Cooking Out

Dad and Clara Ruth had Sarah, Patrick, Jacob, Kelsey, Caleb and Seth (lol...the odd ball) to the farm to cook out. They had a nice time (of course!). I really do love it when my kiddos take a Saturday night and wish to spend it with grandparents! I personally see the wisdom and fun in that, it sure it neat that they do too!

Sarah

Sarah is back up and going finally! She did have a tough time over the last 2 weeks! It is nice to see her smiling again!

Daniel

Daniel is a good player. He listens to the coach and puts forth great effort! He is a strong player, he is a big boy. Sweet and mischievous. That is Daniel. Daniel is playing 1st base at most practices, he is doing well, but expect good things of Dan where ever he is!

Ryan

"Full of himself" is Ryan! He is wide open! On the field he is quick as they come. He knows what he is doing. A good solid player. He is the one the coach's call on to show everyone how to run the bases and such. He is a good guy. Now, if we can work on the meaning of "humble"!

Seth

Seth is skipping his last year of t-ball to jump up to coach pitch little league. He will be playing on Ryan and Daniels team with 6,7 and 8 year olds. At 5 he is a pretty good ball player. He can consistently hit, has a good concept of the game and most of all he loves it! At the last practice Dan batted and hit into the outfield, Dan is a big guy for his age group. Ryan hit hard line drives and was quick as lightning. Seth got up to bat, I think the coach expecting very little. And Seth hit, almost all the balls. Ending with a line drive into center field. The coach yelled, "Man, these Smotherman kids are aggressive!" If he only knew! I wanted to laugh and tell him, these three guys are the 10th, 11th and 12th boys in the family! They are bound to be tough! I love baseball and this promises to be a fun season!

Baby Girl!

What a mess this one is! Tori is the loudest, cutest, fussiest, sweetest, spoilt, funny child! She has a BIG personality! And she, like most of Daddy's girls, has her Daddy wrapped around her finger!

Easter is close:)

My mother-in-law, Nancy, sent this to me this morning. Very cute! I always love the "all I need to know..." writings, and this one seemed very appropriate since Easter is nearly here!

ALL I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LIFE I LEARNED FROM THE EASTER BUNNY

*Don't put all of your eggs in one basket.
*Walk softly and carry a big carrot.
*Everyone needs a friend who is all ears.
*All work and no play can make you a basket case.
*Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day.
*Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits.
* Keep your paws off other people's jellybeans.
*The grass is always greener in someone else's basket.
*An Easter bonnet can tame even the wildest hare.
*To show your true colors you have to come out of your shell.
*The best things in life are still sweet and gooey!

Perspective

I love perspective....it is our greatest ally or toughest competitor! Last night Jacob was asking about going this morning to do the knowledge portion of the drivers test. Jacob wanted to go early and I agreed we could. Joseph was going with us to test too. When I told him Jacob wanted to go pretty early, Joe replied "about 10 or 11?" lol...nope:) "Early" to Jacob is 7 or 8 am! We went at 8:) Funny, one person's early is another persons late!!

Privileges

Privileges....what you earn through work, good behavior, respect and ownership. Also what Carlton seems to be struggling with this week. We had to modify his behavior evaluation to accommodate Spring Break. He brings it to mom after each meal and at bedtime. Saturday he managed to "forget" to bring me the evaluation. Forget all day long! So when Sunday rolled around, I sat him down and we talked about the importance of having it filled out. Carlton can do well through the week, but he has to maintain good behavior on the weekend to keep those privileges. Right after our talk he asked for a privlege he had not earn! A big loss on the respect category of next eval....don't ask what you KNOW you have not earned. It went on and on all day, Carlton asking for what he knew he did not earn. It is days like this I want to scream "WHAT IS THE DEAL?" I did refrain from screaming on the outside:) I know it is testing, because the guy surely knows what the rules are (perhaps better than everyone else at this point!)....I just wonder why? The results did not achieve what he wanted! Just deductions on the respect category! I took this Sunday afternoon, Carlton (pouting on the couch) and Michael waiting for baseball practice.

How rumors get started!

Today I was in Chelsea's bedroom with her as she organized and moved things around. Seth had wondered in and was laying on a big fluffy body pillow while Chelsea and I talked.

We had been talking a long time when I mentioned that "Someday I'm going to have to give your bedroom to one of the little girls."

Chelsea said, "Can you wait until I get married?" (having no prospects in sight, but putting me off for a couple more years ...at least!)

