Since I don't have a photo to celebrate Steve's birthday. I thought I would post one of Spence and Michaela that seems to fit.

Today is my brother Steve's 48th birthday. I dedicate this post to Steve.

Happy Memories and Things I Love About Stephen Paul Smith

1. Night games growing up. Mostly Hide and Go Seek and Kick the Can.

2. Steve was quite a bike rider as a kid. I remember him returning home after 50 mile rides.

3. Steve is wonderfully musical. I remember him building a dulcimer when he was in High School.

4. I always like to sing with Steve.

5. Steve and I selling hangers (he knows the significance).

6. Steve and I both played the cello in Jr. High.

7. The summer Steve and I returned to California when we stayed with the Websters.

8. Steve walking with me in Walk-a-thons.

9. Mormon Night at Disneyland.

10. Steve and I hanging out in St. George and Fish Lake.

11. Steve wrote great letters from his mission and sent funny rambling tapes to me on my mission.

12. Steve is very mechanical. He has always had the ability to see how things fit together.

13. Steve visiting DC.

14. Steve was pretty fearless as a young adult. Loved repelling, hangliding, would try anything.

15. Steve is a great conversationalist. He is not judgemental and he really seeks to build others up.

16. Steve loves to share his toys and talents.

17. Steve is a much loved Uncle and he insists on being called UNCLE Steve

18. Steve married a great girl.

19. Steve is a great father and takes his parenting very seriously.

20. Shopping at Home Depot with Steve for moulding.

21. Many lunches with Steve and my kids.

22. Visiting with Steve in St. George.

23. Steve taking Spence and Michaela for a night hike.

24. Steve's willingness to help me with anything I ask and for always wanting to hang out together.

25. I am so grateful to have Steve as my brother and my friend. His loving ways are a great example to me. He loves family and makes every event together more fun for everyone. I hope my son grows up to be much like Uncle Steve. Happy Happy Birthday Stevie dear!!!!!!!

I had the most interesting conversation with a colleague last Friday. I am working with one of our consultants and he shared with me that he had investigated the church around 10 years ago and was two days away from his baptism when he read a passage in the Book of Mormon-3 Nephi 20:19 that convinced him the Book of Mormon wasn't true.

I appreciated his openess with me and it came to light the intense amount of faith required to seek and understand the gospel of Jesus Christ.

It reminded me of a poem by Carol Lynn Pearson called "To An Atheist" where she talks about using the right tools to determine if God exists. I keep trying to find the poem online but just keep running into Mormon blogs.

For Mother’s Day yesterday, I received a long stem rose. Spence broke the stem. He was concerned that I would be upset (I wasn’t). A little later he brought the rose to me planted in dirt in a vase. It made me think of my conversation on Friday with my atheist friend and how we apply a set of learning to life. He knows that flowers grow in dirt but was missing the concept that the growth is in the root development. It demonstrates how simple our understanding of this earth can be and the necessity of faith when I am too busy/lazy to study.

I am grateful.

Enough for now...love to all.

Been gone from the blog for awhile due to a crazy work schedule and family visiting all week. Clint, Natalie and Kailey Jo have been here since last Sunday (they left this morning). Amanda and Stever were here until Wednesday. A little hectic trying to balance school and work. Spence didn't make it to scouts and Layla missed achievement days. I think I am finally letting go of my bad mother guilt. There are just some things I cannot fit in. No photos tonight but will add tomorrow.
Off to work on Primary Mother's Day gifts.
Enough for now....love to all.

Here is a picture of the infamous "Jump in the Pool Fully Dressed" incident at the Bowler's pool.

I have been away at off-site sales meetings the last few days. These meetings usually provide me many ideas on how to freshly approach the clients I service. This meeting did not dissapoint. I love to hear ideas from those who are passionate about serving the client.

One thing I will admit is how I often feel like a fish out of water. I am at such a different stage of my life. There were twenty employees at the meeting, only 7 of us have children. At a stage when the kids are my world it seems strange.

Kids do provide such a different perspective on life. One would assume, having children would develop maturity, I'm not so sure. I still feel like a kids myself in some ways. A sales meeting is not unlike the playground at my kids elementary school. There are popular kids, athletic kids and the teachers pet.

We played volleyball on the beach one evening. I haven't played for almost 15 years. What a riot! I'm not very consistent but I am enthusiastic.

Oh well...enough for now....love to all.

