Sisters

This is me and My Sister.
During a summer visit (I was living in Florida at the time) that we made to Utah, Martha and I found ourselves constantly wearing the same colors. It was hilarious and family thought it planned in a warped kinda way. We loved as our nieces and nephews would have to look at our faces and talk to us before they could tell the difference between us. At one point, my siblings w/spouses had attended the LDS Temple in Ogden. We were getting ready to leave and Martha decided to go out to the foyer and wait while I stayed behind with my Mom while she waited for my Grandmother to do a potty break. A cute little older lady came up to me and told me she thought it was so cute when adult twins dressed alike. I had to think for a minute before I realized that Martha and I had come dressed in similar colors (again). I proceeded to correct her informing her that there was in fact 6 years difference between myself and my sister. She was so shocked, she said, "you mean your sister is 6 years older than you?". Least to say it made my day as I had just turned 30 about 4 months prior to this time! My sister had a great laugh also!

During the summer of 2010, our family had a reunion. Martha had just had her baby a couple of months earlier...the cutest thing ever! I loved helping with this sweet bundle as he would look at me and then look at his mom and then look at me, he couldn't figure it out! But Martha (and I) loved this for as long as he could see me, he would cuddle right up and go to sleep! Martha loved the break from the pre-sleep fussiness and I enjoyed cuddling a baby that I knew I could give back to his mommy when I was done and go have myself a full nights sleep!

She has also been a great help with my own kids, as they have looked to her as a second mother. They love talking and chatting to her as often as they can, which really isn't often enough for them. She has a wonderful open communication with my kids and I'm love having a wonderful support system for them in the way of my sister.

I have always loved my younger sister. I worked hard to be her friend while we were growing up, hard to do with 6 years difference. And once she realized that I had trials too, we became each others strengths. She has been a great support to me especially in the last 5 years. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father sent her to me. She will call me on days that I didn't realize I needed to talk and the same the other way around. It is wonderful to know that on the other side of the phone is someone who will listen, and care about what is happening in my life. She sends me email notes of encouragement when I'm down (sometimes without even knowing it).

One of those times was during the summer of 2009. I was struggling with my health, and lack of sleep and abundant struggles of the prior two years. I knew that John was going to not have a job by the end of the summer definitely Christmas, thus ending our financial funds. We looked at our options, but I felt that I needed to see my out of state siblings (one of which was Martha). So knowing that for some it would seem a "waste" of a months income, I worked a vacation out with my parents and we left for 3 weeks to see these two siblings. I actually hesitated to put this particular picture in as I was definitely at my heaviest (and I was/am completely embarrassed about it). But the hug that I received did more for my health than anything else I could have done...no it did not cure me, but when a person is down, it really helps to know that you are Loved!

Martha, I just wanted you to know how much I love you and think of you! You are truly my Best Friend!

Oculo-Auriculo-Vertebral Spectrum

Work in Progress. Check back soon.

Reflections Contest....................1st PLACE WINNER

Rachel has taken piano lessons off and on for about 4 years...more off then on. This past summer we found a new piano teacher after taking a year off who writes her own music. Upon finding out Rachel has written her own music, Leda McCullough took it upon herself to help refine Rachel's talent to our utmost pleasure. Leda helped Rachel record one of her compositions, so that she could turn her song into the Schools Reflections Contest. Rachel was completely shocked to find her self holding not only a trophy, but winning 1st place for the 9-12th Grade. She is the youngest to turn a song in and get 1st place.
Rachel's Story: I was in one of my classes at school when the intercom came on and asked for me to come to the media center. I was surprised they were calling me, because I had never in all my years been called down to...well...anywhere. I picked up my stuff and went to the library and when I got there, there were lots of other kids. There was a staff member who came up to me and asked if I was Rachel. I said yes and he brought me to a table where there was a trophy. The teacher picked up the trophy and handed it to me. He congratulated me and told me they really enjoyed listening to my music piece. I then took my trophy and headed for my locker so it wouldn't get broken as I went into Lunch. As I walked to my locker I finally looked down and read the writing and had to stop myself from screaming as I realized I had taken 1st place. I hurried to put it in my locker and as I put it inside my locker, the lunch bell rang and I did a little scream in my head as I was late and headed off to lunch feeling pretty ecstatic.

Introducing my Family

This is my family as of August 2010. John and I will be married 17 years this coming February. It still blows me away at how fast the time has flown and all of it very good. We have our struggles, but who doesn't. What matters to us in the "lean years" is that we are both committed to each other and our family.
John is a computer tech working from home. When we have a computer problem, we are SO glad that he knows what he's doing. John loves to learn about anything and loves to work with our kids. John hates watching movies without the remote to fast forward the "slow" parts (thus, I don't watch movies with him unless in the theater). John has many friends and makes friends easily. He loves talking to them on the phone and I usually have to put his phone in "time out" so that he can get some work done.
I work as an aide at a local hospital working on their surgical transplant floor. I love meeting the patients and working with the staff. One day I will finish school, but I have loved being a stay at home mom and don't regret not having those years with just my kids to worry about. I play the piano (hence the title of our blog), but don't teach my own kids. I have been working on improving my skill and enjoy playing the Organ for church and the Piano for the Choir to nudge me along.
Rachel will be 15 this coming January. She is a great big sister. She loves to tease and pester, but in the end she is such a help with house and siblings. She loves to play the piano and to create her own music. She also plays the Clarinet and is hoping (hint hint) to learn to play the flute.
Sarah is 11 1/2 years old. She is the first to get others to laugh. She is outwardly caring towards others. She loves giving and receiving hugs. She also plays the piano and after a bit of practice can pretty much play anything (simple) that she hears. She also loves to sing. She has such a beautiful voice, but can be a bit shy about it in front of others.
Karl turned 8 this past August. He was SO excited to be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It was the only thing he talked about for the last year. He loves reading his scriptures and making sure that we all read as a family (not that we weren't without him). He loves gymnastics and practices his piano so that he can continue (that was the bargain). He does play the piano real well...when he practices. He picks up learning the concepts very fast. He loves playing with his brother and for the past year has insisted that they have a bunk bed and share a room. I finally relented this past summer. I don't know why I bought the bunk bed as they spend more time sleeping in the same bed than their separate beds.
Hyrum will be 5 in March. I don't know where the time has gone for him especially. He is the main reason for my starting this blog. And the main reason I have been bugged by others to start a blog. Hyrum was born with what is called Oculo-Auriculo-Vertebral Spectrum. In English, this means he is not symmetrical. I will go into details later on as I don't want this particular post to be THAT long. But he is a great addition to our family. He loves to laugh, learn, and play with anybody. He knows his letter names and sounds, his colors and shapes. When driving, you can drive to the store and he can get you home with no help. He rides the bus to and from school and as we drive to the store, or elsewhere, he will tell us where everyone that rides the bus with him lives.
That is our family!

Why I started to blog?

My name is Jennifer Smith. I have been bugged for years about starting a blog. I was nervous about putting my life out their for others to read about. I have since learned that maybe, just maybe, someone may look at my story and realize that they are glad for what they have. I am not looking for pity or sympathy but more support to others. And of course along the way it would be nice to gain some sanity from writing. Every one tells me that this will help to realize that yes this is my life and do I really want to change it? For if I were to change my life what would I be forced to give to up in the process. I don't want to give any thing I have or have learned, so I keep my trials also!