Year End Thoughts

I know there are not many people following this blog and that is okay.  I am doing it for myself more than anything. So as I am sitting here thinking about the year 2011, I wanted to share some thoughts.
    2011 was not any easy year.  We had many challenges, as most people do.  The thought that keeps coming to me this week, however, isn't about our difficulties.  It is about our blessings. In Psalm 145:9, it says: "Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works."  In LDS General Conference in April 2005, Elder David A. Bednar gave a talk about the Lord's tender mercies and he defined it as “The Lord's tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ”  As I look back on 2011, I am more able to see the Lord's tender mercies in my behalf.   We received help in so many ways.  Our major difficulties have been because of medical bills, so our finances are not what we would like.  Yet, we always seem to find a way through and I know the Lord has touched the hearts of wonderful people in our behalf.  Two such examples this year happened in the last week.  We found a $100 Visa gift card taped to our back door. Then we received a $50 gift card to Dillon's in the mail. I don't know who gave us these gifts but I pray that God will bless them for their generosity.  Someday I hope that we can be in a better position and return the loving kindnesses to someone else in need. 
   I know that God is aware of each one of us and demonstrates it through His bountiful tender mercies. Another example of tender mercies in my life are the wonderful people God has put in my life.  I have a wonderful family, i.e., a loving husband, beautiful children, caring parents and in-laws, and the most wonderful friends.  God bless you all!! 

Christmas 2011

I know that I haven't posted in 2011 at all and there is only a week left, but I would really like to post more often. It is a goal and I hope I will be able to achieve it. A more reliable computer will help and for the time being that seems to be a reality.

     I am going to start by posting some Christmas videos and pictures. This first video is of Ammon, our youngest.  He just turned one a couple of weeks ago.  His grandparents sent him a pillow pet for Christmas.  He loves it to say the least.  Now he will leave his brother and sisters pillow pets alone. (Maybe?)

  

We took this picture after church and before we began opening presents.  What a cute bunch! 

I just want to say that I am extremely grateful for my wonderful family.  Something about this time of year makes me appreciate how lucky I am to have a loving and hardworking husband who strives to make me happy everyday and generally succeeds.  I am also very lucky to have four beautiful children.  Grace is in first grade and excelling.  She is a wonderful girl who always tries to do what is right.  She is a great helper and I do miss her when she is at school.  Kaitlyn is almost five and such a loving girl.  She is very emotional in good and bad ways.  She is the first to share and the first to let you know she loves you.  Luke is all boy and definitely two.  He loves cars, trains, and anything that has to do with balls.  He enjoys life and brings a smile to all those he is around.  Ammon is my sweet mischievous boy. He is a little tease with an infectious smile.  

This next video is of Luke.  His brother got him six shooters for Christmas to replace the hangers he has been using to shoot everything.  I have been telling him not to shoot people, but that he can shoot bears and deer and such.  Well, Gramma and Grampa Bair got him a reindeer and proceed to shoot it all morning.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!