Happy Birthday Blaine C. Smith!

Today my dad turns the big ………jk I wouldn’t do that to you dad! What does age mean anyways when you are as amazing as my dad? I have always had “daddy pride” ......as Robert calls it. Nobody will ever be smarter, faster, funnier, or better looking than my dad.
Dad I hope you have a exhilarating birthday. I love you some much! Thanks for always cheering me on in life, making me laugh, and for all your priceless words of advice.

Better late than never... Thanksgiving, etc.

Sometimes I don’t begin because I am not sure where to begin. Should I start with the broken down Chinatown bus and 5 hour wait for a new bus on the way to Virginia or with our wonderful Thanksgiving break and holding my adorable niece Karlie? Who knows, but life has been exciting. We had a total New York experience when our bus to Richmond broke down and we spent several hours on the bus. Our bus driver conviently didn’t speak any English. We united as New Yorkers to get our bus moving and eventually got to Richmond at 4 in the morning. We had a pleasant time being with family. We couldn’t stop gawking over our beautiful niece. Even Robert was into the whole uncle thing!!! Thanks Harris Family for making it a very memorable Thanksgiving.
After a quiet Thanksgiving we were rudely awaken by the reality of tests. Robert has several big tests coming up and I am panicking to get my students ready for their State Exams. We have been enjoying the Holiday season. We even put up our pretty pathetic Charlie Brown tree. We had a blast visiting with my cute aunt and cousin on their trip to New York. It is always the best to be with family, NOTHING compares. Thanks for all your words of encouragement and enjoying the first New York snow with us!
Well life continues. I am teaching my guts our while Robert studies his brains out. We have been enjoying all our holiday parties and events and look forward for those to come!


Here are some pics from our visit with Kerry, Brooke and Di. I loved spending time with them. We chatted the nights away! Love you guys!





There are pictures from our Thanksgiving weekend with the Harris family!




We had my work Christmas party at one of our school board member's house. It was it a very nice part of town and his house was amazing. It was fun to hand out with all my co-workers. We come from very different walks of life but we all get along very well. I have been blessed to work with such amazing people.

Happy Holidays! I am so enthused to be in the city for the Holidays. Sunday we had stake conference in a Broadway theatre and Elder Holland spoke to us. After conference I convinced Robert to walk around downtown and see all the holiday decorations! It is still a little early so some of the decorations aren’t put up yet. It was fun to watch them decorate the Rockefeller center tree and watch people ice skate in central park. I have said it a thousand times but … I am in love with New York City!
I have posted some pictures from our downtown walk and some pictures of my work Thanksgiving party!
I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving weekend, may it be filled with gratitude and peace!



Macy's Holiday Window Display

Central Park.. our home away from home!

Check out Robert's new coat.. good lookin'!!




Thanksgiving work party! Injy, Carissa, and Ashley.. you girls are crazy! Thanks for keeping my life exciting and for introducing me a East coast Thanksgiving.. Mac and cheese and everything!

Veteran's Day

Today was another revitalizing day in New York City. I have been looking forward to this day for awhile because it is one of the few days I get off. I made of list of things that I wanted to accomplish. I enjoyed the day by sleeping in, running across the George Washington Bridge, shopping, reading Twilight, learning to knit and hanging out in Central Park. I am in love with New York! I still feel giddy when I remember that I am living here! Here are some pictures of my Veterans Day! I hope you had a superb day too!







This is the George Washington Bridge. On Holidays they turn the lights on and it is breathtaking!

Brooklyn Voted... Did you?!?!

I had a mock election with my students today! It was actually really fun. We reviewed the canidades platforms. I was amazed by how much they had already soaked up from the media, parents and teachers. The students then voted at a booth I set up for them. Some of the kids were so nervous. I had several students say they felt "powerful" voting. I can't help but think about how lucky we are to live in a country where the peoples' voice is heard.





A local newspaper came and took pictures of our science experiement. I thought the pictures were pretty funny... I look so intense! :)

Happy Birthday Little Sis!

