The Princess and the Pea - 4 Scrapbook Pages

a gift from gramma
to: Little Lizzy and William Fox

Photos from Uruguay - Sister Smoot

Synthia has had some pretty amazing experiences while in Uruguay the last 2 months... She's helped a man who was stabbed and bleeding to death, had a biking accident, went to the hospital yesterday because she couldn't stop throwing up, (she's okay now), had lots of investigators to teach and has helped teach and seen baptized one or two families. Check out some of her photos here!

Pretty Pretty Princess with baby Will

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

I woke up this morning and the sky was pink. I always think that maybe that means Christ is coming today. (I know, that's weird.) Just wanted to wish one and all a happy day and hope that Erin has her baby today. It would be fun to have a Halloween baby. Good luck Erin.

Sam is going to be a skeleton with dripping blood, I'll have to post a picture of it, cause it's pretty cool and Shay is going to be Stan, well actually Stan as a Viewmont Viking football player. Should be easy this year, compared to when I have 7 kids to help out! Whew! I have a Halloween Party at Ready-Set-Grow today, so that should be fun! I'll send pics of the kids. Love to all,

Laura

Enjoy the scrapbook pages of Eliza and Will that are coming!

October Update

Just a bit of news. Ummmmmm Hmmmmm Not much has happened really, except what you already know. Synthia is in Uruguay and is doing great. Stan is having fun at Utah State. I don't know about his grades. His hearing is improving a little bit, but next week he is going to go to get steroid shots, right in his ear. Ouch. Shana and Justin have adopted my first grand-dog, as Shana called her last night. Her name is Milly. She is half pit bull and half lab. YOWWY. But actually she is gentle (sort of, she is being trained), and adorable. She got seriously injured last week when she tried to jump out of the truck, but was leashed in. (Lots of stitches and scrapes, but she is doing better.) She ripped a toy giraffe to pieces last night until she got to the squeaker. It was a little scary thinking about what she could actually could do to me. I took the toy away for a second and she was NOT happy. I got a small nip on my hand. lol (Once again, she is in training.) She is about 9 months and wasn't cared for very well by her previous owner. (Sad).

I'll send photos later,
Laura

The Cons of Blogging

I'm sure most of you know this, but I've discovered that if you Google in my name, or any one else's name, that everything that I've blogged is there for anyone in the entire world to see or read. When I googled Shayla's name in, all the stuff that is on my blog came up too. I don't know, call me crazy, but I don't really like having all of Shayla's life, or mine, all over the net. The photo of Lily's hand in Shana's and Justin's hand popped up for the world to see. Hmmm.
I really didn't like that. I'm asking Shayla to be a lot more careful what she posts. And I'm asking her to remove some of her photos, as well as her school schedule. I think it's an invitation to possible problems. (Call me crazy, but I'd prefer more privacy than that.)

Soooooooo, remember to be careful in what you throw up on your blog, because it is available to the world. Just thought I'd mention it!

Beyond Busy :), but still sane

Hi family,

Just a few photos to update you on what's going on.

June 18, 2008 Stan took a trip to Mauii with friends.

In July I went to Girl's Camp with 30 girls and a black bear. He lingered around the entire time girls and land numerous and numerous eaders saw him.

Then, Mary had her cute little baby, William Bradford Fox, 8 lbs. 2 oz. I booked a plane the minute they went to the hospital and had a great visit with them all. Here are some pics of the family.

I got home from Spokane and we went down to Zions National Park. My goodness it's gorgeous down there. We had a blast going down through the Narrows. Sam was our navigator and tracker, since he comes from Indian stock. He did a great job.

Next was Synthia's farewell, yesterday actually. We had about 140 people come by and everything went fine. Lots of work, but a great meeting. Even Shay was on the program as a youth speaker by coincidence. This is a photo taken when she went to Georgia to visit the fam.

Synthia leaves on Wed. and gets set apart tomorrow eve. Wednesday she heads out!!

Lots, still to do!!

Love, Laura

Synthia's Missionary Photos

Happy to be going!

Okay, I love this....off of Nat's blog.

"People don't want to hear the information you want to give, until they need it."
Valerie Bradford (I just love this quote, because it is soooooooo true.) Thanks Valerie.

Plus, Nat's quote: "Kent is not my girlfriend." Good one to keep in mind, but with Sharm, not Kent.

