'Tis the Season

Here is what Christmas morning looks like at the Smith house...

*Everyone liked their gifts. Hooray! There are a few exchanges to make, but for the most part I was successful! This brings me much joy. Kent has been very busy, so I pretty much did Christmas all on my own this year. He mentioned to me a few days before Christmas that he had no idea what anyone was getting. I told him to enjoy all the surprises!

*For the first time, all the kids did their own gift shopping this year. I had no idea what any of them were getting for each other, or for Kent and I. It was delightful to see what they came up with. It added a new dimension to Christmas that I absolutely loved.

*Our tradition of eating out on Christmas Eve was my favorite EVER! We went to Tepanyaki, where the kids were mesmerized by the Japanese chef who prepared our food on a flaming hibachi grill right in front of us. It was so fun. Afterwards we saw the adorable Disney movie, "Tangled" at Rachel's movie theater. She was working at the time--and she'd already seen it twice--so we waved to her as we passed the concession stand before and after the movie.

*When she got home a couple of hours later, we had our annual Christmas Eve devotional and singing of our favorite Christmas hymns. Kent read from Luke:2, and shared his testimony of the Savior. We ended with family prayer.

*I couldn't help but reflect that this is our last Christmas with all my chickies living at home. Mixed feelings about that! Next year Rachel will come home from college for Christmas. That will be great fun too, but this is definitely the end of an era.

*Kent is an amazing chef, every year I get him a new gadget or fancy appliance to help him expand his culinary skills. This year it was a George Foreman grill. He was thrilled, and he used it on every meal for the rest of the weekend. He made crispy bacon for breakfast, grilled burgers later that day, and barbecued chicken kabobs the next day for Sunday dinner. Awesome!

*Stefanie really wanted a new ripstick which I bought for her on sale a few weeks ago. I hid it away, and then totally spaced it until several hours after we were finished opening presents. She mentioned that was one thing she wished she would have received...and then I remembered. She was delighted when Kent brought it out, and was very forgiving of me for forgetting. I felt dumb, and have committed to being better organized next year!

*Overall, a great Christmas. The end.

She Knows the Secret

This year Stefanie finally admitted to me that she knows the truth about Santa. Hooray! I thought I'd be a bit sad with no more "Santa sneaking" at my house, but actually it has been a big relief! And now finally I can take credit for all my shopping and wrapping! She had fun with Santa anyway, taking a picture with him, and leaving cookies for him on Christmas Eve. It's a tradition!

Christmas Card, 2010

This was probably the most fun I've ever had creating a family Christmas card! I started by handing each member of my family a blank sheet of white cardstock paper, and making them pose with it. After about a week I had all the poses I wanted, and then came the fun part...Photoshop!! I love Photoshop, it is magical! Here is the finished product...

And here is our newsletter...

...this just in...we now interrupt the 2010 holiday season for a Smith family update...

*Kent's basketball team makes it to the final four of the state tournament * Stefanie fractures both bones of her left forearm in fall off a trampoline * Rachel takes the ACT test and begins applying for college * Braden turns 15-years-old and gets his driving permit * Kent and Janeal celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary in New Orleans * Rachel earns her young women's recognition award * Stefanie, age 11, excels in her last year of elementary school * Smith family spends spring break hiking in Snow Canyon * Braden enters his first year of high school * Rachel sings alto in high school madrigal choir * Janeal finally passes both Praxis tests and retains her elementary teaching license * Braden's club soccer team are runners-up in the 2010 State Cup finals * Janeal and Stefanie make four batches of strawberry jam * Braden's braces are removed after two years of orthodontic treatment * Stefanie performs in her first dance recital * The family travels to Illinois for a Smith family reunion * Kent and Janeal attend a broadway production of "The Lion King" * Braden completes his Eagle Scout project collecting shoes for the needy * Rachel is named "maid-of-honor" at her aunt's wedding * Braden takes an ambulance ride to the emergency room after a collision during a soccer tournament in Denver * Kent attends a basketball coaching clinic in Las Vegas, Janeal tags along * Stefanie becomes "Alice-In-Wonderland" for Halloween * Braden wins a high school cross country race * Rachel's lacrosse team wins a fall league tournament * Smith family walks the highwire at a Kindred family reunion in Heber * Braden makes the high school sophomore basketball team * Rachel celebrates her 18th birthday the day before Thanksgiving * The Smith family wish you all a merry Christmas and a joyous new year *

...please excuse this interruption...we now return you to your regularly scheduled holiday activities...

