Boyd Hyde Smart

Wednesday after school we rushed down to Salt Lake City to Promise Hospital knowing our time was short with grandpa. My four kids and I donned our yellow gowns and walked into his room to say our goodbyes. Ella looked like an angel with her gown too big and the light shining behind her. Landon wiggled, wiggled, and wiggled in grandma's arms, taking it all in. Lincoln and Logan were shy, but told him they loved him. Grandpa Boyd looked at all of us, smiled, winked, squeezed my hand, whispered our names, and called Ella "sweetheart." I miss him, but I am comforted by where he is going and that he will continue to watch over us.

Boyd Hyde Smart (Logan, UT)

Loving husband, father and friend passed away peacefully March 31, 2011 in Salt Lake City following complications from a heart attack in January. Boyd was born March 4, 1930 in Dayton, Idaho to Veril David and Rosella Hyde Smart. Boyd married his sweetheart, Phyllis Going Maughan, on July 28, 1950 in the Logan LDS Temple. Boyd and Phyllis recently celebrated their 81st birthdays and 60th wedding anniversary.

Boyd started his career as an electrician with Union Pacific RR and then at Utah Power and Light Co. for 38 years where he worked as a lineman and later became manager over the Montpelier Idaho district. Boyd was blessed to have a very long and productive retirement where he and Phyllis never rested.

Boyd was always an active member the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints where he served as Bishop three times, a member of the Stake Presidency, long time temple ordinance worker and sealer in the Logan Utah temple. Boyd and Phyllis served two missions (New Zealand and Los Angeles). He leaves a lasting legacy of hard work, service and faith.

Boyd’s main hobby was helping his children and grandchildren build and remodel homes. He loved the outdoors, camping, traveling, working in the yard, and being at their cabins in Bear Lake and Logan Canyon. Boyd was a true friend to everyone and was loved and admired by the many people who knew him.

He is survived by his wife Phyllis, his sister Verla (Rey) Hyer, brothers Demar Smart and David (MaryAnn) Smart, and sister-in-law Barbara Smart, eight children: Christine (David) Peterson, Ogden UT; Craig (Shirley) Smart, Logan UT; David (Betty) Smart, Millville UT; Larry (Joyce) Smart, Providence UT; Tom (Kathy) Smart, Montpelier ID; Marilyn (Dennis) Vanderbeek, Rigby ID; Charlotte (Jason) Brandley, West Point, UT; and Jason (Ellan) Smart, Logan UT. Thirty one grandchildren and 54 great-grandchildren. Boyd was preceded in death by one brother, two sisters and one great-granddaugter.

A viewing will be held on Sunday April 3, from 6 – 8 PM at the Nelson Funeral Home (162 E 400 N, Logan UT). Funeral services will be held Monday April 4, 11 AM at the Logan 9thWard (125 E 500 N). Friends may attend a viewing at 10 AM prior to the service. Interment will be at the Dayton, Idaho cemetery.

Many thanks to the caring staff at Logan Regional, McKay Dee, and Promise hospitals.

Our lives haved been forever changed by Boyd’s thoughtfulness and love. Although we will miss him greatly, we are comforted by the thought of the many arms that welcomed him to his great reunion.

days of the week

Monday my house needed to be cleaned. I mean really, REALLY needed to be cleaned.

So instead we did this...

Little did I know that on Tuesday I would only slightly foil the plans of two lovely ladies who were so generous with their time and energy and surprised me with a clean house. I don't even think they understand the magnitude of my gratitude. It is immense.

Wednesday we wished happy birthday to this darling sister

who is currently living it up in New York!

Happy Birthday, Michelle. Shay is a lucky fellow.

remember

I'm not going to lie. The last week has been rough.

Lots of good happened though. I got a foot rub as you probably remember. The kids got backrubs/scratches most night, which they think is awesome. I also played volleyball with some fun girls and got to go to a special place while my visiting teacher watched my kids. People have never stopped with their goodness and I am so appreciative.

Landon has mastered the crawling. He now thinks he can go faster than he really can and sometimes ends up in a face plant after both arms and legs move really really fast but not quite in sync. He is also quite masterful at giving mommy kisses. We painted flower pots. We made a rainbow...picture to come.

Logan had many time-outs. Logan finally believes that we do put our clothes back on after going potty. Logan said in the middle of lunch, "Mom, I love my brother, Lands. And I really love my buddy...my buddy Shay." We played outside on the good days. We chilled inside on the rainy days. Kids have spent a lot of time with their hexbugs (a marvelous gift). Logan calls it his "ladybug" and it never leaves his hands.

Lincoln went to school, proud to be a student. He is also very proud to be my best helper and continues to follow me around when I am cleaning and do whatever I need him to. He got new tennis shoes, black ones with a spider on them. He doesn't like to take them off. They make him feel big and cool. He IS big and cool (even though he is such a skinny thing...pants still don't stay up). He reads his books like a champ and is proud to read his books to anyone who would listen, including Landon.

Ella is my emotional 6-year-old, understanding too much yet not sure how to cope with her 6-year-old brain. She loves to play with friends and loves to do anything one-on-one with me. We talk and we play. She can always come up with some grand idea for us to do that day...sometimes it is feasible, sometimes it is not. She is the best big sister. Landon will dive for her and she loves that he loves her.

Through it all we remember...

We are good. We are blessed. Things will work out.

what?

What? Your kids don't give you foot rubs. Huh...weird.

wow and thank you

It is amazing what people will do for you. It is hard for me to describe how incredibly grateful I am for the outpouring of love and support for my family and especially Ella over the last couple of days. I can feel the warmth and power of the prayers in our behalf. That may sound cliche, but it is oh so true. Many people have reached out to Ella and showered her with their loving support and I can see a bit of improvement...she will be okay.

Thank you.

I was hoping for prayers and a bit of extra love for my girl but we received so much more.

Thank you to those who prayed, called, emailed, and dropped by. What would I do without you all. I appreciate that my children are loved by so many more people than their little family.

Again, thank you.

cheers

Here's to a brighter future and things to look forward to.

Grandpa Larry and Logan at Bear Lake. One of my favorite pictures ever.

pray for Ella

For the first time I'm seeing my sweet girl's behavior really affected by our situation. She's edgy, distracted, can't focus, brushes things off, says things like "fine. I don't care," and it is not like her. It breaks my heart. Her teacher noticed too and emailed me wondering if something specific happened in the last week to bring about this behavior.

The teacher knows our situation. I told her just for this purpose, so she could let me know if behavior changed.

Something did happen. She was left home while her dad spent a weekend with her brother and she was beyond heartbroken about it. There were reasons and I tried to help her understand, but some things a 6-year-old just doesn't get when it involves being left out and all she feels is unwanted and unloved.

My poor girl. I want to fix it. She will be okay. It will take normalcy, stability, and love on my end, but I know she will be okay. Pray for my kids. They really need it sometimes. I love them more than anything and my heart is hurting for them.