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The family gathered on Sunday over at Anne and Mark's for a yummy dinner (thanks guys!) and a visit with Dad & Christy who were in town for a Conference.  We listened to Whitney Houston tunes (she died over the weekend at the age of 48) and watched a few snowflakes fall (they didn't stick).  As usual the only pictures I came home with are of these cute fellas – apparently I only have eyes for them when it comes to picture taking!  Luckily Caleb caught a few more with his camera.

Reid-er is walking!  And as usual lights up the room with that big grin of his.  I have always read in books about someone's eyes smiling…now I know what they mean – Reid's eyes smile!  Precious boy!

I loved seeing Graham in his own environment!  I got to feed him in his highchair and watch him play with tupperware on the floor.  We also played peek-a-boo, which I now know he loves!  He was so content and happy – what a delight he is! 

And  here's what the party looked like through Caleb's eyes:

I have a feeling I might be in trouble for posting that pic of Liv – but it made me giggle. 🙂

Those of you who know me well know that I am always up for a good bargain.  I've been eyeing people's hair these days and noticing this trend of shiny-silky-straight hair, of which my thick, coarse, wavy hair has never been.  My hair stylist said "You would be a good candidate for a keratin treatment (a temporary treatment that makes your hair silky-shiny-straight), but I'm not doing them right now."  Plus, they cost something like 200-300 dollars (what?!).  One day I was talking to my friend, Julie, and she said "I could do it for you!  I'll use my sister's tax id and get the products and we'll do it at my house!"  I was thrilled.  I trust Julie.  And it was only going to cost me $35.00!!  Woo hoo!!

So a week ago Friday I headed over to Julie's for my exotic 3-hour treatment.  First we used a clarifying shampoo.  As we did so I said "I hope this doesn't strip my color (I had heard that it could)."  You see I have a LOT of grey right at the top of my head that I cover up with brown and a few blonde highlights, to prevent looking like I'm 65.  We carried on.  Then she used a tint brush and applied the treatment all over my hair (like thick conditioner).  Then she blow dryed it and flat ironed it five times for each area.  What a champ she is!  The rule is – don't wash it for 24-48 hours (despite feeling like you're wearing a helmet of product).  And DON'T wear any clips, rubberbands, or hats for risk of creasing that super straight hair.  I didn't suspect anything was wrong until I got out into the sunlight of my car.

I looked in the rearview mirror and instantly grew concerned.  "Jacob!" I said, "Does my hair look orange to you?"  He was being very kind "Well, now that you mention it…it does look a little different."  I got home and went in to Derek – "Did you change the color?" he asked.  "NO!". 

And then over the next 2 hours it slowly got worse – until I looked like a copper penny with a streak of grey right down the middle.  I told my family I could be a Celina cheerleader (orange and grey colors).  I called my hair girl – "I'd love to get you in, but I have family in town for the weekend".  Of course you do.

That night, there was a fun event at the church – the YW were hosting a spaghetti dinner and dessert auction.  We, of course, were expected to be there.  And truthfully I think this event is really fun.  But I was NOT going ANY where with my orange hair.  I expected an argument to ensue…but when I gently told Derek, "I don't think I can go tonight," he replied "I understand."  That's when I knew it was really bad.  I've never in my life had an actual hair crisis, but this would qualify.  I did not look like myself!  I'm more of a all-natural hair color sort of girl.

Thankfully the next day my former hair stylist had a cancellation and was able to see me at 12:30.  After 4 hours and $200 spent in her chair I was restored to my somewhat normal hair color and had 2 inches taken off the bottom. 

I got more compliments that next day at church than I've ever had – my silky, straight, colored and cut hair was a hit!  And I still love my straight locks (even if they only last for a few months).   Thanks Jules (she's been so sweet about the whole thing – it truly wasn't her fault – just a lesson learned about product!)

BEFORE (hard to see in pictures):

DURING:

AFTER:

  

p.s. I did realize through this process how prevalent vanity is!  I hadn't really thought of myself as vain until I refused to be seen if I didn't feel good about how I looked.  I realize there are more major problems in the world than my hair…but it's a funny story that I thought was worth recording. 

