Becky

I have been having a hard time for the last several weeks.  Friday marks the 20th year of my mom's death.  I feel it everywhere.  I don't know why.  I don't know if it is because I always care about dates.  I don't know if it is because it is the 20th.  I don't know if it is because it is the 20th on the 20th.  I don't know if it is because Maysen is graduating.  I don't know exactly what it is, but it has been really hard.  I was exercising this morning and was about three minutes into the workout when I decided I didn't care anymore.  I just turned it off and went back to bed.  I had slept in my clothes and was working out in my clothes from yesterday.  I knew I needed to take Stockton to diving today.  I decided just to go in my clothes I slept in, I didn't even care about changing.  I did manage to make cupcakes for Maysen, then I went straight back to bed.  (I rarely take naps and hardly ever stay in bed.)  Anyways, Becky called me today.  She asked if I wanted to go out to lunch.  She said she knew it was spur of the moment, but was wondering if I could meet her down at Corner Bakery.  It was just what I needed.  I texted Mike and asked if he called Becky.  He said he didn't, but he had prayed a lot.  It doesn't surprise me that Becky is the person that called and asked me to lunch.  She always knows when I need her. I am so thankful that she did.  I really needed that today.  It made the rest of the day better.  I'm still super sad and find my eyes filling with tears at every turn, but it made today bearable. It gave me the energy to work with Maysen on making the fancy cupcakes that I used to make for the beehives.  I worked with her on that until it was time to take Stockton to diving, then she finished up. They turned out really cute.  I think her class will like them.

Marbles

Pack meeting and Jorja's softball game were at the same time, so I didn't get to go to Jorja's game.  Mike said she played shortstop and catcher and got a double.  Preston got his marble belt loop.  He has a lot of boys in his group, but they weren't here.  I bet they are playing lacrosse or something like that.

Kanani, Sister Breen, Griffin, Preston

I talked to Javita afterwords about Jorja's softball.  Javita just moved into our ward.  She is now the Young Women 2nd counselor and I visit teach her.  She was also a professional softball player.  I decided I wanted to get Jorja a throwback and a batting tee, although Mike told me that she wouldn't need a throwback with the batting net set up.  I'm still going to get her a tee though.

Principal's Recognition Night

Mike, Maysen and I went to the Principal's Recognition Night.  They had some dessert first, then the program afterwords.  The program lasted awhile.  It was nice to have academics awarded though.  They called up everyone who had a 3.9 or 4.0 grade point average through all four years.  I was surprised.  There were only 33 people with a 3.9 and 13 people with a 4.0.  I thought there would have been more than that. They said a little bit about each person.  The assistant principal assigned to each student handed out the awards.  The guy handing out Maysen's called her by the right name the first time, then the rest of the time he was talking about her he called her 'Madison'.  Oh well.  It's weird how when people mess up Maysen's name they almost always call her Madison.

Maysen on stage

Maysen/Madison

Maysen also received the Hawk Medallion Award.  She had earned enough 'points' by doing various things that she earned this.  82 people earned this award.  There were two other things Maysen was noted for in the program.  Earning her Honors Diploma and the Utah Scholars Initiative.  I had no idea what that was, but it is basically the things she needs to do for the Regents Scholarship.

Maysen receiving her hawk medallion

Poor kids that were there just for the honors or advanced diploma. They had a long ceremony to sit through!

Maysen's Graduation Pictures

Mike took Maysen to the top of our neighborhood to take some graduation pictures.  Here are a few of them.  I can't believe my baby is graduating!  I just don't know what to think.  I'm happy and excited for her, but I'm morning the end of this part of my life.  I have loved every second of it.  I hope I love the future just as much, but it breaks my heart thinking about Maysen not living with us in a few months.

Maysen

While Mike was taking Maysen's pictures I was hanging out at my Mom's grave with Bubs.  We talked for awhile before heading up to my house.  I can't believe my Mom has been gone for almost twenty years. My dad came up and we talked for awhile.  Bubs and I had ice-cream and he slept over.  What a long day!

Natalie's Party

Today was super long and short.  It went by really fast, but seemed to last awhile.  I don't know if that makes any sense.  It was a great day and the weather was beautiful!  I spent most of the day doing laundry. It needed to be done.  I took Jorja to the pet store and to pick up a cake for Natalie.  She had wanted to make one on Wednesday, but I was really sick.  I told her if she didn't have her friends come over to make the cake I would buy her a Coldstone cake instead.  Jorja wanted to throw a surprise party for Natalie.  Her birthday is next week.  They seemed to have fun and they were really loud.

Mike's hand flinging pizza, Jorja, Natalie, Jade

Mike, Preston and I played Dominion with only Adventure cards.  It was pretty fun except Mike creamed us.  We will need to play again tomorrow.

