Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Hallowen!





This year we kept it low-key. It was very hard not to have our huge Halloween party, but it was kinda nice not to stress out! We went to the Trunk-or-Treat with Hailey and Jax and I handed out candy with Kara and Jace. Isn't he so cute?? After,we had pizza, and I took the kids around the neighborhood. It was a blast. The kids were so cute skipping around and singing little Halloween songs. Our neighbor girl, Rachel, went with us. We had a great time! Daeson was a knight, Tevan was Thomas, and I had a witch hat on. Troy didn't dress up and either did Kaebryn. We tried to get her to wear the bee costume, but she screamed so loud we felt like we were trying to punish her!

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Happy Birthday Adalyn!






For my niece's 7th birthday we went to the straw maze in Archer. It was a blast. The kids had fun and the adults did too. Troy and Sissy stayed home, they had a bit of a cold. Richard, Daeson and I made it out first...it was a very tricky maze! Daeson was able to lead us out. Then the rest followed. Thank you, Adam and Kayla, for a great night! Daeson spent the night with Adam and Kayla and had a great time. I love being close to family and I love that we have kids the same ages!

Friday, October 28, 2011

Rice cereal





Kaebryn finally got some rice cereal. She likes it, but hasn't quite figured out how to eat it. But I am sure this is going to be fun!!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Cakes






New cakes: Smurfs, 1921 US Postal Stamp and Happy Halloween.

Funfetti 8 in round double cake with vanilla buttercream frosting: $22.00
US Postal Service sheet cake with edible image: $32.00
Happy Halloween 6 inch round with fondant covered coffin cakes: $35.00

Halloween carnival


This year's Halloween carnival was super fun. I have not taken the kids before to this specific one, but we had a great time. I worked the fortune-teller's booth for an hour and a half, my kids ran wild most of the time, and Kaebryn slept in the stroller. I was so glad she was such an angel!! I donated a cake to be auctioned off...I was told it had the most tickets in the raffle box! I had 30 business cards placed by the box and they were gone in 15 minutes.

The kids had fun. Tevan thought it was great to be able to do what he wanted to do. Daeson was a great big brother, too! He helped Tevan and kept an eye on him for me. Jana, my friend, also helped with my boys while I was serving my time at the booth.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Another family update

She rolled over the other day! She is growing so big and strong. She is doing better on her left side and she is getting stronger. She looks to the left now on her own, but we are still working with her. She really favors that right side! Her head is shaping out more now making the flat left side less noticeable. She is such a happy baby!!

Daeson is loving school. I get to observe him on Tuesdays and I love it. He is reading now, not to the level I would like him to be, but considering he just started in September, he is doing well. He has a lot of friends and he is really liked by his teacher. He is a good boy!

At the moment, Tevan is crying in the corner. He has this sassy little attitude that gets him into trouble...I have NO idea where he got that :). He gives us ultimatums all the time, and ends up loosing. He is a bright boy, and very cute. He plays the cute card waaaay to much...but he also knows we can't resist it sometimes. Can't blame the kid for trying.

Troy is busy with school. He is very bright and is working hard. I am proud of him. Since school is what he is doing right now, there is not much to say about him. We sold one of the Mission routes and the sale of the second one is pending. We are hoping to be done with them by November.

I am staying busy with projects. Christmas is fast approaching and I am excited. I skipped Halloween decorations this year and just put up fall. We usually go all out for Halloween, but this year things are very busy and low key. My parents are coming in November so we are excited for their visit. A year ago, I was sick on the couch...pregnant. I am glad those days are behind me! Whew! I am trying to get the cake business going again. I have a cake for Saturday, one for Halloween, one for the 29th and one for the first of November. I am very excited to be playing again. I need to practice all I can. My friend and I have started going to the temple once a month @ 4:30 a.m. It has been a great experience and I am so glad we get to go. It is early and makes it a loooong day, but a great day. Things go so much smoother when I go. I told Kara that I have used my recommend more the last two months than the last two years! I am grateful that we are in a position to go. Such solace and peace come within the temple walls.

