Daddy's My Hero!

The truck had problems.  But that is nothing for Super Dad!  He has super skills and was able to take the old engine out of his truck and put his "new" one in!  It was a few days, after work, kind of deal, but he did it.  Not without totally impressing his red-headed little man.  Oliver was in 7th heaven seeing his dad IN the truck, and putting all his cool equipment to use.

Way to go, Brandon!

Fall Break in Review

Fall Break started on a Wednesday.  In fact, the very Wednesday that we received our package in the mail.  (Great way to start the fun).  We decided we needed to do some fun things for the break.  It's not easy to think of fun things to do when: 

1.) You aren't familiar with the area 

and 2.) You don't yet have any friends.  

So, we had to improvise.  Here is a lot of pictures of the things we accomplished during the 6 day break:

We did some art.  We used recycle goods to make bats!

 Once the bats were made, instead of hanging them up from the trees outside as planned... we played indoor soccer with them.  I'm thinking that was even more fun.

We explored the canyon.  Look at those colors!  I love seeing the autumn leaves!

 We walked to the only store in town and bought ice cream!

 We played at the park... a lot!  

 On Saturday, we went up "north" to do our supplies shopping.  We decided to make it a fun day, so we left early and stopped at Thanksgiving Point to check out a museum that my awesome cousin, Liz, told me about.  "The Museum of Natural Curiosity".  Thanks to our passes to the Science Center (which we won't be visiting any time soon) we were able to get into the Museum for free.  It was really neat.  Here are a few pictures.

 Brandon was brave and took 3 young kids into a pitch black tunnel.  They didn't like it too much... but they did it.  And I watched from outside.

 In case you were wondering... this is how much the ENTIRE Smithson family weighs.  We all got on together.

Sunday was our first opportunity to visit church.  Until then, it had been conferences and more conferences.  It was nice to sit in regular meetings.  The children still haven't had a regular Sunday, as they have been practicing for the primary program, but at least they got to meet some more kids!

It was a fun Fall Break!

Oh There's Sunshine, Blessed Sunshine

Sunday, I threw myself the biggest pity party.  I am ashamed to say that I was extremely depressed over things that I should have been happy about.  Brandon came home for a short visit, arriving late Thursday and leaving first thing Sunday morning, and I was released from my calling as a member of the primary presidency.  Instead of focusing on the blessing I have received from having my husband home for those 2 days, and from serving in the primary for the last 4 years, I was more focused on what felt like that end of everything.  I was an emotional basket case, and it wasn't pretty.

 

But, two nights before I was to be released, and before my husband went back, I had this silly dream.   I dreamt that I was doing sharing time and had the kids sing "There is Sunshine in my Soul".  In my dream, my good friend, Rebekah (who is also the primary pianist), played the song extremely dramatic.  She had extra chords and a dramatic ending.  It was great.  I told her about this dream Saturday night. 

 

Sunday came, against my best wishes for it to be Saturday forever.  I dropped Brandon off at the airport and waiting all morning long for church.  1 o'clock church is not fun to wait for when you don't want it to happen.  Then it came, and I was released.  Without going into detail with my feelings regarding it, I will just say that I think being released was the straw that broke the emotional camel's back.  I cried off and on through the entirety of church (and pretty much the remainder of the day).  But, in primary, between the Jr. and Sr. primaries I found myself singing "There is Sunshine, blessed sunshine".  Without realizing it, I was singing along to the piano as my wonderful friend played it. 

 

Over the last two days, I have found myself singing the song anytime I am trying to cheer my kids up, or when I'm having a rough moment.  It has helped me focus on the blessings I enjoy.

 

Here are a few of the special things I should be happy about:

 

Melanie brought her first reading book home from school, and mastered it in one day, and today brought home her second book.  She loves blending her letters and is just taking off so fast.

 

Noelle and mommy visited the pedi-neurologist, who turned out to be so nice.  Noelle did an amazing job, and didn't cry (which is amazing).  Noelle is being treated for migraines for the next 6 weeks with a preventative medication, and at the end of the 6 weeks we will go from there.  I don't actually want her to continue taking medication after that if I can avoid it.  I have been trying to figure out a good oil or combination of oils that would help her with her headaches.  I haven't mastered that on yet, however.

Speaking of mastering something, my little man has mastered the play ground.  He goes up the steps and down the curly slide all by himself.  I'm one happy mom.  And I love listening to him giggle all the way down.

 

And finally, I'm blessed to have an amazing family who loves me unconditionally.  I have always known that I was imperfect, but lately it has become more and more apparent how imperfect I truly am.  And yet I have these wonderful people that just love me, no matter what.  I am one really blessed woman and mom.

 

(I will post more on Brandon's little visit later!)

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Brandon had a birthday! Shout Hooray! We love birthdays at our house. It gives us a reason to make hats, decorate, and have fun. I thought these hats were fun!

The party was a polka dot party (I made a bunch of dots and the kids wrote things they love about Brandon on them). We had a fun ice cream bar for dessert. We played games as a family and just had a great time. The party was actually the night before his birthday (Friday Night).

Saturday was his birthday and the fun continued. We started the day with a good breakfast and then headed over to the Science Center. We got to check out the Math Alive exhibit and the new Lego's exhibit. I think the Math Alive exhibit was the best.

It was so much fun. That night, Brandon and I went on a much needed date. It was nice to be just the two of us (we haven't had a "just the two of us date" for over a year).

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband, whom I love so much.