Changes in the Smith home...

Yikes!
So much has happened in the past few months...I don't know where to begin...

Our family is still doing foster care and we have a new addition that came into our home the day before Thanksgiving and will be in our home for a few months more...She is a darling little 8 month old little girl that came into our care at five months old. It's been an adjustment since our last baby is now 11 years old! hahaha! She's been thriving in our home and has made huge improvements since coming here.

I can honestly say that our Heavenly Father answers prayers... The day before this little one arrived, my neighbor across the street came over and dropped off an infant carseat that they were no longer using. A couple of weeks before that, Alycia's friend's mother dropped off several baby items when she found out we were doing foster care. Coincidence? I think not. As we were getting ready for church one Sunday, I watched my dear husband holding Baby M. in his arms...a scripture came to mind (in Matthew 25:35) when Christ said "For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in".... I'm so grateful that we have this opportunity to serve and help out these little ones in their time of need and that Our Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers..

Santa Didn't Visit our House

When Alycia was four years old, we went to a friends' house for dinner a few days after Christmas. Our friend Christa was chatting with Alycia while Logan gave Anna and I a tour of their home:

"What did Santa bring you for Christmas Alycia?"

"I don't think Santa visited our house."

"What? Didn't you get any presents?"

In a conspiratorial whisper, Alycia says "I did, but they were only the ones from my parents' closet."

Interesting how a four year old's mind works. She knew these presents came from her parents and not from Santa. Therefore, Santa must not have visited our house. Not that this fantastical fat elf who arrives via the flue and delivers a sack full of toys might not exist. Huh.

It wasn't until a few days after Christa told us about this that I realized that Alycia didn't confront us or even ask about the conflicting evidence. I guess she figured if Mom and Dad want to take credit for Santa, she would go along with it just to humor us.

But she knew the truth: Santa just didn't visit our house that year.

Escaping AZ heat for cool Utah fall weather...

Yikes!
I can't believe it's been so long since I've last updated my blog...So much has happened since then...

Our kids go to year round school and we thought we'd take advantage of one of their breaks and escaped the horrid heat of Arizona. It was gorgeous weather in Utah and visiting with family was a huge plus!

Selflessness...

As I entered the Honda dealership waiting area, I felt a bit annoyed since I had been in the same waiting area the day before to get my vehicle worked on.

"Good thing I have my headphones, phone, and a 440z cup of Coke with crushed ice"...were my thoughts. I wasted about an hour checking my Facebook, emails, and Googling stuff on my phone. I paused for a moment to check out my surroundings. I must admit, I enjoy people watching.

Across from me sat an elderly couple in their seventies. The wife sat staring at a blank wall...it seemed as if she were in a different world. "What must she be thinking.." were my thoughts. Her lips would curve into a smile, then she would proceed to go into her blank stare mode. Her expressions were mesmerizing...one moment she was happy, the next she off someplace else.

I glanced over at her husband to see what he was doing. He was reading the paper, but would often look down at his watch. He would occasionally look over at his wife, say a few words, get out a handkerchief and tenderly dab the corners of her mouth and chin. The way he watched her and cared for her made me feel emotional. I felt as if I was witnessing something special, something sacred.

I turned away and felt tears escape my eyes...

At one point, the husband got up and told his wife that he would be back and not to move. I gathered that that was what he was telling her in Spanish mixed in with some other language. I felt a need to watch her...to keep safe until her husband returned. She looked over at me and smiled...I smiled back. Her husband arrived a few minutes later and had a cup of coffee. He spoke to her in their native tongue then gently put the cup to her lips.... He was so careful and gentle whenever they interacted... She made a sudden movement and some coffee spilled onto her lap. He seemed to panic, our eyes made contact, and off I went to look for napkins. I quickly brought them to him and he thanked me numerous times.

I finally had the nerve to talk to him...the nagging feeling kept telling to do so...as I spoke to the gentleman, the wife would smile at me each time we'd make eye contact. I cannot express in words the experience or feelings I was having....I felt as if she were thanking me for talking to her companion.

He told me that his wife suffered from Dementia and Alzheimer's. My heart sank.

"Oh." was all my mind could come up with at the time.

We spoke for about 20 minutes, then my Service advisor came to tell me my vehicle was ready. I said my goodbyes and off I went to get my car.

When I got into my vehicle a wave emotion came over me. I was grateful that I was able to witness the pure love of Christ being administered to this wife...a daughter of God....This husband never seemed frustrated nor did he ever seem upset with her....

We never imagine that these bodies we have been given, can become soo ill that we would be unable to care for ourselves. This man took his marriage covenant seriously...in sickness and in health...til death do us part....

This made me think of the covenants I made when I got married....I'm not married for just this time I have here on earth...I'm married for time and all eternity...death cannot tear me from my husband nor my family...

I feel a sense of gratitude for having the opportunity to witness this sacred, yet humbling experience. I will forever remember this....

Mr. Joseph's Webelos

Mr. Joseph earned his Webelos award back in July and we're super proud of him. My little cubby has moved up to 11 year old scouting and no longer has to join me to pack meetings. :( We had a very busy summer having him work on his awards and he's happy to finally be done...Uh...so am I!

Foster Parents....

It's official!
Brent and I are licensed foster parents!
We finished up our training, passed the background check, passed the home study, and I'm sure I'm missing a gazillion more things...but we're official! Our age groups are 0-3 years old. We want to "baby step" our way through this whole process. Our kids are excited and we've "tried" to prepare them for what's to come.

We'll be having a baby placed in our care for a couple of weeks, while a different foster family leaves for vacation. It will be strange having a "little one" in our home...let's just say...it's been a while since we've had to change diapers. HaHa!

Well...that's the latest news from our little family!

Summer camping in Arizona

I know...I know...
There are many in the Smith family that KNOW how much I dislike camping. I'm super proud of myself for tent camping for 3 whole nights! It's definitely a record for me! I must admit that the day we were getting ready was extremely stressful for me. All I could think of was dirt, bugs, tent camping, cooking, wild beasts in the forest, and dirt (again). It was 115 degrees here in the valley, so the thought of going to 75 degree coolness was somewhat inviting.

We ended up camping in Big Lake (near Greer..I think) and it was beautiful and super cool. I got to wear my hoodie! The evenings got down to the 40s, so we had plenty of campfires to keep us warm...oh how I miss winters....

Brent took us horseback riding one day and we all had a blast. Miss Alycia was riding like a pro and her horse BJ was a very well behaved animal. Joseph and I were first time riders and we really enjoyed the experience. Mr. Joseph had a smile on his face the whole time. Brent had fun also, but was sore by the end of it. I was sore too...

I was so sad to get back to the valley...back to the heat....Will this heat ever end??? When we finally arrived home, I needed to wash Copper's bedding and discovered that our brand new 3 week old washer died while we were camping. I must admit...I had very ill feelings towards the maker of my washer, Maytag. I had 9 loads of laundry to do! Evil...

Tent camping wasn't so bad this time. I bought Brent a super duper camping stove a couple of months ago and it was great to have and sleeping on an air mattress was heavenly. Don't get me wrong....I still dislike camping, but spending family time up the mountains was so worth it!