Tag I'm it!

Photo Tag: You are supposed to choose the 4th picture in your 4th folder. I love this picture and there is a lot to say about it.


This was just a couple of days after we moved to Colorado. Corbin's parents came to stay with us for our cousin Landin's wedding reception. It was so great to have them here with us since we had just moved our little family to a new state, something that we had never done before. Even though Corbin and I were so excited to be in Colorado and knew it was where we were supposed to be, it was still a little scary. This was the first time that Corbin would be living away from his parents, except for when he served his mission and we were nervous to be in a new ward and if our kids would like it here. Having Corbin's parents here at that time really helped us to feel like we did the right thing. This was the first official snowman that the girls helped Grandma to make after we moved. It was in our backyard and I love how Grandma is kneeling IN the snow. It's just like her to get down on our kid's level and play with them. I also love how Ella is concentrating on doing her thumbs up just right. Thanks Amber that was fun!

Easton's 2 yr. Pics.

However, I was not brave enough to do Easton's pictures myself. Last Saturday Corbin and I took the girls to see High School Musical 3 and Amber was kind enough to take Easton in her backyard and get some darling shots of him. When I saw them I was so excited. She is so amazing. Even though this kid drives me nuts most days, I can't get over how adorable he is. Don't worry Grandma's I have already ordered your prints.

Elise's 7 yr. pics

My dear friend Amber was nice enough to let me borrow her camera so that I could take some pictures of Elise after she turned 7. I just took her across the street to the park and I was really happy with the way they turned out. Not bad for an amateur.

New Do's

I took all the kids to Fantastic Sam's for haircuts a couple of weeks ago. I think they turned out pretty cute.


Elise got some layers. Because Elise's hair is naturally curly the longer it gets the less it curls. Now she has more body to it and it curls up a little more.


Ella got a bob. Which is so perfect for her personality and for me. Ella is a princess, but hates having her hair done. On days that I do do her hair she usually takes it out a few minutes later. This haircut us so great because all I have to do is brush it and she looks so cute.


Easton just got a boy cut, but doesn't he look so cute too?

Halloween Fun

Okay now on to more fun stuff. We had a blast dressing up the kids this year for Halloween and had so much fun participating in all the Halloween activities. We enjoyed decorating, costume changes, picking pumpkins, and of course candy, candy, candy, we even threw in story time at the Library.

First up was Corbin's customer appreciation breakfast. While Corbin was busy flipping pancakes we enjoyed the magician, getting our picture taken with Grandma, playing at the playground, and picking out the first of many free pumpkins.

Next it was off to the Grange for our community Halloween Party. Notice Elise is Hannah Montana and Ella is Snow White.


We petted some animals. Some enjoyed this, but mostly not my kids.


We made spooky pumpkin masks.


We ate some candy.


We picked up another free pumpkin!



Then it was off to the Library for a Halloween story time and party. Ella decided to be Sleepy Beauty for this event. They really enjoyed hearing spooky stories and of course more candy.


Carving pumpkins kinda got lost in the shuffle this year. While I was gone at Stake Relief Society training Corbin was so good to help them carve some pumpkins which I have already canned and am planning on using to make pumpkin pies this year!




Finally Halloween night arrived and the kids were so excited to go to our ward Trunk or Treat. Notice that our little princess decided to be a witch on Halloween night (that's three costume changes for Ella for those keeping count). We were so excited that Uncle Taylor came down to hang out with us and even more excited when we found out that Uncle Biff was in town from Florida for work and could come too.



We love our Uncles!!!


Ella was so excited to see her friend Grace. After we pigged out on sloppy joes, chips, veggies, and rice krispie treats, we were ready for more candy.


Taylor and Biff were so great to hand out candy at our trunk so that we could take our kiddos around to the other cars.


After we were done visiting all the trunks and our candy runneth over we headed into Littleton to Uncle Alan and Aunt Do Do's so that we could see the cute little Allen kids in their costumes and so that the Smith's could see Uncle Biff. Ella thought that Peter Pan/Cooper was very dashing.






Oh you thought we were done, almost. The next day Elise had her School Fall Festival. On this occasion Elise decided to ditch the Rock Star costume and go as a Pirate instead and Little Miss Ella wanted to be Barbie (and the final count is 4 costume changes for Ella and two for Elise). Good thing we have lots of dress up clothes. They loved trick or treating in the school hallways where they were playing spooky music. Then it was off to games in the gym where they won, you guessed it, more candy. Our last stop ,as it is with all these kinds of functions, was tattoos. So fun! Now I'm exhausted and Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner. But seriously I can't wait!!!