Mike's 42nd Birthday

Mike had the day off of work today.  It was wonderful.  Maysen left early this morning to early morning seminary.  Then she went on a physics field trip to Lagoon.  Now that's a hard life!  Utah State University rents out Lagoon every year for physics students.  They have different experiments and events you can participate in.  Maysen said it was fun except some of her favorite rides were closed.

Preston had his zoo today.  He did his project on the gray wolf.  He put it together all by himself.  He was pretty excited about it.

Preston

Mike and I took Preston home with us.  Mike, Stockton, Preston and I all played Dominion.  Stockton got home just as we were starting.  We watched a Goldberg's and then headed to the high school to pick up Maysen.  We stopped at my dad's house and said hi to Anne and family. My dad gave Mike a gift certificate to Home Deopt.  Mike wanted to go to a Japanese restaurant for dinner.  The food was delicious!

Preston & Mike

We then took all of our gift cards to JCPenneys we got for Christmas from Scoop and Cori and let the kids look for things to buy.  Maysen found a macaroni pot she is excited about.  Jorja got a purse and a portable cell charger.  Mike found a small camera and a disco light.

Mike, Preston, Jorja, Stockton

We finished the day with birthday eclairs and watching Battle Bots. Oh, Mike's presents from us were water tank heaters for the motorhome and Pass the Pigs.  Maysen thought that would be great to play as we drove down the road.  I think she is right.

Last AP Tests

Maysen and Stockton had their last AP test today.  Stockton's last AP test this year and Maysen's last AP test EVER!!!  Maysen's was AP Comparative Government and Politics.  Stockton's was AP World History.  Maysen thought this test was easier than the US Government test she took a few days ago.  Stockton said the test was easier then the practice tests he took.  They are both thrilled to have them over with! Maysen and I went out to Leatherby's after I picked her up from physics.  Stockton and his friends went to the mall until it was time for their English class.  It will be really nice not having these giant end of the year tests hanging over their heads anymore!

I took Stockton to diving.  Afterwords the diving team and their parents went to Brick Oven.  The diving team paid for it as a thank you for Regionals.  It was really nice.  Stockton sat at a table with his friends. He ordered a 12 inch pizza and breadsticks.  It was bigger than he expected.  He ate the entire pizza and one (gigantic) bread stick.  Then he went around the table giving everyone high fives.  Stockton drove down to diving, I told him I wanted to drive home.  I thought he would be feeling so sick I didn't want him to drive.

While I was at diving with Stockton Mike was busy holding down the fort.  Jorja had to stay after school for the WEB team she was chosen for.  She is pretty excited about that.  A group of students were chosen to help 6th graders next year.  Today I think they played games, voted on shirts and got to know the other WEB leaders.  Mike took Jorja to her softball practice.  No one was there.  Jorja usually is the first person to show up, so they waited and waited.  Mike kept texting me asking if I got the time right.  I had Maysen look up the email.  Yep, Jorja was right where she was supposed to be.  Another girl from the team was dropped off by her mom.  After the mom drove away she saw that she was texted that the place for practice had changed.  They were meeting at the coaches house.  I did not get that text.  Later Mike found out that they had my wrong number.  Jorja got there in time to do the slip and slide slide practice.

Preston was asked to give the Scout Law at Roundtable.  He had to have it memorized, so we have been practicing it for the last week.  He also was asked to bring his belt loop holder he made and to talk about how he made it and what he thought about it.  Ashley picked him up since Mike and I couldn't get him there.  Mike hurried over there when Jorja was done.  He was able to hear Preston do both of his assignments.  He said Preston did a great job.  Mike brought Preston and three of the other friends home.  He still had Jorja with him, who was wet from the slip and slide.  Wow.  What a day!

Bed

I was pretty sick today.  I must have caught what Jeff & Eve had.  Not fun.  Mike was nice enough to come home early enough to take Stockton to diving.  I just laid in bed.  I kept thinking about how it was nice I could sleep when I am sick now.  A few years ago I would have to be up and about with the kids no matter how horrible I felt.

Brett's Gone

Brett and his family headed out to Idaho this afternoon.  Too bad Eve is sick.  She threw up a lot!  I got to hang out with them this morning though.  They left the same time as I went to pick up Maysen from school.  I waved to them on the road.  I don't think Marie expected me to be there.  Maysen had her AP US Government test today.  She sent me a text that said, "Felt much better about essays than multiple choice.  Pretty sure I passed.  Just several weird terms I didn't recognize, but ones I did were easy."  Yay!  So glad that is over!  I let Maysen grab lunch at Sonic before we headed home.  On the way home I got a text from Rachel.  She was looking for her wallet.  I went and looked all around the house.  Under beds, etc.  Rachel went to Treehouse, not there.  Then she went to Walmart.  Yep.  It was there and nothing was missing.  She left it there yesterday.  Good thing she noticed before she left the state!  They came back to drop off my Hawaii towel that was left in their car.  Once they finally left for Idaho they had been in the car for an hour.  That's going to be a long day!

