2025 September 15 - 21

 

This last week didn't go exactly as planned.

On Monday, Hallie was able to work a shift at Starbucks when a fellow barista called in sick. Prepping for that meant Landon drove Eliza and Hallie to Summit so he knew how to get there. Picking Eliza up at the end of the day meant this would be Landon's first time driving to Provo by himself. Everything seemed to go off without a hitch. Hallie may be able to pick up another shift here and there. As you can see, Kai enjoyed his time in the car too.

Mike received this fortune cookie at lunch. Who knew this would be an omen for the rest of the week.

On Hallie's walk home from Starbucks she saw this snake. It didn't move when she walked by. Eliza said it was probably dead. Hallie thought it was still interesting to see, so a picture was taken.

After taekwondo in the evening Hallie and Eliza had to stop by the store and they saw this great sunset. Beautiful sunsets never get old.

Mike had the opportunity to visit several school districts in other parts of the state of Montana on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. 

When he wasn't visiting new superintendents and principals, he visited the Paris Gibson Square Art Museum. Mike didn't know it at the time, but Hallie did a little digging, and it is supposed to be haunted. Eliza and Hallie would have had a lot of fun there.

Mike liked that Scheels had a statue of George Washington out front.

Kai is loving his bunny, and it always melts Hallie's heart. Kai has been a true blessing in our lives as we really truly have struggled. 

Wednesday Eliza and Hallie met with a new psychaitrist for Eliza. The doctor was very through, and we hope for great things.

Here is a LEGO double decker Mike saw at a public library in Choteau, Montana. He thought it was a fun set to see in person.

Landon has really enjoyed learning the electric guitar. Fergus thought he should see what was happening. Fergus can be so funny at times. Everyone in the family is so accommodating to him.

Brooklyn has begun to smile. It brings Halllie so much joy when Brooklyn smiles for her and turns her head towards Hallie when she hears her voice. 

On Thursday, Hallie and Landon went to a meeting with Landon's school counselor. Seniors have an optional appointment called College and Career Readiness. Not a lot was figured out in the meeting nor did anything really need to be figured out. 

After the appointment Hallie went to Big O Tires to see why the car said there was low tire pressure. While waiting to see what the outcome was, Alicia texted to say she and Brooklyn were going to our house to take something over. Hallie thought it might be a fun treat. When Hallie got home she realized it was way better than a fun treat. Alicia was doing our dishes! What a true gift it is to have friends. In the last month, life has been so hard and Alicia lifted Hallie's burden. Thank you!

Shortly after Alicia left, Hallie received a phone call from Mike telling her that his mom had passed away. This news came as a shock to all of us. Sue is loved by all of us, and we will miss her terribly! Grief is a terrible master. Sue sent us great cards for all of the holidays, sometimes on behalf of our animals. Sue was great about talking to us each Sunday. Sue loved old TV shows. Sue loved her family, and we love her in return. As of this writing we don't know the details for the funeral.

As Mike was having to share this news with Hallie, Hallie was getting ready for our first family therapy appointment. As Hallie sat down in Courtney's office (she is Eliza's therapist and the family's therapist) Hallie saw this sign. Later in the day Hallie read it to Mike and was barely able to get through the words. Hallie struggles with a lot of these things, and they hit very close to home.

It may seem silly sometimes, but the extra step that Hallie's friends at Starbucks give to Hallie's drink really brings a simple joy to her heart when she is sad or having a hard time. 

We decided to have Mike rent a car in Missoula and drive to Utah on Friday. He made it by 8:30 p.m. Mike's coworkers have been so gracious to him. Fergus was more than happy to see his Mike. 

On Saturday, Mike took one of the family cars and headed to California. He made it safe and sound. We are grateful he can be there for his dad and sisters during this time.

Hallie found out that another Smith's employee, Dallas, works on cars. Landon's car needed new brakes, so Landon's car now has new brakes for a very reasonable price. Dallas had two motorcycles on his property. He got the keys for one of them so Landon could start it up. Landon was very happy with that experience.

On Sunday, Kai came back. The picture is a little blurry because Kai would not sit still for a selfie. The kids did laundry and tried to clean their rooms in preparation for the upcoming week and a trip to California.

Mike took some time Saturday evening and Sunday to take stock of the situation, mourn with family, and gear up for the week ahead. This bunny happened to be hanging out at his parents’ house, so he took a picture. 

