The Smith Family Blog

We are officially giving our 30 days notice. I know that you probably believed that you would be carrying our dead bodies out of this 900 square foot apartment before we moved, I mean come on who stays in an apartment for 7 years, but the time has come for us to say our good byes. There has been numerous things we have enjoyed while spending our time here. I loved that the outside was really an escape for our kids from each other. When go to your room meant having to spend more time with sister it was better to go outside. I will miss the hot tub, however the last month of not having it in operational order has helped with the separation a little and we may even miss really mean man (you know the one guy that thinks the hot tub is his personal property and won't let anyone else in while he uses it, including threatening to have his attorney send you a letter.) We will miss the small confines of this apartment and the being able to hear every noise made not only be our family but by

I can't put these darn books down. I am so not a reader and then to reread the same books is just crazy. But I can't get the characters out of my mind, I have no clue why. I am am so good at reading a book and putting it down and moving on but not with these books. I can't seem to stop reading them. I swear if you have not read them you have to. I did get one crochet project done in the few minutes I did put the book down by my word I have never been dragged into someones life so seriously in a book before and now I am going insane as I wait for the last book. I want to get a WOO HOO out to Chessica. I won't shout to loud on here why because I don't know if she has told everyone her good news, so if you haven't heard from her give her a call and ask her why she is walking on cloud nine right about now. She deserves it. No news on any jobs for David yet. We keep hoping each week will bring some good news but have started to realize it may be a longer process even

So Kalaree tells me that there is a new books series out that she has to read. I was heading to Barnes and Noble anyways to get a summer curriculum for the girls so I figured hey lets pick it up. The books are the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyers. When I was buying the first book the gal at Barnes and Noble said this was the new Harry Potter. It was great I started reading the book that evening and finished it at 3:30 in the morning. I went back the next day and bought the next two books in the series. It is about star crossed lovers but the author is great at setting up a new suspense before letting you in on the last one. I couldn't put them down. I read all three books in three days. The fourth and last book of the series is coming out August 2nd. I can't wait, I am stuck waiting to find out what happens and what becomes of these people in the book. ARGH!!!!! Why didn't I wait till all the books had been released. But at least now I can try to get my crochet projects

I never got back on to post how the garage sale went. Well we set up on Thursday and then Friday was our big day. We had a few people stop by on Saturday but it never picked up. We didn't do to bad on it. I am adding pictures but please don't shoot me for all the clothes. I realize now that I have an addiction and I am starting to say NO a lot more. It was fun to sit and talk with Mikaela, especially now that she is down in Salt Lake for the next couple of weeks and I am not a priority. HEHEHEHEHE!!!! I still have not sold me entertainment center, so I am listing it on Craigslist to see if I can get it gone.

Oh my goodness, you should see all of our stuff. I swear that our 2 family yard sale has more stuff than a few church rummage sales that I have been to in the last few years. I will drop in some pictures tomorrow after I get some taken. I don't even know where I has all this stuff hidden. We had a bunch of people stop in today and I made $39 dollars even before the sale opens tomorrow. Well I am off to bed, I am not sure where my feet are right now and I can barely keep my eyes open and I have to be up bright and early tomorrow to finish pricing things. I AM SO TIRED!!!! Good night.

Kami is: You Are Snow White! Pure and trusting. You are a gentle soul who can get along with just about anyone. Everyone you meet instantly falls in love with you. How can they resist? You have a pure, lovable nature that's irresistable. Just don't trust everyone who comes across your path. Which Disney Princess Are You? Kezri is: You Are Ariel! Headstrong and fiesty. You have a mind of your own that's full of romantic dreams about the world around you. Exploring exotic places is your ultimate dream, and although you can be a little naive you'll realize that there is something to be gained from your family's wisdom. Which Disney Princess Are You? Kalaree is at camp we will have to do her's when she gets home.

I couldn't be the mom of girls and not post this: You Are Cinderella! Dignified and hard working. With a gentle and soft-spoken manner you have something many people don't. Patience. Even through the moments of heartbreak you're still able to hold onto all of your hopes and dreams. Bide your time; your dream will come true. Which Disney Princess Are You?

