New Generation of Astronauts

Houston Space Port - the new generation of astronauts

Adam on the velcro wall

Seth on the velcro wall

Emma on the velcro wall

One Week

Here are some pictures of our new home M+9 (move day plus 9 days). Still have a few boxes left to unpack and a fence to put up in the back yard, but getting there. Even had to go buy a riding lawn mower (Adam was not man enough to mow the acre lawn with a push lawnmower).


Master Bedroom - Holly's wall of elephants

Master Bedroom - Josh's wall of military service

Seth helping dad mow the lawn

Mowing continues (takes about a gallon of gas to mow the lawn)

Kitchen

Garage - able to construct work area

Library/Office

Library/Office

Living Room

Living Room

Living Room

Happy Memorial Day

I hope everyone has had a wonderful Memorial day and has taken a silent moment to remember the blessed freedom they have in this wonderful nation we live and the many lives that were sacrificed to keep us so blessed.

I am so grateful to have my HERO home after a long year apart. It has made our relationship stronger and more precious, my love for him has only grown. Our family has also closer all the way around. I love to hear the sweet words, "daddy...." .

At this time with all the love and joy I feel my heart is torn too. As an army wife you are torn with the love and wonderful blessing of having your hero home while others you know or may not know are without. My heart, love and gratitude is very deep for those who have sacrificed more. THANK YOU SO MUCH. What more can I truely say.

Thank you.

wow it has been forever but my man and father of our kids is finally home....

I know I have a lot to catch up on but this is one event I want to share first(: Back on Sunday April 25th Josh finally came home from Iraq...Yeah! It was truely a day to rememeber. The flight was due to arrive for "Welcome Home" on the field at 6 am Sunday morning(: We were all awake at 4 am to get ready for the wonderful reunion. Needless to say I didnt sleep at all that night nervous I would over sleep my alarm clock. I was very blessed to have a friend meet me at the field to help me with our wonderful kiddos in anticipation of daddy's arrival. We needed to be there at least an hour before so at 5 am we were there waiting and having fun. Without rambling on more here are some of those wonderful pictures and of Josh coming home(: Thank you so much Heavenly Father for safely returning my wonderful husband and father of our children home(: (we also made it just in time for our church meetings that started at 9am) what a glorious day(:

Blast from the past(:

Blast from the past. August 18 2009 was a day to celebrate the exsistence Joshua Joseph Smith. Being his big "30" Josh celebrated a little different this year as he was away from friends and family serving abroad in Iraq. With some planning with one of his fellow collegues I now have these wondeful pictures to enjoy together of how they celebrate when away from home(: I hope you enjoy these as much as I did(:

and the fun begins.....

Happy Birthday Josh!

Happy New Year

I will have to admit, not chiming in the New Year like I thought I would with my kids but it did turn out for good.
After dinner together we had milk shakes, which is more then a rarity in our house(: We were having fun, then off to watch a movie together(:
Sounds good so far(:
Well, as bed time comes closer and others getting a little bored the "real" fun begins... The twins, at least one whom I will not name knocked all my laundry onto the floor(5 or so loads that had not made there way upstairs yet) which got the ball going. Then the yelling and screaming began oh the fun is now going(and not starting with me(:....wow...no one can hear me so I add to the yelling ( may I mention not a good choice of action which I knew better) OK I wont get into it all but there was wailing, yelling, up sets all around even a punch here and there.....no not done by me.....wow Happy New Year right(:
After I got everyone calmed down including myself I talked to the children first one at a time, shared my feelings and helped see the difference of our choices and actions...how we feel in what situations and how we can control ourselves in those situations. Feeling not like the worlds best mom during all the crazies I was hoping I was at least lower on that top 100 worlds morst mom list then near the top.
So then we all head in for family prayer and calmness....I hug and kiss the kids and of course tell them as I do a lot that I love them and the beautiful music of hearing " I love you mommy" from the point of hugs and kisses to walking down the hall(: makes the rest almost go away. Lessons learned by all of us tonight.
Did I mention a lot of the emotions tonight that were shared other then feeling bad about all that happened was, even though knowing daddy will be hopefully home by next weekend, with it being the dawn of a New Year the kids (and I) are missing their daddy sooooooo much. Lots of hugs and kisses and music helped them go to bed(:
I do need to add. Adam my sweet little man, came running down the stairs after all were in bed and handed me a card he made. on one side it said To: mom From: Adam. On the other side he wrote a poem, Roses are red, Violets are blue, all that matters, Is I love you(: Then he had drawn a family picture with all of our names with each person drawn(: I soooooo needed that tonight. Made my night. Another set of hugs and kisses and then he was back to bed(:
A roller coaster of emotions tonight. Maybe I shouldn't post this here but then again, why not. A night in the life of our family. The good the bad and the ugly. Yes we say and do things we regret and hopefully learn from. Boy am I no exception to that. But I can say I love my family so very much and would do anything for my family. They are my life, my world, and I am so grateful for them. I may teach some things and hopefully good things but I learn so much more from our precious children(:
I am so grateful for the gospel in my life, for my Savior and Redeemer. I am so grateful for my many blessings. I am grateful for this new year ahead of us and the wonders it holds(:
I hope and pray you all have a wonderful, happy and healthy New Year(:

