Dear Family,
December was quite an eventful month for our family. Most of you met the reason at the Christmas party. His name is Rodney Smith. He is marrying our daughter Laralyn. They were good friends during high school; however, they didn’t date before he went on his mission to New Jersey. He returned in October, and it didn’t take them long to get engaged. Their wedding plans are: Date-March 13th; Place-Timpanogus Temple; Reception Place-to be decided; and Colors-pink, green and brown. Laralyn has already bought her dress, which is very beautiful.
I must say, it came as quite a surprise when I received a call at work from this recently returned missionary, who had been seeing a lot of Laralyn for the past few weeks, when he said he wanted to meet with me. I figured that could only mean one thing, but so soon? After agreeing to meet with him, I called Laralyn and said, “You better start talking!” She said they loved each other and wanted to get married. Laurie and I met with him a few nights later. He really is a very fine young man and there is nothing about him that is not to like. He is very respectful, kind, and loves Laralyn very much. He would have to, she can be a pretty big handful. Anyway, we are very excited for them both and wish them our very best as they prepare to start their lives together.
It was cute when they came over to talk to the kids about their getting married and Laralyn started the “Send a Whisper Around the Room” game. She whispered “Laralyn and Rodney are getting married” to Mollie. She then whispered it to the person next to her. Well, none of the kids believed that what they were hearing was what Laralyn actually said to Mollie. When it came back the same as it had left, and Laralyn confirmed that it was true, it still took some of the kids a while to let it sink in. Macall was hyperventilating and after about 5 minutes, Bryce asked, “So are you really getting married?” Anyway, it was cute.
Our Holidays were great, except for a little stomach flu. Of course, as usual, Laurie did all the work getting ready for Christmas and I just got to enjoy being home. She really does spoil me. Both Bethany and Laralyn were at home, so we had all 8 kids again for a few weeks. It was probably the last time our kids will all be single and at home together. Bethany started back at Utah State today. Laralyn just got a job today at Rise, a program that works with kids with disabilities. A few weeks ago, I got to go with Dave to see his cabin. That was a lot of fun. We wish you all a very Happy New Year!
Darrell, Laurie and kids
Monday, January 7, 2008
Sunday, December 2, 2007
December Entry
Merry Christmas and Winter Wonderland. What better way to get in spirit of Christmas than a good hard winter storm. November may have been fall, but December sure blew in with a winter storm. Yesterday was December 1st and it snowed most of the day. We probably got 5-6 inches of snow. The kids couldn't wait to get outside and play in the snow. They built, while it was still snowing, an 8 foot snowman in the back yard. Definitely the largest snowman I have ever seen. The bottom ball had to be at least 4 feet in diameter. I don't know how long it will stay standing, when we got home from church today, it was leaning at about a 20% angle.
Last night, the whole family, we rarely do anything as a whole family, went to the BYU folkdancers Christmas Around the World. It was very well done. Boy, there are some very talented kids down at the Y. We went because Laurie's nephew and the kid's cousin, Collin Slade, was one of the dancers in it. It was a lot of fun and it was a great way to get in the spirit of Christmas. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We enjoyed it at home with Laurie's sister, Lani, and her family joining us from Sheridan, Wyoming. It was fun to see them and spend some time together. Bethany came down from Logan and Laralyn was back and forth all weekend from Provo. Laralyn has a new job working for a telephone surveying company. It seems like in all her jobs she winds up on the phone a lot. We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Darrell, Laurie and kids
Last night, the whole family, we rarely do anything as a whole family, went to the BYU folkdancers Christmas Around the World. It was very well done. Boy, there are some very talented kids down at the Y. We went because Laurie's nephew and the kid's cousin, Collin Slade, was one of the dancers in it. It was a lot of fun and it was a great way to get in the spirit of Christmas. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. We enjoyed it at home with Laurie's sister, Lani, and her family joining us from Sheridan, Wyoming. It was fun to see them and spend some time together. Bethany came down from Logan and Laralyn was back and forth all weekend from Provo. Laralyn has a new job working for a telephone surveying company. It seems like in all her jobs she winds up on the phone a lot. We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Darrell, Laurie and kids
Sunday, November 4, 2007
November Newsletter
I hope everyone got through October ok. We did, Halloween and all. We had a chance to attend the Regional Conference a few weeks ago down at the conference center and enjoyed the spirit of being in the same room as the prophet. His council to couples to have a successful marriage was wonderful. His 4 points, for those that weren't there, were 1) Mutual Respect, 2) Soft Answer, 3) Financial Honesty, and 4) Family Prayer.
