One of the Many Reasons I Love Suzy

I've been meaning to blog for a few days, but I haven't thought of anything blog worthy....until now.  Suzy sent me this message today, and I laughed so hard that I felt like sharing.

15 things you are NOT required to know how to do in order to get a doctorate:

1. How to assemble non-ugly three-year review binders.
2. How to share empty cardboard boxes with one's playmates.
3. How to not handle all of the cookies when selecting one's favorite.
4. How to not lose dozens of sharpies regularly.
5. How to use a copier.
6. How to selectively print a FEW pages out of MASSIVE documents.
7. How to clean a scanner after getting sand all over it.
8. How to convert word documents to pdfs.
9. How to notice if mailboxes are ordered alphabetically.
10. How to sing the alphabet in one's head.
11. How to get an automatic stapler to staple.
12. How to keep an automatic stapler from rapid firing.
13. How to write polite things on co-worker's birthday cards.
14. How to respond to important emails.

and finally...

15. How to NOT BE AWKWARD!!!

With all my love,
from a quasi scientist to the real deal,
Suzanne

PS: All of the above are based on real experiences, many of which have happened since noon today.

ISN'T SHE HILARIOUS?

Merry Christmas!

Today we woke up bright and early (I wouldn’t have minded sleeping in…but some of my brothers and sisters are still young children at heart.)  Christmas morning was a lot of fun this year.  Santa Claus brought fun things.  My mom is a little sad that Santa doesn’t shop at the toy store anymore, but I think big kid toys are just as good.

For Christmas this year the kids had a lot of fun shopping for Mom and Dad.  We facelifted our mom’s laundry room, with a new shelf, ironing board, rod for hanging clothes, and paint.  We bought out dad a new binding for his waterski.  Both of them were very excited about their presents, which is the best part. 

This afternoon we went to Grandma and Grandpa Harper’s house for dinner, and then we hit the road to head to Grandma Smith’s.  We’re lucky to live so close to family.

Christmas was really great this year.  I find that the older I get, the more I look forward to the giving part, and the less I’m concerned about what I’ll be getting.  I think that’s the way it’s supposed to be.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Today was the same as most Christmas Eves at the Smith house.  We baked a LOT.  Some people were sewing.  We watched "Christmas with the Kranks" and listened to the Carpenter's Christmas album.

Tonight we went to Grandma and Grandpa Harper's house to spend time with my mom's family.  Uncle David and Aunt Elaine's kids acted out the nativity while we read from Luke 2.  Jared was the donkey...

When we got home Dad helped us put together the finishing touches on Mom's present...probably more on that later.

Now Suzy, Haley and I are holed up in my old room.  Suzy wanted to have a Christmas Eve sleepover.  The last time the three of us attempted a sleepover it didn't go so well.  It turns out Suzy isn't very good at sharing...  We decided to give it another shot, in the spirit of Christmas and togetherness and peace on earth, etc.  If it works, I will wake in the spirit of hallelujah.

Jared's Birthday

Today my baby brother turned 18.  Weird.  I don't think I realize that I've gotten older until people younger than me start to get old.  I suppose I can't still be seventeen if Jared is getting ready to graduate.

Daniel got home from Provo late tonight, so we waited to open presents until after he arrived.  Jared's been pretty sick these past few days, but I think he's finally starting to feel a little better.  There didn't seem to be any sign of bacterial infection when he found out that he has a new set of free weights....

Jared is a good kid and a great brother.  We're lucky that he's part of our family.  This time next year he'll be getting his mission call.  He's already excited.  Sometimes it's hard to watch my little brother and sisters grow up.  I am so lucky to have the family that I do.

Family Shmamily

Today I went with my mom and Suzy to Idaho Falls.  Suzy and I dropped my mom off at the Idaho Falls temple and then went to the mall to finish our Christmas shopping.  (I'm *still* not done....sigh...)

We also went to lunch with three of my mom's brothers and their wives.  This time of year I see a lot of my extended family, and it's always fun to do some catching up.  I'm always amazed at how big my cousins get between holidays. 

Tonight I also got to go watch Jared's wrestling match.  I think I am much to faint-hearted to watch much wrestling.  It's way too intense for me.  When I expressed that to my mother, she rolled her eyes and told me to "just wait 'til it's my kid."  Apparently that makes it harder to watch.

