Day at the Lake part 2

In the shade, yet still can't open her eyes.

I love this picture, I laugh/smile everytime I look at it. Charlotte looks so thrilled to be with Dave.

You can see in these pictures Dave is sporting a new golf hat. He said he also tried on a few TaylorMade hats but felt he couldn't purchase one because he didn't own any TaylorMade clubs. haha. I had to remind him that he is not Tiger Woods and would not be in breech of any contractual obligations from his sponsors.

Alison, Charlotte, Grandma and I went to a Canada Day party at the Foothills Stake Centre. It was pretty fun but really crowded. I hope Alison enjoyed that cotton candy because we waited in line for 25 minutes for it. Alison also got to do a craft, go on a bouncy castle, and see a petting zoo.

Day at the Lake

Alison, Charlotte and I enjoyed a beautiful day at the lake today. Alison was such a good aunt to Charlotte at the lake. She made sure Charlotte always had her soother, was out of the sun and wind, was comfortable, had a blanket, pushed her in the stroller and played with her. I'm sure there will be many more days at the lake.

Happy Birthday Dad!

We wish we could be there to help you celebrate your birthday, but since we can't be there we decided to put back your den for your birthday. See below for the step by step assembly.

Step 1: Remove furniture

Step 2: Clean out the Den (yes mom, I did the baseboards)

Step 3: Evaluate the beast

Take bedroom door off and attempt to move the beast

Ben "Helping"

Step 4: Take off railing

We were able to get the huge desk downstairs but after many attempts of trying to get it into the den we had to finally take it apart. Eventually we were able to get it into the den and put it back together

Charlotte sleeping on the job

Charlotte finally wakes up to help and struggles to carry the keys downstairs

Step 5: Clean off office furniture

Step 6: Try to figure out where all the stuff goes (even though Spencer looks more like he's posing as a model, he's trying to look as though he doesn't know where things go haha)

Step 6: Still try to figure out how 9 pieces of office furniture fit into the tiniest room in the house

Step 7: Finally get things together! (we think)

It was a lot of work and fun to put this together for you and hopefully this little gift will make moving back seem like not QUITE so daunting. We hope you have a great birthday and are exciting to see you soon!

Love Jenny, Jordan and Spencer

3 Nephi 27

I've made a few new scripture study goals for both my personal study and our couple study. After having Charlotte I did less studying and more just reading while trying to keep my eyes open. Now that Charlotte is sleeping 11 hours each night (thank you!) I've been able to read without falling asleep.

For our couple goals we've really started to make the effort to read after dinner rather than at night in our bed. This goal came about due to the fact that Dave has caught me falling asleep during our scripture reading together numerous times at night haha. We've also set a goal to memorize one scripture a week together which has been so fun! We recite it every night after we've read our scriptures. So far we've memorized Moroni 7:33-34 and 2 Nephi 4:15-16
Dave and I both set the goals to do more STUDYING and not just READING. I went out and bought us scripture markers and Dave a new scripture journal. We've been really studying our scriptures hard for the last few weeks and I've really been loving it! It's amazing how an increase of my obedience has increased my faith and feeling the spirit significantly.

I had a really great scripture study yesterday in 3 Nephi Chapter 27. I was reading in verse 30 where it says "And now, behold, my joy is great, even unto fulness, because of you, and also this generation; yea, and even the Father rejoiceth, and also all the holy angels, because of you and this generation; for none of them are lost." When I first read that scripture I couldn't understand how an entire group of people were so righteous that NONE of them were lost. Christ goes on in verse 31 to explain "Behold, I would that ye should understand; for I mean them who are now alive of this generation; and none of them are lost; and in them I have fulness of joy."

There was a cross reference for that last verse which lead me to 3 Nephi 9:11-13. Now as you know, 3 Nephi is the book where Christ visits the Americas and I know we all remember from watching the Living Scriptures movie a million times that before Christ comes there is huge destruction of the earth followed by 3 days of complete darkness.