At Chelsea's words Seth immediately jumped up, "Your getting MARRIED??"

We began to laugh at Seth only to realize he was very serious and at five not very understanding (we thought)..."No Seth" Chelsea replied, "I am not getting married right now."

Seth "tomorrow?"

Chelsea, realizing her dilemma said, "Don't tell anyone that Seth. You will be 15 before I marry! You'll be Jacob's age!" Which meant very little to Seth...lol

Seth said, "Can I tell Korey? He won't tell nobody!"

Realizing this was a lost battle, Chelsea agreed he could "only" tell Korey. I suppose we will have to watch our words more carefully!

And NO Chelsea is not getting married anytime in the near future:)

In the picture above is Seth, on the far right, and Korey in the middle:)

Happy Birthday Jacob!!

Today is Jacob's 15th birthday! Goodness he is growing-up fast! Of course all my children are! Jacob is really a neat guy. His first birthday present today came in the form of a tetanus shot! He, Carlton and Stuart were washing all the cars this morning (barefoot) and Jacob stepped on a rusty nail! His last tetanus shot was in 1998....so for his birthday we went to the health department. Thankfully shots are not so traumatic for Jacob! Chelsea, who came home for part of the day, stayed in the van and she didn't even have to get a shot..lol! She just doesn't like "places like that!".

Teeny Tiny Day

Seth had "teeny tiny day" at pre-school the other day. The morning before we were looking for teeny tiny things when Dad and Clara Ruth came by. Dad had some things they had found for me. In the box was my little doll house furniture I had when I was a little girl! Seth was so tickled. He found a box and we played and played. He took it to school for teeny tiny day:)

Sarah and Chance

Sandy's youngest Chance sure does love his momma!! A super sweet mommas boy! As long as Sandy has him he will smile and laugh and play with you......but if he is not with momma? He cries. Or at least he did at Granny's party. Sarah, in typical Sarah fashion, said she could hold him. Always claiming he loves her the most:) As you can see above, Sarah is smiling and silly while Chance is crying and sad! Sandy is laughing as she looks on! Several months pregnant she is always willing to "try" and see if he will make it with anyone else:) He truly does alright if you can walk out of the room....but if he sees his momma....he wants his momma:) I imagine I feel the way I do about mommas boys and girls because we have had so many children who did not have those bonds....but.... I love babies who love their momma!!

Matt and Katie

My baby brother Matt is a man. Hard to imagine! A hard worker with a great job, fun to be with and blessed with the sweetest wife! Katie is certainly Matt's better half:) Matt was 5 when Scott and I married, time sure does fly! Of my younger siblings Matt is birth brother to Christie(youngest sister). Christie is birth mom to our youngest Seth. I do think it is awfully special that Seth will have Matt as he grows up. They look so very much alike!! I took these pictures a week ago. The silly one Seth slipped into.

Worship

A few weeks ago our church installed new deacons and my friend Paige borrowed my camera to use to take pictures or the website. I still had this one on my card. This is our auditorium. You cannot see where our family sits from this picture....we sit on the opposite side (from where this was taken) in the "front side section". On the morning they installed the new deacons they asked all the existing deacons to stand up. Sarah said, "Dad's a deacon?? I didn't know that!" lol ...I wonder where our kids are sometimes? But, to give Sarah credit, she was 2 when her Daddy was installed as a deacon! Certainly a good enough reason to not "remember" but perhaps not a good one, 15 years later to not know. Scott is so private about what he does. He is not a bragger and certainly does not talk about this honor. He is a worker! Sarah, and all our kids, know that!!

Kitchen helpers!

Someday my girls will have houses of their own..... right now they are learning the skills they will need to be self sufficient and to care for others. What a great time for me when my girls (and boys) reach the age that they are capable and are willing to help!! You better believe I love helpers!!

Willie Mae and George

The day we had Granny's party was also her brother George's birthday. No one knew about the gift Willie Mae had for George! Sixty one years ago Willie Mae put George's letter man sweater in her cedar chest. She wrapped it up and brought it to the party for George. He thought the sweater was lost and had no idea it where it was! What a wonderful time to share! I cannot image saving something that long... But, am so glad Willie Mae did! It still fit! And it looked like new! George said "It ought to look good, it cost me $9.25" lol! How neat! The last picture is Willie Mae and George wearing his sweater:)

what do you want to be?

