Homecoming 2013

He won!  Rhett Smith, Duke of Homecoming 2013.  What a fun night, for him and me.  We started it with a XC meet right before the football game.  He KILLED it.  Seriously, every week he gets faster.  There are two kids on his team he has never beat... but today.. he did.  And by a lot.  His pace when he got his PR was 6:28 and last night it was 6:01 for approximately 3 miles.  He looked so good!  Then at half time, he got to ride in on a sweet convertible and receive his crown.  I hadn't been to a football game in a really long time.  Mom, Glade and the Kettrings went with us, lots of fun.  We didn't stay till the end though, we're old and we were kicking their booties.  Congrats Rhett... now stay humble. Ü

 This is Cassie, the girl Rhett is sweet on.  She won for Freshman class.

Hayden Jones, Queen.  So pretty!

A Miracle

Ok, I know I have posted a lot about Rhett lately, but if you knew him 5 years ago you would understand.  Yesterday we found out he was nominated for Homecoming Royalty.  I have no idea how their school does things so I'm really not sure what info I can give.  BUT, that he got nominated is huge.  Let me tell you why.

 Two years ago I took him on his 8th grade trip to Disneyland and I was the chaperon for his group.  It was a group of three misfits, not welcomed into any of the other groups.  Some groups were made up of up to 5 or 6 kids.  Most groups were chosen by friends who wanted to be together.  I was a little surprised and saddened to see my cute boy put with this strange group, when he wasn't even actually friends with either boy.  I was even more saddened when I would see Rhett reach out to different groups and they would say Hi, then turn there back to him.  Never once invited to go with them.  Why can't they see him like I see him?  Or like the kids from the theater see him.  Is he really that weird at school?  He's always been a little on the odd side, I'm aware of that.  But this?  Rhett has spent most of his life being either hot or cold, happy or sad, really sad.  Like, the whole school hates me  kind of sad.  It was very challenging to deal with and even a little scary sometimes.  Was he going to be the crazy kid who people would say things like "he was just really quiet" about when something happened?

Well things turned around his freshman year.  We made the decision to send him to a small high school that was fairly new, instead of the big public school our other kids went to.  What a difference.  The first day we went there to register, he walked in the door and 3 different people yelled "Rhett!"  and came to talk to him.  Then he proceeded to do well in school, find a niche in cross country and track and have a few good friends.  Here we are a year later and he's a happy kid, rarely do I ever see that "poor me" side of himself come out.  No tears and comments like "I suck" or "everyone hates me".  He's happy.  And successful.  And DOing things.  And now he's nominated to something kinda cool.  My excitement isn't because my kid seems to be popular, but because finally people see him like I do.  Because he finally sees himself as worth something.  We weren't sure that would ever be part of who he was.  He isn't fully there yet though, when talking about the nomination, he said it's really just a popularity contest.  Right.  Well I only got on there because I know a lot of people from my classes.  Not popular like so and so.  It took me pointing out that everyone knows a lot of people from their classes, but they chose you because they LIKE you.  For now he's still very humble about his successes, and hopefully we can keep it that way,  But right now, I just want him to bask in something he's never before experienced.  Enjoy having friends and liking himself.  I love that boy and have always been able to see such great things in him, but I couldn't make him see it.  Couldn't get him to TRY.  And finally it's happening.  So forgive me while I gush and brag.... a miracle has happened...and my heart is full because of it. ♥

Friday already??

This week can be summed up in one word.. GO!  That's pretty much it.  This weekend is the performances for 101 Dalmatians, Katy and Bo's show.  So they have had rehearsal every night at 5 pm.  Well that's just a really hard time for me.  It would have been a little easier if Stephen would have been home instead of practicing for his number for Youth Conference, or if Nick hadn't been at work every day with my second car, or if Whitley wouldn't have gotten MARRIED!  But alas, all those things weren't to be so.  Instead I was left the sole driver to do all the running after school which did not allot for any time to sew spots on their costumes or prepare for my scouts to come cook in my kitchen or to feed Bo and Katy before they left or make sure their homework got done.  Then add in helping at the theater a few nights to help things get done and my three day run in with a crazy guy driving home from picking up kids.  It's been a really busy week!

But here we are at Friday where it all comes to fruition.  Again, I'm a little discombobulated because I have 5 activities all at the same time, but I'm hoping my very complex plan goes off without a hitch.  I'll be registering kids at the ALA XC meet while Stephen is picking up little ones and getting them to a friends who will be getting them to their performance and then Stephen will get himself and Nick to work while I'm watching the XC meet.  Then, we'll go to the football game to see Rhett and try to get back to the theater by 8 to pick up little ones.  Meantime, Nick will be waiting for someone to come get him since he is done with work earlier than Stephen.  Where's Glade to help, you ask?  Well Chelsey is borrowing his truck to move some couches so he is of no use in this capacity.  Wish us luck!!  In case I was unclear in any way... I'm really no stressed, but excited for the evenings events.  Ok, a little stressed, but way excited...just wish I could watch the play tonight as well.  That will have to wait till tomorrow.  I seriously need Rhett to be able to drive...

