Ella.  That closeness is a huge reason we are going to be moving back to Idaho soon.

We had such a great time while my mom was here.  I was so torn going to girls camp.  However, because of some issues, I was able to spend the last two days of her trip with her too.  Thanks so much for being here when I needed you in so many ways.  I love you mom!

Natural history museum

 Butterfly house at the museum.  I actually had one land on purse.  Thank goodness for the obnoxious double doors.  I would have walked right out!

One of our favorite spots in the city.

No Work and All Play

So, I just finished up my summer course teaching government and I am feeling like a new woman.  I don't teach again until November.  It has been two days of getting caught up and just being with my girls.  Some crazy things have happened in our world the last couple of weeks and once again I have gained so much comfort from just watching and being with Kayt and Ella.  While I hate to have the reminders I am grateful for how much more I love being a mother after each little trial. 

It may get old sooner rather than later but I have just loved taking care of my husband, my girls and my house the last few days and having nothing else to worry about.  I really do find joy in being a stay at home mom.  Scott has had a crazy schedule the last week and I love that I can cook him a good meal and make the house feel nice and welcoming after his long crazy days.  I love that my patience is increased by not stressing about students.  I love that I have to bring my girls with me to mutual.  I am just oozing with happiness right now!  I am so blessed.

I also wanted to jot down a few things about the girls as well.

Kayt:
Kayt can swim!!  I am not just talking keep herself floating but she can full on swim in very deep water and for long distances.  She swim the entire width of the pool!  Her new trick in jumping into the deep and end and swimming back to the side by herself!

The girls have resorted to stuffed dogs.  After many months of convincing me they should have one they finally gave up.  Now Hoewa and Sadie go everywhere.  I keep telling them stuffed dogs are better because they can go more places.  Kayt keep reminding me that she still wants a real one someday.

Ella:
Ella came to Scott the other day while I was sleeping and said, "I'm tired"  Scott "okay go get your Jammies on and I will read you stories."  Ella disappeared for a moment and came back "Daddy can I hold you?"  It melted his heart and mine when I heard the story. 

I came into the room yesterday while Ella was watching Elmo and she was doing the hokey poky with the show.  She has never done that before but she really got into it.  I watched inconspicuously and she put her whole self and shook it all about.

There is more, but it is late and time for bed!! 

Funny E-mail

I recieved the following e-mail today from our relief society president.  While I should be bothered and probably a little paranoid, I am just laughing!!

"I've been asked by a sister in the ward to send out an e-mail informing parents of Primary-age children that her Primary-aged children have lice."

I guess they need to include a sign outside of the primary, not just the nursery, about keeping children with bugs growing on their head home.  No really, honest mistake I am sure but I will be digging out the number two pencil, sharpening it up and combing it through Kayt's hair this week!

You gotta love church!

Funny Girls

The other day I went down stairs to our court yard to pick up a seashell the girls had lost over the balcony.  Not paying attention, I locked myself out.  The girls were sitting up on the balcony watching me retreive their precious seashell so asked them to come downstairs and let me in.  They both jumped up and I thought headed down stairs.  Ten minutes later I could hear them giggling in the living room.  I called to Kayt to come out and tell me what was going on.  She appeared on the porch, now fully dressed (she was in her P.J.'s before), and explained she was trying to help Ella.  I thought she was trying to help her get her shoes on so I responded, "Ella is fine, just come down and let me in.  Another 10 minutes later they finally show up at the door.  I started laughing so hard I nearly wet my pants as Ella came penguin walking down the last stair and to the door.  She had put on a pair of her pajama pants, only both legs were in one leg hole.  It was the funniest thing I had seen.  She tripped several time in the short space to the door.  I don't know how she got down three flights of stairs without killing herself but thank goodness she did. 

I looked at Kayt who was also laughing and said, "no wonder you thought you needed to help Ella!"  They are the silliest little girls ever, who love each other so much. They just melt my heart!

On another note, yesterday was the first day in 4 years and 8 months that I have not changed a diaper!!!!!! (and the crowd goes wild!!!!!!!!).  Yes ladies and gentleman, Ella K. Smith has decided to potty train herself.  All I had to do was buy some Jelly Bellies.  She just decided it was time to start peeing on the potty.  This all started last Friday and the last two days have been nearly accident free, (just 1).  I did not have to pry, bribe, coerce, beat my head against a wall, nothing!!  She just decided to do it.  How did I get so lucky!!!

I keep waiting for her to change her mind but as long as I keep the Jelly Bellies comin' she is game.  My baby grew up on me : )

The best has part has been to see her Kayt interact with it all.  Ella could care less if Scott and I are proud, it is Kayt she is aiming to please.  She wants Kayt to see every time she goes and comes running to her yelling, " I did it."  Kayt has been so sweet to respond with a lot of enthusiasm and praise.  She will go and sit with her and read her stories and go running in after her to encourage her.  It has been so cute to watch.