SWINE FLU......

Okay so I'm sure you have all heard about swine flu or maybe you are like me & you haven't. Last night as I was driving home I was talking to my Dad & he was telling me about the fear of this swine flu stuff. When I got home I asked Nate if he had heard of swine flu? He had & acted as if it was no big deal. I laughed at always being the last to know everything. Then I wondered who on earth comes up with these stupid names?

For the last 3 & 1/2 weeks we have had nothing but sickness in our home. It started with Eliza the first day of Spring Break. She had been invited to spend spring break in St George with her best friend & something about it didn't feel right to Nate & I. We told her we needed to think about it & we just couldn't shake it. You have to know we love this friend & her family but the feeling wouldn't go away. When she got sick, BINGO we knew why. She spent the entire spring break in bed even had visits to the Dr. & ended up in the hospital. So I am wondering what exactly would a scientist name her illness..........

As she was getting better Taylor got hit hard by what she was just recovering from. He missed a whole week of school & almost went crazy having to be in the house. He was so sick of his 3 times a day medication we could do nothing but laugh when we had to just say "Taylor it's.........." & he wanted to scream. During his time of sickness he had a once in a life time opportunity to meet an amazing casting director & spend an evening with her & have a one on one audition with her. He didn't want to miss it but he had know idea what could possibly happen that night (no she didn't cast him in a leading role of a huge mega film). During his time he got a bloody nose that seemed to be a side effect of his meds & so he plugged his nose & held it not knowing what to do. Finally blood was squirting out all over & she said oh Taylor please go to the bathroom & get yourself cleaned up. One thing for sure, she will never forget Taylor Smith. So what would a scientist call his illness............

Then half way into Taylor's time down McKay spent a day trying to call home. Bless his heart he knew you now had to dial 801 so he called my cell phone which is a North Carolina area code plus he put the UT area code first. After doing this over & over all day he burst into tears. He was so sick & just wanted his mommy. I was very upset when Eliza called after school from a friends cell phone & asked me to come pick them up. I said come on you can walk two blocks & then I could hear my baby crying & jumped in the car & went got them. In the car he explained that NOBODY in the office would help him. What the heck! I wasn't happy with that at all. He was so proud to tell me he remembered the 801 area code but when we put it together it broke my heart what he was doing all day. He is still running a fever & infact going to the Dr in a little bit for a quick look of his lungs because he is very vulnerable to pneumonia. So what would a scientist call his illness.............

I think that the last 3 weeks have been crazy to say the least. Remembering who needs medication at what time. Thank goodness 2 of the 3 take pills & not liquids. But if you really want a scientific name for what the illness is in our home I would have to say it is Smith sibling enjoyable, loving time illness. They honestly have loved just to be cuddled up together watching movies & reading. You never realize that sick kids can actually bring joy to your home when they are together & too tired to fight. And sorry to offend the scienist who named it Swine Flu but come on name things a little less.....stupid. Do you want to tell your child that they are sick like a pig?

Those are my thoughts on being a mom of sick kids over the last month. It hasn't been fun but I have seen the funny things & been able to laugh & hold my sick babies. Soon we will all be swimming at Cherry Hill & this too shall pass.

Update on My Perscription addiction.........

After posting my story of my experience with being an addict to perscription medication (drugs), I have received a number of calls & emails reguarding either someones own struggles or that they are dealing with a close frind who is in the same boat & they are at the end of their rope trying to "save" that person. Which leads to me feeling the need to post a little advice on what those in either situation may or may not want to do.

The very first step is that you cannot "SAVE" that person. It is only through the Attonement & Grace of our Savior that they can be SAVED. Do not loose yourself in the addiction or pretty soon you will become addicted to their problem & forget what your life has to accomplish. When I was going through my addiction I had friends leave me left & right. I thought yea right some friends. If they were true friends they would have stayed by til the end. Now I know more & know that I was taking them down & they had small children at home and that they couldn't do it all & their committments were to their own family. Remember that it doesn't make you a bad person because you aren't there for the addict 24/7. Who you need to be there for is your own family as hard as it may seem. Pray & listen to the spirit of when it is a critical time for you to drop everything and go but I promise that will not be everyday.

