The Smith Six

A few weeks ago we were at Papa's house and The Grinch was on TV. It was the part where the whoville girl was in the post office and the Grinch came in to steal presents and she fell in with the gifts and the Grinch reached in and pulled her out. Shelbie did not like the Grinch and kept telling us that he was mean. But we tried to explain to her that he was nice and that he saved the girl. So the rest of the night after we got home she kept thinking about the Grinch and telling us that she did not want to watch it cause he was mean. So, several days later we went driving looking at Christmas lights and there were several blow-up Grinch's and she loved them. I think she liked them so much because they were smiling and "proof" that the Grinch WAS nice. Then a few more days later we went to look at this neighborhood that goes all out with decorating their yards...we drove by this house that had a pair of legs sticking out of a chimney and his pants were green and Scott told Shelbie that it was the Grinch stuck in the chimney....from there it was all over. That is all Shelbie talked about. "Can we go see the Grinch stuck in the Chi-men-nee", "the Grinch stuck in the Chimney, can we go see it?", "the Grinch has green pants, and pockets in the chimney", etc.......Just imagine hearing those phrases many, many times during the day for many, many days. :-) She is so cute!!

Scott - "Shelbie, who says this? 'Good day, Sir!!'"
Shelbie - "Willy Wonka, the old one"

Stephanie - "Shelbie, who says this? 'Mumbler!'"
Shelbie - "The new Willy Wonka and the old one, too, also."

Shelbie - "Mom, you wanna watch the brand new Willy Wonka?"

I realized that I have not written anything yet about our potty training adventure. So out of the blue we started to train on Sept 30. She did so great! Getting a treat after each time she went on the toilet really worked for her. She pooped in the toilet for the first time 2 weeks later (and currently has only done that one other time). She still likes to poop in her diaper. Eventually she will get that one down but I am not worried about it. She loves to wear big girl panties. So far it is going absolutely wonderful for us and I am so greatful that this has not been hard for us.

Shelbie's very first time to this pizza place. I have been only a few times myself as a child. We always wanted to go there but there was never one close enough to our house to warrant frequent visits. However, there is one rather close to us now and we took Shelbie there for the first time. She loved climbing in the tubes. Here she is in one of the windows looking down at us. I had to eventually go in a get her so we could leave (not that she didn't want to leave but that she couldn't find her way out!) *SMILE*

Since we have been preparing for the Newport Beach temple we have been singing "I Love to see the Temple" as a bedtime song to Shelbie. So, today Scott and I were talking and I hear Shelbie in the background playing with her toys and then she starts to sing the temple song. She sang the whole first verse without missing a word and with very good pronunciation. We both stopped talking and just stared at each other until she was done. I couldn't believe that she just busted out in song and got it right. We have never "worked" on learning the song, we just sang it to her every night. I am so amazed at how much she learns just by listening and observing. She is amazing!

We all had a great time with my parents when they came down for the Temple dedication weekend. Shelbie loved the time we spent at the beach, playing at the park with Gramma while the rest of us were in the dedication, and playing with Jake and Chloe while their parents were in the dedication. We are lucky enough to have them come down again this weekend because they have a business conference in LA. So excited!

So, Shelbie apparently loves the old version of Willy Wonka. She is watching it right now and hasn't moved a muscle in 20 minutes. Just hanging out it her Dora chair with nothing on but a diaper and tennis shoes. How cute is that?!

"I love you, mommy" - Shelbie, as she gives me a hug

So far so good. I was planning on the whole thing backfiring on us. It turns out she loves the bed and even though she sometimes still asks to sleep in "daddy's bed" she doesn't protest much when she goes in her bed. Her bedtime routine usually goes like this: bath, jammies, warm milk & stories (she never drinks cold milk ever...it has to be warm), brush teeth, bedtime prayers, in bed to read one last story (always "Sleep Tight, Elmo"), a couple of songs sung to her by whoever is putting her to bed (Scott-Spiderman song, Fools Rush In, Love me Tender or Stephanie-I hope they call me on a mission, Our primary colors, teach me to walk, I'm a child of God), kiss and walk out. Sounds long and drawn out but in reality it only takes about15-20 minutes (minus the bath-which varies in length).

I remember being tucked in at night. I don't remember when I was really little when my parents probably read first or tried some other trick to get me sleepy, but I was very adament about having both mom and dad tuck me in with a kiss, cinch up the covers, and to say goodnight.

