Marli & LipGloss

This morning on the way to pick Jakey up from pre-school Marli asked me if she could see my lipgloss. I was suprised at first. I handed it to her and it was so fun to watch her carefully apply it to her little lips. My little tomboy is a girlie girl when I least expect it. We just signed her up for jazz/ballet dance. She begged me for months to take dance. She starts the first week in June. Friday night I took her to Dance tech's recital. My friend Nikki has two daughters that have danced for years. It was awesome to see them dance. I asked Marli what she thought after the recital. She said "Mom when is it my turn? Of course I liked watching mom but I can do that". I laughed so hard. I took dance, tap and gymnastics from the age of 3 until 12 and loved every second of it. When my family moved to I.F. we didn't know of any dance studio's. Looking back I really wish I would have stuck with it.




This weekend we will be shopping for a pink leotard and tights. To see her dressed for dance will probably make her mom cry. I will post them when that time comes.

Homemade Pizza

Ryan was over at our neighbor Gary Vecellio's Saturday night. Gary is a real Italian and wonderful cook. He was making pizza and Ryan was mentally taking notes. When he came home he told me I had to go over to Gary's and try a piece of pizza. So we walked across the street. I could smell the homemade yumminess before I got to his driveway. I was in for a real treat. Oh man it was the best pizza. When we got home Ryan made a grocery request. I went to Win co and found all the items needed for our version of pizza.


Here's the first one we made. It has pesto sauce instead of traditional pizza sauce. It's pretty close to Gary's.

We made two different kinds. The first was a pesto,mushroom,feta cheese and olive the crust was thin. The second marinara,Canadian bacon, pepperoni,olive the crust was thicker. Both were so delicious.


If you ever want to try really great pizza....I bet Ryan and the kids would hook you up.


Here's my cute husband making the pizza dough. Is he good or what?


It was so fun getting the kids involved. They put on aprons and really had a blast.



Homemade pizza fun at the Smith house on Sunday night. What Fun!!!!

Papa Bill My Nanny

So most people have to have a lot of $$$ to have a nanny. I am so blessed that I am rich just not wealthy in the sense of money. My dad is my personal nanny and lifesaver. Ryan had to work overtime today and I had a million things to do. I asked my dad if he would mind watching my kids for a few hours. Of course he said just bring them over. So this morning at 8:45 a.m. I took the little people over to my dad's and was able to get all my errands done. I signed up for a scrap booking class at my friend Devon's. It went from 9-12. I ran over to Ryan's mom and dad's for a minute. Eric and Melissa were there. It was great to see them. It was weird to go over there without my family though. Kim's kids were there too. I love those guys so much. Koby and Kamri looked at me and were like where are Jakey and Marli? I visited for a bit then was off to get my errands done. My dad called me on my cell phone and told me not to come over for awhile cuz they were taking a nap.




My Grandpa John and his wife Zola were here for the weekend.Grandpa told my dad he's wanted to come see my house for 3 years. He finally came out. It was so nice to have him come see where we live. My Grandpa John has such a special place in my heart. I love him so much. It's cute how my kids want to sit on his lap when they see him. They love him too.






My parents planned a dinner at Leo's with my dad's sister Sharon and all of her family. It was so great to see all of my cousins. My cousin Kari had a miracle baby girl in April. I won't go into detail but basically this little angel wasn't supposed to live. When Kari was 20 weeks pregnant at her ultrasound apt. she found out the baby had a lot of liquid inside it's body and it's heart and lungs probally wouldn't develop properly. If she carried it full term would only live for hours. Her doctor sent her to the University hospital in SLC. Kari had to go once a week to SLC to the hospital for apt.'s. The doctors told her at 26 weeks they hadn't seen something so miraculous in all their years of practicing medicine. The liquid was gone and the babies heart was developing. Kari still wouldn't know what to expect until she delivered. Madison is here and beautiful. She has swollen kidneys and they don't know long term what side effect she will have. Kari and I sat down and talked for over an hour and bawled and bore our testimonies. I love her so much.She told me of her experiene staying at the Ronald McDonald house.We stayed there with Jaxon and the people there are so wonderful. I'm so thankful that she was in good hands. I have walked the halls at the University hospital with Jaxon and I know that there are amazing people who work there. We continue to pray for little Madison and Kari. I'm thankful for my family I love them so much. They strengthen me and I can see the Lord blessing them individually as well as collectively.

