In the blink of an eye . . .

I'm not sure what happened.
One day I became a first time mom as this little guy entered my life, but before I knew it . . .

he had turned into a toddler.

Then I blinked and he had become a preschooler

and before I could catch up with time, my Mac was turning ten years old.

10, double digits, a decade, ten years old.

Words can not accurately describe how much I love this kid. One minute he's driving me crazy and I'm not sure how I'm supposed to raise this kid, let alone get along with him and the next he's got his arms wrapped around my waist telling me he loves me. I love his crazy passion, his drive, his motivation to the be the best. I love his white/blonde hair, his blue eyes and his freckled nose. I love the way his eyelashes curl perfectly, his sense of humor and that he has Nate's feet.  He's such a complex, competitive, awesome kid!

Happy birthday McCade Nathan.  I'll always be your biggest fan!

Venice Hansen Smith

Venice

Warm embraces, soft blue eyes,

A window to her soul.

Listening ears, gentle hands,

The art of self-control.

Potato salad, koolaid dessert,

Homemade dollar rolls.

Pumpkin cookies, poor man’s fruit cake,

Food to lift the soul.

Card game playing, yarn crocheting,

Lovely poem after poem.

Reader, writer, organ player,

Genealogy from the home.

Temple worker, serve a mission,

Never a birthday forgot.

Family reunions, Christmas parties,

Matriarch to the whole Smith lot.

Open door, happy smile,

Hair as white as snow.

Home content, spirit filled,

Waving from her window.

Proud mother, admired grandma,

Family chain that will not break.

Long legacy, admired heritage,

My only daughter’s namesake.

Son lost, husband passed,

But the eternal plan in view.

Stays busy, keeps serving,

Until her time is through.

May we all live life as gracefully as grandma -- with a spring in our step, a
prayer in our heart and faith to move mountains.
                                                                      I love you Grandma!                    
                                                        Love, Jami (August 2013)


On Monday, December 23, 2013, my dear Grandma returned to her heavenly home at the age of 98.

On December 28th, family and friends gathered to say our goodbyes.

The daughter, saying goodbye to her mother and the great granddaughter saying goodbye to her namesake.

The son-in-law saying goodbye to his "mum."


The brother saying goodbye to his beloved sister.

And grandchildren saying goodbye to their cute grandma.


It was a time for people near and far to gather.


It was a time for a daughter and her siblings to do one last thing for the mom who had done so much for them.

It was a time to recognize little miracles, like the sun pushing through the clouds and warming each of us on such a cold, winter day.


It was a time for little ones to ask questions about where grandma was and what she was doing.

It was a time for grandson's to show their love and offer assistance to a woman they all knew and loved.

It was a time for silent thoughts and rushing memories of a woman who stood as the matriarch in our family for so long.


It was also a time for smiles and celebration, knowing that death was not the end for grandma, only another step in this grand plan.


It was a time to remember that grandma was happy, that we would see her again and  that families are eternal.


How thankful I am that I was a part of this woman's life, that she lived 98 wonderful years, that I have a daughter who will carry on her name and that I will see her again.

Venice Hansen Smith Obituary

Logan - This story began over 98 years ago on Sept. 21, 1915. Nora May Lowe Hansen and Moroni Hansen, brought their fifth child into their family in Logan, Utah. She was one of seven children, five boys and two girls. 

Venice grew up in Logan surrounded by a loving and caring family where they spent time between their Logan home and their summer home in Logan Canyon. She graduated from Logan High School. 

Venice's work experience began in a bakery and ended as a homemaker, mother and grandmother to many who always demanded endless hours of attention. Then there was a husband: George Arrol Smith whom she met at a dance and later married in the Logan Temple on June 18th, 1936. 

Arrol and Venice began their married life in a two room house in Amalga, Utah, where Arrol owned and operated a dairy farm. After ten years they were able to build a house down the road. Venice drew up the plans for the construction and they built it as supplies became available. Venice was so anxious to get into her new house, that they moved in before it was completed and continued building around the construction. In 1996 after Arrol's death she moved to Logan, Utah where she continued to take care of her home and herself for 17 years until her death. 

Arrol and Venice were blessed with six children. Their posterity now numbers 125 with 23 grandchildren, 63 great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren. Her whole existence was dedicated to her 

family. All were made to feel as though he or she was the favorite child. Hours were spent with each child meeting their needs and loving them as only she was able to do. Each was encouraged and taught at her knee, she exemplified the Savior in all her teachings and doings. 

Mom was always home when we arrived from school. Her life lessons were taught at the ironing board, while doing dishes or cooking. She never had idol hands. There was always a meal to prepare, more laundry, another nose to wipe or another corner to clean. Mom always did it willingly, taking quiet pride in what she had accomplished. 

