Honeymoon

The day after we got married, we left for our honeymoon at Disneyland. By the time we reached Los Vegas, we were tired so we decided to stay there for a night. We found a tiny little motel and settled in for the night. Doug woke up at about 4:00 am, thirsty, and wanted a drink. We both got dressed and went in search of the motels ice machine. On the way to the ice machine, we saw a patch of June bugs. I quickly walked by them and then I realized my sweetheart was not with me. I turned around and there was Doug bending over fasinated with the June bugs. I returned to his side and he gave me the first of many lessons in entomology. He was so cute sitting on the ground pointing out their characteristics that I forgot how much I dislike bugs and enjoyed the lesson. He had such a quick curious mind. Not even a honeymoon could call him away from his beloved science. He taught me to love science too!

African Concert

Sometime in november or december, I don't remember when, right before dad's surgery. He went with me to an african momba concert, that I had to attend for my music history class. Of course we had to go to dinner before going in so we stop at the outside mall near there. We walked around most of the mall deciding which place smelled the best. The Notorious Pig was the winner. I think it might have been some kind of a bar, but it smelled soooo good. Especially since Dad and I were both craving meat. We had ribs, I offered to share a half rack with him, but we just order a half for both of us. Little did we know that I would end up eating all of mine, and the rest of his.

Do all of you remember how dad used to eat the left over meat off our plates when we were kids at the dinner table?

Sunday ditch days

Dad always loved to take me to school, and buy me breakfast on the way there. He said it was the only time I talked. He did anything I ever wanted including ditching church when mom wasn't there to go to the zoo instead. We always had so much fun. Even thought mom would get mad at us when she found out.

Lunch Dates

There were many a lunch date between my parents and me.  The earliest one I can remember was one during a school day in Magna.  It was just Dad, Mom, Me, and maybe Charity..can't remember.  They surprised me by pulling me out of school for the afternoon.  We ended up at the movies (treats and all) to see SO I MARRIED AN AX MURDERER.  I was tickled to be singled out to enjoy such a fun day alone with my parents.

When Ryan, Emily and I moved to Phoenix for a few years we (usually dad, mom, me & em) spent at least one or two lunches a week together.  I remember many of those visits were to KFC!  I think I might love that place as much as dad did.

Then there was the year of Disneyland.  Dad would meet up with us at the outdoor mall in Irvine.  (No KFC, but there was Johnny Rockets.)  We would eat and the go ride the carousel.

These were precious times to me, because we just enjoyed each other.  It wasn't necessarily glamorous, just wonderful to be close and laughing, watching my kids grow up.
Michelle

Along Came the Alligator

Dad always had a special way with children, he loved to play and tease. Usually, the kids loved him for it, but occasionally he took it too far and someone would end up crying. When little Emily was about 6 months old, she and Michelle were at Mom and Dad's, visiting from California. Dad had managed to find a very tiny, almost bug-like, remote control car and was buzzing it around the floor of the living room. This stupid little car was freakishly fast and, somewhat disconcerting, with the high pitched buzzing sound it made. Dad thought it was great! He played with it like he was 6 years old and it was Christmas morning.

Somewhere along the way, he thought it would be fun to tease Emily with it. He started running it around her in circles. Needless to say, Emily was not pleased. She started hollering and crying, and letting us all know that she was being treated very poorly. She was so mad at Dad, she wouldn't even look at him for the next 6 months. Dad was still trying to make it right when her 1st birthday arrived.

About that time, we (Mom, Dad, John, Charity, and I) went to CA to go camping in Sequoia National Park. We called Michelle to see if they wanted to come. Ryan couldn't make it, but Michelle and Emily were game. During the drive to the park, we stopped at a gas station for a driving break. I was carrying Emily through the convenience store, when something caught her eye. It was a toy alligator hiding among the stuffed animal display. Emily smiled and reached for it. I let her pet it for a moment before we moved on. Unbeknownst to me, Dad had spotted the exchange from across the room.

As we got settled back into the van, Dad came up to the side door and handed Michelle that stuffed alligator. Michelle gave it to Emily. Emily took hold of it, turned to Grandpa Doug and flashed him her biggest smile. She knew where the new toy came from, and "Papa Goug," had won her forgiveness for the RC car debacle of 2003.