Sunrise

This morning as Rachel was rushing out the door to school, she hesitated at the doorstep to call to me to come see the sunrise. It was spectacular, with fingers of light stretching out through the sky. I was overcome for a moment with feelings of happiness and gratitude, and then I ran to grab my camera. What a way to start the day!

Christmas Music

Oh, how I love Christmas music! This time of year it constantly fills my home, my car, and my classroom. My kids love playing and singing Christmas piano music...sometimes all of three of them at the same time!

This is my fourth year of directing my elementary school chime choir, I founded the group after my principal ordered a set of chimes for the school. They are not cheap, a six-octave set costs over $2000 dollars, but they make the most priceless, beautiful, heavenly sound. Directing this group is A LOT of work, but so much FUN! It is an audition group, I hold try-outs every October. I require that my chimers have had at least one year of piano lessons, and be able to understand basic timing and notation. It breaks my heart when I have to make cuts, I have more and more kids trying out every year, and I can only keep twelve, I wish I could keep them all! (I keep Stefanie every year!) We practice in my music room every Wednesday after school, and have had many performance opportunities. This year so far we have performed at an evening concert, two community events, and a school assembly tomorrow morning. Next week we have two more. Yesterday we performed for an hour for the shoppers at the local Walmart--that was a hoot! We had crowds of curious shoppers gathered around us, applauding after each number.

Rachel loves singing with her high school madrigal choir. This year they have performed many places, including Temple Square and several concerts and community events. Her choir director is amazing, she is a member of the Tabernacle choir, she directs, accompanies and choreographs every number, Rachel loves her. I'm so grateful she's having these wonderful experiences with her choir.

.

I am constantly either listening to, humming, singing or directing a Christmas song...I made a list of my top ten favorite Christmas songs, they are...(don't laugh)

.

#10: All I Want for Christmas Is You...Mariah Carey

#9: Last Christmas...George Michael & Wham

#8: Little St. Nick...Beach Boys

#7: Do You Hear What I Hear...Martina McBride

#6: Santa Baby...Eartha Kitt (the 50's version)

#5: It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...Andy Williams

#4: Where Are You Christmas?...Faith Hill

#3: Breath of Heaven...Amy Grant

#2: Mary Did you Know...Wynona & Kenny Rogers

#1: O Holy Night...Josh Groban

Five Things I'm Thankful For

It is early Thanksgiving morning, and in a few minutes we will load up the car and head to Preston for the day. I'm so looking forward to spending time with extended family, and a big plate of turkey with all the trimmings! But before we take off, I just want to list five things I'm thankful for today...

.

#1: I am thankful for my three amazing kids. They each have quality friends and activities they excel at. They make me laugh, help me see things differently, and continually teach me new things as they negotiate life's trials and become more independent. They each have fun, unique personalities and I learn from them every day.

.

#2: I am thankful for a strong, healthy marriage and a husband who works hard and adores me. He is my best friend, how could I ask for more?

.

#3: I am thankful for my home here in the Rocky Mountains, one of the most beautiful places on earth. I have a lovely view of nature from my kitchen and bedroom window and back deck. Winter, spring, summer, fall...I love it year-round.

.

#4: I am thankful for a strong body that serves me well, and has never let me down. What an incredible blessing to have good health. I do not take it for granted--especially after my experience with Katie--and I thank my Heavenly Father for it every day.

.

#5: I am thankful for meaningful work that I love. I get to spend my time with sweet children, sing with them, perform for them, entertain them, teach them. They lift my spirits and energize me. For now, there is no other job I'd rather have.

.

