Girls are weird.

So Josh has informed me on several occasions that GIRLS ARE WEIRD. Here is why.
I was painting my toe nails and put the spacers in between my toes. He was just watching me with such a intense look. Then I opened the polish and he turned up his nose still looking at me like I'm crazy. When it was all said and done he turned to Trevor and said. "Girls are weird."

Today he came home from school announcing that a little girl in his class is weird I ask him why. And he said. "She always wears a skirt and has to twirl and twirl to make it go in a circle." "Why does she do that it's not even cool." "Girls are weird".

We were walking down the hall at school when we ran into his little friend Sarah. She ran up and gave him a huge hug and said. "Josh I'm still going to marry you someday." again I got the response. "Girls are weird."



I'm not to sure that boys thinking girls are weird fully goes away. I know I find myself wondering why boys do the things they do. But I always find things funny when I see them through my cute 5 year old boys eyes. And seeing it like he does YES GIRLS ARE WEIRD!!! Maybe tonight I'll let him see me pluck my eyebrows that will really freak him out :)!!!

My heart is full.

This week has been a humbling one. I unfortunately had to have surgery due to some complications I experienced while having my Babies. And after nearly losing my own life from the complications I had with Gavin. I knew that we had to be done having kids.
This surgery was just one more nail in the coffin of I couldn't have anymore kids so it's been really hard to wrap my feelings around it. The process of putting this chapter behind us and moving on to the new one has been so slow and hard for me. Because anyone who knows me knows that my heart will always ache. I will never know what it's like to raise a little girl.
But I feel so blessed to have 3 handsome healthy boys. They each bring such joy into my life. And I wouldn't trade them for anything.

I'm so grateful for all the wonderful people who came to my aid in helping. With all the phone calls, flowers,prayers,blessings, driving me to the Dr. at 6:20 in the morning, taking my kids after school and bringing my family dinners. I feel so loved and so blessed to know that I have so many wonderful people surrounding me. I'm not very good at excepting help and felt that I could do it on my own. So when I got so sick from a bad reaction from the medication, I'm so grateful that people just stepped in. When I went into my surgery I thought I was just going to have a great nap, little did I know I would wake up in the ER. When the Dr. asked me if I knew where I was all I could ask was. "who are you?" I was more concerned that my female Dr. somehow turned into this man that I've never seen. I guess they even took me there on the ambulance, but I don't remember a thing. Poor Ryan had to see it all and sit in the consolation room wondering what the heck happened.
I'm excited to be free from the pain and exhaustion I've had for two years now. I pray that this surgery fixed the problem and I can again be healthy and able to live my life. Again thank you so much everyone for all your help. I'm so very grateful. My heart is very full and I know I'm very blessed.

Jace Evan Smith

My Cute nephew was born on Monday September 22nd.
It killed me not to be able to see and hold him in the hospital.
Another disadvantage of being away from family.
Congratulations Lynn and Keri. We can't wait to meet him.

Hurricane Ike Clean up.

So Saturday morning at 3:00 our alarm goes off and Ryan rushed to get ready to leave the house and head to Houston. It was a early day but very exciting as he loves this kind of stuff. Not to mention he got a chance to really use his Chain saw. :)
He as well as 26 other members from our ward and then several stakes in Austin got the opportunity to help clean up what Hurricane Ike had destroyed. It was a humbling experience and made Ryan and I feel blessed for what we have. And that we have the ability to help others that were in need.
They spend most of their time cutting down trees and helping people clean up their yards. He said it was great to knock on peoples door and ask what was needed. People couldn't believe that they would offer their service for free, and that they came all the way from Austin to help. They truly were greatful. I'm so grateful that Ryan volunteered. It makes me feel so blessed that he has such a kind heart and is always willing to lend a helping hand. Here are a few pictures of his experience.

My little Tornado

So I mentioned how I love Gavin's new little stages. But there is one that I'm not to fond of. I call him my Tornado because in a matter of minutes he can have every cupboard emptied, all the toilet paper off the roll, all the clothes pulled out of the drawers ect. Today as I was taking a shower I turned on his Elmo movie (which he usually is mesmerized by and doesn't move) in my room. I always make sure he can't get into to much and having the main door shut he can't get out. He kept coming in a out of the bathroom carrying clothes. I knew he was pulling clothes out of the drawer but I had no clue of the extent until I got out and this is what I found.






When I went to go get the camera to take his picture he smiled so big and said "CHEESE PLEASE". Now how can I get mad at that. It sure makes for a frustrating day when EVERY THING I DO gets undone in a matter of minutes. But they grow up all to fast so I know this stage is Easy enough to handle. So Ry when you ask me what I have done all day this is just a snip it of the messes I get to clean :) And for all of you that say my house is always clean here is proof that it's not!!!!

