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Although we had planned to be all in different places, we were privileged to all be together on Thanksgiving (at least the siblings).  It was fun to spend the week together.  Mark/Anne and I stayed at Jamie and Mike Booth's home (some very gracious friends of D&C) while Mike and Liv stayed at D&C's house. 

Me and the kids decided to try all of the famous breakfast places that Austin has to offer – Kerbey Lane and Magnolia's.  Both serve wonderful gingerbread pancakes – my favorite? Magnolia's.

On Thanksgiving Day people from their church family made a home-cooked meal for us to enjoy – turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing, cranberry sauce, pie, etc, etc, etc.  It was AMAZING – so generous and so yummy.  What a great example of Christ-like service.

We all remarked several times that it was strange to not have the "parentals" joining us for a holiday.  THANKfully we won't have to get used to that for a long time.

On Friday, the 19th, I had a playgroup "feast" at my house to celebrate Thanksgiving.  As I was visiting with one of my neighbors, she described her father's health problems including his recent triple bypass heart surgery.  I commented about how lucky we've been that my parents and their spouses have enjoyed relatively good health (with the exception of some health problems my mom had 10+ years ago).  No more than an hour after everyone left I got a call from my Dad who was leaving the cardiologist's office after some tests that were recommended by his NEW physician.  The new doctor had said it would be a good idea to get some routine tests run and lo and behold, his numbers were waving red flags.  He let us know that he would be seeing the cardiologist again on Monday for a follow-up. 

That Monday we got another call – his numbers showed blockage and the doctor wanted to go in and try to put stents in his blocked arteries.  That afternoon, after attempting stents the doctor quickly surmised that the blockage was too dense and would require open heart surgery.

Needless to say, we were all shocked.  My dad "spins" 3 days a week, rides in the MS 150 and Livestrong rides every year.  He eats fairly well.  He works hard.  He was in seemingly great health.  But his family history of heart disease was not good (mom and dad had it) and there is no escaping the genes.

My brothers and their wives and I drove down early Tuesday morning to try to be there to be with Dad before he went back for surgery.  This was a reverent and special time.  Mark and Anne were able to tell Dad and Christy their baby news and we were able to say a family prayer for Dad.  We spent the rest of the day visiting with friends (many, many of D&C's church friends came bringing love and treats for us), playing games, resting, etc – waiting for news.  Finally that evening we were able to head back to ICU to see Dad briefly.  This was humbling.  Seeing this giant of a man (literally and figuratively) hooked up to so many machines was hard. 

We spent the next day visiting briefly in ICU (they didn't like us to stay long) and trying to help Christy.  It was the first time in years that we, as siblings, have spent that much time together and it was a special thing to "hang out" – eat, visit, laugh, plan, etc together.  I will cherish that.   Meanwhile, Derek was working full-time, bishoping, and taking care of the kids who were home from school…my hero!  They drove down on Thanksgiving morning to be with us and I was thankful to see them for the holiday and let them see Dad.

This man has a good, BIG heart and we hope it will keep pumping strong for a long, long time.

Follow-up:  Dad was able to come home that Monday.  That week he started writing a book of experiences and lessons that he published for all of us for Christmas.  He had a mild heart attack because of a blood clot two weeks after surgery and spent a few more days at the heart hospital.  He has now recovered fully (written in Mar 2011) and shows off his scar whenever he can.  He is back on the bike and looking forward to riding in the MS 150 again this year (something he had ruled out at the time of surgery). 

With everyone going separate ways for Thanksgiving (or so we thought at the time) we decided to get together at my Mom's house on the Monday night before for a pre-holiday turkey dinner.  And as we went around the room saying what we were thankful for, we were shocked when Mark said he was thankful for the new BABY on its way!!  So fun!

