Smith Family Ice Cream Scoop: June 2007

Sunday, June 24, 2007

More Pictures of the Cute Fish and a Boy

Cooper's Fish!

Cooper caught a nice big fish when he went fishing with Brandon, Aubrey, and Tyler. (I was at Time Out for Women.) It was sure a yummy fish! Cooper couldn't wait for me to cook it...in fact, we had to do a lot of talking to keep him from eating it raw!

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

We Love You, Megan

Cooper vs. The Mosquitos

Cooper and the mosquitos had a little run in. If you think Coop looks bad, you should see the mosquitos!

You really can't tell how bad Cooper's face looked from these pictures. He looked rather deformed. It was so sad!

Grandma's Trampoline

The kids had a blast jumping on Grandma Lynda's trampoline together. We could not stop laughing about Molly's hair! It was so hilarious, and she was so cute!

Tyler the Pirate

Tyler played with the Pirates this year! He had a fun season, and he still loves to play baseball, which is a good thing. We'll miss watching his games. Except for those days of freezing and wind.

Smith Family Christmas Party

This is our beautiful family picture from the annual Smith Family Christmas party. Melissa had us all wear the most gorgeous (okay, hideous) Christmas sweaters we could find. Brandon found all of these at the D.I. Can you believe Brandon wore a WOMENS sweater? This is probably the only picture you'll ever see of that.

Monday, June 11, 2007

Craters of the Moon

On Memorial Day, we made our 2nd Annual trip to Craters of the Moon. Grandpa and Grandma Howell, Geoff, Felicia, and Allston came with us. It was a fun day, although a bit windy (bit being an understatement), and Grandpa finally got to see the land he's been longing to see for so long!

Memories of Craters of the Moon

This is what Allston did most of the trip to Craters of the Moon. I say, fine, but you'll regret it later, Allston, when you have no memories of this place!

Geoff and Tyler inside a cave! Inside a deep dark scary cave! Inside a deep dank dark scary slippery cave. Grandpa wouldn't go in the caves, because of the deep dank dark scariness! And a little thing called claustrophobia.

Craters of the Moon--aka Craters in the Wind!

Mindy's and Aubrey's "photo shoot".

Felicia leaning back into the wind. Don't blow away, Cooper!

Grandpa had to hold on to his hat!

Seriously, I wish these pictures could portray how windy it was! The picture of Felicia leaning in the wind--is real! We really did just lean back and let the wind hold us up.

You Don't See These Sights Every Day

Some of the more interesting views of Craters of the Moon! ;)

I PROMISE!

I have lots of pictures and stuff to write about...and I will get to it this week!!! I know I have been slacking, and I know you all LIVE to read my blog, but your cravings shall soon be fulfilled. Just not today... it's Brandon's birthday, and I have to make banana cream pies in between Aubrey's violin lesson, Tyler and Cooper's swim lessons, T-ball team pictures (of which I have to be in, because I stupidly volunteered to coach...), going to the library, going to the bank... hey, I think that's all!

‎"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." — Marianne Williamson

To Do Today

* Embrace this day with an enthusiastic welcome, no matter how it looks. The covenant with God to which you are true enables you to become enlightened by him, and nothing is impossible for you.
* When you are physically sick, tired, or in despair, steer your thoughts away from yourself and direct them, in gratitude and love, toward God.
* In your life there have to be challenges. They will either bring you closer to God and therefore make you stronger, or they can destroy you. But you make the decision of which road you take.
* First and foremost, you are a spirit child of God. If you neglect to feed your spirit, you will reap unhappiness. Don't permit anything to detract you from this awareness.
* You cannot communicate with God unless you have first sacrificed your self-oriented natural man and have brought yourself into the lower levels of meekness, to become acceptable for the Light of Christ.
* Put all frustrations, hurt feelings, and grumblings into the perspective of your eternal hope. Light will flow into your soul.
* Pause to ponder the suffering Christ felt in the Garden of Gethsemane. In the awareness of the depth of gratitude for him, you appreciate every opportunity to show your love for him by diligently serving in his Church.
* God knows that you are not perfect. As you suffer about your imperfections, he will give you comfort and suggestions of where to improve.
* God knows better than you what you need. He always attempts to speak to you. Listen, and follow the uncomfortable suggestions that he makes to us--everything will fall into its place.
* Avoid any fear like your worst enemy, but magnify your fear about the consequences of sin.
* When you cannot love someone, look into that person's eyes long enough to find the hidden rudiments of the child of God in him.
* Never judge anyone. When you accept this, you will be freed. In the case of your own children or subordinates, where you have the responsibility to judge, help them to become their own judges.
* If someone hurts you so much that your feelings seem to choke you, forgive and you will be free again.
* Avoid at all cost any pessimistic, negative, or criticizing thoughts. If you cannot cut them out, they will do you harm. On the road toward salvation, let questions arise but never doubts. If something is wrong, God will give you clarity but never doubts.
* Avoid rush and haste and uncontrolled words. Divine light develops in places of peace and quiet. Be aware of that as you enter places of worship.
* Be not so much concerned about what you do, but do what you do with all your heart, might, and strength. In thoroughness is satisfaction.
* You want to be good and to do good. That is commendable. But the greatest achievement that can be reached in our lives is to be under the complete influence of the Holy Ghost. Then he will teach us what is really good and necessary to do.
* The pain of sacrifice lasts only one moment. It is the fear of the pain of sacrifice that makes you hesitate to do it.
* Be grateful for every opportunity to serve. It helps you more than those you serve.
* And finally, when you are compelled to give up something or when things that are dear to you are withdrawn from you, know that this is your lesson to be learned right now. But know also that, as you are learning this lesson, God wants to give you something better.

from "Unleashing the Dormant Spirit by F. Enzio Busche