Welcome To This World

Welcome to this world! We want to show you everything. With arms wide open! Perfect little head, with lots of dark brown hair.

Mommy loves this little guy so much! Dad is so excited to meet his new son!

We waited a long time to get him here. It was definitely worth the wait and all that went with it!

We welcomed our son to the world at 1:24 a.m. October 22,2007. He's a keeper! He weighed in at 8.1 lbs and 20 1/4 " long. We put a lot of thought into his name and are happy to say Conor James Smith is what we named him. We think his name fits him. His brother Jacob came up with the name Conor on his own. We don't know where he heard it, but we liked it. I'm glad we had his help. If it weren't for Jacob, Conor might be known as Junior. Jaxon helped name Jacob and so it's pretty special that Jacob named his brother. We've always loved the name James and we asked Carrie and Jim if they would mind us using James as Conor's middle name. They gave us their blessing and thought it was great. We love this little boy so much. He is such a good baby.

Happy Birthday Miss Marli

Happy Birthday sweet girl! I can't believe my baby girl is 4! Marli had one birthday wish a rainbow barbie cake and a sleepover with cousin Kamri. She got her wish. After pre-school Friday Jake and Marli went to Grandma Lyn's and Grandpa Reuel's. They had so much fun. Reuel brought the kids home around 6:00 to pick up clothes to stay the night. I wasn't feeling well at all and was so thankful they wanted the kids all night. We worked out the details to have Marli's Birthday party at their house. Ryan had to work day shift today so it was a huge blessing for me. Reuel and Lyn had Koby, Kamri and Kenzi stay over too. The kids had the best time. My parents came and picked me up around 10:30. We stopped picked up the cake and balloons and headed out to Reuel and Lyn's for a birthday party. Grandma Phyllis was there. We had a nice little party for Miss Marli. After the party we took Marli to Garcia's for lunch. We had to stop at Fred Meyer's and exchange Marli's new coat for a bigger size. I bought her a 5 and she needed a 6. Wow! She's a big girl! We came home and Grandma Bette had a couple Barbie presents for Marli to open. Marli was so happy. She picked out this red barbie car that comes with camping equipment and a baker barbie over a month ago. When she opened it she giggled and was jumping around. Then the kids and I layed down for a nap. When we got up we watched Jonah veggie tales and waited for Ryan to get home from work. The kids took a bath, we ate dinner and now were going to call it a day. Thank you to everyone who made Marli's birthday extra special. I appreciate everyone. I'm grateful for my family, they help me out so much.


Unfortunately my camera battery died and I didn't get to take as many pictures as I wanted to.

How will I know?

Thursday after work I picked the kids up from my mom and dad's. The kids and I went to Robert's so Marli could pick out her b-day Balloons. Then we went to Albertson's so she could pick out her cake. I started having contractions while we were at Albertson's. We came home everyone had dinner,but me. I felt so sick. I was up walking the floor with major contractions until after 11:00. I finally got comfortable and then around 1:00 a.m. they got so bad I couldn't stand it. I waited until 2:30 to wake everyone up. I called the hospital and told them what was going on they said to come in. Ryan and I loaded up the kids and stopped at Walmart so Ry could run in and get a video tape for the camcorder. He came out and told me they didn't have the one we needed. I called my parents told them we were on our way to drop the kids off. We took the kids inside and gave my parents instructions for Marli's party at school. We got to Mountain View Hospital around 3:00. I was so excited to finally have this over. The nurse checked me I was only dilated to a 4. I thought for sure I would be farther along then that. After 2 hours of intense pain, I was still at a 4. You have got to be kidding me. A hour later the nurse came in and explained she was going to start a I.v. and give me a shot to stop the contractions. I didn't take this so well. I thought they would hook me up to pitocin and get this over with. Apparently they won't help you until your 39 weeks. The contractions didn't stop. After they ran the I.v. they checked me again still a 4. So they released me to go home. I have heard of women going to the hospital and getting sent home. I couldn't believe this was happening to me. It's not like this is my first time and I don't know what to expect. I felt so bad Ryan had to take a vacation day. My poor parents and kids got woken up in the middle of the night. I bawled all the way home. The contractions subsided around 10:00 a.m. Now I have no desire to go back to the hospital. I am so discouraged. I am miserable and I missed out on Marli's party at school. Ryan went in my place. Grandpa Bill and Grandpa Reuel also went. What a lucky girl to have so many people support her and love her. I think it would be really cool if this baby was born on the 21st...like both boys, Jaxon and Jacob. However I won't hold my breathe in anticipation. Right now I feel like Thanksgiving may come and I'll still be pregnant!

