May The Force Be With You

What do you get when you have a spectacular seamstress for a mother and an out-of-the-box handyman for a husband (with several handy helpers)?

THIS…for Halloween (and I can’t claim an ounce of credit for it, unless taking a few measurements counts as an ounce).

My Mother hand-made all of these fabulous costumes (except for R2D2, which Brent and the kids made…out of a box). She cut and stitched everything from cloaks and belts all the way down to Yoda’s ears and toes. (And a few extra credits include: Diggy made Yoda’s light saber, Kenny made his own boots, and Kirsti braided Anakin’s trendy hairpiece.)

Halloween wasn’t going to be this big.

But a few months ago, the older kids watched “Star Wars: A New Hope” and began coordinating make-shift outfits to reminisce some of their favorite scenes. Then Allison started waddling around like a robot and saying things like, “Hello. I am C3PO.” and “R2D2, where are you?” in an adorable robot-English accent. And things snowballed from there.

I thought it would be a stretch to convince Cienna to play Yoda. But she LOVED painting her face green and carrying a light saber around (having her siblings bow to her and call her, “Master,” might have had something to do with it). The perfect Yoda she is.

So the extra $$ spent on costumes this year was well-worth the family memories!

One of the many perks to this year’s Halloween extravaganza =

R2D2 can play along even when MaryAnn doesn’t feel like pretending.

And this was MY favorite scene to act out.

SEEING a Dream Come True

Many years ago…after the honeymoon was over, Brent’s job was on a role (but very stressful), and 3 little ones were squealing between my legs while I tried to keep dinner from burning…Brent and I asked each other night after night, “WHAT do we want to do with our lives—besides THIS?! (ie. bring home the bacon and cook it)” 

And so our conversations about family goals, education, service, and happiness started mixing together. We dreamed up where we wanted to be in 5 or 20 or 50 years and what day-to-day living (and sacrificing) needed to be like in order to get there. I’ll spare all the details for now, but one of our lofty dreams—to take our children to a foreign country for a service trip—bloomed last week…

Brent took Kenny and Diggy to Mexico for 3 days to assist Dr. Lofgran (one of Brent’s best friends) and his associates (including his two young Lofgran boys). They tested and fitted 243 people for glasses in Caborca.

The experience was everything we hoped it would be.

The kids collected used glasses from the local elementary school and from friends/ family before the trip.  They were giddy as they packed their week’s needs into a backpack and tried to retire to bed early because their plane left before the sun rose the next morning. They visited with Nana and Papa and the Arizona gang in route to the border.

Once there, the work began. For two days, they hustled around from 8-5 sorting glasses, testing eyes, and entertaining the young children. (Remember the rubber band bracelet fad from about 2 years ago?? We Smiths collected waaaayyy too many of those, so the boys brought them along to give away to kids they met…it was a huge hit!) Challenges like 100 degree weather and the Mexican late-lunch schedule (one day lunch came at 5 pm) threatened to slow them down, but they persevered and say they would go back and do it again in a heart-beat.

I think my favorite story was about the 80-ish year-old woman pictured above. She received her first-ever pair of glasses last week. And when Brent helped her put them on, her face lit up and she said, [English translation] “You are so handsome! I couldn’t see you before, but now I CAN and you are so handsome!”

I couldn’t agree more.

Benefits went beyond the chance to work and serve in another country.  When the work was through, Mexican ice cream (which really IS to die for!) was devoured and the beach was conquered.  They watched the sun rise over the horizon, collected shells along the shore, and said hello to the dolphins playing in the distance.

My Boys were immersed in a totally different culture for three days and came away with a greater appreciation for service, friendship, life, and love. Thank you, Adam, for inviting them along. (And Thank You, Megan, for supporting your husband in that noble cause while 8 1/2 months pregnant—good luck these next few weeks!!) If the opportunity comes around again…COUNT US IN (the girls are anxiously awaiting their turn…including me)!!