Visiting Teaching

Today was a hectic day. It's amazing how many things get scheduled on my day off. I went Visiting Teaching bright and early. It was my turn to make the appointments. So my partner Kristy gave the message. She choose the conference talk by Bonnie D. Parkin recently released Relief Society General President Gratitude: A path to happiness


I couldn't get the link to work so if you have time please check it out. It was really interesting how this talk was written with me in mind. I'm thankful for this wonderful sister that was inspired to share this message. I'd like to share a small part of it.

Gratitude is a spirit filled principal. It opens our minds to a universe permeated with the richness of a living God.

Gratitude In Tribulations: Hidden Blessings
In 1832 the Lord saw the need to prepare the church for coming tribulation.
Tribulations are frightening. And yet the Lord said "Be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The Kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours and the riches of eternity are yours".

President David O. McKay observed "We find in the bitter chill of adversity the real test of our gratitude....,which, goes beneath the surface of life, whether sad or joyous".

When was the last time you thanked the Lord for a trial or tribulation? Adversity compels us to go to our knees; does gratitude for adversity do that as well?
D&C 78:18-19 "And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be glorious"

As my partner was sharing the message I started to sob. It hit me so hard. I am in the middle of a trial and I find myself thinking I know better than what the Lord does of what is best for me and my family. Not true. I know he sees the big picture and I only see a small part. I have found myself thinking back on when Ryan and I really wanted a family and it took 5 years to have Jaxon. I remember how much I longed to be a mother. Being pregnant this time has really brought me to my knees pleading with the Lord. I feel guilty for thinking these thoughts but I know now that it was necessary for me to so I could move forward....I told the Lord I didn't want this baby I only ever wanted Jaxon to be healed. How can I love this baby when my heart is still broken in a million pieces. How could he ask me to mother this child when other family members have longed for their turn to be parents? I found myself in humble prayer on my knees today thanking my Heavenly Father for this trial. I told him how sorry I was for being selfish and for not believing that he knew what was best for me. I have always put my trust in the Lord. I have always said it's in your hands. I will do whatever you ask of me. I now know that he inspired my visiting teaching partner to pick this message to help me. She told me she thought of me the entire time she read the message and she knew it was what I needed. Funny how she's not my Visiting teacher, yet she was there to be the Lord's instrument. I am thankful for the visiting teaching program. Some months are harder than others to go out and get it done. I have a testimony of how vital sisterhood is and just like this experience helped me more than I could have ever been helped alone. I know we are where we are with a higher purpose in mind.

Thank Heavens For Grandma Bette

These pictures were taken on Sunday at my mom's house. When we were over there for Mothers Day.



Jake and Marli being silly in Grandma's front yard.

Boys and their toys! The only difference between little boys and big boys is the price of their toys!

Today Jacob had his first T-ball practice. I couldn't leave work and was feeling sorry for myself. Thankfully my mom was off and she stepped in for me.Jake was a little shy at first and wanted Grandma to sit by him. Once they started practice he was OK. The coach asked the kids what name they wanted for the team, she suggested "The Bears". What? The Bears aren't even a baseball team. Jacob raised his hand and said "The Boston Red Socks"! I'm surprised he didn't say the Utah Jazz. Grandma has him trained already..."GO JAZZ". The coach said they needed three names to put in with the city. Someone said The Tigers...too bad we live on the west side and that wouldn't go over too well. So choice #3 was Pirates. They practice next Wednesday when we'll find out the color of their shirts and the name. Marli was sad when she saw all the kids. She really wanted to play ball with them. Grandma tried to explain to her that she couldn't be on Jake's team. "Why Grandma? There's girls on his team!" She's right there is 5 girls and 5 boys. Marli walked over to the slide sat down folded her arms and looked at the ground. It must be hard being the little sister.