Christian Courage

Lately I have been feeling lots of anxiety over all the hatred toward our Church resulting from the passing of Proposition 8 in California. I have spent time on my knees praying for a way for these feelings to go away. I just don't know how to act when I'm feeling attack about my beliefs. Then today an answer. I came across this conference talk by Robert D. Hales. I love it. It is exactly what I needed to hear to help me forgo these feelings of being scared for our members there and for our sacred Temple grounds. You can find the entire talk on lds.org and then search under "Christian Courage." Here is just a few quotes I really liked.

"We have gathered together as one, we have taken upon us the name of Jesus Christ, and we are Christians. One of the questions we would ask: why then, if we have that love of the Savior, would someone want to be an antagonist or to attack us?"

In such moments, we may want to respond aggressively—to “put up our dukes.” But these are important opportunities to step back, pray, and follow the Savior’s example. Remember that Jesus Himself was despised and rejected by the world. And in Lehi’s dream, those coming to the Savior also endured “mocking and pointing … fingers” (1 Nephi 8:27). “The world hath hated [my disciples],” Jesus said, “because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:14). But when we respond to our accusers as the Savior did, we not only become more Christlike, we invite others to feel His love and follow Him as well."

To respond in a Christlike way cannot be scripted or based on a formula. The Savior responded differently in every situation. When He was confronted by wicked King Herod, He remained silent. When He stood before Pilate, He bore a simple and powerful testimony of His divinity and purpose. Facing the moneychangers who were defiling the temple, He exercised His divine responsibility to preserve and protect that which was sacred. Lifted up upon a cross, He uttered the incomparable Christian response: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

We can take advantage of such opportunities in many ways: a kind letter to the editor, a conversation with a friend, a comment on a blog, or a reassuring word to one who has made a disparaging comment. We can answer with love those who have been influenced by misinformation and prejudice—who are “kept from the truth because they know not where to find it” (D&C 123:12). I assure you that to answer our accusers in this way is never weakness. It is Christian courage in action.

This is not to suggest that we compromise our principles or dilute our beliefs. We cannot change the doctrines of the restored gospel, even if teaching and obeying them makes us unpopular in the eyes of the world. Yet even as we feel to speak the word of God with boldness, we must pray to be filled with the Holy Ghost (see Acts 4:29, 31). We should never confuse boldness with Satan’s counterfeit: overbearance (see Alma 38:12). True disciples speak with quiet confidence, not boastful pride.

Without guile, true disciples avoid being unduly judgmental of others’ views. Many of us have cultivated strong friendships with those who are not members of our Church—schoolmates, colleagues at work, and friends and neighbors throughout the world. We need them, and they need us. As President Thomas S. Monson has taught, “Let us learn respect for others. … None of us lives alone—in our city, our nation, or our world.”3

I feel so much better now that I read that. Such great words of council from an Apostle of God. We can not retaliate by being mean spirited. We must defend Christ by being Christ-like. Every situation will be different. Some times we will have to stand up for our beliefs in a loving way and some times we will have to simply say nothing and walk away. I think this is something that we will all have to put into practice as the latter-days roll on. One thing that Elder Hales says is the most effective way to stand up to those that attack us is to bear our testimony:

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true. I know that every blessing that I have ever received is because of my membership in this church. I know that the Savior is the living Christ and died for me so that I may return to live with Him again if I am true and faithful to the covenants that I have made with Him in the Holy Temple. I know that families are forever and if I strive each day to keep the commandments that I will live with my little family in the eternities. I know that Jesus Christ is the only way to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. My testimony is not centered in what the world thinks, but is centered in what my Savior thinks of me. I know that each and every time I pray He hears me. I know that my struggles and trials in this life are meant to refine me and make me the person the He knows I can be. I know that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ and restored the priesthood on this earth. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a true and living prophet called of God to lead our church under the direction of the Savior. I know that I was saved to come forth during this time on earth because Heavenly Father knew that I would stand up for what I believe and fight for His cause. I know that the Savior will come again and "every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is the Christ." In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Elise's Birthday Follow-Up

Sorry it has taken me so long to follow up on Elise's oh so fun Birthday. It turned out to be 5 days of non stop celebration.


Surprise #1 Ice Cream Cone Cup Cakes to take to share with her class. I told her a little white lie that she had to take them on Thursday because Mrs. Sweeney said it would be too hectic Friday before fall break do have them then. It was really cute. I was in my bathroom getting ready and I had made the cupcakes the night before, but still needed to frost them. She came in the bathroom with the biggest smile on her face. I asked her why she was smiling so big and she said, "Mom, I saw the cup cakes and they're awesome." She loved putting the sprinkles on them and she said that everyone loved them.


Surprise #2 I made Elise a Birthday Bow to wear in her hair. I can't remember how I convinced her to wear it on Thursday, but she really like it.


