Do You Love Your Local Beekeeper?

Heath is fascinated, (dare I say obsessed) with bees. I guess he came about it all honestly from an early age, when he was 15 starting out with his father keeping approximately 500 hives. Our house is littered with bee paraphernalia; magazines, books, hive equipment, books, and more books. There have been many nights laying in bed that I've gone to sleep listening to Heath explain the many wonders that make up apis melifera (the honeybee).

After five years of marriage, I feel like I know many things about the honeybee, at least more so than the average person, and I do have to say...they truly ARE fascinating little creatures. So last week as we were building frames I told Heath that the next time he opened up his hives to do a little maintenance, I would like to help. Today we suited up in our bee gear (not the most flattering look, but at least I wasn't stung!), fired up the smoker and away we went. We (and when I say "we" I mean Heath, with me standing behind him watching and taking pictures) fed the bee sugar syrup and pollen substitute (last year was a really dry year and the bees didn't have the food stores that they should have). He pointed out the different anatomy of the hive; brood, honey, pollen, larva, etc.

They are amazing and intricate little beings! Only a brilliant Father in Heaven could have created a such small insect to work together in one perfect unit. "I have determined in writing this book to give facts, however wonderful, just as they are; confident in due time they will be universally received; and hoping that the many wonders of the economy of the honeybee will not only excite a wider interest in its culture, but lead those who observe them to adore the wisdom of Him who gave them such admirable instincts." -Reverend L. L. Langstroth (The father of modern beekeeping)

And yes, I do love my local beekeeper!

Sick and Tired!

Working in retail Heath comes into contact with a lot of people everyday and he assures me that in farm retail he comes into contact with a lot of dirty people everyday. So when Heath came home sick on Tuesday I knew it was just a matter of time before we all caught it. (And as a matter of clarification I'm not blaming Heath, I just know that when one member of the family is sick it's inevitable that others will follow suit.) Well, by Friday morning my throat was starting to feel a little sore and by that night Ellie was starting to run a fever.

On Saturday morning I got up with Ellie who had a horrible fever and was just needing lots of love. As we were sitting watching a movie, she kept saying "I wanna cupcake" and I kept telling her "No", well the next thing I know, she had thrown up all over herself and me. So I had her in the tub, crying her eyes out and by that time Thomas had woke up with a fever, screaming at the top of his lungs. I was tyring to juggle the two of them when Heath came to my rescue. It seemed as if it was one thing after another all day long. So by 1:00am with Ellie finally in bed, Heath trying to sleep I was up with Thomas who had been crying for hours. I found I had reached by breaking point, and Heath had to come and rescue me once more...Needless to say it was a long day.

So today we just decided to take it easy and have a family day at home to try and recover from our ailments. We've had day full of movies, medicine and naps hoping to pass the time as comfortably and happily as possible. As fevers subside and stomachs settle, I'm praying that tomorrow will be a better day for us all.

Our Winter Wonderland

I have always loved the winter season. And when I say winter I envision sledding, snowboarding, skiing, a white Christmas, driving on icy roads (or at least trying to), hot chocolate and roaring fires. Well, this winter has been anything but the ordinary for me. We have been having the most enjoyable weather while everyone else in the nation seems to be getting some of the worst. When Dad told me that the river in Lewiston had actually frozen over I couldn't believe it. He told me that Grandpa Smith (who is 85) can't remember that ever happening.

But here in Texas it's quite a different story. Ellie has enjoyed every sunny day that we've had and she's been quite busy with her out side activities. She's becoming a pro on her bicycle and loves to blow bubbles. Hopefully we will continue to be blessed with sunshine and warmth.

The Smith Family Challenge

This Monday kicked off the "Smith Family Weight Loss Challenge!" The Challenge involves Mom & Dad, Cory & Susan, Derik & Jessica, Charlotte, Heather, Nicole and Heath and myself (so the whole Smith clan). There was a $20 "entry fee" and the person who looses the largest percentage of their beginning body weight wins the pot. We began on the fifth and we are concluding on the day of Charlotte's Half Marathon in Moab. (go Charlotte!!) Eleven weeks in all.

Heath and I have hit the ground running and are pretty motivated. We weighed in at 2** and 1** (like I would really post what I weighed on the Internet). Monday we signed up at the gym and have been working out everyday. We've been eating really well and giving all of our junk food to Ellie. So come March Heath and I will probably be down to our target weights but we may have an obese daughter. We'll continue to work hard and hopefully reach, at least, our personal goals! And to all you Smiths...Bring it On!

It's Checkup Time

Today was Thomas' 4 month check up. We had a crazy, hectic morning so by the time we showed up for our 8:30 am appointment Ellie and Thomas were both red faced and crying and I was about there myself. But we got into the exam room quickly and everything went well. Thomas weighs 14 lbs 6 oz, and he's 27 inches long. The doctor was pleased with everything and said he's growing well.

After Thomas got his shots they asked us to stay in the waiting room for about 10 mins to make sure that he settles down and he's OK. As we were waiting, Ellie asked to hold Thomas and by that time he had settled down, so I asked her to sit back and handed him to her. In the amount of time it took to grab my camera, he was NOT happy. But we gave him his Tylenol and now he's sleeping like an angel.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas! We had a wonderful Holiday filled with wonderful weather, good food, loving family and lots of laughs. We began our Christmas morning with the traditional opening of presents from Santa Clause. Ellie has been very excited about Christmas this year and is to the point where she's beginning to understand the traditions such as Baby Jesus, the Nativity, Santa Clause and presents. So, come Christmas morning when it was time to open presents she could hardly stand it! She would open one gift and want to open it and play with that particular thing and would forget about all the other gifts. We had to keep reminding her that there were other things still under the tree. She's been constantly playing with her new games, reading her books, playing and singing us songs on her new keyboard and sharing her chap stick with EVERYONE!

Thomas enjoyed Christmas as much as we had thought he would. It was a pretty usual day for him he received some new clothes and a few toys to chew on. I have to be careful not to keep calling them "chew toys" because it sounds like I'm talking about my dog or something.

Heath gave me a earring-necklace set of some hearts and they are absolutely beautiful. He kept telling me that he didn't know what to get me, but I really do love them. Plus, I told him I like to receive jewelry from him because that is something that I wouldn't go out and buy for myself. So it was very thoughtful and a lovely gift. I really do love and appreciate all that he does for us!

Heath's big thing for Christmas was that he purchased his out of state hunting license and tags for an elk hunt in Idaho for next year. The tags for the fall '09 season went on sale Dec 1st so he got his gift a little early, but I think he is certainly the most excited! My dad said it best when he said we all got lucky with Heath's gift because Heath will get to go hunting and the kids and I will get to stay with my parents for a week and a half! So really we all win! He also received a deer call from Mom and Dad which will aid in his hunting this year too.

After we had our morning fun we drove over to Heath's sisters house. Lila and James have new baby goats at their house and they are absolutely adorable! So we spent some time with family, and enjoyed our 70+ degree weather! I have to say with as much snow that everyone is receiving throughout the country...I am loving this winter in Texas!

We then came home and made a delicious Christmas dinner and enjoyed it with Janie and Rayford. I'm truly grateful for all of my many blessings and for all the countless ways the Lord has blessed my life. We had a wonderful Christmas day and hopefully the spirit of love and giving will extend into our new year!

Our New Rabbits

This Saturday we got some rabbits. We bought them from a guy who had 4 does and 1 buck and we ended up with two does. Some friends of ours bought the other two does and we are sharing the buck. The ladies names are Diane and Rexy. Ellie loves them and we are very excited for them to get bred and for little baby rabbits.