Venice lost her son Jay in a farm accident in 1965, and her loving husband whom she gave her heart to in 1986, after nearly fifty years of marriage. 

Together Arrol and Venice traveled to many parts of the world. Venice especially liked the Holy Land and New Zealand, but was always glad to get back to their home and family in Amalga. 

Venice served as an Ordinance worker in the Logan Temple for over 15 years. After the death of her husband, she served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Salt Lake Family 

History center. The Amalga Ward was blessed as she used her many talents and abilities in service to them and to Heavenly Father. She loved and had such great faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Venice would often be heard saying, "I don't know why I was so blessed with such wonderful family and friends". We all knew that she had earned and deserved every blessing that she received. She will always be referred to by her rich posterity as "Cute Grandma or Grandma Great." 

In her quiet moments she loved to read, work on family history, write poetry and attended Church Institute classes into her late 80' s. 

Our loving Mom and Grandmother was welcomed home on 

Dec. 23, 2013 but we know that this is not the end to her story. It is just another beginning that she will accept with the same humility and unconditional love that she has shared here in Cache Valley. She will be greatly missed but her life and example will be celebrated throughout eternities. 

Venice is survived by five children: Boyd Arrol Smith (Carolyn) of St. George, Utah, Noragene Bishop (Keith) of Bountiful, Utah, Karen Clarissa Jenson (Ralph) Blackfoot, serving as missionaries in the Ohio, Cleveland Mission, Vicki Olsen (Larry) Petersboro, Utah and Judy Kaye Barnes (Roger) Bear River City, Utah, and brothers: Lavon Hansen (Evelyn) and Glen Hansen (Marty). 

Mom was preceded in death by Arrol, her son Jay, brothers Lazon, Merland, Gerald and sister Rita and also her beloved parents. 

Our Merry Little Christmas

My favorite part about the holidays (besides getting to spend it with our families), was the Christmas countdown. Each day a numbered envelope was opened by a kid and inside was 4 things: 1)a treat for each child, 2)a CHRISTmas assignment, 3)a scripture about Christ and 4)a holiday activity.
This year was the first year that I added the CHRISTmas assignment, but it quickly became my favorite part. The assignments were simple like, give 10 hugs today, make someone smile, pass out candy canes, give a compliment, but the outcomes were amazing. It was heartwarming to watch the kids progress through the month from doing their kind deeds to their closest friends, to concentrating more on that kid in their class who didn't have many friends. I could hardly wait for my kids to get in the car after school each day so that they could tell me all about completing their assignment.

(2013 Christmas card -- front and back)

Our holiday activities were a big hit as well, with everything from attending the Mormon Tabernacle Christmas Concert, to making Grinch floats, to painting a nativity scene.

Not only did Jilli have a visit with an impostor Santa, (he had tattoos all up his arms and he was about 20 years old), but I ran into Santa late one night just before Christmas at the mall.  Very fortunate for me since just that night I had told my kids that they weren't getting any presents because of their bad behavior, to which Jilli piped up and said, "I don't need your presents, cause Santa will give me some." The look on her face the next morning was priceless when I showed her the picture of me and Santa and I told her that he and I had a talk about the behavior in our home -- she sweetened right back up.

Christmas Eve was spent with Nate's family, eating dinner, opening the gift-exchange presents, wearing ugly sweaters and grandmas's beloved money bag.

Despite my kids sassy at-home attitudes (I'm blaming it on the fact that we are still in transition -- at least it makes me feel better), Nate and I delivered Christmas in all it's glorious commercialized manner.  We had no choice, really.  When I told the kids late one night after a particularly difficult day that we weren't "having Christmas anymore," Beckam quietly said, "We'll always have Christmas because it's about Christ and you can't take that away."  After he said that, my snarky view of my kids instantly changed before my eyes -- a Christmas miracle indeed.

And really, look at these faces -- they were thrilled with each and every gift.  Afterwards each of them thanked Nate and I and gave us big hugs.  I think there's hope for us yet.

The rest of the holiday break was spent with my family.  We went sledding, skiing, shopping and stayed in the Bear Lake cabin for 4 days.  It was pretty much awesome.

So in the end, our Christmas holiday was a wonderful one.  Despite some sour behavior, we did our best to fill our home with the spirit of Christ and remember the real reason for the season.

Eight is Great

A lot of preparation goes into a person getting baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. First, they have to be age appropriate (at least 8 years old), their life needs to be in line with the standards of the church and the person needs to understand and be ready to make and keep very important covenants with the Lord.

You can imagine then, my excitement when Jaxton was ready and chose to be baptized. It even worked out that he would be baptized on his 8th birthday.

And since such a great occasion should be documented well, I pulled out the ole' camera to take a few shots of my sweet guy at this tender age.

