Isn't August Over Yet?

What a month it has been, I am so glad that August is soon coming to a close. Right now I could use some cooler weather and even though the weather may not cool off anytime soon I do know that as the months continue to go by the cooler weather will slowly start to come.

A few nights ago our power went out and it was out for about 4 hours. The kids had a blast running around the house with flashlights. However, after about 30 minutes the warmth of the house started to get to me and I kept thinking," If my pioneer ancestors could do this then so could I." However, they did not know what air conditioning felt like and so you do not miss what you have never had. Needless to say I was missing it quite a bit and then my kids started to complain about how hot it was getting which seemed to make it get even hotter. The best part was when my hubby called me on my cell phone and after telling him about the power outage and how hot it was getting he says, "Don't we have some fans you could use?" Then he laughed as he said,"Oh, I guess that wouldn't work." It is amazing how we take our modern day luxuries for granted until we do not have then anymore.

It has not been the easiest getting back into the swing of school and homework. My kids are fighting it and that does not make me happy! I am not a big believer in homework for kids in elementary school. I think it causes more frustration and stress in young children. They are gone all day in an "educational study" setting and when they get home at the end of the day they should be able to unwind and relax instead of focusing on hours of more school work. I know that having no homework would make evenings in our house a lot more peaceful. It's just my opinion and even though my kids will never hear me voice it aloud, I believe homework for elementary children is worthless and serves NO purpose!

Kevan has been working some very long days. There are lots of changes going on at Coca-Cola and they have Atlanta "Big Shots" coming for visits and meetings and of course the Labor Day ad will be starting soon. He has been working 12 to 13 hour days for almost the entire month. The kids and I miss him! He also started another block of classes for school and when he does get home if it is not too late he shuts himself in with the computer to do his assignments. I can tell he is just exhausted and that he wants to give into sleep but, he is so good about doing all that he needs to do and he gets it done. I really did get lucky to marry a guy who is so good at working hard!

The air conditioner went out in the truck about 2 weeks ago so we decided that it was time to trade it in and get another car. We ended up buying a 2009 Chevy Cobalt. The color (cherry red) was not one I would of chosen if I had been given a choice. I can live with it though. However, it is nice to have a car that has a/c again. We will have to have the windows tinted but that is easy enough to fix. When you live in the desert a/c in a car is the only way to go!

Oh, and then today I got a jury summons! I have been summoned practically ever year and even though I have never had to serve I always get called, never my husband! Why is this? So now in October I have to remember to call and see if I have to appear. I SO do not want to have to do this again!!!!!!

So with all that has gone on this month I just will be glad to have it over. Each new month brings hope that it will be better then the last.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

Today was the first day of school! Keaton started the 6th grade and Bailey Rose started the 4th grade. They were so excited that they were both up at 6am this morning. I am sure as the year goes on the enthusiasm to wake up early to get ready for school will dwindle. As soon as they arrived at school they both saw their best friends and off they went. I sure hope they have a wonderful first day. I have to admit that as nice as it is to have a quite house I miss them already!

FIRST DAY OF 2010/2011 SCHOOL YEAR!

KEATON AND HIS BEST BUD NATHAN!

BAILEY ROSE AND HER "BFF" PAIGE!

Yesterday the kids and I were able to go to the COCOA-COLA plant with Kevan and were able to go on a tour of the plant. This week has been Employee Appreciation Week and they have been giving families of COCA-COLA employees tours. It was quite interesting and even though nothing beats the COCA-COLA Museum in Atlanta it was still very fun to see how product is made, stored and distributed. The kids loved every minute of it!




They gave us a fun little bag of goodies to take home that was filled with drink samples, banks, and pens. Keaton made sure he put his pen in his backpack this morning. What a cutie!




I wasn't able to take any pictures inside the plant I guess they consider it "top secret". It was a very enjoyable a little family outing! Kevan loves his job as a Merchandiser Supervisor and feel so blessed and are so grateful that he has such a wonderful job!

SUMMER COMING TO AN END!

I can not believe school starts in 8 days! The summer is gone and routines and schedules will take priority once again. This summer it has been nice to have the kids around and the even though they are now bored out of their minds it has been a wonderful to have them home. I guess they are getting old enough that I don't have to stress about keeping them entertained. They do a good job of finding things to do but, these past couple of days all I hear is, "I'm so bored!" They are anxious for school to start and I'm grateful for that because, it means we will be starting the school year with a good attitude!
With school supplies, clothes, shoes, backpacks and lunch boxes bought I can say we are ready for the school year to begin. Afterschool schedules will be a bit more involved this year then those past, but my kids are looking forward to it all, so I am happy!
Kevan is busy with work and school. Aside from our Disneyland trip he has not had much of a summer. He works all day and then comes home and works all night in front of the computer. Sometimes he gets so tired he will go lay down and sleep for like twenty minutes and then get up and start back at his assignments. I appreciate his hard work and the dedication he has in getting his Business Degree. We are extremely grateful for his employment and feel blessed he has this opportunity to further his education.
I am looking forward to having the time while the kiddos are at school to clean the house without constant interruption from them. I also look forward to being able to exercise without constant interruption. A few weeks ago I reached my goal weight and really want to begin weight training to tone up what regular exercise hasn't. It is funny I weigh as much now as I did when I was 23 exercising daily, but it doesn't look the same at almost 40 exercising daily. Actually it is a bit depressing but, I figure if I throw some weight training in my body just may start to take shape again. At least I hope!
So with one more week to go in summer we will try to fit in as much fun as we can and then it's school, homework, music lessons, music practice, scouts, and girl scouts that will rule our lives for the next nine months. It has been a GREAT summer and we will miss it when it's gone!

