Our precious angel Dallin Eric Smith is here!!

                                             He weighed 8lbs 7 oz

                                                22 1/2 in. long

                                      Born Thursday October 25th

                        We are so grateful for this miracle in our family- for it truly has been nothing short of that.  We love our little Dallin!!!  

More big News

Yes, and it has to do with having a wonderful big belly!  I am expecting, and due in October.  We feel so blessed to have this chance again especially after being told by my dear doctor that it might be difficult to have any more children- and I was only 30.   But, after many visits to the doctor and trying to work out this issue knowing and feeling that yes there is still another little one to come to our family- it happened!  So thank you to my family, my mom, the doctors,  medicine, and vitamins and especially the miracles from a loving Heavenly Father- we will have another baby. 

A perfect 4 years

O.k. so today I was released from my calling as Primary president (that last part is so weird for me to say! ) Even  after the fact I cannot think of myself as any kind of leader.  But oh, I will miss being there!!!
 These children and teachers have all meant so much to me over these last almost 4 years.  It was so neat to go down memory lane with them during sharing time today and re-live some of my favorite memories with them. ( Like my stolen sharing time!!) I will miss their prayers, their wonderful honest answers, thier hugs, and high fives- everything.  When they were laughing and having fun, I was laughing with them.  When they were going through their difficult experiences- surgery, friend trouble, or even death I cried with each of them.  Some of our teachers and children have gone through some pretty severe trials.  As a "leader" every time I felt helpless as to how to comfort them, help them and show them love. But, through prayer, the help and love of each of my counselors, bishopric, and the spirit I felt upheld.  My pillow at night was at times drenched with tears as I prayed how to help these precious teachers and little ones- but again inspiration would quickly come and I would feel upheld.  Oh you teachers, presidency and children- you will never know how much you mean to me and all you have taught me.  Thank you, thank you for this perfect learning experience for me.  And I will always love each of you!!   And, yes,  of  course I will still give big treats to "my kids" on Halloween, and welcome you over to my house with open arms to play b-ball, make braclets, or just play!  For you each will always have a place in my heart!

 Some of my wonderful counselors and secretaries and friends of course!!. From the left: Lara Strong, Pamela Adamson, and Denice Lingen.  And  Brooke Slighting, Laura Spencer, Sarah Plummer, Adrienne Jenkins, and Adrianne Erickson, I wish I had a complete photo of each of you!!  Each of you have taught me things I could have never learned on my own, been there for me at times when it got a little rough, been patient with me as I have tried to shed more of my own weaknesses, and have just become some of my dearest friends!  And goodness knows you each were my lifesavers especially during the end of the year primary scramble!  I love each of you and always will !

And here is a main reason it has been a "perfect 4 years".  I have felt so lucky to be in Primary with every one of my own children! Benjamin, Andrew and Nathan. This truly will be difficult to leave them.  For although I have been in my calling as (dare I say it again?! )"president" (the name still intimidates me!), I have actually been in primary for 11 years.  Ever since Ben was in nursery, I have been in Primary. I have watched Benjamin come into Primary and now get ready to leave it for YM. And for Andrew I not only got to help organize his baptism as a mother, but also as his leader.  And Natie, because I was in this calling I had a good excuse to just pop in (with teacher permission of course) to his nursery and primary classes to help out, or sing!  And other things I have been blessed with being in Primary with my children that are too sacred, and too personal to write in a blog.  My children mean the world to me and it has been a great heavenly gift to be with them this long.  A pure heavenly gift.  And I will miss them in there!
      I love Primary.  And I will miss it, and those children, and my own children very, very much! 
    Thanks for a perfect 4 years!  (And perfect 11 years with my own children!)

Brigham got a job!

Yes he did! And I am absolutely thrilled! It's been a loooong road! 11 years AFTER his college degree of training, training and more training. And yes I admit there were definitely times when I thought, "why does he want to be a doctor?" especially during those times when we would never see him. I even remember my oldest boys, then younger, seeing daddy walk through the door only to exclaim, "who's that?". We have rarely seen him. But along with the lonely journey, we have had beautiful moments that I wouldn't trade for anything. And hooray now he has a job to show for all this hard work!
So- where are we going? (Drum roll please) We are going to... Salt Lake City, Utah!!
O.k. so yes we are not moving anywhere, but we are all very, very happy. The boys and I get to stay by our close friends at least for another year. Yeah for Brigham job and yeah we are staying in Salt Lake City!

I Thank God for Friends

In August I was able to see many of my close High School friends. It just reminded me again of not only how much I love those girls, but all those who have come into my life to teach me and uplift me. If I could post of a picture of just the friends in my life who have been such an inspiration, it would take years to go through my blog. (Now I can't even see what I'm writing). And I wish I had a picture of each and every person who has meant so much. From the notes, talks, time together, laughing and those who have waded through some of my own personal struggles. I thank God for the timeless, and priceless gift of good friends.

Some of our fun in Summer

Nathan turned 4? Where did the time go? So here is my littlest best bud at his friend party in September. My kids grow too fast. I try to sprinkle magic on them every night- but it isn't working. Nathan's friend party was a Lightning McQueen, and Natie also picked out some construction themed stuff as well. (I love that he still loves that!) We swam in a pool in the backyard, had snacks and pinnatta, but mainly I just wanted to let Nathan play with what he wanted and do what he wanted to do.

In June Ben officially turned 11. I threw him a "favorite things" party where we just did and ate a bunch of his favorite things. So Harry Potter was mixed in with Star wars, he had pumpkin juice and pizza, and many more of Ben's favorite things. I think a favorite of Ben's and his friends though was chasing the girls with nerf guns at the park. (Is he really this old yet?)

In May, Brigham surprised me and took me to Zion's. We hiked, talked, ate at some great places, relaxed and enjoyed each other. It was wonderful. And thanks to my dear for setting that all up- it meant a lot!!

Then in July our Family took a vacation to Yellowstone where we spent about a week, hiking, swimming, and seeing so many of the amazing things there. My personal favorite was hearing the kids gasp when they saw the first sign of the massive heat under this whole amazing place. (We were driving in and saw these hills of steam, and the kids were clearly impressed). That's why I wanted to take our family there!

Heavenly Sisters

I love my sisters. They have each been through a lot lately. Alicia a few months ago was in a long boarding accident and though she is still recovering fully, it truly is a miracle to me she is doing as well as she is. So to Alicia I want to write this little note.

It was hard to watch you go through this accident Alicia, more than I could fully convey. But, the day I came over to help you walk after you were home from the hospital will always be treasured to me. To have your arm around me, and mine around you- to have to walk so close side by side was a heavenly moment for me. Together we walked slowly, trying with each little step to make it around the obstacles back to your home. And know Alicia, that's what I want to be. The kind of big sister who is willing to walk by you, side by side, with whatever trials or challenges you may face, and to help you as you will help me come back Home again to our Heavenly home. So know Alicia, because I feel so much love for you I will ask you about our little "secret goal" and will keep asking, because I am your sister. And I want to be that kind of sister. I love you Alicia.

love, Ces

And to Camille. I have to admit, that every time you have had a pregnancy now, I have held my breath. Waiting and hoping it will not be another miscarriage- and especially another Kylee. So when I found out you were experiencing the same complications as with Kylee- I worried for you. And now, your husband is also not available to help with his recent accident. Oh my dear, I am here for you, and will be here for you. I am so thrilled you can have another baby and want this to be another wonderful experience. You are my sister- my roommate for 16 years and my dear friend. I love you Camille. You have born with all your trials so amazingly and I have no doubt will do so again.

Love, Ces