For an update of things around here, there isn't anything of tremendous note that I can think of. Four of the kids started back taking piano lessons and they have a recital this next week for which they have been preparing. Macall enjoys playing beautiful music, and Shane has really picked up playing the piano very quickly. They all enjoy their new teacher who they say if very nice.
I was reminded this past week of how very little many people know of what LDS people really believe. We have a new sales person working for my company who lives in the Denver area. Since joining our company she has expressed a great deal of interest in learning about the "Mormons". She often asks us various questions about our church. She even asked for a Book of Mormon to read. Well, this past week as I was in Denver working with her, she was reluctant to ask a question, but she finally got it out. She had heard about polygamy and the church and wanted to know what the truth was. Of course it gave me the opportunity to let her know that we no longer practice polygamy. I am sure that there are a lot of people around the world who think we still do.
A few weeks ago, we had Sarah take some picture of our family. They turned out very well and I must say I was very impressed. If anyone in the family is looking to have their family portraits taken we have a very talented photographer right here in the family. Thanks Sarah for doing such a great job.
We love you all and wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Darrell, Laurie and the kids.
For an update of things around here, there isn't anything of tremendous note that I can think of. Four of the kids started back taking piano lessons and they have a recital this next week for which they have been preparing. Macall enjoys playing beautiful music, and Shane has really picked up playing the piano very quickly. They all enjoy their new teacher who they say if very nice.
I was reminded this past week of how very little many people know of what LDS people really believe. We have a new sales person working for my company who lives in the Denver area. Since joining our company she has expressed a great deal of interest in learning about the "Mormons". She often asks us various questions about our church. She even asked for a Book of Mormon to read. Well, this past week as I was in Denver working with her, she was reluctant to ask a question, but she finally got it out. She had heard about polygamy and the church and wanted to know what the truth was. Of course it gave me the opportunity to let her know that we no longer practice polygamy. I am sure that there are a lot of people around the world who think we still do.
A few weeks ago, we had Sarah take some picture of our family. They turned out very well and I must say I was very impressed. If anyone in the family is looking to have their family portraits taken we have a very talented photographer right here in the family. Thanks Sarah for doing such a great job.
We love you all and wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Darrell, Laurie and the kids.
Monday, October 8, 2007
October Newsletter Entry
I felt bad after reminding everyone last night at the talent show to write their monthly newsletter knowing that I had not written mine either. So I guess I had better write something before any grass grows under me. We send our congratulations and love to Denise and Jonathan on their new little Elizabeth. After a very rocky start to life, we were glad to hear last night that she would be coming home soon. We took our whole family to the park and Sarah took pictures of everyone. It doesn’t seem that long ago when we did the same thing up the canyon in the fall amongst all the fall colors. But wow, have they all grown up in last 4 years. Bethany is now taller than Laralyn, Macall has almost passed up Bethany and Austin has passed up them all, and will probably soon be taller than me. Of course they all passed up their mom a long time ago. Soon she will be the shortest one in the family. But of course that is only in height. She has us all beat in spiritual height. The other day, our home teacher, who was recently called as our Bishop, Bishop Dave Davis, came over to home teach us. He took a moment to complement and thank Laurie for a very impactful visit she had recently made to a past member of our ward, Donna. He had recently gone to visit her and she commented to him about Laurie’s visit to her a few days earlier. Although our ward recently spent thousands of hours helping her move, she has been very bitter about some things, both towards the church (she is a recent convert), and the ward members. She was expressing her regrets for the way she had been so awful towards Laurie during her visit to her, and yet Laurie responded in a very Christ like loving way, and because of her response to her awfulness her heart was touched and she realized how unkind she had been and what Christianity is all about. The Bishop took the time to thank Laurie for her kindness towards Donna. Now Laurie isn’t going to like that I wrote this in the newsletter, but oh well, call it payback for the Donna story she wrote about me a couple months ago. We look forward to the upcoming holidays and wish you all a wonderful October.
Love Darrell, Laurie and the kids.
Love Darrell, Laurie and the kids.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Darrell's September newsletter entry
Dear Family,
August was a rather unusual month for our family. Laurie started it off by taking off to see her sister who just moved to Wyoming. She was gone for a few days. That is the first time she has ever taken off on her own like that. When she got back, she and Laralyn flew to southern California to take care of Laurie’s mother. Laurie was gone for about a week and a half. Laralyn came home a little sooner than that. I took those days off work and we had a family vacation with those who stayed home. We just made small trips to fun places here in the Salt Lake area. That is the first time we have done that. We also spent a lot of time replacing the back patio during that week and a half. As soon as Laurie got back we took Bethany up to Logan to go to school at Utah State. That was Bethany’s first time to move out of the home, and our first to go to school at Utah State. Then Laralyn moved back down to Provo to go to BYU. That wasn’t a first. The kids all started school and for the kids in elementary school they are going to the school near our home which is a first in about 10 years. Laurie doesn’t have to drive kids back and forth to Willow Creek every day. That is a very welcome first. The local school finally changed to a traditional schedule. This is Austin’s first year in High School. This is Bryce’s first year in Middle School. He has decided to play the tuba. What a monster of an instrument. I just opened up a new office outside of Utah. That is a first for my company. We are expanding into the Denver, Colorado area. So as you can see we have had a lot of first this past month. Definitely, it was not a usual month at our home. We are all doing pretty well and everyone seems pretty healthy. We send our love to all of you and hope you can enjoy the beautiful fall colors soon to be upon us.
