We Found It!

We have a very, very, very, very happy Porge here at our house. Mike FOUND pink blankie this morning! Now we can all sleep well!

Easter Eggs

Jorja was in charge of Family Home Evening this week. She gave a lesson on love. For the activity, she wanted to dye Easter eggs. Everyone had a great time until I got too cocky at how well Preston was behaving. It only takes a second to spill dye all over the counter. Luckily we were able to get the stain out...lets just hope it comes out of Jorja's shirt as well.

Mike and Stockton

Maysen helping Preston
Maysen, Preston & Jorja
Sorry I put this in Maysen, but notice how cute Porge looks!

While Mike and I were cleaning up the dye off of the counter, Preston had to go to the potty. He went potty standing up and was very proud! Then he wanted to wash his hands. He emptied the entire soap dispenser and was laughing hysterically at the bubbles all over the floor. He was laughing...Mike and I were not.

Are We Crazy?

Mike's brother gave us a fancy SUV when we were down in Utah for Christmas. We thought they would get a big tax break if they did this in 2008. I guess since it was the Smith Family Partnership that bought it instead of the Truck Stop, they weren't able to get it. The SUV's have now gone up in price. So, we are going to drive down to Utah for spring break. Steve is looking for a van for us. This will be easier for many reasons. One, I won't feel like I need to drive to the back of the parking lot when I park. (I'm paranoid that my kids are going to bang another car when they are getting out). Two, I will be able to park in my garage...unless Steve finds a HUGE van. Three, it will be easier for Maysen and Stockton to get out of the car when I drop them off at school.

Have I ever mentioned how spoiled my family is?

This will be a quick trip. We are leaving this Friday. We will drive two days. Then we will start the drive back Friday morning. The cool thing is, we will be able to be with Mike's family on Grandma Honey's birthday. I'm excited about that.

My biggest worry is getting the Parry Post done before I leave. I promise I am working on it!

Dinner

Mike has been trying to start up a business with three other men in our ward. They meet together on Saturdays, and once during the week. We invited the families over for dinner at our house. Mike made manicotti, it was delicious. The kids played downstairs while we stuffed ourselves and played games. It was great. It would be wonderful if this worked out for them on many levels. I would love to have Mike working on something he enjoyed...also, I would love to stay in touch with these families. Jerome and Teresa live two doors from us. They will probably be moving in a few months. I will really miss them. Teresa was my visiting teacher when I first moved into this ward. Jennifer was the primary president when I was the music leader...actually it was Teresa who called me to the music position. I was a counselor to Andrea when she was the primary president. Wow...all three of them have been primary presidents. Hope I never join that club! Anyway, we had a great night. I hope we can have many more.

Teresa, Jerome, Mike, Steph, Jennifer, James, Andrea & Todd

Talent Show

I can't believe I forgot my camera! I wish I had brought the video camera. We had a ward talent show tonight. It was great. Stockton & Maysen both performed. Stockton was SO FUNNY! He recited two of his poems he has written. He said, "I wrote both these poems, so you have to give me the credit." Maysen has been writing a dragon series. There are prophecy poems in most of them. She recited two of the dragon prophecies. I loved watching them. They have so much stage presence. Both of them are clearly comfortable in front of an audience. Stockton said, "I bet if there were another level, I would be moving on....probably Zachary too." (Zachary did those string things, like cat's cradle. He is one of Stockton's friends.)

There were also display booths. On our table, we had one of my cross stitches, Maysen's stories and drawings, and a TV set up. We had Mario Kart Wii and a challenge for anyone to play Stockton. Stockton LOVED that! He did great and beat everyone until he met Derek Duce. Derek had to leave when they were 1-1. We are going to have to get a friend code so they can play against each other. That would be fun.

In conclusion, pretend you saw an awesome video of Stockton & Maysen. You would have loved it.

Preston's Playhouse is Closed

Mike is holding the saddest little boy. Why you may ask?

Mike put a lock on the pantry door. Preston was not happy about this. I'm wondering how long it will take him to figure out how to open it. I will just enjoy it while it lasts.

Preston cried and cried. Then he cried some more when he got tons of soap in his eyes. But he still hasn't cried as much as Jorja has the last few days without her blanket. I pulled out a blanket grandma made for Maysen when she was born. That has helped a little. I don't know if it is the triangles she likes, that it's pink, or that it just feels like a grandma blanket.

Wedding Dress

Mike had a job interview this morning. He dropped me off so I could go to the temple. Things went well in both places. On the way home, I stopped and picked up Maysen's dress for John & Cassie's wedding. She loves it! She looks so grown-up. Although, I am annoyed that after paying $100 for her dress, I will have to go and get it pressed! I think a new dress should come looking new...

