The Smith's

Thursday, February 5, 2009

WHAT KIND OF SPIDER IS THIS???

After I was done teaching yesterday, I was walking the last of the students down the stairs and out the gate when Sadie says "Mom there is a huge spider on the gate!" Fully expecting a wolf spider, I was totally freaked out when I saw this!!! I have NEVER seen anything like this before! It looked like a small terantula! It's body was as big as a big grape, so my guess is it is pregnant. I can't kill things this big and look at the location! Not an easy kill! I waited for Steve to get home. It was still there, and he grabbed a broom and hit it a few times, but it fell between some cracks in the wood plank floor and I don't know if it is dead or alive. I am completely freaked out. I'm almost possitive it is a Brown Recluse- which are horribly deadly!!! And if it is pregnant! Aaahhhhh- I'm just going to believe that it is dead! Bug man sprayed the day before, which is why it was out in the day time I am sure. You know- scorpions are one thing- I've killed so many now, I'm not even scared of them- I'm angry at them, but they don't scare me anymore. They can't kill you! Anyway, has anyone ever seen a brown recluse and can confirm my feelings??? Can they get this big???

Aaaaahhhhh! I live in a jungle!

10 Years Old!

Activity Day- girls heart attacked our house for Sadie's birthday

Every year I take Sadie to lunch on her Birthday. Every year she chooses NEDS Krazy Sub. Which is one of my favs also. Here are her and her friends at lunch today. Silly girls. We're having a few over for a party this weekend. Bring on the screeming 4th graders! AAAAHHH!

Not a little girl anymore. We are now entering the tween stage. She steals my clothes, doesn't return them. She's wearing my shoes... I don't even want them back when she's done with them. j/k Sadie is getting so grown up and so beautiful. Steve's just about ready to get a shotgun.
10 things I love about Sadie-bug

1. She is helpful

2. She is a good girl

3. She loves anything music

4. She has a witty sense of humor

5. She's got style

6. She learns quickly

7. She makes a bed better than anyone I know

8. She has a big heart-especially for animals

9. She has a cute laugh

10. She is beautiful from the inside out

Yesterday I was lucky to be chosen as a chaperone for Sadie's class on a field trip to the State Capital. Sadly, I've never been. So I was very excited. I found it incredibly educational. The building itself has beautiful architecture, and inside are some amazing displays. There is a whole museum in there. And it's free! And you know I like Free! ;) Here's just a couple pics of the day.

As you can tell, these kids were SO into it!

Wake Up boys!

Here's the smart section-answering all the questions. These kids could have given the tour. Every question the guide asked they all new the answers. Very impressive!

Lunch on the lawn

Funny Face Contest

Okay boys, you win! The flip-up lids get me every time! Ugh!

Gotta end on a cute one :)

Monday, February 2, 2009

For Frrrreeeeee :)

Anyone see Bedtime Stories? Loved that movie, and that saying keeps running through my head. My obsession with good deals is paying off. A few weeks ago I heard about this promotion that was going to be going on for a couple weeks, starting last week running Monday through Friday. The promotion is by Last Minute Travel, a newer company like Priceline. The deal is for 15 mins a day, their participating hotels will go for $1 a night. The catch is that you don't know when that 15 mins will be. And they only do it in 5 minute increments... So last week I started watching this website and also found another thread or chat room where people would say how they got through. For 3 days I watched it on and off, and then Thursday I decided I was going to try for 1 more day and then no more. It is heart wrenching. I got through on the first 2 days and got so close before time ran out. Anyway, Thursday night I decided I was going to get it if I had to stay at my computer all day. Not going to loose this great deal!!! Well, it got to 11:00pm and I was soooo tired. People on the chat room were giving up and going to bed. I thought I'd check my e-mail one last time before heading to bed defeated.

After that, I went back to the chat room and there had been a 5 minute segment! There was still 5 minutes that could come, so I stuck it out and sure enough, it did and I finally got through. MAUI, HAWAII for 7 days!!! Then I got my confirmation and it actually said it was FREE- there would be no charge to my credit card! Here's a picture of me after the all day affair! I was so excited I couldn't sleep for a while. Let me tell you- it was nuts! And this just goes to show you that if there is a good deal out there, I WILL FIND IT! And I will hunt it down and I will get it! Boo Yaa haaa haa :) We're going to Hawaii!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

11 Years

Steve and I just celebrated our 11th anniversary, my mom (bless her soul) took the kids over night. So Steve and I went out to dinner to my favorite restaurant-Olive Garden and to a movie. It was so nice not to worry about getting home! Even nicer to be able to sleep in!

A while ago I was going through drawers and found letters Steve and I had written to each other while he was on his mission. We were just friends then, I was a sophomore when he left. Well, my sister gave me a great idea to put them in a book, so I put them all in order and put them together into an album. He thought it was the coolest gift! We took it to dinner with us and read some while we waited and then some more when we got home. It was so cool to re-read those letters. It brings back fun memories and those giddy feelings we had when we were "teenagers". Thanks for the idea Lori!

I can't believe we've been married 11 years! Yet it seems like I've always been with him. Here's 11 reasons why I love Steve:

(A little scruffy at the moment--growing his beard out for mountain man with the scouts)

1. He is my best friend.

2. He's a good teacher- I have learned so much from him. I love to ask him questions- especially gospel oriented- he knows so much.

3. He's a great listener. Even when I am feeling depressed, losing it, or feel all alone, he is so understanding and always knows how to help me feel better

4. He rubs my back every morning before he leaves for work

5. He's a good cook

6. He makes beautiful jewelry

7. He is sensitive--Have I taken away his man card yet? :) I better mention some guy things...

8. He plays some mean football

9. He's an avid runner

10. He's a hard worker

11. He has always been genuinely concerned for my well-being. I don't know how I would've gotten through a few of those years without him.

Christmas pics

I think this was the best Christmas season I've ever had. I don't know why I was so excited about Christmas this year. I was playing Christmas music from November 1st. I've always had the rule- no Christmas music until after Thanksgiving, but this year I was so excited for it. I wondered if I would get tired of hearing it, and amazingly I didn't! Anyway, I felt just like a kid. I don't know who was more excited me or my kids. I think you get the point.

There was just something magical in the air. :)

The night before Christmas, I was tucking my kids in bed. We had been tracking Santa online and saw he was getting closer so the kids were trying so hard to fall asleep. Tyson was having an extra hard time, so I was singing to him and he was finally drifting off, when the house gave a little crack right above his head. His eyes flew open and he whispered, "Is that Him?" I started giggling and whispered "hurry, close your eyes and pretend your sleeping!" Then we both got the giggles and were trying so hard to be quiet so "Santa" wouldn't hear us. It was so cute! I will treasure that moment forever.

Here's a few pics of Christmas morning with their favorite gifts.

Hailee and her cupcake maker

Tyson and Harry Potter movie

Sadie and her mp3 player

For my Christmas present Steve decided it was time to tear down this wall and make it a little more useful. This wall has driven me nuts since we moved in 7 years ago.

Here's Before

And After

Bet you can't guess what Steve's present was. Hint-it goes in the middle. Anyone up for a party? Say Super Bowl?

Treasure Hunting

Over the break, Steve took the kids Apache Tear hunting. Apache Tears are little black rocks that are clear when placed into the light. They are pretty cool.