Celebrate Good Times

Celebrate good times come on ! Let's Celebrate! Celebrate good times come on ! Let's celebrate There's a party going on right here a celebration to last trough out the years. So bring your good times and your laughter too we're gonna celebrate your party with you ! Come on now celebration let's all celebrate and have a good time
celebration we go celebrate and have a good time. It's time to come together it's up to you. Celebrate good times come on it's a celebration.Come on and celebrate tonight 'cause every thing's gonna be alright. Let's celebrate celebrate good times come on let's celebrate celebrate good times!

You have to love Kool and the Gang! I love this song. Today this is how I feel. I made it to 37 weeks. I was a good patient and now our little guy can come anytime. I took Marli to dance today and she did so good. She loves her class. Then we went to my doctors appointment. The doctor said everything looks good and it could be anytime. So now we wait. Not like we weren't waiting before. Oh well. I feel really good about surviving this last week. It wasn't easy and I haven't felt good at all. I can't remember the last time I got a good night sleep.

While I was taking it easy I got the dragonfly blanket trimmed and washed. It's totally done. It turned out so nice. I can't wait for our little guy to use it. Pretty exciting. I was proud of myself for getting it done. I figured I put over twenty hours into it. I look at it and it makes me so happy. I was inspired to pick the fabric because of Jaxon. Dragonflies are Jaxon's signature thing to me. I love it. What else could I chose for Jaxon's helper. Right?




The Transformer movie came out today. Jakey and Ryan went and bought it. They are so happy, their watching it now! Today is Ryan's first day off.The last four days Jake has really been missing his dad. I'm so happy they got to spend the whole day together today. Pretty sweet.

Happy Birthday Grandma Bette

Happy Birthday Grandma Bette. My mom has to work today on her birthday. So not fair. She really wants the baby to be born today on her birthday. I was suprised when she said that. I don't know anyone who would want to share their birthday with someone. That's like my mom though, she's the most unselfish person I know.


After Ryan left for work last night I took the kids over to see Grandma. I was making my mom a birthday card when the kids asked if they could make her one. They each did such a great job making their cards. They were so excited to give them to her.



Way back in July I was at Khol's with my mom and she really liked a pair of earings and necklace. I bought it then without her knowing it. It was so hard for me to put it away for three months to suprise her for her birthday. It was so cute when she opened them. I was glad she liked them.



Happy birthday mom. I'm so grateful for you. You do so much for me and my family. I appreciate you and couldn't imagine life without you. You are the best. I hope you have a great birthday. You'll be the first to know if the baby is coming today on your birthday. Thank you for always being there for all of us. We love you!!!!!

Until We Meet Again

Thursday Jake and Marli had a sleepover at Grandma Bette's. Both Grandma and Papa Bill had to work Friday. Kyle and Lesley got the kids ready for school, took them and picked them up. I went over to my parent's house later on in the day. It was so nice to not have to get up early and get the kids ready for school, go out across town and then go back and pick them up.

I took my stuff over in case I stayed the night. After working on the rag quilt for hours straight until we got it done, we were all exhausted. Kyle wasn't feeling well and wanted to sleep.I wanted to go home where I felt like I would be more comfortable. Lesley was sweet enough to come home with me and help take care of my kids. Well I was up all night again for the who knows how many nights in a row. I've seriously lost count. I can't wait to be able to go to bed and just sleep. Lesley stayed in Marli's room with her. Marli was so excited to have a sleep over. Lesley got up with the kids and fed them and helped them get dressed. My mom and dad were both working again today. Grandma Bette had her lunch break at 11:00 so we met her and Kyle at Smitty's.

Jake wore his new Red Sox Jersey for the first time. When he saw Uncle Kyle pull up he said "Mom act natural, that means when you see Kyle you hug him"! OK! Jake had his Red Sox hat behind his back. When Kyle walked over to us (we were waiting outside,there was a 30 min. wait) I gave Kyle a hug. Jake started doing this hilarious dance and pulled his hat out,put it on and was all excited for Kyle to see him decked out in Red Sox attire.



Marli was so excited to see Kyle. She ran up and wanted him to pick her up.



Jake got ahold of my camera and was taking random pictures.



Jake got this one of me and my brother.




He took this one of his hat sitting in between Kyle and me.






I love this picture. Les said let's make silly faces...the kids just laughed.



Kyle has a paper due Monday and really should have stayed home to work on it. He made a deal with Les if she drove, he could work on his paper in the car, they could come up for a visit. I'm so glad they did. I appreciate the sacrifice they made to come up to I.F. It made us all so happy and we love to spend time with them. I told them when I have the baby we'll meet them in Malad so they can see him and won't have to drive all the way up. Hahhaaa!

Quality Time

Marli kept asking Lesley if she could tell her something. Lesley is so patient with my kids. I thought this was so sweet Marli kissing Aunt Lesley.



