Letter to My Family

I write from Iraq to my dear wife and our wonderful children. As I scroll down the BLOG and smile and yearn to be with my wife and children. My boys Seth, Michael and Matthew standing in the hall acting pregnant and just being boys, my sweet Emma resting her head against her mother before final farewells and giving of her strength freely and warmly, and my oldest - the current man of the house - Adam standing tall ready to assume that responsibility for a year at an early age. With this I look back to those that preceed me in this great calling as a Soldier, no matter what flag flew in front of them and directed their course.

War has its physical, emotional, and mental hazards in and of itself, but that is something we all volunteered for and welcome. Some people are made for these responsibilities and risks and enjoy and excel at overcoming the challenges natural in our line of work. Our tasking is to enforce political will with the sword without public question. We are trained and disciplined to use various and appropriate levels of force to accomplish those ends as we are ordered to do so. We proudly wear our flag, from whatever nation, and serve our country with honor and dignity. Our blood, our sweat, our tears, our hearts, and our minds go into every tasking we are given because we know for whom our service is rendered.

We serve those little ones we leave behind. We served those whom we love. My wife and children can enjoy freedoms paid for by those who proceeded us and our future will continue to enjoy those freedoms by our current sacrifices. Sacrifices, which above anything what any insurgent or enemy combatant can dream of doing, include the temporary separation from loved ones.

My wife and kids can hold their heads high and say that they have served their country. They will go a year or more during this deployment and will continue to face many more months and years without their dad physically present in the course of military service. They must bear the true brunt of warfare as they are forming their impressions on the world and their character on how they will engaged that world. They are called to grow and mature more quickly then some and some much more quickly than others. Our future depends on sacrifices at both ends but more importantly the future depends on how our children glean the appropriate lessons from their sacrifices and incorporate into their character to make them leaders for good when they are at the helm.

I love each and every one of my children and the wonderful wife and mother who is taking each day with stride as the strippling mothers of old had to with their sons and daughters.

Signed

A Soldier

Patch Ceremony

A few pictures from the patch ceremony for our Brigade where we officially put the combat patch of the 1st Cav on the right shoulder.

Boys Being Boys....Or are they?

I will let the pictures speak for themselves. What would their father say??? Hehehehehe

Enjoy(:

Michael, Seth, Matthew like this is every picture

Playing serious catch up

I know it has been forever since I have added to the blog. No time would be an understatement....really. So here I am for a few minutes aslong as the kids stay into bed and I dont fall asleep.

We are midway through June and I am gonna timewarp back to May for a minute. You ready?*********Sorry no sound effects(:

May 15 was Micheal and Matthew's 2nd Birthday and on the 18th was Seth's 4th Birthday. So we had one big birthday together(: They didnt mind. SO here are a few pics from all the fun we had together(: It was also my friends hubby's Birthday so we added one candle on the cake for him, just incase you were wondering.

Happy Memorial Day(:

I just wanted to wish you all a happy Memorial day. We have our freedom cause others sacrificed with theirs. I am truly grateful for all that the Lord has blessed me with and what He will bless me with. That includes my family(: Never take what you have for granted(: Life is too short.

Just thinking of Josh and those that have gone before him and those that will go after him. Freedom is not free.

God Bless The USA

Farewell Picture

In the wee hours of the morning ... the clan lines up for one last picture at the West Fort Hood Gym prior to my departure.

Happy Mothers Day(:

Happy Mothers Day. The question is do you want to be this mother? I only have just a few pictures but a lifetime of stories which I wont take the time to share. For those of you who have a small idea of what I go through on a daily basis enjoy these pics. If isnt flooding floors, counters, toilets (backflash) The week before Josh left our downstairs toilet didnt work. It kept flooding all over the place. Low and behold a week later and a plumber in toe after 30 minutes snaking our toilet and then having to remove the toilet, ta da, two duplo legos and a bouncy ball(: yup. SO where did I leave off? Right toilets. If it can be destroyed it will. If it cant believe me our wonderfully creative kids will find a way(:

Well with the help of Seth, Michael, and Matthew we went through our kids books and got rid of a diaper box full (yes Sarah I use those for packing and getting rid of stuff too-smile). I am sure you would have done it differently then me but I really didnt have much of a choice. See for yourself(: Granny called just in time and had a good laugh as I went to calm down in my room and find my camera so I wouldnt kill my dear boys.(: Enjoy.

Yeah I know "I/we didnt do it"

Josh is now Deployed

Just a quick update.