We've had a long-standing no tv on Sundays rule.  It's not that we're opposed, just that we decided a long time ago to try to use our time better on the Sabbath, and so far it's worked.  TV is such a big part of our lives (particularly me) during the week, that it feels appropriate to put it aside on the Lord's day.  And when something is working, it's really hard to go against it, for fear that you'll never get it back.  We have made many exceptions throughout the years (like, when we're with extended family that watches, or like, when I was on bed rest, etc.)  So, we have not watched the Super Bowl, in our home at least, for many years.  But Derek got this great (depends on who you ask) idea from a family at church, that he would wake up the boys at midnight (officially Monday) to watch it.  Caleb and Jacob were thrilled with the idea (after protesting that we were so unfair and that they wanted to live anywhere else but here).  I thought for sure Caleb would NOT get up…he's a sound sleeper.  So when I woke up this morning I was SHOCKED (shocked!) to learn that Jacob refused to get up, but Derek and Caleb watched it at midnight!  What?!  Caleb, and not Jacob?!  I couldn't believe it.  And Jacob was mad as a hornet this morning that he missed out – he even came down convinced that Derek had forgot to do it.  Lucky for him it's still on the DVR.  So perhaps a new tradition was born in the Smith household?!  They even had snacks. 🙂

Well…she did it.  She up and left me.  She said she was going to, but part of me chose not to believe it.  We spent every chance we got with them – usually eating (Kotta, Sullivan's, etc.).  Then the dreaded departure this past Monday started to get closer…and closer, and it hit me.  She was really going to leave!  And the tears came and didn't leave.  In fact, I think this is the first day that I can talk about it without crying the ugly cry (only misting as I write). 

12 years ago I moved to this town with a big dream of settling down and making friends and planting roots – me and my husband and my little 6-month old Jacob.  Derek was my best friend, of course.  But beyond that I had lots of acquintances and people that I liked a whole lot but who I wouldn't consider close friends.  Jason, who had been a close friend, had died the year before and I was searching for that kind of friendship again.  In fact, I remember saying a very specific prayer several times requesting that I might be able to find a GOOD friend – a deep friend – the kind you can share your secrets with (who am I kidding, I'm an open book, I have no secrets). 

A few months after we moved here I was asked to accept a calling at church – to be the 1st Counselor in the YW organization.  I was thrilled!  I couldn't wait to work with the girls.  And I asked "who is the President that I'll be working with?".  And the bishop said, "Dana Hicken, do you know her?"  NO!  I knew her name,  but that was it.  So later that day I walked down the hall and walked up to a cute blonde with a tailored black and white houndstooth jacket who was holding her baby and said "Hi, I'm Meredith"…and the rest is history.

She was the answer to that prayer.  And eventually our husbands came along and became friends.  And then she introduced me to Shelley and the rest of the Dalebouts and we became the Hicken-Smith-Dalebout Clan.  And we started to travel together (Florida Keys, Hawaii, Canada, NYC, etc).  And I grew to love her kids like they were my own.  And they introduced us to sushi!  And to nice hotels!   And we sat in her living room and listened to our favorite singer sing to US.  And we celebrated NYEve together almost every year.  And we went to Girls Camp together (lots of girls camp).  And we swam in the summer A LOT.  And we laughed A LOT (in fact, one of my favorite things to do in the whole world is to make her laugh!).  And we spent General Conference Sundays together. And we attended scrapbook conventions together (as an excuse to get a way).  And we ran half marathons together.  And we had girls' lunches together.  And we made a whole lot of memories and took a whole lot of pictures.

And then she just up'ed and left.  And it broke my heart.  But we're buddies and pals and BFF's so I have to support and be happy for her…because that's the rules, even though I don't like  it.  And even though I wish she would come back and I wish the Smith's and Dalebout's were enough to keep them here, I have to accept that they're gone.  To live in a big fancy house with views of the mountains and horses and snow and seasons and love and family.  

But I know, truly I know, that 1,320 miles (ONE THOUSAND THREE HUNDRED TWENTY?!) won't change the fact that she was the answer to my prayer.  And that we are inseparably connected by love (mushy as that may sound). 

So…here's to Dana…and her new house in the mountains (that I will be visiting often and perhaps even camping out at for long periods of time). 