Jake gets his first sewing lesson.


When Jakey gets around Uncle Kyle he gets a little wound up. He's all giggles.

Sewing With Jake & Marli

Kyle and Lesley came up from Provo for a visit. We were all so excited to see them and spend some quality time with them. It seems like whenever I get the opportunity to have Les home I take full advantage of it. She's my professional seamstress. I have been wanting to get this dragonfly rag quilt done before junior gets here. I worked hard on it over conference weekend and didn't have the energy to complete the task. Lesley brought her sewing machine and I took mine over to my parents house. We were going to go to town both sewing. Unfortunately Lesley didn't have her power cord so she wasn't able to use her machine. We made due with mine however. I pinned and organized all the squares and my cute pregnant sister-in-law sewed her heart out. We got it done. Now I just need to trim all the squares...wash it three times and it'll look like a real rag quilt. Words can not even describe how happy I am and grateful that Lesley loves doing projects with me. Last time she was here she re-upholstered our glider rocker. It's in the babies room and looks fantastic. Thank you Les for being so talented and willing to help me. I love you very much!!!!!




Jake and Marli love Aunt Lesley. Marli asked if she could comb Lesley's hair. Jake of course thought that would be fun. Lesley kept sewing away with the two of them pulling on both sides of her hair. What a trooper.




Jake thought it would be fun to climb up on the ledge and sit behind Lesley and comb her hair. He is such a sneeky little boy.

Belly Pictures

My friend Nikki has been bugging me for months to let her take Belly pictures.She is a professional photographer that is just starting her own business. She wanted me to give her some practice. I love her to death and only for her would I allow someone to take pictures of me for the sole purpose of showing my fat stomach. I have put it off for as long as possible. I thought when I almost had the baby Wednesday early I was off the hook. No way was she going to let one more day go by. She lives two houses down and insisted I come over today. I was lucky that my sister in law Lesley was here with my brother Kyle. Lesley is expecting their first baby a girl January 1st. This is definately the only time we will be pregnant at the same time. They live in Provo and came up for a couple days. Lesley was nice enough to go with me. Nikki took a bunch of pictures of us. As we were leaving I asked her to take a couple with my camera. It wasn't so bad. She was fast and it was pretty painless.




Thanks Les for going with me!

Outback Fundraiser Lunch

My friend Devon invited me to a fundraiser luncheon that was being held at the Outback. I bought tickets awhile back and then when the day arrived I wasn't sure if I'd be able to attend.It worked out that my mom was off and came and picked the kids and I up to go to it. I went to the luncheon and then came home and was a good girl making sure to not over do it. They had a wonderful turn out and raised over $4,000. All the wonderful people from the Outback donated the food as well as their time to put this on. All the proceeds are going to Angel statue tribute that will be in Idaho Falls.There was a band and a raffle as well. My mom won two copies of the book that was the inspiration for the fundraiser. I read the book years ago and look forward to reading it again soon. They need $15,000 to complete the statue and are closer after this fundraiser. There are families that have lost children that are making this happen. The Author of The Christmas box Richard Paul Evans will come and dedicate the memorial once it's complete. This is such a wonderful addition to our community. Families that have lost a child have been invited to write a letter about their child. On the day the statue is dedicated the letters will be put inside the angel and will make visiting the Angel statue that much more personal. Ryan and I are going to write a letter about Jaxon.


Jacob took these pictures for me. He's getting pretty good behind the lens.






This is the book and at the back of the book it explains about the Angel statue. I've seen the one in Salt Lake city.

Jaxon's Tribute Book

I thought it was pretty cool that Jaxon's Tribute book came today. I was walking out the door to go to the luncheon that was raising money for a Angel Tribute for families that have lost children. Ironic that this package came at the same moment. I was so scared to open the box. I worked so long and hard on this tribute that I wasn't sure what to expect when I finally saw it finished. Well you will all see for your selves soon enough, but I think it's amazing. When Ryan got up and was getting ready to go to work he saw it. He said it was beautiful. I asked him to hide the box from me until Christmas. I knew I wouldn't be able to not show everyone if I knew where they were. I am so grateful that I did this project. It was definitely one of the hardest things I have ever done.....Also the most rewarding. I hope everyone will treasure their copy as much as I will.





Jake took these pictures to help document the moment. I was shaking and so nervouse to see what was inside that box.

Bed Rest!?!?!

