Thanks for your concern – yes we are okay –

COULD BE BETTER – but we survived!!

I AM consumed with my mother who is back in good health after about a six month ordeal with her diabetes

Which kept me busy from MAY thru NOVEMBER

However, it actually was part of Heavenly Father’s plan for me –

I had three granddaughters due May, Sept, Nov

In Texas Las Vegas and Utah –

So, I just kept my mother at my side while I traveled between their homes and back

I believe it also made the transition and decision to just LET IT GO

So finally it made it easier for me being so preoccupied with her problems

And the TENDER MERCY of welcoming three new sweet little newborns into my arms 

KEPT ME Hopeful and Happy

Now it is my turn to work on my HEALTH – I really have a REAL fear of becoming victim to

AZLHEIMER’s like my mom –

So, I am going to continue my research, work on my diet and exercise routine and 

GET CAUGHT UP IN THE PATTERN OF MY LIFE

And how I want it to play out for the next 25 years!

Feels very selfish, and I have never been that way –

Always doing for others – and I will continue to do that

but  I realize that if I DO NOT TAKE CARE OF MYSELF, I will end up just like my mother and

have to rely on my children to care for me. I do not mind helping my mother - she has always been there for me!

I just don't want to miss the last part of my life!!!

THANKFUL I HAVE SEVEN to depend on –

I could spread the work around –

But don’t want to finish this mission on earth that way –

So, as you know –

Sometimes it feels very wrong to think of doing for me first –

And it IS SO HARD FOR ME to change my ways

BUT I HAVE TO

I do not want to miss out of these last 25 years and not be able to remember all of the GOOD things –

So, that is now my mission

BE HAPPY

LIVE HEALTHY and Share my knowledge of HIS HOPE!

I am blessed, have nothing to regret and LOOK FORWARD TO LIVING as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Thanks to all who have been there for me along the way!

Love my husband, my children and now their little ones and beyond.....

THANK YOU TO MY PARENTS FOR TEACHING ME CORRECT PRINCIPLES and showing me the way!

Missing Our Main Man . . .

 He was in Middle East  to feed the troops with the COOKS of the VALLEY
and Now in Alaska for the fishing trip hopefully catching some halibut!

He is missed and we are looking forward to his return. . .
the family has started to gather for our reunion and it is not the same without him here~

STACIE's a mommy. . .and loving it!
So happy to have been able to be with here for this newest experience in this LIFE!
Motherhood becomes her -
Welcome to Willow "Hira" (Jean) Smith
Born 7/6/12
7 lbs. 2 oz 19.5 inches long
Beautiful and lots of dark hair
They are in Houston, Texas with their daddy
We look forward to her coming here soon!

IT IS DONE - it is finished.. .. ?

What does that truly mean?
I am not sure, but I will begin the journey to find out -
I am thankful that I know from whence all blessings come
and grateful that I am being given some Light at the end of this tunnel.
TODAY, I will begin to dig my way out. . . . . .!

I'm Every Woman. . .

Women Who Change the World
by Ashley Rice

There are women who make things better
simply by showing up.
There are women who making things happen.
There are women who make their way.
There are women who make a difference.
And women who make us smile.
There are women of wit and wisdom who -
through their strength and courage -
make it through.
There are women who change the world everyday. . .
Women like you.

As I say each day - Heavenly Father is very aware of me and my NEEDS -

Nothing is more constant than change as they say -
One thing after another has been happening from
the beginning of April until today, the end of April -
My life has been turned upside down in so many ways. . .
Some would say they are all bad -
I will say they are all necessary!
Thankful for the knowledge that I have a Heavenly Father
who knows me and loves me for who I am
and What He Knows I Can BECOME -
The many experiences in these last 30 days have
changed my life forever - I have come to understand
that nothing is permanent and nothing is fair -
but all experiences that we have can be learned from
and all opportunities that present themselves can be
for our good, if we are willing to accept them
With an attitude of learning and growth!
Serving others is the best way to UNDERSTAND
who you are and what you can BECOME -
Stay busy doing good, look forward to the little things
that come our way, appreciate others goodness
and seek the guidance of the Spirit in all areas.

ROBERTO - my father, my fan and my friend!

