Graduation ~ 2012

The first first weekend in May was my graduation from University of Phoenix. I was so excited to go and walk across the stage to show my children that chasing and catching a dream is an amazing thing and it is POSSIBLE! Granted during the course of it there were times that I thought what am I doing. I am in my thirties with a family and it is too late to start chasing a dream. Those are the times when Chad, Matt, and Dylan seemed to come through for me the strongest. I really don't even think they knew there were so many of those times and without even knowing they gave me the strength and courage to go forward. My family was so supportive and there were times that they changed the day of family get-togethers to accommodate my school schedule. I do have to say Thank you to Shane for helping me along the way. For those of you who don't Shane is my older brother and one day I called him for a favor. I asked him if he would download and nominate me for the "Paying It Forward" Scholarship that the University of Phoenix was offering. He said yes, but then I threw another curve ball at him and told him it was due in 3 days. He again said no problem. That was in February 2008 and on April 1, 2008 he called me at work to tell me that I got the scholarship ~ A Full Ride Scholarship. Thank you to all my family and friends for always having faith in me even when I didn't have it in myself.

As a graduation gift Chad gave me a beautiful angel necklace so I could have my Mom, my angel close to my heart as I walked across the stage. He also is giving me the opportunity to check something of my bucket list...SKYDIVING!!! He is sending me and Shane on a tandem jump!! We are super excited and I will post pictures of that when it happens.

Thank you Dad, Jo, Colton, Shane, Heidi, Mariah, Kenzie, Matti, Mari, and Karver for coming.
Kaelton was working so Chad could come. Shar, Tom, and Garett were in St. George cheering on Weston and the Ben Lomond Soccer team in the State Championship game. We missed you!!!

Beginning of Summer

Sunday May 22nd was the first real hot day of the year. The Smuin family decided to celebrate with cooking dinner over an open fire in the back yard. We bought some hot dog roasters and the fun began. The kids loved cooking their own dinner over the fire pit. Kinley got in on the action with a little help from Dad.  I snapped the pictures and enjoyed the  conversations going on between the boys and the laughter that came from it all. I am one lucky gal to have such an amazing family!!!

Smuins Livin' in fast forward....

Hi Everyone...
WOW is all I can say! Life has been busy this last couple of months. First of all Dylan is playing football and Chad is coaching so that has consumed most of our week. Matt is playing soccer and loving it and he is babysitting Kinley so I can go be the football team mom. Chad besides coaching football is running his business and being an amazing husband and dad! I am still in school, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I have started my student teaching in kindergarten and I am loving EVERY minute of it. I will be completely done with school on November 15, 2011 YAY!!!! I am looking forward to that day and I can honestly say so is the rest of my family. I have also started a new adventure/business. I started selling Paparazzi Jewelry. It is a home based business that does home parties and everything is under $5 plus tax. It is going well and I am hoping to build it up to help with my income while I student teach and looking for a teaching job. I will try to get some more pictures posted soon. That is just a quick overview of the Smuins livin' in fast forward!!!!

Smuin Summer Splash 2011

The celebrate and end summer we held our Smuin Summer Splash. We invited family and friends to celebrate with us. We had a blast and we all look forward to this every year. This year Chad set up a volleyball net and got a kickball game going ~ Old versus Young! I am not sure who won ...I think it all depends on who you ask. My family and I are so blessed to have so many people in our lives that are truly AMAZING. Here are a few pictures of the day!! Thank you to every one that came and helped celebrate summer with us. We look forward to seeing you all next year.