Uncle Doug

One of the memories I have of Uncle Doug is when we lived with him for a couple months when we first moved to Arizona. I had unpacked one of my boys' toys which was a remote control car. I felt bad for Mikey that his remote control car was no longer working. When Uncle Doug saw Mikey fiddling with it he asked what happened. I told him we were going to have to toss it in the trash because it no longer worked. Uncle Doug took it outside and I figured he was taking it to the trash can. Little did I know he was taking it to his "shop" in the garage. About 15 minutes later the remote control car comes zooming through the house. I soon learned that nothing was relegated to the trash while Uncle Doug was around. He saved many a toy and many little broken hearts.

Dress Shopping

My dad was always so proud of all of us.  I remember shopping for a dress to the school dance.  I had gone with friends and spent my own money on a short little blue number.  In my mind, I remember thinking that it might be a bit short.  Well, dad saw it and agreed.  But he was so loving about helping me.  He took me shopping and waited and watched while I tried on more dresses.  In the end he helped me choose a lovely classic dress.  It was white on top and black from the empire waist down.  It was not cheap either.  I think dad may have spent 100 bucks on it.  When I asked him about it he just said that I was worth it.  That was something I have never forgotten.
Michelle

Should I join the Air Force

Just before we got married, Doug secured a job as a carpet salesman. We were so excited! We just knew that he would sell a million dollars in carpet and that the commission would make us rich! He worked at it for a few months into our marriage and it became apparent to both of us that he would not become rich with this job. He knew that he needed a new job. Neither of us was worried. After all we were young and in love and we knew that something great would come along. We really did not talk about it at all. We just waited for fate to happen.

Then one night I dreamed that Doug joined the Air Force. I saw him in his uniform and he was so cute! the next morning when I woke up, I shared this dream with him. He got a funny look on his face and told me that this dream was his answer. He now knew that he should join the Air Force. Unbeknown to me, he had visited a recruiter and did some research. He had been fervently praying for an answer, and he knew that my dream was the answer he so fervently sought. We both thanked Heavenly Father for His direction.

A few months later, I watched him get sworn in and saw him off to boot camp. And he was so cute in his uniform!

My Last Show

From about June 2009 to November 2010 I had become very heavily involved with a local community theatre called, Desert Stages. I did various jobs there, ranging from costumes to stage managing to director's assistant, and worked on a total of 7 shows. Mom and Dad were able to see most of the shows I worked on, but the one that stands out the most was the last one. It was closing night of the musical version of Dirty, Rotten Scoundrels. Despite how good the show was, it had been a difficult run, that never seemed to sell out. On Closing night, the theatre decided to offer the cast and crew a special discount for our family and friends. The catch was that you had to buy 5 tickets to get the deal. Thinking that I could pawn the rest off on friends, I bought the 5 and called Dad to see if he and Mom wanted to come. Mom had to work, but Dad came. I was really excited that he did, because I had just announced to the cast that, for better or worse, this would be my last show. I was "retiring."

When I first told Dad that I would be doing this particular show he was concerned that it would be inappropriate and told me to be careful. When he saw it, I think it eased his mind, because (while not being an all ages show) it wasn't horribly uncomfortable. In fact, I am pretty sure he really liked it, because I could hear his very distinct laugh coming through the monitors I used to observe the show.

I don't remember anything about that night, except hearing my Dad laugh. It was the best, last show.

Dad's Obituary

Douglas Lin Smith (54) was called to his Heavenly home on March 14, 2011 after a short but valiant fight with cancer. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and son, he dedicated his life to his faith, his family, and his country. He left behind a legacy of love and a strong testimony of Jesus Christ that is mirrored in his children and grandchildren. He was a friend to all who knew him and hero to his family. He is survived by his wife (Allene “Bobbi” Smith) their children (Mary and Eric Talbot, Michelle and Ryan Rodgers, Leslie Smith, Kathryn and Luken Grace, John Smith and Charity Smith), 12 grandchildren, his parents (Clarence and Loraine Smith), his siblings (Scott and June [McClure] Smith, Stephen and Lethia Smith, Miles and Barbra Smith, Kristen and Aaron Coon, Jon Paul Smith, Patti Ann and Robert Spicer, and Jamie Smith) and numerous other friends and loved ones.