The second thing is for those who are searching so hard for answers generally they are right in front of your face. I learned this the hard way. You, the addict has given all power to the meds. So to just say "no" isn't even a thought they can mustard. Don't judge them. Instead set up plans. For me it was that all meds were to go into a double locked safe & my husband keeps the key with him at all times. Don't for one second think if they really do need medacine for something that you can leave out the days dosages. DON'T DO IT! Talk to the phramsist and let them know that your wife/husband isn't to pick up any meds period! Talk with your doctor. Talk to your insurance company & have them flag their card so when they try to get meds they have to have a password that only you would know & then it alerts whom they are buying from not to sell to them. Lastly cut off their financial means. This may all seem harsh but it works & you have to decide if you want a dead spouse or BFF or a live one. The other one that I highly recommend is take away their liscence & the keys. You are allowing them to drive with a DUI. They are at risk of killing someone. How would you feel living with that the rest of your life knowing you did nothing about it.

In conclusion please contact me at anytime. I am an addict. I still fight it & will the rest of my life. But it is everywhere & we need to educate & you aren't trash because you fell to a very easy trap. Just except the help to get out & those who are there to help, THANK YOU!

God speed,

Leah

Jr Jazz comes to an end.........

If you ask Nate if he got his Eagle he will tell you no but that he did play more basketball than probablly any other teenager you know. So it is no surprise that our boys would play. But it took a lot of convincing to get them to play. Once they got the ball in their hand it was instant love & that made Nate very happy.

There is nothing more fun than watching 3rd grade boys take on basketball for the first time. McKay had a great season of a lot of laughs, learning, & a wonderful and patient coach. For Taylor's team most of them had played last year but there were 2 boys from Thailand who hand never seen a basketball & so I'm not sure which was funnier, them or the 3rd grade boys.

Taylor with his caoch (George Richards)

Taylor with his team. We had to beg Taylor to play basketball. He loved it & was a top scorer!

Taylor was always having a great time.

I'm not sure if Taylor got sweatier in basketball or football?

McKay with his coach (Tim Jackson) getting ready to start the game. McKay fell in love with basketball & has decided that he wants to play at Wake Forest. He even had his retainer made black with gold writing for Wake Forest.

McKay was the top rebounder every game!

He played great defense. It helps when you are so tall.

Nice game face.

Always concentrating.

Get it McKay!

I hate when things so fun come to an end. It was a great season and both our boys learned so much. Jr Jazz is a great program. They also got to go to a Jazz game which they had a blast at. Thank you so much to 2 very wonderful coaches, Tim Jackson & George Richards. Now we wait for football to start up in a couple of months.

Preparing a Temple of the Lord.....

For the last 2 months I have had the blessing of working at the Draper Utah Temple. During this time we have been busy with the open house & today we started preparing for the dedication. I have never realized what it truly takes to run a Temple. It is so well organized down to the littlest detail. It is hard to think that what I am doing as work when I am in our Father's House each day. I just cannot descirbe how truly blessed I feel.

Another baby!!!!!!!!!

My little sister is such an amazing mother. She does a celebration everyday with her kids for something. She makes the funnest arts projects with them. She is just the mom that every child dreams of having. Her kids are 5 & 3. We were so excited to find out that in October they will be adding to their family. It is so great to have a baby in the family again. We cannot wait.

Sara you are such a great example to me & I love you!

Taylor gets a part.........

We got a call yesterday from the Taylor's agent that he got a part in an up coming LDS Church production called "The Story Lives Here". He will be in the studio all day a week from tomorrow to film. He is excited because it is set in the late 1890's & that is the time period he is studying in school right now.

A new arrival.........

We can hardly believe that it has been 3 years since Kami joined the family. We absoultly LOVE her! We are so thrilled with their wonderful news!

This beautiful couple will be adding to their family in October! They are 2 of the most stunning people I have ever met so I can only imagne how stunning this baby will look.
Paul and Kami we are so thrilled for you guys & we love you so much! We are a little sad that most likely you will not be living in Utah when the baby comes but thank goodness for air travel & that law school is quick! We cannot wait to meet the newest Smith:)

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Need a great photographer?

