KEATON'S 1ST BAND CONCERT

Keaton had his very first band concert of the year last night and I can't even begin to explain what a thrill it was for us as parents to watch him play and be a part of something like this. It was the first concert and he has only been playing a few weeks so to some it may not have been all that impressive but, to parents of a band member it was absolutely amazing and wonderful! Keaton has been practicing so hard and just LOVES playing the trumpet! I wasn't sure how Keaton would like band and wasn't real sure he fully understood what he was getting into as far as dedication and commitment but, he proved me SO wrong! He is very dedicated and as far as commitment goes well let's just say I wish he had as much commitment in making his bed and doing his chores everyday as he does practicing and playing the trumpet! We are so proud of you Keaton!!!


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IT'S POPTROPICA!!!

My kids are so CREATIVE!!! My kids love to play the online computer game POPTROPICA. In this game you create your character and then you must conquer different kinds of islands. The creativity of these games really make you have to think and try your patience while you maneuver through the different islands. You have to decipher codes and you meet historic people along your journey to try and help you. Keaton is REALLY REALLY good at it and Bailey Rose enjoys the challenge as well. Well, tonight after dinner and homework Keaton and Bailey rose made up their own version of Poptropica. Keaton spent a good amount of time drawing the characters and then coloring them and cutting them out. Then he recruited his sister to play the game. She even incorporated her Polly Pocket car into the game to help the characters move around faster. They are having a BLAST with it. I just LOVE it when my kids use their own creativity to entertain themselves and I LOVE it even more when a computer, TV or gaming systems are not used to entertain them!

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS

Last night when I went to do the final kiss goodnight and tuck in Bailey Rose gave me this picture. She drew it before going to sleep. I commented on what a BEAUTIFUL drawing it was and hung it on the fridge. This morning when I went to the fridge to get the milk for breakfast I noticed the drawing again and I realized what
a detailed picture it was and that looking at this picture made me think how beautiful the world is. Bailey drew what she sees every time she looks up into the world and I'm so glad she realizes that when she looks up she sees beauty that our Heavenly Father gave us. Her little picture reminded me that sometimes we all need to stop and look up and remember that even though the world is filled with wickedness there is still so much beauty in it's creations. I am going to try and look up more often and thank my Heavenly Father for this beautiful world he created for us. I hope my children can continue to look up and see the beauty and remember that when things are getting ugly in the world Heavenly father is there to guide them through it and all they need to do it look up!

A DOLLY & SOME FAMILY FUN!!!

Well,this past weekend was an enjoyable one. With the rain on Saturday and Kev working the kids and I just stayed indoors and pretended it was a cold winter day. In fact it was much cooler then usual and that was nice. The kids played very quiet most of the day with activities that seemed to keep the noise level to a minimum and I was grateful for that. We baked cookies together and then enjoyed eating them together.

Bailey decided she wanted to make a doll out of scrap fabric. I gave her some fabric and she started to cut away and as I watched her knowing that the end product she had in mind was never going to get accomplished I stepped in when the frustration set in for her. I quickly made a doll cut out and pulled out my sewing machine and then began sewing. She started to go through all my fabric and decided what type a dress her doll would have. I had not planned on making clothes for the doll but, thought since I already had the machine out I would quickly and I mean quickly make a dress for her doll which she had already named Samantha. Then Bailey asked me what type of hair she should have. I realized at this point that this doll was not going to be just a doll to her but a friend so I got the only yarn I had left which was rainbow colored and so we put rainbow hair on her. I told Bailey she was a "funky punky" prairie doll. She was just delighted with the end result and off she went to play with her new friend Samantha. Well, I have really been amazed at how much she loves this slapped together doll. She has played with her ever single day since we made her. She sleeps with her and she eats with her and she just goes everywhere with her. It is the cutest thing to watch. I sometimes I feel bad that I didn't put a little extra time into it to make it a better looking doll but, Bailey doesn't care in the least she loves her just the way she is. :)


Labor Day we all got together at my parents home except Kev and my little brother Chad because, the poor guys had to work. We BBQ-ed steaks and had had a great feast. The kids all played with their cousins and went swimming and then Uncle Brian put together a little treasure hunt for all of them, with the treasure being chocolate bars for the girls and cool sounding swords with lights and all for the boys. We had such an enjoyable fun day with family. The next day the kids went back to school and the busy week ahead of us has begun.