It's the 4th of Jusy and instead of following tradition and going to the parade, we went on the coolest hike today up the Sessions/Holbrook Trail, right above the Bountiful Temple. We crossed the river over and over and it was overcast and windy and even cool. We found out on our way down that Stan had been above us the whole time, "scouting" us out like an Indian, even though he was supposed to be sleeping at home. He just can't get enough of his adorable family. Pictures will be coming soon. This is my new favorite hike! There is lots of shade and you hike near the river as well as through it most of the time. It's just beautiful!

Happy 4th to all and I hope you had a great day.

Fun at "This is the Place" State Park

Just a fun digital scrapbook page of Shayla I did. We had a great time, but it was 98 degrees! Utah get awfully hot. I guess that's what happens in the desert in the summer!

Stan graduated! YES!

Well, we all did it, we got Stan graduated. lol Actually, he did most of the work with some prodding from us over the years. Honestly, he ended with a great GPA and an ACT score of, drum roll please............ 27. He was so excited about that one. He got accepted to BYU Provo and Idaho, UVSC, and Utah State. He's decided to go to Utah State. His cute cousin Lacey (shown in the photo), will be up there too and lots of kids from this area. He can't wait to go and frankly, I can't either, cuz he needs more freedom. We'll miss him though. He went to Mauai for his Senior trip and had a great time with all of his friends.

Synthia is getting ready for her mission and is going to be an EFY counselor in Provo this week and a couple of other weeks. She going to visit Nat in Georgia after that and anything else she can squeeze in before Aug. 20th.

Love to all!!!

Shayla, me and a Hummingbird

Take a look at this! Shay had fun luring this hummingbird out of the garage with honeysuckle, while I had fun photographing it! I took my turn with the flowers as well and this gorgeous bird got within an inch of my face. I could hear the humming and feel his wings like a fan, all thanks to Shay Shay! Get out in nature this summer and enjoy! :)

Laura

Monthly Cousins Luncheon

Hi to all,
This is our Bradford luncheon group who got together 2 weeks ago for a wonderful time at Applebees. It was so fun to see everyone. Below that is the wedding cake that Synthia made for Adrienne and Scott's reception. She wanted it to be really simple. It turned out really nice and the reception was beautiful, for all of you who didn't get to come.
Love to all, (I'm headed off to Stan's graduation right now!)
Laura

Blog Header

Just a heads up that I am learning to create my own header and so excuse the constant changes. It's kind of hard! :)

Stan's Senior Prom

Stan and Marcy Bryson going to Senior Prom

101 Recovery Spots

Just a note about the Recovery spots on the right...they are simply quotes from Dr. Abraham Low's book, "Mental Health Through Will Training." I posted these for me and for anyone who knows about Recovery and could use a "spot" now and then. They are not all exact quotes, but are very close, if not exact.

Dr. Abraham Low's 101 Recovery "Spots"

I wanted to add a note about these Recovery Spots that are on the right side of my blog and down a little ways. They are teachings from Dr. Abraham A. Low and contain many great mental health ideas. I wanted them on here for myself and anyone else who knows about Recovery and may need a Spot! Frankly we all need one now and then.

My little Stan is graduating!

Wow, I really am amazed at life. You have a baby and then you blink and they are married, going on missions and graduating. Sharm and I will be down to 3 kids at home in only a couple of months. Stan graduates on May 29th and is headed up to Utah State University right after Synthia goes into the MTC on Aug. 20th.

Stan is doing really well and is very ready for school to be done. I don't blame him. He went to prom last weekend with a beautiful girl, with red hair, and they had a great time. He looked so handsome. He's worked hard and done really well in school. He received a scholarship to USU and that sure helps things. :)

He had a great year in football and with his friends, despite the loss of his dear friend Seth. They have all stepped up and rallied around each other. I'm amazed at his strength! I'm sure graduation will be a bitter/sweet experience for all of us, but especially for Seth's family and friends. Wow, it's hard to think about it, without tearing up. (What a year it's been!)

What Happens in Vegas, Does Not Stay in Vegas...Synthia receives her mission call!

Hi guys,

Just a small update on our family. We have been in Las Vegas all week and YES, Synthia did receive her mission call. In case she hasn't called you personally, I'm sure she has tried, because she's been on the phone day and night since 10:30am Wednesday. So... for those of you she didn't get a hold of..."Drum Roll Please", she is going to the Montevideo, Uruguay Mission, (Spanish speaking of course). She is very happy, to say the least. Her MTC date is August 20th and we'll let you all know when her farewell is. We're so excited for her. She will do a terrific job as a missionary. Our nephew, Ryan Smoot, got back from the exact mission about 9 months ago and was able to tell her all about it.