OK so last night I was up all night having major contractions. Ryan got up with me and was so supportive. I thought for sure we were going to the hospital to finally have this kid. I packed my suitcase and then the contractions got further apart. Ryan stacked a ton of pillows on my side of the bed and was doing all he could to help me get comfortable. I finally fell asleep around 3:00. I got up today and felt so sick. I dragged myself into work to get caught up thinking I wouldn't be there for awhile. I stuck it out until 1:00. I went to my dad's got the kids and came home. Those wretched contractions were coming on again with a vengeance. I called my doctor and they said for me to come right in. We packed up the Nissan and headed across town. I was in so much pain and was so ready for this to all be over. I was just at the doctor yesterday for my regular appointment.I am 36 weeks and one day. I told them that I had been having labor pains off and off for the last few days and felt like it was getting really close. They did a ultrasound and his head is completely down and he's ready. He weighs 6 lbs 9 oz. Marli weighed 6 lbs 10 oz when she was born and she was born at 36 1/2 weeks. The doctor told me yesterday to try really hard to not have him until next Tuesday when I'll be 37 weeks and considered full term. With RSV season approching they really want him to have a healthy immune system when he's born. So when I got there today they were not about to let me have him. I was burning up and felt so sick. The doctor said I have a stomach virus that is making me go into labor. I had a fever and many other symptoms I'll refrain from sharing. I received two bags of I.v.'s to help me because I was so dehydrated. When the fluids didn't help as much as they thought they should they gave me two shots in the arm of medication to stop the contractions. I was so bummed at first. When I was crying about how miserable I was and wanted to just have this over the doctors explained to me how important the next 6 days are for the baby. His lungs and immune system are developing right now and the longer we can hold off on him being born the better for him. OK I'll buck up for this little guy. My poor husband and children were in the waiting area while I was getting treated. We arrived at the doctor's office at 3:30 and it was after 7:00 when we finally left. Jake came back once to find me. When he saw the I.v.'s in my arms he got upset. Marli came back and they were staring at me and were so sad. I hugged them and told them I was OK. Poor kids. While I was waiting for them to let me leave the doctors lectured me on bed rest and how I am not to do anything for the next 6 days. I sat there thinking these guys are crazy. They don't know that will never happen at my house. I promised to sip plenty of liquids and take it easy so they would let me go home. I told them if they seriously want me to not do anything they would need to give me some super hootey drugs and knock me out for the next few days. Wish me luck. I will try my best to be a good patient. My next appointment is Tuesday and then our little guy can come. Man this pregnancy has been a trial from day one and will remain a trial until the last day. I am thankful that I feel better and I look forward to meeting our sweet boy.

Conference and Cupcakes

This weekend has had a significant impact on me. I am so thankful that we live where we can not only listen,but watch conference in the comfort of our homes. We as members of the Church Of Jesus Christ are so blessed. There were so many wonderful talks given. The one that stands out the most for me was about how we can look for the Lord's hand daily blessing our lives, our children's lives and our families lives and then documenting it. I love this idea and am going to start writing these experiences down. It will force me to see the good and see the Lord's hand in my daily life. Wow! How incredible this will be to look back on. I truly enjoyed all of conference and am so grateful the kids watched most of it with me. It gave us a lot to talk about.

Jake asked if we could make cupcakes. I thought oh man I really don't feel like starting that and they'll make such a mess. A feeling came over me that was so incredible. I knew I needed to put my feelings aside and do this for the kids. I don't know why ,but I hate Popsicles and cupcakes. They are so messy. I know I'm terrible. So I said sure we can make cupcakes. Then Jake says I want to make them like Grandma Lyn. OK...how does Grandma Lyn make cupcakes? Ya know Mom in ice cream cones. Well I didn't know how to do that, so I called my sweet Mother in law and asked.




We made the cupcakes and the kids had frosting everywhere before we even got any on the cupcakes.

They did such a beautiful job decorating them. I told them to be careful not to spill the sprinkles. I went behind them to move some stuff when low and behold I spilled a whole thing of tiny sprinkles. The kids laughed so hard. Mom you told us to be careful and your the messy one. The last thing I wanted to do was clean up sprinkles that were from one end of the kitchen to the other. Oh well! I got the broom out and the vacuum and was sweating up a storm before I got them all cleaned up. I didn't know making cupcakes would be such a work out. No wait I did....that's why I don't like them.



So as you can tell I didn't do very well at the ice cream cone cupcakes. I guess I didn't have the right kind of cones or muffin tin. These are some sad looking cupcakes. Jake was so sweet he told me not to worry about the ones that didn't turn out. He said look at all the little ones that did they're beautiful. I'm glad he wasn't upset with me that I screwed up the ones he wanted in the first place.



We even left a couple chocolate ones undecorated for Ryan. Ryan doesn't like any fancy smancy stuff on his cupcakes just frosting. So when he got home tonight from work Jake was so excited to show his dad the two cupcakes that only had frosting on them and no sprinkles. I'm thankful I listened to the prompting to do this small thing for the kids. It made them so happy.