Stockton had his first range drive today.  I fell asleep after Brett left and woke up around 3:00.  I didn't know what time I should pick him up and was worried he would be waiting for me.  I ran out the door because I was sure he would be finished soon.  School gets out at 2:25. I didn't even stop for a book, and I always take a book with me.  Well, that was a poor decision.  Turns out the range started at 3:00.  He finished at 5:00.  I sat in the car for an hour and 45 minutes.  I never wanted to go home, because I kept thinking that any second he would be finished.  Luckily Maysen got Preston to piano and Mike came home to take Jorja to her softball game.  I dropped Stockton off at home and then hurried to the softball field.  Jorja's team almost won.  There are two kind of equal teams and one really good team that has been playing together for three years.  They are the green team.  Jorja played them today and they almost won.  That was pretty cool.  The umpire doesn't like the green team.  They can be obnoxious.

Eve's Handprints

I had such a great day.  I played games with Brett and Matt for most of the day.  How awesome is that?  I got Brett's family, Matt and Anne into Treehouse for the day.  I just cancelled my membership there and had two guest passes I never used.  Anne, Grace and Eve played in the Nest.  (Fun play place where your kids can be watched.)  Brett and Matt played Racquetball.  Rachel, Marie and Mina went swimming.  I hurried home for scouts.  Maysen and Stockton were holding down the fort until I got there.  Maysen had even started working on one of the achievements I was hoping to get done.  Mike and Rachel made a fun spaghetti dinner.  My dad came up and we played more games until Rachel and I left.  The boys continued playing while I took Rachel and Eve up to Sherry's house.  Sherry is so nice to do handprints for all my nieces and nephews.  I texted her this morning to see if she could fit us in.  She wasn't getting back until 9:30 tonight.  Still, she was willing to do it.  Eve did amazing!  I have never seen a baby not cry while getting their handprints done.  Eve was just as calm as could be.  It was adorable.

Rachel, Eve & Sherry

 Sherry always makes two sets, just in case.

Brett, Matt, Mike, my dad and I played games until 12:30 I think.  It was really fun.  I love it when my brothers are in town.

Family Mother's Day

Another Mother's Day is in the books.  Despite how much a dread this day it turned out pretty great.  Before church Mike and the kids gave me a few presents.  Preston made a few flowers and one of those what I like about Mom papers.  I love those.

Preston's flowers

This is what Preston's 'My Mom is Special' paper says:

My Mom's name is: Stephanie Smith

She is special because: she is very loving, nice and caring.

I like it when my Mom: makes after-school treats (we should do more of that), and when she does fun stuff with me.

My Mom can do many things!  I think she's best at....: Making me smile, loving me, and forgetting things.

My Mom has a pretty smile!  I like to make her smile by...: complementing her and thanking her.

My Mom is as pretty as a...:pile of roses after a rainy day.

My Mom is smart!  She even knows...: She knows how to make very detailed stockings.

I'd like to tell my Mom...: I love you and I want you to know that you are awesome.

Haha!  Preston cracks me up.  He even used his special stamp he is so proud of.  At the class store he bought a date stamp.  We finally found a stamp pad for him after a few weeks of begging.  He picked a box next to the date and wrote I Love You inside.  It cracked me up when Preston wrote 'making me smile, loving me, and forgetting things.'  I was reading it out loud and I laughed and looked at Preston.  He was laughing.  I always quote a tv show I saw a long time ago (Sports Night).  "Three things.  I'm forgetting things, I'm losing things and one more thing."  I knew Preston was referencing that.  Made me laugh.

Mike and the kids also got me a waffle maker, the new Dominion game and the promo cards that go along with it.  Although I opened the Dominion game straight from the mailing package.  They sent Intrigue instead of Adventures.  Intrigue was our first Dominion game.  Mike was pretty annoyed about that.  They also got me a selfie stick.  Here is Preston and I playing with it.

Preston & Stephanie

Scoop and Cori also sent me flowers.  That was really nice.

Mike, Preston and I played Dominion before church and a little after. Mike ended up winning the game.  It was pretty close though.  I had enough for a Providence, but Mike got it the turn ahead of me and ended up winning by five points.  Church was pretty good.  Isaac Bingham gave a talk.  He talked about five women in the scriptures. Rebekah, Elizabeth, Emma, Hannah and Abigail.  Those are the names of his wife and four daughters.  He did a great job.  My favorite was when he was telling the story of dating his wife.  He wanted to marry Becky, but she wasn't so sure.  She had planned to go on a mission, and planned to study abroad.  Isaac had both families rooting for him.  In April 2000 they were watching conference with their family.  This is what Mary Ellen Smoot said:

Second, don't be paralyzed from fear of making mistakes.  Thrust your hands into the clay of your lives and begin.  I love how Rebekah of old responded to Abraham's servant who came in search of a wife for Isaac.  Her answer was direct, "I will go," she said.