He's Official

It's still hard for my mind to grasp, but his handsome guy is old enough to get a driving permit.  None of my kids have gotten one this early, but since I'm losing all my drivers in the next year, I figured I better get moving on it.  We went on Thursday, waited 3 hours.. he failed.  Went back Friday morning and he passed!  It was still quite a wait though.  I seriously hate that place.  Once he took the test, we waited almost 30 min just for them to print it.  Then they had him marked as a girl, so we had to wait again while they fixed it.  Oy.  But in the end we walked out with one.

Later I took him driving out in the dessert and he actually did pretty well.  I even let him drive on the real roads to get us home and then he parked in the garage.  I'm no where near ready to let him go out in actual traffic, but it gave me a little hope that maybe he can do this!

Biker Babe

This girl has been on her bike for about 3 straight days.  When I got the bike a few days ago, I didn't realize she didn't even know how to ride a two wheeler.  It only took her a few tries to figure it out.  It's a little small for her, but it should be fine for the next few months.  First thing in the morning that girl is out on her bike.  Even today with the rain, she was out first thing in her sweat shirt and boots. She rides till the sun goes down only taking small breaks throughout the day.  Her only complaint:: My butt hurts.

Be Prepared

Yes, it's the Boy Scout motto, but really applies to all of life.  Today I had to take Nick to his ankle appointment, so while we were in town, we stopped by the DMV so Rhett could take his permit test.  On a good note, Nick is now able to start walking without crutches.  Happy day!! So we got to the DMV and the line was out the door.  Not a good start.  We finally get to the front and the lady informs me that a birth certificate is not enough.  I remember taking the other boys' SS cards, but not needing them.  When I was grabbing Rhett's stuff, I had the thought to grab it, but decided against it.  My bad.  Now we had just spent 30 min in line for nothing.  In a bold move, I decide.. we are doing this!  I call Stephen, have him find the card and drive all the way into town to bring it to us.

While we waited, I grabbed some taco bell for the three of us.  After about 30 min, Stephen shows up with the card and we are finally issued a number.  We wait.  And wait.  He had his pic taken, we wait... pay for the test, wait some more and finally he is issued the test.  Now, he has known this for about 3 days.  He's read the pamphlet, taken online tests and reviewed....so I thought.  I really wasn't worried, well...that's a lie... I was totally worried.  I just wanted him to pass and not have to come back to this horrible place!  But I really thought he'd be fine.  Nope, fail.  Just by one question though.  Turns out he read the book, or most of it.. did take a few tests and kind of reviewed.  Why won't these kids believe me when I say "you do not want to have to come back here!" ?

So three hours later, we left with a paper saying come back again.  I was not very happy.  Had I been prepared, we wouldn't have had to wait an extra hour or so and had he been prepared, we wouldn't be going back tomorrow.  Sigh....

I decided to not let it ruin my day.  We went to Kohl's, then to Costco and home to a nap.  I bought new pillows!  I hate my pillows and hopefully I will have a better sleep now.  After napping, Rhett and I went for a run.  Today was much cooler and rainy this morning.  I had my fastest run so far.  I'm still really slow, but progress is at least something.  Made pizza for dinner and now just chilling.  Only one more day of fall break and we are spending that at grandma's.  

As frustrating as today was, I really like Rhett so it wasn't so bad having to spend the whole day with him. ♥  Let's just hope he passes tomorrow.  He also met with the Bishop tonight and got his recommend for his patriarchal blessing.  Really it was a good day.

Rhett PR

This will be short and sweet.  And a little bittersweet.  While I was busy at Whitley's reception, Rhett was at the Twilight meet setting his new PR.  We had decided that his presence at the entire reception probably wasn't necessary, so we let him, Brooklyn and Dalin go run in the meet.  It's kind of a big deal.  It kills me to have them be running and me not be there.  Grandpa Smith decided he wanted to take them, which was really awesome... so they at least had a little support.  My phone finally rang and I hear the panting voice of Rhett telling me he PR'd.  Not just by a little, by almost 40 seconds.  His previous time was 20:05 which was up from 20:22.  This time he got 19:27.  I couldn't believe it.  I was so excited and yet so disappointed that I missed it.  There was no one there to hug him and celebrate with him.  He was so excited though!  I can't even tell you how much I love that he wants it.  In looking at all the times, the best I could tell is that among the fresh/soph boys, he would have been about 30th.  That's pretty good for such a big race.  People come from other states to compete.  I just hope he continues to grow and progress both physically and mentally.  Success is so fun!!

