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.