Two Women

Twice (ideally) in a man's life, there comes a woman who sets the course for how he goes about living and experiencing life. The first of these women welcomes him with an overabundance of love, kindness and protection. This love and care during the early days, months, and years of his life most closely approximates that celestial love and care from which he just left above. And, if he is blessed with a mother such as mine, he may only have recognized the change in scenery. This is the gift of that first woman, even my Mom.

The years pass and that man, nurtured and loved by a holy mother, searches for, finds, and quickly seals to himself an angelic woman, who agrees to pose as his wife. If he's blessed, as I have been, he soon discovers that this woman naturally stirs within him a desire to maintain or even increase the trajectory which was set long ago by that first blessed woman, his mom. Together, she and he walk side by side, close enough for her selflessness and love to rub off on him. In my life, I have been blessed with a wife who exemplifies the wonder and beauty of true womanhood and motherhood. She knows who she is. She knows Whom she follows. And she's just crazy enough to let us all tag along!!

Love You Melissa and Love You Mom!!!

Happy Mother's Day   

Rex and Pinnochio

THIS. IS. EMERSON.

 Actually this is Emerson with his "dream" hair that I never let him do.........but since it WAS "tacky" day at school and I thought it fit, I let him go in public like this. *gasp*. As you see, he was pretty proud of himself.

Anyway, just 2 days later the whole family went to a fun birthday party over at a friend's house w/ a bunch of trees, shrubs, etc.

It was THERE that he caught "Rex", the turtle. 

He was sooooooooooooo proud of himself because, let's face it, it's usually Camden catching things. 

Daddy let them bring it home on the condition that it stays outside (I've heard THAT before.....)

Later that night Iris and Aleeya had their first dance recital (let's just say one was a TAD more focused then the other.....) and I made the boys go to it. There was much complaining, but since we were going straight from there to Bronson's baseball game, it made it pretty obvious we were all going.

We had to drive separately, so I had already left w/ the girls. I believe I've mentioned BeyBlades are their favorite toys, right? They have this cooler bag I gave them that they keep all their Beyblades in.  Apparently when they started getting into the Yeti they brought their Beyblade bag. Brooks, suspicious as he was, asked where the turtle was and the answer he got was, "He's in his box."

Brooks: "Oh, so what's in that bag?"

Camden: "Beyblades"

We went to recital, Brooks left w/ Bronson to his game and I stayed and helped clean up. I knew it was boring so I grabbed their Beyblade bag to grab those out for them. I unzipped it and.....

(you guessed it)

out popped Rex and startled me to death!

Of COURSE being the tattling mom (now I know where Aleeya gets it) I asked Brooks at the game, "Did you know the boys brought Rex to the church for the recital and he's sitting in that bag over there on the bleachers?!?!?"

I had no idea that they had lied before. Brooks decided to give them ONE MORE CHANCE.

After the game Emerson was holding his bag VERY tight and Brooks said, "So Emerson, what again do you have in that bag?"

"Nothing"

"Are you sure it's not the turtle"

"Nope, it's Beyblades"

The next morning when Emerson ran to Rex's box outside he found this note.......and no Rex.

("Boys, Thanks for lying to your Dad. Now I'm free!!!!     -Rex)

Leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet's just say, Emerson was NOT happy.

(and Brooks and I sat there giggling in our room pretty hard)

Sundays will never be the same....

About half of the Sundays in the month our favorite "Mr. Nate" would come over for dinner and game/popcorn night. He's a football player here at a college and the kids just think he's the best.

Last Sunday before our usual game of "Up, Smith" (only a chosen FEW have been graced with the chance to play that awesome game), Mr. Nate took the kids for a ride on his motorcycle.

Check out the joy on Camden's face!!!!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand they did some duo-riding while Aleeya PATIENTLY squealed her way while waiting for her turn.

Royce happened to be the only one wearing a helmet..............and he didn't get ON the motorcycle. :)

(I love that face!!!!!!!!!! AH!)

Then here's Aleeya sitting cross-legged on the "Mountain Man's Motorcycle" (that's what the neighbors call him, since they see him drive up all the time in his motorcycle or truck)

And although Iris kept a VERY far and screaming distance from the motorcycle (or ANYTHING loud for that matter), she loves Mr. Nate.............which if you know Iris and men you would know that's pretty odd.