The Sidewalk

I was walking on the sidewalk this morning

I guess I didn't know where I was going

I stepped on a crack. Now things are alluring.

My mother's back broke. NO MORE RULES THAT ARE BORING!

• I'll play games
• Watch T.V.
• I'll bed jump
• Throw broccoli
• I'll push
• I'll pull
• I'll run
• I'll roll
• Eat candy
• Shout BOO!
• Play computer
• & stuff that I want to.

It's the life of a kid, there's not any bother
It's too bad I haven't affected my father.
---Stockton Smith

***Happy Birthday John!***

Another Day

Still no blankie.

No Blankie

We still can't find Jorja's blankie. We thought it might have been at church, but it wasn't there. Jorja cried most of the day. She would be fine for a little while then all of a sudden burst into tears sobbing, "I miss my blankie!" We have searched the entire house, the car, the church, rubbed her 'worry stone' and said several prayers with no success. Hopefully we'll find it in some random place, but I'm starting to get nervous.

Show us how you really feel.
I sure hope we can find Blankie or we will have one sad Porge on our hands for a very long time!

Derby Day

Today was the big race day. Here are all the cars before the race. Notice the headlights on Mike's batmobile. He has a rocket launcher inside, but he didn't use it. Mike said he liked knowing he could if he wanted to.

All the cars. Weston won 1st place overall. His is the black car to the left of Jorja's superblooper
Preston at the race.
Jorja's car was the fastest in our family. She raced Weston's car at the end and won! She was excited. She worked so hard!
Stockton won a few races as well.
See what I put up with? Preston is looking for Altoids. I'm not kidding - he loves Altoids.

Maysen had a birthday party today. I dropped her off, and talked to the birthday girl's mom for a bit. I told her we were hoping to move out west. She asked if I was from California. I told her I was from Utah. She asks, "Are you mormon?" I tell her I am. "How many kids do you have?" Four. "Are you polygamist?" No. Mormon's aren't polygamist. "Oh, we're big Big Love fans." Then she starts talking about the show. Soon, another parent comes to the party and I am introduced as "She's a mormon but she's not a polygamist." No mormons are polygamists!

Last but not least, we can not find Jorja's blanket. We have searched the entire house. Jorja took it to the pinewood derby. I thought we brought it home, but I have no idea where it is. Mike is going to look for it tomorrow. She sobbed and sobbed tonight. I cuddled with her until she fell asleep. I think this is only the second night she has been without her blanket since she was given it when she was 2 months old. We better find it!

Dragon Bread

Maysen and Mike made Dragon Bread. They have been making homemade bread lately, and Maysen decided she wanted the bread shaped like a dragon. They made a few mini-loaves as well.

The bread was so delicious. Especially the dragon bread. Way to go Maysen!

Inkdeath

I just finished reading Inkdeath. I loved it! It is the third (and final) book in the Inkheart series. It took me a little while to get into Inkheart, but once I did I really liked it. I loved Inkspell, I opened the book and felt like I immediately dropped in. Inkdeath was wonderful. The writing was so delicious. I am amazed at Cornelia Funke's imagination. I wish writing was my talent. Anyway, the best thing about the car pool line is I get to read books!

Poor Porja

Jorja is covered in hives today. She had a few when I took her to school. By the time we got to her class, they were all over her stomach. Apparently Fifths Disease is going around her class. By the time the hives appear, you aren't contagious anymore. Good think I had Mike take her home from church on Sunday. I read the hives are supposed to last 7 -10 days. Hopefully it will be less.

It's a Sad, Sad Day

I put Preston down for a nap in his crib. While I was talking to Brooke on the phone, my door opened and in walked Preston! This is the first time he has climbed out of his crib. It is a sad, sad day. He has been potty training, and needed to go to the bathroom. He grabbed the phone from me and started telling Brooke he needed to go potty. He is in his bed in Stockton's room right now, but today he doesn't like it. I don't know why he is still in there, I can hear him crying, but I'm not going to mess with it unless he comes out. (He wanted a water bottle) Now starting, two years of bed time/nap time torture!

I took a picture of the kids before school. Jorja was so excited for St. Patrick's Day. She had her clothes picked out days before. She told me all about the mischievous leprechauns that visited her classroom. They turned over chairs and left little green footprints all over. She loved cleaning them up!

Priming

The kids primed their cars today. Maysen kept asking if they were priming them or compositing them. Something like that. I'm sure I messed up her joke.

Preston

Maysen & Jorja
Stockton

Mike

Sanding

I successfully made it through my talk. I did not fall or mess up, so that is good. In my mind I was imagining the congregation all standing up and writing A + + + + + on their imaginary chalkboards. Hopefully I won't have to give another talk for a LONG time!

