SnAP Back to Reality!

We got back from Utah a few days ago and are slowly getting into a summer routine.  Harrison missed the last few days of school and now we are in the midst of summer!  I had to keep reminding myself, when we were up there, that it was May, and not January.  We were freezing!  I understand that it was cold here too, and I am a little bummed that we missed it.  

GG's funeral service was beautiful.  I think that she approves of it. One blessing that came through all of this, is that we got to see Todd's parents.  They flew to Salt Lake from Hong Kong for the funeral.  My kids were thrilled to spend some time with their missionary grandparents.  Another blessing is that we got to spend time with Todd's extended family.  We stayed with his aunt and uncle, who live in a dream house.  Their son and daughter-in-law invited us over to "play" - our boys are the same age - and their house is also a dream.  It was like candy to my eyes and has given me a lot of decorating ideas for our new house.  Todd's has another cousin - from the other side of the family - whose perfect skin has convinced me to go back to using Mary Kay!  So, yeah, basically we just played with Todd's cousins and siblings the whole week!

We got home Sunday evening, right in time for dinner at my parent's home.  They invited us over for a BBQ on Memorial Day.  Of course we went, and even though the weather was a little too cool {I can't believe it either} for me to comfortably swim, everyone else did.

                                                     Poor Harrison, shivering cold!
                                     

                                     The loves of my life!!  If you're thinking Lyssa looks

                                      a little thick, it is because her swimsuit has built in

                                      inflatable thingies.
                                       My brother, Gavin, being a good sport.  I made him

                                       flex.  He is single ladies, give me a call if you're interested.

GG

Marian James Smith 
(July 23, 1926 - May 18, 2008) 

Marian James Smith passed peacefully from this mortal existence on May 18, 2008.

Marian having been born of goodly parents, was the second child of David Wilmer and Irva James. She was born July 23, 1926. She was raised in the farming community of Paradise, Utah. Hers was a happy and joyful childhood surrounded by her beloved family.

She met and married her eternal companion Sherrod Smith on April 1, 1949 in the Logan, Utah temple.

Her life exemplified her love of the Savior through her service to Him, her family, and friends.

After many years of church service which included music and leadership, in 1989 she and her companion fulfilled a mission in the West Indies, Trinidad Mission. She listed this experience as one of the highlights of her life.

She leaves behind many who loved her. She is survived by her children Michael (Janis) Smith, Ruth Anne (Jerry) Erickson, Paulette (Randy) McMillan, Jayna (Allen) Lofgran, 12 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, with a great granddaughter on the way. One grandson is serving a mission in Argentina and her son and daughter-in-law are serving a mission in Hong Kong. She is also survived by her loving siblings - 2 sisters and one brother, Irene Maughan, Carol Bowen and Gordon James. Preceded in death by her sweetheart Sherrod, parents, son-in-law and a brother.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 12:00 noon at the Heritage Stake Center, 7350 South 3200 West. Viewing on Wednesday May 21st from 6-8 pm at Jenkins-Soffe South Valley, 1007 W. South Jordan Pkwy. (10600 S.) and from 11-11:45 on Thursday at the church. Interment Redwood Memorial Estates.

Dear GG

Dear "GG",

We love you and are so happy that you are with Grandpa Sherrod now.  We are going to miss you so much.  We are going to miss all of those stories that you used to share; all of your story telling habits too - "I'll never forget" you would say holding up your index finger and shaking it, ever so slightly.  We will never forget, don't worry.  

We will never forget that you always let us come and stay with you, even on a whim.  We will never forget the sloppy joes you made us every time we visited.  We will never forget that you let Harrison watch his PBS kids, when we know how you loved your "Price is Right".  We will never forget that you held our babies and kissed them and loved them.  We will never forget that you remembered our birthdays, always.  We will never forget our last visit, perhaps our favorite, when we got to take you to your favorite restaurant.  We will never forget what a treat that was to us.  No, we won't forget.

We will never forget that you served a faithful mission.  We will never forget that you strived for and attained 100% visiting teaching every month.  We will never forget your stalwart Temple attendance.  We will never forget your  love of family history.  We will never forget that you have a strong, steadfast, belief in the Gospel of Christ.   We won't forget any of that. 

We will never forget you, GG.

Love,

Todd and Jennifer

Sad news...

                                                      West Jordan, Utah April 2006

                                    me, Todd, Alyssa, Grandma Smith, Todd's Dad, Harrison

We received some sad news this evening.  Todd's Grandma Smith passed away today.  She just recently went to the hospital with pneumonia, so I am very glad that she did not suffer long. I am thrilled for her, she is reunited with her husband and other loved ones who have already passed.  She is a wonderful woman and tomorrow, when I am better rested and thoughtful, I will record some of my favorite memories of her here.  I just wanted to write down my immediate thoughts and feelings while in the moment.  I am so thankful that I got to know her and that my kids got to know her too.  Todd loves his Grandma very much and has been lucky enough to have a great relationship with her his whole life.   

China!

For FHE, we learned about China.  This is important to us because Grandma and Grandpa Smith are in Hong Kong serving a mission.  So, we checked out this very kid friendly and informative book, and read it together.  We asked Harrison to share the three favorite things he learned about China.  They are:

1. Astronauts can see the Great Wall from outer space (Todd doesn't believe that though)
2. They don't start school until they are 7 years old.
3. The majority of people only have one child.  His eyes lit up when he realized that one.  He said, "It would just be me!"  I know he loves his sister though and is very glad that we live here, where we can have many children, if we so choose....or so I hope he feels that way!