Good bye Turkey Hello Santa

Wow...Thanksgiving was just about a week ago and now we are off and running into Christmas!!  Of course the first order of business at our house is to change the Goose from a pilgrim to a Santa.

                                       I think of grandma Smith every time I look at this silly Goose!

Our tree is up and decorated....the wreath is on the door...the pine scented candle is burning and most of the shopping is done  (thanks to Amazon.com)  Now I eagerly await for Saturday the 17th when all the family will be together.  That is 13 days away in case you wanted to know.   

But let's get on with a little family news first.   Steve has recovered from the virus and is now vacationing in San Antonio with his two brothers.  They have been walking on the river-walk...eating all meals outside...visiting wineries and beer gardens and even doing the roller coaster at 6 flags over Texas twice.  Sounds like they are having a great time and probably have next years trip already planned.   

From the Texas Smith's we hear that they are getting over all three of them being sick at the same time.  I think it was a stomach virus that went through the whole family.  Hopefully they are feeling better and will not bring any Texas virus' up here!  They have put up their Christmas tree and Hattie loved decorating.  After it was done she proceeded to  go up stairs and get her pillow and blanket and state that she plans to sleep under the tree.  My goodness but she does sound just like her father.

The Lupov's continue to stay so busy.  Mackenzie and Ivan are both working at the VA hospital now.  Ivan works in the research lab and Mackenzie has rotation there this month.  Makes it very nice for them as they can often times ride together and have lunch together.

I did want to share with you some awesome news.  Ivan had been collaborating on a research article with another researcher.  This has been extremely intense...with many experiments that entailed alot of   documentation over many months..  Well, I am so happy to say that his article has been published and his name is there in black and white!!  We are so proud of him.....hope he brings us an autographed copy at Christmas.

We visited the Fisher-Smith's last weekend and it was wonderful.  Had not seen them in well over a month.  As we walked in the door here comes a little bitty baby girl just crawling around.  She is quite the mover.  She is very interested in getting everywhere and pulling herself up so that she can see everything.  Nothing that is place low is safe from her!

                                                           
                                                      "I just love my Uncle Ivan"

Oliver was nice enough to show us his pictures from his Disney trip.  He explained all the Disney characters to us as they appeared on the screen.  Needless to say he had a wonderful time.


With Christmas approaching I wanted to share a Christmas thought with you.  My favorite Christmas song is "Mary Did You Know".  Being a mother that song evokes so many emotions in me. 

Did Mary know---would she have had Jesus if she knew what was going to happen to him?  A mother has such unconditional love for a child.  She would protect that child with her very life. Did Mary have both joy and heartache at his birth?  Joy for a saviour  being born.  Her beautiful  little boy.  Heartache knowing that she could not always protect him.  That he would die such a brutal death.

Could you let Oliver or Eve go?  Could you let Hattie?  Could you love them with all your heart and soul and have them taken away as Mary did? My heart breaks for Mary and losing her son.

Mary the mother and God the Father offered up their precious baby boy for us.  I can not even imagine their pain.  What a true gift his birth is.

Mary did you know...did you know your amazing baby boy would be the great I AM?

"Is There A Doctor In The House?"

Good evening my family.  It has been two weeks since the last blog.  Trust me I had nothing positive to write last Sunday so I was kind enough to spare you that week.

As most of you know Steve was pretty sick for two weeks.  In our almost 38 years of marriage I have never seen him this sick.  Two visits to the doctor and countless phone calls to Dr. Lupov.....the medical professional agreed that he had the virus from hell.   I almost took him up on his request to let him climb on the roof and jump just to end his misery. But  I told him that he would only break his leg and still have the virus.  But today I can report he is feeling much better and now looking forward to going to Texas on Thursday to hang with his brothers.

I will tell you that one evening when he was rather down we made a list of gratitude's.  We realize we have so many.  1) we are lucky to have good health care and good insurance 2)  we are lucky to have a warm and dry and comfortable house to be sick in 3) we are so grateful for our kids and their families...your calls and your thoughts just kept us going 4) and most of all for eachother.  That when one of us is so sick and down the other will be there.   