For Family Home Evening we talked about the things I had learned in my talk. We discussed having the children contribute to fast offerings and talked to them about starting to fast. We are going to start with a two hour fast. We are going to decide what we are fasting for, say our prayers together, then two hours later we will help Maysen and Stockton say an ending prayer for their fast. I hate giving talks, but I like everything I learn while I am preparing for them.

We also had the kids work on their pinewood derby cars. The derby is this Saturday. Everyone is making a car except me (I have no desire to do that). I'm not sure if Preston is making one, but he had fun sanding anyway.

Maysen

Stockton
Jorja and Preston
Dad

If you are wondering why Preston never has a shirt on, it is because he is potty training. He seems to think he can't go to the potty unless he is naked. And of course he likes to go on the potty every three minutes. We've given up on clothes for the time being.

Pi Day

Last year, Lisa wrote on her blog how she celebrated Pi day. I loved that idea! We made a chocolate cream pie and a banana cream pie. Thanks for the great idea Lisa!

Flat Jacob

I made it back from Utah! It is always nice to be home. When I came up the elevator, I heard Jorja yell, "Mommy!" I turned to see her and I saw all the kids holding up welcome home signs. It was so cute! Preston kept giving me the biggest squeezes! I missed them so much. It is good to be back. On the way back home, we dropped Maysen off at a sleepover, so she isn't here right now . . . but Stockton is sleeping in her bed.

I sat by the Anderson's on the flight back. They are headed to Mexico City on a Book of Mormon tour. They were so nice. They even let me take a picture of them with Flat Jacob! Flat Jacob will be staying at our house over the weekend, then he is headed back to Utah via the US Mail!

In other news, the worst thing about being home is I just was called and asked to speak at church on Sunday! Well, I wasn't really asked. I do the bulletin and Brother Lott told me the 2nd speaker was Sister Stephanie Smith. Ha, ha, very funny. Apparently it wasn't a joke. I have to talk on How you can get the most out of fast & testimony meeting. . . spiritually, personally, and for your family.

Grandpa Millburn's Funeral

**note: these pictures are randomly put in here, I'm way too tired to get them in the right spot **
Notice Lincoln helping. He ran up to Bubs saying 'Help too!'

Today was my Grandpa Millburn’s funeral. Steve dropped me off at my dad’s house in the morning. My dad and I left to pick up my Grandma. We got to the church early, which was very nice. It was so wonderful to see so many people. My Grandpa Parry and Uncle John drove down from Idaho Falls. That was so great and thoughtful of them. All the California cousins were there as well. They are my dad’s cousins. My Grandma and Grandpa Millburn sure do love them.

Rachel & Cassie

The funeral was very nice. Both my Aunt Gayle and my dad spoke. Elder Robert L. Backman also spoke. I loved the stories of my grandpa. My favorites were:

When Aunt Gayle gave Grandpa a vest for Christmas he leaned over to my brother Mike and said, “Maybe next year I’ll get the sleeves.”

Stephanie & Marie

When my Grandpa was a lawyer, he was assigned a client to defend. The client was accused of murdering his wife. The evidence was overwhelming. When the verdict was read, both my grandpa and his client were shocked that he was acquitted. A few weeks later, my Grandpa recognized one of the jury members on the gold course. He asked him why they decided to acquit his client. He was told that they decided if Doc Millburn was representing him then he had to be innocent. Wow.

I also love the story of my Grandpa falling at the cemetery. He rolled all the way down the hill. When my dad ran down to gather him up, he said, “I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time.” My grandma stood at the top of the hill with her hands on her hips and said, “Honestly Ralph, act your age”.

Marie & Mike

My Grandma and Grandpa were so funny together. I loved being with them. The hardest part of living so far away is not being able to spend as much time with my family as I would like. I hope my Grandma is going to be okay. Life sure got a whole lot more lonely for her.

After the funeral, we went to my Grandpa’s grave. He had already picked out his headstone. He use to walk over and double check that there was no death date on it.

Mike, Brett, John, Bubs, Steph & Matt

At the luncheon after the funeral, we were able to spend a lot of time catching up with each other. I talked to my dad’s cousin Chris Cremer for awhile. He was talking about when he coached soccer. They were in this huge tournament. They had a big game on Sunday and his star player is LDS. Chris is not LDS. He talked to his star player and said, “I want you to ask your parents if they will let you play this game on Sunday. If they agree to let you play, I will go to your church with you for the next four weeks.” Brilliant! She played, they won and he followed through with his end of the bargain.

