Discounted ski school/pass

A great friend of ours, whom also is part of our homeschool group, was able to get Sundance ski resort to give homeschoolers a discounted ski package. The kids get two hours of ski school and then a pass to ski the rest of the day. This is our second year participating. It has been so much fun for them.

Rick was able to get a free ski pass as the chaperon and has enjoyed having that time with the kids.

This year Rick took the girls up to the top and had them ski down with him. It was steeper than they like. But they did it and felt a great sense of accomplishment. Shelby and Taylor both like a slower journey down the mountain. I think Ricky will be the speed demon going to the top with dad and liking every minute of it. LOL.

Remembering Grandma Smith

On December 19, 2010 my loving Grandma Loria Smith passed away and is singing with her husband as they continue to watch us all carry on their loving legacy.

My mom and 3 uncles answered a sweet prayer of mine to be able to speak at her funeral. It was so amazing to talk with cousins and remember the sweet memories of this great woman that played a big role in molding us into who we are today. When I remember Grandma it will be with a smile.

I'd like to share my talk. There are so many more memories. Maybe by reading these words more memories will come and big smiles will follow.

I was asked to retell the great memories of all the grandchildren that we have of grandma. I hope you don't mind me chewing gum today. This isn't meaning to be disrespectful. It is actually a tribute to grandma. She usually had a piece of gum. I remember fondly showing me how she made the gum POP!

We all didn't call her by the same name. For some it was Grandma Smith, Grandma, maama, etc. But in collecting memories one thing was the same. Grandma made all of us smile.

When Grandma was in her house I'd call her and we'd spend most of the time catching up on what you all were doing. I knew what everyone was up to, who came by, who took her shopping or to the doctors, how everyone did at wrestling matches, cheer competition, races, car shows, and how much fun she had at birthday parties.

She always made me smile.

There are a number of things that would bring memories back of wonderful times at Grandma's, and all I need to do is mention a few words and everyone can picture the whole scene as if it were yesterday.

She always made us smile.

Grandma's door was always open and she always had food ready on the stove. She gave us all wonderful traditions of chicken and dumplings, jello salad with fruit, the best canned green beans, little debbies, banana baby food, and coke was always known as "pop".

Christmas was the best time of the year. Grandma didn't have much in money but we never knew that. There was never a shortage of love. We would all sit in her front room with a stocking full of my favorite Christmas gifts. Socks, underwear, and a book of lifesavers and other hard candy. And she wouldn't start until everyone was there. I remember waiting for Uncle John until what seemed to an 8 year old girl like midnight before we opened our gifts. (It was really only 9pm)

The best memory the great grand kids have is the "party" grandma had at her house on the 4th of July. She loved her grand babies. Even when her health started getting bad she just wanted to see and take care of the grand babies.

Everyone can remember the Ouija board. We were in trouble for knocking everything down s we all piled on top of each other down the stairs. Grandma was there telling parents to "leave those babies alone". "They didn't hurt anything".

The Athena restaurant was where grandma made those amazing salads and where some of us sat and ate chips with blue cheese dressing, Greek olives, and talked to grandma while she worked.

Grandma would always let us get pizza from Casano's across from her house. I felt so grown up. She'd let us call ad order it and walk over to pick it up.

Nikki tells a story about just how much grandma enjoyed us all and loved to help and be a part of everything we were doing. It was her first date with Josh and she wanted to make chicken and dumplings. She called grandma and grandma stayed on the phone as she took Nikki step by step until it was done.

Kim tells a story about how inventive grandma was. Nothing was to hard and there was always a solution. Chelsea was a baby and grandma was babysitting her. Kim called to make sure grandma had what she needed and grandma said Shaun forgot diapers. Grandma told Kim she found something and she was alright. When Kim got off work and went to pick Chelsea up, she saw that Grandma had used dish towels and maxi pads. Everything was just fine.

She always made us smile.

Grandma made the best macaroni salad. It was at all the family gatherings. She had the kids always help out. Some of us used a knife for the first time cutting up pickles for her. Do you remember the year she lost her band aide?

She always made us smile.

It was so much fun at grandma's house. I loved her big tree. We used that tree as "base" for hundreds of games of tag and hide and seek. Grandma would sit on her front porch and watch us play.

We always made her smile.

When grandma got frustrated and tried to call one of our names, she'd run threw all 9 of the other grand kids names until she got to the one she wanted. This wasn't a bad thing. Just one thing that made us smile.

Kmart was one of her favorite stores. Grandma took me there when I was about 8 and got my picture taken. She had gotten me a pair of purple corduroy overalls that I loved. I kept wearing those even when they were to short. That was my favorite picture.

Grandma loved doing things with us.

She always made us smile.

The best memories would be the 45+ years we grand kids were blessed to spend with her.

She loved us and always made us smile.

Miss Perfect

We were so excited yesterday to find out that Pageant Perfect (a pageant coach) had submitted Shelby's picture to a photographer and she was chosen as Novembers Miss Perfect.

More benefits to doing a pageant just keep rolling in. This news gave Shelby such a confidence boost.

Her is the link to see her picture on their website. You will need to scroll to the bottom.

http://www.pageant-perfect.com/

Pride and Prejudice

Shelby had the great opportunity to audition and receive the part of Miss Bingly in the Homeschool Theatre's production of Pride and Prejudice.

This was cast with all homeschoolers age 11-18 in the Utah County area. The kids practiced for 3 months and did an amazing job. They also held a garage sale to raise money. Moms were left to come up with costumes. Those like myself who don't sew relied on Ebay to get their hands on the perfect one. Shelby looked amazing on stage.

I would like to thank the Liechty's for this amazing opportunity for our kids. It was marvelously produced and a wonderful show.