Our Thanksgiving was a very quiet one.  We were suppose to go to Alicia's house.  With Steve sick we decided to just stay home.  My very dear and wonderful friend Janet VonHolt had celebrated Thanksgiving with her family the day before.  So I called her to see if she had any leftover pumpkin pie (Steve's request)  I went over to get it and she had prepared an entire Thanksgiving take-out meal for us.  Turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, fresh bread, cranberries and pumpkin pie.  It was delicious!!

It seems like this nasty bug has hit just about everyone in our family  Mackenzie had a terrible cold about a week ago and is just now getting over that.  Kim and Oliver were sick with the flu last week.  Mindy and Hattie were sick last weekend.  Baby Eve went to the emergency room with croupe last Sunday.  Garrett was sick yesterday and Brandon is battling some kind of infection.  I believe the only name not mentioned here is Ivan.  Leave it to the Bulgarian to be the healthy one!!

Enough talk about germs!!  The great news in the Fishers/Smith house is that Eve is crawling around everywhere.  She is crawling...pulling herself up on furniture and trying to make it up the stairs.  She is one very busy baby.  Brandon has put a great video on his website showing her starting to crawl.

The Lupov's are doing really well.  They are continuing to plan for their trip this summer.  Over Christmas they will have to share their destination plans.  It looks simple amazing.  They are now in a "get in shape for hiking" mode.  They both have registered for the Mini Marathon in May.  So their training has started.  The travel brochure for Switzerland states that the hikes they are taking are considered very difficult!! I guess they will have to come to the hills of Swartz Ridge and walk up and down with their backpacks on to get in shape!

From Texas we have heard that Garrett did survive his backpacking trip in the Great Smoky Mountains.  It was Garrett, another adult and I believe 10 boys (jr. high age).  It was wonderful, hard, amazing, difficult, beautiful and scary.  He said it was the hardest thing that he has every done.  But everyone that went including him and the other adult leader loved it.  I know at Christmas Garrett will share more stories and pictures of the adventure.  I am just so glad they made it off the mountain!

I talked to Garrett tonight and they have decorated their Christmas tree.  It has turned cold in Dallas with a chance of freezing temps.  So they have a fire going in their fireplace sitting by the tree. Hattie is just getting very excited about Christmas and coming to Indiana.  She wants to see Oliver and baby Eve!

 I know that with all the holiday hustle and bustle it is just hard to  find time to slow down and just enjoy the season.  Enjoy why we even celebrate Christmas.  As you decorate your trees or wrap those gifts.  As you sip some wine and enjoy the fires just remember that we were given the most precious gift of all.  A baby boy named Jesus.
                                                     God truly blessed us.

Gators, Golf and Get-a-ways

It is Sunday evening and Steve and I have returned from a weeks vacation in Hilton Head.  It was a great week.  The weather was perfect every day.  We walked the beach, rode our bikes all over the island (one day we rode 32 miles), played golf and ate most meals out.  We took an hour boat ride to Savannah and toured the historic district.  Our friends Wayne and Toni Myer were also in Hilton Head the same week (not planned) so we got together with them a couple of times.  It was a good week...except for the fact that I had a terrible cold the entire time! 

                                                                  beautiful Oak tree in Savannah

My greatest golf shot was...over a pond...bounce off an alligator's tail and land three feet from gators mouth.  I let the gator keep the ball!

                                                                          
We then headed home on Saturday stopping by the Smoky Mountains.  We took a short hike and just enjoyed the beauty of the mountains.

                                                                    
                                       So that is the news from the Ridge...now for the family.

Last Thursday the Lupov's had a celebration.  Mackenzie signed her contract with SIMG for three years.  Grandpa took the Lupov's, Jochim's, and Dicken's out for a celebration dinner at the Irish Lion.  Congratulations to Mackenzie and Ivan.

