Jerry Smith please resend your last email to me,  I lost many addresses when my computer crashed and yours was one and I mistakenly deleted the email from my phone and can't retrieve it.  Thanks

HEATHEN'S

Many years ago one of our daughters came home from a friends and shared a story with me, I was saddened and hurt by the comments that she quoted, my initial response was to blow it off and said to her "yeah we are just a bunch of Heathens."  The term Heathen Stevenson became a regular joke in our little family.  Over time I thought that I had gotten over the hurt of these comments as we were involved in many various activities that took us from our home ward and the distance became greater and greater.  A year or so ago our some of our daughters started running some fun races and needed a team name, they chose "Heathen Stevenson's" at first I laughed and then I saw pictures with the name on the backs and it really bothered me, the name was out there for other people to see it wasn't just a family joke anymore.  The girls loved it but I asked them not to use it.  This caused me to wonder why it bothered me so much, it was just a silly name.  In retrospect I realized that while I had made a joke of it and moved on I really hadn't moved on it was like a burr stuck under my saddle blanket and the new conversations brought that to my attention.  It had been over 13 years since this occurred and why was it bothering me once again?  Really it was always there because I had lost confidence in myself, I never thought I was good enough because others were talking about me and judging me.  This individual was close to another woman who had also made some judgments about our family that I was aware of and it only caused me to be aloof and distant from ward members and unable to take compliments or positive comments from other ward members.  I hadn't gotten over it at all and I was ready to go away and start over, which we have done.  I know those comments were not meant to reach me but they did and I think the person who made those comments would be sad to know how deeply she has effected my life. Once I realized that I was still harboring those negative thoughts I knew that I had to forgive and move on. I read, prayed, and called the girls and said "it is ok to use the name, don't' change it.'  I have embraced that name now and we even have a special group on facebook solely for messages to and for family members only.  Our new house had been dubbed "Paka's Place" and I have now added "Heathen Headquarters"
If our family is a group of Heathen's I worry about the world in general!  Seriously I am so blessed to have such good people in my family, the are all amazing.  None of us are perfect or we wouldn't still be here but all in all it's a pretty good group of "Heathen's!"

 

Here they are family and adopted family!!  Go Heathen's Go

Scratches

Being in our new home has made me very aware of scratches.  We have a very large wood floor and lots of wooden doors, new furniture.... So much that I think some of our children worry about coming here in fear that something might happen while here.  After a family gathering last night to celebrate the 24th of July, a Utah state holiday, I was cleaning up the kitchen and fixing breakfast for Kerry and myself I looked across the room and discovered a significant set of scratches in the wood.  Not on the new wood but on a table that we have had for about 18 years. After cleaning up the kitchen and getting my dishwasher going I decided to work on those scratches to see if I could hide them a little. I pulled out my wood oil polish and gently set about to smooth out the wood a little and make it look better.  As I worked to smooth out the new scratches I couldn't help but think about some of the scriptures that I have been studying lately, about the Savior and how he sacrificed all for me (us), how he smoothed out everything for me,  When I finished the scratches are still there but they look better than before I started.  At a certain angle they are still noticeable but to the eye who hadn't seen them it might not even be seen.  Again I thought of these scriptures, scars from sin remain but they also heal with repentance and with a soothing polish, the Saviors love for us, they hardly are visible.  I am so grateful for these times of reflection in my life. 
My dad used to love to garden I remember from a very young age that he would spend hours working to till the earth and grow wonderful gardens with beautiful crops.  As I have gotten older I have learned to love to work in the yard and create a garden, I love the time to think and that is when I seem most inspired.  I need to turn the world off more than I do and seek for these reflective moments!

Emma-2013 Three really?

Can she really be three?  I find it hard to believe?  This costume for her dance recital reminds me of her mom a few years ago in one quite similar and she is a mini Jessica for sure.  Happy Birthday sweet little Emma.

