Football

As stated before, Matt is playing football.  He plays on the 7th grade B team for  his middle school, the Luna Longhorns and is loving every minute of it.  In fact one of his favorite things to do when being picked up from practice to list the hits he took, the injuries he has recently sustained, and the aches that he is feeling.  Silly me, I thought they would be playing flag football but this is Texas and they play full tackle, must have pads and mouth guard football.  I have decided where football is concerned I have a split personality.  I'm proud of his determination to do something that is difficult and requires a lot of work while at the same time I'm worried about my boy being hurt.  But usually the proud parent overrules the worried mother.

Matt is #33 and his coaches love to put him in because he doesn't care how much bigger the other kid is he will keep hitting him until the play is called and smiles while doing it.

Welcome to My Crazy Life

Well, I was going to try to get a picture of my Google Calendar so everyone could appreciate how crazy busy I have been since school started.  OK, maybe everyone didn't need to see that but I thought it would be great for future reference when I could look back and see that I really was that busy instead of just thinking I was.  What has me running you ask?  Four words:  School and Key Spouse

School is first.  This year both Matt and Nate are attending Luna Middle School.  This is great!  No more driving Nate 10 miles back and forth to school.  Then again, not so much.  This means that I have two children each attending eight classes a day.  That is 16 possible homework or project assignments to keep track of at any given time.  Luckily, Dan is still in elementary school where they take pity on parents and give them one homework packet for the week.  Must be grateful for small blessings.  Then as if that is not enough to drive a regular person a little batty, Dan joined the Galm choir which meets after school and Matt is involved with football practices.  Add scouts that all meet at different times on Tuesdays, football games that never start or end on time on Wednesdays, Monday night Family Home Evening, Doug gone doing his Executive Secretary duties on Tuesday/Wednesday night, and I am one tired girl by the end of the week.  Just to add a little more fun to the week we have had Matt's Men's Choir Recitals (both morning and evening) and book fair fundraisers to attend.  Now I know what you're thinking.....what about Nate.  Well, he just hasn't started his club yet.  That is next week.

Next is Key Spouse.  I love this program.  I believe it fills a need among military families.  It is also taking so much time that I think they need to pay me for my volunteer position.  By the end of this week I will have attended two wing events, manned the office a total of 30 hours, updated Facebook daily, presented at two pre-deployment briefings, had two security meetings, and met with the Dental Group's First Shirt all within a two week period.  That doesn't include the time I have spent updating forms and rosters.  

Needless to say, my house is a mess, laundry is getting done on a as needed bases, and dinners are sometimes sub-par.  But I keep singing Dori's song in my head "just keep swimming, just keep swimming, swimming, swimming, swimming".  (Finding Nemo)

Family Vacation Part 2

On our way home Doug and I decided to try to hit a few more of the National Parks.  We started out at Arches National Park.  Now remember about the boys sunburn, this is where it really comes into play.  Previously, we were either able to keep them inside away from the sun or we were in cooler weather.  But let me tell you there is nothing cool or overcast about Southern Utah in August.  So we did a lot of "American sightseeing".  Which means we drove around the park making very few stops to get out and see anything.  I would not suggest this method but if you have three children with second degree burns it probably is for the best.

Our first stop was at Arches National Park.  Doug did go on a couple quick hikes and took some pictures for me while the boys and I stayed in the car and out of the sun.

Next was Cayonlands National Park.  It is such a vast area that I don't think you can see most of it unless you are in a car or have decided to make it your entire vacation.  Interesting enough that Arches and Canyonlands are only about 30 miles away from one another but the landscapes are so different.

Our last stop on the National Park Tour was to Carlsbad Caverns.  Because the boys could actually explore this park this became the favorite stop.  They enjoyed being out of the sun and the cool, but mostly they enjoyed the ride back to the surface in the elevators.  I must admit that I went 750 feet underground and didn't have one claustrophobic attack until we got into the elevators.   Figures!!!