There are more, but these are the blessings forefront on my mind this morning. Life is not perfect, but I always have a choice and I choose to focus on what I have, not what I don’t. Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Saying Goodbye

Over three years ago, one of my oldest and dearest friends, Katie Porter Hansen, was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after the birth of her sixth child. She has fought it valiently, but was recently made aware that her time in this life is very limited. Katie and I were close friends in elementary school all through high school. Since then we've stayed in touch through letters, Christmas cards, high school reunions, and more recently through e-mail, facebook and her wonderful blog. My heart has ached for her and her family as her disease has progressed.

A couple of weeks ago, another sweet friend arranged for several of our high school buddies to get together to travel to Katie's home in Blackfoot, Idaho for a last visit and to say goodbye. What an incredible experience that was!

We took her out for lunch and had a wonderful time. Katie radiates a spirit of serenity. She knows this is Heavenly Father's will for her and has accepted it. I anticipated this day thinking we were going to comfort her, but I came away much comforted by her. We all updated each other on our lives, and she shared how she is preparing her children for what is to come.

After lunch we came back to her home and talked a bit more. Her mom and little girl were there, and I was very aware of the strong, peaceful spirit in her home. It was just so nice to sit and visit with these wonderful women who I grew up with and admire. When it came time for us to leave the tears began to fall. We all joined in prayer, and then each of us were able to tell her goodbye and express our love for her.

Katie, I want to tell you again how much I love you. Your courage inspires me. Your experience with cancer has put many things into perspective for me, and because of you I resolve to be a better mother, wife and friend. My prayers are with you and your family as you take this next step in your eternal progression. God be with you 'till we meet again.

.

*Katie peacefully passed away only eight days after our visit. She was surrounded by her loving family.

More Halloween Fun

I love Halloween! It is my second favorite holiday. Here is Stefanie spookin' it up with a couple of friends from the neighborhood.

Here we are at school in my classroom with a couple of my classes...too cute! I had a blast singing Halloween songs with them all month. You should hear them belting out "Witches Brew", "Mr. Jack-O-Lantern" and "This is Halloween". Love it!

My costume...Aprodite, Greek Goddess of Love. I enjoyed being a redhead for a day! Some of my students at school didn't recognize me. Ha/ha.

The best pumpkin display ever! Happy Halloween!

Alice In Wonderland

Stefanie put a lot of thought into her Halloween costume this year. She spent lots of time browsing her favorite Halloween costume website and found this cute Alice costume. We ordered it and hoped it would fit over her big green arm. Then we went to Partyland and got a long blond wig, we found a white rabbit from her stuffed animal collection, and Rachel loaned her the black shoes and the headband with the black bow.

When the package arrived in the mail she was very anxious to try it on to see if she could pull the sleeve over her cast. I had to unpick a few stitches from the armband to fit over the cast, but we got it on...whew!! And the black and white striped sleeve nearly covered it up. You could barely tell she had a broken arm. And I've never seen a cuter little Alice in Wonderland!

The Carving of the Pumpkins

One of our favorite Halloween traditions...carving pumpkins with my brother Bryan and his family. It gets more and more fun every year!

Tarzan at Tuacahn

Happy birthday to my sweet husband earlier this month. I got creative this year and gave him a gift for his birthday that was actually for me...

...two tickets to the Tuacahn Amphitheater near St. George to see the muscial production of Tarzan. It was our first time to Tuacahn, although I've wanted to go there for awhile. I've heard so much about it, and it exceeded everything I'd heard. The amphitheater is nestled below towering red sandstone cliffs and is absolutely breathtaking. It is more impressive than any backdrop you could ever imagine! We were thoroughly entertained by the production of Tarzan, the story, the music, the set and costumes, the actors swinging on ropes overhead. Loved it.

.

We stayed overnight in St. George, did some shopping and went to lunch the next day before heading home. So much fun...I hope my husband enjoyed his birthday present as much as I did!

State Cup Finals

So proud of Braden and his club soccer team, the last two weeks they've been playing in the state cup tournament. After a so/so summer and fall season, they are now on an unbelievable roll, playing the best soccer of their lives. Tuesday night they played in the quarter finals and won 1-0 in overtime. This evening they played in the semi-finals and again won in overtime, 2-1. These games have been way too stressfull for me, but so much fun to watch and cheer. This picture was taken this afternoon before the game, they were amazing! Saturday at noon is the championship game...go Arsenal! Can't wait!