I'm working on a project for Spencer's class. They wanted an item for the school auction that represented the class in some way. I came up with this idea to put the kids faces into flowers and then decoupage them onto a small gardening storage chest. Here is the first sample photo. Cool, huh!? I did this in photoshop. Right now I have five different craft projects in process: Bitty Booties for Celeste's baby, jeans for Rossmoor Spirit Day, this project for Spencer's class, a baby blanket for The Nesting Place for our monthly family service project, and a cardmaking project for Enrichment. I really love to create stuff. It fuels me. I just wish I had more time to complete the projects. Unfortunately, my pesky real job keeps getting in the way.

Enough for now...love to all.

Last night we had a great time with our friends the Bowlers. They have recently moved and their new place has a pool. Of course, my children need to check it out. Now mind you, they are not wearing swimwear. First the shoes come off. I ask why their shoes need to be off to see the pool. I left for a few minutes to run a quick errand when I receive a call from Doug saying that our children are in the pool fully clothed. Apparently, Celeste dared them to jump in and they complied. The water was freezing--not a factor when you are a kid.

What a metaphor for life, someone you trust dares you to jump in and you fully commit regardless of how you are prepared (dressed in this case).

I am incredibly blessed.

Enough for now...love to all.

I took a personal development course last weekend called the Landmark Forum. It was really a boost to my awareness of how I react to situations in my life. There have been so many times when I have been called on to lead groups of people, either in work or in the church. And while I have always been flattered by being chosen, I have always struggled with managing others. I have been frequently dissapointed in the committment of others to the task. In addition, I have exhibited a type of arrogance and superiority, believing that I was a better person for being willing to work harder, go the extra mile, etc. Honestly, what a crock! At a certain level I have not been willing to acknowledge my lack of skill in communicating honestly with my staff or those called to serve with me. I have not been particulary compassionate in my characterization of others and have been so willing to blame them for the lack of cohesiveness of the team--shying away from conflict because I wanted others to like me. Now don't assume I will change this overnight, after all I have had 46 years of seeing the world this way. But it is freeing to see my contribution from a different perspective and to have the opportunity to change and perhaps enjoy leading/managing. What a great opportunity!

Enough for now...love to all.

I am feeling a little overwhelmed this morning. It is all about the state of our dwelling. I can't seem to find the energy to get my home in order. It is and has been time to find a cleaning person to come in to help. I was tempted to walk around taking photos of my house to underscore the dire nature of my situation but who truly needs to see this. So instead a couple of photos of my beloveds.

I start a three day training session tomorrow and will be away for the next three days. I wonder how much diet coke I can smuggle in the sessions.

I've been reading a book by Rafe Esquith about teaching. He references Lawrence Kohlberg's Six Levels of Moral Development which identifies why we act:

Level I: I don't want to get in trouble

Level II: I want a reward

Level III: I want to please somebody

Level IV: I follow the rules

Level V: I am considerate of other people

Level VI: I have a personal code of behavior and I follow it.

Atticus Finch is the example he references for Level VI. It really made me think about how we train our children. Mine are still motivated on Level I and II. There have to be more effective ways to motivate and help our children feel the thrill of doing right because it is what their spirits desire.

Enough for now...love to all.

Today is Easter. We have had a very pleasant day. Doug spoke with morning in church and I'm sure will now be on the circuit. Tuna sandwiches for lunch, we really knocked outselves out. I am posting a collage from Catalina. We were there for fours days and had a great time. We kayaked, walked, biked and golfed (okay miniature) till my legs were sore. It inspired me to get started exercising again---okay that and the fact that my clothes no longer fit. Well, tomorrow, it begins again.

Enough for now...love to all.

A crazy day today. Kids home from school by themselves. Me at work in meetings to discuss a new reporting structure. I now have a couple of direct reports. Tomorrow, we leave for Catalina and somehow between now and then I need to work a half day, do laundry, pack and get this house clean enough to return to.

In my last post I spent some time kvetching about my children. When I went to look for a photo to accompany this post--lo and behold--the perfect solution (and yes--did you notice, she is still touching him).

Nostalgia for the good old days. Honestly, my children provide more humor and joy in my life than I can possibly express. Joke of the day from Michaela: What is the opposite of Catalina? Answer: Dogalina. Okay it's not funny but it's just weird enough to make one smile.

Enough for now...love to all.

We just got back tonight from the first of two mini vacations. Friday night we drove to San Diego. I had some Marriott points to blow so we spent two nights at a luxurious Courtyard. On Saturday, we went to Legoland. The first time for the Tates. The kids loved it and Doug and I survived it. We were really under the impression that our two youngest could handle the "thrill rides." No dice. Later that evening, we went to see "Meet the Robinsons." Michaela later remarked that it was her best day ever.