MY HERO!!!

I sure love this guy!!! I feel so grateful for a husband who is such a hard worker and for his willingness to do whatever is needed to provide for us. I have really felt for him this past week. He has worked 15 hour days between both of his jobs and today when he came home I could see that his body was ready to drop from exhaustion. He had a few hours to catch some much needed sleep before he started his night job, but as luck would have it the kids had a half day so instead of trying to sleep he spent the next few hours playing with his kids who have missed him so much this past week. I know he is just completely exhausted and yet he keeps going. Kinda like the energizer bunny only I know he wishes re-energizing were as easy as putting in new batteries. I just want him to know how much I LOVE and APPRECIATE all that he does for us. I love his dedication to his family and his desire to do right by us. You are my hero and I love you Kev! :)

IT HAS BEEN A MONDAY!

What a Monday! Today I decided I would keep Bailey home one more day just to make sure she was 100% better from her weekend of illness. However, last night she informed me that her gum was hurting her. After looking to make sure it was okay I discovered she had a rather large abscess that was on her gum on the upper right hand side. I thought, " What in the world is that and how did it get there". I told her since I was going to keep her home from school for one more day that we better get into the dentist to see what was going on. So this morning I called the dentist and they got her in right away. It turns out she had to have a molar pulled. Apparently, the tooth roots were not dissolving quick enough and when the other tooth started to come down it caused an abscess causing lots of swelling and redness and lots of pain. So on top of trying to get over her illness she was now being subjected to Novocaine shots, laughing gas and teeth forceps. My nerves were shot after our trip to the dentist and having to listen to my little Bailey Rose scream as they worked on her, I was almost in tears. My idea of giving her the laughing gas to relax her was not necessary and quite a waste since she was not relaxed in the least. I believe she was already in terror of knowing that the dentist gives shots in the mouth and they hurt. On the way home with drool dripping from her little mouth that was packed with gauze and her eyes drooping from being tired of her little ordeal she tells me," Mom, I don't want to stay home from school anymore." I smiled a little smile and thought quietly, " I hope she doesn't think I did this on purpose just because she didn't go to school!" She is sleeping it all off soundly and I know she is so glad it is all over, that is until I tell her that for the next 10 days she has to take a liquid antibiotic to make sure the infection in the gum heals. She HATES medicine! This has not been a good weekend or a good start to the new week for my Bailey. :(

WEEKEND PLANS CHANGED!!!

This morning around 2am I knew that the plans I had been looking forward to were changed. Today I was going to have a "Girls Day Out" with my mom, sisters and sister in-law. We were going to see the movie "Traveler's Wife". My dad was going to come and watch my kiddos since Kev has to work and I was going to go play with the girls. It was all planned and I was so looking forward to it and then Bailey got sick. She has been up since 2am with a fever.
So instead of playing with the girls today I am tending to my sick little girl. I hate when the kids are sick! It just breaks my heart to see them so miserable and just not themselves. If you know Bailey then you know that she is always on the go and talking up a storm and being as active as she can. So to see her down and out is hard for me! Hopefully, Bailey will be feeling better by Monday but, we will play it by ear and hope for the best.

THE BAND BEGINS TO PLAY.........

This year Keaton decided on his own that he wanted to take band and learn how to play the trumpet. We asked, " Why the trumpet?" and he said, "Because, I love the sound of it!" I don't think I have ever thought about the sound of the trumpet. Keaton takes to certain things quite quickly and if it is something he loves to do he will master it! I LOVE that quality about him! Kev and I agreed before we had children that we wanted them to be able to develop talents and skills and we would do what we could to help them to do just that. Today Keaton got to take his trumpet to school and will start to learn to play. He was so excited! My father plays the cornet which is a smaller version of the trumpet and Keaton was telling me this morning while he was gathering his school stuff that he couldn't wait to invite Grandpa Smith to his 1st concert. I know my dad is just as excited for him and can't wait for that 1st concert as well. :) I hope it is everything Keaton is thinking it will be and that he doesn't get frustrated with it but that he is patient in learning and developing the skill of playing. I just LOVE my little man! :)