Family Vacation Part 1

This years vacation was all about family.  We headed to Arizona to visit everyone there and so everyone could see Doug in the flesh as this was the first time since his deployment.  We spent days having dental appointments (thanks Papa), swimming, eating great food, going to movies, having "girl time", and hanging out.  One of the bigger events that happened while in Arizona was the boys all receiving 2nd degree burns when they didn't put sunscreen on while swimming at Grandma and Grandpa Holmes house.  I wouldn't even mention it but it does play a major role in the rest of the vacation.

After four days in Arizona we headed up to Utah with the rest of the Smith clan to attend the Smith Family Reunion.  On our way to Provo we stopped at Cove Fort where Granny and Grampy served a mission.  

We had the sweetest sister as a tour guide.

I've decided that all houses should have an interior courtyard with all rooms opening out to it so your children don't run through the house but out in the courtyard.

This quilt reminded me so much of Gran and I know if she was with us today we would be making one.

The next day we headed to Salt Lake City and Temple Square.

Papa and his Grandboys

The cousin-brothers

We went to the visitor center, church library (for Nate), Joseph Smith Building, and walked around the temple grounds.  We enjoyed a great lunch in the Joseph Smith Building and got chocolate from Hatch Family Chocolates.

Saturday was family reunion day.  Now this was a reunion of my grandfather, Lloyd Smith, his sisters and cousins along with as many descendants as could make it.  A few things that was learned at this reunion:

1. The third generation of the Lloyd Smith clan, i.e. myself, my siblings, and my cousins, are a largely antisocial group
2. We really like the family names (and keep using them over and over again) and
3. Where there are Smith's there is a lot of great food (thanks Aunt Peg)

My Gorgeous Sisters

Eating in our little corner of the yard

See antisocial....sitting away from the tents where the rest of the extended family is sitting.

Scout Camps

Summer is the time of relaxation, play, and fun.....oh wait, unless you are the mother of children or work.  Then it is the time of camps, family vacations (forced march), and craziness.  Summer for us always includes scout camp.

In June, Matt attended Bear Creek Boy Scout Camp about two hours away from San Antonio.  Again, I asked for pictures and received none and so I am limited to Matt's descriptions of the area.  First it was hot, all the time.  Next his tent was up a steep hill that was not close to anything.  None of his classes, none of the free time activities that he wanted to participate in, and definitively not close to the cafeteria.  As far as what he did while at camp the only big thing that I got was that he worked on his Wilderness Survival Merit badge which at one point had him sleeping outside, among the trees with only a rock as a pillow.  Needless to say he enjoyed going, but in typical preteen fashion, enjoyed complaining about it more.

Dan was next to go to camp in July.  This time it was Cub Scout Day Camp that lasted for four 8-hour days.  Since Doug went last year, I got to go be a den walker this year.  The camp had a Mad Scientist theme which the boys really seemed to enjoy.

Dan really enjoyed archery this year.  In fact it is one of his most requested items for Christmas.

Dissecting owl pellets let the boys learn about what owls eat and how it is digested.  It taught me how much that type of stuff creeps me out.

Dan also build a bird feeder that hangs in our backyard. 

There was swimming, BB shooting, nature walks, crafts, guest speakers, flag ceremonies, games, heat, and lots of water.  Dan and I came home every day completely exhausted and ready for bed.  But the boys really had a great time and made really great friends.

Nate was last for his 11-year-old Scout Day Camp this year which was held in August.  Again I volunteered for three 10-hour days in the heat.  (I swear when I was growing up I my goal was not to be a "scout mother", but here I am.)  I really feel like I shorted Nate by not taking any pictures but by the time his camp had rolled around I was so tired I couldn't remember the camera to save my life.  He was able to work on First Aid, Citizenship in the Nation, Swimming, Leather Working, Lashing, Hitches, Art, Geology, and I'm sure some other things which I can't remember.  

I love the Scouting program. There are activities and opportunities for every boy to shine.  It teaches respect, team work, self reliance, friendship, leadership, and so many other qualities that I want instilled into my boys. 

It's All About Nate

End of May beginning of June it all seemed to be about Nate.  From school to Scouts we seemed be on all Nate all the time.  

First, Nate received his Webelos rank at the May pack meeting.

Then he received his Arrow of Light.

Then it was on to the Boy Scout Court of Honor where he received his Scout Rank.