Also, Mackenzie and Ivan have started planning their vacation for next year.  It sounds simple amazing.  They will be traveling to Switzerland in July.  Hiking in the Swiss Alps.  After that they will go to Bulgaria  to visit with Ivan's mom.  Mackenzie you will have to share your travel plans with all of us so that we can see where you will be going.

This coming Friday Garrett will be leaving the wild inner city life for the wild mountain life.  He is going to take some guys backpacking in the Smoky Mountains.  I believe they will be hiking and camping for two nights.  Let's all say a prayer for Garrett and those boys.  Last I heard the nights were getting down to about 28 degrees in the mountains!!

That is all of the news for now from the Ridge.  Have a wonderful week and know that you are all loved!!

Happy Halloween

Tomorrow is Halloween.  This was a favorite holiday in the Smith house.  With three kids I was always ready to buy costumes but Steve would say "No..my mom always made my costumes.  We will make the kids".  I must admit we did have some awesome costumes.  Brandon with his cast and crutches and blood everywhere...Mackenzie as the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz...and Garrett as a Christmas tree that even had working lights.   So much candy....such a sugar high!!

The word this year is that Oliver is going to be Grumpy the dwarf from Snow White and  Eve is going to be the very lovely but very tiny Snow White.  The Texas Smith's are all going to be in character.  Hattie will be Dora the Explorer...Mindy will be Boots and Garret will be Swiper the fox.  Grandma Rita even found an official Dora backpack.  I am hoping that pictures of all these characters will be posted very soon!!

This last Friday was Steve's 62nd birthday.  We started celebrating on Thursday.  Thursday was to say goodbye to being 61 and then the celebration of Friday was to say hello to 62.  He really appreciated all your birthday wishes through the week.  I really surprised him this year by giving him a birthday/Christmas present.  I bought him an Ipad.  He was totally surprised!!  After I gave it to him on Friday I really have not seen much of him all weekend.

                                      
News From Texas:  Garrett is getting ready to take six boys backpacking in the Smoky Mountains.  They will arrive on Nov 18 and start hiking on the 19th.  Coming off of the mountain on the 21st.  He does have two adults going with him but I believe Garrett told me they have never backpacked before.  This may be aweekend for some heavy prayers!!  Garrett you are a brave man.

Mindy and Garrett received a call from CPS of Dallas that a little boy is up for adoption.  The little boy is about the age of Hattie.  This is something that Mindy and Garrett will have to think about and pray about.  They have so many exciting changes happening to them.  Bolivia is still very strong in their heart.  But Mindy I do have all of Oliver's old clothes if that helps at all!!   So much happening in West Dallas.

Mackenzie has made her decision!!  With much thought and many interviews Mackenzie has made her decision as to where to practice once she is done with residency.  She will enter into the practice of SIMG (Southern Indiana Medical Group) located in BLOOMINGTON, INDIANA!!   We are so excited to have her back in town and it really is one of the best practices in town.  So congratulation Mackenzie!!

Next Sunday is the day we all have to change our clocks.  "Fall Back"  What that means is that it will be dark when you go to work and dark when you come home.  It mean the start of winter.  So I want to leave you with one more beautiful Fall picture take from the Ridge.

                                                                      
                              Have a Happy Halloween...and pace yourselves on the candy consumption !!

Warm Days and Cool Nights

Good evening my amazing family,

  You can definitely tell that Fall is here.  There is frost on the ground in the mornings and then the sun begins to warm up the day.  One might start with a fleece jacket only to take it off by noon because it is so warm.  But then when the sun begins to fade that jacket goes right back on!!  Ahhh...Indian Summer don't leave me yet....

The most important news for today is:  IT IS IVAN'S BIRTHDAY!!  He turns 29 today!!!

  Saturday I went to Indy so that Ivan and I could hook them up with wood for the winter.  We actually bought almost 2 ricks of wood which should last them most of the winter.  I was only the truck driver...Ivan did all of the work!!
                                                                    

                                                                
      And the finished job....way to go Ivan...you have just made your wife so happy!!