Caleb has had a busy month of projects!  First, he had to research and create a diorama of an arctic animal.  He chose the leopard seal and had all kinds of creative plans for his diorama (that I unsuccessfully tried to squash to save myself).  We had a good time (that's an exaggeration, but this is my blog and I can say what I want) creating clay animals!  He and I made the leopard seal together, but he created the penguin, squid and fish on his own.  Derek helped him put it all together and boy was he proud (made me almost sorry that I tried to squash his big ideas!).  Way to go, buddy!

And then last weekend we had the big annual pinewood derby.  The leaders did a great job putting together an organized and successful race for 28 boys.  We are not the best at pinewood derby cars (translation: we usually don't win).  BUT we always have creative/clever cars that the BOYS make, with some help from Derek, that end up somewhere in the middle of the pack (on a good year).  This year was GREAT – Caleb made a bacon car (patterned after one we saw on-line) – the plates read "EBWB" – Everything's Better With Bacon!!  He won "funniest" car and was pleased to get second place in several of the 8 heats.  Our success at pinewood derby is determined by one factor – is the boy happy?!  If so, SUCCESS.  This year was a SUCCESS – hooray!  And I had a success of my own - found these cute twinkie/oreo "cars" on-line and had to make them for the boys.  They were a hit.

You might notice a change in Caleb!  He got his hair cut and he requested a short spiky 'do.  He loves it and I do to (except when he does it crazy-like he did on PD day above!).

Shelley and I put our *amazing* brains together and decided to throw a Texas-themed party for the Hicken's who have lived here for 17 years.  At the time I think we thought we were throwing the party for them (and it was, technically).  But it was also for us.  It was a way for us to channel our sadness into something positive and get our minds off the fact that they were really leaving.  With only one short planning session over lunch we threw what, I think anyway, was a fantastic party…complete with Texas food (cowtown crunchers, longhorn layer dip and a salsa bar, etc), Texas music (Lyle Lovett, George Strait, etc), Texas drinks (lemonade in mason jars and Texas made sodas), trail mix parting gifts (happy trails to you!), a photo booth and some delicious cupcakes (made by a friend who has a cupcake business). 

And…as you can see – the apples do NOT fall far from the trees!!  :) 

Whoa, boy, do you have some reading to do!!  I've been super busy today trying to blog like crazy.  So get reading already!

Sooner Party

Samuel's 5th Birthday Party

A Christmas Carol

Christmas Eve 2011

Christmas Morning

Christmas Afternoon

Christmas with Papa C and Mimi

H/D/S Christmas Get Together

Bank Fraud

Fun Family Day

New Year's Eve

Our January Birthdays

Pretzels

Family Reunion

How did you spend your MLK day?

We took a family bike ride, flew a kite, worked on a pinewood derby car and relaxed.  Nice.

We had the rare opportunity to get together with my mom's sister's family here at our house last Sunday.  Here is the cast of characters: 

My mom (who had just had foot surgery two days before) + her husband, Steve…

…her children: Meredith (that's me!) + family, Mark + family, and Michael + family

My aunt (mom's older sister) Ann…

…her son, Tim + wife, Jamie and two kids, Lyle and Gretchen (from California)

…her son, Russell + girlfriend, Jessica and dog (Chaya) (from Austin)

My mom likes to call it a "chaotic, love fest" when we have gatherings like this.  It was loud and busy and FUN.  I made two lasagnas, caesar salad, garlic bread and chocolate cake.  It was great to see everyone.  We lived near these guys when I was in 5th grade and have lots of funny stories about our time together.  Fun to see the family tree grow with all these babies!

Every month we get a magazine published by the church just for children, called The Friend.  My Caleb loves it – and he always asks if we can make the fun recipes that are there each month.  This month I agreed since I happened to have all the ingredients on hand one Sunday afternoon.  It was a recipe for homemade pretzels that you shape into letters.  CTR stands for "Choose the Right". 

Download 2012-01-14-ctr-pretzels-eng

These little things turned out to be DELICIOUS!!  And SO easy!!  We liked them so much that we made them again the next night too – and made our initials.  These will be a family favorite for a long time I have a feeling.  p.s. must have melted butter and salt!!