Last week Derek was sustained as the Bishop of the Frisco 5th Ward.  He follows Bishop Ken Taylor, who he served as a counselor for several years ago.  This was a very humbling and surprising call for Derek (I was less surprised).  The night after the Stake President (Pres Alleman) and his 1st Counselor (Pres Dotter) came over to extend the call Derek went on an 11 pm run – 5 miles in the dark – to clear his head.  That next day I would find him reading his scriptures with tears in his eyes – humbled and overwhelmed with the responsibilities that had been placed upon him.  But he had two weeks – filled with a car accident, a trip to NYC with friends, and a lost wallet – to come to terms with what he needed to do.  And by Sunday November 14th he was anxious and ready to serve.  It was a blessing to have my mom and Steve there for the meeting and Derek's sister Audra – and for the setting apart.  He has called two great counselors – Scott Chappell and Michael Lee and a fabulous Executive Secretary – Ben Christianson.  This week has been a whirlwind.  He has been up until the middle of the night, reading the handbook, emailing people, planning meetings, setting agendas, visiting ward members.  He also went to 5th grade camp as a chaperone with Jacob (which I'll talk about in another post).  I have visibly seen the mantle of authority come to him and have been impressed with his energy, his desire, his love for people.  It has been a wonderful experience and he will be a fantastic Bishop.

The good news:  I survived my first full day as a bishop's wife!!  Derek left pre-7 am this morning, returned for 30 minutes around 4 (because of a cancelled appointment) and left again until 8:45 pm.  The boys and I successfully got everyone dressed, fed and to church on time.  We had lunch, put Samuel down for a nap.  The big boys played together quietly (mostly – only exception trying to sumo wrestle while I was on the phone with my mom) and found a "leaf bug" in the backyard and made a plastic container "habitat" for it (to show Dad and Pops).  We took Maggie on a walk, stopped to visit with a friend, and had breakfast for dinner.  The big boys passed off one of their "Faith in God" goals by studying D&C 89 together, and planned and carried out two great activities based around the Word of Wisdom.  They were so proud to teach and involve me and Samuel and I was impressed with their efforts.  And we ended the night with Jacob reading out loud to me and Samuel (Caleb went to bed with a headache).  Read aloud time is one of my recent favorites – one boy plays with my hair while the other reads (usually scriptures, but tonight it was Swiss Family Robinson).  It was a looooonnnnngggg day for me!  But I made it and it ended happily (mostly) for everyone.  I'll call it successful and am ready to try again next week!  I have felt my Heavenly Father's love and an increased ability with Derek's absence.  My attitude about his being gone has changed – it is less of a burden and more of a blessing, because I know that he is serving and helping others while he is gone.  And I am also hopeful that over the next few months things will even out just a little and these long Sundays will be a little shorter for him (just a little!).

We're still getting used to being called "Bishop" and the "Bishop's wife" – but we consider it a humbling privilege and are anxious to serve and bless and love the members of our amazing ward.

After totaling my old Suburban I was anxious to find a new one just like it – well, not JUST like it – but similar.  Little did we know we'd find another white Suburban with bucket seats and a DVD player, just was we had hoped.  It took several weeks, and lots of dud's before we found it.  But we did and it's perfect for us.

 
The boys posing with our new ride at Sewell Grapevine

All the 5th graders at Jacob's school got to spend 3 days at Pine Cove – an educational camp – last week.  And Derek went as a chaperone so he got lots of great pictures from the experience.  This was pretty much Jacob's version of HEAVEN!  If only he could spend every school day out in the wild learning outside!  He got to hold a falcon on his arm (see video below!), zipline, canoe, hold a lemur, pet a sloth, build a mud-dam, fish for aquatic animals, ride a horse, and play games.  He was the talk of camp when he found and caught (!) a scorpion in his cabin shower.

Jacob, the Falcon Whisperer from Meredith Smith on Vimeo.

What do you get when you mix a pirate with a rocker with a skeleton?  

Answer:  TROUBLE!  Just kidding, you get a fun Halloween crew!  We celebrated at the Ward's Trunk-or-Treat on Friday night the 29th.  And on the night of Halloween (a Sunday) we let the boys dress up to attend a family party at my mom's.  We celebrated my birthday (and the fact that I was alive after my acccident the night before).  And Mike and Liv revealed the gender of their baby with surprise cupcakes – the boys are elated about their BOY cousin coming in April!!