Gratitude

So many emotions are going through me right now in preparation for our move to the new home.  I will still go back and document with pictures later.  There are also many emotions as I am trying to be a better person, to see the good in people rather than the bad or frustrating, not to let other peoples judging of me sour the way I feel about them.  It seems that while trying to accomplish this the adversary works even harder to impede the process.  Today I am very grateful for the scriptures and the sweet blessing they are in my life.  Just as I sat to study it fell open to just the scripture that I needed for the day, and the following chapters only reinforced that verse for me.  I love when this happens! 

She's two? Olivia 2013

I can't believe how quickly these little ones are growing up!  Today this little angel is really two years old.  Happy Birthday Olivia, our little "Livi Lou!"

Colors

Back in the day this was our family home evening "chart."  I had attended a class at BYU for a genealogical conference.  One thing that was discussed was that in early American History the tulip was considered a sign of virtue or strength...I had already been using a color code system for the girls to do laundry and belongings with so I combined the two.  It's kind of funny that those colors have kind of stuck with these guys as one of their favorite colors.  As the sorting process continues getting ready to move into the new home I have started taking pictures of things that are sentimental but....

Family Reading

I had the opportunity to attend the Women's Conference at BYU with my cousin Carolyn over the last two days.  A great deal was mentioned about reading to and with kids during the conference and I found myself being reflective as I listened.
   We started reading the scriptures with our little ones before they could even read, we would whisper in their ears the words and have them repeat it.  Later as they began reading we could see their skills increase just by the daily reading, or almost daily, that we did as a family.  Kerry's mom gave us the set in the lower right picture when we were well into our family, when Cydney was a baby, and they were a great tool as well. They are now roving from daughter to daughter.  We will always laugh when we hear a particular name in the Book Of Mormon because he pronounced it wrong to see if anyone was really listening.  I guess we were because we all giggle when using that name still.
  After we moved into this house in addition to reading the scriptures, Kerry read to us every night for a long time.  We all loved it and we quickly went through various books and sets of books in the process.  It was great to visualize as he read to us.  When the Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe was made into a movie I really didn't know if I wanted to see it because of the vivid images he (we) had created in my mind.  One of my fondest memories is of him reading "The Forgotten Carols" at Christmas Time and then listening to the accompanying music as we went along.  We love to go and see the play during the Holiday season as a result.
   He often has difficulty reading at times, because of content, and we have all learned to respect his sincerity and tenderness.  Often I am glad he is reading it aloud and not me!  He even read a series just to me, loved every minute of it.  These are very sweet moments for me.  And in relation to the conference it gives me a little bit of peace knowing we did do a few things right anyway!

A Good Team

 

Toady I had a filling done and then Kerry had them check a place that he had worked on a couple of days ago.  I couldn't resist taking this of the three of them. I couldn't help but notice how well these two worked together, it's fun to see them in a professional setting.



Caleb 2013

I am still not sure how this guy has grown up so fast.  He is the greatest kid and certainly brightens up my day whenever I am around him, which isn't often enough.  Happy Birthday sweet Caleb, I sure do love you, never forget that!

Conference Traditions

(not a great picture!)
As a little girl in Colorado I remember my Mom being so excited about actually being able to watch a session of General Conference in our home.  It was just the Saturday morning session but I remember what a special experience it was for her. I was a little older when I began to have that appreciation myself.  It was while I was a freshman at BYU that I really felt the spirit and promised that I would always try and schedule my time to watch General Conference every time.  After Kerry and I got married and started raising children we decided that it was important that they participate as well even if they were very young.  When we moved to Sequim Washington that became a little more of a challenge but we dressed our kids in Sunday clothes and headed to the local LDS Church where we could watch via satellite.  The first time we were the only family and then before we left there were other families that joined us.  To interest our kids I made up games for them to play and questions that the older girls could read and answer like, What color are the dresses on The Tabernacle Choir,  What bald men spoke or which speaker wore glasses?  Who spoke about Jesus or did they speak about missionaries?  All to familiarize them with names and faces.  Later we found a bingo game and other things, compared to now with all of the cute things you can print up on line they seem very old school but it worked for what we had at the time.

Over the years we developed other conference traditions as we watched from our homes in Orem.  One tradition has become Conference Cafe with Kerry making Huavos Racheros for breakfast and Chile Verde for dinner.  He cooks all day and is very tired in the end but it is so yummy. When he has been away from the home the girls have been disappointed that he wasn't there for the tradition. 