Rebekah could have refused.  she could have told the servant to wait until she had the proper send-off, a new wardrobe, until she lost a few pounds, or until the weather was more promising.  She could have said, "What's wrong with Isaac that he can't find a wife in all of Canaan?"  But she didn't.  she acted, and so should we.

The time from procrastination is over.  Begin!  Don't be afraid.  Do the best you can.  Of course you will make mistakes.  Everyone does. Learn from them and move forward.

Haha!  How crazy would that be.  Isaac said it was the most awkward conference message he has ever listened to.  Talk about timing on that one.

After church (and the end of our Dominion game) I started working on rolls.  Brett and Rachel came over.  Yay!  I was a little distracted with them so I kind of messed up, but it turned out fine.  Matt and Sam came next followed by Bubs and Ange.  I was so fun to have four of us together!  I wish we all lived next door to each other.  I would love that. We played a Dominion game.  We didn't have much time so I said we should have teams.  Spouse teams.  It ended up being Matt, Brett, Bubs and I.  Bubs ended up winning.  Again I took second.  My dad and Cathy came over with the roast right at the end.  After dinner he made tapioca for Brett.  Yummy!  Anne had her non-dairy ice-cream.  She loves that stuff.

Stephanie & Anne

This is what Marie looked like a lot.  That is Harry Potter book 7 she is reading.  Anne wanted to be just like her and had her mom go and get her books out of the car.

Marie & Anne

Mike, Matt, Sam, Brett and Rachel played a game of Pirates.  I ended up taking most of Rachel's turns as both of us were getting our kids down to bed.  It was easier for me to leave them than her since mine were older and sleeping in their same beds.  Marie and Mina are sleeping in the girls' room.  Grace and Eve are sleeping in the guest room with their parents.  Even though I had to keep leaving I did manage to make my mark on the game.  Mike was only $5,000 away from winning when I took him out of the game with a Navy.  The game was going to end with cards running out.  It was my turn with only one card left in the deck for Matt.  Brett said, "Matt is going to win as soon as he sells his cargo."  Brett and Matt were pretty close.  That is when I played Rats on Matt and destroyed his cargo.  Brett laughed so hard! Matt was less amused.  I then gave Matt a fighting chance.  I attacked a level three merchant ship that I didn't have much of a chance of catching.  It would have been great if I could have caught it, but I didn't.  It sailed to Matt.  They were the same speed.  If Matt caught it he could easily defeat it.  This would determine the game.  Matt rolled one dice and Brett the other.  Brett won and the shipped sailed away.  If Matt had an attack card or anything that would give him money he could have won.  Nope.  We all laughed when he played Stormy Seas on Brett.  Brett ended up winning.  Who knew Rats would be such a big player?

What a fun night to be with my family.  Sad that the reason we got to have this night was because Nigel died.  What a strange world.

Nigel's Funeral

We went up to Bountiful this morning for Nigel's funeral.  We got there about an hour before it started so we could see Brett and his family as long as possible.  My kids watched other kids in the nursery during the funeral.  Rachel spoke.  She did a really good job.  That would not be a fun thing to do.  I went and got Grace, Eve and Thora during the song so their parents wouldn't have to look for them when it was time to follow the casket outside.  (Thora is Rachel's niece.)  Jorja helped me bring the girls to Brett & Rachel.  They looked so cute walking down the hall I had to stop and take a picture.  I was holding Thora and Jorja had the other girls.  Eve wouldn't let anyone but Jorja hold her.  I gave Jorja my necklace when I gave her Eve.  Eve had been playing with it and she continued playing with it when it was on Jorja.  Jorja tried giving the necklace to Stockton, but that didn't work. (Maysen held a little boy named Gus for a long time.  He was asleep on her when I came to get these girls.)

Grace, Eve, Jorja, Anne

 Eve & Jorja

 Grace & Anne

Stockton drove us up to Bountiful.  He then drove us to OHOP in Fort Union.  I guess he was really hungry.  He snatched a pancake off of another table while we were waiting for our food.

Stockton

I left my phone on the table while I went to the restroom.  I was left with many, many pictures.  There was a little girl (probably younger than Anne and Grace) that was in the bathroom.  She was pulling at the door wanting to get in the stall her mom was in.  I could hear her mom say, "Mommy's going potty.  Just a minute."  All of the sudden the stall opened and I could see the mom sitting on the toilet.  I waved and said 'Hi' because I wasn't sure what to do.  She got her daughter in the stall with her.  A few minutes later the door flung open while the mom was pulling up her pants.

Stockton & Jorja

 Preston, Stockton, Jorja

 Maysen, Mike, Stockton, Jorja