My family with Grandma

After we left the church, we hung out at Bubs & Ange’s house, then went to my dad’s. We played games the rest of the day (and watched a little basketball). We played Would You Rather . . . and Apples to Apples. My dad got pizza, and I got back to Steve & Shannon’s around 11:30. I couldn’t believe how fast the day went. It was a wonderful, sad, happy, and enjoyable day. I loved being with my brothers. It has been years since we have all been together. I really wish we could experience that more often. I love them.

Grandma with the California cousins

Grandpa Millburn's Viewing

I flew to Utah today. It was an easy flight because I had no kids with me. It was hard to leave Preston who started crying "Go too!" when I got out of the car. Mike said a couple of times he pounded on the door crying, "Mommy!" I talked to the kids on the webcam, but Preston was already asleep.

Shannon picked me up at the airport and took me to Cheesecake Factory. Yum, yum. Then she bought me a new shirt. That worked out nicely because I got chocolate on the shirt I was wearing. I hung out with my niece and nephews until it was time to go to my Grandpa's viewing.

The viewing was held at Larkin Sunset Gardens. This is the cemetery where my mom, mother-in-law and niece are buried. I really wanted to find Jessica's grave marker. Lisa described where it was, and then she came up and met me! It was so nice to see her. We visited her mom's grave and then she helped me look for my mom's grave. After almost 13 years, I can't believe I still have a hard time finding it! In my defense, it is really hard to find in the snow.

John & Cassie

After Lisa left, I went inside to find my family. I met Cassie for the first time. I like her a lot. John will be really happy with her. John, Matt, and Bubs were there. (Ange, Lincoln and Ella were there as well of course). It was nice to talk to my family. My grandma was so sad. There was a slide show with photos that I had never seen before. My dad when he was a baby etc. Cathy put it together and gave me a copy, so I'm excited about that.

After the viewing, my dad took me, John, Cassie & Matt to Kneaders. It was very delicious. It's funny that John has worked there so long and doesn't know what his favorite sandwich is. He is clear that he has a favorite sandwich, he just doesn't know what it is called. . . they just give it to him sometimes.

Matt debated if he should buy a brownie. He decided he would rather eat a brownie then eat a dollar. Nice logic.

Me, Dad, John & Matt

Lions Vs. Tigers

Jorja had her first soccer game today. She was so excited for her 'big game'. For time with dad she's planning on making flags we can wave. Jorja's team is the Lions. They played the Tigers. Jorja's team won 8 - 0. Technically they don't keep score, but come on, the kids all know the score!

Jorja was goalie right off the bat. She did great!
I asked Mike which child scored one of the goals. He looked at me with a blank face and said, "I'm sorry, I don't have an attention span for sports."
Of course the best part of the game is the treats at the end!
And by the way, HAPPY BIRTHDAY LARKIN!!!!

Preston on His Throne

Preston has been showing interest in the potty lately. I am not ready for this. Not only is the thought of my last baby out of diapers too much for me, but I am not ready for the loss of freedom this new skill requires. But, nevertheless, we press on. I wanted to take a picture of Preston on his potty because I thought it was so funny he was wearing Jorja's crown.

What would make Preston this unhappy? He wants the camera and mom doesn't want to give it to him!

Preston is now trying to fight me for the camera.

But I am bigger, so I won.

What It's Like To Be A Quarter

I was born in the house of the US mint & now I'm packed & sent away.

I don't know where I'm going but I know it's in the U.S.A.

I was sent to Bobby Fuller & I was delivered at dawn.

But I know that Bobby's careless of what he spends his money on.

So he spent me on a candy bar & chewed it right away.

So the cashier then considered what he'd spend me on today.

But he didn't get a chance to since his son cleaned the walls that weren't dusted.

Now I'll tell you why he can not be trusted.

He & his sister got into a fight about the butter.

He was mad & threw me on the roof & I rolled into the gutter.

I sped into the tire of the mail truck & it flung me in the air.

I landed in the package delivered to 567 - Ye Old Square.

Now I don't see my relatives 'cause I'm separated from the rest.

This is what it feels like to be trapped in a pirate's treasure chest!

--Stockton Smith

Delicious Dresses

Jorja and I went shopping for dresses for John and Cassie's wedding. The dress Cassie had picked out looked great on Maysen, but there was not a size small enough to fit The Porge. Jorja and I found this canary yellow dress at Sears for $27. I think she looks beautiful!

Mike was so proud of his hamburger today, he took a picture of it. It was delicious. Mike said the Diet Root Beer counteracted all the calories in the hamburger and fries. Mike makes the best hamburgers around. He puts grilled pineapple and BBQ sauce on it--I'll never be able to eat a regular hamburger again.