Farm Day

It's been rainy and in the 40's for a few days, so this post is to remind myself that it CAN be nice out in Utah, and we WILL eventually leave the house.

We have a history of amazing neighbors. Our newest host a Farm Day for a couple of local schools and we got the invite. It was super fun. Livi is an animal lover so that morning was full of squeels and smiles. I might have to get me a goat.

On Homes, past and present

The papers have been signed. The money exchanged. The keys turned over. The Mulberry House is no longer ours.

When we bought this house Taj was barely walking. Now, with our third child barely walking we are saying goodbye to this chapter in our Smith Family life. I honestly thought it would be harder to say goodbye. When we moved back to Hawaii last October we knew it was time for us. When we came back to Utah 6 months later and saw the house I didn't feel the connection at all. This is no longer our home.

This is our new house. Well, the basement is. For the summer months. It's beautiful and we've been loving the water views. Moving is for the birds, so we found a lot of comfort in knowing this is where we'll be every summer for a long LONG time. With all our stuff moved in it's really feeling like home.

It's kind of crazy, this back and forth thing. We are realizing that this place isn't just a summer vacation, but a summer home. Taj has been embraced by his old preschool teacher, inviting him back for the remainder of the year. He's had play dates. We've gone to some of our favorite parks. We've hung out with some of our favorite people in the world (Nana, Pop Pop, Uncle Jen, Gama Letta, Kali, Burgesses, Pattersons, Fazulyanovs). We truly feel like we have two homes.

Happy Mothers Day To Me!

This was a little Mother's day treat: while conference calling Micah's brother, Elder Gabriel Smith in Brazil, Olivia had the need to walk and laugh. It was adorable. She walks all day long. On furniture when my hands aren't free, but mostly just with me. I treasure it. I won't even think of her walking on her own- my hands will miss hers. She's only 9 months! Ack!

Something about Mothers Day makes me evaluate my Mothering, and leaves me feeling plain old inadequate. I put that aside and remind myself that I'm doing the best I know how to. Leaving it at that I truly feel blessed to be the mother of these little people. They make my life beautiful.

Get Yur Hair Did!

Isn't she darling? I think the pictures tell the story best.

My Sis is in hair school so Eden and I have been planning on getting our hair cut by her when we got here to Utah. This was Eden's first haircut and she loved it. She was fed Oreos, and was totally fussed over the whole time. She went with just a trim, and I am very grateful. for a minute there she was planning on Nana's haircut- which is cute on Nana, but would probably look like Olivia's hair on Eden. She was super excited about getting it curled too- I guess I kind of dropped the ball on the whole curling and styling thing.
As for my (much needed) haircut, I just went for a trim too. I know, what a whimp! In my defense, a trim meant about 6 inches, and it's just bellow my boobs. This is almost short for me. I'm loving it! No more tired neck when it's wet. No more scalp pain from it pulling when it's been up all day. Oh, and I just got here. Things might get crazy now that my sister is a trained hairstylist. Oh, and is it just my husband, or do all boys prefer long hair?

Unreal

I'm having a hard time believing that it was less than a week ago that we were playing in the sun and water and sweating. My heart aches a little. My feet ache a lot- it's been a while since these puppies have had shoes on them.

It's been freezing since we got here, and finally gave us some snow to show for it. The kids had fun playing in it and eating it. I forgot how much work it is to get everyone dressed warmly to go out, even if it is just to the car, then indoors again. We haven't gone out much. Thank heavens for Nana, fireplaces, hot chocolate, and warm new houses with big windows that let sunshine in, even if it's still cold. We're trying to stay positive because now that it's May it's sure to get warm-ish. I hope.

Easter

 We have an Easter tradition of over doing it a little. This year we started weeks in advance with a couple sweet Easter packages. A few days before the real Easter we stocked up on candy and dyed eggs. On Saturday we went to the Turtle Bay condo Easter party. Then came the real Easter, which meant MORE candy, hunting, and a feast. It's safe to say that Easter ham and candy feuled Micah and I as we crazily packed and got the condo to leave for three months. Ugh. Easter was great, as usual.

Half Full or Half Empty?