Surprise #3 Grandma Smith!!! This was actually a surprise for all the kids. They had no idea that Grandma was flying in especially for Elise's birthday. On our way to the airport I asked Ella where we were going and she kept saying, "to get cupcakes, I want the Barbie ones." Both Ella and Easton were so excited to see Grandma at the airport. The funny part was trying to convince them that they had to go with me to pick up Elise from school. Once Grandma was at our house they weren't going any where. But finally I got them to go with me. When we got home I asked Elise who was the one person she wished she could have at her birthday party and she of course said Grandma and Grandpa. Then I said that Grandpa was in Utah, but...and Grandma walked around the corner. She ran and jumped in her arms and gave her the biggest hug ever. It was priceless. She was so happy!


Surprise #4 No School today! This was the look on Elise's face when I told her that she didn't have to go to school on Friday and that we were taking her to a special place for lunch.




Surprise #5 Lunch at Chedd's with Daddy. This is our favorite lunch treat. It's a little drive into Littleton, but so worth it. We had a nice lunch with Corbin before he had to head back to work and then it was on to the next surprise.



Surprise #6 You can get your ears pierced! Elise has been talking about getting her ears pierced for the longest time. She had been wearing stick on earrings and then telling every one that she has pierced ears. In an effort to help her be more honest we surprised her with a trip to Claires. I had the clerk go up to her and say "Hi, Elise are you ready to get your ears pierced." She froze and starting shaking her head no. We decided to wait an hour and go back when they had two girls there so that they could do both ears at the same time, but when it came time for us to go back she was still too scared. We had to drive back into Littleton on Saturday to go to Corbin's Customer Appreciation Picnic, so afterwards she said she was ready. It was exhausting trying to convince her that it would only hurt for one second. But she finally got up the courage to do it and she was very nervous. She was crying, but still excited and then when it was over she said, "that was it". She started laughing and was so happy that she did it!






Surprise #7 A Hannah Montana themed birthday party. Grandma did a great job of finding all things Hannah Montana including a bag, head phone set, lip gloss, hand sanitizer, etc. She also got a scripture case and scriptures with her name on them, tickets to the BYU ballet, a piggy bank, money, and Grandma South Dakota got her a Hannah Montana guitar that she can rock out on. The kids had fun decorating Halloween cookies. You know if Grandma Smith is around there is going to be cookie decorating some where some how. We topped it off by singing to our first born and enjoying her Hannah Montana birthday cake.





It was so fun surprising Elise all weekend long. She is such a good girl and so deserving of being treated very special on her special day. Corbin and I are in awe everyday of how she is growing up to be such a sweet little girl and we are so grateful that she sets the example for Ella and Easton. She is very obedient and wants so much to follow the Prophet and please her Heavenly Father. She was definitely worth all the tears and heartache that Corbin and I went through to have her in our family. We must have done something pretty important to deserve such an amazing daughter.

I stand with the Lord

It makes me sick to see what is happening in California right now. Jazmin I read your blog today and I can just feel how upset and uneasy you are feeling right now. Actually, it doesn't really surprise me one bit. We are in the latter-days where "men's hearts will fail them and they will call good evil and evil good." And it is only going to get worse. We as Latter-Day Saints must choose now where we stand and not falter. These things are happening right now so that Heavenly Father can separate the righteous from the unrighteous. Many are being deceived and lead away. Sound familiar? Prophesy is being fulfilled. There is no more grey, only black and white. You either stand with the Lord or you stand against Him. Period! If you are confused about the issues facing our country right now I would take the time to read the October Ensign and The Family: A Proclamation to the World. Our stance is very clear.

On abortion:

"Man-made rules have now legalized that which has been forbidden by God from the dawn of time! Human reasoning has twisted and transformed absolute truth into sound-bite slogans that promote a practice that is consummately wrong." "Elective abortion has been legalized in many countries on the premise that woman is free to choose what she does with her own body. To an extent this is true for each of us, male or female. We are free to think. We are free to plan. And we are free to do. But once an action has been taken, we are never free from its consequences. When the controversies about abortion are debated, “individual right of choice” is invoked as though it were the one supreme virtue. That could only be true if but one person were involved. The rights of any one individual do not allow the rights of another individual to be abused. In or out of marriage, abortion is not solely an individual matter. Terminating the life of a developing baby involves two individuals with separate bodies, brains, and hearts. A woman’s choice for her own body does not include the right to deprive her baby of life—and a lifetime of choices that her child would make. Why destroy a life that could bring great joy to others? There are better ways of dealing with an unwanted pregnancy. When a life is created by sinful behavior, the best way to begin personal repentance is to preserve the life of that child. To add another serious sin to a serious sin already committed only compounds the grief. Adoption is a wonderful alternative to abortion. Both the baby and the adoptive parents can be greatly blessed by the adoption of that baby into a home where the child will be lovingly nurtured and where the blessings of the gospel will be available".

I stand with the Lord.

On Gender:

"All human beings-male and female-are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose."

I stand with the Lord.

On Marriage:

"The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife. The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity."

I stand with the Lord.