BAPTISMS & FIRST DAYS OF SCHOOL

Okay, so Getting started back up on this blog is a lot harder then I thought it would be.
This past weekend my little Bailey Rose was baptized! I can hardly believe my baby is that old. It was a wonderful weekend! Kev's girls came for the weekend and so did Kev's parents. The kids were so excited to see Grandpa & Grandma Roth and at he girls and they felt special that they were coming to see them. The visiting was nice and it was good to get together and hang out!
The baptism was beautiful and later in the day we had a big spaghetti dinner for my family and Kev's family. It was fun. I think I was more stressed about the dinner and making sure there was enough to really enjoy it but, just the same it was fun. I did learn that making spaghetti for lots of people is harder to do then it looks. Spaghetti is easy for a family of four but not a family of 20 or more.



The kids went back to school Monday and they were all excited about it! I think they were more excited to see friends then teachers. Their first day was good. when we went to pick them up they were not thrilled or even smiling. I thought, maybe it wasn't a good day but, they said it was fine and that is all i got out of both of them. I felt so out of the loop and they didn't seem to think it was a big deal to elaborate on the day so I felt a little sad that they didn't want to share but, Kev reminded me that they aren't little ,little kids anymore and they will continue to share less and less about things as they get older. I hope that isn't the case but I guess we all were that way so I need to just deal with it. However, it doesn't hurt to keep trying! The second day was also another good day so I think this year is off to a good start.

UPDATING AGAIN!!!

Well, it's been a while and I sort of got out of the habit of even keeping up this blog. I will update quickly so not to draw this out too long! Summer has come and now it is gone. The kids go back to school in two weeks! Keaton will be in the 5th Grade and Bailey will be in the 3rd Grade. It is hard to believe that my kids are getting so big!
Both of the kids had birthdays this summer and turned another year older which in turn made me feel older. YIKES! Keaton is now 10 and Bailey is 8 and she will be baptized in two weeks. This will do it for the baptisms in our family of four. I suppose missions and marriages are next! YIKES! If time flies as quickly as the last ten years have flown by then those milestones are just around the corner.
We didn't go anywhere this summer except for a day trip to Goldfield, AZ. We spent the 4th of July out at Grandpa & Grandma Smith's house and had lots of fun with other family members who came to share in the festivities. Other then that the kids did swim lessons again and got excellent at swimming this year. Keaton is a fish and LOVES to swim and moans when he has to get out of the water. Bailey is quite the swimmer too this year and enjoys it just as much as Keaton. We do lots of swimming since we live here in the desert and our pool gets lots of use!
Kevan had three hernia operations this summer and spent a total of almost three months on Workman's Comp. However, he is now recovered and has been back to work for Coke for several weeks now. He is still delivering for Streets of New York three nights a week. He is getting tired of the desert and is looking to relocate to Nevada, MO where my brother Rand and his family live. It is a small town but, Kev is convinced that he is ready for the small town life. I'm not so sure as I need the big city very near by in order to not feel so isolated which small towns can do. Kev has applied for a full time job with Coke in Missouri and he is hopeful of getting the job and I am secretly wishing he doesn't. Is that bad?
Well, I will post a few pictures taken during this summer and I will call myself, "caught up". Hopefully I will be better about posting in the near future.
GOLDFIELD ARIZONA TRIP



JULY 4TH AT GRANDPA & GRANDMA'S SMITH'S





LOTS & LOTS & LOTS OF SWIMMING!

QUICK UPDATE!

Catching up is not one of the things I like to do but, I realize that I haven't blogged in quite a while so I will have to play the catch up game! our lives are not all that interesting lately so I guess it won't be too hard.

Kevan has taken a job part time delivering for Streets of New York. He seems to enjoy it since all he has to do is deliver and the tips are good. I enjoy the free soda he brings me each night he works! He is still part time with Coke but, found out yesterday that he will begin as a full time employee on Feb. 22nd so we are thrilled about that. The bad news is that for six months he has to take full time probationary pay which is about three dollars less then what full time makes. So until October we will still be pinching pennies that have already been pinched. We will have benefits though and that is a relief.