Then and Now

OK, I know mom I havent written on the BLOG one pound a week. Well not including the holidays I am going to do something I would normally dread...ok I still do but truth be told(: Last Christmas I was still carrying a lot of the twin baby weight. I knew I was a big cough cough I mean "healthy" girl I just didnt realize how much till last Christmas formal picture for Josh's Christmas ball at work. Well here is my before picture...yes I am still beautiful I know(: so I am told(:

doesnt my man look HOT(:

Ok the next one isnt my most up to date but it gets the point across. If it looks a little blury or off my little photographer did his best(: Thank you Adam(:

Down from Jan 1 2009 to now almost Jan 1 2010 give or take a few(: but my average for now is down about 45 pounds(: Not where I want to be but a good year none the less. I will continue this goal of one pound a week till I reach my goal. Yes I have had some pretty bad months hense I havent quite reached my goal but I am still doing it. The only reason this would all change for next year is if I had a "reason" to be putting weight on and then I have other goals for that(: hehehehe

SO here we go...drum roll please...ddddddrrrrrrddddddrrrrrrrrr ok you get the idea(:
ok here is the newer me and more to go (: This one is from Sept 09

This one is Dec 09 but in a sweater(:

So there you have it(:

There will be more updates coming soon(: Christmas lights, special visitors, and of course in the New Year daddy home for 2 weeks(: SO come again and there will be more...I promise(:

Until then have a super duper wonderful day(:

Merry Christmas(:

Merry Christmas everyone(:
I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas and rememebring the true meaning of this time of year(: I am truely greatful for the birth of my Savior Jesus Christ and for the life He lived and His death and Atonement so that I can be forgiven and return to live with Him again.
I am truely greatful for my many blessings, for life, health, and of coures above those my family. I look forward to two weeks from now when my wonderful husband, the father of our amazing children, our soldier and hero will be home for two weeks before he returns to Iraq to finish his deployment. It will be a wonderful cherished time in our lives. I will say a deployments makes you rethink some aspects of your life as well as the realities of life.
I promise during that time when Josh is home I will maybe not catch up from everything but I will catch up on some things plus pictures and pictures. SOme from here in Texas as well as some that I will hopefully get from Iraq(: Should be some great ones (: hehehehe
While Josh is home we are praying it will be before the 10th so Adam can be baptized on his birthday(: what a way to start a family vacation(: Then we will be away for a couple of days to an indoor water park in a hotel(: oh the fun, can you see it now(: The following weekend (Jan 17th) we plan on having our family Christmas. Yes we are waiting till Josh is home. The kids did get one gift from mom and dad(us) and one each from Santa. Thank you Santa(: (you know who you are(:hehehehe the kids loved the gifts(: Then just some family stuff, hiking, movies, catching up time, going to the Temple(: cant wait.
SO until then I/we wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year(:

Oh No Mommy(:

OK more of an embarrassment to myself but way too funny not to add to the BLOG since I add so many other things. While having our Friday family movie night, the twins ventured upstairs so I went after them. Well Seth and Emma followed behind me. Well I needed to get something out of my room which turned into 4 of our 5 kids in there too getting into whatever they magically can in the few minutes we were in there, longer cause I then couldn't get them out(: hehehe...OK so here it is...I keep the laundry baskets of clean clothes in our room when I don't get them all put away right away( for the twins are great at dumping them over and over again onto the floor) as I never seem to have enough time to wash fold and put away in the same day...OK besides the point but to explain why there was a basket of clothes in my room. OK so Michael throws something across the room as I hear Seth yell, " oh no mommy one of your boobie thingies" Oh my goodness I couldn't stop laughing, and then laughed even harder as I look up at 4 little faces looking back at me not understanding just how funny that was. I can still see it all happening in my mind in slow motion. Well I hope it put a smile on your face as it did mine(:

OK when is it enough?

Had to put another one of these in. I have so many people who of course "mean well" say you only have the twins home it must be so much easier.....sure much easier....you take two 2 year old boys who have enough energy to run a huge inferno that feeds off each other and then some (something that uses a lot of energy for a long time) let it loose and try to keep up with it, them... I was busy for only a few minutes and this is the result...which I will add took me almost an hours to clean up off the floor, wall, stove, fridge and then some(: SO much easier.....The proof...and I will add I don't just take the pictures to show evidence but to also calm me down before I do something to my sweet boys(: Did I mention it was over a dozen eggs, apples, oranges, lemons, and whatever else they can throw from the fridge before I can get to them....The pictures don't show the real damage but you get the idea(: Maybe(:

No pictures but today Mama Smith would love the smell of our house...after cleaning and washing the floors a few times it still smells like raspberry walnut salad dressing in our kitchen...yup a whole bottle and no where near a salad(: hehehehehe gotta laugh right or I might pop a vein or something....breath, breath, it will be OK, breath, this too shall pass......right(: Now I know I have made at least one persons day or maybe week(: I have been told that when this person has a bad day they pull up our blog, have a great laugh and then they don't feel so bad....laughter is the best medicine they say, so I guess we are good for someones health, maybe yours too(:

WOW October is here!