Emerson definitely was usually his constant buddy. Nate said the "wild stallions" have to stick together. A quote from Nate's grandpa, "The wilder the stallion, the better the horse." Here's hoping......

Nate went home for the summer and will get married, then we'll move........bummer, because he sure made Sundays extra fun w/ the kids BEGGING to have Mr. Nate over for game night.

Car Conversations

One reason that is nice about driving the little white Buick is that I can actually HEAR all my kids when they talk to me.......as opposed the the Yeti when they're sitting in the back bench. (However, I'm not going to lie, there's pros to that scenario as well!!!!)

Last Friday I was down in the town we'll be moving to looking for housing. I took Camden and Emerson with me because they had to be tested to see if they can be accepted in the language immersion program (I guess by  Bronson's age they assume they're fluent?) So one of the homes I looked at was IN. THE. GHETTO. Well, not dark streets w/ buildings, just run-down homes and a LOT of people wandering...strutting.... around in the middle of the day (probably w/o jobs). It kinda freaked me out, so I kept the cell phone up to my ear the whole time to look like I was talking to someone. As I was driving, some.....dare I say....."thug".....called to me, "Hey Beautiful!" I punched the gas. But NOT before Emerson could unbuckle his seatbelt, lean out the window and yell back, "HEY, MY BUDDY!!!!!" That kid does NOT know a stranger.
And no, we will NOT be moving to neighborhoods full of Emerson's "buddies", thank you very much.

We have random corners/intersections here in town where there will be people begging for money/food/work, etc. I had just stopped by Taco Bell (a craving I had had for over a month and it was FINALLY satisfied) and got what I wanted. Then we pulled up to a light and there was this man holding a sign. Aleeya asked me, "What does that sign say?"
I told her it said, "I lost my home and need help."
I was a little worried that she was going to tell me to give him money or something. I will not give out money (I never have cash on me anyway) but I'll sometimes give a box of crackers or granola bars or something. But the only food I had was my Taco Bell, and let's be honest, I was NOT feeling that generous. THANKFULLY she didn't say anything. She was silent the whole red light (unusual!!!!).......probably trying to let it sink in.
The light turned green and as we drove by the guy Aleeya yells out her open window,
"BYE! I HOPE YOU FIND YOUR HOME!!!!!"
I couldn't stop laughing. She thought he had lost/misplaced his home and didn't know where it was. She's a crack-up.

6

Emerson's 6th birthday was FINALLY celebrated. ;) He turned 6 last on the 14th, but that was so soon after I got home from Brazil, making a pinata wasn't high on my priority list. This little man was so patient.

And since my camera is broken (dropped it while in Brazil), my awesome friend Allison let me use this fancy shmancy one..........coveting feelings were NOT easy to suppress. 

I let Emerson pick the order of events.....and SURPRISINGLY this kid wanted to open up presents first. ;)

However most of my pictures looked like this. All the presents were pretty popular.

 Then this boy party (w/ Aleeya and Iris) ate hot dogs, cheetos and Caffeine-free Dr. Pepper (can you tell who picked the menu?)

 Since I never let the kids decorate food much, I just baked some cupcakes, frosted them and let Emerson decorate them all. He was SO excited. I should've taken a close-up picture of them, they are literally piled high with gummy worms and sprinkles. But I just love the look on his face in this picture.

 He wanted a "Black widow" pinata. So that's what he got. He painted it all black too and loved EVERY second. (I think that's the best part for my kids' parties is seeing the progress of their pinata in the kitchen over the 4-ish days it takes to make......or me getting up the energy to make. They wake up so excited to see what new has been added to the pinata. It's  the anticipation before their birthday!!!)

 Thankfully he didn't complain about the girly ribbon I used to hang it up, but Brooks was gone and I couldn't find the good sting.

 The kids just WAITING to pounce right before it all spills out.

 After all the candy was snatched up, Royce realized a little too late what was going on and just kept standing in front of people begging. Look at that sweet face and blue eyes.

 He usually got what he wanted too.

As I've mentioned before, if you don't know Emerson, you're missing out. He's one of the giggliest, happiest, most energetic, sorest of losers, snuggliest and friendliest (UNDERSTATEMENT) kids around.

I love my birthday Emer-bop.

While the Cat's Away.....