Airplanes

My sweet little boy has now become obsessed with Airplanes. He carries a small one around all day long and I recently gave him this book which he wont let go of. I love how he tells the airplanes "bye bye". He's such a easy going baby I just can't get enough of him and his cute stages.

Hurricane IKE

Hurricane IKE has been a horrible storm here in Texas. Luckily everyone we knew in Houston didn't have too much damage. Diane and Fernando have been staying with us until they have power and water back. I'm so grateful that we have a place for them and that they are safe. The weather here is so crazy. We moved from Seattle to get out of crazy rainy constantly soggy weather. And now have crazy unpredictable weather. Luckily Austin doesn't get too much of the storms just the aftermath which isn't as strong. I feel very blessed. You can check out their blog with pictures of the little damage they got from the storm.

Trevor's new toy

Ryan and I were discussing Trevor and decided that he and Ryan need a good project to do together. He absolutely loves to build thing and is always tearing things apart to see how they work. I was thinking something like a bird house.
Ryan had other plans!!!
This was his permission to get him a REAL motorcycle!!! It's a pit bike that they have to put together and get a engine for. Trevor has to earn putting it together with good behavior and helping around the house. The last few day's he's been a stinker and secretly I don't mind him losing putting the thing together. I'm not happy that he will have his own bike. But I held off Ryan as long as I could. It was only a matter of time with 3 boys and a Dad who LOVE LOVE LOVES Dirt bikes.
I'll post pictures of the progress. So far it's still in the box. YEA!!! As for Josh he's our cautious kid. We can't get him off training wheels on his bike. I don't think he'll be riding a Motorcycle for a LONG time. I'm so happy about that.

Jake's New Friend

I ask my self daily WHY DID I KEEP THIS DUMB DOG?? Did I really think it would traumatize my children so much that they wouldn't be able to recover? My parents got rid of all our dogs in some traumatic fashion. One had worms and my Mom shot the dog. SERIOUSLY!!! Maybe that's why I don't like dogs all that much because I was traumatized as a kid.
Oh who am I kidding I kept the thing because I'm a sucker!!!

Why am I complaining this time? Because Jake found a new friend. Lets just say living on a green belt has it's advantages but it also has some CREATURE disadvantages and we now have a pet SKUNK who has sprayed Jake.
Ryan was luckily home the 1st time he got sprayed and he stunk to high heaven. So we did what two nerds do and googled a solution to our problem. Then we drenched the dog in Hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and dish soap. Which actually worked.
Ryan conveniently left on a business trip and Jake got sprayed again. We had used all the hydrogen peroxide, and the kids were asleep so I couldn't go to the store.
I had read that Tomato paste worked for the smell and I had to do something because he wouldn't stop crying about it. So now not only do I have a stinky dog who is not allowed in the house and wines all night, but I have a red dog who keeps licking himself because the tomato paste wont come off.
WHY AM I SUCH A SUCKER???

Nice Gloves huh.

We woke up this morning and saw our new friend. We were lucky enough to get to take a picture of him. I didn't know SKUNKS were so cute. The boys wanted to keep him. There is NO WAY that's happening. No matter how much they bat their eyes. :)!!!

Labor Day

Ryan's sister Diane and her husband Fernando came up from Houston to visit us this weekend. We really enjoyed being with them and were so happy that they could come and see us. It's so nice to have family kinda close by. Especially fun ones like Diane and Fernando.


Josh playing Lazer tag. The vest was bigger then him.

Trevor kept spraying everyone on the bumper boats. Poor Diane was so kind to take Josh and got drenched in the process.

Austin park and play was a great way to spend the day.

Waiting for the bats. Which never came out. Lame bats. But we were not the only fools waiting to see a million bats, that place was CROWDED. Maybe they will come out next time. It's something Austin is Known for and everyone said it's really cool if they actually come out from under the bridges.

Walking to see the bats Fernando was GREAT with Josh!!! Or as Josh calls him FER-MAN-DO

The boys just LOVE aunt Diane!!! She's so great with them as well.

Getting Ready to float down the river

Nothings more red neck then floating down a river in a Hot Texas afternoon. But those red necks sure know how to have fun. We had a great time doing this. It was a bit crazy and we nearly lost a kid or two a few times. We were so grateful that Fernando and Diane helped out so much because we couldn't of done it with out them.


The pictures are a little out of order but it was to hard to fix them. I'm a beginner blogger and maybe someday I'll get it just right but for now this is what I got.
1st we went to New Braunfels Texas and hit the outlet mall for a while. Then floated down the river. Sunday after church we went and attempted to see the non existing bats. Monday Ryan took them to Austin Park and Play for the day. Gavin and I stayed home from that one it's just not a place for a baby. But what a great weekend I love doing things like this and so did the boys. Thanks again for coming guys you are welcome back anytime.