Lela Mae Smith 10 Oct 1884

Last night Doug & Becky introduced me to the churches family history site. I had so much fun. The spirit of Isiah (sp) was so strong. Oddly enough while strolling through; I found an error......I think. Someone has my grandfather married to another woman other then my grandmother Lela Mae above. I was having fits and I bet she is too! Who is this woman Frances Huffman? Was he really married to her? Is this a mistake? I tried to hook it all up but being a novice at this I'm going to have to get some expert help. I had such a good time spending that little time with family who have passed on. I felt like I was defending my grandmother. I hope it all works out, it's odd that at 62 I'd be finding out my grandfather was married before. More to come!!

Kaylee's Birthday

First of all you have to know Kaylee; she's just turned 6 but she's going on 26. She told me as we dined at her favorite restaurant; the Panda; eating her favorite food; Orange Chicken that she was moving to New York City to live with her friends. I asked her which friends she was going to live with and she said she didn't know them yet; but they were going to hang out and maybe dance. No boys; boys are stupid except Gavin her brother.
Kaylee was born exactly one month after Rick died. He nicknamed her Shania Shea before he left us and Jenny & Rick named her Kaylee Paris Shea. She was such a band-aid in this teeny body and she was so cuddly & warm and she gave us the peace we were seeking that all was right in heaven and here on earth.
The only word to describe Kaylee is sassy. She's so independent; when I think that my dad missed being here with her; he would have loved the challenge and they would have had some great arguments. He loved to tease!! He and Kaylee would have been quite a match. When you think about it; he probably had some hand in her attitude before she got here. He said "honey if you're going down there; you need a little spice." Kaylee has a big hearty laugh, she loves princess everything; she wants to be a Brownie Scout when she's 8, she likes being glamorous and loves, loves, loves bling. She hates to read. Sounds like her dad Rick. Kaylee is so full of love for her brother Gavin who "will rescue me" and her sister Bella. She loves her mom and all things mother; babies, kitchens, puppies, dress-up, etc. Odd for a girl who's going to live in NYC with her girlfriends!! She can be the mom!! Kaylee is BRAVE! There's nothing she won't tackle except for staying overnight; she likes to be with her mom but she can give the what-for's to anyone and everyone. I think she let her teacher have it a few weeks ago or at least that's what she says. Poor teacher.
Kaylee is tiny still wearing a 5T but she's got a big heart and a big spirit and we all love her so much! Happy Birthday to our Kaylee!

And they called it Puppy Love

Nevermind that I don't have pictures; just picture this in your mind.......9 Golden Retriever puppies all colors of blonde & strawberry blonde; cuddled together like a Celtic Knot. The puppies belong to Tom & Beth & Charlie and mom is Lucy, dad is Schroader. They have their eyes open and their noses have turned black; and they can walk. They are so adorable, you want to hold them all. What a stress reliever!! I was trying to lenghten out my stay just to hold another one! Like babies only a different kind of love; they have that puppy smell; like milk, mom, poop & pee but it's like Baby Magic on a baby it's so yummy. I want one; but do I have time to train and have it be like Lucy who is so mellow and cuddly? Tom says no; Beth says yeah, am I insane to want this with Bogie upstairs who's the jack-in-the-box of all dogs! I'll continue to visit & maybe I'll get brave. We all wish Kellye & Jordan were here because Kellye would be sitting in the box with the puppies with Tate on one knee & Hayden on the other! Like the rest of us; we're in puppy love!

This is usually my week to start back to being myself. You see, about the first of November I start getting sad and missing my husband Rick and for the last 6 years I've put myself into "protective mode". It's an ok place but there are no highs or lows and no tears unless forced. After Rick's birthday on February 2, Groundhog Day, I usually start to perk up. Not so 2010. I had a great day on Tuesday, had some funny things happen that only you as family members would understand; but then by Tuesday night my beautiful children were calling to see if I was okay and I still was so they told me about their blogs and facebook posts & that I should read them. I of course will right away but my home computer is not working correctly so I waited until Wednesday when I could use my work computer. Bad idea. I need to tell you about my children; they are 5 of the most creative, talented and humorous people on the planet. They are also the most loving, tender-hearted, reminiscent, memory filled group who keep me going on a daily basis. So I was excited to read all that new stuff. Even driving into work on Wednesday I was feeling great; it's a feeling I get that reminds me of going to the beach, so I was ready! Well, I read all of these beautiful thoughts and broke into tears and have been HORRIBLE since. I bite off heads, chew them up and spit them out at the drop of a syllable. I wish I had a sarcastic font; I would have used it the rest of the week.

Now here I am; its Friday and things are starting to settle down; isn't it funny how work goes on but fun has to end? I'll recover over the weekend but I'm surprised that I'm still that vulnerable. This morning I finished the Book of Mormon for the 5th time. Honestly I cannot live without reading the BOM everyday. I've tried; life is horrible without it's many messages; calls to repentence; lessons, etc. Last year I was taken with Mormon calling us "peaceable followers of Christ", this year it came late but oh so powerful; Ether chapter 12 is a talk that Moroni gives on weaknesses and faith. It has one of Kellye's favorite scriptures in it, so whenever I read it I think of her. But this time after reading I asked to have my weaknesses revealed. Which is where I was on Wed morning. Obviously I have much to learn but isn't it nice that I still can?

Life would not be what it is without all of my children in it. They are the very breath of heaven to me and I love them beyond my ability to express it. Thank you for the millions of times you've said, looked, called, thought, helped, read, sent, carried, fought, loved, prayed, explained, made me smile or laugh or any other kind of other way you've loved me. You are the best people I know and I love you too!!