Update... Kudos to the U16 Arsenal team, runners up in the 2010 state cup finals. They lost 3-0 in the championship game, but played hard and made us proud. Great job guys!

Airport Reunion

The week before Tami's wedding we had a happy family reunion at the Salt Lake City airport. My sister Margaret and her family have been living in Spain for the last three years, we hadn't seen them in all that time. We were so happy she and her four children were able to travel home for the wedding.

My mom sent us all an e-mail, telling us of Margaret's arrival time, inviting us to show up at the airport to welcome them home. Her children had grown so big, and it was especially wonderful to meet my cute two-year-old nephew for the first time.

What an exciting reunion, complete with posters and balloons, smiles and hugs all around.

Tami's Wedding

So happy for my beautiful sister, Tami and her handsome new husband, Brady. They were married on October 5th in the Logan temple. Here they are making their debut as husband and wife.

We worried all week about the weather, but it ended up being a perfect morning and afternoon. Later that evening there were a few sprinkles at the outdoor reception, but it blew over quickly, no harm done.

Here are a few group pictures...the Kindred siblings and their spouses, bottom left is all the kindred grandchildren, and bottom right is my parents with the bride and groom.

More pictures at the temple, love these! It was so fun following them around with the photographer, they are such a sweet couple...perfect for each other!

The reception in my parents' backyard was lovely. A large tent was set up with lights, flowers and decorations everywhere. My job was to select the backgroud music, and to keep the music and video going throughout the evening. Here are the bride and groom cutting the cake, and their first dance to "Can't Help Falling In Love".

.

So proud of Tami, for the outstanding young woman she has become, and for the wonderful example she is to all her neices and nephews. We love her and Brady so much! We wish them much love and happiness in their new life together.

Happy Birthday To Me

Happy Birthday to me, happy birthday to me. Happy birthday dear meeeeeeee, happy birthday to me! I'm now 41 years old and proud of it! Tonight is crazy at my house...Kent has parent/teacher conference so he won't be home 'til late. Stefanie is at an overnight field trip, I dropped her off at school this morning, she won't be home until tomorrow afternoon. Rachel is at lacrosse practice, and Braden is at cross country. Wow, a rare moment of complete quiet and peace at home, I like it! We knew we would all be scattered in many different directions tonight so we celebrated my birthday on Sunday evening. Kent baked me a cake, Rachel decorated the living room with birthday posters and banners, and I blew out my candles and opened up a few presents after they all sang to me. Life is good, and I hope for at least 41 years more.

What's Coming Up...

This morning I was contemplating all the events coming up between now and the end of the year. So I made up this poster and posted it in the front room to remind us...so many exciting things to look forward to, I really love this time of year!

Since New Orleans...

Well...a lot has happened at our house since Kent and I returned from our trip to New Orleans, and I am way behind! The summer is officially over, and school is back in session. Here is a brief recap...


Braden's First Year of High School--Here is Braden on the first day of the new school year. (I told him to strike his best GQ pose...he is so handsome!) He is a sophomore this year, and he has eased right into it. Last year he was on a couple of the high school sports teams, so he has lots of older buddies and teammates at Lehi High School. He is a fun-loving, popular kid. His classes this year include: Spanish 3, Driver's Ed., U.S. History, Sophomore English, Algebra 2, seminary, chemistry, and cross country conditioning.


Stefanie's Last Year of Elementary School--Stefanie has made it to the 6th Grade, she loves being in the oldest grade of the school. We were excited that she got assigned to Mrs. Carter's class, a good friend and former coworker of mine. Mrs. Carter was the p.e. specialty teacher at my elementary school a couple of years ago, and moved to the new school to become a 6th grade teacher when it opened last year. I know Stefanie will have a great year in Mrs. Carter's class.

Rachel's Senior Year--You may be wondering where Rachel's picture is...no first day picture of her, she wasn't home! She and a bunch of senior girls wanted to have a big "start-of-our-senior-year" bash, so they all had a sleep-over at a friend's house. We almost didn't let her go, but figured she will only be a senior once, we'll let her live it up! Her classes include...College Creative Writing, College Prep Math, Madrigal Choir, seminary, Clothing Construction, Government and Citizenship.