Keaton is just doing outstanding in school and is almost getting straight A's. I am true believer now that a good teacher makes all the difference. He is still enjoying scouts and is anxious to become a Webelo in June. He is one who is constantly asking when winter will be over as he can't wait to get back into the pool.

Bailey is improving in Math at school and we are so proud of her hard work. She donated 11 1/2 inches of her beautiful hair to Locks for Love a bout a month ago. Although I love the ease of washing short hair I miss being able actually style and do her long hair. She still loves Brownies and would like to continue it into next year. She is excited about getting baptized this summer too. Her biggest news is that she FINALLY has a loose tooth. We never thought it would happen but it finally has. She can't wait to get money for it when it falls out!

I am still teaching preschool but I teach 3 days now instead of 2 and I'm enjoying that as always! I am starting to enjoy my calling in primary. I guess I just needed to make the adjustment of having no Sunday calling to having one each week. I am now in the process of Spring cleaning our bedroom closet. Getting Kevan to go through his things has been the challenge in this task but, I'm determined to make more room.

We have enjoyed the warmer weather and it has made me more excited for the heat that will be right around the corner once Spring actually arrives!

AND WERE OFF!

Well, the kids went back to school today and even though they seemed excited yet not it was actually a sad thing for me. Not only did I miss sleeping in and waking up to their whispers of ,"Are her eyes open yet?" But I knew as the school bell rang and the kids scurried to their class lines that it would be quiet when I got home and that I would miss them both playing together and yes even their quarreling with one another. I am glad that Kev has the day off from work as I won't be by myself and consumed at wondering how the kids are doing their first day back after winter break.
I start teaching three days this week and I think I am completely prepped and ready to go. I have missed my little preschoolers and will be glad to see their sweet little faces again. One of my preschoolers gave his first talk in primary yesterday and it was just the sweetest thing! I really miss my kiddos being little and even though I love them being old enough to do for themselves it is still just hard to see little ones and not miss those days! It looks like I will dedicate myself to cleaning bedrooms and disposing of things not used anymore and restoring order in my kids bedrooms. Keaton does a good job of cleaning up but my little Bailey Rose is not bothered in the least of a bedroom that looks like a tornado ripped through it. What I can't understand is how it gets worse even when every single toy she has is already out and misplaced somewhere in her bedroom. The mound of girl stuff just seems to grow. I also would like to start going through my pile of accumulated school papers that I save each year. I am not a pack rat in any sense of the word but when it comes to the kiddos school work I can honestly say that I have every piece of paper they ever did all the way back to preschool. I can't seem to throw it away. It is my goal to go through the boxes I have sitting in my closet and sort through them and reduce in size the paper load I have. Keeping just the art work and maybe one or two reports and of course the report cards. Oh, it's going to be hard and I am dreading it already but it has to be done. I want to start this NEW Year off with accomplishing something hard and for me this is it!

SLOW DOWN DECEMBER!!!

I can't believe how quickly this month is flying! I remember when I was a kid it seemed like it would take forever for Christmas to come and now that I'm grown up and living life as a wife and mom, I can't seem to find the time in December to just enjoy the ambiance. However, the tree is up and decorated and the house is all done up except for the outside. I decided that we wouldn't decorate outside since I didn't really want to pay for the electric bill that seems to accompany the following month. I know, "BA HUMBUG". The kids had fun decorating the tree and after they went to bed I rearranged the ornaments so that they decorated the entire tree instead of just the bottom half. The kids are excited to say the least. Keaton found out this year about three months ago that Santa was a fun tradition and no necessarily a true tale. I was amazed at how well he handled it and how well he is doing at keeping the secret and allowing his sister to continue on believing in the magic. I think he feels a bit empowered by knowing the truth. The weather is definitely turning colder at least for those of us use to the 100 degree heat. I can honestly say that I have had enough of the cold already and I"m ready for the blistering heat again. I honestly don't know how I survived college in Rexburg, ID and a mission in Ohio - I HATE the cold. I am enjoying a cup of hot chocolate each morning after I get back from taking the kids to school. The kids have FINALLY adjusted to wearing pants and shoes instead of shorts and flip flops to school of course after school the shorts are back on. I actually managed long sleeve shirts for the last two days. However, Keaton informed me today that he won't wear long sleeves tomorrow because, it is a half day! What that has to do with it, I don't know but, I said okay since tomorrow is going to be in the mid 70's anyways! I probably won't post again until the New Year so I wish everyone a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!