With Eliza & Taylor working with United Talent Group we have had some fun opportunities. One was working with a fabulous photographer who did their headshots. Even though McKay has no interest in acting or singing she did get him to do some shots for her. I love this picture. McKay has eyes that often get him out of trouble. We have become dear friends with Marcel. She is so talented. If you are ever looking for a photographer I highly recommend her & so does our kids agency.

www.marcelwalker.us

www.marcelwalker.blogspot.com

Cherry Hill.........

Oh summer time fun at Cherry Hill.....need I say more? It has been 3 years since we have had season passes to Cherry Hill so we were so thrilled to get passes from Nate's parents for Christmas this year. Now if summer would just get here! We just love being at Cherry Hill and being lazy in the sun. Our kids think they are fish any time they are around water. Oh what wonderful memories! We are anxious to make many more!

Now staring......Taylor Smith

For those of you who know our family well you know that Taylor is a very well rounded young man. He acts, sings, plays football, basketball, gets straight A's, has his future planned out...... okay that is a little over the top on bragging.

In reality he is just like any other 9 (almost 10) year old. He has just had some lucky opportunities. One of those opportunities was a couple of years ago he played the lead in a short film called Butterflies. It was a wonderful experience, one we all enjoyed as a family as Eliza & McKay both got to be extra's in the film & Nate & I were fascinated on set with all that went into making a movie. It has also opened many doors to new friendships & other opportunities for our children.

Butterflies has spent the last year traveling the United States & even Australia at Film Festivals & winning many awards. The director and writter, Andy Bailey, did a wonderful job & no matter how many times we watch it we still laugh & love it. So we were thrilled when he contacted us to let us know that it is now available to purchase on DVD. It is a great children's film actually it is fun for the whole family & not because Taylor is the lead but because the story is so fun. You actually may not even recognize Taylor because he has grown up so much. But if you are looking for a good film for your family pick your copy up today at:

www.butterfliesmovie.com/store/

No we aren't making any money off of you getting it. You can just say, I saw that directors first project. The behind the scences are a lot of fun too.

To Ask or Not to Ask....That is the Question

So I have for the last few years had wondered why the Church has not made an open statement about Mental Illness & the reality that it truly is & how it is NOT cured by reading your scriptures & going to church. While at Nate's grandfather's funeral we were seated next to Sister Beck & her counselors. I thought wow Here I am sitting next to the General Relief Society President of the Church & I have this burning question when will I ever be in this situation again? but this isn't really the place to ask. When the funeral was over & we stood for the Pall Bearers to take their place, Nate walked out with the others & she put her arm around me & said I didn't know your husband was a grandson, you have the most beautiful little family. I thought score she has made conversation so maybe I can get an answer to my burning question. She then asked me which child Nate belonged to & how he has taken care of her down at headquarters. So I went in for the move. I know not the place but like I said when was I ever going to have the chance again to know where they stood? So I asked her & was so thrilled for the revelation that I had been waiting for the last few years. What she said was ever so disappointing. She simply said that they feel that it is like any other illness & that it takes faith & a testimony. I told her I didn't think she understood me. I explained that I wanted to know why they didn't define the reality of it. As we stood there she just wrapped her arms around me & told me that she loved me & that she knew the Lord loved me & that that's all she knew as tears began to role down her checks & then mine as well. I wasn't sure what to think. Surely she had to have something more profound for me than that. I already knew that my Heavenly Father loved me. As I have thought about that conversation the last couple of weeks I have pondered on somethings are not as important as we make them out to be. We can spend so much time worring or wanting something that really isn't there to want or need. Though it was comforthing to have her assureance of love & support what she told me I already knew. I know for myself there is a lot in my life that is stuff that is matter I don't need to foccuss my thoughts & time on or things because they cluter my time & energy. I need to be more simple minded. Pick my issues wisely.

A glimpse of Heaven.......

Never in my life did I think that I myself would meet the Prophet of God but when my children did & he took time with them it was even more over whelming. The pictures I really wanted to take were too sacred to take. When he took McKay under his arm & told he & Taylor of the from mud balls he made when he was about their age. After a good 20 minutes with them talking and laughing I could see why the Savior loves the children. I think this experience will forever be in their hearts as I ask them what story they loved the most they have a hard time picking. Taylor was shocked to know that the Prophet of God played so many pranks as a boy. McKay loved when he sang the fight song for Michigan because that is his favorite school. Eliza loved when he told the boys that they should always have her back as well as each others. Nate of course liked that he was so impressed with how sharp their suits & ties looked (that's Nate's style department). I sat back as a mother & soaked in the beauty of my three precious jewels mingling & joking & being taught by God's mouth piece here on this earth & thought, can I be any more blessed?

