Just Smile!!!

I love my husband! That's all that can be said.

I am just going to smile today. In the midst of moving (into storage sheds & in laws) I really do feal blessed. I have my girls and my husband ( that will kill me if he ever sees this) and we will have a roof over our heads. Just a quick update, we have 4 offers on houses right now and are still waiting to hear from them. This will be our last night in this house, we will be out on Thursday. So just say a little prayer for one of the offers to be accepted if its where we are supposed to be.(I will not suburban this) A BIG thanks to all our friends for the help this week!

What first?

Where do I start? A weekago from this past Friday I threw my back out. I hurt my back about 3 or 4 months ago and I never took care of it, so on Friday I moved a bag of trash from one side of me to the other side and I was down on the ground. I have never been in so much pain in my life counting giving birth with no help. I spent the first day and a half on my bedroom floor. Then the next good 2 full days in bed. I need to give a HUGE thank you to nicest man in the world "Mr. Back Dr." (we are so lucky to have him in our ward) He came over and brought his table and his electric stimulator and has adjusted me several times. I cried the first time (bawled like a baby and you are talking to a person who can count on one hand how many times I've ever cried) he was so gentle and kind, I love Mr. Back Dr.!

Now for the latest on our house situation. We will be out of this house by Sept. 11Th. We have 3 offers out on homes right here in this neighborhood. One offer has been out for 4weeks this week and still have not heard anything on it. So we are looking to find a temporary stop for hopefully no more that 2 months. Its going to be really hard and a huge pain but I can say that I am very grateful for my family. In the big picture this is only a really small problem. We are just praying that we get the house that we are supposed to have. I refuse to get all worked up and consumed by this. I have my girls and my husband and that really is all that matters. So we could use your prayers to help the home become available that we are supposed to have. Thank you!

Now some really exciting news, I finished the 3rd book in the Twilight series last night (way to late) so I am starting the 4Th one today. I am so excited that I made it. I am what you call a non-reader. Never have been and was sure that I never was going to be. So thanks to my hubby for telling me I would never finish the first book, sure is funny how anger motivates me. Thank you to my friend CA for giving me her book and telling me to read it. I do love them. I only have a house to pack but that 4Th book is calling my name!

I have a business

Yes, for about one year now I have worked my own web site. I really believe that it is a wonderful opportunity! So why has it been so hard for me to talk to people about it and get the word out? This is the question that is on my mind on a daily bases. So here it is. My web site is a travel site, you can book airline tickets, rent cars, book hotel rooms, send flowers, reserve T-times for golf and even buy a car! Everyone that has used my site has saved money. So I ask again why is it so hard to let people know about it? My conclusion is selfesteem. How I long for that girl that could talk to anyone and do anything she wanted. How did I get here? So enough already with the couch session. My travel site is paulastravelbuys.com if you are looking for a fall break vacation or just to get away for the weekend, compare my site to the ones you normally use and if I'm the better buy then please book with me. Also if you are interested in writing off your personal travel and getting those wonderful FAM trips then just ask me how. Happy vacationing!

On your mark, get set, GO!

Madison's first day of 6th grade 08-09

Alyssa's first day of High School 08-09

Yesterday marked the first and last in the Smith family. It was the first day of 6th Grade for Maddy and the last first day she will ever have in elementary school. It was the first day of High School for Alyssa and the last day of not having a clue of what High School would really be like. Maddy really likes her teacher, this is a huge answer to prayers. She has had the hardest time of it the last two years, so finally we can enjoy school again. The only thing that she is sad about is her best friend Annie is not in her class this year. Alyssa had a great first day of High School, there was NO tripping or falling, running into anyone or anything, not being able to open a door, or even getting lost. (open house the night before school is a HUGE pain but the best thing you can do for your child, walk to every class in order of there schedule, genius) We are only 2 days into school and we have a hot breakfast every morning, pray and even got scriptures in today! We are setting a great pattern, I love it.


P.S. Does anyone have a part time job opening for a sad and lonely Mom, during the hours of 8 to 2:30? I know someone perfect for the job!!!

Family Reunion

Alyssa & Maddy 7/08
Alyssa & Maddy 7/08

Alyssa & Maddy 7/08


We finally went away together as a family this summer. We went to Clay Springs for Arlon's family reunion (Perkins). It was a working one. They are clearing out trash and cleaning up trees and shrubs in preparation for the Perkins reunion next summer, it is Ben Perkins 100th birthday and they are inviting all of the Perkins family. Arlon ran his chainsaw all day and Maddy helped pull brush to the big pile. Alyssa had spent the night in Showlow and I was not feeling good the night before and that day. But I think Arlon and Maddy represented us just fine, way to go you too! Uncle Randall let Alyssa and Maddy take his quad out and they love that thing. Right before we were leaving we let them take it out for one last ride. Then out of no where these dark gray storm clouds came rolling in so fast and the ran came down almost instantly. We had thought that they made it up to Randall's to put the quad away and were probably under shelter. But as soon as we had convinced our selves of that we hear the quad reaving as fast as it could and here comes my 2 drowned wet girls and the quad. They had been in the middle of the back field when the rain came. It did make for some really cute pictures (I would not let them come in till I found my camera and got some pics). It turned out to be a really nice weekend.
P.S. You like the P.J. wearing atv'rs

$130.00 Batman movie ticket

Alyssa has been dying to see the new batman movie. She and a friend asked me to drop them off at the movies last night at 9:30. As I was getting off the highway, I stopped and then saw no traffic and made a right hand turn and instantly saw red and blue lights in my rearview mirror. I thought oh no someone did something wrong, it was "ME". Long story short NO RIGHT TURN ON RED. So my $9.00 dollar (which is to much for a movie) movie cost me $130.00. Thank you MR. Highway patrolman for doing your job. It was a good lesson for a almost 15 year old girl that wants to drive so badly that she has the days counted till she gets her permit. I took it as a teaching moment and explaned how to pull over safely and what documents you need to give the officer and how to speak kindly. I really hope she enjoyed the movie!