That is right I am done. No more school, no more books, no more student's dirty looks. HAHAHAHA!!!! I finished up with an all day boring staff meeting discussing things for next year. Can't you imagine how wonderful it is to sit in a room and hear about all the stuff that will happen next year and not be involved. I doodled, some wonderful doodles in fact. It was a full page (legal size at that) of a honey comb and a large bee on it. I also did a wonderful bunch of flowers on the other page. See my days in grad school have come in handy. I learned some wonderful doodling techniques in those classes and I have been able to put them to use in the real world. With all this humor I do have to admit I will miss those people. Mardee, Candace and Erica took me out to lunch on Monday. It was so wonderful to sit and visit with these gals. They got me the instruction book for making bead boxes and the beads to make my first box. I am really excited to get that started but really have a

I know day late and well not quite a dollar sort. Yesterday was Father's day and I really wanted to say something to all the father's in my life. First there is my dad. I can remember numerous nights staying up late and just talking. I know it is you that helped me better understand life and people in general. As much as I know that you aren't exactly a believer in psychology, I do know that for a non believer you sure taught me a lot about it growing up. I could always count on you to be there when I really needed an ear or even just a shoulder to cry on. I remember those days feeding animals (mostly bottles in the cold morning to the calves and boy did they stink), shooting guns in the back forty, riding shot gun in the pick up truck down the back roads with the window rolled down, I remember the time when I had come to stay with you that one week in Moses before the family moved there. You taught me what to look for in a spouse. It was difficult to find someone that was

WOW!!! Three post in a row all with pictures. I must really being on to something here. Well it is official. After 5 years, Kami is on a big girl bike. Every year we have gone out and put her on it and she has not been ablet o peddle it and steer it at the same time so back tot he trike she went. Well this was the year. We headed out, put training wheels back on the bike that Kezri just out grew and put on helmets and then Kami was off and running. She had it down from the word go. Yes there are training wheels, but I am sure with as fast as she has picked this up we may be out of them by summers end if we play our cards right. It was so fun to watch her riding with her dad and Kezri. I can't believe we have finally moved into the big girl world. I love that they are all getting so big and we can start to do all these fun things. I am so excited. I am attaching the pictures and the videos for everyone to enjoy. WATCH VIDEO HERE

Yesterday was a very productive day. We started first thing in the morning. I had Stake baptisms to be at and David and the girls started by cleaning. At 11 Kezri headed out to an activity day pool party that lasted from 11-2. I got home right around 11 and started working on those 55 gallon drums full of clothes that were in the garage. 10 full drums but I got through each one. We found Kalaree's temple dress from when we were sealed and a few other dresses that were rather special. Plus a few clothes that fit both Kezri and Kami. But for the most part it was full of baby clothes. I swear I have a clothes addiction. I remember most of the outfits but holy cow were there a ton of clothes. I got the ten barrels down to three full ones to sell at the garage sale and 1 that went start to Goodwill for donation. Once the sale is over all 10 drums will be empty and we can use them to move with. I can't believe what a pack rat I have become. Now I know most are wondering why being so

Kami has officially graduated from preschool. The ceremony was wonderful. They walked in, lined up, sang the ABC song, signed the ABC song. Then they sang the days of the week song in both english and spanish. They handed out diplomas and then we all shared pizza and cake. Not long at all but Kami sure felt special because of her special day. Walking into the ceremony: Class of 2008: Receiving her diploma: Kami with her diploma: Kami and Kezri afterwards: ZZtop at her graduation (not really, but had to document that people in real life actually do dress like this, because I know none of you would believe me when I told you about it.): I have a video of the performance that I can email out to anyone that wishes to see it. I just can't download it here since it would take all day.

Just kidding of course, however come to think of it I haven't seen her in a few days. I swear I didn't think my little apartment could get any smaller but it has. We are now at a small ton of stuff for the garage sale. We finished out the kitchen and that is four large boxes and hte girls room which is another four large boxes. Add to that the already giant box of clothes and you have no room left in the living room. We plan to get to the garage done this week or maybe even this weekend. perfect timing since Kalaree will be leaving for girls camp on Monday of next week. I think I should of cleaned the garge out first and then done the rest thast way I would have somewhere to put all this stuff rather than in the middle of my living room. Pray for us that we find the cat.