Papa Bill had to work night shift so he caught the bus by the time Jake was done with practice. Ryan is at work until 1:30 a.m. So Grandma brought the kids to my office and then treated us to Sizzler for dinner. We have it so good. Thank you Grandma Bette and Papa Bill for all you do for us. We love you so much.

6 kids 4 and under

After I picked Jake up from pre-school my friend Macy and her family came over to our house. Wow! We had the best time. Macy is the same age as my brother Kyle and she has a little girl Laney that is 2, and twin boys that are 9 mo. Hunter and Issiac. Macy's older sister April has a little girl Lily that is 1 mo younger than Jacob. Also April is expecting baby #2 in July.

Issiac is the one with a Binky in his little mouth. Hunter is looking at me like what is this crazy woman doing. They are the sweetest little boys.




Jacob and Lily have known each other their whole lives. They are so sweet together.


Macy's husband Brandt was on his way to Salt Lake. His dad got them game #5 playoff tickets to the Utah Jazz vs Golden State Warriors. How cool is that row 20 from the floor. I hope he knows how lucky he is. That's way too cool.

Too much fun for one afternoon. After we said good-bye to our friends we had to go grocery shopping at Albertson's. I'm gonna sleep good tonight. I'm exhausted. I'm going to need a day off to recuperate from my day off.

Happy Mothers Day

This is a picture of the card I made for Ryan's mom as well as my mom. I'm glad they liked them. I enjoyed making them. Who doesn't love purple...right?

I would like to wish all the mothers a very happy mothers day. My family was really good to me today. We slept in...well Ryan and I did. My brother Kyle and his wife Lesley called. I was trying to have a nice conversation with them. The kids kept interrupting. Jakey came downstairs and gave me a hug and a kiss and told me happy mothers day. He handed me some plastic flowers that I had never seen before. I asked him where he got them from...his response the garage. It was really sweet. We went over to my mom's. Brandon my other brother called and we chatted for a bit. It was really nice to see or talk to all of my family today. When we got home I put the kids in the bathtub and told Ryan he could really make my day if he would get them washed up and out for me. I layed out their Jammie's and he did the rest. Thank you sweetie. I hope everyone took time for themselves and enjoyed their day.

Boys & Bikes

When we got back to the house the boys got the bikes and scooters out. Koby was so cute he said "UM Aunt Lori...do you have any bikes without training wheels".I'm Sorry bud we don't.



I went in the house to make lunch. I wasn't in there very long when the girls came in. I could tell they were pretty tired.They all ate their lunch. We got their things together. Grandma Lyn came and picked up Koby and Kamri. The kids hugged each other goodbye. I took Jakey and Marli in my room. We took a three hour nap. Wow it's amazing how wiped out ya can get from having so much fun. Thanks you guys for a awesome sleepover. The kids got along so well. Koby and Kamri have wonderful manners and are so thoughtful. They are welcome at our house any time. We love you guys.

Girls Just Wanna Have FUN!!!

The girls were running and climbing and enjoying the park. The wind picked up and I was ready to go whenever they said the word.



The wind finally got to them and they said they were ready to go. Convincing the boys was a little difficult. Until I told them they could play outside while I made lunch.

Super Koby & Super Jakey

Jacob brought super capes for him and Koby. They put on the capes and turned into super hero's. They were running faster and jumping higher than humanly possible.



I love this picture of Koby jumping off the picnic table...it looks like he's flying.
I know if I'm ever in distress I know two super cute super hero's to rescue me.