We are moving to Northern Virginia at the end of the month! We are so excited about this awesome opportunity - Steve got a job with ICF International. He will be a consultant for them. We are so very sad to leave Richmond - we love it here and love all of our friends, but we are also excited to see what the future brings.
Anywho...Adam and Maren are doing great- I can't believe that she is almost 3 months! Adam has been sick this week, but it has been good- I have ironed 20 shirts, packed boxes and cleaned. (Steve's final presentation is this upcoming Tuesday we are hopeful and SO totally STOKED to have grad school over with!! YEAH a billion times!)
So I guess that I should admit that I am preggers!I am 15 weeks preggo (translation PREGNANT!)We are super excited and scared!We would be more excited if I wasn’t so sick all of the time and generally miserable.I am starting to feel slightly better –but still not up to where I was when I was pregnant with Adam.We are due February 22nd- Most exciting. So only 5 more weeks til we know the gender. Steve has been my knight in shinning armor. He has taking such good care of me and Adam.He has been so kind and sweet during my “hormonal tidal waves” (as he likes to call them).He told me last night that he didn’t realize how much I do around the house untilI got really sick and I STOPPED managing the house.It was sweet of him to say.But things are going better. I am starting to make dinner again – I made Homemade Macaroni the other night ( a first time for a homemade meal in a while) and Steve couldn’t get over how good it was- (Cute huh – because it wasn’t that great!) Anyways
Well its my Dad birthday today....56...switch that, I mean 65! So I wanted to wish him a very Happy Birthday from his favorite child (Drew, Mindy and Jamie if you are reading this please disregard). So I want to do a Top Ten Things I have learned from Papa Smedley...
10- Education- My Dads side of the family has always been big on education. All of his brothers and sisters and their children ALL have a college education. Now if you sit back and think about that- that is a HUGE accomplishment. When I graduated from Highschool, to me it was just the next thing to do- was to go to College. I am glad that I have learned the importance of an education.
9- Gospel- My parents have both taught me about the gospel and the importance of having a testimony. The best thing about growing up is that we all learned by example- Nothing was forced... except that time that Drew wore a turtle neck to church and Dad made him go home and change!
8-How can a write about my dad without saying something about money. He taught all of us about the importance of using money correctly. Saving was important- but it was important to also use that money to invest in family memories as well. We have had a lot of nice vacations because dad saved his money to go to nice places. Thanks dad.. Papeete (need I say more)
7- Working hard- Every Saturday morning when I was growing up was a time for the family to clean. We all had our chores to do. We cleaned the bathrooms, changed the sheets, mowed the lawn, vacuumed all the rooms. Saturday morning was a time set aside to help with the chores. I try to instill that into my family today.
6-Persistence is another principle that I have learned from dad. My dad has started a new business at the ripe ol age of 60- He has worked incredible hard, had a tremendous amount of faith and it has really paid off. His Behive Homes is very successful and he is a great owner/manager! He is the only Rest Home in the County that has a waiting list. That is amazing!
5- Faith- Along with persistence comes Faith. Just recently in later years has my dad taught this princple. He has had tremendous faith to start such a business at his age. All of us children - were very concerned when we heard his plans to move up to Utah County and own and manager a care center. But through his trust in the Lord and hours of prayers it was proved more than sucussful.
4-Growing up I also remember every Sunday evening playing Cards... what FUN we had. There is a time to work and a time to play. (I still have never been CAUGHT cheeting... always accused!)
3-My dad loves my mom. Those to have been through a lot together. Its funny how over time couples start to look like one another. They have both grown together and all of us admire their relationship.
2-Laughter is the best medicine. Around the dinner table at our house it seems like that is when the embarrising, "probably should say this" type converstaion would come up. Dad would always laugh and mom would always shake her head and act as if she didn't think that it was equally as funny.
1- FAMILY- My dad has taught me that family is the most important thing in the world. Every year he makes an effort for everyone together. This year he is traveling to Michigan and Virginia for weeks just to be with us and he is always there when someone gets baptised. He loves us all and has a soft spot for everyone of his grandchildren... ( Adam especially)
