Why so happy? BECAUSE THEY’RE ALL COMING HOME TOMORROW! I don’t normally resort to all-caps, but that’s how I feel.  It’s been a week and a half since the whole family was together, and back then we were in crazy limbo-land mode.  Mr. Smith and the...
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Dear Smithlings, Me & the little boys at the Hukilau beach watching the big boat from the PCC launch into the ocean. That was… uh… Friday? I think? Maybe I’ll post more pictures of that later. The bigger news ’round here is…. drumroll please… THE STUFF...
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You already know what I saw out the second window in the kids’ bedroom. Window Number Two Yes, yes.  Quite lovely.  Took my breath away.  You’ll notice, however, that I didn’t say anything about the first window.  Something there took my breath away, too, but wasn’t mentioned. I...
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  Dear Smithlings, Mommy and Daddy got the keys to our new home today.  BYU actually owns it – not us – so we’ll have to take good care of it for them.  They said we could live here as long as we want to, though,...
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Goodmorning Smithlings! Guess what Mommy did.  I left the SD card for the camera in the computer yesterday morning.  You probably don’t know what that means, but basically it means that without a cord to connect the camera to the computer, the pictures are stuck.   And...
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Hello again from Mommy! I was really happy to hear how much fun you’re having with your new friends.  It’s funny how they don’t *feel* like new friends, isn’t it?  Sometimes you meet people and just skip right to the “old friends” part.  I thought...
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We’re in Hawaii!  I thought I’d write you a little letter and show you some pictures while Daddy and I are here without you.  It’s warm and green and a little bit cloudy here, and it feels humid like the bathroom does after a...
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It came! It was wonderful! I loved having family all together, which is probably my favorite side-effect of a wedding. Although we wouldn’t have wanted to have a wedding and our big move happening right on top of each other, it’s working out...
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In my opinion, the greatest enemy to the happily-ever-after of all married couples and of families in general is pornography.  There are many (many!) other things, to be sure, but pornography can blow a crater in your life that is not easily repaired —...
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We love Temple Square! I love the feeling there, even when the kids are a little squirrely, and even when the toddler wouldn’t leave the reflection pool alone. With it being a beautiful Monday evening, I expected to see more families.   The place was practically empty! ...
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“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...
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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,...
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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...
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Just thought I’d mention there’s a lovely home for sale. Ours. We’d love to have it sold before we leave in, cough-cough, 8 weeks, so if you know anyone looking for a gorgeous 100 year old home, send ‘em our way.  Especially if they’re the kind...
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