THE SEASON IS ARRIVING!!!

Here we are coming up on the Christmas season and my heart just doesn't feel like celebrating much but, I've decided that my kiddos still deserve a Merry Christmas so for them I will pull out the boxes and spend a weekend decorating the house for this festive holiday. I wasn't going to do that this year since it just seems so gloomy to begin with but then I realized I'm sure that there were many years that my own mom didn't feel like going through the whole decorating of the house process but she did so the rest of the family could enjoy. I'm almost positive that it was due to her majestic decorating that made Christmas one of my favorite times of the year. I remember sitting in the front room with the Christmas music playing with all the lights off except for the Christmas lights and just enjoying the magic of Christmas. That is what I looked forward to when I came home from college and what I looked forward to after I married and spent Christmas at home. I want my children to feel the same about their home when they think back on Christmas memories. Christmas isn't about presents and toys and food(though the food is GREAT) but it is about taking the time to share with your family and serve those in need and most of all remember how truly blessed we are that a loving Heavenly Father sent his son who paved the way for us all to return and live with Him again someday. It's a time to remember that night in the Inn where Mary and Joseph brought forth the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and placed Him in a manger what a beautiful gift the world received that night! I hope that this Christmas season I can look past the trials we are having and enjoy the beauty of Holiday season!

DO AS I'M DOING - FOLLOW FOLLOW ME!

I walked by the office today and saw Bailey pretending to iron he little Koalie's clothes. After checking to make sure the iron wasn't plugged into the wall, I asked her what she was doing. She replied, "I'm doing what you do mommy and making sure Koalie wears cleaned and ironed clothes." I smiled with delight and then thought how simple some things are to teach and how I wished it could all be a simple as ironing clothes!

IT DOESN"T FEEL LIKE A SATURDAY!

Today being Saturday I am usually use to having my kiddos at home and doing errands and cleaning and getting ready for the upcoming week. However, was a quiet Saturday! My kiddos and I spent the morning hours watching "Harry Potter And The Sorcerer's Stone" for like the 150th time and just relaxed.

Keaton spent the early afternoon into the late afternoon with Grandpa and Grandma Smith and cousin Brianna. Grandpa & Grandma treated them to a McDonald's lunch followed by a play of Disney's, "The Jungle Book". He really enjoyed the outing. He talked about the music and the costumes and said it was a funny play. He loved the movie when he saw it years ago so I knew he would enjoy the play. Thanks Grandpa & Grandma! After that he decided to play some Tiger Woods PGA Golf on the Wii and followed it with practicing his putts with his own putter. He LOVES golf! I wish he and Kev could have played more this past summer but, money is tight so they played each other in Wii golf. In my opinion it's just as good but, I'm sure they both would disagree with me.




Bailey and I went to Target and looked at the toys per her request since Keaton was on an outing. We walked up and down the rows of toys as she stopped to look at the ones that caught her eye. She named each one that Santa was going to bring and all I thought was, "Boy, I hope you are not disappointed little one." I treated her to her favorite treat (cherry icee) and then we came home and she watched one of her favorite TV shows, "DogTown" on the animal planet channel. After about 10 minutes into the show her friend Logan came down and off they went to Logan's house to play. She then came home and built a dog house in her bedroom. She informed me that she saw a stray dog outside and was going to foster it in her room and promised she would not let it out so it wouldn't destroy the house. I laughed at her cuteness and love for animals but, once again had to tell her there would be no dogs! She cried and informed me that she was going to get that dog no matter what! She is too cute!

BAILEY'S DOGHOUSE- SHE WAS GOING TO NAME IT BUDDY!

Kevan was gone this morning doing some work at our Bishop's house and then came home and ate lunch and then off he went to the men's softball game and there he has been the rest of the day. They had a game at 2pm, 5pm and 7pm. I think I have seen him about two hours total this entire day.