August was a rather unusual month for our family. Laurie started it off by taking off to see her sister who just moved to Wyoming. She was gone for a few days. That is the first time she has ever taken off on her own like that. When she got back, she and Laralyn flew to southern California to take care of Laurie’s mother. Laurie was gone for about a week and a half. Laralyn came home a little sooner than that. I took those days off work and we had a family vacation with those who stayed home. We just made small trips to fun places here in the Salt Lake area. That is the first time we have done that. We also spent a lot of time replacing the back patio during that week and a half. As soon as Laurie got back we took Bethany up to Logan to go to school at Utah State. That was Bethany’s first time to move out of the home, and our first to go to school at Utah State. Then Laralyn moved back down to Provo to go to BYU. That wasn’t a first. The kids all started school and for the kids in elementary school they are going to the school near our home which is a first in about 10 years. Laurie doesn’t have to drive kids back and forth to Willow Creek every day. That is a very welcome first. The local school finally changed to a traditional schedule. This is Austin’s first year in High School. This is Bryce’s first year in Middle School. He has decided to play the tuba. What a monster of an instrument. I just opened up a new office outside of Utah. That is a first for my company. We are expanding into the Denver, Colorado area. So as you can see we have had a lot of first this past month. Definitely, it was not a usual month at our home. We are all doing pretty well and everyone seems pretty healthy. We send our love to all of you and hope you can enjoy the beautiful fall colors soon to be upon us.
Friday, September 7, 2007
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Darrell's September Newsletter
Darrell headed off to Denver just as this newsletter was due (BIG mistake), now it is left to me to update ya'all on the happenings around here--for good, for bad or otherwise.
The end of August brought the beginning of school (yepee!).
We took Bethany up to Logan on the 21st, and her first Connections class started on the 22nd. It took her a couple of days to adjust to college life (she wanted to come home when she found out that her text books were going to cost her $400--welcome to reality), but she is now enjoying herself (who needs money for food when you have text books to read?). She seems to have some fun roommates, so we are hoping for a fun and growing year up there.
Bryce had his first half-day of school on the 23rd (the seventh graders go for half a day to get oriented before they unleashed the older mob in the halls). He came home just a little intimidated, but he has adjusted fine--just fine. He is taking beginning band and is learning to play the tuba (joy), which came home today. This should be an interesting year.
Laralyn moved back down to BYU on Friday the 24th (I got to help her with that project, it also got me out of attending the work Luau--thankfully). She wanted to be moved in before all of her roommates got there. We went "shopping" at Donna's during her garage sale this summer and Laralyn got some nice things to decorate her apartment. She was afraid that her roommates would come in and plaster the walls with football posters. Plus that, I think she was tired to living at home and anxious to be out on her own again (that is until she wanted me to pay for her bus pass and load her fridge with food).
Austin, Macall, Shane and Miranda all started back to school on the 27th. This is Austin's first year at Alta ("How was your first day, Austin?" "Huh? Boring.") Apparently it is not an adjustment for him.
Macall is the "big man" on campus now that she is in 9th grade. We are hoping that 9th grade will bring more responsibility in turning in her homework. We made her freedom directly proportional to her grades. Hopefully that will get her attention. I truly don't understand doing homework and just not turning it in ("She didn't ask for it!" "And? You didn't know it was due?" "Yes, but she didn't tell us to turn it in." "Arrrrrrrrg!")
Shane and Miranda started a new elementary school this year. After 10 years of driving across town to Brookwood, my kids are now attending our neighborhood school (Draper Elementary). Draper went back to a traditional calendar this year (I feel that it was an answer to prayers--the way everything just fell into place. Someday that will have to be another story.) So, with a heavy heart and many mixed feelings I pulled them out of the only school they have known and threw them to the wolves (it develops character!). Now after two weeks, they are adjusting. They still say they like Brookwood better, but I'm sure that will change with time. They do have friends at Draper--I'm not THAT mean.