2025, September 8-14

We had an eventful week between Eliza getting into a new program, Landon attending HoCo, and the parents (Hallie especially) just trying to keep up.

On the way to ALA on Monday, the girls spied this rainbow in Spanish Fork. 

Riley sent Hallie an Instagram reel from the Dugout, a local convenience store, about amazing cinnamon rolls. They did not disappoint.  Hallie had to see if the ladies claims were true.

Landon came home from school and fell asleep on the couch. Ferg took advantage of the warm body. It is hard being a teenager. He slept for most of the afternoon.

On Wednesday morning, Landon mentioned to Hallie that Eliza was sleeping outside Hallie's bedroom. Eliza said she was trying to make it to Hallie's bed but just didn't make it. 

Here is Mike at his office with his new 'do. Hallie likes it when she sees selfies of Mike, especially with his great smile.

He got a standing desk. 

We took Eliza to do an assessment at Summit Counseling Solutions on Wednesday.  Eliza will now be attending this Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for the next few months. Later in the day, she graduated to a senior brown belt in Taekwondo. 

As of Thursday, Landon was fully insured and can now drive himself to school. He took the Ghost, which is now his car apparently. Landon was so excited to drive the first day he left the house an hour early to get to school. Hallie can't usually get him out of bed. Day two wasn't as exciting; he didn't get out of bed.

After doing part of her day at Summit on Thursday, Eliza went to take care of Leslie's horses.  

Fergus chose Hallie not once, but twice. 

Hallie and Eliza went to the Hobble Creek Barn Boutique. They had some yummy Dubai Chocolate Strawberries.

Landon got his senior pictures. They actually look decent! We may actually buy some this year.

Up at UM, Big Dipper had an ice cream social at the Lodge. Mike indulged in some huckleberry ice cream and scored some stickers too!

Later, he set to work on the dinosaur-themed LEGO set he brought up from Utah. 

From Thursday-Saturday, UM had a Military Reunion, and the Grizzlies played the Military Appreciation Game against North Dakota. As part of the celebration, a Black Hawk helicopter landed on the Oval on Saturday morning. Mike went down to take a look. 

Later, he attended the first Viva Montana Latin Heritage Festival. 

The festival was a little slow getting started, so he went walking around the farmers markets and to the Missoula Art Museum.

   

Landon and Jocie went to Homecoming on Saturday. Eliza went with Hallie to get the corsage and boutonniere at a place called Foxglove Flowers in Provo. The store had a pretty kitty.   

When Mike got back to Viva Montana, the festivities had gotten quite a bit more lively.

On his way over and the football game was getting ready to start, a couple of Warthogs flew over.  

At the festival, he had to make sure to see that Argentina was represented. 

After a while of listening to music, he went back to campus to see if he could catch any of the game. The Grizzlies were losing for most of it but kept fighting and came back to lead with less than two minutes remaining. They went on to win, and the crowd went wild! 

After going for a bike ride, Mike went back one more time to listen to more entertainment as the sun went down.

 

Beautiful sunset skies over the Clark Fork River. 

Here are the fancy flowers Landon and Jocie got for HoCo. 

While driving, Hallie got some of her own dramatic skies. Second rainbow in a week! 

Here is the happy couple getting ready for the dance. Later, Landon reported that he was underwhelmed by the dance but they otherwise had a good time.  

On Sunday, Mike finished his set and took it to the office. 

Later, he attended the Grizzlies Fight Back Rally. The photo below belies the healthy attendance for the event once people came up to the stage area. 

While we haven't shied away from politics on the blog, we typically have avoided writing about violence done either at schools or for political reasons here. We condemn violence done in schools or other public venues regardless of target. Right now, someone is sitting vigil and planning a funeral that should never have happened. Unless we wake up and demand better, someone else will be doing the same for similar reasons all too soon.  

The neighbors had the Sunday Social in the back alley, but someone forgot that the fire pit should not be set over tinder-dry grass. 🫢 We are always glad when Lisa comes to our Sunday Social but even more so tonight. Lisa put her Girl Scout knowledge to the test when she used a 2x4 to pat out the fire. Good thing grass grows back! 

Priscilla sent Mike this picture of Ferg chilling out in the aftermath.