FUN "FINDS" & A FISH

Well, this weekend I encouraged my hubby to go with me and the kids down to the local DI to just look around and kill some time so we weren't sitting around the house being bored! I was so glad I did because, I found a few fun things.

First, I found this EXIT sign for 50 cents and I thought it would look great in Keaton's room after I made it match his room. The EXIT sign was one of Keaton's first words. He saw it all the time when he was little and we would walk the hallways of the church building. He always noticed them where ever we were and would point and exclaim, "EXIT". It brought back a sweet memory so I had to have it and now it hangs over his bedroom door!

BEFORE


AFTER


I also found these fun plates! I got them for $2.00 which I thought was a great deal! I didn't get them just because my hubby works for Coca-Cola but because I thought they would look so adorable on a dinner table. They remind me of a a fun little diner from something out of the 50's. I know, sounds sort of dumb but, they made me smile and happy so I bought them. I LOVE them!





Bailey Rose also got a fish this weekend! It was a reward for staying in her bed through the night. She was my baby that never slept through the night and never napped. She is now 9 years old and I finally bribed her with a fish. I was amazed that it worked as I have bribed her with many things over the last nine years. Today we took her to Pet Smart and she picked out the fish she fell in love with. She named it Sunburst which is appropriate for the Arizona desert. She has been watching it all day. I heard her singing to it and reading it a story. She loves her little Sunburst and I sure love her!

A DAY TO ALWAYS REMEMBER

Today my sweet Sierra would be turning 13 years old. I would have a teenager! Every year this day is bitter sweet for me. It takes me back to one of the most horrible hardest day of my life. However, it also was one of greatest days. Greatest days because,it was the day I met my little Sierra. My first born child that I remembering thinking, "I have never loved anything so much." I remember when they put her in my arms how I marveled at how perfect and beautiful her little body was. I was so in love with her! In that same instant I also knew that Heavenly father had called her home and I had to say good-bye. Even though my heart was exploding with pain knowing I would never bring her home or call her name or watch her play and smile and grow and experience this life, I knew she was mine for eternity. I would always be her mother and she would always be my daughter and someday I would have the opportunity to raise her. I am so truly grateful for Temple marriage that allows families to be sealed for all eternity. I know I will see my Sierra again someday and that our family will be complete. Until then I will continue to love and miss you Sierra.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BAILEY ROSE!

I still remember so well when this little munchkin turned one! It is SO hard to believe that today she turns nine!



We celebrated last night when all the cousins could be here. The "Missouri" Smith's head back home today so last night was our last get together for my entire family for a few years. Bailey also celebrated with her cousin Brianna who will be turning 11 on the 18th. It was fun to celebrate both birthdays together and be together one last time.

















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Bailey Rose got some fashion glasses that had to be "fashioned" right away and they both "raked" in the money Bailey rose is excited to go shopping with her money today. She is such a "girlie " girl and LOVES to shop. She has been anticipating spending her birthday money for weeks. I sure do love you Bailey Rose and I am so glad you are my little girl! HAPPY BIRTHDAY cutie pie!

CELEBRATING WITH FAMILY!!!

Since my big Brother Rand and his family are visiting from Missouri this week my ENTIRE family took advantage of it and celebrated the Independence holiday on the 3rd of July. We literally celebrated all day long and into the night. It was so much fun and so enjoyable. Grandpa & Grandma Smith rented a HUGE water slide for the day. We had their pool too of course and Uncle Brian and Aunt Shanna provided a snow cone machine which was perfect since it was so stinkin HOT! The cousins played non stop and those that didn't wear sunscreen were hurting by the end of the day. I don't think my kids have ever stayed in their swimming suits all day. They would go from the water slide into the pool and then back to the slide and then have a snow cone and then repeat the process over and over and over! There is nothing better then watching your children play with their cousins and enjoy every moment of it. It was a BLAST! That night after dark Uncle Rand broke out the sparklers and some small fireworks that they brought from Missouri where it is still legal to buy and set your own off. The Arizona cousins thought it was the greatest. On Sun the 4th we had a yummy spaghetti dinner hosted by Uncle Brian and Aunt Shanna and then all went to a park by their house for fireworks being done by a church up the street. So we enjoyed every one's company once again while the cousins ran around like crazy and had a good time. The week is just beginning and plans are being made to get as much of the "Missouri" Smith's as we can before they make their long trip back home. It should be a FUN filled week!

"GRANDPA SMITH "

Sunday my dad celebrated his 70th birthday! We (my two sisters.little brother and myself) planned a surprise birthday dinner for him and it was just perfect. My parents get home from church a little after 5pm so we all gathered at their house and when they can home we all jumped out and yelled, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" and the look on my dad's face is one I will never forget. He was just so surprised and so delighted. We had prepared a wonderful dinner and after dinner we sang our special family birthday song and enjoyed cake and ice cream while the cousins played and the adults sat and visited with on another. The grandchildren enjoyed it lots when Grandpa broke out his balloons and spent time tying balloon animals for them. It was a day of creating memories with my dad and being able to celebrate my dad's 70th birthday with him was such a special time. He truly is the most incredible dad and we all LOVE him so much!!!


SURPRISE!!!



Let's Eat!





HAPPY BIRTHDAY!



Make A Wish!



Enjoying Birthday Cake & Ice Cream!









Grandpa Making Balloon Animals!








My Dad With All Three Of His Daughters!


To make things even more perfect my older brother Rand and his cute family from Missouri will be here this next Friday for a nice long visit. This only means more cousins to play with and more celebrating with family! Just can't wait!