Cindy working her magic....ZEBRA!!!

My friend Cindy came over today to help us finish off Cara's bedroom. She worked her magic and put zebra on her wall!

We had the wall done in two and a half hours! Cindy painted the wall ~ free hand then she and I went over and darkened up the zebra lines!

Here is the finished product! Remember the fun chandelier that I got in Michigan? Rick put it up for me in Cara's Utah room!

It's great to have such wonderful and talented friends!!! Thanks so much for sharing your talent.... my neck, especially thanks you!

Tender mercies...

My Dad passed away on April 8, 2010 in San Diego, California. He fought a hard fight against leukemia but once he had his spleen taken out on March 11th things went down hill very quickly. His leukemia went from chronic to acute and his spleen was full of cancer. Hospice came to help after he was released from the hospital and he lasted with their services for almost three weeks.
We had the funeral on April 15 at their church in Poway and many relatives came that I have not seen for years. All four of us kids spoke at the services in Cali and Utah. Mom is holding up remarkably well and many relative's commented on how well she was looking! Kelsey and Rick came to San Diego for that service and we all went back to UTah for the memorial and burial with our whole family. It was a beautiful day and Dad was buried at Wasatch Lawn with the Navy Honor guard giving Mom a flag from our President and with taps being played. It was very moving to have this done in honor of the service my Dad rendered our country.
I am grateful for the opportunity the funeral has given me to get be connected with my cousins again! Blessings, blessings....

Love this picture of Kurt and the honor guard with the hearst, as well.

The Bishop at the San Diego service made the comment that there were many "tender mercies" shown our family during these last few months of Dad's life. I'd like to share a few of the one's that I have noticed.

When I first heard of Dad breaking his hip I knew right away that the end for him would be near. It was almost an immediate confirmation to me... a "tender mercy" for me to have that knowledge that Dad's days were coming to a close.

Kelsey and I spending time with Mom & Dad in San Diego, helping them with things, taking Dad to his many doctor appointments, chemo treatments, transfusions of blood and platelets.

One of those visit's at Green Hospital at Torrey Pine's Dad had more energy and after his office visits he wanted to make sure Kelsey and I were able to check out some of the golfing that was going on at Torrey Pine's. Kurt was insanely jealous that we were able to see a little bit of this tournament. Dad stayed in the car while we checked out one of the fairways. After we did that for a bit we went back to the car where Dad told us he wanted to take us to lunch at one of his favorite Mexican restaurants in La Jolla (minutes away from the hospital). We had a great lunch with one of the best chile relleno's (sp?) I have ever eaten. This was to be Dad's last time eating Mexican or for that fact, going to a restaurant. He then made sure I had a few minutes in a Yarn Shop that I was anxious to check out and then his last trip to the beach. I have many fond memories of my Dad at the beach and to think this was his last time with me and his granddaughter, Kelsey.....such a "tender mercy".

Some special moment's with my Dad that really touched me were... one afternoon some of their friends, The Blackam's came to visit and talk with Dad. At the end of their conversation Mr. Blackam asked Dad if there was anything they could do for him. Anything at all.... He finally thought Dad may like a pie and Dad was very agreeable to that idea. But, instead of telling the Blackam's his favorite type of pie he told them Mom's favorite type....dutch apple. This was such a teaching moment to me as it showed Dad's true devotion to his sweetheart. It was the last pie he ever tasted on earth and to think that it was more important to him to please Mom more than himself was a lesson learned. A lesson for all of us....

Another day we had spent several hours in the hospital and Dad was up on the table waiting for some results and looked at me and said his biggest regret right then was that he was not able to serve Mom more at this time. I told him that it was okay and that he had spent years doting on Mom and it was time for her to serve him...what goes around come's around type of thought.

His devotion to his wife was so admirable and many people told me later what an example Dad was of true love and devotion. Tender mercy written all over those experiences.

After Dad's spleen removal things went down hill fast. He almost died a week after his surgery on Kelsey's 22nd birthday and the night of my 50th birthday party. But, he pulled through. He hung in there until we could gather around his hospital bed that next Monday night so we could have our last Family Night. He went around the room and told us of his love for each of us. And at the very end of our time together he counseled us to attend the temple and to serve others. Such a huge "tender mercy". How many people get the opportunity to talk to their children and express their love and testimony to them? Truly a blessing.

The next night I was there at his bed with his two sisters and my Mom. I read his patriarchal blessing and the three of them went down memory lane and shared some very tender memories of their childhood. I don't think there are three more faithful siblings in the world. What a blessing to have them as family. Such a "tender mercy".

Heavenly Father orchestrated the last day's of my Dad so perfectly. Those of you who know God know that His way's are perfect so how could we question His plan for us? He knew that my Mom was still Hoping that Dad would pull out of this disease. This cancer that ate away at my Dad till the very end.

