A Long Two Minutes

As soon as the boys heard we would be in Arizona for spring break the first thing they wanted to do was go swimming. Doug and I tried to convince the boys that the water would be too cold for swimming but they wouldn't believe us and insisted on packing swim suits. Every morning the question was asked "Can we go swimming today?" After three days of this, I came up with my solution. I bet my boys that they couldn't stay in the pool with water up to their necks for two minutes. Of course each of them took me up on my $5.oo bet. As soon as we were back at Nana and Papa's house they were in their swim suits. With stop watch in hand, I watched the boys jump into the water.

Matt was the first to toss in the towel at just 15 seconds

Danny was able to hold out until about 30 seconds

But Nate stuck out the complete two minutes with much encouragement (or laughing) from the brothers

I must admit that they didn't ask to go swimming for the rest of the visit. Wonder why???

Wildlife Zoo & Aquarium

This years spring break was spent in Arizona. We were excited to spend time with family that didn't revolve around a holiday. We got really lucky when we found out that Doug's brother and family from North Carolina would be visiting at the same time. So with this many Holmes' in one place we felt we needed to do a family activity that we would all feel comfortable with participating in. So we were off to the Wildlife Zoo and Aquarium in Glendale to take in some other animal behavior that didn't include family members.

Grandma and Grandpa were able to be with the grandkids

Danny didn't want to touch the rays. I don't really blame him but I knew that he would regret not giving it a try. So I made a deal with him. He would touch them if I would. This became his favorite part of the day.

Another highlight was feeding the giraffes. Randon really enjoyed having the giraffes big tongue get the food off his hand.

Doug Gets into his Work

I love that Doug enjoys DIY projects. Through the years we have been able to save money through his willingness to push up his sleeves and work hard. But sometimes I can't help but wonder if this is really the way it is suppose to look.

I'm sure the professionals do this a little bit differently.

But he is triumphant again!!! The truck runs and doesn't leak anymore.

100 Years of Scouting

For those not in the "know" about scouting this is the 100 year anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America. So this years Blue and Gold Banquet revolved around the history of scouting. As the our family sat listening to the speaker, I couldn't help but think of the family history that we have in the scouting program.

So I asked the men in my family for their personal history in scouting so my boys would know their heritage and this is what I learned. My great-grandfather, Lloyd Edward Smith received his Eagle Scout award in 1925. My grandfather, Lloyd David Smith received in Eagle Award in 1946. My father, Douglas Lloyd Smith received his Eagle Scout award in 1968. And from what I remember, my brother, Douglas Craig Smith received his Eagle Scout award in 2000. Now I know that both my great-grandfather and my grandfather have received other awards but I'm not sure as to what or when those were awarded.

I am now looking at this post as a work in progress. Eventually, I would like to have a personal experience or two from each of them, a picture of them during their Boy Scout years, and a list of any special awards that they received. Until then at least I have a few dates. And I know that this has inspired my boys to each become Eagle Scouts. So I want to say a big THANK YOU to each of these men who have made my job easier as a mother when it comes to scouting. When you have a heritage such as this it makes you want to measure up.

The Elephant in the Room

Yes, yes I know updating my blog has come to a screeching halt. It's not that our lives have come to the same screeching halt, but that I always find it difficult to talk or write about some of the more day to day aspects of our lives when there is a big elephant in the same room with me.

Our elephant joined our family on Wednesday, February 24th. Doug came home with a look on his face that said "I have something to tell you and you may not like it." Usually, this look is accompanied by the phrase "I forgot to tell you...." but not this time. This time when I looked up and asked "What is it?" the response was that he was going to be deployed to Iraq in November for six months. I almost wish he had the camera so he could take a picture of my face after he told me. I would love to be able to sit and analyze the emotions that a picture would show. Luckily, I didn't have much time for myself as my three little men were right there and needed their mommy.

Needless to say, it took a few days to work my mind around the idea and to reassure the boys. Then we wanted to tell our family in person while we were visiting during spring break last week. So finally I feel it is OK to put it out in the open so I can get back to updating about our family as usual.

Although, having Doug gone for such an extended period of time is going to be hard we are comforted in the knowledge that his is a dentist (which means safety), his commander just finished a deployment there last fall and is able to give us really good insights as to what he is getting into, and that Heavenly Father loves us. We are looking forward to the new challenges that this will bring and the lessons we will learn. We are already growing closer together and see the hand of the Lord. We are proud of our husband and daddy.