Finally it was Nate's Fifth Grade Promotion Ceremony

Here he is singing with the Lobos Choir.

Posing with his promotion certificate with a friend.

Saying goodbye to his teacher, Ms. Dockery.

Our Heritage

The month of May seems always to be filled with school projects.  I truly believe that teachers are so relieved that testing is over, they feel that it is time for fun.  Well, fun for the kids and the teachers not so much for the parents.  This year we had Nate's never-ending invention project, Matt's math trip around the world and his social studies project on Mexico, and Dan's My Heritage project.  It's about enough to make your hair go gray.  (Oh wait, that's already happening.)

Although Matt's and Nate's projects were labor intensive they were pretty straight forward.  Dan's on the other hand presented some difficulties.  In the past when the boys have brought home a "heritage" project we have gone with the "We are Americans" attitude.  Red, White, and Blue all the way.  I appreciate my family history but to ask me to make a dish from Poland or write a sentence  in Serbian is asking a bit much.  So once again we were faced with the "describe your heritage" assignment. 

And this is where my Dan surprised me.  He looked straight at me and said "Mom, I'm Mormon."  It really was an "I should have thought of that" moment.  He then dictated as I typed what he knew about his life as a Mormon.  He told how he was baptized at eight years old, how he had ancestors who crossed the plains as part of the Oregon Trail on the way to the Great Salt Lake Basin, how he attended church weekly, prayed and read scriptures daily, and how he believed the Book of Mormon was the word of God.  Dan asked if he could take a copy of the Book of Mormon to show as he told his teacher and friends about his heritage.  As he got out of the car the morning of his presentation he was so excited about what he was going to share.

Later that day when I picked him up from school, I didn't even get to ask how his day went before he was telling me all about his presentation.  His eyes lit up and his smile reached from ear to ear as he told me how after his presentation he asked his teacher, Mrs. Ripps, if she would like the copy of the Book of Mormon that he had brought.  In his words "And she said YES!!!!"

I continue to be humbled by my children.  I am grateful that I am able to witness their moments of greatness.

Westcreek Picnic

Currently we live in a community called Westcreek.  It has a very active Homeowners Association that holds a yearly picnic for the community.  This is the first year that we have attended.  Nate was off on his first scout camp out, so it was Matt, Dan and I that went to the picnic.  Doug decided that staying home and mowing the yard would be more fun.  The boys and I first visited with the county fire department.  Matt and Dan were able to sit in the brand new fire truck. 

There were also a lot of games for the kids to play. For the younger children they had a bouncy house, pony rides, and mini train rides.  The older kids could enjoy the mobile video game station or the giant hamster ball. 

Dan took his turn in the plastic hamster ball.

But the favorite game among the older kids was where they were able to get Velcro bean bags out of giant noses and throw them at each other to see if they could get the bean bags to stick.  My boys were all over that one.

Nate Turns 11

Yep, the double ones.  With this accomplishment of turning a year older he gets to advance from the Cub Scouts and join the ranks of the Boy Scouts.  So a major part of his birthday gifts this year was his scout uniform.  (Talk about an investment)  He also received a Wii game that has something to do with airplanes. 

He wanted to visit a two story book store (Nate's idea of utopia).  We timed it just right and were able to see Rick Riodan.  Too bad we didn't have any of his books with us or we might have stood in line for an autograph. 

Nate decided that pie was in order this year so we celebrated with apple pie and ice cream.  As presents continue to arrive, Nate gets to enjoy his birthday over and over. 

Homecoming

HE IS HOME!!!!!

Ok, Doug has been home since May 3rd but can you blame me for not updating the blog when I could be doing much more interesting things like staring at him, taking him with me on every boring chore, and basking in all his at-homeness. 

Let's see if we can make a long story a little shorter.  I had a tentative arrival date of May 4th with the understanding that this was probably not going to happen so I kept it to myself.  On the morning of the 1st I received an e-mail stating that he was in Kuwait waiting to move out to Germany.  Tears of happiness were mine when I realized that he was out of Iraq and on the move.  Again I kept it to myself as he could be delayed anywhere along the way.  Later that day I received another e-mail saying that he was in Germany.  Again, tears.  I e-mailed back to tell him that once he reached US soil he was to call me. 