                                                                         
I also want to tell you that all of Ivan's information is in the Que for medical school review.  This is big stuff and good as now his process can continue forward.  Just continue to send all your positive thoughts Ivan's way. 

Mackenzie continues to interview for jobs. She is going on Tuesday to Avon Indiana to interview with a clinic there. Then on Wednesday she is coming to Bloomington to shadow one of the doctors at the clinic she is interested in.  She has really had  great experiences with all of the interviews and has a very big choice ahead of her.  Keep us all posted Mackenzie!! 

Another note from Mackenzie.  On Friday she received the "Gold Humanism Society" award.  This award is for the doctor that practices compassionate and humanistic medicine.  She was nominated by her program director and other medical students.  This is an award to be very proud of Mackenzie.  Great job!!

The Fisher-Smiths have had a tough weekend.  They have had the stomach flu.  Oliver and Kim had it first and now Brandon.  Luckily little Eve seems to have been spared.  I just don't think there is anything worse.  Get well soon you all.

Also with Brandon....he is getting a new position within his department.  As I understand it his boss is creating a new position so that 1) he can give Brandon a raise and 2) he becomes a permanent employee and does not have to go up for contract review every year.  This is awesome news Brandon and something to be so proud of. 

The Texas-Smiths are back to wonderful warm weather.  I talked to Garrett a couple of days ago and they are back in shorts and 80+ days.  They did say that they missed the Fall and the cooler temps!!

Garrett had talked to Amber earlier in the week and she may come over to their house to talk.  This would be just wonderful as I know Mindy and Garrett have missed her so.  Garrett let us all know how she is.  She was apart of our family and we still wonder and care about her.

Now from the ridge I will share your dads big news.  This week we sold THREE lots at Pedigo Bay.  This is just wonderful news and a huge boost for Pedigo Bay.  It is just great for our goal to sell all our properties out there. 

I have bought my first Christmas present which means Christmas is getting closer!!  I believe we have decided to have the Smith Christmas the weekend before.  Garrett, Mindy and Hattie will get here Saturday and we will celebrate on Sunday.  We may get together with the Shank side on Sunday afternoon. 

That is the news from the Ridge for now.  I hope that this helps you feel a little caught up with what is going on in each others lives.  Have a wonderful week and know that you are all loved!!

(a note:  Brandon has put some beautiful pictures of Eve on his website.  Be sure to check it out.)

Weekends Are Made For Family

Hello my family,
   What a wonderful weekend this has been.  The Dallas Smith's arrived in Indiana on Wednesday and spent the night at the Thacker's.  Rita and Leon hosted 13 people that night.  Then on Thursday Steve met Mindy and Garrett and they passed Hattie our way.

Hattie spent Thursday night and all day Friday in Bloomington with papa and mimi.  It was awesome!!  We had a beautiful day on Friday and Hattie and I spent most of it outside.  That night Hattie kept saying that she need to see a movie so we watched "Dora the Explorer".  Hattie's choice of course!!

                                         

Saturday we had to give Hattie back but not before we met the Dallas Smith's and the Lupov's for lunch.  Then Hattie, Mackenzie and I made a visit to the zoo.  Garrett and Mindy were presenters at the conference and Steve went to listen to them.  (they were awesome by the way!!)

                                                            
So it was a wonderful weekend...and we so enjoyed having Hattie spends some time with us.  They left right after their conference to head back to Lafayette and then on to Chicago to fly home.

                                                                     

   I believe that the Fisher Smith's are back in Indiana.  And the big word is that Oliver got kissed by Snow White.  How awesome is that!!  We will be waiting for your website to be updated with Disney pictures soon Brandon!!

Indiana Indian Summer

There is really nothing more beautiful that an Indian summer in Indiana.  That is what we had this week.  The weather was perfect and the colors of the Fall leaves are just about at their peak.  We certainly made the most of it.

Steve and his friend Tim had a short work day on Friday and went for a 54 mile bike ride to Nashville.  They started at 10:30 and returned around 4:30.  Stopping in a little town called Gatesville for lunch.

