Nice ankles!

This card was given to me by my father-in-law.  One of the funniest cards I have ever seen!!  Enjoy! - April

P.S. - check to the left for Dave's new address

I really couldn't have said it better...

This past weekend I was in San Diego thoroughly enjoying the sun and warm weather.  

                   Just me.  No kids.  They were at my mom & dad's house.  I was there for the (now) annual Hoeveler Girls Weekend.  Last year we got together to go to Time Out for Women.  It was unfortunately cancelled on account of Pres. Hinckley's death.  We had a fabulous time regardless, just spending it together.  This year we were going to enjoy the words of Sheri Dew at a Fireside, but she had to cancel due to her father's serious car accident.  Instead, we enjoyed listening to Ardeth Kapp.  And, of course, hung out and had a wonderful time.

I really enjoyed spending time in my in-laws new backyard.  It was hard to leave it for the grey, damp place I call home.  

Dave celebrated his 35th birthday on Sunday.  I missed his call because we were at church - I'm expecting Dave to receive blessings for that!  He was able to call and talk to Caleb and Abby.  However, phone conversations don't hold their interest long, and they apparently couldn't wait to get off the phone so they could finish watching "Prince of Egypt".  My sister Rachel has such a talent for writing.  Please visit the birthday blog she wrote for Dave.  It brought me to tears.  I love my family - both sides. - April

http://we-are-smith.blogspot.com/2009/03/atten-chun.html 

A milestone for Abby

Today was Abby's first ever swim lesson.  Caleb has taken lessons a few times over the past 3 years, at different pools.  For him, it seems just playing around and practicing in the water on his own has made the most difference.  I think he is now ready for some formal teaching.  Abby sent most of her time sitting in the corner of the stairs, not participating in the game of Simon Says.  She loves the water and when I'm in with her, she does extremely well.  It wasn't until they started crab walking on the wall and actually going  out in the water that she participated.  And she made sure she jumped in the pool a few times as well. 

 I'm sure she will be more loosened up next time.  It was just so interesting to watch

 both of my children learning in their own individual ways.  Having taught swim lessons to hundreds of kids over the years, it pricks a little that they need someone else to help

 them.  But I suppose that is the way of

 parenthood in general.  Let me (& Dave)

 teach them the fundamentals and gain a love for something, and someone else can add their touch to it. - April

Bathroom remodel

Nothing like a big project like a bathroom make-over to kill some time!

This is what the bathroom looked like before I got the crazy idea that I (with the help of my awesome brother Craig & my dad) should give it a little face lift.  It looks its' 16 years.

This is the mess in the hall during the tear-out phase.  Peace out Dad!

With the mirror, toilet, floor, vanity & sink gone.  

Starting to lay the tile.  Look at that great cut job on the heater vent!  Go Craig!

The floor installed.  I did all the grouting myself, and it was a pain... in my knees mostly.  Not sure I want to do that again any time soon.

The floor looks great, if I say so myself.  And I do!!  The base of the new vanity, toilet reinstalled.  Since the new vanity is situated so much differently than the old one, Craig & my dad had to do some tweaking with the pipes.  I'm so glad they were there to do that part.  No leaks so far.

The new mirror, vanity & sink.  The vanity is not as deep as the old one, but looks great.  The base boards were a pain to cut - I did them with a hand saw and a miter box.  Luckily I had friends who lent me their nail gun and air compressor, so that part went rather quickly.  

The finished bathroom, with all the accessories back in place.  I am totally pleased with the result!  

Tonight at the improv...

I have a sinus infection. Being a mom while being sick is about the cruelest of cruelities. And having no spouse around to help just compounds the situation. I have been tired, grouchy and unproductive. And yes, those are different behaviors than normal! We went to my mom & dad's for dinner tonight. During dinner Caleb asked me to pass him the orange juice and I thought he said soup. So I start to pass him the soup and he corrects me, "I didn't say soup, I said orange juice." As I am passing him the orange juice dad says, "She didn't hear you cause she's all plugged up." Me, "Yep, my nose, my ears..." "Everything except your mouth" said Caleb! His comedic timing is impeccible! It was just the laugh I needed.-April

Valentine's Day

Someone I spoke to this week (I don't remember who) was saying that a friend of theirs didn't celebrate Valentines Day because it seemed silly to set aside one day to treat the people we love the way we ought to be treating them the other 364 days of the year.  While I believe that this is true, I also appreciate the extra reminder to show those feelings, even if it is focused on one day.  Especially being separated as we are, it means so much to me that Dave took time out of his day to choose flowers to send to me; that he mailed cards to Caleb & Abby.  I'm also enjoying listening to the cd's of music that he burned and sent.  So, long after the flowers are dead, the cards thrown away, and the discs scratched and unable to be listened to, I will remember the efforts taken to show me love and know that every other day I am loved, even if I don't have flowers to show for it.- April

Future career opportunities

A few weeks ago Caleb and I got into a discussion about working parents.  He asked why I didn't work and I explained that daddy and I decided that I should stay home while he and Abby were little.  He asked if I would ever go back to work and I told him after Abby was in school I sure would.  When he asked what I would do for work, I told him that I wasn't sure and when that time came, I would figure it out.  Fast forward to Tuesday.  I was in the bathroom using a plunger in the toilet for, well, reasons I won't get into, and Caleb said words only a parent can appreciate: "Hey mom.  When you go back to work, you should be a plumber.  Cause you're really good with a plunger!"  I wonder if a son's recommendation will work on a resume? - April