SEASONS GREETINGS, AREN’T WE BLESSED!
A few months ago, I stood to share my testimony, and thought of a talk by Elaine Jack, given back in the mid 90’s. She stated simply…”Aren’t we blessed”. She described the many different circumstances that we all find ourselves in, some so difficult, some jubilant, and yet aren’t we all so blessed. I have thought of that statement on many occasions since, as we have experienced the challenges and joys of life. We give thanks, as we think of our greatest blessings.
Bill is a blessing. One who does so much for so many, and carries the weight of making sure that his family is provided for in every way. Today, Sunday, it snowed several inches, and, after bringing a coughing Maycie home from church and making dinner, he was off to clear snow out of neighbors driveways, go home teaching and take us to visit Grandma. He has a generous heart, and helps me to be better as he willingly gives of his time and resources whenever needed. He was released from the Bishopric in June, and is New Scout Leader.
Allyson is such a hard worker, doing well in all that she does. It’s not usually easy, she has to put in the work, and she succeeds. She’s playing piano, just finished a semester of orchestra, was in the Swing Choir, (with a surprise greeting from Presidents’ Eyring and Uchtdorf after a performance on Temple Square), just finished Drivers Ed, Aaack! and is my right had girl, in keeping my sanity with the kids, when she’s not doing homework. Today, she earned her Y/W Medallion. Yea!
Tyson is also doing well. Plays piano, had a great Soccer season in the fall, sang in the choir, played in a basketball league, is ballroom dancing with IBA and finished 1st in Samba and 2nd in Cha Cha at a recent competition and is currently serving as the Deacons Quorum President. So many who know him, tell me what a well mannered and kind boy he is. Nothing could be better than that! He, too, is very good with the little kids, and Matthew and Maycie beg him for a story, or to play.
Jaron, also a piano man, singer and soccer player, and top student, is all smiles! (Even when he’s mad or sad). It’s hard to wipe a smile off that face. He worked so hard on his piano festival pieces this fall, and did so well that he moved me and his grandparents to tears. I love to hear those little fingers move up and down the keys so fast. His new love is reading. I never thought we’d have to say, “Jaron, put that book down, and go Play!”. I think he may have finished all the Harry Potter books in record time, this fall.
Joshua doesn’t want to play piano, so, I’m not making him. (We’ve been down that road, and it doesn’t seem to strengthen parent/child relations.) He is one of the top students in his class and it’s been fun to see him find himself academically this year, and last, and he played a great soccer season. He too has found a love for reading, and decided it’s great fun to read as many books as he can, and hurry to take an “AR” (Accelerated Reader) test on them, to get as many points as he can. He and Jaron took swimming lessons again in the summer, and have become good little swimmers.
Matthew is a ball of energy, and loves to keep us on our toes. He has grown up a lot this year, and has become more of a helper, and a listener. He “can’t wait” for soccer. He goes to preschool, and LOVES that so much. He can’t wait until he can go every day. So, the off days are pretty long and boring. I think we’ve said “Matthew, get out of her face”, every day, for the past 2 ½ years, as he has hugged, loved, scratched, grabbed and kissed his sister. Something he learned from Josh, and now has passed on to Maycie. Oh the fun we have!
Maycie is our new Matthew. She is so cute, and learning so many new things, and loves to play pretend, talks like crazy, and keeps us laughing every day. She is also our biggest mess maker. Today, it was sparkly make-up all over herself and Ally’s bed, Pen on the couch, unrolling all the Christmas wrap, unwrapping wrapped presents, and more. And…she does it in record time, too! We love her.
Lydia, born in September, is the new light of our lives; so beautiful, and such a blessing. She has become a content little sweetie. Which took a little while, but we’ve settled in; and, despite not sleeping at night, she makes everything just a little sweeter. Her smile and laugh melt her daddy’s heart.