  To continue with the weekend outdoor theme on Saturday we played  par three golf.  I did not lose a single ball and actually hit very well.  So encouraged to continue.  Then today Sunday we decided to ride our bikes into town and have breakfast at Bloomington Bagel on Kirkwood.  It was about a 15 mile round trip ride.  Beautiful trees along the way.   Then after that we met some friends and took a seven mile hike on the Pate Hallow Trail.  The trail winds through the woods and touches the edge of Lake Monroe.  The color was just amazing.    We finished the day with great hamburgers grilled outside...aaahhh...I do so love the weekends!!

Brandon , Kim and Oliver are in Disney World visiting with all the characters.  I called Oliver on Saturday morning to see if he was all packed and ready to go and he was just so excited.  "Yes grandma I am packed and I have my jammies".  Can't wait to hear all the stories.   What a perfect age to take him.

Also, let's give Brandon a big congrats.  He is now an Apple Certified Associate in Final Cut Pro X.  I for one am not sure exactly what that means but I know he has been working  very hard on getting certified.   So way to go Brandon!!

Next week the Texas Smiths will be coming to Indy.  Garrett and Mindy will be attending a Christian conference Thursday through Saturday. On Saturday they will be presenters for a session.  We may try to listen in on that.  Little Hattie will be coming to Bloomington to stay with mimi and grandpa. 

Mackenzie and Ivan spent this last weekend in Greene County at the Jochim's house.  Katherine was making a visit to Indiana and she and Mackenzie got to spent an entire weekend together.  I know that there was a lot of talking going on with those two.  I believe Ivan spent the time chopping wood and fishing!!  Smart boy!

I know that Christmas is  a couple months away but we do need to think about our family time together.  Would it work for everyone to have our celebration the weekend before Christmas?  That would be Saturday December 17th.  Start thinking about this so that we can plan and I can also put in for some vacation time.

First of Many (I hope)

To my family:  We are all living very busy and hurried lives.  I wanted to try and find a small way for us to stay connected.  Mackenzie help me create this blog so that we can have a little idea what is going on in each others lives. 

 Brandon, Kim and Oliver will be leaving this coming Saturday for Disney World.  I do not know who is more excited...Brandon or Oliver.  Kim will have her hands full with those two boys!  I will be waiting for Disney pictures to arrive Brandon!   Eve has decided not to go and is staying with her Grandma without the cat (Emily).  She no doubt will be very spoiled when her parents return.
   
 Brandon and Kim celebrated their 7th wedding anniversary today. (October 2nd)  It is just hard to believe that seven years has gone by that fast.  Congratulations you two!!

 Garrett and Mindy have been in Cochabamba, Bolivia for ten days.  They should be returning tomorrow October 3rd.  I am very excited to hear about their trip and what the orphanage was like that they visited.  Hopefully I will have much more to share with you soon.  Bolivia is a landlocked country located in central South America.  It is also home to the Andes Mountains.  Sounds absolutely beautiful!! 
  
Mackenzie and Ivan have been very busy with work.  Mackenzie finally completed her last rotation in ICU.  It was a rather tough one for her and she could not have done it without her husband.  Ivan has completed everything for medical school entry.  He had his interview last week which I heard went very well.  The process is that every month I.U. selects candidates for their 2012 first year med students. 
  
Mackenzie will be deciding soon as to where she plans to work next year after graduation.  She has done various interviews including Bloomington Hospital.  So far I do think that Bloomington is top on her list!  That would be so wonderful to have her in town. 

 All is going well with the folks on Swartz Ridge.  Steve was very excited to hire a landscape architect.  It is the first time he has needed to hire someone in a few years.  Hopefully this is a good sign for the economy!!
We are planning a trip to Hilton Head in November.  I think we are going to play golf so we actually went to the driving range to practice.  It has been at least 5 years since I swung a club!!

 I hope this first blog makes you feel that you are a little more connected with each other.  I will try to post once a week and just let you know the "family news".