Mommy follow up

Without rehashing too much, I just wanted to follow up a little on my previous post regarding my decision to stay at home and take care of my children.  I received both positive and negative feedback to my post.  I want to reiterate that I at no time, said that working parents are bad parents.  I will always maintain that I believe that a mother staying home with her kids is the BEST option.  I was a little distraught over some of the negative feedback and the offense that was taken.  I'm not going to try to restate my stance on this, but I would like to share a conference talk that was given this weekend at General Conference.  I received several messages from different people telling me they thought of me during this talk.  I was with family and not able to watch so I was very curious to hear it.  It completely solidified my decision to post my feelings.  Truth is not always popular and is often controversial, but I will not bow to political correctness.  I love all my mom-friends and have many that are terrific working moms.  That's not what any of this was ever about.  Please listen to a man of God say what I was trying to say in my very non-eloquent way.

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/the-moral-force-of-women?lang=eng&media=video#watch=video

Nick Drama

We've been through a lot with this boy and just when you think things are really progressing, something sets us back again.  On Thursday, I got a message from the school that "Nick has done something and we're going to need to ask you a few questions".  That can never be good.  I drove to the school praying it was anything but drug related.  Anything.

To make a very confusing and stupid story short, he brought Percocet to school and gave it to a friend, who gave one to another friend.  The story is that the kid hurt his shoulder and Nick was trying to help.  He had gotten some when he hurt his ankle.  Some girl heard them talking and it sounded like a drug deal so she alerted the administration.  When confronted, he lied.  Then when truth was unavoidable, he admitted to doing it.  Because of Nick's complex way of communicating and tendency to lie, we will probable never know if this was innocent, but stupid or if there was true delinquency going on.  Unfortunately distributing narcotics is a pretty serious offence.

The sheriff was called, all three boys are suspended.  Both Nick and the other boy who gave one away are suspended until a hearing with the school board can be arranged to see if they are willing to take him back as a student.  We have no idea what will happen or how we will handle it if it goes badly.  When they declined Nick as a student, and I pulled strings to get him in there, the one thing I said was that he would not be a discipline problem.  Almost made it nine whole weeks.

On a selfish note, most of this went down on Friday, the day I was trying to set up for a wedding.  Great timing, just awesome..

Post Wedding

My computer has been down for over a week and I just can't get myself to blog on my phone.  Thank you Glade, for leaving me your laptop!  I can't post about the wedding just yet.  I'm still recovering, so reliving it this soon would be detrimental to my progress.  As of Monday, I was on official vacation.  I've done virtually nothing.  It's been awesome!  It helped that Glade was out of town those two days so I had absolutely NO ONE to be responsible to.  Well, Ok, my kids, but they love it when I choose to not be responsible.  House is a mess, eat whatever you want, no nagging.

I've run two out of the three days.  It's been good too!  I've been to the mall, got minimal groceries, out to lunch, went to the movies, watched movies in my bed, put up Halloween decorations, did some Boo-ing and slept whenever I felt like it .  Seriously fantastic.  What have my children been doing?  Well, they have been with me for some of that, but then they were left at home.  For hours.  Doing nothing but playing video games.  I mean HOURS.  Yes, they like me being on  vacation!

I also took some time to get their bikes ride-worthy.  Bo's needed some work and Katy got a new one for $20 from a neighbor.  Rhett got his working as well.  Katy hasn't been off hers ever since.  6:30 this morning she was up and at it.  She just loves riding all over.  I hate that we haven't been good at keeping their bikes in good shape.  It's been perfect weather for it.

Today I got busy.  By that I mean cleaned the garage.  It was well overdue and the weather has been really nice in the morning so we went to work.  Took us about 3 hours and it was so wonderful to pull both cars in and to be able to walk around.  That was really the last big thing nagging at me.  I have tons of little projects, but that one was big.  Now it's done!!

I haven't touched a single thing from the wedding, it's all still in boxes in the front living room.  Not until next week, I refuse.  Then I'll figure it out.  I WILL get my living room back soon. The holidays are coming and I can't wait to get out all my stuff.  The very coolest thing is that I have nothing on my plate right now except planning for the next few months.  Bring on the Fun!

Tomorrow we get Nick back to the Dr. and hopefully off crutches.  We are also going to attempt Rhett getting his permit.  I know!!  Scary.  He's not ready to drive, but I need him to get there so we might as well get moving.  Friday we'll go to grandma's and go through costumes and then Saturday is back to play practice and Brooklyn's bday party.  This fall break shaped up pretty nicely.  On that, a little side story.... Katy says to me yesterday "not being in school is weird.  Can you write me some math problems and give me a spelling test?"  Strange little girl.