We started remodeling in January of last year, if you remember. Well, the trim is finally being finished. The crown moulding is almost finished and the trim and doors will be put up on Saturday. My house will almost be complete. I have plans for a kitchen remodel, but I am afraid school is coming first. Maybe in the next few years. Now if I can just take the time to get everything organized and put together. I just developed 560 pictures and I am working very slowly on the scrapbooks. I am in September 2008 at the moment. I want to get 2008 finished and 2009 started before 2012 starts. I also need to get Troy's mission stuff finished. I started it once upon a time and had no idea what the pictures or activities were. Needless to say I took a little break. I haven't even uploaded my pictures that I recently took. We went to SLC and saw our new niece Oakley...adorable and so tiny! Kaebryn looks like she could eat her! She is a fourth of Kaebryn's size...just five pounds! We had a great time with Dani and Toddly. Pictures soon to come.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Our Salt Lake Sunday














We made a mad dash to Salt Lake to see Dani and Toddly. It was super fun and I am so glad we went. Kaden came with us, too. I think he had fun and we enjoyed his company. Our new niece, Oakley, is adorable! Saide, Ryker, Daeson,and Tevan had a blast playing. What cute kids we have :) We then went to some Gardens and they have a Witch Festival. So fun! After the visiting and the witches, we went to the Mayan. I know it was Sunday, but we did. The kids had a blast watching the divers and the hanging-on-the-pole-lady. She kind of looked like a pole dancer, so I am not sure what to call her. We had a great time. Thank you Dani and Toddly for dripping everything and hanging out with us. We love you!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Kaebryn's four month check...

We went to the Dr for shots and a check-up. This is what we found:
16 lbs. 12 1/2oz 91%
25.75 in. 93%
16.25 in head circumference 70%

The Dr said she was healthy and the only concern is her head shape....Yup. That's why I have taken her to the Dr so many times. I guess now he thinks it is an issue. So, we work hard everyday to reposition her head. She now sleeps on a wedge to keep her on her left side. We still do stretches and we work with her. She is atleast now starting to turn to look to the left. It is a start!

Kaebryn is trying to sit up all by herself and can do it supported.
She loves the Elmo overhang toy.
She loves when she is talked to.
She loves looking in the mirror and kind of gets shy.
She loves her brothers.
She looks for the voices she hears...toward the door, sitting on the couch.
She drinks 8 oz bottles and eats in the morning about 8:30, plays,takes a nap for about three hours, eats again, plays, takes another hour and a half nap, eats again, plays, eats again, baths, eats and goes to bed about 8:00 pm.
She only fusses is she is wet, tired, or hungry.
She loves to rock with her dad.
She eats better for Troy.
Her favorite toys are: rattle ball, pink rattle from Aunt Kayla, Elmo overhang, round teether toy.
She "gives kisses" or sucks on your face :).
She tries really hard to roll over.
She definitely prefers the right side.
She sucks on her thumb and fingers.
She likes to play peek-a-boo.
She loves me to hum Amazing Grace and I Need Thee Every Hour.
She likes to watch TV with her brothers...Baby's First Club.
She is officially too big for her swing...it barely moves with her in it!
She does not like to wear hats, headbands or anything on her head, but I make her wear headbands if we go out.
She likes to go on short walks outside if there is no wind.
She smiles when you talk to her and tell her she is pretty.
She loves her baths and kicks up a storm! It is so fun to watch her.
She tries really hard to blow bubbles.
She "talks" and gurgles. She giggles and it melts my heart!!
She gets sad when she is left in the room by herself.
She wakes up happy...smiling and talking.
She is sleeping on a wedge now. We are trying to get her head shaped back to normal.
She loves to grab onto hair.
She doesn't spit up too often, but when she does it is a lot and stinky.
She eats Sensitive formula. We are trying rice in a couple weeks.
She is very lovey and affectionate.

We love our Sissy!! She is a joy and a blessing to our family. I just cannot believe she is getting so big and strong already!

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Our will

I was writing our will the other day. The boys asked what I was doing, so I explained to them that sometimes mommies and daddies die before the kids are grown-ups and we have to write down where our kids will go and what things need to be sold, etc. So they proceeded to tell me the things they desired to have. Soon, Tevan brought out the bathroom scale and asked if he could have it. Out of all the things, he wanted the bathroom scale!! Everyday Tevan weighs himself as is so excited when the number is different. If I only weighed 30.8 lbs, I would weigh myself everyday!!

The kids now are obsessed with Troy and I dying. They say things like, when you die or if you and dad die...

It is hard to decide what to give away and how to divide things. Having a girl makes it a little easier to divide...I know I have things the boys will not want, like the totes upon totes of Barbie dolls. The boys mostly want silly things right now.

I hope to live a long and healthy life and I hope to enjoy my children and their children. I however, am a bit nervous for the future. I am not sure what this world will become in the near future. I feel like it is all falling apart.

Daesonisms

I wanted to record these funny things before I forgot...