Running total> 7looks, 1no keys, to many variables to count!

This is Alyssa's vote (mud hut)
To date we have seen 7 homes. We love #3 (multiple offers but still shows active 2weeks later), couldn't breath in #1 (smokers house but has a pool), Alyssa wants to climb back wall and walk to AM&PM house #2( in the backyard, ok not really but is just behind the fence and across Guadalupe), #4 I will be able to see Alyssa skip class at High School (backyard is High Schools parking lot & ALYSSA WILL NEVER SKIP A CLASS), #5 just plain odd, #6 Needs new everything but great price (no joke needs EVERYTHING) #7 same ward, school & neighborhood ( really small backyard and NO pool but nice house). That is the grand total. We have given ourselves till the end of this week to find a house and make an offer. Ok, I have heard that if you put it out there or write it down that you will will it to happen. So this is our wish list, 4bedrooms, RV gate, 3rd car garage, pool and same school boundries. Sq ft we are very flexable on and would love both RV gate and 3rd car gar. but will settle for one or the other. The pool is not flexible in my book but Arlon is going out of a different book (we miss our old diving pool, it has been a long 2 summers). This just descibes our prayers in the Smith household.

I am trying

Smith Family home in Mesa
We have been looking for a home to buy for a little while now. We found out that the house we are renting is being foreclosed on and the auction date is Aug. 12. So it is now down to crunch time and I am trying to have faith that Heavenly Father will answer our prayers and show us where we are to go. I will not "suburban" it. (life lesson of mine that taught me to allow the Lord to direct my decisions) We have been in this house for exactly 2 years and we are really starting to feel a part of this area. I love the grass and tree lined streets. I wanted to live here ever since they started building this neighborhood. So we sold our home in Mesa to pay our business off I knew right where we wanted to be and everything just fell into place. We knew we were where we were supposed to be. I just need to say it out loud (in my journal) that I KNOW Heavenly Father will take care of us and put us in the home we are supposed to be in.

ALYSSA, my girl!!!

Alyssa @ Halloween "07"

We are a family of "NOT KEEPING A JOURNAL", so I (as the Mom) had both my girls start blogs (journals) this summer. My oldest finally is home for the summer. After 2 girls camps, EFY and a trek we finally get to spend time with her. So I very kindly and lovingly reminded her today that she has not started her blog. I am now proud to say that both my girls have there blogs up and going.

I love Alyssa. She is very creative, she has always had a special talent for writing and describing things. So I was really excited to see what she was going to name her blog, "Smitty the pimp" is what I got. But that is Alyssa. As soon as you think you have her figured out she reinvents herself. All I will say is that I love my girl.

11 years ago today!

4th of July "08"
Maddy & Savannah July "08"

Maddy 11th Bday

Maddy & Cannon

Madison entered our family on a walloper of a monsoon. I love this time of year!

*11 REASONS I LOVE MADISON*

11* The passion she has for life

10*The love she has for her dog, Cannon

9* The way she always listens to the spirit

8* The ability to play any sport she trys

7* The way she can be so strong willed and wear her heart on her sleeve at the same time

6* The way she could escape from any place or anyone at the age of 2

5* The artist she is becoming

4* The strength that she shows by standing up for her friends

3* The excitement in her face when she sees a tiger or learns something new about them

2* The way that she still wants me to tuck her in every night

1* The young lady that she is becoming

Madison you have added so much to our family, I feel very blessed to be your Mother and can hardly imagine the woman you will become. Watch out world! I love you with all my heart and hope you have the best birthday today!!!

Love, Mom

One CLEAN dog!

Maddy got one HUGE chore done today. Her dog Canon got a bath and it was about time. She did a great job. I am so proud of the way that she can take on a task and get it completed on her own. (Cleaning up the supplies-thank you) I love you Maddy and Canon!

Something New!

I tried something new today! I read a friends blog and she told about a food co-op in our area. So I ordered and today was the pick-up. She had invited me to go volunteer at the pick-up site today so I went. It was myself and 2 other ladies that went together. What an experience, there where quit a few people there to volunteer. Total time of volunteer and getting our order was one hour. Here's what I got for $15.00
12 Bananas
6 Apples
1 Bag Seedless Grapes
1 Cantaloupe
6 Mango's
3 Stalks of Broccoli
1 Stalk of Red Swiss Chard
6 Green Onions
1 Head of Romaine Lettuce
2 Squashes
2 Artichokes
5 Carrots
14 Red Potatoes
2 Cucumbers
1 Bunch of Radishes
Everything was very fresh and great quality. You can also order cheese, bread, granola, oils & honey. Something to try and you can save some money at the same time. I love it.

Time for ME!

I just got back Sunday morning from a trip to upstate NY to visit my sister and her family. I love spending time there. The houses are so full of history. I look at them and can't help but think of all the things that might have happened in them. Completely different than our Styrofoam, chicken wire & stucco homes here. My sister has a wonderful family and a great life. They have one daughter and just found out that the one on the way is a girl!! We love girls. ( that's all we know, being the oldest of 3 girls, mother of 2 girls, and aunt of 2 1/2 nieces and one lonely nephew) My family has gotten older. I was gone for 5 days and 6 nights and they survived. Basketball games, piano lesson, mutual, school & pack meeting all got done. I am very proud of them but also a little sad that they aren't little anymore. It's all part of life.