Tender Mercies

The Lord's Tender Mercies are the very personal and individualized

blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidances, loving-kindness,

consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of

and through the Lord Jesus Christ~David A. Bednar

It's great to be a kid.

Our kids are the best!

The are always saying things that are hilarious.

I mean, stop what you are doing and laugh.

They are just great.

We love them loads.

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The scene: Isaac and I are walking through Fred Meyer to buy a new air filter for our house. Isaac: "Mom you need to stop spending all of our money so we can go to Disneyland. I really want to go. It costs $100 to go and I really want to go." Adorable. Later, as I was telling this story to Waylon. Michael said, laughing, "$100, no it costs way more than that! Like $500!"

Priceless.

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The scene: Family dinner a few nights ago, most of us had finished, I was working on the dishes, Waylon had just sat down at the piano and started playing. Olivia says, "I know what Dad is going to be when he grows up--A piano player." (she was dead serious) Michael, "What, dad is already grown up!"Lots of giggling.

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The scene: We had just returned from pack meeting. Michael had just earned two beads towards his bear rank. You get a bead by doing 6 achievements and there are 12 you have to do in order to get your Bear. Encouraging, I said, "Lets work really hard this month so you can earn another bead before next pack meeting." Michael thinking really hard, looking perplexed and worried a bit. He says, "But, Mom I really wanted to earn my Bear rank before next Pack meeting." Okay then, Done. My encouraging talk wasn't encouraging enough I guess.

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The scene: Isaac and I are waiting for the kids to get out of school. Michael comes out and immediately starts playing with his friends on the playground. Olivia runs up to me and is very excited. We hug. I ask her how her day was--She says, "I ran 3 laps for Junior Joggers. I was really fast. I am very stretched and I got taller." All with an enormous grin on her face. Adorable.

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These are the moments that life is all about! Happy Friday:)

Let there be light!

Light gives of itself freely,

filling all available space.

It does not seek anything in return;

it asks not wether you are a friend or foe.

It gives of itself and is not thereby diminished.

~Michael Strassfield

First Violin Concert

Michael had his first violin concert. He did great.

He loves music and loves to play the violin.
He is the second one in.

I had a hard time getting a good picture of him.

HE rocked it.

Christmas!!!

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The prince of Peace." ~Isaiah 9:6I love this time of year! Christmas is the best:)
Olivia and her new potato heads!

What an angel!

Michael!

LOVE this picture!

Vicky and Waylon.

Michael putting together his new legos.

I loved spending all day with my family in our PJ's.

I love celebrating the birth of our Savior!

Merry Christmas.

Jacob

Last month we got to see my brother JACOB! Jacob has faithfully served a 2 year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We are so happy for him. I cannot believe I didn't take a picture of him. Not one. I guess I was too busy HUGGING him over and over (he is really patient) and enjoying the time with my family to think about taking pictures. I like pictures, but I have all of those warm memories:) We drove into a blizzard. The weather truly was crazy. We were very blessed to stay safe. We were almost in about 10 accidents driving up a hill to my sister's house. I still cannot believe we were not in an accident. I prayed. A lot. Heavenly Father blessed and helped Waylon know what to do when we and a lot of other cars were sliding towards other cars. We had a great day with the Spencer Clan. Lots of fun things to do, talking, and laughing!

The next day we saw Jacob give his Missionary homecoming talk. He did amazing. The Holy Ghost was so strong as he testified of the Savior. I am so grateful I was able to hear it.

We were able to Spend some time w/Tani and Wydell and had a fun evening with them. We also were so blessed to spend time with Stan and it was so good to see him. Landon had so much fun with his cousins. I am not sure what these two are up to....

But it looks like fun!
So sweet!

We were able to do some temple sealings. This was a great experience. My Mom and Dad sealed my great Grandpa and Grandma. It was neat.

I must say for not getting ANY pictures I did get a GREAT one. Isn't he awesome. Oh yeah, we got to go to one of his Games. It was pretty cool.

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Good Times over Christmas Break.

Welcome home JACOB!

Where we've been....

Where we've been is living life!Spending time with each other! Going to a plethora of appointments! Surviving the cold!
Being crazy! Having Fun! Making memories! Life.

Michael and one of his many lego creations.

We are SO blessed! Life is Good.

Ugly Beard Contest

Waylon was in the Ugly Beard Contest this year at work.

It is something that the teachers and students do to raise money for charity.
The students pay money to whoever they think will have the ugliest beard. This lasted two weeks and the beard and scraggliness of it drove Waylon crazy almost immediately. But, he made it the two weeks without shaving and raised $50.
GO Ugly Beard!