D: Mom, can you show me how to make a bottle for Sissy?
M: Why do you want to learn?
D: Cause if you and Dad ever die, I can take care of Sissy.
M: I can probably teach you one day.
D: Yeah, I really want to know. I like to help you.
M: If you learn how to help me, when you get married your wife will be very glad you know how to do things.
D: Yeah, and I hope she's a hot one!


I was holding Kaebryn in one arm and trying to sweep the kitchen...
M: Daeson, you know what would be really nice? If you could play with Sissy while I sweep. Or you know what would be nicer? If you sweep the floor for me.
D: Yeah, that probably would be nice! (As he walked away)

I love Daeson! Sometimes he says the funniest things.

Snow

It is snowing. Not just light snow, but covering-the-ground-and-slick-roads-snow. Blech! It is only the 6th of October!!!

Monday, October 3, 2011

Teddy Bear's birthday




Tevan wanted a birthday party so badly for his bear. So, I gave in. I whipped a cake up, got out some party hats, and we partied. He thought it was great! Teddy even got a Littlest Pet Shop toy. Thanks Kara and kids for coming over to make Tevan feel special!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Lookin' back






I have been able to scrapbook again, something that has been put on the back burner long enough! I have all the pictures scrapped of Kaebryn and now I am working my way back to 2008. As I was scrapping the pictures, three years behind, I got a reminder of what the boys were doing. Tevan's first haircut, ward swim parties, horse rides at Grandma and Grandpa's...it feels so very long ago, yet when I look through the pictures, I feel as if it were yesterday. I am so grateful for my family. I am truly grateful for the trials, hardships, blessings, happy times, and for the struggles that have made us stronger and better parents. We are very close, my little family, and I am so blessed to have such wonderful kids...though at times they can be trials. Nonetheless, I am so very glad they are mine for all eternity. Here are some pics from 2008

Monday, September 26, 2011

Dr apt update

Okay, so I never posted the results of her doctor's apt. from last Tuesday. She is not broken (insert sigh of relief). She just has a very severe neck kink and she favors the right side a bit too much. The Dr. stretched her neck...to the point of her screaming again. This was very hard to see her scream and not to be able to do anything! However, he helped it a ton. Already she is doing much better and her head is even looking better. I am glad I didn't wait any longer to take her in...I think we got it nipped in the bud now. She still favors the right side, but she will atleast look to the left now. And, she doesn't act like we are killing her when we do her physical therapy. Thank heavens! She is now in 6-9 mon clothes and she is a whopping 17 lb. She is a happy baby and she is beautiful! I will get more pics posted soon!

Sunday, September 25, 2011

First laugh

Kaebryn laughed five times today...full out laughed! Troy and I were so excited to hear the first two yesterday morning before church. Then in Sacrament Mtg and then again last night while getting ready for the tub. She is so sweet and she makes me so happy! We just love her so very much!

Monday, September 19, 2011

Family update

I have several people ask about the Fred Meyer bakery position. They called last Monday and told me the would set up an interview Tuesday or Wednesday. I have not heard back and I have about decided that it is okay. We can try to hold off for a while.

Also, I have a dr appt for Kaebryn tomorrow at 9:15. I am going to insist on xrays of her neck and then go from there. I will post what happens.

Christmas 2011

It's time again to get ready for the holidays! Here are the lists of who everyone has:

Adam........Troy
Kla.........Kaden
Troy........Brad
Jandy.......Adam
Dani........Kayla
Toddly......Jandy
Heidi.......Todd
Brad........Danielle
Kaden.......Heidi

Adalyn......Sadie
Mieley......Ryker
Tora........Tevan
Ajay........Kaebryn
Daeson......Mieley
Tevan.......Adalyn
Kaebryn.....Tora
Ryker.......Daeson
Sadie.......Ajay

Grover limits: $5.00 kids. $15.00 adults

Justin......Troy
Hailey......Jaden
Troy........Carlie
Jandy.......Hailey
Jesse.......Jandy
Carlie......Justin
Jaden.......Jesse

Jaxon.......Tevan
Daeson......Jaxon
Tevan.......Carson
Kaebryn.....Brooke
Brooke......Daeson
Carson......Kaebryn

Smith limits: $5.00 kids $15.00 Adults

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Happy Birthday, Babe!