Top 10 Best Things About Being Home

In my opinion, the top 10 best things about being home for Christmas (aside from seeing my family, which is obviously the best part).  These are in no particular order:

*Waking up after it's already light outside

*Staying in my pajamas as long as I want

*Large variety of entertainment

*Seemingly endless supply of ingredients in the cupboards

*Doing laundry for FREE :)

*Wrapping presents

*Not being responsible to prepare my own dinner

*Having a real piano

*Drinking hot chocolate by the fire place

*Having a Christmas tree that's too big to sit on the end table

Plus, it's looking like it's going to be a white Christmas!  (Christmas, of course, being the only time that snow is acceptable....)

Good to be Home

It feels so good to be home with one more semester under my belt.  Overall I think things went pretty well.  I am so exhausted from the last four months, and the last week in particular.

Tomorrow I get to go to Jared's wrestling match.  I am pretty excited, although wrestling is a hard sport for me to watch.  It's so intense.  I probably need to toughen up.

Tomorrow I'm also decorating the family Christmas tree.  Apparently life is busy in Blackfoot as well as Provo, and while the tree is standing, its decorations are all still in their boxes around the bottom.  Should be fun!

The Honest Truth

Tonight I really just feel stressed, overwhelmed, grumpy and hungry.  I don't really feel like blogging.  My computer is out of batteries and I'm only sleeping for a couple of hours tonight.

On the bright side, my roommates opened Christmas gifts tonight, and I live with the sweetest girls.  They are so thoughtful and I love all of my gifts.

By this time tomorrow I expect my mood to be much improved.  Please tune in next time.

<3

Good News

*Tomorrow night I'm having a Raisin with the Domestic Goddesses.

*This weekend I get to go home to spend Christmas break with my family.

*I am officially official to graduate in April.

*I am completely done with all me GE classes.

*Jared did awesome in his wrestling tournament today.

*There are only 104 days until March 24th.

Life is good!

Daniel's Birthday

Tomorrow is Daniel's birthday.  He's turning 23.  To celebrate, my parents brought Jared and Haley to Grandma Smith's house where Suzy, Daniel and I met them for dinner.  It was the first time that we'd all been together for Daniel's birthday in four years.  For his 19th birthday party we all went to Tucanos to celebrate his mission call to Brazil.  Tonight we ate prime rib and my favorite chocolate cake.  It was so good to see my family.  It gave me incentive to live through finals in order to see them again next week.  I cannot wait...

The last time everyone was together for Daniel's birthday. Everyone has grown so much!

I am Grateful for my Dad

Some of my earliest memories are of being rocked to sleep every night to the sound of my dad singing primary songs. He would count my piggies and sing until I fell asleep.

I remember when I was ten and I fell off the monkey bars at school and broke my collar bone. My dad came to take me to the doctor. He still tells people that I was too tough to cry.

I love that my dad can’t wait to give presents. I love that my dad can be counted on to pull my toes or count my ribs at least once every time I’m home. I love that my dad tells the wide-mouth frog joke in Spanish. And I love that I’ve never had to wonder if my dad felt that his family was important.

So, to the dad who taught me how to throw a ball harder than the boys, change the oil, wire an outlet, rotate the tires, and run the air compressor…

To the dad who tells me I’m beautiful, who understands the importance of pretty dresses, and who sings to me even now that I’m grown up…

To the dad that is both my biggest hero and my biggest fan…

Thank you for always taking such good care of me. 
 I love you.

I am Grateful for my Mom

Today was the deadline for the large research paper in my capstone class.  As is my usual, I was writing it right down to the wire.  In my time of great stress and anxiety, I called  my mom.  I always call my mom.  At least two or three times a day.  Some days five or six or eight times.  Moms were the best idea.  And my mom is the best mom.

Today I baked a batch of fortune cookies.  Yesterday I baked gingerbread cookies.  Tomorrow I need to bake bread.  I love to bake, and I know how to bake because of my mom.

When I was baking today and yesterday, I was wearing the apron I sewed over Thanksgiving break.  It's really cute, and I know how to sew because of my mom.

The list of things my mom has done for me is endless.  From shoe tying and reading to clothes matching and mascara applying, she has taught me so much.  I will never be able to repay her.

"All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother."  --Abraham Lincoln

I am Grateful for the Plan of Salvation

Today in church I was struck by how grateful I am for my testimony and my knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. Knowledge of the Plan of Happiness, or God's plan for his children on earth, gives me hope. Knowing that I am a daughter of a Heavenly Father and that he loves me helps give my life a direction and a meaning. I am grateful every day for a loving Father in Heaven who only wants the best for me and is willing to guide me as I make decisions. I am also grateful for my agency--that Heavenly Father has given me the ability to choose for myself the path I want to take, even if it's not the best path.