While the Boys were away, the Girls hearts grew fonder for them. (And my heart felt tickled that they were off braving the challenges of a new land and learning a deeper meaning of service.)

To pass the time, we had some serious Girl-bonding time. We strolled through fall leaves, watched Mary Poppins, had a princess card-making party with Auntie Karen, and had a slumber party every night (wearing our pink nightgowns of course).

And we were so excited about the sea-shell necklaces and beautiful fans that accompanied our inspiring young men on their journey home.

3 and 3

We just celebrated two lovely birthdays…

MaryAnn is 3 MONTHS old now. Yeah for her! Sometimes, I’m surprised she’s surviving the moment to moment madness that’s part of being in our home, and in the same breath I know she’s one lucky little girl to have 7 big people caring for her every need.

3 words to describe this little angel: Smile Melts Hearts (or maybe Fist Tastes Great)

 

And Cienna is 3 YEARS old!

We thought of all sorts of 3-word-phrases to describe this Darling-Young-Woman. A few notable ones include: I Remember Everything; Mouth Constantly Moves (or the sibling interpretation = A-Broken-Record…and yes, Mom, I’m beginning to understand why I was labeled Motor-Mouth by my first grade teacher); Hyper-Active Amygdala (because she still feels threatened by Halloween costumes she saw 2 years ago and the bear who came right up to the glass at the zoo several months back); No More Diapers (Brent’s idea…but it’s just wishful thinking…still working to complete Phase 2); and Highly-Sensitive-Child (Elaine Aron’s book provides a more complete picture of all the bells and whistles and drama and triumph that accompanies such a pretty face…I’m glad I read it).

Here are a few more:

 Desperate For Attention (and good at getting it…even in the face of competition)

 

Love To Help  (washing potatoes is a favorite)

Obsessed With Flag-shirt (and with the whole family wearing theirs…so we DID on her birthday) (And, yes, that’s a slobber mark on my shoulder…it’s the new style. I’m sure you can pay big bucks for pre-slimed shirts at your local department store or maybe online. But mine’s authentic…and priceless.)

And 3 words for both girls: Best Friends Forever!

Expedition Impossible

ABC’s Expedition Impossible has done the impossible…it has become the FIRST show in nearly 10 years that has captivated my attention. I’ve never seen a full episode of American Idol or 24 (is that show still running??), but I’m actually anxious to gather the family around the tube on Thursday nights to watch a blind man jump off cliffs, tame a wild stallion, and kayak in raging waters…Go No Limits!

It’s been so inspiring, Team Smith Kids (minus MaryAnn) decided to tackle a few obstacles of their own.

In prep…we tie-dyed t-shirts the day before and the kids packed for the unknown events ahead. Diggy thought to pack popcorn…just in case…And it proved to be worthwhile cargo….used to creatively convince  their 2-yr-old teammate to set aside emotional concerns and agree with her siblings for an entire hour.

After taking off on bikes with Allison and Cienna in tow behind Kenny…

They arrived at their first check-point where they had to strategically climb around on park equipment and then pick who would taste the 5 “yucky” foods waiting at the picnic table.  Luckily, they had Cienna on their team, who happily downed the avocado, her favorite delicacy. 

Then it was back on their bikes to ride nearly 2 miles around a nearby lake…a true test of endurance on a 90 degree day.  

Their map around the lake ended at “Pirate Ship” park where they had to find the X that marks the spot, dig for their final challenge…

And walk across the finish line as a team…

Where the Treasure Box was waiting…with gum in it (immediate gratification for a 2-yr-old) and tickets to go out to eat for dinner and ice cream sundaes.

The adventure was just as exciting and dramatic as the real deal…with tears at times, pure determination and teamwork throughout, and triumph at the finish line.

(One notable dramatic moment occurred at the first check point:  Apparently, my cute husband had arrived at the local school park to hide a clue near the slide and a brown paper bag under the picnic table just after the fire alarm had randomly sounded. So, when the secretary and principal (who had been busy preparing for the upcoming school year) investigated a bit and discovered a “suspicious” man out on the playground sneaking around without a child in sight…they could’ve/should’ve called 911…But after bravely approaching the stranger, the principal recognized him as ordinary Mr. Smith. The rest of us arrived a minute later and while the kids hustled around, I got to hear about Ms. Csensich’s summer adventures in Africa.)