Julia’s no ordinary girl.

She is the only girl who can wear a backwards hat, with a dress, and oversized heelies and still looks adorable.

She is the only girl I know that can watch an entire movie while standing on her head.

She is the only girl I know who doesn’t stop talking or moving from the time she wakes up until she goes to bed.

She is the only girl I know that loves anything to do with animals (clothes, books, and movies).

She is the only girl I know who snorts when she laughs.

She is the only girl I know that almost EVERYONE loves to be around.

She is the only girl who has more friends than I can count.

Julia.. You are one of a kind girl. You have been such a blessing in my life… I hope you had fun celebrating your “New York Birthday” with us. Keep being the charming girl that you are. I am excited to watch you grow up and see all the amazing things you’ll do.

Family Time!

This hasn’t been the easiest time in my life but it has been one of the most rewarding. I guess that is how life works… what you put into it, is what you get out! Trying to keep up with these workaholic New Yorkers is hard work. It has really given me a new perspective on life. I have a passion for the work I am doing but it comes with a lot of sacrifice. Sleep, watching TV, and down time is nothing but a distant memory now. All of it is worth it when I see a student smile because she finally understands it or when a beaming 3rd grader reads a story he wrote to the class without any stuttering or mistakes.

Sometimes I keep motivated by living in the moment but also by looking forward to different events. We have been trying to see the east coast on the weekends before it gets too cold. I have also been looking forward to the visit from my family.

They came last weekend and I loved every moment. I love my family so much! I am thankful they made the sacrifice to come and see us. It was hard to let them go after such a fun visit! We took them around to see what our life was like in NYC.

Robert brought them to my school on Friday to see what it was like. I think they were shocked and worried for my life but my parents keep saying how inspiring the teachers seemed and how cute the kids were… and they ARE dang cute! I couldn’t tell what Julia was thinking but see seemed very intrigued by all the kids but wouldn’t let go of my Dad’s hand.

They stayed in our little apartment with us. They loved the view and Julia loved my “cat chair” where she slept every night! We showed them around Columbia’s campus and hospitals. On Sunday they came to our ward and meet some of our friends. My parents also spoiled us with Wicked and Mary Pippins tickets!!! It was amazing.

We were sad to see them go but hope they come and visit again and we’ll see them at Christmas! Thanks again Mom, Dad, and Julia! We love you guys this (arms wide open) much! 

Time square was so crowded this weekend. It was fun to see all the stores. I bought Julia a New York sweatshirt and hat. She looked pretty ... New York! I also took her into Sephora and put makeup on her!! She looked grown up!

Waiting for the Subway! It was so much fun just to talk and catch up on life! It was fun to be with my dad.. i miss all our daddy-daughter talks!
Hanging out with my favorite girls in Central Park. Julia loved Central Park because of all the cool looking dogs.. she is an animal lover.
My parents took us to Wicked! It is my favorite Broadway next to Les Mis! Julia knew most of the words to the songs and was super excited when they sang "Popular". She loves that song! Even Robert thought is was great!!!
Robert and Julia chillin on the subway!
Julia sleeping in her "cat bed".

Its official … We love the east coast! Fall has always been my favorit time of the year but this trip sealed the deal.On Saturday Robert and I took a train to Albany where we met up with my grandparents. We stayed with them in their time share and enjoyed the ‘breathe taking New England Leaves’. I have never seen so many beautiful reds, oranges, yellows and greens. The changing leaves stretched for miles.

We also made a trip to Boston where we visited my beautiful cousin Erin. She showed us around all the historical and must see sights of Boston. We had Monday off for Columbus day so we all drove down to Cape cod. We enjoyed the beautiful beach and ate some fresh fish.
Thanks Grandma, Kendall and Erin. We loved every minute of it and can’t wait to see you guys at Christmas!

Amtrack Train


We ate the famous Red Lion Inn. It was built in the 18th centry and has lots of Norman Rockwell paintings. It was so cute.. it looked like the house right out of Anne of Green Gables!


New England Leaves!



Boston




Cape Cod