Father in Heaven gave my Mom a few extra weeks with my Dad for her to know that it was Dad's time to end his journey here on earth. He was very weak and at the end was unable to communicate. But, Father let my Dad squeeze my Mom's hand at the very end while she kissed his forhead and told him that she would see him on the other side. What a true "tender mercy".

Both services were beautifully done and like I wrote before we were all able to speak and share our memories of our Dad and head of our family. He was an amazing man and like all of us had trials but always never doubted his Faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ. I was one lucky girl to have a Dad like him. As a young girl my hero was my Dad. He taught me about God and I always believed and loved my Father in Heaven because I had a Father on Earth that was very heavenly. He was faithful to the end and never gave up his Faith, even when things got tough.

The day after the funeral in San Diego Mom and I flew together to Salt Lake City. On the walk to the baggage claim Mom was being pushed in the wheel chair by a Delta employee and I happened to recognize and talk to Elder David Bednar. He is one of the Lord's apostles here on earth. Truly a "tender mercy" that I will never forget.

There were more "tender mercies" that I have not put down but hope you get a sense of the amazing journey our family has had these last few month's of Dad's journey here on earth.

Moving in...almost!

It is official...kind of! Those of you who have been following this odyssey of our lives for the last couple of years know that there have been lots of up's & down's. When the moving truck showed up I felt like a page was turning, a chapter ending, a new life beginning.... YOu get the point, right?

Well, a few hours into the mover's unloading our "precious" cargo we get a call from the moving coordinator (back in Michigan) telling us that they forgot to load one of the storage units. The unit that had our master bedroom , a family room set & Cara's chandelier... I honestly don't remember what else was in that unit as that was "put away" over a year ago. One of the things I was looking forward to was to sleep in my own bed. I have slept in at least a dozen different beds over the last two years. Most of them lumpy! Not that I'm complaining because honestly I'm not....I am and will always be greatful for those lumpy beds that let me rest.... no, rest would not be the word, let me lay these weary bones down. Ok, I'm getting a little silly! The point was that I wanted my own bed, sheets, newly sewn duvet cover to cover my little body in my own little home. But, once again a lesson in patience! I am grateful for these lessons as I know it is making me a very wonderful person!

The hidden lining in this snaf-foo is that our bedroom was not done but it will be done by the time our second shipment arrives! Bed's are so overrated!!!

Family Time in SAn DieGo

Here are the four of us after we had our last Family Night with our whole family. We all sat around the hospital bed of our Dad while he spoke to each of us.

Aunt Barbara & Gay (Dad's two sister's), Mom and I at Red Robin. The manager gave us our whole meal for free as he had heard about our Dad, husband & brother's illness.

I had to get a picture of this... Mom had her and DAd's gatorade all ready for him to come home. Very tender & showing Mom's hope that all will go back to 'normal'.

Dad's chair and footstool all ready for him to come back from the hospital.

Mom & Dad, Aunt Barbara & Aunt GAy who came from Arizona to spend some time with her siblings. That evening I read Dad's patriarchal blessing to those of us in the room. It brought a flood of memories to the three of them. All of them went to their Patriarch and had their blessing given the same day! Dad is the baby of the three.

I feel very blessed that I was able to spend time with my family before DAd returns to his Heavenly Home.

Dad is full of cancer now and is at home with Mom. Hospice has been helping along with other caregivers. The neighbors and ward members have been amazingly supportive in bringing meals in and checking on Mom & Dad. Mom has been very strong and we are all so proud of her in handling this situation.

Almost 50!

On Thursday, my family threw me an"early" birthday party and we had it at Noah's (an event center that is in Lindon). I turn 50 in April but Cara was in town for her spring break and I thought we should do it when all of us were together! Jamie made a beautiful cake for the occasion, designed the invitations and got the ball rolling for the party (among other things!).

It was actually Kelsey's 22nd birthday and she had to work but did show up to the party around 7:30. She and Jen made the tissue balls and lots of the food. Cara put a great slide show of pictures of my life with some help from my DAd. Kurt and Jen made food, helped set up and tear it all down, along with Cara. It was a lot of fun to see so many family and friends come. Friends from Michigan, Washington & Utah were there! It was awesome.

One of the highlights for me was to have my nephews there! Lots of nieces and nephews came but this is the only picture that I have of Justin, Brandon and Tyler Kleinman.

I am so lucky to have the family that I have! Thanks for all of your efforts in putting on this fun party! I loved it!! Rick surprised me with a trip to Vegas to see Lion King on my real birthday!

My Dad....

