Brent and Rita's Blog: Reasons to Smile.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Reasons to Smile.

I got my braces off today and I am still smiling!

Ten More Reasons to Smile Today:
1. I got to hold and love baby Ava. She is a miracle and a blessing. Her spirit is thick and comforting. I love her.

2. Alec was super excited when he saw my braces gone. He has exercised a year of self-control when near my face. When I showed him my teeth, he squished my face and exclaimed, "Ooooh. Now I can do *chubby cheeks* so, so, so hard!"

3. Todd is starting to "get" Jr. High little by little. The last three weeks have been socially and organizationally miserable. I love him. He's trying hard.

4. Kenna has been a dream about getting up and ready for school this year. She is definitely a night person so it is a real effort for her to wake up and be cheerful. What a good girl.

5. A woman that I work with at church picked and gave us a giant box of peaches. Mmmmm peaches. I'm going to make some pies tomorrow. I may even get organized enough to take one to a nice girl I know.

6. Because of Facebook, I am back in touch with many great people from my past. The social networking thing can get out of hand so I try to be careful with my time but I am grateful to rekindle old friendships.

7. I arrived home today to lots of loud sounds in my basement. It's a good thing. We are soon to have an extra 1,000 square feet of room to stash stuff that we don't need.

8. My in-laws are back in the country. I so wish their return were under different circumstances. Their love, faith, and direction is a blessing to our family. I love them.

9. My mom and dad are planning a trip to visit us soon. I. Can't. Wait. And it not just because they are coming to watch our kids while we are in Hawaii. I actually really love them too.

10. Look at the three awesome kids surrounding my bright, straight, metal-free smile in the bottom left picture...I bet they even made YOU smile!

9 comments:

Amy and Brad said...: Loved all the reasons to smile! You look great, Rita!; September 14, 2009 at 10:49 PM
Matilda said...: Absolutely GORGEOUS!!; September 14, 2009 at 11:45 PM
Janelle said...: You look amazing!!! I love all of your reasons to smile! And yes, they made me smile too!!!; September 15, 2009 at 9:07 AM
Colett's Corner said...: You can't get any more beautiful than that. Love the pics with your kids.; September 15, 2009 at 9:20 AM
Scott said...: Wow! You now have a Hollywood smile. Gorgeous.

Thanks for mentioning our return from Peru. It's great to be with family and friends in the US.; September 15, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Scott said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; September 15, 2009 at 3:36 PM
Kristen said...: Lots of good and positive things showering down on you. Definitely reasons to smile.

Your teeth look b-e-a-utiful!!! Your kids are so stinkin' cute too!

Tell Todd to hang in there. Jr. High is a major adjustment but he'll hit his stride soon. He's lucky to have a mom and dad who can help him process it all. I know Kennedy has benefitted from having a therapist as a dad.; September 15, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Anonymous said...: Yay, congratulations! You're always beautiful, though--braces or no braces. Oh, and those are some pretty great kids you've got there!; September 17, 2009 at 11:27 PM
Jana said...: Love your postive outlook and reasons to smile.You and your "new" smile look gorgeous! What a great picture with your gang!; September 21, 2009 at 7:01 PM

Crazy Kid Quotes!

8/2010
After we had visited pregnant Andrea, Alec asked, "Don't you wonder if your dad ever has a baby in his tummy because it is so big...cepts boys don't have babies in their stomachs."
8/2010
While rubbing my legs, Alec told me, "I don't see your spikes but I can feel them."
7/2009
Alec calls Hershey's bars *chocolate words* because they have 'Hershey' imprinted on the chocolate. Love it.
6/2009
I asked Alec to retrieve the phone for me. He quickly obeyed and started over to me but hid the phone behind his back. "Oh. I'm so sorry, Mom. I couldn't find it," he smirked.
4/23/2009
Alec asked me if he could have an orange for lunch and then said, "And I want you to take the paper off of it for me."
4/2009
Alec wanted help with a computer game. Brent asked where the CD was. "It's already in the computer, sick-o," was Alec's reply.
4/2009
I found Alec doing his best to unwrap every piece of chocolate in the house on the couch of the front room. Before I could say anything, he looked caught and asked, "Mom, am I being a naughty-potty?"
10/30/2008
Todd asked me to look inside his mouth at a canker that was beginning to form. I empathized with a sigh and shook my head. Alec asked to see it and upon sight said, "Yep. There's a kangaroo inside there."
10/17/2008
I have a habit of asking, "Do you understand?" after I correct Alec for being naughty. Today I told him not to throw his stuffed animal at the ceiling fan but DID NOT add my tagline. He remorsefully approached me, "I'm sorry, Mom. I'm so sorry...and, I understand."
10/13/2008
Today Alec cut his finger and asked me to put a battery on it.
3/2008
We were eating lunch together. Alec looked around at all of us and exclaimed, "Family ever!" (I took this to mean BEST family ever since we often say, "Best kids ever.")
10/6/2008
In the car today I said to Alec, "Whew. I smell a stinky skunk."
Alec:"Me?"
Me: "No, Honey. A real skunk. It's so stinky."
Alec: "Yeah, they're uh-skusting."
10/5/08
Last night we were leaving the pool in St. George. Alec stopped, looked up into a palm tree and said, "Dang it! No monkeys."
9/21/2008
When Jesus was first mentioned in the Primary program today, Alec yelled out, "Hey. They sayed it about my brother!"
2002
Kenna used the "word" nah-dutz to communicate anything and everything when she was two. Her intonation and speech pattern were right on but nah-dutz was the only thing comin' out. She could tell entire stories using this simple utterance varied only in speed, expression, and voice tone. When she finally did learn to speak, she made a cute mistakes. These are some I remember:
scub cowts=cub scouts
patterkiller=caterpillar
nomefumber=phone number
1999
One day when Todd was 3 and was learning his letter sounds, he asked me what the word *ODD* meant. I told him it meant strange, different, or weird. This disturbed him, "So, my name is T-weird?!"
9/2008
Today Alec was at my friend Melinda's house. He asked if he could give the dog a treat and was allowed to do so. He wanted to give more but Melinda told him that too many treats would upset the dog's stomach and she would throw up. Later Alec said that he couldn't be friends with Melinda's daughter explaining, "I already have five friends and if I have six friends, that will be too many and then I will throw up."