The big day arrived and Jaxton was thrilled.  Afterwards he wrote in his journal about the experience and said, "I had my baptism and it was awesome.  I was nervous at first, but then I got the hang of it.  All my bad choices were washed away."

Jaxton's baptism and confirmation were followed up with a luncheon for all the extended family at Grandma Elaine's.  We had a salad bar, pizza and desserts -- all of Jaxton's favorites.

Directly after the luncheon, we had Jaxton's birthday party where some friends from school and all his cousins were invited.  We had cake and ice cream, opened presents and then headed to a trampoline park to get out some energy.

My heart is full knowing that another one of my children has chosen to be baptized a member of the church.  What a great blessing it is to our family to have the gospel in our lives.

I love you Jaxton James!  I can't wait to see you continue to grow into the wonderful person you are meant to be.

Counting My Blessings

An absolute positive of living in Utah, is the opportunity we have to be surrounded by family during holidays. This year we celebrated Thanksgiving with Nate's family -- it was wonderful!
Hailey did a wonderful job with the adult table and I had the privilege of decorating the kids table. I made individual ships for each kid, filled with M&M's and complete with sour patch kids for the pilgrims.

It was a day filled with food, family and shopping -- now is that a winning combo or what?

For Family Home Evening that week, we sat down and wrote out what we were thankful for.  Here's what we came up with:
T: Thomas S. Monson, tithing, Thomas' truck, trees, time, temple
H: Heaven, home, house, heat, health, Heavenly Father, horses
A: apples, apostles, angels
N: name, neighbors, Nate
K: Kevin Durrant, kisses, kindness, Kim, kids, kittens
F: food, feet, friends, fasting, family, farm, fruit
U: Utah, USU, UNO game
L: love, life, lollipop, listening, light
We also watched a short movie about a man who in the world's eyes didn't have a whole lot, but he always felt blessed with everything he needed.  I loved when he said, "I don't know what else to be other than GRATEFUL."  What a great reminder of how truly blessed we are!

Fresh Prince, James Taylor and a Big Move

I'm feeling a bit like the Fresh Prince of Belair,
 "This is the story all about how, my life got flipped turned upside down."
You see, Nate was offered a job with IHC in Murray, UT, which is something we have been hoping for ever since he decided to go out into hospital administration. The only problem was, we had fallen head-over-heels in love with North Carolina and the life we had built there for the last eight years (almost) and now we had to say goodbye to it all -- not an easy task and certainly not easy to do in three and a half weeks.

How I was going to miss the trees of NC and the way they lined the freeway.

I was going to miss my WalMart where the checkers knew who my children were and would ask about them each time.

I was going to miss our church buildings (and even the 25 minute drive each way), where my ward became my family and where so much spiritual growth was made.  Where I was given the opportunity to be the YW's president and associate with some of the choicest young women E.V.E.R.

I was going to miss my neighborhood, the walks, the park and all the good people within.

I was going to miss my street and where my house stood --  it became a meeting place for dozens of neighborhood kids and for moms just needing to chat.

I would miss the Dollar Tree, where we frequented so  much that the clerks knew when my boys had had haircuts or when we went out of town.

I would miss the gym, where I ran hundreds of miles on the treadmill and met some awesome people!

I was going to miss Efland Cheeks Elementary, where we were known as the family "with all those kids."

I would miss MUM's preschool, where Ms. Andrews had an answer for every ailment I or my children ever had and where my children learned to love school.

I was going to miss my home, our first home.  It was ours and we loved it.  Where I brought my fourth child home from the hospital and the only home that any of my children really remember living in.

But most of all, I was going to miss the people.

I would miss Jaxton's teachers who loved on him and teased him and made him the sweetest going away movie and his friends who would come over or call just to say "hi."

I was going to miss Jillian's flurry of friends and their little giggles, her school and church teachers and ballet class.

I would miss friends from church and from the neighborhood who made it easier to live 36 hours away from home.

I would miss my YW, who became some of my best friends and people who taught me greater lessons than I could have ever expected.

I would miss friends who taught me how to care more, think deeper and be better and who would throw a killer Goodbye Party for us.

I would miss Beckam's friends and his teachers that nurtured his great potential.

I would miss play dates for the kids and Friday park days, which always turned out so therapeutic for me.

I would miss Mac's many teachers, coaches and friends who loved him and praised him and accepted his competitive spirit.

And I would miss "My Girls," my go-to people, my confidants, my builders, my advice-givers, my sisters away from my real sisters.

There was so much I was going to miss about NC. And while there's no telling what this next chapter of our lives will bring, I'm so thankful for the memories I have of such a wonderful place.
Utah will bring closeness to family once again and more job opportunities for Nate, but I'm sure there will be days that I will crave the humidity, the trees, the places and the people of NC.
On those days I'll feel like ole' James Taylor,
"In my mind I'm going to Carolina . . ."