My rock!

After this ever so crazy weekend I have to thank Nate for his encouragement, support, patience, love, & most of all encouraging me to follow my dreams.

I am bleesed to have him not only for a husband & the father of our children but also my best friend!

We are coming up on our 13 year anniversary in May. He has been my rock through all these years & I am so grateful for our road together no matter how many bolders we have had to climb.

I LOVE YOU NATHAN!

Reality TV. Do you love it like I do?

So I got a call fom our kids agency about an audition for a reality TV series & I though what the heck. Well here's looking at your nect reality TV star. It's called Power Plaers & is a take of The Apprentince & Oprah's Big Give. We started filming today. It is so unreal that I wonder how it can be reality.

Can you tell I always wanted to live the lime light?


With my childhood friend who is famous. He is one of the top animators for Pixar.

I always wanted to be a famous singer but I'm best at listening rather than hurting others ears.

After spending the night at Sundance tonight with some of the cast I wonder what is famous? Who decides who is famous? I love to people watch & I had a great time watching people who wanted to be someone. One girl had her 15 minutes of fame when she was so drunk she fell flat on her face on the middle of the pavement on Main St & tore up her beautiful dress, broke her shoe, & gave us all a nice little show we would rather have not seen. To me I look at people who have high values & morals & accompish great things & I think they are famous. So what do you think is famous?

Persciption Drug abuse the fastest growing addiction

How quickly this once need has become a want even a killer. Prescription drugs destroy the greatest of people & families. It is the number one drug killing our youth right now. Why you may ask because they pop some pills from mom & dad's medicine cabnet with some alchohol & boy what a high. The problem they have no idea what that medicine was for. It is scary. It is the easiest drug to get your hands on. The most justifiable because hey it's from the doctor & it is also an addiction that thousands of housewives are struggling with. If you are LDS it is also easy to justify with the Word of Wisdom because you start taking them for health reasons & it goes from there. Even over the counter drugs are addicting.
I ran into a dear friend the other day & asked how she was doing & she told me her story of the mess they were in right now with her father-in-law who is suffering from this very addiction & all the money he has lost to it. I cried & hugged her & told her my story & I want to share it with you.

First of all we all have closets & we all hiding things in our closets that we think are the worst & ugliest ever but at some point they need to come out either to be thrown away or to be let go of or in my case to hopefully help others.
I know that many will look at me differently & I can accept that because I know where I stand with my Savior & how he looks at me is all I care about.