Allison, in her cheerful high-pitched voice, said the most exhausting part was the bike ride around the lake (where she had to sit for a long time next to her nervous sister and wonder when it would end…and the face paint comes from being at Kohl Children’s Museum earlier in the day. It seems fitting.)

But you did it, Al…proof that Smith Kids can “Be Strong, Work Together, and NEVER Give Up!”

A Beautiful Blessing

After a baby is born, we look very forward to the event of blessing our baby in church.

This special day came and went yesterday…and it was a beautiful blessing!

Brent, having the Priesthood, was able to give MaryAnn her blessing. I think my favorite picture of each of our Baby Girls is in their Daddy’s arms as a tender infant dressed in this beautiful white gown made by my mother out of the same fabric she used to make my wedding dress. 

We were especially grateful for so many family members who came from near and far (Arizona and Utah) to share this wonderful day with us!

		MaryAnn’s Blessing VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Weeds

If we paid someone to spray our weeds…

What else would we do for quality family bonding at 7 am on a Saturday morning?

Weeds give our kids a chance to be kids…giving their parents looks like these (notice the difference between a 2-yr-old and 10-yr-old) and asking repeatedly, “How much LONGER do we have to do this?!”

Which then gives us a chance to be, well, parents…coming up with creative “Attack the Weeds” games and trying to work in deep life-changing conversations.

And when are our very observant older children noticed Harry’s lawn across the street and asked, “How does Harry (whose children are grown) get really green grass with NO weeds (something we envy as well)?”

We explained the economics of it all, which because we have very intelligent children, was followed by the question, “Why don’t WE do that??!!”

So, we shared a story with them and told them that we love them oh so much! (Click HERE for the story and look 1/2 way down this article – the part about cows.)

Keep growin’, Weeds. Bring it on!

Adjusting to 6

MaryAnn is nearly 2 weeks old. We all adore her dearly…and can’t stop holding her. She’s angelic.

And even though I’ve been through this a few times and know what to expect, there’s an adjustment nonetheless…every time. Physically, I’m mostly normal again (except for another 20 lbs. to work on over the next several months…I think I’m going to take up yoga, because I already get a cardio workout trying to keep up around here and I don’t plan to jump on the trampoline any time soon.)

Logistically (which contributes to mentally and emotionally)…the adjustment will be on-going. After a relaxing week one, I confess that my nerves have been a bit sensitive during week two (since Brent went back to work and the calls for “Maa-umm” have resumed (at least 100/day…maybe even 1000…usually coming at a steady rate of 6/minute around meal-times or whenever I step into the bathroom). And sensitive nerves = more challenging motherhood. In other words, I get to learn to expand my patience…again. Should be exciting.

A BIG THANK YOU to so many friends and family who have (or will) help in any way as we continue adjusting. Your well-wishes have been very uplifting. Many have brought food, allowing for a much needed delay in resuming full kitchen duty (which, with 8 mouths to feed, is an avg. 5 hr/day job…I guess more now if you count nursing a baby…my cortisol level is rising just thinking about it…another good reason for yoga.) We appreciate friends near and far so much!!

But despite a slightly more stressed mother…we are happy and healthy and are amazed (yet again) at how we just can’t imagine life without our new little one. A little extra adjustment is worth the bundle of joy!!

And I have to share a few photos of my favorite helpers this last week. They have taken the role of “responsible family member” seriously (for several months now) and have been rather happy (and much needed) helpers…I’m quite proud of them!

And because they are such great helpers…they apparently feel adjusted enough to ask, (knowing little MaryAnn will grow up so soon), “When are we going to have another baby?!” Our answer is the same as it has always been…“We’ll have to think about that…for quite a while.”