About my blogging hiatus...

Some of you might be wondering why the sudden decline in new posts. We've been on a serious potty training schedule. I think I reached my limit on diaper changes and spending money on them when I know Grace is old enough to be potty-trained. So after spending long day with the stress of it all I went to work. I started doing some research and found a book online written by a mom/ day care provider who has potty trained over 300 kids plus her own three boys. Her only credentials is her experience and doesn't mess around with theories, and what psychologists say. Start pre-potty training months before by making sure to keep them as dry as possible. That means being on top of the diaper changing and yes avoiding that saggy diaper look. So I've already started with Andrew. So far Grace hasn't had an accident for a couple days and we throw the biggest parties ever when she goes no.2 in the toilet. I think I almost cried because I was so happy. Having the week off for Thanksgiving relaxed us a bit. Hopefully she will stay consistent while at school. We had a great Thanksgiving with my family this year and even managed to get some family pictures taken. So don't be surprised if you've already seen our picture when it arrives in your mail. Mom made an awesome meal with all the fixings' and Laura made sweet potato casserole. She did a great job. It was a full house, though we did miss Kyle a ton. It was really weird not to have him there but it sounds like he was well taken care of at a members house. I am so grateful for all our friends and family. We have so many good people around us and who support us. I am so grateful for my own family. It is so fun so see them grow and to watch them start new things. Trev is such a hard working, loving, and fun husband and dad. It's the kids highlight when dad comes home. They always give him such a grand welcome home hug. I'm usually in the kitchen waiting for my turn. Anyway that's what's new with us hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

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Go Tyler Go!

Tyler is officially a kid. Since the sun decided to come out again this week we decided Tyler was ready to learn how to ride on two wheels. After I spent about an hour getting him brave enough to try it and letting him get the feel of it Trev came home and spent 5 minutes with him and he was off. He is doing so good! It's really nice to have such a long driveway for hime to ride on. This is exactly what I pictured when we decided to get our driveway paved. He said he needed to know how to ride a bike so he can go on a mission like uncle Kyle is in Arizona. Thank goodness for good examples.

The Cutest Kids

I know I'm a little bias but I love all these kids. They each have the cutest little personalities. We are really excited to have Tiff, Brad and Ava move out here in a couple of weeks. Grace needs her "baby Aba". We've had a great week because GRACE GOT HER CAST OFF!!!!! Yes it finally happened and she's a little wobbly but loving her independence. We just need to work on her whining a little bit and we'll be good. Me and the kids got our flu shots on monday, Grace got her cast off on wednesday, Andrew had his last well baby check up thursday. I guess that means he's no longer a baby. That is really sad! Britt got to hear Andrew yell at me when I wouldn't let him keep his huge tonka trunk in his crib with him while he took a nap. It went something like"No no no no, blah blah blah blah, no no no no", with his finger pointing at me the whole time. Of course I couldn't help myself from laughing, which I think only angered him more. Lately instead of crying I just laugh at everything, I think it keep me sane. Mom had a birthday on Wednesay and we all went out to dinner except for Trev because had to go to Young Men's, he's so responsible. Anyway lifs is on the up and up and Tyler has his sacrament Primary program this sunday. He has his part memorized and knows the songs. We'll see what happens when it's time to get up there. O.k. that's all I have to say, and congratulations to Shelane and Wade, they're expecting there 5th child and it's a boy!!!

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After the afternoon session of General Conference we stuffed the kids full of muffins, hash browns, Poferges (little pancakes from Holland), and juice. It was delicious. I finally got some pictures of Grace's cast using my mom's camera. Mine decided to quit after 5 years, 3 kids, well you understand... I managed to get Grace to sit still long enough for me to french braid her hair but it didn't last very long, but she's adorable anyway. Only 1 1/2 weeks till that beautiful cast comes off. She's trying to get get away with walking on it but we were given strict instructions from the doctor not to let her so we just keep having to tell her to sit on her bum, or at least what's left of it. She's lost tons of weight no idea how much but we can tell. As you can see she does eat. Maybe that's the next big diet craze. Break something that makes you immobile so you can only eat when somebody brings you your food. Hmmm we'll have to see....

