Endings and Beginnings

We find ourselves coming to the end of another year and at the beginning of a new one.  When I pause to reflect on 2011 so many blessings come to mind.  Our family again changed its physical address and continue to practice the philosophy of "A house is made of walls and beams.  A home is made of love and dreams." We discovered that although Little House on the Prairie may be a great show, we don't want to live it.  We moved back into town, closer to school, work, and of course shopping.

Lexie has grown to a beautiful 20 year old young woman creating her own home in her first apartment.  Loving the independence I might add.  Jackson and Luke are in the 3rd grade this year and will turn 10 years old in April!  Doug and I feel so very blessed and proud that God chose us to be a part of these amazing creatures' lives.  We celebrate each day - in the laughter and even in the "ggggrrrrrrr moments".  Parents, you know those moments when you just grit your teeth and get through the moment without screaming or pulling your hair out... gggrrrrrrr!

Doug still works with Bartlett & West Engineering on the new rural water system and treatment plant in Linton and I continue to work with Child Care Resource & Referral as a community relations coordinator.  We were able to spend time with family and friends this year and share much laughter! 

So, from our home to yours...Merry Christmas!!  We hope that you can pause in these busy days leading to Christmas and reflect on the blessings of your 2011 as you prepare to celebrate the blessing of Christ's birth.

Love Doug, Penny, Lexie, Jackson and Luke

Luke and Jackson in flag football

All Smith boys...watch out!!

Father and daughter moment

Jr.'s birthday (Doug's father and mother)

Lexie with her Uncle Gary

Holy Horse Manure Batman!

Ok, no elegant, tear provoking writing tonight. Doug and I have been working very hard to prepare the garage, create a computer slide show, organize the food, yadda, yadda, yadda and we were thinking that we have a pretty good handle on things; until...the neighbor! We live next to a young, single guy and his buddies. They have not put the yard in yet, after at least a year...the blowing sand is destroying our tree row; we'll handle it. He has half his deck stained, for a year; we'll handle it. But this, this aweful, pungent smell...NOT going to handle it!! Tonight, he pulled a very long, very dirty, very smelly, not cleaned out horse/cattle trailor into his yard - you know, conveniently parked in the space between our house and his! Picture it, It's a beautiful night in rural south Bismarck, our windows are open, a cool breeze is lofting through the house and WHAM! There it is! That smell!

I can just see it all play out...Saturday morning our guests will be arriving for strata, quiche, muffins, juice and horse manure! Well let me tell you...that trailor WILL be moved if I have to hook it up to my suburbian, glacial blue minivan and pull it out myself!!! There is absolutely no way THAT is going to ruin all the planning, back aches and sleepless nights!

Stay tuned...Will Batman and Robin foil the evil bachelor's plan to ruin the sweet Lexie's graduation celebration? Or will the evil bachelor's horse trailor drop it's "load"?

Looking Back

A while ago I decided to put together a slide show of Lexie to be playing during the open house; with Lexie's permission, of course.

Surrounded by photos of the past, I can actually hear her giggle and smell her shiny clean hair just after taking a bath. The laughter and the tears overcome me. When your first child enters your life people are constantly telling you to "enjoy this time, it will go so quickly", at whatever particular stage you are currently in. And as a new mother, you think, "nah" or maybe it's, "YES, maybe I'll finally get some sleep". A word of caution, they are all RIGHT!


Lexie and I have been through many storms, she and I and Doug; side by side with God's neverending Grace. For that I am sure. Inspite of it all or perhaps better said, is, because of it all, Lexie has grown to be a most beautiful creature. Audacious and tenacious all in one breath! She is intelligent and whitty, lighthearted and generious. Avid reader, writer, dreamer and an amazing seamstress. Bragging, not really, just standing in the truth as a very good friend has taught me how to do this year. Thanks Carrie!

The memories overwhelm me and I have to pause and wonder...what will the next chapter bring her? College, new friends, new opportunities, new challenges. Doug and I pray for her, pray for guidance for her. Whatever the Master Author has in mind for this character, she is up for it!

Graduation Open House Map

On to Graduation...

I'm sure this will just be the first of many posts regarding getting ready for graduation (and I thought prom was emotional).

I am attempting to load a map to our home for the open house on Saturday, May 23; 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Wish me luck!

Prom 2009 Pictures

Once Upon a Prom

Prom is one of the few moments in a young woman's life when she can transform into a princess for a night and not have to worry about the clock striking twelve.

It was wonderful! From ordering the dress, playing with makeup, getting hair done and applying the press-on nails. Lexie and her friend Dannyale spent hours getting reading ~ giggling and listening to loud music. Such a prescious experience.

She looked beautiful in her black gown, exquisite make-up that only Lexie can do and flower in her hair.

The girls had a wonderful night and slept until 4:00 p.m. the next day ~ the sure sign of a successful prom experience!