I just wanted to report that Shelbie is now in a "big girl" bed! She loves it. Last night was her first night. I couldn't sleep very well last night cause it was her first time in a big bed and we didn't have a bed rail yet, just pillows on the floor in case she fell out. I woke up at 3am and I went to check on her. When I went in she was half way off the bed with her legs dangling and so as I put her back in bed she woke up and said "all done, daddy's bed" meaning she was all done in her bed and wanted to get in bed with us. We gave in cause I didn't want to be up the rest of the night fighting with her and she fell back to sleep with us. I put her back in her bed and she woke up this morning very happy. We made a huge deal out of her sleeping in her big girl bed. She has Care Bear bedding and knows that it is special and that she shouldn't jump on it. I can't beleive how fast she is growing!
Just thought I would share some fun moments in our life.

Our fridge is now fixed and I am living "normal" again. I am so thankful for Thomas Elkins who invented something so wonderful!!

Sears Home Central call center employees don't know what they are talking about. Who trained these people and why are they not yet replaced with competent folk. I guess I won't be dealing with them any more if I can avoid it!...and the technicians aren't that much better...they knew they would probably have to replace the compressor on my fridge last week but they wanted to come out and check first to make sure that is what is needed to be done before they ordered the part...ooops that IS what needs to be replaced and now I have to live without a fridge for another 7 days while the part is ordered and delievered.

Living without a refrigerator for two weeks is horrible!!! I can do it when I am camping because that is what you are supposed to and it's okay to eat hot dogs and hamburgers every night, but not when I am home and want to eat yummy, nutritous food. I know I am spoiled and that I take for granted the wonderful amenities that this day and age have to offer. I just want my fridge to work...

I am proud to be an American! I am thankful for this great land that we live in. I am proud of my dad and grandfather who served in Vietnam and WWII, respectively. I am thankful for their patriotism and the patriotism that they have instilled in me. I grateful for the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, especially becuause it says I can worship however I may. I am thankful for our Country's flag and the symbol of freedom that it is.

Pet Pieves I noticed that I have from this July 4th weekend and week after...when our Flag is not treated with respect...that some people (a lot of people) don't have the Pledge of Allegiance and The Star-Spangled Banner memorized, correctly, especially when they are singing it in the beginning of an event (ex. basketball or baseball games)...when I see that people do not have their hand over their heart when the Star-Spangled Banner is being sung or the Pledge being recited...when I see tattered and worn flags being flown...when a flag displayed vertically is backwards...in general, when the laws and regulations governing the use and display of our Nation's flag are not being followed.

There are laws relating to the flag of the United States of America. They are found in detail in the United States Code. Title 4, Chapter1 pertains to the flag and seal, seat of Government and the States; Title 18, Chapter 33 pertains to crimes and criminal procedures; Title 36, Chapter 10 pertains to patriotic customs and observances. These laws were supplemented by Executive Orders and Presidential Proclamations.

I would like to quote a few lines from Title 36, Chapter 10 - Patriotic Customs that I think might be of interest to note and remind ourselves: "During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note...The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle or of a railroad train or a boat...The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day...The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise. The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free. The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, always allowed to fall free...The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling...The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica should be worn on the left lapel near the heart."

I know this information might be a little late for the Fourth of July celebrations this year but maybe you will store this info somewhere in your head and recall it throughout the year as necessary. Thanks for reading some of my thoughts. I hope you have a sense of pride for our country and flag and show it.

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http://groups.msn.com/SSSSmith

Enjoy our photos!!

Shelbie and I flew up to my parents house for the week while Scott went on a business trip to London. It is more fun to be up with all Shelbie's cousins instead of being here alone. I explained to Shelbie that Daddy was going on an airplane trip far, far away. I wasn't sure if she really understood the concept or not but she did know that she wasn't seeing him and he wasn't coming home from work everyday. One morning my mom and I went to the grocery store and on our way home the car was quiet except for the radio and out of the blue Shelbie says "Daddy far, far, far away, far far far away; Jared far, far, far away; Clayton far, far, far away" It was very cute. I think the concept sunk in because we took a plane trip far away from her friends Clayton (from church) and Jared (of Jared & Betsy) :-) She was patient and knew she had to "wait" to see Daddy again. Another morning Shelbie was missing her daddy because she was whining for him and wanted to see his picture (from the family photo my parents have hanging on the wall). She proceeded to tell me again that he was "far, far, far away" and we had to "wait".

Another very cute thing that Shelbie did...Her cousin, Billy, who is 9 months old, was in the highchair and was a bit fussy. Shelbie stood up on a chair and got close to him. She drummed her fingers on the tray to distract him and smiled at him. She stood up with a cute smile and looked at me and said "So cute"! Shelbie is just picking up on so much and talking better everyday. She has a huge vocabulary and talks very clearly too.