Christ explains in verse 9 why so many people were destroyed during the destruction. "...have I caused to be burned with fire because of their sins and their wickedness...therefore I did cause them to be burned, to destroy them from before my face, that the blood of the prophets and the saints should not come up unto me any more against them.

There is a lot that can be learned from these verses but the thing that stood out to me was how merciful the Savior is. You may think at first that it's NOT merciful to destroy a group of people but if you read the above verse again, you'll see that Christ destroyed the people so they will be hid from before his face and that "the blood of the prophets and the saints should not come up unto me any more against them. "

I don't know exactly how Christ will judge His people, but I do know that according to this scripture the wicked people would have faced much harsher judgements had they not been destroyed. They would have had to face Christ in their mortal bodies on Earth when he visited the Americas which it seems would be a harsher punishment for the wicked than if they were destroyed. So even though destruction of an entire group of people sounds harsh, it was actually merciful for Christ to save them from themselves.

Sometimes I think I forget how merciful the Savior is and how forgiving He is. He will do all He can to entice us, to humble us, to encourage us, to warn us, and even destroy us to help us receive the least amount of judgement and punishment possible so that we have the greatest chances to live with Him and Heavenly Father again.

With that in mind then, is it too much to ask to of us to keep the commandments?

Happy Birthday Amanda!

Amanda,

I can't believe you're 16! You are getting so old. I can't wait to hang out when you move back home and I also can't wait for you to babysit Charlotte (oh yah, I'm mean, will you babysit Charlotte? haha). I hope you have a wonderful day and know that your friends and family care about and love you so much!

Love Jenny

Happy Mothers Day!

This is when we went skating.

This is when I was a baby. Don't I look cute?

To Mom,

I love you so much. I love to do the dishes with you. Maybe for Mothers Day we should go shopping! I love mom because she plays with me. I like you better than all the other moms. Happy Mothers Day!

Love, Alison

Happy Mothers day!

Hi Mom,

I guess it's fitting that I write last because you've been my mom the longest. Sorry everyone else, there's not much I can do about it. A girl at church today asked me if I was going to call my mom later today and I told her yes. Then I asked if she was going to call her mother and she said that her mother had passed away. I am so thankful to have a mother, and even more thankful and blessed to have one as amazing as you. You always love and support me in everything that I do or decide. I love your example and love for our family and the gospel. There are a lot of mothers who do a lot of good things, but on the scale of good, better, and best, you care and strive for the best things. When I was born you became a mother, I am honored to be your son and will try to follow the course you and dad have set for me. When I meet people at church that don't know me I am always so pleased to tell them that my parents are Kelly and Diane Smith. Thank you for being my mom!

Love Jordan (eg. "first-born son" haha)

Happy Mothers Day Mom!!

Hey Mom!

First of all, Happy Mothers Day! I just want you to know how much I appreciate you in my life. You are such an amazing example to me. Thanks so much for always hanging out with me, you're such a fun person to be around! Thanks for always being there to talk to me and comfort me when I'm having a bad day. I look up to you in so many ways. You have such an amazing testimony, and I'm so grateful I could be born into a family with such a great mother like you. I love you so much!

Love, Amanda

Happy Mother's Day

Dear Mom,

I'm so lucky to have a mother like you. I appreciate everything you do for me every single day. I don't think i could survive with out you, i can hardly make myself a sandwhich haha. I've always felt a special bond between you and I ever since i could remember. We are so much a like and have a lot of the same character traits. It makes it a lot easier to understand eachother because we have a similar personality. I really enjoyed watching your performance at the recital tonight and it's amazing to see the progress you've made. I didn't really get to hear you progress because i would get mad everytime you would practice to the tape in the van haha, but I'm glad i was able to hear you. I couldn't ask for a more loving mother. The sacrifices you have made for me can't be expressed with words. I'm so thankful for all the things you've done for me. I love when we can spend one on one time because its good to continue to get to know you better and to appreciate the person you are. I like are mom and math times haha. I can totally relate to wanting to sleep in the cat chair all day. " It's right up my alley" , as you would say haha. Anyways i hope you can enjoy this mother's day as much as i will. The best times are being able to be with the ones you love. I'm glad I've been able to find real joy, and you have been able to help me find that. You saved my life mom.