Today Troy turned 33. We kept it very low-key and had a nice Sunday. I wanted to do a big party...if you know me, you know I like to throw a party for any reason. But, I restrained and did a very small birthday. Richard, Kaden, Adam and family, Grandma Grover and cousin Jayden came for steak salad...YUMMY!! It's a Food Nanny recipe. Then we had zucchini cake with cream cheese frosting, it was yummy also. Kara and Jaimen and Dave came to have a slice...and then Troy distributed some more cake. It was nice to have good weather and it was great to have Troy to ourselves all day. He is officially done working now and we see him a little bit more. Also, I have to announce that the average on the Biology mid-term exam was a 69%...Troy got a 98%!! WOOOWOOO! So, I will honor Troy by listing some of my fave things about him.(in no particular order)
1. He loves me.
2. He loves our kids.
3. He is smart.
4. He is kind.
5. He is a hard worker.
6. He would do anything for anyone.
7. He honors his Priesthood.
8. He hasn't missed a Sunday going to church for over two months.
9. He lifts me up when I am down.
10. He is good with tools and making things.
11. He likes to laugh and tell jokes.
12. He is honest.
13. He doesn't say bad things about anyone...even when I do.
14. He loves his family.
15. He makes people feel special.
16. He is working his bum off so we can have a great future.
17. He He loves that I stay home and be a mom.
18. He is really good with the kids and explaining things to them.
19. He makes up stories and tells them to the boys...Teddy and Rastus is a fave
20. He reads to the kids and gives each character their own voice.
21. He is a great brother, son and uncle.
22. He will take Sissy for me when I am tired, even if he is dog tired.
23. He has more patience than I do.
24. He likes cartoons.
25. He will watch a chick-flick with me even when he doesn't want to.
26. No matter what time it is, he will help a friend.
27. He likes to pick out clothes and had fashion sense.
28. He laughs at my jokes...and I cannot tell a joke!
29. He teaches by example.
30. He is strong willed.
31. He will rub my back and play with my hair at 2 am if I cannot sleep.
32.He is thrifty.
And the thing I love most about Troy...
33. He married me!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Friends

I know that there are some people God puts in our lives. I don't think that it is all by chance that we make the friends that we make. There is a time and a season for everything and everyone.

A few years ago I was sitting in a Relief Society meeting. It was outside...I believe at the Ward's home. We were chatting and having a great time. We all had to write on papers. I am not sure exactly what the activity was but we wrote something about ourselves and we had to guess who it was. The only story that I remember was about a girl who was changing her oil one day. She was a college student at BYUI and she had talked to her dad and he proceeded to tell her how to change the oil. She did. She was excited but didn't know where to put it. She dumped it if I remember correctly and got into trouble. I remember sitting in that meeting listening to this story and thinking, I need to get to know this girl. She seems super fun!

I did get to know her. I developed a strong, very strong respect for her. I have grown close to this amazing person over the last few years and I have watched her triumphs and struggles. I have laughed and I have cried with her. I have been blessed to have her in my life and she has helped me more than ever. More than she will ever know. Tonight I had this girl and her wonderful family consisting of five beautiful little girls and a great husband over for dinner. They are moving Saturday. A very very large piece of her will stay here with me. I am so sad to see her move. It literally breaks my heart. However, my season with Rachel has passed for now. She will touch so many lives in her new town. She will help so many more sisters. And, I know that we will see each other off and on. This is not a permanent separation. I know God sent her to me. I know I needed her to help me in my life. I know that the Lord chose her to pull me and help me and comfort me in this season.

I know Rachel that I told you tonight how much you have helped me. But words are not enough. Through conversations and service and actions, you have helped me become a better person. You have shown me that it is okay to not be able to do everything. It is okay to put things on the back burner and wait. You cleaned my very gross and dirty house when I was sick and pregnant. You brought sweet Violet, a baby herself, and you pregnant to spend the entire afternoon scrubbing counters, toilets and dishes. You brought me delicious food on an afternoon that I could not function. You have listened to my sob stories and responded to the silliest posts. You truly are a daughter of God. He loves you and I am lucky enough to have had you in my life. I love you Rachel so much. We are truly eternal friends and I know that you are a gift to me from our Heavenly Father. I will miss you and your beautiful girls. Girlies, love your mommy! You will learn so much from her. She loves you more than life itself. Nels, you are a great husband and daddy. I have been inspired by the stories Rachel has told me about you. You are perfect for each other. Be safe. Sandpoint is so lucky to have your family! You will continue to inspire me and I know you will inspire others. I love you!

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Rolling Stones have it all figured out.

To quote the Stones:
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you might find
You get what you need.