The Lion King--Last Friday night Kent and I had the opportunity to attend the Broadway production of The Lion King at the Capitol Theater in Salt Lake. It was outstanding! The costumes, backgrounds, and especially the music. I've caught myself singing the score ever since. ("The Circle of Liiiife!") The principal at my elementary school obtained a bunch of tickets, and offered them to the faculty, it was fun to see the show surrounded by my friends and coworkers.

Fractured in Two Places--Yes, it finally happened. Kent and I have been parents for nearly 18 years without dealing with a broken bone, but our perfect record was shattered (literally) when Stefanie fell off the neighbor's trampoline and broke both bones of the forearm. We rushed her to the Insta-care where they x-rayed it and promptly referred us to a specialist who wasn't available until the next morning. Stefanie's arm was put in a splint, and we were sent home...that was a looong, painful night. The next day she was put under anesthesia, and the doctor aligned both bones as best he could. She will be in the splint and sling for 3 weeks, then they will x-ray again to make sure it is healing properly, and get a hard cast below the elbow for another month or so. My poor baby girl, this has not been fun.

Tami's Bridal Shower--We are so excited for my sister Tami's wedding next month on October 5th in the Logan temple. Last Saturday we got to help with her bridal shower, it was so much fun. We played a bunch of silly shower games, had a light luncheon, and watched her open her gifts. She will be such a beautiful bride. Rachel is expecially excited because Tami asked her to be her bridesmaid.

X-Country--It is cross country season again! Braden has been training with his team all summer and is in great shape. Two weeks ago there was a meet in American Fork, Braden ran in the sophomore race. There were over 350 boys in that race, and Braden came in FIFTH!!!! He was amazing! The top ten got medals, we were so proud. Last week was a BYU invitational, Braden ran in the varsity race for that one and was the first one to cross the finish line from the Lehi team. Kent is again coaching his team from Copper Hills, he loves it. Cross Country meets are so exciting, positive and inspiring. I think that of all Braden's sports, this one is my favorite.

BYU Football--And finally, nothing says "fall" like football season! We get excited for every BYU football game...win or lose. We have our same seats on the north end zone, and are ready to break out our navy blue shirts and cheer for the cougars. Last week Kent took Braden to the first home game of the season, in two weeks it will be my turn. Rise and Shout!

Red Dress Run

OK, this is my last post on our trip to New Orleans, but I couldn't wrap it up without documenting how quirky, fun and bizarre this place really is. On our last day in the city we had a few hours before we had to head to the airport, so we wanted to make the most of them. As we headed out for our last morning of sightseeing, this is what we saw...

...large groups of people--women and men--wearing flamboyant red dresses, walking the streets with a beer in hand. There were THOUSANDS of them and they were everywhere! They came in every size, age and gender, and oh my, they were having a great time. It was the strangest, most hilarious thing I've ever seen in my life! We found out that this was the day of the annual Red Dress Run, it's a New Orleans tradition we had never heard of. Apparently it occurs in select cities around the world at different times, but New Orleans is the biggest. Every year on the second Saturday in August, people from all over come to New Orleans, put on their prettiest red dress and run from bar to bar, getting drunk and living it up. The participants are required to register, and all proceeds go to local charities. Last year they raised over ninety thousand dollars. But I'm pretty sure it is mostly an excuse to dress up, act silly and get drunk. I told Kent this has got to be the wierdest city in the world! And I really hope we'll go back again someday.

New Orleans Jazz and Preservation Hall

My summary of our visit to the Big Easy would not be complete without a post about New Orleans jazz. Did you know that New Orleans is the birthplace of jazz? Nearly everywhere we went we could hear the sounds of live jazz music. It was played in the streets, on almost every corner, in restaurants, cafes and clubs, and at all the tourist attractions. Loved it!