We have a tradition of pumpkin carving with Audra, Derek's sister who lives nearby.  She is always very creative – this year she came with a pumpkin she had spray-painted black.  The boys loved being able to do their own pumpkins this year.  Samuel got help from Daddy and his had a "wink" to it.  I enjoy watching – taking pictures – and baking.  And I love digging out the goo!  Carving isn't really my thing, but I'm glad the rest of them get into it.  

My contribution to the evening – pumpkin choc chip cookies…

The first reason we went to NYC was to see Matt Hicken run the NY Marathon.  The second reason we went to NYC was to eat good food.  The third reason we went to NYC was to see the sights.  In that order!  Plus, we got to spend time as a couple, hang out with good friends, and make fun memories.  This was my first time in New York (unless you count the 5 hours I spent roaming the streets with my luggage before heading to Connecticut that one time).  And I thought it was magical!  I loved it!  The marathon was a sight to behold – really special to see that many people accomplishing a goal like that.  I loved being with Derek and spending time with old and new friends.  And I loved seeing all the things you see in movies and TV.  What a place!  I can't wait to go back.

Some personal highlights:

– our quaint little, but brand new, hotel room at the Cassa Hotel & Residences
– seeing some great shows – Lombardi (yeah!), Elf (yeah!), and the Fantastiks (lukewarm)
– scoring last-minute tickets to see Live with Regis & Kelly
– cheering at the NY marathon  – watching Matt's blue dot on the Iphone app – visiting the marathon expo – seeing all the blue ribboned medals on Monday
– browing Chinatown, eating in Little Italy, seeing Wall Street, etc.
– attending a session at the Manhattan temple, running into Elder Christofferson
– Central Park! – playing ninja destruction by the fountain – taking a run with Derek and the girls
– the Metropolitan Museum of Art – WOW it's big
– Max Brenner's restaurant
– the subway
– walking, walking, walking
– lots of yummy delis (meat!), NY bagels, a frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity

 
Way to run, Matt!  Thanks for getting us all to NYC for a fun time.

I have SO much to blog about…going all the way back to Jacob's birthday at the end of September! I have the pictures downloaded and ready to go, I just need to do the writing.  And I will…I will.  

I enjoyed a terrific birthday and appreciate all of my family and friends who loved on me last week. I think 35 is going to be a great year.

But here it is in black and white…

The good:  I am alive.

The bad:  My Suburban is not.  We find out this morning if it is actually "totaled" or not (looking likely that it will be).  

The ugly:  On my way to a church meeting on Sat night I received a text from Derek, who was already there, telling me where he had saved our seats.  I looked down to read it (big mistake).  I looked back up to find the car in front of me at a complete stop.  And without time to really react I tried to swerve to minimize impact.  The rest of it is a blur that only my mind can handle – too surreal for print.  The crunch, the smell of the air bag, the stillness afterwards, the glass everywhere…all things I would rather forget.  But I was able to walk away, and so were the other 6 people affected (in the other two cars).  My efforts to get a hold of Derek resulted in my own personal "posse" (Matt, Scott and Derek) coming to my rescue (all in white shirts and ties, mind you).  I love 'em for it too. And many of our friends who were on their way to that same meeting stopped or called to check on me.  I shut down the 2-lane road several times (the initial accident, the wrecker, etc.) – I feel bad for anyone stuck in that mess trying to get somewhere.  I feel bad for the poor girls that I hit – getting hit from behind like that is awful.  I feel bad for the sweet mom in front of them with her two kiddos who also got hit.  

This has been so humbling for me.  I'm so very grateful that I didn't hurt anyone.  I'm so grateful that I'm not hurt worse.  I'm sore and bruised and my spirit is a little bruised as well, but nothing that can't be mended.  No more phone calls, texting, etc, for me in the car.  I urge everyone else to put them in the backseat – it happens so fast and life is way too precious.

 
Derek went to check on the car again yesterday and get some of our belongings.  He looked at the airbag and saw what looked like blood.  I cut my wrist, so that would make sense.  But upon closer inspection he realized it was my lipstick from where my face hit the airbag.  Sobering…