This past week of school the guidance counselor had "what do you want to be?" for the children. On the day they had guidance they dressed up as what they wanted to be when they grew up. In the picture above is Mercedez who wanted to be a dermatologist, Tasha who wanted to be a fashion model (lol...she always chooses something like this...so different from her personality!)and Daniel, who wanted to be a banker!

We had a couple of cooks, a vet, a preacher, a cowboy, a babysitter and scientist! Sounds good to mom:)

No more tonsils for Sarah!

Sarah had her tonsils removed last Tuesday, the 20th. We took these pictures on the way into the surgery center(acting as if she is mad), once right before she went into surgery(sweetly sarah!) and the following the surgery(looking a whole lot better than she felt!). Sarah really has done well! She does not feel well, but looks very good! She told me this morning she felt like a train ran over her. Tasha quickly replied, "you would be dead if you got ran over by a train!" :) Likely true, but I explained that if you did live, Sarah thought she felt like that person might feel! Sometimes I have too many quick kids!!

Granny's 86th birthday

I had some pictures printed at Wal-Mart last week. Ones we took at Granny Holt's birthday party. Clara Ruth and Dad had the nicest party for Granny's 86th birthday. We had lots of family here! A treat for everyone. My sisters Jennifer and Sandy were there with some of their families. My brothers Jon and Matthew were there with families.

Granny's brother, George, and sister, Willie Mae, were both there and each brought about half of their families. Robert, Granny's nephew, the son of her older sister Mabel (who died years ago) was there too.

Granny's other son, Jerry was there with one of his boys Wayne. And Granny's friend, Winelle Miller was there. Mrs Miller and Granny worked together for about 20 years before she retired.

In the words of Granny, "That was about one of the best parties I have ever been to, don't you think so?" lol And it was!

Sarah's flowers!

These beautiful white flowers were from Papa and ClaraRuth!


These pretty pink flowers were from Sarah's friend Morgan!

My friend Trish

My friend Trish has been here this weekend. Company is always so much fun! My kids have loved it....they love Alex and Ryan being here. Above is Mercedez with Alex, they are really good friends. I think they are scheming for lots of summertime playing! Trish actually thinks it is relaxing at my house...rofl! Glad it is relaxing to her! I have missed seeing her! We were talking, I think it has been about 6 months since I last saw her! We laughed much (hard not to with Trish here!), although we did not stay up to all hours as usual:) Trish need and got some rest:) And I had a good friend to cook with (lol and clean with). We sat in lawn chairs watching our kiddos play. What a beautiful weekend!! I am so very very very ready for Spring!!

My cockatoo

Ryan has been letting his hair grow, wanting it to get curly like Mary Lita's. He has more hair than in child in my home!! With baseball season here, it was really time for it to be buzzed! We jokingly left it long on top to look like a Mohawk. Silly guy loved it! lol But, this picture is all that remains of the cockatoo looking child!

Peter Max

I am not an art history major. I do not own art of any value to speak of. I do know what I like. Rarely have I ever thought about buying any art. BUT, the story of Peter Max is really something! His art and the patriotism he paints so deliberately does "speak" to me. It does move me. It is even more wonderful when you hear about what he gives back. Now, I do not have any color scheme remotely "red, white and blue" in my house. lol...Although IF I could afford a Peter Max picture or two? I imagine I could afford to buy furniture and have my house painted to co- ordinate:)

http://www.petermax.com/

The ground...

Mercedez, Tasha, and Sarah seemed to spend as much time on the ground as they did flipping! Usually that time on the ground was spent laughing....or as you see Tasha, just trying to catch her breath!

Double Cartwheels

Sarah spent an afternoon last week teaching Mercedez and Tasha to do double cartwheels. They will, as did Chelsea and Sarah when they learned, need lots of practice! I laughed at the silly traditions we pass down:) Double cartwheels are certianly one!

Hand standers.....

These are three of my "hand standers". Ryan(left), Sarah (middle) and Tasha(right) spent an afternoon doing tricks in the yard.

New Blog!

I have reached my picture limit on the old blog, www.thesmothermanfamily.blogspot.com

Those who know me know that I love pictures. I always did like books with pictures:) And in keeping I love blogs with pictures! This is more of a photo diary for me. So to see the old archives you can go to the site above. To see our future endeavors, stay right here:)

Dad's birthday!

We had a great day helping dad celebrate his birthday! Everyone went to church with him and ClaraRuth and then stayed for lunch and cake:) The cake was really neat.