I love Gordon B. Hinkley's admonition of how to 'BE'.
Be grateful...
11/10/2008-This morning both of my running partners didn't make it. I went anyway. I am thankful for my legs, for my body, for my mind, for my neighborhood park, and even for the rain that was falling. It was a beautiful run.
11/06/2008-I went to dinner with two friends tonight and one of them even picked up the tab. How thankful I am for people that I love and love me.
Be smart...
11/11/2008-Reference Brent's post about our freshly automated home. He is brilliant and I feel smarter from having been his conversation partner for the last 15+ years. I love you, Honey.
11/06/2008-Brent received 4.2% of the vote in 'his race' for the State Representative for our district. If he ever decides to do a serious campaign and actually won, he would be great. I'm proud of him.
10/31/2008-After neighborhood Trick-or-Treating, Brent took the kids around to other families who live further away from us but are on our special list. I am so thankful for all the people who influence our lives and many of them acted like we were making their day for visiting. How sweet.
10/25/2008-I am grateful for the beautiful fall day today. Beautiful colors and weather make me smile.
10/19/2008-Todd passed the sacrament for the first time today. When he was through, one of the High Priests who had helped patted him on the shoulder and winked at him. The phrase, "It takes a village to raise a child," came to mind and I am thankful for others in the 'village' helping me out.
10/12/2008-Today Kenna made a sandwich for Alec. When she gave it to him, he reaction sounded like she'd given him the moon..."For ME? Thank you, Kenna! Mom, Kenna gave me a ham and cheese sandwich!!"
10/12/2008-A sweet 10-year-old girl in testimony meeting today said that she has been learning about different countries in school and feels blessed to live in a rich and clean country.
Be smart...
10/25/2008-Today I returned a whole bunch of scrapbook supplies to Michael's. They've been sitting around forever and now I have a much more compact $56 giftcard in their place!
10/20/2008-Happy birthday to my smart friend, Quincey...Actually, I should say Happy birthday, Dr. Atkin. Look where the small town girl ended up! I'm proud to be your friend.
10/16/2008-Brent came to my computer rescue today when I was trying to edit a cute graphic. He's such a brainiac!
10/10/2008-Grades came out today. Todd and Kenna did great.
Be clean...
10/25/2008-Opposite. Today we had to kick Kenna out of the room while we watched our DVR'ed episode of The Office. Hmmm. If she shouldn't watch it, I shouldn't either. Dangit!
10/16/2008-Did not swear yesterday when I heard some rotten news at work!! On a more literal note, today Kenna and I organized her endless supply of craft items. Whew.
10/12/2008-Yeah, NOT my house today!
Todd was ordained to the office of a deacon today. I am pleased that he makes earnest effort to choose the right and to be a good person.
Be true...
11/09/2008-Our Relief Society lesson detailed some of the letters Joseph Smith sent to his wife, Emma and their children during the frequent times he was away from them. I don't know how she endured so many trials and remained as strong as she did.
11/6/2008-Todd went to the Conference Center tonight to take part in taping the New Year's Eve address for the youth. I am so grateful for the programs of our church. I know where my kid is tonight.
10/31/2008-Todd went with his deacon's quorum this morning to do baptisms for the dead for his first time. He had a very peaceful, nice experience.
10/16/2008-Brent shed a few tears at BYU's loss today. He's COUGAR true.
10/12/2008-Today our Relief Society instructor had each sister stand and introduce herself as a daughter of God. It was beautiful.
Be humble...
11/06/2008-Tonight we visited someone in our neighborhood who has been honored as Family of the Year by Layton City. First, PERFECT choice--they are super great. I love them. Second, it reminded me that my responsibilities as a wife and mother need to be my top priority in time and energy. Good thing I like these guys I live with. :)
10/29/2008-My Uncle Randy, his wife, and his son stayed the night at our house. They have very little of the world's riches but are a happy, grateful family. I love them. They remind me that "stuff" is nothing.
10/16/2008-Todd teared up when he received a birthday present from my parents today. He was touched by their kind words and thoughtful gift.
10/12/2008-My in-laws are being set apart as missionaries tonight and fly out to Peru on Saturday. They turned all over to the Lord throughout the ups and downs of preparing to serve.
Be prayerful...
11/11/2008-Being assigned to a High School this year has opened my eyes to issues that I will deal with as my kids are fast approaching teen years. I pray that I will find the right balance of giving them guidance and independence and feel confident and comforted in my parenting decisions regardless of their choices.
10/25/2008-Our prayers that Brent's parents would arrive safely in Peru were answered. They arrived and are already settled in their apartment. We hope they feel our love and thoughts.
10/16/2008-A young father from my hometown lost his battle with Leukemia today. I don't really even know him but 3 little kids are without their dad tonight. I'm praying for them.
10/12/2008-I have a prayer in my heart for my parents this week. They have had a couple of tough spells. I love them and I hope they feel the peace and comfort of our Heavenly Father this week.