OLIVIA'S BAPTISM

Saturday was a very special day...Olivia was baptized by her daddy and is now one of the newest members of our church! She planned the program, asking her Grandma Joan and a teacher to speak and others to perform musical numbers. We took some photos of her in Arizona and used those to make the invitations and decorate tables. She chose turquoise and yellow as her colors and wanted a flower halo to wear, much like the one she wore when she was blessed as a baby. The flowers she chose for it were beautiful and smelled amazing! Chris took her out for dinner the night before her baptism, just like his parents did for him when he was a child. He gave her a beautiful necklace with a heart-shaped amethysist birthstone and two little diamonds and she was thrilled with it.Her baptism was at 2pm so we spent the morning buzzing around, getting everyone ready to go. We had a family prayer and then headed off to the church. Olivia was excited, I could tell, as she flitted around and talked to everyone that was arriving. Many of the people she invited were able to come so that made her happy. All but one of our neighbors from St. Charles Street were able to come as well as Olivia's teacher from school! The Bishop conducted and the program went smoothly and beautifully.

 I said the opening prayer and, after the first talk, her piano teacher played the piano and sang the song "My Own Little Lamp." It was perfect! Soon we were opening the door to the font where she would meet her daddy. I gave her a kiss and she told me she was "excited, but a little nervous. Like butterflies, you know." Chris was a little nervous, too, as I saw his lip quivering as he started and the first time through he forgot to say her name before the prayer. It is a big moment, baptizing your oldest child! As she came out of the water, Olivia said, "Mom, dad told me he was a professional baptizer and he still had to do it two times!" We both laughed as she dressed lightening fast in her white dress, halo, and necklace. She looked like a princess! As she dressed, the congregation watched the slideshow "Reflections of Christ" by Mark Mabrey. The rest of the program went nicely and ended with a duet by Olivia and her friend, Ally. They sang "If the Savior Stood Beside Me," and although Ally attends a different church, she was very excited to sing with Liv. Accompanied by a paino and a flutist, they sounded like angels!   Nick gave a darling closing prayer and then we all headed back to the house for treats and visiting. We served all of Olivia's favorite things: Cheetos, Chex Mix, frosted brownies, lemon bars, and chocolate chip cookies as well as fruit, veggies, punch and a few other snacks.

We had a great turn out and our guests took care of most of the food. As they left, Olivia thanked them for coming and gave them each a small favor. We had cards made with her picture on one side and the Articles of Faith printed on the back. We wrapped those in clear celophane bags with Hershey kisses and tied them with ribbon.
We spent the rest of the evening relaxing and enjoying friends at home. Olivia had opened several gifts from friends earlier in teh day, but she opened her new scriptures from Grandma and Grandpa that evening, as well as the Simon Dewey print that Chris and I gave her to hang in her room. She was excited with all of the gifts and attention of the day, but I think her favorite part was the way she felt...perfect, clean, and warm. In an email she sent to a friend, she typed, "Your mom will probably cry when you get baptized. And you will feel all warm in your heart, like 100 and 30 degrees or something. That's the Holy Ghost." She wrote down her feelings of the day and we attached them to the back of the print so she can always remember what a wonderful day it was for her. Livi, I love you so much! I am proud of the girl you are, for how hard to try to be good and do what is right. Thank you for being such a good example to your family. Your Father in Heaven loves you and will watch over you always!

HAIRCUT

Today Chris took Ben to the salon to get his bangs cut. Prior to them leaving,we briefly talked about how it is probably time to cut his curls but we really don't want to do it yet, etc., etc. I didn't think we had made an official decision either way. Later in the day, I came home from work to a pretty little boy with a bob! Our wild man now looks like a wild woman....


After the initial shock wore off, I agreed with Chris that the final official decision to cut it had been left in the air and that yes, he does look darling with those big brown eyes finally visable. I wished I would have been there for such a monumental milestone. Surely he saved me a curl or two, right? Nope. Maybe took the camera to capture the moment that will never be relived? Nope. Heaven help this man that one day he will understand the importance of souvenirs....

Ben kept his interim haircut for a week and then I took him in for the final shear. Thank goodness for that little cup of graham crackers...it kept him busy for the 45 minutes it took to get him to boy status. At one point, he almost fell asleep! I held his head up as I was picking up curls off the floor (see above reference to souvenirs.) He did so well that he got TWO suckers as we headed out the door. I was so proud of the little buddy, but he doesn't look like my baby anymore! We've all decided that he looks just like Nick. He sure is a handsome little thing.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LIVI!