When I was in Brazil, Brooks' Mom, Pat came to stay w/ the kiddos. WITHOUT A DOUBT every day while I was in Brazil I looked forward to getting her emails about the kids the most (phone connection was delayed and weird). I never asked, but I'm hoping it's okay, I took snipets from her emails of different.......eh-hem, "experiences" she had the kids. Most of them made me laugh so hard. I could just picture them all happening. (pictures, courtesy of Linsey, THANKS!)

."I now know why I only had boys...the drama of girls is more than a normal sane person can take!  Iris and Aleeya.....but, I don't have to go pee; I can do it by myself; whudjasay, whudjasay, whatjasay????; I don't want to wear that; I want my mommy; no I don't want to go to bed; my last name is NOT Smith; I don't want to wear those shoes; I don't want to eat that; I don't like the way you did my hair; I can still do it by myself.; I don't want to go to sleep and the best yet...I did not leave that wrapper on the floor! Royce did!

 I just have to throw up my arms and say WHATEVER. "

"Today was eventful because it was the first time I ventured out in a car.  I drove the girls to dance but not until there was weeping and wailing about what to wear.  Aleeya was fine, but Iris didn't like anything presented to her, so I MADE her wear the little purple one piece.  I didn't even bother mentioning wearing shoes because I just didn't have any stamina left."

" I also had no idea he (Royce) could scream like a girl." 

 " Driving the Yeti was a new experience too.  Just getting out of the driveway posed a problem.  I hit the basketball hoop (nothing damaged) so I had to pull forward and started over again.  The boys guided me down the hill and away we went. I felt like the frizzy haired teacher in the Magic School Bus books."

"The boys have been really good and do whatever I ask them to.  They're growing up soooo fast.  They seem a lot older than they really are.  Emerson seems so much older than the kids his age at my school.  

I think Brooks was quizzing Bronson about how much wii he was playing and this is all I'm going to say.....it's their Spring Break and I want them to have fun and not be bored with an old grandma.  Reality will slam them soon enough when next week comes and the wii is long gone.  They've been  having  so much fun beating each other in bowling or baseball or whatever and it's fun to hear them laughing and cheering.  Even Emerson hasn't had a meltdown over loosing. The card game I brought almost causes a riot whenever they play that, so I did take that away. "

"Let's see...what did Iris do today?  She got into something in the bathroom and when I said "no Iris", she ran to the loveseat and curled up in the corner with her head buried.  then after a little while I heard her talking to herself and being all happy again. "

"The kids were soooo excited over their (easter) baskets.  They ate candy for breakfast, so I didn't even have to cook.  Then Linsey and Bug took them to the hunt at the church.  Bronson REALLY didn't want to go, so he stayed home with me and Royce and Iris.  He's out shooting hoops now.  He lives for that uh? "

(My note: Camden was SUPPOSED to only get 8 eggs.......BUSTED!!!!)

"I let them stay up late and watch the final basketball game.  We pushed the love seat in front of the computer and popped popcorn.  It didn't even start until 9 something.  The girls were in bed, but when Aleeya smelled popcorn, she was up and at it.  Anyway, Camden went to bed around 10; Emerson fell asleep around 10:30 and Bronson watched the whole thing.  He really loves his b-ball.  Just like his dad.  "

I THINK IT'S SAFE TO SAY, we couldn't be MORE GRATEFUL for Pat, who is the best Grandma! The kids all wanted her to stay another week.

I'm 31!

My actual birthday was the day that I was leaving on the airplane to come back to the US (overnight flight). In the morning the cafeteria crew made the most delicious and rich cake. Amazing. (and yes, it DID infact, get on Brooks' Sunday clothes as he carried it up to the room)

2 of the other missionary couples came to my parents apartment to come celebrate and eat the cake with me (medical missionaries and executive secretary missionary couple)

That morning we walked to the local "feira" (place where they sale the BEST produce w/ piles and piles of fruit, etc.) We spent $30 in fruit just to get our last taste of all things tropical......and trust me, it was a LOT of fruit.

However, THIS was the aisle I kept trying to avoid.......smells of all that meat was really a little too much.

Brooks' flight left 4 hours before mine, so I had about 5 hours to kill at the airport. My parents PATIENTLY agreed to play ONE MORE GAME of Golf w/ me........that morning we played AGAIN in my dad's office and I STILL CAME IN LAST!!!!! Unbelievable. Afterall, it WAS my birthday and I couldn't go out being an 100% loser, right?