May 2nd I had a doctor's appointment when I received a call on my cell phone (I had been sleeping with the thing for days).  Now I feel that taking calls when you are interacting with others is just rude, but for this call I asked forgiveness for being rude and told my doctor that I had been waiting for this call for seven months.  I couldn't get the hello out before I was crying.  Doug was on the other end of the phone saying that he was in Baltimore and would be on the plane the next day that would bring him finally home.  He had to stop to ask me if I was driving because I was crying so much and he was concerned.  I assured him that I was safely sitting with my doctor making him very uncomfortable with my blubbering.

 As I picked the boys up from school I was able to tell them that their Dad would be home the next day.  Oh the excitement.  We cleaned house, made posters, picked out clothes to wear, and planned a special welcome home meal.  We were ready.  Until of course Doug was 30 minutes early getting into the airport.  As we ran (literally ran) through the airport to meet him, I couldn't believe that my well laid plans to meet him at the gate had been foiled by the efficiency of the airline.  (Who knew????)  But at the end of the day Doug was home where he belongs.

You can hear the happiness in Dan's voice in this video he made.

Dealing with Deployment

One thing that having Doug deployed has taught us is that we can handle most things.  Now they may not get done in the same efficient manner, but they get done.  Sure there are a few things on his "Hunny Do" list but not as many as I thought.  I can take very little credit for this fact.  The boys have really stepped up and helped out.  Usually without me knowing.  Case in point is the weekly getting ready for church.  Now all my boys are big enough to get themselves dressed, hair brushed, and teeth taken care of but a couple of them still need help with their ties.  They already know that although mom can do this she is not the expert.  So Matt has stepped in and taken over this chore so everyone looks good.

Deployed Family Activity

One of the reasons we decided to stay in San Antonio during Doug's deployment was the great support that the Air Force has for deployed families.  While he has been gone we have received calls from commanders, holiday baskets from his unit, dinner with other deployed families from the base, and a great family night out.  These are just a few of the activities and outreaches available to families of deployed members. 

The last event we got to participate in before Doug got home was a "Jump It Out" night at Pump It Up. 

The Willford Hall Auxiliary (non-profit support group) sponsored the event and great fun was had by all.



Easter

Easter was the last holiday that we had to celebrate without Doug.  I learned one really important lesson about that, I cannot do it all.  Usually while I am cooking he is having the Easter egg hunt, or I'm filling baskets while he is filling eggs.  Yep, none of that help this year, but we did our best.  We started with the Easter basket treasure hunt.

Please excuse the length of the video, but I knew Papa would really get a kick out of this.

Then it was off to church were I got to teach Relief Society.  (Glad that is over)  Then back home and we managed an Easter egg hunt but ended off postponing Easter dinner until Monday due to lack of before mentioned help.  I was a great day anyway.

How Truely Blessed Am I



Today I woke up with the most amazing migraine.  (I blame the change in weather and not drinking enough water over the last couple of days.)  As I lay in bed waiting for my medication to start working I started to think over the week ahead of me.  As I thought, a great sense of peace and love enveloped me.  And like Alma I thought "O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the ^atrump of God..." to declare that the Lord loves us.

I have been lead and guided by His hand.  He has carried me when I could not walk.  "My God hath been my ^asupport; he hath led me through mine ^bafflictions in the wilderness..." (2 Nephi 4:20).  He has sent his angels to minister to me in the form of loving people who have seen my need.  He has been the light in my darkness, my harbor in the storm, and my rock.  And after all this I hear his voice saying  " Well done, thou good and faithful ^aservant..." (Matt 25:21). 

I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives
He lives, He lives who once was dead
He lives, my everliving Head
He lives to bless me with His love
He lives to plead for me above
He lives, my hungry soul to feed
He lives to bless in time of need.