Where did the time go. I cant believe it is already October(: Well I loved General Conference from what I got to see and hear of it. What I did get there was a lot about love and family, missionary work, personal guidance and inspiration, being more and doing more then just what is expected of us, and of course so much more. I took notes and I cant wait to get the Ensign so I can further read and ponder and learn(:

Well, I did it. What you ask. Well Josh had wanted me to wait till he got home for R&R to cut Michael's and Matthew' long golden locks....it was sad when you can put their hair in pony tails...not to mention all the food those boys slick their hair with .... too gross, so after explaining to my wonderful husband with still so much time before he comes home for his little visit the boys hair needs to be cut.....well.....they don't look like little stinkers anymore, but like the big stinkers they have become(: Be nice, when it grows back some Josh will be cutting it like he likes it, high and tight with some on top....I had only 30-45 seconds each if I was lucky so I think I did a pretty good job.....remember they have very blond hair so there is some there(:

And of course all the boys now have the same hair cut...it was a little late so the twins were getting grouchy but you can sure tell they are all related(:

The Smith boys, "The Next Generation"

September update(:

A little late but better then never right(: Ok, here it is........I chopped off my hair(: And I love it...next I will add some splash of color (: What do you think? (:

what happends when you are busy

Oh the question I keep getting, Isnt easier now that you only have the twins home? I guess whomever is asking dont hace twins(: cause they keep me so busy. They feed off each other for teh good the bad and the ugly. This is what happends when you are trying to help a friend or two and catching up with them on the phone for a few minutes. The pictures dont do it justice, but here they are(: OH and I found out cause they were playing so great together laughing and having so much fun I decided to see what they were doing....they had cut open a bag, a big bag of shredded cheese and laughing at it fly in the air as they hit the couch, and of course with their help all over the downstairs...oh it was so much fun to clean up...from everywhere high and low... oh I love my twins and they are definately teaching me something...

September 11

Do we remember(: May we always remember those who have died and sacrificed and still sacrifice for our freedom. I just wanted to share a message from my friend. I couldnt have said some better myself.

May God bless you and your loved ones always. (it refers to a song, for some reason I couldnt get it to download. I will try again later)

In remembrance of 9/11 and the events that have changed and shaped our lives. I would like to share with you (again for some of you..lol) the song that was written for a very special person who has touched my family's life.

During the last deployment OIF 06-08 2-8 Cav went through several losses. Almost from the beginning they were hit hard and the sorrows of losing their friends weighed heavy on us all. I share this song to honor all those at home and abroad who are making these sacrifces and carrying these trials that we seem to be called upon to carry more often than we may have expected.

It is a song about loss and love. The love of Brothers in Arms. I remember one Sunday, coming home from Church a few years ago and seeing a message from my husband. It said, "Honey, I need to talk, I lost my friend today." It was several weeks before he was able to tell me what had happened, but when he did, the two lines that have stuck in my mind since were...."I kissed his forehead and said I love you brother." and..."I held him in my arms and prayed over him all the way back to the FOB." It testified to me of the strength of their friendships and love. I imagine a friendship that will go on through the eternities.

It is a song written for a time when there were no words to express the feelings that consumed the mind, but it is also a song that reflects the comfort of others who have been reaching out to salute us and especially our soldiers. It is the comfort of our family, friends and each other that have helped us get through so many tough and lonely times.

I am so grateful for this deployment, that is has been more peaceful and quiet. I am grateful for the prayers of others who have prayed for us when we did not know of them. I can feel the strength of those who care. I cannot tell you how often I have walked into a store and someone says thank you. My favorite memory was walking into Walmart in Ft. Worth on the day I had to take my husband back from R&R and he was in uniform and we had our six kids in tow. This older gentleman walks straight up to us and gives my husband a firm handshake and says thank you. He handed my children some cash. We tried to decline but he insisted, stating, "I am a Vietnam Vet. I know the struggles that you face. Your husband sacrifices for this country, but these children have made a great sacrifice also. I am grateful to them and want to thank them. So go let them buy something they will enjoy." He than began to tell us the story of his group that was under fire in Vietnam. They were surrounded and had no way to get out. He mentioned the name of the company that came to their rescue. He expressed his feelings for those who had saved thier lives so long ago. We said our goodbyes and continued on our way, only to come across another man who walked up to us and said his Thank Yous. He than told us of his time in Vietnam and how he had been with this group that had been called in to rescue another. To our astonishment, he had been in the goup that had rescued the other man. We pointed out the other gentleman whom we had just talked to and watched as these two men met and began talking of times long ago. Two strangers meeting for the first time and talking like old friends. It was another testament of the love that develops between our soldiers. It also showed me that there are many who honor and pray for us.

So in memory of those who have given thier all and in honor of a 2-8 CAV Echo Company Gunner who lost his life in Iraq in OIF 06-08, I share this with everyone to give them what gift I can give. I pray that this month goes well for everyone.

With all my love,

Karyl Chase