Smithfield Scoop

  I'm so happy that our family is being reactivated! How nice to know that you love each other enough to sit together at church! Actually, we do hope everyone is feeling better and glad to be back on your feet. This season has been terrible for sickness. The other day I had to call the mortgage company, on a Wednesday, and got a recording that the office was closed "due to circumstances beyond our control." When I got in touch with them a few days later, I was told they had been closed due to severe weather (60 below 0!) and rampant sickness. So, I guess it's not just in Idaho and Utah that people are getting sick... We have been praying for all of you and hope you're on the up and up.
  Since we last posted, Dad finished painting the basement. The bathroom is a lovely new color (same as the bedrooms) and the whole basement ceiling has a new, fresh coat of paint that probably no one will ever notice. But it's nice to have that done. We also cleaned out the storage closet behind the fireplace and found some things we had been missing. We now know what is there and it's all organized. So pleasant. We also hung some pictures on the walls - Brother Brigham is above the fireplace, the Salt Lake Temple is in the living/dining area, and the painting that Kirk Jorgensen did is in the bedroom downstairs. Dad also hung his missionary map in the office, which looks quite nice. Don't laugh - that's real progress for us! We do have lots more decorating that should be done, but we are waiting for the experts to come help us with that! We've put a few things on hold, like upstairs carpet, but it will all get done in due time.
  Speaking of finding things, we are finding that we don't need all of the pictures that we have. Dad got Grandpa Belliston's framed picture of Brigham Young and, since he prefers that one, our picture of Brother Brigham is no longer needed. Here are a couple of others we are parting with - so if you would like these, or any others, let me know.

  We have had some company in the past couple of weeks. I hosted a meeting of Cache Valley birth workers and enjoyed visiting with them and watching a film called "What Babies Want." I think you should all watch it. Very good parenting movie. The Elder's Quorum presidency visited us, also. Not that night, but another night. They seem like very nice fellows and were delighted that Dad was willing to take on a ministering opportunity even before he is released. Then Anne and Wes called to see if they could come visit. We met them, and their granddaughter, MacKaylie, at Fredrico's for lunch, then came here to spend a few hours visiting. That was fun and we hope they find time to come back when it warms up and we can sit on the deck.
  When Dad traveled to Provo last week to spend some time with Carl, I couldn't go because it was too far away from moms who were due any time. So, I had to stay home. By myself. In this big house. I hadn't done that before and I really wasn't very excited about it. Not to worry - I got called to a birth in Arimo, Idaho and it was a long labor (probably could have gone to Provo!), so I was there all night - and all the next day. I didn't get home until after Dad returned, but at least I didn't have to stay here all alone :)
  Presently, we are in the middle of a blizzard - lots of wind and snow. It appears to be coming from Idaho. That is really nice of you guys to share, but could you slow down the wind just a little bit?!
  The Logan Temple is now closed for a couple of weeks, so if we can get another baby here, we may have to travel to a temple near one of you. We'll let you know if we're in the territory...
  Have a wonderful, happy week! We'd love to see anyone who wants to brave coming to this snowy valley ;)