Oh, and there weren't any open tables, so we balanced our cards on our laps, etc.

The outcome? I came in last again. I really don't know how that's even numerically possible to have my bad of odds at that game. So happy stinkin' birthday to me, huh.

Here I am, headin' home.......on the longest 20 hours ever!

By the time I got home, I was REALLY feeling one year older. What a trip!!!!

Free day

The day before I left (April 6th), my parents had free as well, so we packed the day w/ all things....well, "Me"......or things that I wanted to do.

First stop? Embu. A local town that will pull out all these stands and is lined w/ shops selling fun souvenirs, etc. And since I was under STRICT instructions to bring the kids back something, I had to find something good.

As we pulled up to the square, I said to Mom and Dad that there USED to be a churro stand over in the corner that filled their churros w/ doce de leite (they were my favorite). My mom reminded me that was 15 years ago.

Get this....IT WAS STILL THERE!!!! hahaha. Got my churro.

Here's an idea of some shops off the main square. It is so charming.

Then we went to our old home/apartment. We lived on the 4th floor and all the homes there are the entire floor. It felt SO fun coming back home. This is where I waited for my bus in the mornings.

And the SAME guard (Antonio) STILL WORKED THERE!!!!!!

We went over to my old school that I went to from 7th-9th grade. Total flood of memories.

It's an all open school (except classrooms) so you can see the lockers, etc. are all outside. I loved it! the picture above is my old freshman hall!!!!

We got to go to the Sao Paulo Temple while we were there.

THEN, the MAIN EVENT!!!!! My CLOSEST friends EVER from Brazil organized a big ol' get-together for me. I had an absolute blast and felt so at ease like it hadn't even been 15 years at all. (even though Brooks doesn't speak portuguese, once again, he was still talking the whole time).

Thank GOODNESS it was the last night of my visit, so I had a whole week to brush up on my portuguese........conversations straight the whole time.

The host, Talita even sent me home w/ my Caquis. They look like tomatoes but are the BEST fruit and sooooo sweet and tasty.

They made a little movie clip/slideshow thing w/ old pictures of me (I can't believe people actually wanted to be seen with me in how I looked in some of those. hahaha) and then they surprised me with a HUGE cake.

It was a brigadeiro cake moistened w/ passion fruit juice. Yep, it was amazing. AND my friends Marina/Joyce gave me a huge bag stuffed w/ Brazilian treats to bring home to the kids. They are loving them!

Best way EVER to spend my last night in Brazil. I love them all so much.

A few Brazil favorites

Guarana.....the drink of Brazil. Best drink ever (carbonated)......and we had it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Definitely going through Guarana withdrawls.

These flowers are called "Birds of Paradise". You can see why. I love how pretty they are.

I kept making everyone play "Golf" again, so I could at least win (or not come in last) once......and by-the-way, my starting hand there REALLY stinks.

Smiling before the big game

Because had I taken a picture AFTERWARDS, I wouldn't have been smiling so much. I came in last and dad in first.......AGAIN. 3 times playing, 3 times losing. It's more then I can bare.

Perspective

I love those moments in the day when you are blessed with a little perspective. It changes your attitude a little.

Tuesday night I was just mentioning to Brooks how it kinda gets old not feeling yourself. I mean, I get healthier and healthier all the time, but I never go a whole day w/ feeling like ME. It wasn't a pity-party, just a kind of annoyance to me considering the "blah" period lasts longer each pregnancy.

The next morning, I'm not sure WHAT was up, but after I got the boys off to the bus I came home and didn't feel awesome. Infact, I knew I was going to hurl soon. (I don't

really don't puke that much). I ran into the bathroom and my sweet little Royce followed me in.

Puking stinks. The no-breathing thing and stomach wrenching just bites......however this time was different. Everytime I would....well....puke Royce just started giggling. He thought it was the FUNNIEST thing everytime I would make a sound and then he would see stuff. His giggles were uncontrollable!!!!

After I was through I just looked up at him and he gave me the BIGGEST smile and little laugh.

It's hard to describe how it affected me, but all I could think about it was, I would go through whatever blah-dom/sickness/not-"me"-ness I had to, to get me some more of that! My children are such a blessing and definitely worth whatever the cost.

And yes, I walked out of the bathroom giggling with him too.