Because we were in Vegas vacationing for a week with the whole family, our friend overnighted the letter/packet to us by way of Fed Ex. Her husband is a Fed Ex driver. It was quite the little adventure.

On Wed. morning, Sharm went down to the lobby area and sat in his car scouting out the Fed Ex truck. When it passed our condo complex without stopping, he ran the truck off the highway, accosted the driver and ransacked the truck for the "mission call", but the driver told him that he was Fed Ex Ground and that the "other" Fed Ex. Express truck would be coming at any time and to please "let go of his shirt". (All true, except the shirt part!)

Then Stan went down to scout it out with Sharm. Not knowing they were down there, I went down to the lobby to keep an extra eye out for the Fed Ex truck as well. (Synthia was at the condo calling the lobby every 2-5 minutes to see if the letter had arrived yet.) When I got to the parking lot by the lobby, I saw two persons of interest, in a red Durango, pretending to read the newspaper, but actually waiting to accost the Fed Ex Truck Driver. I jumped in to help!!! Two minutes later, Sharm screams, "There it is." Stan jumps out of the car, leaps a fence or two and runs along side the truck. Sharm waits in the parking spot until the truck pulls in and then begins to ask the driver about our letter in question. I ducked down low in the back seat hoping nobody noticed I was with those two. jk There it was, on the top of the packages. The poor man was supposed to check it through the hotel the "correct way", but sensing our excitement, finally just signed it over to Sharm. Then Stan abruptly snatched the letter out of Sharm's hand and hightails it up to the condo. (Synthia doesn't know we even have it.) Sharm and I jump into the car and drive to the condo and meet Stan at the elevator. :) lol Stan is hiding the letter in his shorts and is going to beat me to the door of the condo once the elevator opens and tell Synthia it didn't come. I take off running as fast as my 47 year old body can run in order to be the first one to tell Synthia her call is here. Half way from the elevator to the door of our condo, my upper body gets ahead of my feet, which is not a good thing, and I trip and land face down on the carpet, glasses and purse "stuff" flying in all directions. But this does NOT deter me. Sharm and Stan are laughing so hard at me, that I beat them both to the door, since they are now on the floor in hysterics!!! I won, but my knee is injured. I guess this is just the price I pay for trying to act like a little kid. :) (It was a memory)! The opening of the mission call wasn't nearly as eventful. lol

**News Flash** - Synthia's Mission Papers Are Sent and We Are Anxiously Awaiting News of Her Call

Dear Friends and Family,

Just a "heads up" that Synthia has turned in her missionary papers and can be receiving her mission call anytime now. We are all sooooooo excited for her and will let you know when she hears. She would love a Spanish speaking mission, because she has practiced and learned it pretty well, but she doesn't really care where she goes! The bad news is that it may come when we are gone on our family vacation to Las Vegas! Soooo, we'll let you know! We leave this Friday, the 18th, and get home on the following Friday, the 25th! We hope that Emily and Katie have had their babies by then!!! Good luck girls, we are praying for you. There is nothing quite as hard as waiting for a baby to arrive! (It was like every minute was a day and everyday was a month!) It will happen though!!!

Love to all,

Laura

Shayla and Lori, (her best friend), are celebrating their 12 birthday together at the Bountiful Rec. Center. Their birthdays are only 2 days apart. They both are really having fun attending Young Women and I'm so lucky, because I am the Beehive Advisor, so I get to play with them too!

Shana and I just went on a walk together. It's amazing all that has occurred since Thanksgiving Day. Shana was due to give birth on Jan. 17, to a little girl, but Lily was born a month early, on my birthday, Dec. 12, 2007. Lily had passed away a couple of days before. Shana couldn't feel her moving any more. Both Shana and Justin's cars had broken down and so they called me for a ride to the hospital. There wasn't a heartbeat when we got to Lakeview. The ultrasound confirmed our worst fears. The baby had died. Nobody knows why. The cord wasn't around her neck. The autopsy should tell us in another week or so. A beautiful grave side service was held on Saturday, the 15th. Lily is buried at the Bountiful Cemetary.

Three weeks has gone by since Lily's birth। Today is Jan। 2, 2008। Watching Shana and Justin grieve, has all but broken my heart, but their strength has strengthened all of us who love them। Lily was beautiful and it's comforting to know that she is in a place of peace and rest। I love you Lily and can't wait for the day to hold you again in my arms and watch your parents do the same. I didn't even get a chance to know you, but I miss you and the wonderful times we would have had together.


I love you. Rest well,
Your Grandma