As I watched as President Monson gave his closing remarks I thought back over all of the years and what a wonderful memory I have with my family as we have watched Conference together.  Even through the teen years when it really wasn't the place the girls wanted to be. Things have changed and now I watch as our girls are beginning similar traditions in their own families.  Filled with love and memories there is also a sadness that comes with change, I miss my own family and wonder why they had to grow up so fast.  I also love watching in the quiet time when it is just Kerry and those feelings seem to contradict each other!  Then I was over whelmed by the fact that this is the Last Conference Cafe in this house.  I am very excited about the new home and not until recently have I felt any sadness about leaving this house. Despite some rough times here there are so many wonderful memories and blessings we have received while living here.

No matter where I am General Conference will always be special to me and the Conference Cafe will still greet our family.  While I often feel weak, unworthy, or less than I should be I always come away feeling spiritually fed an with a hope and desire to be a better person.  I am so grateful for a living Prophet and Apostles who guide the Church and give such wonderful talks and guidance.  I JUST LOVE GENERAL CONFERENCE!

Easter 2013

It wouldn't be Easter without a Family Easter Dinner

       From relaxing on the porch to eating, visiting and talking to Cydney and the girls via facetime.
It was good to have Liz spend some time with us since she will be leaving for a mission to Thailand in May.

 It's finally warm enough in the spring to be outside and play at least for some of us anyway!

Rebecca seemed to enjoy her time with the neices and nephews and I think they kind of enjoyed the time with her as well. We just wish they were all here to play with today. Hopefully soon.

Jack 2013

Has it really been two years?  Hard to believe.  This little guy know's how to make a Grandma feel loved.  Even more I sure love him!  I am so grateful that we get to see him as often as we do.

Happy Birthday little guy!

Spencer 2013

Seven years ago Spencer joined our family.  I sure love this kid he is so fun to be around has a very quick sense of humor. No longer is it called St. Patricks Day in our family it is officially St. Spencers Day! 

Happy Birthday Buddy!

Hawaiian Changes

 We are wrapping up our trip to Honolulu and it has been an interesting trip!  As I have been riding the bus from one location to another I can't help but notice how much has changed!  I know changes occur everywhere, everyday.  However, it seems that things seems to change around here much faster.  One trip there is a building here and the next it is gone.  Or there is a restaurant here one day and the next it is something different.  I guess that is why I struggle with the problems over the rail project.  Rail would be such an improvement and help so many and yet there is resistance to change, something doesn't make sense! 

One thing that hasn't changed is a little hole in the wall called "On Dong" we just love the food and Kerry gets to use his Korean.  They actually think that Kerry lives on the Island because he is a regular.

Yum!

One of our favorite places closed after we were here last time.  I miss it especially arriving here sick the broth would have tasted  and felt so good!  It appears that is isn't going to reopen anywhere else and I am sad.

I feel like I am saying Aloha for the last time this trip, I am not sure why but the things we missed doing this time kind of leaves an emptiness in my heart. 

Important details

New hip roof on deck, garage stairs, and the first arch on the front exterior!

Master tub

So this is a beautiful tub, it is not the one I dreamed of or wanted.  I guess this would be the first big snare in the house and I lost!  Because of the design in the bathroom and the way we want it decorated I gave in.  But I still can soak my old weary bones in it and it is a beautiful big tub!

More detail work each day and it looks more like a home I just can't wait to see it in person.

The Furnaces

Lot's of new things.  Furnaces, arches, lights, interior walls, columns.  So very exciting.

The Deck

We knew before the could finish up the roof they would have to add the deck and columns before they could do the hip and guess what appeared?



Neighborhood Friends

While Reb is freezing taking pictures at the house she is also getting acquainted with the neighborhood animals.  I am surprised it has taken her this long to meet the horses behind!!!  Gotta love these shots!

Thanks for the memories!

While here in Honolulu I was checking my emails and facebook and found this post from Jessica.  What a sweet memory with people I love dearly! 