Olivia J. Smith is eight years old! We had such a great time celebrating her birthday. Chris decorated her bedroom with streamers and balloons and had her special birthday breakfast(Lucky Charms & pop-tarts) ready for her when she woke up. (She was up a little early today..she called me at work just after 6am!) She took doughnuts to school for a birthday treat and she and I headed out for a little birthday fun once school was over. We went to the mall, just her and I, and she shopped my legs off. I told her to pick some things out, whatever she wanted, and she found a couple of very cute outfits. Of course, we couldn't leave the mall without first stopping at Claire's for a few accessories! It was so fun, walking and talking and laughing with my girl. She actually did all of the talking...I think she's been missing me since I started working. She had all kinds of things to tell me about! I love her dearly. She is such a good little friend. We met the boys at Culver's for cheeseburgers and then went home for what Olivia calls "extreme tornado cake" and presents.










She tried on her new outfits and got to stay up late with Chris and I after the boys went to bed. When it was finally time for her to get some sleep, I tucked her in and wished her one last "Happy Birthday." She looked up at me and smiled and said, "Thanks for the greatest Birthday ever. You showed me how much you love me!"

THE PANTS

I knew that, at some point, this would happen. Someone would say something mean to one of my children and I would want to strangle them. I just wasn't planning on it happening so soon. Tonight I was helping Olivia get things lined out for school and she was complaining that she didn't have any pants to wear. I informed her that there were two pairs in her drawer. She quickly told me she didn't like them anymore, even though one pair she received for Christmas and loved them and the other she had chosen herself at the store. Hmmm.... It didn't take long to get to the bottom of this mystery: a girl at school had commented that she "didn't like those pants" so Olivia was never going to wear either pair of pants ever again. Her eyes immediately welled with tears as she spoke, my heart broke with sadness and anger, and into my room we went for "the talk." She sat on my lap and we talked about how special she is and how much I love her. We talked about how much she loves to put outfits together and how cute she always looks. We talked about the time when,in sixth grade, my friend crushed me by saying my new shoes were ugly.We talked about how boring and not fun the world would be if everyone wore the exact same clothes. And then we talked about true friends and how true friends treat each other. She cried and nodded as I talked, and I hope she got it. That it's okay to be Olivia, to do and say and be and look however she wants to. And that as long as she is happy with herself, that is all that really matters. We hugged and she wrapped her arms around my neck and said, "Thanks, mom." Oh, the agony! Why is this happening already?! This talk was a hard one. It's easy for me to say "Who cares what so-and-so thinks of your pin-striped kaki's....they are darling!" but I am now the mom who remembers (all too well) how much the opinions of my friends meant to me in my younger years. I know this is only the first of many friend and peer pressure issues with which we will have to deal. I can only hope that: 1)Olivia will remember how strong and kind and beautiful she is long enough to get through the next few years and 2)that the sassy brat who made fun of her gets run over on the way home from school...

