Q-Tips

It even says on the box not to put q-tips in your ears.  That statement is a simple legality, given that cotton swabs (at least in my home) are usually called "ear cleaners."  Occasionally we have the "Who has the most wax in their ears" contest.  Simon was the clear winner today. No t.v.? No computer? No problem, as long as you have some q-tips handy.

Preston, Owen and Simon showing off their alien antics.  Owen is frowning because when he smiled, the ear cleaners would fall out of his nose.

A q-tip house.  Well done, Owen.  Simon is a wonderful brother and is always a willing participant in any adventure.

No School!

I used to love it when I had a holiday from school.  I don't think I've ever felt the disappointment of rising early, getting dressed in a uniform, only to realize that school didn't start until tomorrow. Poor Calvin. Poor, prepared, diligent Calvin who is so on the ball that he rises early on a  Monday morning to take care of business. That kid is going places.  And the places we went today were: the library, the grocery store, and the park.

Look at how unimpressed Calvin is with his early rise.

Simon at the park, looking fierce with the large stick weapons.

Annie and I swinging together.  I love swinging with my sweet children!

For The Strength of Youth

Being a teenager is tough;  hormones, assignments, teachers, peer pressure, and the dual fear that  (1) you will never be old enough to make decisions, and (2) in a few short years, you really will be out of your parents home and will need to be ready to take on new adventures. What is a teen to do?  How can a teen make the most of these years?  Enter a booklet that my church has made, specifically for the youth of today, containing words of wisdom from modern day Prophets, called "For The Strength of Youth." It. Is. Awesome. In just a few paragraphs for each topic, teens learn about God's plan of greatness for them, and how to achieve peace and happiness.  The topics are as follows: 

Agency and Accountability 

Dating  

Dress and Appearance 

Education 

Entertainment and Media  

Family   

Friends  

Gratitude 

Honesty and Integrity  

Language 

Music and Dancing 

Physical and Emotional Health  

Repentance  

Sabbath Day Observance  

Service 

Sexual Purity 

Tithes and Offerings 

Work and Self-Reliance 

Go Forward with Faith 

I know that if teens, and anyone for that matter, were to follow these simple, direct instructions, the world would be a better place.  I am so grateful that my children have access to this divine council.  Happy Sunday.

Be cool and check out the address below.

https://www.lds.org/youth/for-the-strength-of-youth?lang=eng (Check it out) 

Temple in Preston, England

Love the temple accommodations, dormitory style. Preston made breakfast (got the cereal out and ready, because he was showered and ready to go!) Preston, Ryan and I did baptisms for the dead this morning.  It was a highlight of our time in Scotland.

Simon close to the distribution center on the temple grounds.  He is an avid reader and can often be found with a book.

Calvin posing in front of some tulips found on the temple grounds.  There might have been more tulips at the temple today than there were in Holland at the tulip festival.

I don't think anyone can have enough pictures of their family in front of the temple.

Owen holding a snail I found on the sidewalk.  It was a lovely light green shade and he wanted to take it home with us.  Instead, we found it a lovely spot under some bushes, close to some leaves.

Roman Ruins

Friday, May 3rd Post

Ryan kept talking about Adrian's Wall, how it was this big thing that he wanted to see whilst living in the UK.  I thought it was some kind of modern architectural installation. I did not realize that it is Hadrian's Wall and it extends from one side of the UK to the other east to west just below the border of Scotland.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadrian's_Wall

Apparently, the Romans built just before Emperor Hadrian visited British after the meridian of time.  The wall was fortified with guards and forts that lined it to keep the barbarians in the north (early Scots) from entering early English in the south.  We stood on the wall and toured the remains of a fort about 20 miles east of Carlisle England on our way down to Preston, England to attend the temple. (reason we did not have internet last night for this post)

The English countryside this time of year was just beautiful and the all the new born lambs were adorable.

Rainy but still smiling, Hadrians Wall with the family perched on top its 5' width.  It was quite a bit tall once upon a time.  Considered the UK's most significant Roman Ruin.

Ruins of the fort next to the wall on the south side.

Sometimes the sheep are more interesting than the wall.  Proof that I was there!

Birthday Boy!!!

5 Christmas's, Valentine's Days, Easter's, Halloweens, Thanksgivings, Fourth of July's. 5 summers, winters, springs and falls.  5 blessed, wonderful, Owen filled years.  What a joy he has been! What an asset to the family! How lucky we are to have a fourth son! My sweet boy is silly, an excellent drawer, a best friend to his siblings, a good friend, a lover of kiwi, and excellent dancer, and a child of God. Happy birthday to my man cub, Owen Ryan Wallace Smith!

Good Morning Owen. Lots of fun opening gifts.  Annie Joy made about 10 things for Owen.  She loves him very much!  He loved her treasures!  He also got a wonderful book about the great state of Arizona, which is a fabulous place, where high quality people reside (Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for sending us a gift for Owen's birthday!)

Owen started his party at a "soft play" center.  He had a great time with his friends climbing walls, sliding, in the ball pit...

A shot of most of us that were there for his party.  There was an adult for every child, which was great.

The cake that our friend Sylvia made for Owen's birthday.  It was just  as tasty as it was adorable.

Happy Owen.

He got a crown at school, and a gift from a friend.

Great day.

Baggage Arrived!

In an unexpected currier service delivery, at 8:17pm tonight, our doorbell rung.  A missing navy blue suitcase containing various goodies (contacts for one eye, sweaters, shoes, deodorant, letters from friends, loads of socks, etc) was received with jubilation and thanksgiving.  We all enjoyed the entertainment of the game "What did Preston pack?" To our delight, quite a bit of the stuff still fits. And to the delight of Calvin, our second oldest son, some of it does not :~)

Yeah!!!! What's in it?

Oh yeah. I remember that.

Annie and Owen kindly displayed all of the suitcase contents.  A very happy Preston.

Calvin and his new sweater.  Lookin good.