So my Saturday was quiet and I took advantage of it and prepped for next weeks preschool lessons and cleaned and ironed clothes for Sunday. Tonight hasn't been bad either. Showers are already done and dinner is over and the kids are tired and ready for bed. Maybe when Kevan gets home I might have a chance to talk to him about his day before he starts to snooze in front of the TV. Either way it has been an enjoyable day and I could even see myself getting to bed early tonight. Now that would be nice!

NO MORE PLEASE, MY PLATE IS ALREADY FULL!

Well, since the election went wrong we are just going to have to make sure we continue to PRAY and get prepared for things to come crashing in but, at least we still have the Gospel. I was telling Kevan just the other day that it is nice to know that when the world is in turmoil and things continue to get worse that the Gospel is never changing! It is a constant in our life and it brings hope and peace and the ever needed calmness that seems to quiet one's troubled soul. I feel so blessed to have the Gospel! Life just seems to get more stormy for our little family. With unemployment looming over our heads and the inability to make ends meet well, let's just say that it is taking a toll on the spirit of "never give up". Hopefully, things will start to look up soon and our lives won't feel hour to hour. I'm not a person who does well with taking it one day at a time. I'm a planner, organizer and preparing type of person and being kept in the dark about what happens next is not my cup of hot chocolate. However, I'm trying hard to deal with it since I have no other choice. I'm just really not enjoying this season in my life but, seasons do pass, don't they?

ELECTION DAY!!!

DON"T FORGET TO GET OUT AND VOTE TODAY!!!

GO MCCAIN!!!

YES ON PROP 102!!!

HALLOWEEN 2008

Well, Halloween has come and gone but, the memories are GREAT ones. The kids had lots of fun dressing up, getting together with the cousins, hanging out and going door to door in the neighborhood raking in candy GALORE! Oh, I can see the dental bills! LOL
Daddy has yet to impose his "Daddy Tax" on the candy but, it's coming as he has been eyeballing the candy since last night! Halloween was loads of fun and I must admit I'm glad it's over! The next big event for our little family, ELECTION DAY! GO JOHN MCCAIN!!! Even our kids are involved in this election and it's is so GREAT to know that my children are more involved and aware of the important issues and candidates then I was at the young age of 7 and 9. I LOVE IT! Knowledge is power and my kids have it! Enjoy the Halloween pictures!

THE WEEKEND IS HERE!

Well, it's finally Friday! I thought this day would never arrive. The kids have a half day because of parent/teacher conference. I have both scheduled for today. Both Keaton and Bailey did wonderful for the first quarter. We are so proud of them. I know that the reason they ever want to go to school is for their friends, art, library, and computers. Somewhere along the way they lost interest in reading, writing.,science, social studies and math, go figure! They are trying hard and doing GREAT! Keep it up kiddos! Today, I have been busy sewing Bailey's Hannah Montana costume and I'm so glad that it is almost done! The last few days for me have been such good ones! Keaton has Scout Day Camp tomorrow and he is excited for that. This is the first year I won't go with him as I am no longer a den leader. I'm kind of sad not to be able to watch him have a good time. Last year was a blast and I know this year will be fun too. He loves scouts and I'm so pleased about that! Bailey has a Brownie troop activity tomorrow too. We are going to see High School Musical 3. She is not really into HSM anymore but, she would not pass up a movie with her friends. I will go with her and I'm looking forward to a day with my baby girl who is so not a baby anymore! They just keep growing and growing! Kevan got some more hours with Coke this week and he has been working at a friend's cabinet shop picking up a few hours and we are hoping he gets hired on at UPS part time as well. When you have to work three different jobs just to TRY and make up for what you are use to making in one job it is not only exhausting but, I see blessing being given each time these small jobs come our way. If that is how it has to be done for a while then we will do it that way! I feel so blessed to have the Gospel in my life and for our family and friends who have just been so wonderful to us over these past few months of struggling. Words just don't describe the feelings of gratitude we feel. We are looking forward to Halloween and the kids can't wait to Trick or Treat! I can't believe November is almost here! Why does it seem like time is going faster and faster?