I took my sewing to the park in a little baggie and while they were building with Legos, I finished a pair of Bitty Booties for Amy Rowbothom's little boy Karson. Okay, so I am ninety years old. Next it will be a pull cart with knitting. How cute are these!!

Today, we rented these little two man carts and tooled around San Diego. The carts were only about 8 inches off the ground so you could feel every pothole but it was really fun to tour downtown in these little go-carts. I wish I had a photo. They were similar to a wave runner on land. No pedals, the brakes and gas were on the handlebars.

Something not worth mentioning but still on my mind is the incredible ability my children have to bug each other. They could be the poster children for the "he's bugging me" campaign. All day long it was, he pushed me--she touched me--she got ahead of me--he is taking my space on the seat. I know this is hardly worth mentioning because every parent with more than one child in American deals with this. So I openly acknowledge--we are nothing special. And I know within a couple of years when puberty hits it is predicted to escalate to more personal attacks on character and physical attributes. So I guess for now, he's touching me is tolerable.

On Tuesday, we head off to Catalina for 4 days. Maybe the trick is to keep them so busy that have no time to contemplate their strategy.

Enough for now....love to all.

Two posts in one day. Unbelievable. I wanted to post the baptism collage. It turned out so nice and I will use it as a template for my birthday/baptism gift for my primary class this year.

Spring has sprung in Southern California, although honestly it is hard to tell since we have flowers all year long. Today I was wondering about my garden in SLC. I invested a fair amount of time in perennials and always loved this time of year. The bulbs come out and there is promise in the wind. The Red Leaf Oak in my front yard here has beautiful blossoms so I posed Spencer behind the branches. What's a picture without a body Tomorrow we start our local vacation. We will spend a couple of days in San Diego (Legoland) and next week a few days on Catalina Island. When I tell people we are going to Catalina, so many say, "I've lived here all my life and never been there." I told my brother Steve we were going and he reminded me of a great trip we took there when we were Spencer and Michaela's age. It made me remember a rather touching side to my brother Steve. Years ago when we were just older than Spence and Michaela, maybe 12 and 13, we used to participate in the MS 20 Mile Walk-a-Thons. You would ask your friends and family to pledge a certain amount per mile you walked. We started out with neighbor friends but Steve and the boys quickly moved ahead. My friend, Karen Shingler, was worn out and wasn't able to finish, so around mile 16, I was alone. I was so tired and a bit lonely, I wondered if I should just quit as well. Steve had finished the race and he was in the car looking for me along the path. I was still an hour and a half from finishing and ready to give up but he chose to walk with me the rest of the way. So he really walked 24 miles. That night I remember blisters and my Mom putting together plastic bags full of water and Epsom Salts and for the rest of my life I will remember my brother walking with me when I was discouraged much like our Elder Brother.

Enough for now...Love to all.

My Yin and Yang. On Sunday, I was at the church taking pictures for a baptism so I snapped a few shots of Spence and Michaela. Their approach to the picture in the tree so typifies their personalities. And each one carries a piece of my personality and my heart.

I was reading the Ensign yesterday and came on an article on a family service. We decided to do a family service project once a month through the end of the year. We will each rotate leading the activity. Spence is first and he has chosen to do blankets for The Nesting Place, a home for mothers who need a place to stay while they have their babies. He has always loved little children and babies.

I put together a baptism collage for one of my primary children. It turned out very nice so I will post. I love the picture of the font. I took this while the font was filling.

Enough for now...love to all.

We just received an baby announcement from Spencer and Michaela's Nanny/Friend, Amy Rowbotham that she has had a little boy. We lost contact with her when she got married a little over a year ago but she was such a great influence on our family in the early years. She loved my children and cared for them so well it mitigated the guilt a working mother sometimes has. Besides which they never looked more put together. Knowing she now has a boy caused me to reflect on my own Spence. I have often said, no man in this life loves you like your little boy. Spencer and I have had a close and loving connection all of his life. He is a bit of a mama's boy and we used to joke that if there was a way back into the womb, Spencer would opt in. Spence has so many great and gentle qualities. He is always pleasant and mostly compliant when asked to do something. He is very loving with younger children. When Kailey Jo visited Spencer would push her around the house in circles to keep her occupied. He is a wonderfully accepting child of others. I have never heard or seen him be unkind to other children and there are a couple of girls in his fourth grade class that seem to like his style. Spence excels at math and many things come easily to him. He loves GameBoy but doesn't care for GameCube as much. He prefers being indoors to outside. Spence loves to make things. He formed this funny little Minnie Me club at school. The main point seems to be pulling your t-shirt over your knees and walking around. That night he came home and made membership cards for the club members. He is quirky, loving and fun and I feel blessed to be his mom.