Near the end of our trip we visited my Grandma and Grandpa Fergie. Their house is up against the train tracks (the tracks are in the "back-back"). While we were there about 5 trains went by (2 commuter, 3 freight). Shelbie wanted to see them so we stood on the spa deck and waved to the people and cars as they went by. The last time we visited up there she was afraid of them cause they were so loud. I think the fireworks at Disneyland have cured her of being scared of loud things. She was also afraid to go down the big, metal park slide they have in their backyard. She loved it. She climbed the stairs to the top and slid down all by herslef about 6 times in a row. After I took a turn (and wiped the slid clean with my big rear, she went pretty fast).

I told Scott that I have seen some changes in her these few days that we have been up visiting and that he will be amazed when he sees her again. It is crazy how much she can learn in a few days time. I think the everyday interaction with her cousins really helps with the social aspect of her development.

We always have such a great time visiting my parents. Mom & Dad, thanks so much for everything!!

Shelbie at NB Temple site 

shelbie and i just got back from visiting the temple site. we took our lunch and watched from the observation deck. they are pouring the concrete for the pathways walking up to the temple. it is so beautiful. they have some fencing up, fancy light fixtures, and are working on a fountain. i saw some plans a while ago and the landscaping is going to be so pretty. there are also landscapers working on the stake center's flower beds and greenery. it is all happening so fast, before we know it (about 68 more days until the first endowment session) it will be finished. i am so excited! scott and i have signed up to help a couple of the nights for the open house. scott will get to do a few more because the men in our ward are assigned to be parking attendants one or two days.

history
i have been doing a lot of family history research recently. i am a family history consultant in my ward and help others with researching their family lines. i have also been graced with the spirit of elijah and on some of my spare time i have been doing my own family. it is fun and interesting. my love grows for those family members that i find out about. it makes me realize how much our heavenly father loves us to send us to this world with loving families who take care of each other and who will have the opportunity to spend eternity with.

present
sara and adele came down from utah for a short visit. shelbie had a great time playing with adele. adele is just a few weeks younger and it is so adorable to see them together. they don't see each other very often but shelbie keeps up on her 'utah family' through family pictures on our wall. adele has taught shelbie how to scream, but that is okay cause kids are going to pick up things from each other and it is their way of learning. i love watching shelbie learn new things even if it is an act of deception. i told shelbie she had to finish her cookie before she could go onto the carpet. she was holding half of it and put her left hand on top of her right hand which was holding the cookie (looks like she was folding her arms for prayer) and headed straight for the carpet. crazy how they grow up so quickly. i love being a mom.

scott and i got disneyland passes and we go at least once a week. shelbie doesn't need a pass yet since she is not yet 2. she loves the characters and has a hard time being patient in line. we got a "mickey ears" hat and she loves it, always wants to wear it at home.

my cousin, christi, is getting married and she asked that i be one of the brides maids. i feel so special that she would want me in the party. our relationship grew more when we became roommates after i graduated from byu. she is such a fun person. i wish her so much happiness! we will be traveling up north for the shower and then for the wedding. it will be fun to see everyone so soon again after a fun trip up for aunt judy's surprise bday party.

we tried taking shelbie to an angel's game. she was doing okay until they did "practice" fireworks in the 5th inning. after that she was "cared" (scared) when the crowd would cheer, it was quite noisy. we didn't think we should stay for the firework show since she didn't do so well with the practice ones. it was getting late anyway, so we left.

Chomp! Chomp! 

shelbie is in her 'terrible two' stage. she gives me a run for my insanity daily. although she is very sweet she demands a lot out of me and she gets it. i am the first to admit that she is spoiled. i love her so much and why shouldn't i spoil her?

shelbie and i visit the newport beach temple that is being built and she enthusiastically points out moroni to me and asks if she can 'touch'. we have a piece of the stone used on the outside walls of the temple and we have it on display on our piano. she asks for the 'temple rock' and likes to hold it for a few seconds then puts it back. i just watch her and think about the future when she may go through that edifice and be sealed for eternity. how blessed we are to have temples around the world.

we had a nice easter sunday, yesterday. our sacrament meeting was filled with the spirit and my testimony of my savior grew. i know that he lives. i know that he died for me and that he was resurrected and lives now and that because of that we are able to repent and grow to be like him so that we can live with our families for eternity. i can't put in to words how blessed me and my family are for that knowledge. i am so happy.

i miss my friend ryan. she is in jordan. she is serving in the peace corp teaching special education in a southern village. she loves it and is having some great adventures and making awesome memories. i am flying home this weekend to see my family and attend my 10-year class reunion. ryan won't be coming for obvious reasons. it will be sad to be there without her. we have been friends for so long and to not share in this milestone will be different. we met in the second grade. i remember her dog, sessna...her constantly-under-construction house...her waterbed...erin's guinea pig...her families move to hercules...her middle school years spent away...her return to ahs...our lunches spent in the math class (nerds??)...maturing together, yet separately...most of all our love as friends growing, growing, growing...i miss my friend ryan.