Addicted

A few minutes before my human physiology lab began tonight, a fellow peer walked in and asked if anyone in the room had a lighter, because "I really need a smoke before class starts." Sorry, I can't help you there. In fact, nobody in the room was able to come to her aide. She then proceeded to pace around the room, her eyes searching for something, anything to fix her dilemma.

In walks the teacher.
Student: "Hey, is there some sort of lighting device in the room?"
Teacher: "Huh?"
Student: "Is there something I can light a cigarette with?"
Teacher: "No, there's nothing like that in here. There are gases in this room."
Student: "Well, what do you use to light them?"
Teacher: "We don't! They would explode."
Student: "So, there's not a bunsen burner or something?"

HAHAHA...Are you kidding me?!

So, here's what I think: If you have to ask your physiology lab teacher for a bunsen burner so you can light a cigarette and feed your addiction, then you might want to consider quitting. I'm just sayin'.

Blessed

To my children,

You are my joy. You are my light. My life was incomplete until I became a mother.
You make me want to be a better person. Thank you.

Love,
Mommy

preSCHOOL RULES!

Ashlyn and I have something in common - we both started school last week. However, there is a slight difference in the curriculum. Oh, how I wish I sang, colored, read books, and ate snacks when I went to school. Who wouldn't love that?! Of course Ash Belle loves every minute of it.

Since Ashlyn started preschool early (last January), she was the only one in her class without any reservations. She was a pro! She just walked up to the door, walked in, took off her shoes, and was ready to learn! The down side to her starting preschool early is that I am afraid she will be repeating most of what she already learned and doing the same art projects all over again. Then again, isn't repetition the best way to learn?

Oh, What Did We Do In The Summertime?

Life has been busy. Too busy to blog. I can NOT believe it is September. September! We did have a very fun summer and there were lots of things that I wanted to post about, but just never got around to it. So, what did the Smiley Family do this summer? Here is our list as far as I could remember, in no particular or chronological order:

1. Had a camp out in the backyard.
2. Went to a few Bee's games.
3. Got our sugar fix at the candy store.
4. Went to FHE in the Mountains.
5. Played with sidewalk chalk - scratch that, Ashlyn drew with it & Trent ate it!
6. Blew bubbles.
7. Baked cookies and took them to Grandpa's work.
8. Baked cookies and took them to Daddy's work.
9. Visited the animals at the zoo.
10. Played with play dough.
    
11. Got our share of scrapped knees.
12. Gave and received lots of hugs and kisses. I still can't get enough of these lips!
13. Celebrated several birthdays.
14. Welcomed another cousin into the world.
15. Babysat, babysat, babysat.
16. Passed Chem lab with an "A".
17. Spent the last night in our first home together, camped out in the front room.
18. Shed a few tears when we said goodbye to our first home.
19. Developed a few new habits.
20. Visited the fish at the aquarium.
21. Discovered the source of the gnat problem. Word to the wise - do not store potatoes and squash in a tupperware container in your garage and then forget about it for 9 months.
22. Took 1st place in a boat making contest.
23. Took 2nd place in a shooting contest.
24. Took 3rd place in a fishing contest.
25. Got burned by a hot dog stick.
26. Spent many hours swimming in the backyard. Realized that I should have spent the extra $5.00 for the bigger pool.
27. Went on a wellness walk.
28. Discovered that Trent does NOT like carnival rides.
29. Discovered that Ashlyn could drain our wallets and spend hours on carnival rides.
30. BBQ'd with the Hills.
31. Made countless smores - not all of them made it to our mouths.
32. BBQ'd with the Johansens, Youngs, and Andersens.
33. Outgrew the shoes we bought at the beginning of summer.
    
34. Went on a fabulous family vacation to Island Park.
35. Took swimming lessons and discovered a love of water.
36. Had an evening getaway in Park City.
37. Discovered a new way of eating popsicles - from the bottom up!
38. Fell out of a shopping cart. Got a CT scan. All is well.
39. Picked up some delicious Ranier cherries at the farmers market.
    
40. Rode Trax downtown with the Helms to meet Sandy for lunch.
41. Took the Hills out to celebrate!
    
42. Went to the splash park again and again and again...
43. Had a picnic at Liberty Park.
44. Played a mean game of kickball with the best cousins in the world.
45. Had lots of picnic lunches in the backyard.
46. Fired Brian from being Trent's personal barber.
47. Ate at least a pound of sand out of the sandbox - not all of us, just Trent.
    