Some of you know that my Dad has some serious health issues. He has a form of leukemia and this last year it has really taken a toll on him. A few days after Christmas he fell in their backyard and broke his femur which resulted in a full hip replacement. He was suppose to have his spleen removed at the beginning of the year but because of the hip problem that set everything back. His spleen was causing many problems with his leukemia~one being the chemo treatment he was receiving was not working on him as it should because his spleen was taking the good that the chemo should have done for his leukemia. His spleen was extremely enlarged and was not allowing Dad to get the weight on him that he needs. When I left him in February he was in his 150's which is not normal weight for him at all. Many more details but here is what is going on now.

Last Thursday he went in for spleen surgery and the surgeon told Mom that it was the size of a five pound football and the largest one he had ever taken out. He was doing okay the first few days but then was taken to a nursing facility where everything has gone down hill~ quickly.

Twice Mom had gone in there to visit and discovered that DAd had a fever. The nursing staff did not find that out on their own until Mom brought them in to have them check it out. Long story short....Dad is back in the hospital with pneumonia and possible septic shock. His oncologist, Dr. Mason has told Mom that he is in the final stages of his leukemia and it has advanced to the stage where there is no going back. I guess I needed to write this out so that I can have some understanding and see it on "paper". I would ask if you are reading this that you would remember my Dad in your prayers.... I know that prayers do work along with our faith. I am praying for peace and closure.

My Dad is an extremely faithful man. He has loved the Lord his entire life and truly devoted his life to learning about and following the Savior. Dad has been a loving husband to my Mom and that for me is the hard part....to see her go through this. My sibling are there now and I know that it is hard for them to see Dad in the shape he is in. It is hard for all of us to see this happen to a loved one. That is why I am so greatful for the plan of salvation. I know that I will see my Dad again and that the Lord is in charge and has a plan for each one of us. How blessed I am to have such faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ who truly did die for each one of us on the cross at Calvary. Christ was resurrected....what a miracle! What a blessing that gives us all hope.

Progress on the pantry wall

Rick had this done in no time! Okay it took some time but not as much as putting rock on the wall! The left and middle opening will be book/audio shelving and the right will be the door to get into the pantry.

The fireplace has been moved up so that Rick can put a hearth under it! This was Friday evening & I'm supposing that by tomorrow we will have rock on this wall, too!

It took Rick one long evening placing the rock on the wall. He is a getter-doner!


Notice...another Kalamazoo friend! Janelle Cammack came to visit us...ok she does live here in Salt Lake but those Michigan friends are keeping up with us! The plastic covering the kitchen is due to our painter painting the ceiling white. It looks marvelous!

Janelle, Rick and I. Rick ended up hiring someone to help with the brick. Thursday made him realize that he had a much bigger project than he was expecting. We are still planning on tearing into the master bedroom and making it bigger by taking down a wall that is connected to a smaller bedroom. More on that!

The Work has begun!

This will be our pantry/coat room. Before.....
The wall has started...

The fireplace when it was down low...

Grandpa Ron came over and re-keyed all of the doors in our home. It is nice to know a locksmith!

Our dear friends, Jim & Janeen Bertolina were in town and got to see our new home....before construction!

It was so good to spend time with them.

We are homeowners!!!

It is official....we are the proud owners of a brand new home in Alpine, Utah. I am still in shock and can't believe this odyssey that we started way back in August of 2006 is finally over. I remember Rick telling me that he decided to take the job with Flow in Washington that evening in the summer. I remember having a very distinct feeling come over me and the thought was..... this is going to be a very long ordeal.

Funny how the spirit works! I have learned a lot from this whole experience. Our family has gone through many challenges and trials but we have learned and grown from them and have been sustained not only from our Father in Heaven but from all of those angels here on earth .... our dear friends & family. That is you, who may be reading this. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have loved us, listened to us, fed us, sheltered us, prayed for us and thanks to my daughter Kelsey, even clothed me!!! The Lord's time is the right time and I am a believer in this thought. We learn from our trials and hopefully become stronger people through them. I know that He watches over each of us and has His hand in all of our lives.

I will try to update the blog frequently so that you can see the progress we are making on the house. The room to the left is torn up right now. It will have bookshelves put into this space and behind it will be the most awesome pantry! We got possesion of the house last night and Rick got right in there, as only a Smith can, and tore up the carpet to start building our first project! The painter comes this morning & my father in law, Ron comes to re-key the house. It has been empty for two years and who knows how many keys are out there! At least we will know that we are the only one's who will be able to get in, at least with a key!!!

Blessing day for Reese Catherine

Here is our little beauty, Reese. Jamie made the bracelet & I made the dress.

The Hilton family...they will head out to Glendale, Arizona to attend Med School at Midwestern.

The Smith family minus, Cara. So nice to get together for this special occasion.

Kylie and Reese with all of their Mom's! Great Grandma "Normal", Nana, Jamie, Grandma Lalove & Great Grandma Hilton.

Reese with all of the Grandpa's plus her Daddy who gave her a name & blessing in Rexburg.