I'm a strong person
But every now and then
I would like someone
to take my hand and say
everything will be all right.

October 2011

The year is flying by. My dear sweet Jeska is now in Spain – yep, Spain. She left the comforts of home on July 20 to enter the MTC. Donal and I had the blessed opportunity to take her to the MTC and give her a huge hug and then let her walk away with some fine looking Elders to get registered as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The night before she left our family gathered together in the stake president’s office where she was set apart and given a beautiful blessing. She was so cute, as she was listening to the instructions by the presidency when she asked if it was okay if she took notes. They shook their heads in admiration as they said that nobody had ever asked that before. I can tell that she will be a great ambassador for our Father in Heaven by the goodness that is in her and that she expresses in her actions.

I just returned from the annual Celebration for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in Orlando Florida. A crazy week of hard work and challenges to keep things organized for the attendees. This year I had the opportunity to work with the hotel to book over 485 rooms for the staff, sponsors, celebrities, etc. This took quite a bit of advanced coordinating to be sure that the names of the attendees were correct, dates for arrival and departures were correct. The other task that I took on this year was the seating for the black tie event. I worked with a director at work and we were able to assign seats for the 687 attendees. The only hiccup was when the attendees started arriving and 14 people walked in without reservations. We only had seats for 700 people and we had sat 687. How do you add a group of five when the seats are this tight? The answer: Miracles!

Last time I wrote I had two little grandsons on their way to join our family. Well I am happy to announce and introduce Jaron Wright and Jay Smith. Both arrived and are doing great. I am now the grandmother to four little boys that are each so unique and cute. I love being “damma”.

Yep it is 2011

I thought I better at least update my blog at least once in 2011. I can hardly believe it is almost May.

Busy year so far!
Jeska is currently working and living in Russia as a head teach for ILP teaching English. She returns on June 6th. She has submitted and received her mission papers and is planning to head off to serve on July 20th in Spain, Barcelona. She is quite the world traveler

David currently working at Walmart as a professional stalker ... I meant to say stocker :) He works crazy hours from 10:00 pm – 6 am. I hear rumors that he is planning to start school in the fall. I have to admit that I am crossing my fingers that he does.

Jared was recently promoted to an assistant manager at Standard Optical and seems to really enjoy his work there. He does a great job helping customers to pick-out the best style for them and to manage the operations of the store.

Lodema opened her own business/franchise called Husband & Wife which is a lingerie store in Murray located at approximately 4900 S. State Street. Stop by and support her store. She and Todd are expecting their second son in early June.

Matthew recently got a new job where he can expound on his programming skills. The new job have given him a new look on the business world where he is treated with more respect. That is always a nice plus in the workforce. Matt & Chloe are expecting their second son in late August.

Ben had his 2^nd birthday on June 8^th. His birthday theme was a bit “fishy”. Todd & Lodema decorated the house with fish decorations and even a kid’s size pool filled with Styrofoam peanuts and fish sponges for his guests to play in. He received his first train set and spends hours playing with is train and cars.

Neil is a tall little boy. For him being a preemie he has definitely caught up in his height. He loves to run and every time grandma and grandpa spend time with him he likes to sprint around the house or through the back yard. Neil will be having his 2^nd birthday on June 26^th.

Todd is working hard at plumbing as well as attending school. His hours are getting rather hectic and with the added hours that Lodema is spending at her store their family is very busy.

Chloe is doing well with this pregnancy. She loves spending time making her home a place of love and comfort for her family.

And then there is the love of my life – DONAL! He is having a birthday this month! I am still looking for that grand idea to help celebrate his special day. This is his big 5-0. I sure love that man. He can sure make me happy.

Now if I don’t get back to my blog until 2012 at least you have an idea that we are still alive and loving life.

Have a fantastic day!!!

This is the living room hall before.

And this is after.

This is the kitchen before.

And this is after.

Bedroom 1 before

Bedroom 1 after.

Looking into the living room at the laundry closet before

After

Bathroom before

Bathroom after

And the MAN who did it all - DONAL SMITH

33 hours and counting

In 33 hours my Mom moves into the apartment. It has been an interesting adventure building this apartment and an even more interesting week as we have been trying to get it all done. I took the last two days off from work in the attempt to get everything accomplished. One more day left!!! I think we just might make it.

This is what we have left to do:

• install master bedroom window
• touch up paint on those oops areas
• caulk the kitchen molding
• stain the molding for the top of the kitchen cupboards and install
• go to Mom's and uninstall master bedroom lights - take to apartment and install
• go to Mom's and uninstall grab bar in bathroom - take to apartment and install
• install the tub flange thingy in front of the tub to keep the water from running into the floor
• install shower curtain rod
• install TP roll holder
• finish caulking the bathroom
• install molding around front door
• etc.

and last but by no means least - construction clean!!! We can do it, I know we can.

A huge thanks to Lodema for coming over and spending countless hours helping to caulk, cook food, clean, etc.. She has been invaluable in this attempt.

To Ben for his patience and learning how to play with the real tools. He has learned to swing a hammer and to toss those screw drivers. Ben has truly been a trooper.

And to our demolition crew - Jared, David, and Tony - Thanks for getting us started on this path. Without your desire to destroy this whole thing may never have come to pass :)

And DONAL! My hero!! He worked more hours than anyone combined. He suffered a mashed his finger so badly that he lost his nail, and electrocution. The apartment has been his "project" for months.