There are many emotions rolling inside of me today. I received a phone call yesterday from the manager at Fred Meyer. He said they were impressed with my application/resume and that they were looking forward to meeting with me. He said I would be called today or tomorrow for an interview. I haven't heard anything yet, but I am sure they will call like he said.

I am anxious, restless, tired and a mess. I don't feel great about working. Yet I don't feel bad either. I am not sure what to do. I figure I will go into the interview and atleast find out the hours, pay, and benefits. If they are not what our family needs or can handle, atleast I have tried. Maybe that will be that I need to work, or maybe it will be that I need to stay home.

Kaebryn. Oh sweet Kaebryn. When she was tiny, she wriggled out of the blanket and rolled off the couch one night. Since then, she has not been able to turn her head to the left on her own. At her two month visit, I asked the doctor about it. He gave me some exercises to do with her. We have done these exercises faithfully. Her head is becoming mis-shapen. She still won't turn her head to the left. Today she fought me and screamed. She cried for an hour. Nonstop screaming. Then she exhausted herself and fell asleep. She is resting now, but wakes up to whimper and let out some soft cries. I am afraid she is broken. Because I go to the most sought-after doctors in the area, I cannot get her in until next Tuesday. One week. I tried to get them to get her in earlier, but no luck. I made a really good case, too. We have considered changing doctors, but I really like the one we go to. He is so sweet to my kids and they all love him. He is very knowledgeable and he can answer any question I have. So I scheduled the appointment. However, if her screams return after her nap, I might have to go somewhere else. I looked back through pictures and she has not always favored her right side. In fact in a lot of the pictures she has her head turned to the left. Until that day when she fell of the couch. I have large feelings of guilt right now. I have no idea how she could have fallen off the couch but she did under my watch. Sigh...

Daeson is loving school. He is doing very well and I could not be happier with his teacher. Initially I requested this teacher and they placed him into the other class. He was thrilled because some of his friends were in that class. We were super excited. Then on Back-to-School Night, we got a phone call from the school asking if Daeson would switch classes to accommodate the other student. We said that would be fine, Daeson was sad. But I am truly happy he is learning so much. He has a man teacher and he relates very well with the students.

Tevan. He is doing well. He is not going to preschool this year due to the change on our financial situation. But he is okay with it. He is trying to read and he loves to hang out with me. Mostly he watches cartoons when sissy is sleeping so I can get things done. I feel guilty about that, but I think I would feel more guilty for not having meals cooked or clean clothes to wear. When sissy is awake, we go on walks and read books. he plays outside and has a good time running off some of his energy.

Troy is busy. his last day of work was today. He is a free man, sort of. He has school tests this week for all of his classes so we have been studying. Ga is Gallium. We remember that because of our friends, Gallups. Ge is Germanium because it has German in it. He begged me to stop using Selena Gomez for Se, but every time he is able to come up with Selenium. See it works! He has a lot on his plate this week. But he will survive. I have been trying to help him as much as I can. Plus, I am learning too.

So through these trials, we might not get what we want. But we might just find what we need.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Hi Ho Hi Ho it's off to work I go...

Troy sold one of our businesses so that he can have more study time and actually do his homework. The other route we are "leasing out". His last day of work is next Wednesday. So, with health insurance being very un-affordable in Idaho, I am going back to work so that we can have this "luxury". I won't go into my feelings about health care...there are not enough words to describe how I feel about it. However, this is going to be a huge change in our family and a huge change for me emotionally and physically. I will still be the one to wake up with Sissy every night and then work early mornings. I have high hopes for a job I applied for. It is for a cake decorator. I tried doing cake decorating from my home, but business is slow. I love to do cakes and I have learned a lot over the last two years. I am hoping that things will work out. If they don't, I will keep applying to anything that will work around Troy's school schedule. I am grateful Kaebryn started taking a bottle and I am realizing things work out the way they need to. I asked Tevan today if he wanted me to go back to work. He looked at me and told me he likes me home. This made me very sad, but I know things can be left to Troy. He may not do things exactly how I do them, who on earth would!?, but I know he is very capable of getting the kids ready for school and taking care of breakfast. I hope to be back for lunch then Troy can go to school.

Troy wants me to be a stay-at-home-mom, but now we can share the responsibilities and both do what we need to do without taking our children to daycare...I have feelings about daycare, too. I used to run one and I was very loving to the children, but there is just something about someone else raising MY kids. They are my responsibility and I want to be the one to teach them what they need to know. I know in some circumstances it is necessary and I am not trying to offend anyone, but we do what we need to do for our families and we are the only one who knows what that is. No judgement!