We are supposed to leave this place next Monday for three months.
I knew it was coming.
I think it's a good thing.
It's going to be very very dificult to get on the plane.

Hello Blog

I haven't been able to post anything on my blog for a couple weeks. Here's another test.

Friday I wanted to surf so we all went to Malaekahana. I went to Goats and they played. I love love love seeing the kids and playing with them after a fun session. I'm the luckiest mom in the world.

Little Feet

These little feet want to walk! Micah claims she took her first steps on her own yesterday at the park (i was surfing). AHHHH! Tooo soooon! She's not there yet, but wants to be. I'm bent over helping her walk like in the picture all day. It's her favorite, and I'm happy to help her because I'm still wanting to be as close to her as posible.

Other Olivia-isms are that she sleeps on her stomach. She loves to. This is the girl that up until a few days ago got red faced mad if I put her on her belly. Now I find her on her belly every nap and she's rolling onto her tummy with every diaper change. Every night at bedtime she squeals when I take her into the kids room for family prayer. She love love loves that time with the kids. Oh, then I'll get her all calmed down. She'll be wrapped up and have her thumb in her mouth ready to crash and when Micah gives her a kiss goodnight she grins from ear to ear and cracks up. She loves grown up food. If I'm eating while holding her she will do everything she can to get that food in her mouth. She puts a lot of things that aren't food in her mouth too. She's adorable. I couldn't be more in love.

*Pictures thanks to Ashley Moffat. We had a glorious time watching the sun go down with the Moffats last Saturday. I never seem to take my camera anymore- my hands are just too full these days.

Laziest Weekend Ever

Last weekend we had no plans. I take that back. Friday night Micah and I went on a date. We went surfing and then grabbed some Ted's and ate in the car while listening/laughing to "Sklarbro Country". (a podcast definitely worth taking for a spin). Perfect date for me. After that, we didn't have anything on the books. This is unusual for us. We left the house twice all weekend. For church and a dinner picnic with the Moffats.

Olivia is a water baby. And thinks she can walk. Micah claims she walked tonight by herself at the park. Taj and Eden say so too, but I refuse to let her grow up yet. It's all too soon.

Thanks for the pics Ashley- my hands are too full for the camera these days.

When (If) we get a dog

I've never had a dog so I don't really know all that goes into having one. I still really like most of the dogs I meet and like the idea of having one. Someday. When the kids are older. And can help.

The kids (Olivia too) love love LOVE dogs, and any other animal. They have tried several times to feed dogs and persuade dogs to stay and be our pets. We have become good friends with Jean and her dog Star. More than friends. Eden talked me into getting Star doggy treats and we keep them in Jeans cupboard. We take books and practice reading with Star. Olivia got her first doggy kisses from Star. Eden often pretends to be Star. We love Star.

Star is a certified service dog. She was certified at a place on the North Shore called, "Hawaii Fido." Love it! She helps Jean get her phone, tells her if there's someone at the door, and even has had to help her walk. Star can go anywhere- buses, airplanes, stores. Star is trained to be read to and go in hospitals. I think that when (if) we get a dog it's going to have to be a service dog. For now, Star is more than enough dog for us.

Goals and Patience

When it comes to making and following through with goals, I really hope the kids take after Micah. When he says he's going to do something, he'll do it. And that's that. I, on the other hand, have been known to say many things I have no intention of following through with, or worse, just plain give up on. I'm getting a little better (thanks to the example of an amazing Micah).

Taj is proving to be a little more like Micah. He decided he needed to have a new Bakugan. To get the needed Bakugan he was going to have to earn and save some money. After a lot of car washes, laundry, dishes, taking out the trash, and other helpful acts he finally earned the money! When we saw that he had saved enough money he thought we would drop everything and drive the 2 hours round trip to get his Bakugan. That wasn't going to work. He took a deep breath and we made a plan. Micah could take him the next day after work. Taj is an analytical type. He knew it was the best we could do and was very excited. The morning of the drive into town I found the boys slippers layed out and ready for them when it was time to go get the Bakugan. After they got back Taj told me that the best part was that he got to do something alone with Daddy. I'm so proud.