As you can tell I have not been keeping up very well with our Blog. We have been spending all the time we can together as a family as Josh's deployment was coming at us fast. Well it is here. Early this morning we all went and said our family goodbyes, hugs and kisses till we see Josh/Daddy again. I will keep you posted from time to time as Josh emails me and hopefully sends picture of Kuwiat and then Iraq, where he will be for a year. Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. God bless you and yours.

Love you(:

Easter

I know this is way behind so I will be playing catch up with this and the next few Blogs(:

We didnt do the traditional egg hunt this year but a more simpler Easter with a little basket instead. The kids all loved them just teh same....even the big kid in the family(: We decided not to give the kids their baskets before church as we meet at 1pm. This way the kids would not be wired for church. Next year I will plan better still so we dont give them after church with church so late because the kids were wired all night instead(: Oh well, we had fun and were together, that is what is important.

OK, Not for the squeemish(:

During Mama Smith, Dad, and Hyrums stay Mar 6-16, they got to see whatt it was like to have double trouble(: All the kids for sure but to see how the twins kept everyting so busy and happening. I have talked before about their getting into things, dumping out laundry in their attemps to help me fold and put away(: but I have also talked about the diaper situation. Well low and behold just cause they were here visiting was not going to mean they were gonna miss out on this one...or should I say two(: Gross and sad but true here are just a couple of pictures to prove it(: From one end of the room to the other.

Oh the joys of being a mother sometimes(:

Then the two stinkers got to have a bath.(: (:

That mess will be another time as washing down the bathroom is made easier when they splash from one end to the other aswell(:

Matthew & Michael AKA Stinkers

Here are some pictures from when Granny, Papa, and Hyrum visited Mar6-16/09

ENJOY(:

Better late then never(:

I know it has been quite some time since I really posted anything here. Sorry to those who do read our blog. I will work better on posting more regularily, but I will be honest it will probably be in a month or so as Josh will be deploying at the end of April to Iraq and our family time will be focused on time together before he goes.

I just want to share that I know family is very imprtant. We all come from somewhere, no matter what ones family may be, or where you are. We are here to enjoy life together when life is shining and beautiful, and be there to build one another up when it is raining and storming. No one truely knows what anothers shoes are like even to try them on for a moment. Life is too short to be stuck in the mud no matter how you got there. We all have perspectives on life and see things differently. That doesnt mean there is only one way to see things unless you see things as the Lord sees things.

Ok I know as you can tell I have had a lot of things on my mind lately. I am not too sure if this post is making a lot of sense but I am putting it out there anyways.

I guess this has come about as I reflect on my family growing up, but more so as I reflect on my own family, and the memories we create together and the ones that will be a little differently shared in the year or so to come. I am truely grateful for my family and for the gospel being a firm foundation in our lives so that we are always firm even when it is hard and the storms are beating us down. I know my Lord and Savior will always be there no matter what. I am so grateful for Eternal Familes and that we can be together forever.

Always cherish one another and remember the good and worthwhile things and dont worry about the rest. Live and love each day as it is the last. I know that is taboo but if one does that there will be a lot less regrets and a lot more cherished memories.

OK I will stop being so deep. I am in a deep thinking mood right now like you couldnt tell. It is late and I am going to try to turn this mind and mood off and get some sleep.

TTFN(:

Nov/08 Josh on a staff ride with 1ACB(Air Calcary Brigade-1 Calvary)

It has been awhile

Wow, I know it has been a while and I said I would keep up with this BLOG each week...OK I am repenting. Well what to tell from this past month??? The kids have grown and changing so much. I know again I owe lots of pictures. I promise before the end of this upcoming weekend I will have a bunch posted(: Josh was away for two weeks for trainging. When he got back we took the kids on a safari type ride here in Texas that you drive through and feed the animals from your car. We now have Mama Smith(Granny), Papa Garvin, and Uncle Hyrum here visiting till the 16th of March hanging out and having fun. We went to Sea World together and Adam and Emma got to ride theor first big rides. Josh and Hyrum talked me into going on the Great White.....I screamed so hard all that came out was air(: We had a blast. It is really nice having them here to strengthen family bonds all the around(: I will share more later in the week. For now I my bed is calling and I need to go answer it(: Till then have a super duper week(:

Update of last week(:

Where do I begin(:

Well, as I told this story to my brother and he was laughing so hard I thought he was going to have an accident. He kept saying; "Josh has Navy boys" Let me explain if I can. The twins love to play in water and lately running around in the buff now that they can take off their own clothes...oh joy to me(: Well as I was trying to fix one mess our dear twins created upstairs, moments later I hear Emma calling from downstaris. "Mom the boys are playing in the toilet again and there is water all over the floor" Believe me when I say that that happends on a too frequent basis. SO I ask Emma to get some towels to clean up the water as I was trying to fix the computer...did I mention that is what they messed up? (: Then I hear this sound from downstairs. There is way too much fun going on in cleaning up that water. SO I head downstairs to my "joy" aaaaaahhhhhhh. Two inches of water from one side of the house where the bathroom in to the other side to the stove in the kitchen. What the heck! Not only is there two inches of water but my kids have decided it was a great indoor slip and slide and had to take their turns sliding from one side of the house to the other. Now water all over the floor, walls, stairs, doors....and dont forget the kids. All but Adam were dripping wet.

So I run out of the house, dont worry I was coming back. I was looking for someone who had something to suck up water. Three neighbors later success. There was so much water. Emptying 5-6 times the container then still towel drying everything(: All before Josh got home. Talk about working up a good sweat. That is one way to clean the floors but I wouldnt recomment it at all. Now not to embarrass me or the twins but I think the water factor was caused by flushing tampons down the toilet. Why do I guess this. Well before the cleaning up happened one of the babies (I wont say who) was sucking on what looked like it could have been a white rat. There was a string hanging from something. Well when I took it away from him it was a very water soaked tampon and another was floating across the floor in the kitchen. Maybe that was too much info but I have learned a number of lessons from that. Keep all my stuff where little hands cant get it if that is even possible and there is always an easier way to get things done but we seem to always make every opportunity a memorable one and never a dull one(: Now there is a jump rope tied from the fromt door to the bathroom so the babies cant get to the toilet. But as kids go if they want something bad enough they will find away......now they, the twin s have figure if you push a chair to the kitchen sink you can also get water....and they do... SO the floor still gets wet and teh counter and of course the twins. Need I say more(: I will attach a pic or two later. Have a super duper day(:

How do you explain this one?(:

Ok I only have a second right now but had to share this experience. Two days ago we went to the park to hopefully tire out the kiddies(: Well in the midst of this Seth of course had to go to the bathroom. Not once but twice. Couldnt finish his business at one time cause there was playing to be done. (: Ok thank goodness my friend was there. SO I chance Seth to the bathroom. "I am a big boy I go into the boys bathroom", ME " Then I cant help you cause I cant go in there" SO needless to say Seth proceeded to do his business. Did I mention this was in the housing office by the park, so there are people coming and going from in there? Didnt think so(: Ok so all of a sudden you hear very loudly and clearly " Mommy, come wipe my bumb......MOMMY COME WIPE MY BUMB!" over and over agian. "Seth I told you I cant come in there that is why I told you to come with me to the girls bathroom" "come wipe my bumb" " NO Seth I cant come in there" ok this goes on what seems like forever. Others are hearing this whole thing going on, a little girl at the end of a hallway is pointing at me talking through the bathroom door and she is saying something to someone I cant see. SO finally Seth is so upset he is shrieking and crying " I little boy you come wipe my bumb" I was hopeing at some point he would just do it himself and we could get out of there.....oh no, what was I thinking. SO Seth dicides fine you wont come to me I will come to you. Now I have a half naked boy at the bathroom door with his pants in have and one square of toilet paper in the other for me to wipe his hiney. Great. I am so glad no one had to use the bathroom or atleast come over during this time. Gee willikers. I told Seth I needed more then that. Needless to say Seth got cleaned up, redressed and back off to the park for more play. He still didnt want to hear that when it is just me and the kids they will be going into the girls bathroom so if they need me I can help. oh the fun never ends(: Hope you had a good laugh. I do now but at the time ....gee whiz(:

You know you feel old when.....

Ok gotta a quickie for ya. Yesturday while I was going through some of my things to keep or get rid of, I had put away an indian (native) drum I had made when I was in my late teens. Adam saw it and said "wow", ME "Ya ,I made this" ADAM " Back in the olden days?" My jaw dropped as I repeated what he had just said. We both started to laugh but I am sure for completely different reasons. Olden days ...what! Gee dont I feel a little ancient right now. Thank you oh offspring of mine(:

How much of a mess could it really be?