Love, Matthew

Mom!
Happy Mothers Day!

Sometimes you here things from other families like "oh well hes the favorite", or "shes moms or dads favorite child". Sometimes i think it actually is serious, sometimes its more of a joke. However in our family, we dont know what that means. We dont joke about it either, because it doesnt make sense, we cant comprehend it. Because the mother in our family loves each of her children the same. You have an individual, and close relationship with all of us. We all feel like a favorite.

You set such a good example with studying the gospel, and being active in it as well. You have personalized your scriptures, and search them and appreciate them. Thank you for leading us in the right direction and having us learn the importance of family prayer, scripture study, and family home evening, and to be consistent with it. I wouldnt ever want another mother!

Love Spencer

Happy Mother's Day to My Sweetheart

Dear Diane:

I'm so glad Jenny created our own family blog. I know we'll all really love it.

I can hardly express the depth of my love for you as my wife and appreciation for being such a wonderful mother to our children. I know their lives have been blessed because of who you are the contribution you make. I am a better husband and father because of your example. To be a mother of a large family today takes extraordinary courage and faith. You have made many sacrifices in putting the needs of our family ahead of your own. But I know, as you have recently expressed to me, you feel so much joy in our children and the blessing they are to our lives. Having a righteous posterity and family is priceless. (In fact quite expensive:)) I know your feelings are described in 3 John: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”

We have faced many challenges and experienced many joys together. And as Lehi taught we can't really experience the joys without knowing some sorrow. The Lord has blessed us generously through all the ups and downs. My thoughts of you fill my mind continually. My prayers for your happiness are expressed morning and night. I look forward to every moment we have together. Thanks for being a wonderful wife and mother.

Love always,

Kelly

Happy Mother's Day!

Florida trip summer 2006

Lisa's wedding 2008

Mine and Dave's first apartment- Provo, Utah

Christmas break 2008/09

Christmas break 2008/09

BYU graduation August 2006

Dear Mom,

First off, happy Mother's Day! This year your Mother's Day gift is a family blog! I know you've wanted one for just our family for a long time so here it is. I've encouraged the other family members to continue to post on the blog as a way to keep a family history. Not only can we post family events but it is a way to discuss other things such as what we learned from the scriptures on a particular day which let's be honest is RIGHT up your alley. Blogs can also be printed professionally and then put in a bound book or binder, so you will easily be able to preserve our family's history. Also, as part of your gift, I will sit down with you and spend as much time as you need to organize your digital photos and teach you how to easily post blogs of your own on this website.

Each Mother's Day I really try to think of ways to show you how much I love and appreciate you and I always wish I had more time and money to do all the things that I want to do for you.

Being a Mother myself now, Mother's Day brings new meaning to me. Not only because now I get to celebrate it, but because I have a new perspective of what it takes to be a mother. With that new perspective I'm gaining greater appreciation for the sacrifices you've made for me as my mom. Taking care of Charlotte is the most rewarding thing I've ever done, but it's hard, time-consuming, and tiring (and I'm sure that's just the tip of the iceburg). For the past 25 years I know you have done everything you can to be the best mom for me and it didn't stop when I became a mom. You continued to take care of me, so I could then take care of my little girl. I know as I've grown from a little baby to an adult the way you take care of me and support me has changed and will continue to change. But I know that whatever stage of life I'm in you will always be my mother and always find ways to love, care for, and support me.

I love having you as my mother and friend. Thank you for all you've done for me throughout my life. I love you very much!

Love Jenny

Happy Mother's Day, Grandma!

Dear Grandma Smith,

Thanks for being my grandma and coming to see me when I was born. Thanks for helping my mom with laundry, cooking, cleaning, organizing and taking care of me. I really love my room and I know that you helped my mom A LOT to make it really cute for me and we both really appreciate that.

Thank you for loving me and thinking that I'm really cute. I love you too! Happy Mother's Day!

Love Charlotte :)