CHARLIE

Meet Charlie. He's the dog I told my family we would never have. And I managed to stand my ground until this past Thanksgiving and then all you-know-what broke loose. My dad is at fault for all of this, because we were at his house for Thanksgiving and he just had to watch the championship dog show on tv. Chris was sitting there, taking way too much interest in the "sport dog" division,and was, the very next day, searching for dogs online. I was trying to convince him that we needed to put the Christmas lights on the house when he told me he was "driving to Montana to look at a dog." I immediately got nervous. A real dog? One that barks and slobbers? I laid it down, one final time: no barking, no drooling, no jumping, no pooping, no shedding,and the dog can't be in the house. Ever. He agreed and I was certain there was no dog on earth that would meet the criteria. We all piled into the suburban-he most certainly needed a chaparone- and off we were to Montana. We arrived in a little town after dark and it was a pleasant -10 below zero. We pulled up to the kennels, which were outside, and used our headlights to look at the dogs as they were brought to us. Soon "Max" made his way out, a quiet Labradinger (Black Lab and Springer Spaniel) that had been abused and left on the doorstep of the rescue shelter. I tried to be social and pet the little bugger as he stood at my feet. When I stopped petting him, he wouldn't stop staring at me. Soon his black fluffy paw was on my leg and when his big brown eyes met mine, it was all over. I was weak and cold and I fell for his game. As a kid, I always wanted a big black dog and those memories erased all common sense.
I looked at Chris and told him that I thought Max was pretty nice and he agreed. I double checked with the owner on the return policy, she stated that there was a 100% guarantee, and soon we were telling the kids that Max was coming home with us. They were in total shock. Big smiles, but total shock. Once on the road, we decided that Max needed a new name. The kids have a friend named Max and my mom's dog is Max so we needed something new. We decided on Charlie, as in St. Charles Street, since that is the street we live on. Charlie was scared to death all the way home and he even bolted on us when we stopped for gas. I thought for sure he was gone...a black dog blends well with the black night and he was really moving out. But Chris took off running after him and soon the two of them returned to the car, which stunk like dog. I thought I was going to die. What had I done? I knew we'd be back in Montana by the end of the week.
It took Charlie a couple of weeks to recover from his chronic ear infections and to get happy, but he quickly figured out that he was safe with us and that we were all in love with him. Believe it or not, I have yet to see him drool, poop,jump or shed. He is quiet and loving and so patient with the kids, especially Ben. Not a morning goes by that Ben doesn't wake up, come find me, and then go find "Arlie" for his morning kiss and neck squeeze. Charlie is the only one in the family that gets to touch Ben's special blue blanket and I don't think Charlie would allow anyone else except Ben to maul him and ride on his back. He's only barked twice since we got him, and both times he was in the backyard with Ben when Chris tried to get through the gate. Charlie was on guard immediately, growling and snarling in defense of his little buddy
The two of us walk together in the evenings, which I love, and Chris is trying to make a hunting dog out of him. Charlie doesn't, however, care for birds or like to run very much so Chris has his hands full... So with Charlie's 90 day probationary period coming to an end in a week or so, I can happily say that he isn't going anywhere. We love him like crazy and he's a part of our family. So much a part of our family that he stays inside and the dog house out back has been made into a fort...

BROTHERS

I think this shirt says it all about my boys. Sure, they love their sissy, but these two have a "thing" for each other. Nick is Ben's biggest protector and never hesitates to jump in if Ben is getting reprimanded for something. Ben finds Nick if he is sad or hurt and big brother immediately cuddles and loves him back to happiness. Ben, too, protects Nick and will say, "STOP! STOP!" and put his hand up if someone is bothering Nick. It's cute to see the two of them playing together. Nick teaches new fighting skills and Ben happily copies every move and sound with exactness. I love, love, love to see how much responsiblity Nick takes as the older brother, especially when it comes to making good choices and being a good example. Ben is usually bouncing off the walls when it's time for bedtime prayers, but Nick is always quick to kneel down, fold his arms and say, "Look Ben, kneel down like brother." Two seconds later, Ben is quiet, right next to Nick.I hope they are best friends forever!

p.s. I would have bought Nick a shirt that says "I heart Ben," but unfortunately, there isn't a Jonas Brother named Ben.....

BE MINE

Our family loves Valentine's Day! This year, we got the celebration underway with valentine signing, treat preparations and school parties. Nick made his first ever valentine box
and one of the sweetest Valentine's I have ever received:
He had a blast at his school party and sure enjoyed all the cards and treats he was able to bring home!
The second greaders at Olivia's school were also treated to a special party For the past twelve years, the parents of all the second graders have hosted a million dollar lucheon at "The Heartland Cafe." The children were seated at fancy tables set with flowers, candles and menus. Each child had a fat wallet of money and twelve courses were served to the kids who paid big bucks for all the food.
I was so happy that Olivia wanted me to come and help out! She greeted me with a big hug and we had a really fun time together. (I do know that, one day soon, her feelings about mom hanging around will probably change...but I can hope that, when I show up at the "After-Prom" party with 10 dozen frosted cupcakes, she will still be thrilled to see me!)Since Valentine's Day landed on a Saturday this year,we had a fun family breakfast in the morning. I picked up some yummy cinnamon and carmel rolls on my way home from work and we all exchanged valentines with one another. The kids loved it. Benjamin added a special twist to the occasion by snarfing down some "all natural" chocolate bar so fast that he barfed it up on his dad just minutes later. Now that's love! I have to say that this is pretty close to how things go at our house, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I love you, Smiths! Be Mine?

PHOTO SHOOT

We took advantage of the beautiful Arizona weather while we were there and did a little photo shoot for Livi's baptism invitations. We left the boys at home with Chris and headed to community park that was our most favorite when we lived there. It was so fun! That girl sure can work it in front of the camera!