I know there are still no pictures, I am still figuring it out. I know it's not rocket science but hey atleast I am writing when I have a minute(:

Ok. The other day as I was getting a couple of things done on the computer and checking my emails which I should know better to do during the day....well, this is why(: Emma " mommy the boys have made a really big mess downstairs" Me- " with what?" Emma " beans, lots and lots of beans from the closet" the pantry. So I rush downstairs to find the twins enjoying the work of their labour all over the floor. Seth thought it was great and took advantage of the moment to slide threw the mess. I guess to see how much more of the house could be covered in all of these beans (dry beans and split peas). Needless to say we all pitched in on the cleaning of sweeping and vaccuming. I am still finding those little suckers all over the place. Like they were hiding during the clean up and now they are being caught in the aftermath.

Gee like I always say and it is sooooooo true, there is never a dull moment around here or really where ever we go.

On that note it is too quiet so something must be happening(: Chat soon with I am sure another of our Smith adventures(:

Better Late then Never (:

Miracles do happen. Here is our family newsletter. Hope it finds you happy, healthy and doing great. (:

This past year 2008 flew by. Not only can I not believe it is a new year but already almost half way through January 2009.

The kids are doing great and growing like weeds. What a change from the beginning of 2008 to the end of 2008.

Adam-man: Turns 7 January 10th. Adam is my little brain. If ever I am in the wrong nothing like your eldest making sure you know it. (Smile) Adam loves to learn and experiment with things. Adam use to want to be an astronaut or pilot, but now he wants to be a Myth Buster (: smile. That’s my Adam.

Emma-girl: 5 till August then the big 6 this year. Emma is our little princess. She loves to dress up and help out around the house. Emma is our little artist as well. Give her some paper, crayons or markers and she will draw and color you the most wonderful and heart felt picture you ever did see. She loves giving her master pieces to everyone, and does it with a big smile (: smile. Emma loves babies and has been great with her little brothers. It is so sweet to hear her say to the twins when they are crying; ‘its ok sweetheart” as she helps them out.

Super Seth: 3 till May and then 4. What do I say about my Seth man? He is all boy with a gentle and loving heart. He will beat you up wrestle you down and flex his muscles, but he will also hug you and make sure you are ok too. Seth loves to help me in the kitchen. I think really anything that could get him messy (: smile. Seth loves life to the fullest and runs the throttle as such. Seth will leave a mark on your heart if not anywhere else. (:

Michael-man: Almost 20 months and will be 2 in May. Michael is the bigger of the twins. He loves the great outdoors and animals. Loves to talk and keep busy. Michael has a great love for life and adventure. No fear. I love watching him and Matthew grow on their own and together. Loves getting down and dirty and giving hugs and kisses. That’s by big boy Michael. (: smile.

Matthew-man: Almost 20 months and will also be 2 in May. That is a busy month for us (: Matthew may be the smaller of the twins but he sure is feistier. Matthew loves being outside and getting into anything his brother is getting into. Love animals especially “puppy”. Matthew is his own man. He might have come here with his big brother Michael but don’t mistaken that he is his own. (:

Josh: Is The Man. 2008 has been a pretty busy year for Josh in the US Army. Josh is gone a lot and working hard to provide for his wonderful wife and kids. (Josh’s words-smile) Josh had a moment to breath and went to jump school before our move to Fort Hood TX. That was a wonderful and exhilarating experience that not too many in his position (JAG) get to do. When Josh isn’t working he loves spending his time with his 5 wonderful kids and his wonderful wife (me-smile).

This upcoming year will be a different one as Josh will be deploying to Iraq for 15 months. He will be greatly missed and kept greatly in our prayers.

Last but not least me. Well I guess I have been a success this year as I am still at home and not institutionalized(: I guess I shouldn’t really joke about that but sometimes I wonder(: No but joking set aside, it has been a year of growth and learning all the way around. My wonderful kids keep me hopping and very busy and seeing things in different eyes. As crazy as our house may get from time to time the wonders and excitement is always there. When it all calms down the love, kisses and hugs are the icing on the cake (the good kind that doesn’t add calories-smile). I am constantly amazed by our kids, my husband and the experiences we can make it through together. I know that the Lord is with us in all things. He answers our prayers. He won’t give us more then we can handle, even though at times I truly wonder. I am grateful for my family. I love them so much and only want the best for them. I am grateful for Josh and all that he does for us.
This is a new year and will be full of new experiences, surprise and most of all memories. May the memories all be great ones.

Coming Soon...

Coming Soon an update from last year and pictures too....lots and lots of pictures(: