Growing Like a Weed

Its hard to believe that Thomas is already 6 months old! He's growing so fast. He's sitting up by himself, eating solid foods, trying to crawl, and jabbers all day long. And big news for the week...His first tooth finally came in! He had his 6 month check up this week and is doing well. He's up to 18 lbs, 12 oz and still 27 inches long. He loves to watch is big sister and he just laughs and laughs at her. I know it wont be long before I'm chasing him around the house.

El Diablo Bees

It wasn't 10 minutes after we got home from church on Sunday when we got a phone call. It was a panicking woman who lived in Highland South with a SWARM OF BEES! AAAHHH! Well, Heath was ecstatic. He jumped in the car and headed over to his dad's place to pick up all his equipment.

So Heath and Rayford were off to save the day...so they thought. They showed up to the house and got ready to hive the swarm (this requires the mass of bees to be shaken from the branch into the hive body). This process is USUALLY quite easy and is done without any major complications. Apparently, this particular swarm of bees had been there for several days, were cold, hungry, and agitated! So, when the initial shake hit the bees, they were off! Heath, who was not wearing a veil, was stung in the eyebrow and the eyelid twice, and then on the hands about 8-10 times. Rayford was stung on his right hand and arm at least 17 times, and a few times on his left hand-he was smart and wore a veil. And all Heath can say is, "All in all, it was a lot of fun!" He was happy and grateful for a new hive of bees, and after the bees were well fed and happily settled in their new home they have turned out to be very nice bees.

Heath's eye was swollen shut for a day and a half and Rayford's hand and arm were also very swollen. This is the second swarm they have picked up this year and Heath can't wait for the next call.

Our New Addition

About 4 weeks ago we Heath and I decided that, against all our reservations we would get a dog. I'm not such a fan of having an inside-dog, but we are hoping it will really help Ellie. Ellie is (for lack of a better word) terrified of animals lately. Ever since the attack-of-the-roster incident, she's been very afraid of all animals. So after weeks of Ellie asking "That dog (or whatever animal she sees) gonna get me?" we thought that if we had a little dog that could be her friend it might help with her trust issues. We went to the humane society and found a cute little dog that's perfect for Ellie.

The dog is about 7 months old and she's as timid as Ellie is. They run around the house startling one another. Ellie sees her coming around the corner and jumps and the dog sees Ellie jumping and squealing and then they both run the other way. She's very sweet and really easy going. We still haven't decided on a name, and I don't think Cory's pick of "Franky" is going to stick. Sorry!

I think that they are perfect for each other...although there are somethings that Ellie still needs to learn. Like no grabbing of the tail!

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!