Grandpa Norman F. Smith history

This is the infamous, Elva Ker, with my Dad.  They are sitting side by side in the front row.  I think in this picture, my Dad looks like my brother, Stuart.  Tommy, my Dad's brother is right above him with his hand over his eyes.

 

 

 This is a picture of my Dad, this is the first time I have ever seen this picture.  I get weepy when I see these pictures.  Time, age, distance and wisdom have a way of giving perspective, a better but probably not the true perspective (as I believe that only comes with knowing the beginning to the end, including pre earth and afterlife, and as the apostles say, we are only in the 2nd act of a 3 act play).  I miss my Dad very, very much.  As I said before, with the different variables that come into play,  I look at these differently now than I would have as a child.  I miss my Dad because he is slowing leaving us.  I hate that, it is hard for me not to.  I wish I could reach out somehow and pull him back to us.  With my limited earthly perspective it doesn't seem fair and I want him to be better, to be the one who told me stories of the Solomons and the Winkles, the one who watched every gymnastics meet of mine, the one that proof read all my papers, that would reassure me when ever I felt I wasn't good enough in something that I was trying to do.  He would always tell me about his friend, Elva, who was better than him at everything.  He always tried to help me feel better about myself, he would try to help me feel close to him by sharing those intimate details of his life that were hard for him.  I always felt compassion from him.  I miss the seminary classes, and all the Mutual age teenagers that would always come around, they loved him so much.   I wish I could fly out to see him every day!  I wish I could take this little boy and hold him in my arms and let him know that he is not alone, that someday he is going to be my dad!  That I can't wait to see him, that I am so so glad that he, this little boy, is going to be my Dad.  He sacrificed so much for us, but instead of resenting it, he loved it, and I could tell, even as a small child.

 Sorry Dad, but I think the hat is cute!  However, I do see that you are the only one having to wear a hat, so I feel for ya!   You look so much like Janna, in this picture.

 Mom said that Dad's mom made him wear this hat, (he is on the bottom row second from the right) and he hated it!  He was the only one who had to wear a hat.

 This is my Dad in the overalls, the cute little blond haired boy on the far left with his right hand in his pocket.  It think he looks like Matthew there.  His mother is standing just to his left.

 This is Tommy on the left and my Dad on the right.  I so wish I could hold him and tell that little boy how much I love him!  Tommy died when my Dad was so young, only 8.  My Dad was alone on the farm after that.  The closest sibling to him after Tommy was 10 years older, so she was gone.  I wish my Dad wasn't lonely as a child.  I guess he sure made up for it when he had his own family, he had 5 kids and we haven't left him alone since!

 This is my Grandmother, Bernetta  Fackrell Smith.  She died when I was young.  I do not remember her much.  I do remember that she lived with us for a short time.

This is my Grandfather, Melvin Thomas Smith.  Both of them were born in the 1800's.  I'll have to get the exact date later.  I did not know him.  I believe he died on Christmas day. 

Christmas 2013

 Merry Christmas kid!

Chef Derek

Derek helping to make a super yummy dinner. 

 Looks delicious!

Derek was very kind to his sister and didn't put cheese on one side.  Thank you son!

fun snow day with the neighbors, the Schmuhls

 Derek with our neighbors from across the street, the Schmuhls.  Emily, and Mary.

 Derek and Sam playing snow basketball

Some of Derek's Band Concerts for school

 These are pictures of Derek preforming in his band concerts for school

 Derek LOVES his saxophone and loves music.  He loves instrumental more than the pop music on the radio!  He loves Jazz and Classical, he also loves music from movies.

 We sure do love to hear him play.  I am so excited that he loves music, and good, uplifting, intelligent music

Fun Day in the Snow

 Here is Hannah and Derek with Koda chasing after them.  Koda was LOVING to chase after them.  It was so cold.  I don't know how Hannah did it without gloves.  She was having an amazing time though, and that always helps.

 Derek was enjoying helping out our neighborhood.  David has been teaching him how to use the four wheeler to push the snow.  He has plowed quite a few of our neighbor's drive ways, most of the sidewalks and the church parking lot, MANY times this year and even since this day has done it again.  We have been "blessed" (depending on how you look at it) with quite a bit of snow this past month.

 Wonderful happy kids

I am so glad that Derek can help and have fun being of service to our family and our neighbors!

Cuddle time with Koda

 Derek called for me as quietly as he could for me to come in to him.   This is what I found.  I love this!

 We were lucky to get these shots, Koda seems to want to move around leave whenever we want a picture with her.  She seems to be a lot like a little child in this area.

 I wanted a picture with the Christmas Tree in the background, unfortunately it messed with the lighting. 

Fun new recipes

I am so glad that my kids love my cooking and are generous in their compliments to me concerning my cooking.  It makes me feel like I am much better than I really am, that I have the courage to try new things, and most importantly, that I am loved and my efforts are appreciated.  President Hinkley said that we should reward effort more and I REALLY agree with that.  In our homes we must do this.. The home is where we learn and grow and therefor make many mistakes.  We should not be afraid or make someone afraid of making mistakes, their progress will be seriously diminished if not fully halted.  I have a extremely strong testimony of this!

Some new recipes I have tried just recently are:

1.  John Wayne Casserole
2.  Balsamic Vinegar Chicken with Fresh Tomatoes
3.  Black Bean Spinach Salsa (even Derek likes:)
4.  Chicken Marsala (I LOVE!!!!)
5.  5 Ingredient Easy White Chicken Chili
6.  Café Rio Salad (LOVE also!!!)

I will try to remember to get pictures of these as I make them.

 Here is a picture of the yummy Chicken Marsala.  And my silly daughter doing a "photo bomb"  I love you Hannah!

 I also made Sunday/Funeral/Party Potatoes to go with it.  Granted, I did not get photos like they do for actual advertisements.  I put the grease from the pancheta in the potatoes, it made them even yummier!

 This is a picture of the White Bean Chicken Chili/  This dish is actually easy and inexpensive.

 We also had refried beans, rice, salsa and chips.

 We LOVE these muffins.  This is the zucchini muffins.  This time I didn't even put any chocolate chips in and they were still great. 

I still need to improve in my cooking and how often, but I do cook a LOT more than I used to and the frequency is MUCH more also.  Basically every week, just not every night.  Like I said, for me, it is much easier and more rewarding, and lets me know that it makes a difference when my someone actually likes what I make and is even remotely appreciative.  Thank you Hannah and Derek!  I love you!!!!