He lives to grant me rich supply
He lives to guide me with His eye
He lives to comfort me when faint
He lives to hear my soul's complaint.
He lives to silence all my fears
He lives to wipe away my tears
He lives to calm my troubled heart
He lives all blessings to impart

He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly Friend
He lives and loves me to the end
He lives, and while He lives I'll sing
He lives, my Prophet, Priest and King
He lives and grants me daily breath
He lives and I shall conquer death
He lives, my mansion to prepare
He lives to bring me safely there.

He lives, all glory to His name
He lives, my Savior, still the same
Oh sweet the joy this sentence gives
I know that my Redeemer lives
He lives, all glory to His name
He lives, my Savior, still the same
Oh sweet the joy this sentence gives
I know that my Redeemer lives.

Text: Samuel Medley 1738-1799
Music: Lewis Edwards 1858-1921
Included in first LDS hymnbook

For this knowledge I am truly grateful.  Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live and love us.  Their goal is to see us return to heaven to live with them again.  I know we are not left alone to do this task but are guided and supported.  This I know.



Key Spouse

Most of the time I would rather write about all my boys and leave to imagination the role I play.  (Let's be honest, it's not that exciting anyway.)  But lately I have had some really neat experiences that would be a shame not to record.  Last May I was asked to be the Key Spouse for the 59th Dental Group.  (In non-military terms that means I am Relief Society President for about 500 families and airmen.)  I was honored and a little worried since I have little to no Air Force experience, but I jumped in with training, meetings, and events.  Needless to say it has been an interesting process to get the program running.

To give a little background information, the Key Spouse program is a official commander run program that was rolled out in 2010 for the Air Force Year of the Family.  It recognizes the need for strong, resilient Air Force families and it's purpose is to breach to command/family gap by way of a volunteer (i.e. Key Spouse).  I attend command meetings, recognition ceremonies, family events, while also trying to stay in contact with our Dental Group families.  The last part of my mission has been a little difficult to non-existent but the outlook is positive for the future.  I also am tasked with keeping in contact with our deployed families and helping command support them.  (Did you see all that official jargon?  I am really proud of myself.)

Since becoming Key Spouse, I have been able to attend some really great events and meet some amazing people.  Along with all the Wing Key Spouses, I have been invited to dinner at the Wing Commander's house to meet General Hepburn and his lovely wife.  This last week I, again along with the Base Key Spouses, were invited to attend the Inaugural Key Spouse Forum.  We were treated to a briefing by the 37th Training Wing , attending Basic Military Training Graduation, received a personal tour of the one of the training squadrons, and got to enjoy lunch while discussing the mission  of the Key Spouse program with command from all the local Wings.  I am slowly becoming more comfortable meeting with such high ranking commanders, but still feel like a fish out of water.  Hopefully, I will be able to do my job effectively and support our Air Force families in the way they deserve.



Nate's Award Ceremony

Nate continues to excel in his school studies.  This last nine weeks he was awarded for perfect attendance, A-B honor roll, and the Character Pillar Award in Fairness.  We are so proud of all his accomplishments.

Luna Middle School Talent Show

It all begins at the start of February.  This is when Matt came home explaining to me that his teacher (which one I don't know) suggested he and his buddies tryout for the talent show.  After an in depth soon-to-be teenage male discussion (probably two minutes) it is decided that they would pass.  So I think nothing more of it, until I have a permission slip shoved under my nose at 7 o'clock in the morning with the explanation that if I don't sign it, Matt can't tryout.  Then I get the "you are so out of it" look when I ask what he is trying out for.  After reading over the paperwork, it seems the boys are late with the application but with a little string pulling from their teacher they will still be able to tryout that afternoon after school.  My response being, what is your talent?  I get the look again as I am told that they will be singing (singing?!?!?!?) a song called Grenade by Bruno Mars.  So I sign, they tryout, and to my surprise, make the cut.  Who knew?

After a few practices after school, and one very long hour at the talent show we finally got to hear them.

(sorry for the video quality, between my shaking and they young lady that kept walking in front of me this was the best I could do)

At the end of the talent show that ended up being a competition the winners were announced.  Matt and his friends got second place.

Pretty good for three sixth graders.  Afterward they were asked to pose for pictures with "fans" and sign autographs.  The next Monday at school they were the cool kids on campus.  Now I just need to find a way to inject a little humility back into my son.