Remembering & loving those we serve.....

On Monday night I received a phone call from my visiting teaching partner. She is a wonderful lady. We have been visiting teaching together for almost five years now. I never want to go with anyone else!!

One of the sisters that we visit teach passed away Sunday night/Monday morning in her sleep. She was 95 years old, but still as sharp as a tack and a lot of fun!! She always said that she wanted to just go to sleep and then not wake up. What a blessing that Heavenly Father would grant her the wish of her heart.

One of my favorite memories of her is visiting her and all of us laughing so hard that we almost wet our pants. Leota said that she did!!! She always had chocolate for us and I loved her dearly. My life is better because I was able to visit and get to know her, she taught me so much when I was suppose to be teaching her!!!

I love you dear friend. I will miss visiting & seeing you. Till we meet again.....



Leota Thomas Smith
July 4, 1914 - September 21, 2009

Biography
Leota Thomas Smith, 95, passed away September 21, 2009 at her home in Bluffdale, Utah.

She was born July 4, 1914 in Malad City, Idaho to David Dredge Thomas and Sarah Claudia Richards Thomas. She was the oldest of four children. She graduated high school in Malad and attended one year at Utah Agriculture College in Logan, Utah.
On September 19, 1935 she married Samuel Wayne Smith in the Salt Lake City Temple. They were happily married for 66 years at the time of her husbands’ death.
Leota loved being involved in church and community service. She was a long time member of the University Park Daughters of Utah Pioneers and was a member of the Pocatello Literary Club. She was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and held numerous positions. She was Relief Society President; Stake Young Women’s President and organized the first library in the Pocatello 6th Ward.

Leota was a gifted gardner and loved her roses and other flowering plants. Her talent for quilting and sewing were unmatched. She loved music and loved to play her piano and organ, but only privately. She was a great cook, and was known for her homemade chicken noodle soup.

Leota is survived by her children: Sharon Lee Smith Gustavson of Titusville, Pa., Kathryn Annette Smith Miller of Pocatello, Id., Scott Wayne Smith (Allyn) of Pocatello, Id., Wendy Sue Smith Nielsen, of Bluffdale, Ut., Kristine Kay Smith Nielsen (Anders) of Riverton, Ut. 21 Grandchildren, 37 Great Grandchildren.
Leota is preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Wayne Smith, her parents David Dredge Thomas, and Sarah Claudia Richards Thomas, her brothers Grant Thomas and Maurice Thomas and sister Maurine Thomas Hughes West, and by an infant daughter, Gaylyn Smith.

Leota was loved by many and will be missed! She left a great legacy of good works and selfless service.

Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 noon on Friday, September 25, 2009 at the Century Ward Chapel, corner of Fourth and Fredregill, with Bishop David Andersen conducting. The family will receive friends Friday morning from 10:00 am to just prior to services at the Century Ward Relief Society room. The Interment will follow at Smithfield City Cemetery in Smithfield, Ut. Arrangements are under the direction of Colonial Funeral Home, 2005 S. 4th Ave, Pocatello

Doctor appointments & all that fun stuff!!!

So I took the twins into the doctor on 09/09/09. I did not even plan it that way! Cool huh? Yeah- whatever.

Anyway - here are their stats:

Caysen
18.52 lbs.....67% centile
28.15 in......93% centile
Percentage of ideal for weight & length....91%

Rylen
19.51 lbs.....82% centile
27.36 in......80% centile
Percentage of ideal for weight & length....102%

The doctor told me that for the percentage of ideal, it is based on what the "average" is for kiddos their age. The pediatrician said that he thought my boys would be bigger/heavier/etc., just looking at them. He said that they look like their are one year old. Oh my.....let's not rush things here!!!

The MA's had me worried for a little bit about Caysen. They measured his length three different times. They said that they could not believe how long he was. Let's pray that my boys get more of the "Mills height gene" than the Andersen one.

I was excited to also learn that the twins do not need anymore shots until they are one year old!! YES!! The doctor was very happy with their growth and let us know that we needed to look into new car seats for at least Rylen at this point. Aw...I love the "bucket" seats. It makes going to the grocery store with both boys so much easier. We are adjusting. Here are some pictures of Rylen in his new "big boy" car seat. He loves it because he can see out the car windows better. He loves to "talk" to the passing cars too and to his brother Caysen.



Rylen has way of expressing his endless "chatter" ALL THE TIME.....I think he will be the first of the twins to talk...while Caysen will definitely be the first to walk. Caysen is trying SO hard to crawl. No!!! STOP!!! I am not ready for mobility yet....(Will I ever be?)



Over the past two weeks, Caysen has suddenly decided that he likes his pacifier again. Why could he not like it in the middle of church when he would scream his head off? I don't know....but just when I want to break him and Rylen of it....he decides to love it again. *sigh* I will wait for now..... Here are some pictures of my favorite time of day.....Nap time!! I think it is Madisen's favorite time of day too!!!


Speaking of Madisen....she is doing fabulous in her school class. I am really proud of her. She is working really, really diligently to master her times and division tables. Keep it up girl!!! On Wednesday she decided that she wanted to make dinner. SWEET!!! I was totally loving it. She made chili and cinnamon rolls. Ok - so not the most difficult, but with only a little help she did it. (Of course I was scared to death to leave the kitchen!!)

Madisen tried out for the Riverton Children's Choir and made it!! We are really proud of her. She will be singing with the choir as an "alto". Way to go girl. This is a fantastic group and we cannot wait for her first performance at the end of November.

So sorry for the long post, but just too much to catch up on.

We have survived 6 months!!!!

The boys turned 6 months old today! I really cannot believe we actually survived!! Here are some pictures to celebrate......these last 6 months have gone SO quickly!!


Caysen

Rylen