Leaves are Falling all Around

I don't know about where you live, but in Edmonton, we have had terrible cold wind for about a week. Brrr!! It feels like snow, and yes, I am aware that is a bad word!!

We are hoping that the "s word" stays away for a little longer, and yet, we are torn, because the land is so very dry here. On the radio yesterday they said that our usual rainfall for the month of September is 43 mm and this year we received only 9mm. So it is very dry and we know how desperate the farmers are for moisture. So if it snows, then we are hoping it is only -1 or -2. We certainly are not ready for -10.

There are some very beautiful things that we all love about fall though. The color of the leaves is amazing and as you drive through the river valley it kind of takes your breath away. Early in the morning, the stars are so bright this time of year and a big beautiful harvest moon is about to happen this week. These are all wonderful things about fall!!

September has been an expensive month for the Smith family. We didn't anticipate having to spend an extra $2000.00 on vehicle repairs!! All I can say to that is thank heavens we were able to complete the repairs and our testimony about tithing is constantly strengthened. We are so thankful for the many blessings that Heavenly Father has blessed us with!

The comments that we have received on our blog are so fun. It is great to hear from family members. We all love to read your blogs and see the pictures of your families, it sure makes everyone seem closer than they are. We need to post some pictures on our blog. One of our children will have to teach us how to do that.

Now that September is over, we feel like we can relax a little and spend some time together without everyone running here and there non stop. Between Youth Conference, the Relief Society broadcast, and Stake Leadership we have had every weekend booked and we need to stay home and clean our house. We were able to get the yard ready for winter though, which is always nice, as there is nothing worse than trying to clean up the yard after it has snowed and all of the perennials are mucky and wet. Much to Mike's dismay, we did get more perennials and so we spent a couple of hours last Saturday planting them. I think that sometimes it is hard for him to vision the picture of our yard that I have in my head. Maybe I don't explain my vision good enough???

Mike has had a very busy month. As part of his High Council duties, he is over Relief Society, so last weekend he spent countless hours helping the Relief Society prepare for the meeting and dinner that we had before the broadcast. He also is over a ward that has huge needs, and so he attends that ward and all of their meetings each week. This includes weekday meetings scheduled by the Elders Quorum and the High Priests. Once a week he does try to go play what we call "Old Man Basketball" and he loves it. I think it gives him the stress relief that he needs to survive another busy week.

Maddy has received a new calling in her YSA ward. She is in charge of literacy, so she gets to write the monthly newsletter, start a book club, assist anyone who is learning English and promote the usuage of the Church manuals. This calling is right up her alley and I am excited to see her "dive into" this new challenge. We are sure happy to have her home. Reid loves the fact that she will go and watch him at Tae Kwan Do. He missed her alot over the summer.

If any of you need a good laugh, watch Jordanne's video on Facebook of her "cooking adventure" it will totally brighten your day. Just for the record, we do still love her!!

Dallas is awaiting Halloween, as it is her 16th birthday. I cannot believe that my youngest girl will be 16. It just seems like yesterday that we were just hanging out together. She was the best little tag along...that is until Reid came along and "ruined her life". Whenever he makes her angry, she gladly reminds him of that fact. He of course thinks that is hilarious and tries to bother her more. Kids!!!

Well we hope all is well with you all. We love you all.