Mollie and I are adjusting back to being the only ones at home during the day. She really is ready for more structure. After the kids leave at 8, she starts in with, "Mom, will you play a game with me?" "Mom, will you read me a story?" I need to get my act together and have some fun activities ready for her, BUT that'll have to wait until tomorrow--heeheehee!
Darrell was just called as the second counselor in the YM's presidency/Scoutmaster (they are combining the two positions in our ward). I think he would be excited if he didn't feel that it is such an uphill battle (lots of retraining other leaders--the boys are fine). Things have been such a mess in our ward over the past several years, but we just got a new bishopric (Dave Davis-Bishop, Kevin Cox-2nd counselor, Bruce Gwilliam-ex. sec. . . .that's for Denise and Jonathan--they used to live in the Brinley's ward), and we can see some really good and needed changes on the wall. We are excited!
Darrell also remains busy at work. He is in Denver trying to "build business" in a new area. When Mom and Dad came for Mollie's birthday, Darrell caught Dad's ear and talked and talked about his work. Dad is a good sport--no one around here wants to listen to "work talk" anymore. It really is the only thing that makes Darrell truly happy (well, besides me--of course!)
Well, I guess I should probably stop here. . . .my next stories should probably be kept quiet . . . .so until next time. . . .
The end of August brought the beginning of school (yepee!).
We took Bethany up to Logan on the 21st, and her first Connections class started on the 22nd. It took her a couple of days to adjust to college life (she wanted to come home when she found out that her text books were going to cost her $400--welcome to reality), but she is now enjoying herself (who needs money for food when you have text books to read?). She seems to have some fun roommates, so we are hoping for a fun and growing year up there.
Bryce had his first half-day of school on the 23rd (the seventh graders go for half a day to get oriented before they unleashed the older mob in the halls). He came home just a little intimidated, but he has adjusted fine--just fine. He is taking beginning band and is learning to play the tuba (joy), which came home today. This should be an interesting year.
Laralyn moved back down to BYU on Friday the 24th (I got to help her with that project, it also got me out of attending the work Luau--thankfully). She wanted to be moved in before all of her roommates got there. We went "shopping" at Donna's during her garage sale this summer and Laralyn got some nice things to decorate her apartment. She was afraid that her roommates would come in and plaster the walls with football posters. Plus that, I think she was tired to living at home and anxious to be out on her own again (that is until she wanted me to pay for her bus pass and load her fridge with food).
Austin, Macall, Shane and Miranda all started back to school on the 27th. This is Austin's first year at Alta ("How was your first day, Austin?" "Huh? Boring.") Apparently it is not an adjustment for him.
Macall is the "big man" on campus now that she is in 9th grade. We are hoping that 9th grade will bring more responsibility in turning in her homework. We made her freedom directly proportional to her grades. Hopefully that will get her attention. I truly don't understand doing homework and just not turning it in ("She didn't ask for it!" "And? You didn't know it was due?" "Yes, but she didn't tell us to turn it in." "Arrrrrrrrg!")
Shane and Miranda started a new elementary school this year. After 10 years of driving across town to Brookwood, my kids are now attending our neighborhood school (Draper Elementary). Draper went back to a traditional calendar this year (I feel that it was an answer to prayers--the way everything just fell into place. Someday that will have to be another story.) So, with a heavy heart and many mixed feelings I pulled them out of the only school they have known and threw them to the wolves (it develops character!). Now after two weeks, they are adjusting. They still say they like Brookwood better, but I'm sure that will change with time. They do have friends at Draper--I'm not THAT mean.
Mollie and I are adjusting back to being the only ones at home during the day. She really is ready for more structure. After the kids leave at 8, she starts in with, "Mom, will you play a game with me?" "Mom, will you read me a story?" I need to get my act together and have some fun activities ready for her, BUT that'll have to wait until tomorrow--heeheehee!
Darrell was just called as the second counselor in the YM's presidency/Scoutmaster (they are combining the two positions in our ward). I think he would be excited if he didn't feel that it is such an uphill battle (lots of retraining other leaders--the boys are fine). Things have been such a mess in our ward over the past several years, but we just got a new bishopric (Dave Davis-Bishop, Kevin Cox-2nd counselor, Bruce Gwilliam-ex. sec. . . .that's for Denise and Jonathan--they used to live in the Brinley's ward), and we can see some really good and needed changes on the wall. We are excited!
Darrell also remains busy at work. He is in Denver trying to "build business" in a new area. When Mom and Dad came for Mollie's birthday, Darrell caught Dad's ear and talked and talked about his work. Dad is a good sport--no one around here wants to listen to "work talk" anymore. It really is the only thing that makes Darrell truly happy (well, besides me--of course!)
Well, I guess I should probably stop here. . . .my next stories should probably be kept quiet . . . .so until next time. . . .
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