Before we left on our trip we did a little research on the "must-see" attractions of New Orleans, Preservation Hall was on every list. So we looked it up and found that they are a group of authentic jazz musicians who perform classic, old-time dixieland jazz. They do two shows each night at an old performance hall located just off of Bourbon Street. Oh my, they were amazing!

The place is very small and crowded, it holds maybe fifty people who sit on old wooden benches or stand packed together in the back. Dim lighting, peeling paint, rickety ceiling fans, and yellowing posters on the walls add to the ambience. There is no stage, just a space up front where the band sits and plays. There are six members of the band comprised of a trumpet, sax, trombone, piano, bass and drums. They were phenomenal! It felt like we were viewing some old-time jazz movie, Kent and I felt transported. It just swept us away! The entire room was tapping our feet, bopping our heads and loving every minute of it. Click here for a glimpse. I am now a big fan of old-time jazz, I've since created an entire unit to teach in my music classes this year. I bought their CD, a couple of books and a documentary DVD about them. It was a magical, unforgettable night.

New Orleans, Five Years Later

Today is the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. I will never forget Kent's sadness and despair five years ago as he watched the news coverage of the destruction of this city he loved so much. He worried about the people, wondered if the city would ever be rebuilt, or if he would even be able to recognize it as the beautiful city he spent two years living and serving in. Since we got home many people have asked him if there were noticable changes from Katrina...the answer is yes. We spent one full afternoon in our rental car, just driving around as Kent pointed out homes, streets and apartment complexes where he had lived and tracted as a missionary. Some parts of the city are completely devastated and destroyed. Many homes, businesses, buildings and hotels are abandoned with boarded up doors and shattered windows. But there are many parts of the city and neighborhoods that are beautiful, new, and obviously rebuilt. We spoke with one local woman, a tour guide, who asked us where we were from, and if we had ever been in New Orleans before. Kent told her that we were from Utah, and he had lived there for two years as a missionary. She responded that many service missionaries had spent time in her city since Katrina had struck, and she was grateful for that. But finally people were starting to visit New Orleans again, not as missionaries but as tourists. What an amazing blessing that so much of it has been rebuilt so quickly.

Speaking of the homes and buildings, I love the architecture of New Orleans! It has such a unique French/Southern style with ornate balconies and railings, spacious porches, old fashioned lamp posts, stately pillars, and brightly colored shutters and siding. Absolutely charming! Here are some of my favorites...

One afternoon we decided to take a ride on the old streetcar. New Orleans has the oldest operating trolley system in the world, it has been in operation for more than 150 years. We boarded the famous vintage St. Charles streetcar downtown, it swayed and rumbled for 13 miles along St. Charles Avenue into the Garden District, passing dozens of mansions, historic monuments, and Layola and Tulane Universities. Loved it!

Part of the streetcar path followed the route of the annual Mardi Gras parade. It was easy to tell, because all the trees in that area were heavily decorated with brightly colored strands of beads. Who knows how long they had hung there, but it was really pretty! Like Christmas in August! Here is a glimpse...

New Orleans Voodoo and "Cities of the Dead"

No visit to the Big Easy would be complete without peeking into the world of the occult! The practice of voodoo and black magic is big in New Orleans, we walked into several shops dedicated to its ritual and practice, including psychic, palm and tarot card readings. New Orleans is one of the most superstitious and occult-active cities in America, it is seriously creepy. We actually bought a voodoo doll for Rachel, she was delighted with it. If you suddenly have very bad luck in your life, it may be because she placed a curse on you.

Along those same lines are the above-ground tombs in the cemetaries of New Orleans, often referred to as "Cities of the Dead". The water table is so high that it is impossible to bury caskets. So the graves are kept above ground in vaults or tombs. The tombs are very decorative and ancient with rusty ironwork, decaying crosses and crumbling statues, it is all very eery. And get this...we went through a couple of these cemetaries on Friday the 13th...ooooh! There are 42 above-ground cemetaries in the New Orleans area, Kent used to walk right past one every day while on his mission. We were told that these "Cities of the Dead" are actually very dangerous, we were warned not to go there alone--visit with a group or on a tour. They say that muggings are frequent in these cemetaries, and occultists regularly practice their rituals there...creepy! But seriously fascinating.