Happy Holidays From The Smith Family!

As 2014 comes to an end, we find ourselves closing a chapter of our lives.  Our sweet friend and  neighbor of 29 years joined her husband in heaven on December 6th.  Since we were the only close “family” she had we have been her sole caregiver for the last 10 years, the last 2 which were spent in a local nursing home. We had a Celebration of Her Life last Saturday and all of the kids were able to come.  It was a beautiful service where Smitty gave a nice tribute along with several others and we had a nice lunch after at the club. 

It has been a good year.  We are well and very happy.  Smitty has improved steadily from the setback he had after the hip replacement and is back doing all of his little “honey dos” around the house. Since we decided to stay at Hideaway Lake we moved his office downstairs and my craft room right off the entry.  However it was nice having all of the bedrooms when the kids came.  Smitty has been busy keeping up with all of Doris’ medical bills, visiting every day and taking her to the doctor if needed while I kept her clothes washed and ironed.  Now we are looking forward to God’s next assignment for us.

We enjoy singing in a 60 voice HAWL choir and did 2 productions last year.  We attend a weekly bible study group and play cards with a couple every Friday night. I still cook every chance I get.  Once a month I help my friend cook at the local Catholic Soup Kitchen and we really put out some good food.  We enjoy helping feed the youth at church once a month.  A friend honored me with a lovely lunch in her home for my birthday and as a surprise the girls were invited.  What a treat.  They come as often as they can but everyone is so busy that it is special when we can get together.

SUZIE (eldest) has been very busy traveling around the country decorating model homes.  She has done 5 in Tyler and I got to be her assistant for them.  I love it and learn so much.   Her children live in Florida.

Trish and Steve are in Orlando where Trish teaches.  Jenna is in Middle School where she is in the Jr. National Honor Society, loves animals and is the pitcher on her softball team.  Christian just turned 9 and loves sports.  Alison and Tim are in West Palm Beach where Tim is a Sr. Systems Architect.  They have 2 precious boys that keep Alison very busy and are expecting a little girl around my birthday.




SANDY (middle child) continues to run her own business doing bookkeeping and administrative services for individuals and small businesses.  She says it’s the best job she’s ever had.  She and David are still living in Dallas.  Danielle is in Lawrence, Kansas and runs the office for a property management company.


JOY (the youngest) and Dan have a law firm in downtown Oklahoma City.  They remodeled an old historic church in Deep Deuce for their offices.  Andrew graduates this year and will start Law School in the fall.  Emily is in Nursing School at OU and Sam is a Sophomore and active in Student Council.

We are all hoping to get together again this spring on the beach in Florida to meet our new great grand-daughter.  Last month all of the northern clan met for Thanksgiving at the Davis Oasis on Desert Mt. Arizona.  Smitty and I go early and stay after everyone leaves and have a dream vacation.  To make this year very special, the 2 darling boys from Kenya that they are supporting were with us.

Thanksgiving 2014

We have so many blessings.  We just pray that God will lead us to do what ever he has in store for us and that he will give us the strength and energy to do it well.