My favorite part of the Plan of Salvation is that I can live forever with my family. My family is the greatest source of joy in my life, and I cannot imagine how empty eternity would feel without them. I know that the relationships I have with my parents, brothers and sisters can continue, even after our mortal lives have ended. With that goal in mind, I strive everyday to do my very best. Although I fall short at times, I know that Jesus Christ atoned for my sins and if I am willing to repent, He can make up the difference. I am so grateful for the Plan of Salvation and the infinite wisdom of our Heavenly Father.

I was also so grateful tonight for the opportunity to get to listen to the Prophet speak.  If you didn't get a chance to hear the First Presidency Christmas Devotional, you can find it here.

(Big) Little Brother

Jared was the lead tackler in the Snake River Homecoming football game on Friday.

Courtesy of the Blackfoot Morning News:
"Jared Smith holds on tight for a tackle in the Salmon back field on Friday night."



My little brother is so legit.

My Brothers and Sisters: A Tribute

Today Jared and Haley went back to school.  Jared is a senior; Haley started eighth grade.

Spending time with my family always makes me reflect on my brothers and sisters, and the incredible people that they are.  Because this is my blog and I can write whatever I want, I'm going to brag a little.


DANIEL

My brother Daniel is the oldest.  For most of my life I've been following in his footsteps, and it's always been a pretty great place to be.  I feel good about following him, because I know he'll never steer me wrong.  Daniel and I are both graduating from BYU this April.  I will have earned my degree in four years...he'll only have taken three (getting nearly perfect grades in the meantime.)  Daniel's talents are many.  He sings and plays the piano beautifully.  He's very smart and knows more about syntax and phonetics than any person I know.  He is amazingly determined and has an inner motivation and willpower that I admire and envy.  From 2007-2009 he dedicated his time and talents to serving a mission for our church in Brazil, showing me by his example the things that are most important to him.

Singing with BYU Men's Chorus

On his mission in Brazil

SUZANNE

 

Suzanne is one of the funniest, smartest, goofiest, nicest people that I know.  She loves plants, particularly flowers, and is an aspiring landscape architect.  When she achieves her dream, because I have no doubt that she will, she is going to be amazing.  Suzy is also one of the most compassionate people that I know.  Every day she tells me about how she wants to make the world a better place one underprivileged child at a time.  She is also one of the most well-rounded people I know; she plays the piano and the kazoo, loves to ride her dirt bike, plays soccer and softball, and is in love with all things that sparkle.  Suzy was the driving force that kept me going as I trained to run a half marathon last winter.  I never would have made it without her.  I think that metaphor holds true in many areas of my life.  Suzy is a great example to me in many aspects of my life.

Riding her dirt bike

2008-2009 Junior Miss

JARED

If only every little brother in the world was as great as my little brother...  Jared is big and strong, but also kind and friendly.  He is one of the hardest workers I know.  In the past few years I have watched him grow from an awkward little kid with a big grin and lots of knees and elbows to a fit and athletic young man with a big grin and lots of muscles.  But always the big grin.  Jared excels in school, on the football field, and on the wrestling mat.  He also plays the piano very well, though he sometimes hesitates to admit it, and he likes to draw.  He rides his dirt bike, plays paintball, water skis, and looks out for Haley.  Jared is an Eagle Scout and he has a strong testimony.  He is planning on and preparing for his mission, and I am so proud.  Although he really is huge--and seemingly growing all the time--Jared is a little softie on the inside.  I always know that when I come home, he'll be waiting by the door to give me a big hug (and maybe also to jump out and scare me.) 

Playing football

Water skiing, Summer 2009

HALEY

Haley is the caboose.  I was in second grade when she was born, so when she became a teenager earlier this year, I really felt quite dated.  When Haley was born I was so excited.  I promised myself that I was going to be the best big sister in the world.  Sometimes I wonder how I've done.  Haley is growing up to be a very accomplished young lady.  She sings and has been involved in the last couple of school musicals--the beginning of what looks to be a promising hobby.  Haley has some big shoes to fill, but she holds her own, always bringing something original and distinctly 'her' to the table.  She enjoys playing softball, and is very good at several positions, including catcher, third base, first base and outfield.  She also hits the ball harder than any thirteen-year-old has business doing.  I love to watch her play because she is so much better than I was at her age.  Haley has always had a vivid imagination and an extensive vocabulary for someone her age.  Every time I see her she is older and more grown up.  I hear her play the piano and feel amazed that that talented young lady could be my baby sister.

Solo at a choir concert

Playing catcher

Admit it.  If you were me, you'd brag too.