So as you probably know already Mikaela and I hang out a ton. Well yesterday Mikaela and I went to Best Buy so I could get David's father's day gift. We get there and I am looking at the GPS units (David already got his gift so I can say this.) Well this guy was helping us out and all was going well. I picked out the one I wanted ant he guy asked if we were done shopping. Mikaela then says that she needs to get an SD card for her camera. So this guy says he will take the GPS unit to the front for me. Mikaela and I held over the SD cards when all of a sudden here comes the Best Buy Guy. Mikaela says, "so coming to hide over here and look busy." The guy goes, "yea something like that." So Mikaela is asking what SD card to get. Finally I say, "just get that one that is 1 gig for $6.99. Both Mikaela and the Best Buy guy were like which one and I point to this one in an open package. The Best Buy guy then tells Mikaela that all things that are repackaged are

Today I was working at Michael Anderson and Mikaela asked if I wanted to meet for lunch in Airway Heights. Things have been slow at work, so I took her up on the offer. We ended up at the McDonald's, since we had McKay and Kami, and this allowed them the opportunity to run and play. Mikaela and I are sitting there eating and Kami and McKay are playing on the toys. I look over and Kami must of smelt something because she grabbed McKay by the back of his pants and pull it back to "check." Mikaela looks at me and says, "Did she just do a poop check?" Kami is such a little mom to McKay, but I have never seen her do this before. She then comes over to us and I asked her if she had smelt something and she said, "yes but didn't see anything." Mikaela then tells her, "well don't be checking anyone else." It turns out that McKay was in fact poopy. So while Kami's nose works, her poop checks need some practice.

One last post for the day. But I wanted to let everyone know that Kami will be graduating from preschool on June 10th at 6:30 pm. They have this whole ceremony planned with the cap and gown and all this other good stuff. Kami is so excited, they are going to sing a few songs and do something else but she can't tell us. There is also a reception following the ceremony. My baby is really growing up. She is moving on to Kindergarten in the fall and before I know it she will be in high school. I know I am a drama queen we have to get her into grade school first, but it is really hitting home that I don't have a baby anymore. It is so nice that she still loves to cuddle and hang on but that is starting to get fewer and farther in between. Plus it just wouldn't be right for me to not let her grow up. She really is ready for Kindergarten. She writes her name, has about 40 site words that she can read, she knows all her colors and shapes. Recognizes all the letters in the alphabet

Just when I think I have this working mom thing down I realize that I am truly failing at it. I did not plan a birthday party for Kalaree this year. I totally spaced it. Not her actual birthday but the whole party thing. Usually by the first of May I am starting to get it together and no later than mid May it is planned, well not this year. Instead mid May I was making a trip to Battle Ground, and since my life has been consumed with the move and all the other stuff that goes along with that such as finding work etc. I just spaced the whole party thing. We did get her birthday presents. Mikaela and I went shopping on Saturday and Dave and I got her a dress (lime green with white polka dots), white cardigan, and a necklace set to match. The girls got her a frog ring with an opal in it and two hair barrette things from finder's keepers, very pretty dragonflies (one green and one blue.) Mikaela picked up a hand bag and a pair of shoes for her that would go with the dress as well as an

Well not real new. I stumbled across her paintings when David and I were in Seattle last November. Her name is Liz Lemon Swindle. My absolute favorite painting of hers is Friends . It is a picture of Christ sitting next to a little girl and they are talking. The first time I saw it, tears starting coming down my face. This painting depicks everything I feel about our Saviour. He is not rigid and stiff, instead He is warm and loving and welcoming a true friend willing to talk anytime we need that someone to just listen. I keep waiting for this painting to go to print, since there is no way I can afford the large oil painting, but a large print I may be able to pull off eventually.

So a word to the wise, never check your blog while at your friend's house and forget to log out prior to leaving. Your "friend" may leave random messages from you around the blog world. I promise to anyone that has found my blog by a crazy comment left on your blog. I was purely innocent in this. I will not talk about purple people eaters, one eyed toads or any such randomness in a comment unless of course it has been a rather long day and rest assured that has not happened in a a rather long time.

I just have to brag that I am raising a very "classy" young lady. This morning while everyone was piled into my room to get dress I hear this really loud, surely on demand, belch. Kalaree instantly says, "UUHH gross, Kezri." Kezri: "hehehehe" Kalaree: "You need to act more like a lady, that is how the boys act at my school act and it is so gross." Kezri: "Hey at least I didn't say, 'pull my finger'." i can only hope that someday I am blessed to have at least one of my children talented enough to belch their alphabets and it sounds like Kezri is on the right track.