So with high hopes and some experience, I apply and inquire. I am nervous, scared, sad and a mess, but we have to make it through the next four years. There will be cuts made and drastic changes to our budget, but it will work out. I hope. Yes, it will. Will it? AGH!!!

Monday, September 5, 2011

I will hold them longer...

Today I spent the day with my Gram. I am pleased to announce she is doing great and she has her smile back. She has been quite sick and I am so grateful she is doing quite well. We visited, shopped, ate, and visited some more. It was quite enjoyable. While at JoAnn's, Tevan decided to throw several fits. I was quite upset about his attitude and his actions. I was even more upset when a worker, who has never been married or has never had kids, made a snide remark about the way my child was acting. AS IF I ENCOURAGE HIS TANTRUMS!!! It was hard enough having him screaming and kicking while I was holding a very hungry and tired Kaebryn. I just blew it off and decided that lady will one day realize what I was going through at that very moment.

After dinner was put away and the kids were all bathed and in their jammies, we headed home. It was just before nine pm. After being on the road about 20 minutes, traffic came to a complete stop. I was stopped for about and hour and 15 minutes. I was grumbling, so I called Troy and complained. I was tired. The kids, thank Heavens, were all sleeping, including little Miss. I was so thankful. When the traffic started to go, I got excited. I was so glad that whatever the problem was was now being fixed and cleared up. I was still grumbling until I passed the cause of the delay.

It was a Honda Accord looking car with the front completely gone. The back was smashed. There was no way the passengers were okay. I realized that the one hour and 15 minute delay was inconvenient for me, but the members of that family or the doctors and paramedics would have a lot more worry time than I did. I had nothing to grumble about. My family was safe. They were with me, breathing, alive. As I continued to drive, I saw some of the debris from the car on the road. Diapers. Diapers were scattered. That family had a baby. This broke my heart. I am so sad for that family tonight and I pray Heavenly Father will comfort them. I pray he will take the pain from them.

I hugged my babies tonight. I thanked Heavenly Father for them...even for the tantrums they throw. I thanked Heavenly Father that I arrived home safely, that the diapers on the road were not Kaebryn's. I thanked Heavenly Father for life. No matter how many tantrums Tevan throws, no matter how many sneaky things the boys do, no matter how many late nights I have with Sissy, I am so grateful my children are healthy and happy. I am so glad they are mine and they are able to think and act physically themselves. So tonight, hug your babies a little longer. Hold them and love them. Thank the Lord they are yours!

Friday, August 26, 2011

Four wheeling...Ty Smith reunion

We went 4 wheeling at our annual reunion in Island Park. The kids had a blast! I stayed home with my baby girl, Sister-in-law Carlie and nephew Carson.







Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Kaebryn's blessing













Kaebryn's blessing was almost perfect! We went to Sacrament meeting at 9:30 am and had my friend, Kara, bring the boys home after church while my mom and I got the rest of the food ready. My dad and Troy set up tables, chairs and the canopy. I thought I left myself plenty of time by having everything done ahead of time, but there are always those last few things that have to be done. 1:00 pm rolled around and people were showing up. We opted to have her blessed at our home. We waited for a few stragglers, and I called my brothers to see where they were. They informed me they would be atleast another 30 minutes, so we started without them. I felt so bad and had a diva moment, none of my brothers were there. I cried a little, sought comfort from my daddy, and the blessing was then performed. Troy did a fantastic job. I am so very proud of him. He even wore a white shirt!! He blessed her that she would be a help to me, that she would have strength and that she would one day find a companion to take her to the temple. I am so proud of Troy. I cannot say it enough. My dad blessed Daeson. My Grandfather, the last Grandfather either of us have, blessed Tevan. He blessed Kaebryn. My Grandma Smith came, too. I was glad to see her out and about and I am so grateful her health is improving so much. She and my aunt D missed the blessing, but came shortly after and I was so glad to see them. We had a lot of support from our family and our friends.

Blessing information: August 7, 2011 1:00 pm at our home.
Those who stood in the circle: Troy, Bishop LaMar John, Prestident Kite, Grandpa Lish, Papa Ty, Grandpa Blue, Uncle Dirk, Dale Gallup, Jaimen Hoopes, cousin Shane Ward, Uncle Adam Grover, Uncle Todd Sherman, and Troy Lassle.
Food served: Chicken salad on croissants, fruit salad, veggie tray, baked beans, chips, cookies, homemade rootbeer, and lemonade.