Smithtopia

Life is our little corner of the universe.

My Great Idea

December 30, 2011
My Great Idea

So I know I’m not the first to do this, but I’m still calling it my idea.   It’s not my fault other people also happened to think of it too.  If they had told me before I thought of it all by myself, then it could be their idea. (Boy, do I hang out with...
Read more »

Tags:
Posted in Self-Reliance, Smithtopia | No Comments »

Christmas in Polynesia

December 28, 2011
Christmas in Polynesia

The Polynesian Cultural Center is a fantastic tourist spot where people can come and get a real taste of the islands — literally (at their restaurants & traditional luau) and figuratively. There is nothing like it anywhere in Hawaii. We love taking the kids and immersing ourselves in the traditions and history of Hawaii,...
Read more »

Tags: ,
Posted in Hawaii Adventures, Smithtopia | 6 Comments »

Change

June 5, 2011
Change

“There is a tendency to think of change as the enemy. Many of us are suspect of change and will often fight and resist it before we have even discovered what the actual effects will be. When change is thought through carefully, it can produce the most rewarding and profound ...
Read more »

Tags:
Posted in Smithtopia | 3 Comments »

How do I love thee?…

May 31, 2011

One marriage. Two happy people. Three states. Four homes. Five children. Six… um… something Seven… blast. I’ve got nothing on that one, too. Eight years, which was the part I wanted to get to. Love you, Mr. Smith Zero pictures on this post. Bummer. That’s what you get, though, when you’re bugging me to come help with the moving-prep....
Read more »

Posted in Smithtopia | 1 Comment »

Where I’ve Been…

May 30, 2011
Where I’ve Been…

When stress levels rise, when distress appears, when tragedy strikes, too often we attempt to keep up the same frantic pace or even accelerate, thinking somehow that the more rushed our pace, the better off we will be. President Uchtdorf gave a wonderful talk in October last year.   He talked about trees growing...
Read more »

Posted in Smithtopia | 5 Comments »

Transitions

April 18, 2011
Transitions

I would call this “changes,” but change doesn’t quite seem enough.  Change is too common.  Life IS change, so what else is new, right? That’s a good question.  I thought you’d never ask. Now that I get right down to it, though, I hardly know how to begin. <crickets chirping> I’ll just have to buck up and give...
Read more »

Posted in Smithtopia | 12 Comments »

Greetings from Smithling #5

March 29, 2011
Greetings from Smithling #5

Hi Everyone! I bet after Mommy’s last post you weren’t expecting to see me so soon.  At any rate, Mommy sure was happily surprised!   I had her pretty well convinced I’d be an April baby, aren’t I clever? 6lbs 15oz 20″ Beautiful delivery After this picture I’m going to tell you all about how I came and how...
Read more »

Posted in Motherhood, Smithtopia | 32 Comments »

To Comment or Not To Comment…

That's a very good question.
I am happy to hear from you, thrilled to hear from you!, but I am also content to have you drop by, read a little, laugh a little, and move on quietly to whatever else you have to do. This is a guilt-free blog. ;)

Just a Reminder…

The Church is not a place where perfect people gather to say perfect things, or have perfect thoughts, or have perfect feelings. The Church is a place where imperfect people gather to provide encouragement, support, and service to each other as we press on in our journey to return to our Heavenly Father. ~Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, (May 2005 Ensign)

Why I Try

God expects you to have enough faith and determination and enough trust in Him to keep moving, keep living, keep rejoicing. In fact, He expects you not simply to face the future (that sounds pretty grim and stoic); He expects you to embrace and shape the future - to love it and rejoice in it and delight in your opportunities. God is anxiously waiting for the chance to answer your prayers, and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can't if you don't pray, and He can't if you don't dream. In short, He can't if you don't believe.

~Jeffrey R. Holland, "This, the Greatest of All Dispensations"

"It is not for you to be led by the women of the world; it is for you to lead the...women of the world, in everything that is praise-worthy, everything that is God-like, everything that is uplifting and... purifying to the children of men." Joseph F. Smith, in this talk by Elder Ballard