Five years ago this April we were adopting a baby boy. I was at every doctors appoinment, the ultrasound, in the delivery room, cut the umbilacle cord, gave him his first bath, & spent his first night with him. Then the next day his mother changed her mind. I was numb. That's the only word I can think of to describe it. How could the Lord take away this righteous desire from me. I couldn't have anymore children & I yearned for a baby yet she was out getting pregnant by different men (last count she has 4 with 4 different dad's. still not bitter). I was angry at her & the Lord & everyone around me. In June I had a suicide attempt & spent 2 weeks at LDS. They had me so drugged that I don't remember being there. They sent me home with A LOT of meds. Two days later I went in for surgery & the doctor messed up. So in 7 days my stomache had eaten it's self open. I went back in for emergency surgery & spent a week in the hospital so dopped up I didn't know what day it was or what was going on. Then for 3 months I had my stomache cut from hip to hip with a vacuum in it to drain all the infection. Everyday I went to a wound doctor & he gave me meds, the surgeon I saw 3 times a week & he would load me up with med, & my doctor I saw 1 time a week & he gave me meds. Of course I didn't say anything to any of the doctors because I loved the feeling of the medication & not the fact that it took away my physical pain away but my emotional. So I just kept taking it. I OD & woke up in my bed with the police & EMT's at my bedside. I took my kids all shopping at Dick's and took pills half way through & by the time we got to the car I went unconcinous & was for 17 hours. I totaled 2 cars when I was high. Once when I was dropping McKay off at school & I passed out & my foot slammed on the gas & a tree stopped us before we went over a bridge into a gully. I was out for 15 hours. Another time I had both boys in the car thankfully nobody was injured. I went to a school carnival so gone that someone went & found Nate & asked him to please take me home. There are 2 1/2 years of my children's life that I only remember bits & pieces of. I can never have that time back. I watch home movies & I cry as I watch myself at Christmas' high or out of it & think what a shamful disgrace. When my brother died I hit a year of hell. I don't know how Nate stayed. Then Nate found this doctor who was our angel. He was mean & I would cry just driving there but he turned my life around to where I am a wife, a mother who is a part of everything my kids do & I love life & I still have a lot of emotional pain but pills aren't going to take it away. This Dr Sean Ponce truly saved my life. I will forever love him. So I feel that the hard lessons I've learned on my path are for sharing & hopefully helping just one person down their path. I hate that I am an addict because once an addict always one but I have been sober for 2 years. But I am greatful that I know what other addicts are going through. Once you start you are a slave to what ever it is, whether it be drugs, smoking, pronography, eating, shopping, or even gossiping. We all have our addictions. You may think it isn't as bad as someone who drinks beer but if you cannot put down that diet coke think about that. My message started as please don't leave medicine lying around your house. Even those in grade school are starting it. And DON"T ever think it won't be your kids. One other great piece of advice I was given while getting sober is we are all about substance in this day & age. "We say to our kids I need a Diet Coke I have a headache. We need to stop refering to substances & material things to fix our headaches or our upsets." That has been one of my most profound lessons so I share that with you.

She has grown up way to fast

On Sunday we got a shocking invitation. We got an invitation for Eliza & us to attend New Beginnings. I teared up as I read it. Could it really be that my beautiful baby girl will enter the Young Women's program this year. How the time has flown. But you know they say time flies when you are having fun. I must admit I am proud to be her mother & the choices she has made. She is the most beautiful young woman I know & I am not just speaking about the outside but inside as well. Her heart is of gold. I love you Baby Girl!

Royal Bliss 1/13/09 Releases their CD with Capitol Life in Between.....

Okay so this is the most exciting day of my bro-in-laws life. Jake the drummer is my bro & so I go to go party at the release show. Boy did they rock. It was a blast!

Jake taking his little boy out to Granma's car after the exciting evening


At least Aiden heard a couple songs

Chad Milton (Eliza & Taylor's agent with W Talent), Sam Salisbury & Jason Steadman owners of Rock Star Shows. All very awesome guys!!!!!!! They were our guests.

Jake doing his thing! With Tommy joing in

Jammin Jake

I love this shot, the colors & the movment

Here you can see his ture love in his face for what he does

Tommy & Jake are both so naturally talented

He is just AMAZING

Niel can bring some power

I think this was a first show in a long time that it was just his pure natural talent

Franchesca (Jake's girlfriend) & I hanging out

Becky cheering on her little bro

Grandma & Aiden enjoying the show

Aiden trying to stay awake

Now go get your copy of Life In Between! Its great. If you haven't listened to Royal Bliss do!

Happy New Year

Here is to wishing you all a Happy New Year. We are excited for a new year & new opportunities. Nate & I spent New Year's Eve at dinner & seeing Seven Pounds. We highly suggest it. We spent New Year's Day celebrating my sister-in-laws birthday and had a ball! Sunday we are looking forward to going on a VIP tour of the new Draper Temple. Then Monday we start our no soda & no sugar for a year. Wish us lots of luck & hopefully we will be in great shape when we roll in 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!

Smith family updates

We have kept very busy these last few months. Here are some pictures to show you all that we have been up to!

Halloween

all the family watching cousins play football

the boys last day of games

cousins coming to cheer on the boys

more cousin time

Nate staying busy with carpet jobs

Thanksgiving point. Eliza sang there & we even got to meet Shawn Bradley

waiting for Eliza to go on stage

I want a car like that. (Taylor)

McKay loving being able to drive

Aiden loves or I should say LOVES the Jonas Brothers so he was thrilled when we surprised him with this

What a good looking group of future missionaries!

The boys showing their Chuck Taylors in honor of Grandpa @ his funeral. He lettered all 4 years at the U and played professional ball before the NBA

After Grandpa's funeral