We have plumbing

While we are gone Rebcca is taking pictures to get us updated.  We owe her a big thanks because I think I would go crazy without her updates.  Today more roofing and plumbing!  There is even a tub in the bathroom downstairs.

Frozen Wonderland

 This has been a long and cold winter and yet there have been some cool pictures to come out of it.  Like this one of the gazebo and grape vines that I look to photograph during the summer months when it is loading with leaves and grapes.  It is quite stark with the snow clinging to the metal frame and old vines.

 This was up against the house where I began to shovel the sidewalk in order to get to the mailbox.  Further along the sidewalk away from the house the snow was much deeper but I loved the light standing there with the little cap on it.  I am so grateful for those who came and dug out the driveway with their snow blowers, it was something I wasn't sure I was going to be able to do by myself!

When Dave and Jes headed to the emergency room with his allergic reaction I looked out the window from their kitchen and saw this beautiful sight.  The fog had lifted but left it's icy reminder. 

I am grateful for the moisture and the snow pack in the mountains....but I also look forward to spring and warm weather once again.  The trips with Kerry have definitely softened me and made me a snowbird!

Sibling Dinner

Originally we were supposed to get together for Thanksgiving dinner but that plan fell apart so we were able to reschedule.  We met at Ruby River for dinner.  It was great to see everyone and we wish that Dianne and Laura could have been there.  This is what I had hoped for, an ability to take a sibling picture for Kerry's mom.  Life is crazy and we are all so busy that we just don't get to together.  I wanted for all of her kids to be together for a little while for her!!!!  The only bad part of the evening was that Ruby River is such a noisy place that it was difficult to be able to really visit and hear one another.

How we see the house today Feb 16, 2013

Today as we see the house before we head to Honolulu.  The beginning of the roof!

I get more excited each day I go to see the house, I can't imagine what it will be like when we get home in two weeks.

 Reb didn't think our room looked very big so she decided to test the space where our bed will be, she realized it is a pretty big space.

 Dave hadn't seen the house so we met the family and walked through it with them, the kids were adorbale as we explained where things would be.  They also loved the chickens and horses in the neighborhood.

 This turned out to be a surprise for us, we were expecting a regular patio and found that they had poured a stamped and stained patio.  It looks great from what we can see.

To cute!

One Very Long Day

While these pictures look like just 2x4's to most people they looked amazing to me. The beginnings of rooms!

This day was one of the longest I can remember.  While fixing breakfast we got a very panicked call from Jessica, she had water running in her basement window and wanted some advice.  Kerry and I decided that we would go out and help her because we knew what she was experiencing first hand.  When we got there a friend was there helping her in the kitchen and Emma was watching a movie while Jessica was downstairs with a shop vac trying to get as much water out of the carpet as possible.  We helped her move furniture and empty as much of the room as we could.  then tried to help her find a company that does disaster relief to help dry the carpet and estimate the damage.  We connected her with a guy who was in our Stake and had helped us but it turns out he wouldn't drive out to Eagle Mountain.  So while we waited for his calls the water spread and caused more damage, thanks a lot!  She finally located another company and got the process started.  I felt bad for her because I have been in her shoes!

Next phase:  Kerry had a consultation on his sleep study and he does have Sleep Apnea and will have to be set up with a c-pap when we return from Honolulu. He was not pleased with the confirmation but I think we both expected it.  From there we stopped to Skippers for lunch and while there Reb called and we decided to meet her at our house and then go check out what see had happened on the new house today.  Which we did.  And it was fun to see more and more happening and rooms beginning. 

And Yet another phase:  After spending a lot of time wondering through the house we went to the Post Office in Lehi and started home.  As we got off of the freeway at 1600 we got a phone call from Natalie and they had locked themselves out of their car and needed us to come rescue them.  It was as we arrived in Lehi once again I realized I didn't have her house key and confirming they didn't we returned home to get the key and drop Rebecca off.  Once again we headed to Lehi to pick Natalie up and take her to her house to get keys.  One more trip to Lehi to drop her off to her family and then we headed home.  I am glad that we were still here and not in Honolulu when that happened.  Once again we see the need for everyone to have keys, and for me to return those keys to my purse.

