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