48. Went to a funeral.
49. Painted our toes over and over and over again.
50. Swung on a rope swing.

Surprise Visit

To put it mildly, life has been chaotic lately. Top that with the knowledge that I am headed into a very stressful semester, and we knew a little weekend getaway was in order. So, we packed our bags, loaded up the van, and headed south at 4:00 a.m. Saturday morning. We made it to Aunt Stacey's house just past 9:00 a.m. Vegas time.

The best part was that Stacey had no idea at all we were coming. We sent Ashlyn up to the door and the rest of us stood out of sight. For a split second Stacey wondered who this little girl was and why she was standing at her door? Then the recognition hit and we heard, "What are you doing here!?"

For the next 29 hours we hugged, talked, laughed, ate, played, swam, ate some more, relaxed, read, slept (barely), and swam some more. We had a wonderful time and it was just what I needed.

A few pics of our short trip:

Like usual, Trent was unsure at first of this spontaneous trip, but he quickly warmed up to the idea and to Stacey. It was all smiles the rest of the weekend.

Soakin' up the sun!

Trent surprised us all by being very brave in the water. Once the water wings were on, we could not stop the repeated jumping into the pool. He loved every minute. I think that watching his big sister at swimming lessons the past three weeks convinced him of how much fun water can be.

Note the palm trees in the background.
Ashlyn kept informing us that, "Those coconut trees are so weeeird!"

Stacey is so much fun to be with. You can't help but be happy when you are around her.

We also met up with my Uncle Rob for breakfast on Sunday. He introduced us to his favorite cafe which he frequents on a weekly basis, called the New Day Cafe. After eating there I can see why he goes there so much - the food was DELICIOUS and it was a great way to end our little getaway. Thanks again Rob!

Thank you so much Stacey for letting us invade your world for 29 hours! We love you!!

My "Baby" Girl

It has happened. Up until now, I have always called Ashlyn "my baby girl" and she has loved that title. But recently when I say it, she corrects me with, "I'm not a baby mommy, I'm a big girl." It is such a small thing, but it makes me so sad. She is growing up fast and becoming more independent every day. I tried to explain that even though she is a "big girl" she is still my "baby girl", which she seems to have accepted. For now anyway. I know that it won't be long before she won't allow me to call her "baby" anymore.

Some days I wish I could freeze time. But since I can't do that, I must write and record or I know I will forget. Here are a few of my most favorite, recent photos of my "baby" girl, along with a few funnies:

Ashlyn is becoming quite an expert. On any given day, she will tell you, "I know a lot about horses." Or, "I know a lot about slides." Or, "I know a lot about bugs."

Ashlyn is a pretty outgoing kid and makes friends easily. She loves seeing her aunts, uncles and cousins as often as possible and freely passes out smiles, hugs, and kisses. However, for some strange reason, a recent visit from her uncle Aaron put her in a foul mood. We were sitting at the dinner table when he came over and she sat there giving him the stink eye. Nothing he said could change her opinion of him. At one point she glared at him and stated, "You better be gone by morning."

At a recent Bee's game, Brian took Ashlyn to the bathroom. After taking care of business, Ashlyn and Brian exited the stall and went to wash their hands. Ashlyn immediately noticed a man wearing a cowboy hat, standing at a urinal, and in a not-so-quiet-three-year-old voice declared, "Hey Daddy, I never seen a cowboy pee before."

We did some home repairs before we sold our home. During these projects, Ashlyn often asked us what we were doing and why we were doing it. The response was always the same, "We are getting the house ready so we can move." After one such inquiry, Ashlyn paused for a moment, and then stated, "It's gonna be pretty hard to lift!"

I Wouldn't Change A Thing

Today we celebrate eight years of bliss. Yeah right! I love my husband, but we have had our share of ups and downs. And we definitely had a rough start. We dated for two years before we were married. During that time, we faced a lot of obstacles and we both had opportunities to walk away. Plus, we didn't always have the support we would have liked. Not many couples can say that they were engaged twice - we can. But at least we laugh about it now. In the end we decided not to listen to anyone. We followed our hearts and were married in the Jordan River Temple for all eternity.

It may not always be bliss, but I wouldn't change a thing. Not one thing. Because even though we have had our struggles, there is no doubt in my mind that I made the right choice. And I know we have grown closer to one another because of our trials.

There are countless things I love about my husband, but I want to share just one. In all the years I have known Brian, I can honestly say I have never heard him call another woman beautiful. Ever. Now, I know for a fact there are plenty of beautiful women in this world, plenty of stunning women, plenty of women who make me feel extremely inadequate. But, I feel beautiful in the eyes of my husband. Thank you Brian. I love you.