Roberto (Bob) Favero, 6/12/1926-4/6/2012, of Bakersfield, CA, was born to Giovanni and Hazel Favero, in Kanesville, Utah; the 7th of 14 children. Robert was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers. He is survived by his eternal companion, Carroll Jean Shanklin Favero, their children, Dayna Nichols (Steve) of Bakersfield, Jeff (Sheila) and Nate (Leti) of Ogden, UT. He is also survived by 8 brothers, 1 sister, 17 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren. Robert was raised on the family farm and learned the value of hard work with a natural ability to fix anything. He developed his musical talents early and began singing as a small child at weddings and missionary farewells. As a young adult, he sang in the Ogden Tabernacle Choir. Robert served in the army during World War II. Upon his return, he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Great Lakes Mission, 1948-1950. While in Ohio, he met Carroll and they were married for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake Temple on November 3, 1950. He attended Weber College and finished his Banking & Finance degree at University of Utah. He worked at First Security Bank in Ogden and Brigham City, UT, where they raised their family. He put family first, travelling often across the country to visit his wife’s family. They later moved to Sacramento, CA and finally to Bakersfield. From 2001-2002, Robert served a mission with his wife to the Alabama Birmingham Mission. Robert was a man of God, service, and family. He was known for his faith and strong testimony of Jesus Christ. Those closest will remember his sense of humor, nicknames, and teasing. His family will remember Grandpa Bob as a loving, affectionate and playful grandpa and all knew of his love and confidence. A memorial service will be held on Monday, April 9, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 5500 Fruitvale Avenue. Visitation will be held at 12:00 p.m.
Robert will be buried in Ogden, Utah with funeral services held on Saturday, April 14.

CONGRATULATIONS STACIE & ZACH - a little girl . . .

We cannot wait until July to see our cute little baby girl SMITH
enter the world and join our family!
Stacie is so excited to begin the NEW adventure of being a mommy and we know that Zach is a natural at being a daddy, so it will just be a lot of fun to see them in this NEW ROLE as parents.

Thank you Kyle for reminding us about our PRIORITIES

Keeping Safe and Balanced in a Google-YouTube-Twitter-Facebook-iEverything-World

So as I was reading the Ensign this morning, I came across a short article I felt I should share because in recent days I have been considering ways I can improve my time management. Although it didn't bring any particular names to mind of those in our family, I realized that even though I don't have any cool gadgets (especially with my iPod touch being non-functioning), I have noticed I sometimes waste time on my laptop just between YouTube, CNN, and the rare Facebook (don't worry, I truly don't consider myself having a problem.) But thanks to the article, it hit home how important our time is in any situation. In the past I have heard the idea of tithing our time to the Lord, and as tough as two and a half hours a day can be to set aside, it is a definite sacrifice that can bring incredible blessings.

Ideas of things to do during the day:

• Daily scripture study
• Read a church magazine
• Watch a few Mormon Messages
• A little family history fun on Family Search
• Write a letter to a missionary
• Prepare a Sunday lesson
• Family Home Evening
• Home/Visiting Teaching
• Anything we need to do to fulfill our calling
• Watch church videos (I still haven't seen but 20 mins of 37 Miracles, and the 20 mins was great)
• Post links or videos on your social-media sites when appropriate
• Visit the Bishop's Storehouse to do service (a little easier for me I think)
• Call members/converts/investigators from your mission (obviously a preference of mine, Skype is great for just phone calls too!)

May we consider the ways to take advantage of the many trendy things that our now a part of our lives, and use them for the purposes the Lord has intended they be used. I love you all and look up to you all. Thanks for the fun pictures and stories you occasionally send my way so I can enjoy your love from a distance. Hopefully this finds you well and is a reminder that I am still thinking of you all.

Love,

Kyle

ps. My idea by sending this was more to remind MYSELF, so hopefully you don't think I'm trying to give another annoying reminder of the things I know you all do. As far as the list goes, I would love any response with more ideas for myself.

#13 has arrived. . 1/12/12 - WELCOME WILLIAM!

http://jordanandnikki.blogspot.com/
Camille, Audrey & Warren introduce William


He is beautiful
He is Healthy
He is Loved

What more could we ask for -
THANK YOU HEAVENLY FATHER!