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!!

Luke Discovered His Tongue

I had to post this because he had us all laughing so hard. I thought anyone who decides to check us out might get a kick out of it too.

Grace's First Day of Kindergarten

Ready for school. She got all dressed up in her new outfit and literally bounced out to the car. Once we got there she couldn't stop smiling. She told me last night not to embarass her (already!). So I tried really hard and she was the one that gave me a kiss before we left. I can't believe she is so big. I was proud of myself, only a few tears on the way home. I couldn't be too sad because she was so happy.

Need a Smile?

This will make smile unless you have a heart of stone. Grace was playing with Luke and the rest is self-explanatory.

New Year

Well, I know I am halfway through January already but I thought I should post something for the new year. We are doing well. Luke is growing like a weed. We went to his four month check up last week and he is 13 pounds and 23 1/2 inches. He finally made the chart for his growth curve and is in the eighth percentile. Yeah.

Grace had her five year old check up and Kindergarten shots. She didn't like the shots so much but was really brave. (I promised her a milkshake if she would behave.) She is also growing. I can't seem to keep her filled up. She is always telling me she is hungry and starving. She is 43 1/2 inches and 45 pounds. She can't wait to go to school next year.

Kaitlyn hasn't had her check up yet. We go next month on her birthday. She is kind of having a rough time right now. She wants to be big like Grace and thinks she can and should get to do everything her big sister does. I have decided with my two girls three is much worse than two. It is hard for me because she is usually my sweet cuddler, but when she is mad you can't talk her out of it. I hope it is just a phase because I miss my happy girl. Her smile will just light up a room.

Well, Sam is really busy. The first of the year is so full of activities for the school that he is gone usually 4 nights a week. (Miss him!) He works so hard. I am so grateful for him. He is such a wonderful husband and father.

Well I will post some pictures and say see you next time.

Christmas Pajamas

Luke's Christmas Outfit (Thanks Horschels)

Getting Bigger

I know some might be tired of baby news but that is basically what our lives revolve around right now. Luke is doing fabulously. He is around 8 lbs now and 20 inches long. He is a very strong boy and has been rolling over from his stomach to his back now for about 4 weeks. He even did for the doctor at his two month checkup. She was amazed and said that term babies don't usually do that until 4 months. He just seems in a hurry to catch up. But for those who don't believe me (Suzzie), I finally got him on video tape.

The girls are loving having a little brother. In fact, they love him so much we sometimes have to just make them leave him alone. He can't hardly be on the floor unless it is after the girls go to bed. The almost literally smother him with love.

This was Halloween. They are all so cute. Grace was Snow White. Kaitlyn was a China girl (she says Kai Lan if you watch Nick), and Luke was the cutest giraffe you've ever seen. My children love Halloween.

So anyway things are going well. I could use some sleep, but most new mothers do. Wouldn't change having Luke for anything!