The production was supposed to be performed at the Grove Theatre in Pleasant Grove. However, the night of the first show we found out the Fire Marshall had closed the theatre. There was a mad dash to find another place. Another auditorium was found and the show went on.

There are so many wonderful opportunities for our children. I am so thankful for the wonderful families that share their interests and talents with us.

Arrow of Light Recipient

Ricky earned his Cub Scout Arrow of Light this summer. They had the ceremony for him at the end of October. He had a lot of fun working on the requirements.

We are so proud of him. We love the Scouting program. It teaches young boys to respect themselves and others. It helps Ricky realize that his contributions to the world matter. One person can make a difference.

He is a great example to those around him. We can't wait to start working on Boy Scout badges!

Fall is the best time of year.

"Even if something is left undone, everyone must take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn."
- Elizabeth Lawrence


A week before Halloween it snowed here in Utah! Yes, the kids were so excited. Ricky can't wait to build a snow fort in the backyard. But that will be a few months away. We had the best Halloween this year. Parties everywhere and great costumes the kids were excited about. Our football teams aren't doing so well this year. But we still love them and still wear the colors proudly.

They forcasted snow the second week in October. That is early. Even here. We couldn't believe it. Yep, we woke up and we had white grass outside. It was official. Time to get out the coats, gloves, hats, boots, scarves, and sweaters in preparation for the fall/winter weather. My oldest needed everything. She went from being a tween last year to a full blown adult this year. Nothing fit. Luckily she takes care of her stuff and it was in like new condition and the next daughter inherited 2 jackets and a new ski jacket and boots. My youngest is a boy. I'm not mean enough to make him wear his sisters stuff from last year. Luckily he only needed new boots and gloves. I got them each a few sweaters/sweat shirts and we are good to go.

Halloween was a blast!!! It started Thurs. were I drove my oldest and 4 friends to a big Halloween party. They all had on great costumes. They all had a great time. Lots of stories to be told. Then Friday there was a skating party and another party that night for the other two kids. Everyones favorite game was "Darling if you love me smile".


It is so wonderful to have great kids around to associate with. Good clean fun was had by all.

Football this year has produced winning season for our favorite teams. The Broncos are just sad. We watch hoping to see Tim Tebow play. Rick will pause the game and yell for everyone to come watch because Tim Tebow is in for one play. LOL! BYU isn't that great either. But we are true fans. There through thick and thin.

It was one of those perfect English autumnal days which occur more frequently in memory than in life. ~P.D. James

Thoughts will take you to amazing places

I know it has been a while since I last posted. I have been doing a lot of thinking about where we are going in our journey in life, and didn't really have anything "great" to write. Or so I thought.

First let's start with the Pageant. Wow! I learned not to judge a book by its cover. I have judged pageant girls my whole life. And not in a good light, I might add. I am here to tell everyone it is a lot more than just looking pretty on stage. Now that does play a role. The girl needs to be poised, graceful, and look very comfortable in front of a lot of people. And that isn't an easy task. But they also have some very great qualities I must say are not so visible and you don't get to see.

I thought my daughter's resume was exceptional. She volunteers, has a 4.0 GPA, is Secretary of her Sophomore class, is a cheerleader, and swims. But so are the other girls. My daughter also plays the piano, but the other girls are concert pianist, simi pro ballerinas, and play violin in symphonies. These girls are so talented and dedicated. Great lesson in "you can always improve". I really had not looked into what a Pageant is all about. I just saw a few things and made my judgment. A great lesson in 'not judging others'.

Next, we'll go on to my son's football career. He's 10 and plays 5th grade football. My son loves football. He knows more about the game than most adults. His dream is to play football in High School and hopefully in college. I played sports. I know you get great coaches and not so great coaches. I also know about the politics that are involved. The coaches son usually gets to play the "key" positions. That's why the coach is out there. That is why my husband and I have both coached. I get it and accept it. But I am having a hard time with our current situation. I try to keep a positive attitude. My son gets screamed at and humiliated by his coach, and I tell him he is just trying to make you a better player. It is building character. Right? Recently, I have started doubting that philosophy. It started a week ago in a game when the coach wanted my son to cover a certain "hole" and wasn't communicating it well enough and got frustrated. He grabbed my son and pushed him. Ricky fell down. I was beyond control. Right there in front of the whole team I let the coach have it. I know see things with new eyes. I don't see him as trying to help my son. He doesn't have my son's interest in heart at all. He is about himself and where all this going to take him. Perspective in situations lets you see the same situation totally differently. I know see that my son is a 10 year old boy. He needs to be gaining confidence. Don't be torn down all the time. That isn't building character. It is leaving him not wanting to play football.

Can he reach his goals playing for another team, in a different division? Yes, he can. Another football coach (High School) even told my husband that. Right now my son just needs to be learning good fundamentals and gaining confidence. Confidence is the difference between good and great.

Next, is my middle daughter. She quit swimming last spring to play softball. She swam on a recreational team for fun and keep in shape, but left her club team that swam every day. When she went back in the fall they didn't pick her back up. They told me that she shouldn't have left. At first my view was "how crazy". Taylor had learned this summer that swimming is her love and she wanted to only do swimming from now on. This was a crushing blow. I knew of another team that is a 20-30 minute drive (depending on traffic). I hesitated taking her there, but then decided it wasn't that bad. So we are now on that team and we drive everyday. Taylor is swimming better and faster. She has great confidence in what she is doing. So the "bad" experience, brought an even better experience our way. Perspective!

I have a lot of parents tell me I am crazy for driving so much. No I'm not. It's just your perspective. Just because you wouldn't do it, doesn't mean I shouldn't.