Enought for now...love to all.

I think I have mentioned before my immense respect for Den Leaders. This is a shot of Spencer at a recent Pack meeting. This is not a position that I covet but I am so impressed at the work this sisters do. I don't know if the scouts realize how much goes into to these quality activities. Hats off to Erica Blackmun and Janet Hale.

We had lunch this weekend with our dear friends Celeste and Cody. They are truly a unique couple. Quirky and generous. One of their favorite pastimes is shopping for clothes at the local thrift store. Cody proudly indicated that the outfit he wore on Saturday cost a whopping $5. Wish you could see the pants in the photo. Polyester vintage 1970. He is so handsome he can pull it off. Don't know if you can tell from the photo but our Celeste is 4.5 months pregnant. They just found out they are having a boy. More bitty booties to follow. We are so excited for them and can't wait to declare our psuedo grandparent-like status.

Spence and Michaela are on a mission. I gave Spence a bank that count the money as you put it in. Together they have scoured every square inch of this house looking for change. Oddly, they believe that any change withing the Tate borders belongs to them, including change in my wallet. They have a goal to buy a DS game that costs $29. Somehow they have gone from $3 to nearly $25 in a couple of days. In addition, they want to be paid for everything. We sang last night for the local Retirement Communities Family Home Evening Pot Luck. I told the kids if they would practice their solos on their own, I would pay them a dollar for singing. Next thing you know these little extortionists want $2 a song. They do make us laugh. Here is the program:

Seize the Day Newsies Spencer

Love Song Pippin Doug and Stacey

Loathing Wicked Layla and Stacey

Popular Wicked Layla

I Dreamed a Dream Les Miserables Stacey

Bring Him Home Les Miserables Doug

It went well and it is always fun to sing with Doug and the kids. They have great potential.

This afternoon I am off to Parent Torture Conference.

So enough for now...love to all.

These are the Bitty Booties--my current obsession. These are all handmade. The pattern is very easy and the fun is in the creation. The flowers on the toes of the blue ones are done with ribbon embroidery. So fun and a really inexpensive way to give a handmade baby gift.

Finally, my camera is back--so here is Michaela with her post-Locks of Love hairdo riding her Wave.

Enough for now...love to all.

I may have a touch of Spring fever. I am having a difficult time concentrating. I have resorted to making lists on sticky notes because I can seem to complete a task before my mind has moved on. I am taking vacation when the kids are off for Spring Break in a couple of weeks. We are planning a local vacation to San Diego.

I just picked up an interesting book on how blogs are changing the ways a company communicates with its customers. I do sense that this medium will soon require filters and the ability to screen or invite readers to protect the owner.

I have been sewing "bitty booties"--free pattern link attached. http://www.heatherbaileydesign.com/Booties.html

At first, I wanted to make one pair as a gift for a new mom in the ward. Three pair later Doug mentions to me that if I were to sell them for $6. a pair at a Craft Boutique, I could make nearly 50 cents an hour.

Still they are "bitty" and beautiful. I cannot give the last two pairs away until my camera battery arrives and I can take pictures of these little beauties.

Enough for now...love to all.

I'll be back...

Today, I finally gave up and ordered a new camera battery charger online ($43 bucks, ouch!). It seems without the photos to go with the blog, I don't blog. But soon I will be snapping my pics and posting with panache.

We saw a great movie this weekend with the kids called "The Last Mimsy." Great family movie.

Doug and I have been asked to provide the entertainment for an Older Singles Family Home Evening. I told the kids I wanted them to join us. Each would do a solo and we would do a couple of songs together. Who knows why but it totally stressed Spencer out. Apparently he has to write, memorize and deliver a speech in two weeks and having to perform for the elderly put him over the edge. What kind of mother would do this to her children.

Tomorrow, I teach Spencer's class about Maurits Escher. He is an artist famous for utilizing tessellations (I didn't know what they were either before today). Tessellations are arrangements of closed shapes that completely cover the plane without overlapping or leaving gaps. This kids should love it. So enjoy the art.

Enough for now...love to all.