Miscellaneous Hodge-podge

Recent goings-on:

*Jelly-roll quilt

 *Disneyland with the family

*Organic chemistry

A few neat websites I've stumbled across:

Day Zero Project: 101 Things in 1001 Days

Gives Me Hope

Operation Beautiful

Free Rice

New Favorite Song: 

Swim by Jack's Mannequin

These are a Few of my Favorite Things

*Playing catch

*Red fingernails

 *Cold milk

*Glee

*The color blue

*Curly Girl Designs

*Apples with chunky peanut butter

*Baking cookies

 

*Polka-dots

*My family

*Office supplies

*Reading

*Talking on the phone

 

*Song lyrics

*Thunder storms

*Barbecue sauce

*Physiology

Whatnot

It's been a while since I wrote anything.  Life has pretty  much been business as usual.  I'm really enjoying my classes this semester.  While I could probably write pages and pages about how amazing physiology is, I will spare you.  It's bizarre to me that no one else finds it as fascinating as I do, but I try to be understanding :)

I finished a book on my reading list:  "The Hunt for Red October."  It was really good.  I wish I had more spare time, because it's almost embarrassing how long it took me to read the whole thing.  Right now I'm working on a book assigned to me for a political science class, so my reading list is on temporary hiatus.

Tonight was my roommate Kim's birthday.  Suzy wanted to make her a cake that my neighbors have euphemistically named 'Better than Spuds Cake' but when she mentioned it, she only called it 'Spuds Cake.'  Kim was a bit concerned about a cake made with potatoes, but Suzy quickly reassured her that the hash browns rehydrate during the baking process and take on the chocolaty flavor.  The elaborate stories that Suzy ad libs always amaze me.  For four days Kim was steeling herself to be brave as she ate the 'Spuds Cake,' determined to be open-minded and polite.  The poor thing.  Pretty soon all of our roommates were in on the secret, and only Kim was left to worry about what kind of people actually put potatoes in birthday cake.  Tonight we ate it.  She was such a trooper.  After her first bite, she asked where the hash browns were.  By that point we were all laughing so hard that she realized she had been had.  Happy 20th Kim!

In Relief Society yesterday we learned about the new Mormon.org website.  Members have been encouraged to go to the site and create profiles, much like the profiles on social networking sites like Facebook.  On your profile you post a picture of yourself and answer questions about your life and your beliefs.  These profiles are available to the public (but not any private information) and will be used as a tool by missionaries to help investigators.  If you want to make your own profile, click here.  When your profile is complete, you can even choose to link it to your Facebook or Twitter account or your blog.

My Relief Society is also starting a 90-Day Book of Mormon reading challenge.  If you'd like to download a chart and read along, click here.

School and work are good.  Life is great.  I'm really looking forward to the long weekend coming up!

I am a Runner

I've always had admiration for people who are 'runners.'  I got running shoes for Christmas 2009 and I decided to give running a try.  In January I started running with Suzy every day.  And I hated it.  Suzy ran a half-marathon last October, and she was thinking about doing another one.  She asked me if I would train with her and run the half in August.  After much deliberation I decided that I could probably be in shape to run 13 miles by August, so I agreed.  Then she changed her mind; there was a half-marathon in Provo that she wanted to run.  It was in May.  And I had already agreed to run with her.  I was stuck.

For the last four months we have been training.  Suzy is a pretty good coach, and we did a good job of sticking to our running schedule, although sometimes running had to take a back seat to school or work.  Yesterday was the big event.  I was so nervous. The day was cloudy and chilly.  Right as the cannon shot signaled the beginning of the race it started to rain.  It rained pretty much the whole time, except for when it was snowing. 

Around mile 10 I was looking around at the people Suzy and I were running near and feeling so impressed by all of them.  Then I had the realization:  I am a runner.  Yesterday I ran 13.1 miles without stopping.  I didn't go fast--it took a little over two hours for me to finish the race.  But I ran the whole way.  That makes me a runner.  And I am so proud of myself.

Before...

Eating a power bar/trying not to freeze to death!

Starting...

Almost finished!

After!

With some family and friends that came to watch

Home Again, Home Again

Suzy, Melissa and Haley, March 26, 2010

This weekend Suzy and I played hookie from school and came home to surprise Haley for her birthday.  I can't believe that my baby sister is a teenager.  Friday Haley, Suzy, Mom and I went to lunch with Dad and then  spent the rest of the day shopping and hanging out, just the girls.  It was so much fun.  I wish I could come home every weekend.