This is one of those days where you are just ready to fall into bed!

Valentine's Day 2013

We started celebrating Valentines the day before by delivering some Valentines and then Kerry and I went to dinner at Guadalahonky's (it has been a long time since we ate there) and then to see The Chieftains.  It was a very fun concert and they played and danced and entertained for a full hour and a half with no break. 

I love this man and love being with him on Valentine's Day!!!

 On Valentine's I started the day with a test at UVRMC of which they didn't tell me that I would go in and have a radioactive dye put in and then have to go back 1 1/2 hours later. Fun!!!  Then we celebrated again and went to PF Chang's for lunch.  Apparently a lot of people in the Provo/Orem area had the same idea, the place was packed.  While we were there our builder called and wanted to know if we had been to the house lately and had seen what a view we had from our west windows.  Of course we had.  He then proceeded to tell us this grand idea he had for our fireplace wall and wanted us to go look at a drawing and see what we thought. 

 These are the views from the windows.  I saw the drawing and realized he was describing some similar that we had paid a lot of money in our current house to rip out.  I didn't like the idea at all.  Kerry is on the phone above asking him questions about it.  I was also very happy to see that the linen closet had been added in the basement, we had not included one in the plan so I really wanted it added.  I also really saw the size of the pantry and did yet another "happy dance!

We delivered Jack's Valentine this evening and played with him.  He didn't want anything to do with the heart glasses but thought Grandpa wearing them was a great idea. Jack also decided that this box was perfect for him to sit and watch Monster's Inc. or play on his mom's ipad.  It really is to bad that the Grand kids don't like Grandpa very much or visa versa!

Pre Valentines & Walls

I keep saying how excited I am but here we go again.  As we drove up I could see that they were beginning to frame the main floor.  The builders are so used to me coming on a daily basis that they just smile when the car pulls up.  This is really happening!

 As I walked up the stairs from the basement on to the main floor deck I realized Kerry was talking to someone and to my surprise when I looked there were these two familiar faces.  But Emma was uncertain and didn't like all of the noise.  Plus is is hard for her to understand this is Grandma and Grandpa's house, she knows where we live!

After school got out we went to deliver our Valentine's so they could open them before school in the morning but Jessica let them open them while we were there.

 Fun to see them react and giggle!

I sure love these kids.

When we went to deliver to "T" and Olivia they were still taking naps so we didn't get to see them open them.  Hopefully we will get pictures.

Kerry and I then left to head to Salt Lake for his Valentine's surprise.  We were going to dinner to and then to see the Chieftain's.  he forgot his cap and I was going to wear my sweater but in the rush to leave we both forgot.  The music reminded me of our trip to Ireland, sweet memories.

We have stairs!!!!!! Quate groomed?

In addition to the basement being framed it was wonderful to walk around the back and to see stairs as we walked in!  Progress.

This morning I took Quate in to be groomed he couldn't even see to catch his favorite snack, a banana, because his fur was so long.  I told them not to trim him too much because it was still so cold.  This is what she came up with.  She trimmed his feet and around his face but as far as I can tell not much of the rest of him.  As much as I love this little guy this is the goofiest he has ever looked.  She did brush him well and he is a big ball of soft fur right now.  I think when I get back from Honolulu we will have to update this just a little.

Sleep Study

At his last physical he mentioned that I had been worried about his sleep and lack of breathing at night.  He was then sent in for a sleep study, much to his chagrin.  So this is how he slept for the night while they monitored his breathing through the night.

Trucked out

I guess I should say all trucked in.  From the big whole yesterday to present.

 Still a way to go.

All nestled into a blanket to cure, then the fun begins! (more fun)



Dave G.

We celebrated Dave's birthday a few days late because of every one's busy schedules.  But as always it was nice to get together and celebrate such a great guy.  He enjoyed a little help as he blew out the candles but the smile speaks volumes about how much he loves kids.

It's nice to see Dave feeling better after such a scary experience with his allergic reaction earlier.  He gave us all a good scare and we are grateful for his recovery.

Happy Birthday Dave.