Update from yesterday

In case you were wondering Andrew did throw up last night and if you were wondering, almost 2 year olds don't like having a bowl in front of their face, they would rather let the mess spread all over their bed. I love laundry!!! So far Trev and I are in the clear, cross your fingers that it's just a kid thing. I'm thinking about calling the Lysol company and tell them that 99.9% isn't good enough, I want 100% disinfectant. More to come...

Kaiser's Flu clinic starts the 13th!

I woke this morning to hear the sound of Tyler running into the bathroom and thought to myself "yay, I don't have to wake him up this morning". But as I walked into the bathroom I saw him crouching over the toilet puking. So when he was done I asked him if he was o.k. and I felt his head and no temperature. So I thought well at least it's just one kid. He said he felt better so I had him get dressed for school thinking and praying that he just had too much bacon last night with his BLT sandwich. So off to school we go. WAIT MOM STOP! I'M GOING TO THROW UP! Oh yes we had to stop just past Nikki's house on the way to school so he could empty what was left of his stomache. Then I turn my head only to see Nikki and her clan driving past us and she is full on cracking up. I think it's because yesterday I called her to tell her when the first day of Kaiser's flu clinic is, the 13th. Why did we talk about it! O.K. fine you can stay home Tyler ( poor kid). Well at least Grace is o.k. she can go to school. I hear a cough from the back and look and then eruption from my poor little Grace, yes her too. Well that was a fun ride in the car. I kept thinking please don't throw up on that cast because I can wash clothes but not the cast. So Andrew's fine, so far I'll keep you posted...there's always tonight!

Puka the dog

For those of you who have been any part of the Smith family you know who Puka is. Last wednesday my mom discovered that she was bleeding from her "girl area" and that required an emergency visit to Loomis Basin Vet clinic which resulted in a two night stay after a mass was discovered. She was sent home on friday only to learn that night that is was cancer. After some of the shock has worn off it was decided the only humane thing to do to this very sweet little dog was to put her down. So saturday was tough. This might shock a few but yes we all cried. She was loved and spoiled by her feeding schedules and potty routine. The only thing that kind of tipped us off was how much of a routine she really had and how it had changed a lot. So what is the deal with pets who die? Will they be there ready to welcome us when we leave this world. I think so, but Puka will be barking to warn others that we've arrived. Thanks Puk for always being there.

Reflecting on my Birthday

I just wanted to thank everybody for your well wishes on my birthday. I can't believe that I'm 27, on the other hand I have accomplished enough so I'm just about age appropriate. Today in church we sang "Because I have been given much", what a perfect song to sing on a birthday. It made me think of all the blessings in my life, family, friends who have always shown their love for me. I have a wonderful husband who understands me and loves me despite all my faults. It's kind've become a joke that my birthday is starting to become a birthday week, but it's just a good excuse to have fun and be with loved ones. My three darling children who light up my life everyday. They are such precious gifts to me and always make me smile. O.k. enough mushiness. Thanks for loving me

Random pictures of the family

Andrew at Ward Talent show
Tyler on Cruiser

Grace on Cruiser


Tyler had a school field trip to Fairlytale town, thus the red shirt

Our little cowgirl

Andrew's 1st year picture

Trev and LT (little Trevor) on his 2 year birthdayChristmas 2007

Andrew at San Francisco Giants game

Grace and Tyler outside AT&T Park

Tyler's first day of Kindergarten

5 years old

Grace first day of Pre-School

Almost 3

Are you kidding Me?

O.k Laura, this is for you!
So I guess my life has been pretty comically eventful lately. From backed up septic system in my newly remodeled bathroom, Grace's broken leg on labor day, Tyler's quarter sized wad of tissue that had to be vacuumed out of his nose, and my muscle spasms in my back... exactly, are you kidding me! The timeline of events was all within a week of each other and leaving me only to have to visit Kaiser about 4 times.
Tyler started Kindergarten and has been wearing a certain color shirt for the past two weeks to go with the theme in his class. I didn't make him wear pink on picture day, that would've been one for the yearbook. Can you believe my son is going to be in a year book! I think that is just so amazing that I'm old enough to have a kid in a yearbook. Yes I'm having a birthday on Sunday. I'm not so excited about this one, it's old. Almost 30 , only 3 years away. How the heck did that happen? Well as long as I don't feel it I guess that's all that matters. Well an update soon I'm sure if life keeps going the way it is!