Jennifer is just happy to be a Mom, healthy enough to keep up with her growing family. When not dealing with the constancy of family challenges and maintenance, she tries to exercise, (Zumba, anyone?), ‘save’ money couponing, and is serving as an Activity Day leader in the Ward. Life moves at lightning speed. Kids grow, and I’m already wondering where the time has gone. With each of these new little additions we’ve had, I find myself moving on in life to new adventures with my older children, and yet still enjoying the challenges that come with new motherhood. Each year, I have a greater appreciation for our parents as we face each of these new experiences, and come to realize the sacrifices made to raise a family.
We hope and pray for you, our family and friends, many of whom have faced, and will yet face challenges that seem unbearable. Somehow, with the strength of a loving Father in Heaven, we carry on. We thank our Heavenly Father for the love of you, our dear family and friends; For a Savior who lived and died for us; For the Gospel of Jesus Christ which guides our every step; For prophets led by God; For this great little sheltered community that we live in…AREN’T WE BLESSED! May we fill our hearts with greater patience and forgiving, kindness and love.
Merry Christmas, with Love from the Taylors
A few months ago, I stood to share my testimony, and thought of a talk by Elaine Jack, given back in the mid 90’s. She stated simply…”Aren’t we blessed”. She described the many different circumstances that we all find ourselves in, some so difficult, some jubilant, and yet aren’t we all so blessed. I have thought of that statement on many occasions since, as we have experienced the challenges and joys of life. We give thanks, as we think of our greatest blessings.
Bill is a blessing. One who does so much for so many, and carries the weight of making sure that his family is provided for in every way. Today, Sunday, it snowed several inches, and, after bringing a coughing Maycie home from church and making dinner, he was off to clear snow out of neighbors driveways, go home teaching and take us to visit Grandma. He has a generous heart, and helps me to be better as he willingly gives of his time and resources whenever needed. He was released from the Bishopric in June, and is New Scout Leader.
Allyson is such a hard worker, doing well in all that she does. It’s not usually easy, she has to put in the work, and she succeeds. She’s playing piano, just finished a semester of orchestra, was in the Swing Choir, (with a surprise greeting from Presidents’ Eyring and Uchtdorf after a performance on Temple Square), just finished Drivers Ed, Aaack! and is my right had girl, in keeping my sanity with the kids, when she’s not doing homework. Today, she earned her Y/W Medallion. Yea!
Tyson is also doing well. Plays piano, had a great Soccer season in the fall, sang in the choir, played in a basketball league, is ballroom dancing with IBA and finished 1st in Samba and 2nd in Cha Cha at a recent competition and is currently serving as the Deacons Quorum President. So many who know him, tell me what a well mannered and kind boy he is. Nothing could be better than that! He, too, is very good with the little kids, and Matthew and Maycie beg him for a story, or to play.
Jaron, also a piano man, singer and soccer player, and top student, is all smiles! (Even when he’s mad or sad). It’s hard to wipe a smile off that face. He worked so hard on his piano festival pieces this fall, and did so well that he moved me and his grandparents to tears. I love to hear those little fingers move up and down the keys so fast. His new love is reading. I never thought we’d have to say, “Jaron, put that book down, and go Play!”. I think he may have finished all the Harry Potter books in record time, this fall.
Joshua doesn’t want to play piano, so, I’m not making him. (We’ve been down that road, and it doesn’t seem to strengthen parent/child relations.) He is one of the top students in his class and it’s been fun to see him find himself academically this year, and last, and he played a great soccer season. He too has found a love for reading, and decided it’s great fun to read as many books as he can, and hurry to take an “AR” (Accelerated Reader) test on them, to get as many points as he can. He and Jaron took swimming lessons again in the summer, and have become good little swimmers.
Matthew is a ball of energy, and loves to keep us on our toes. He has grown up a lot this year, and has become more of a helper, and a listener. He “can’t wait” for soccer. He goes to preschool, and LOVES that so much. He can’t wait until he can go every day. So, the off days are pretty long and boring. I think we’ve said “Matthew, get out of her face”, every day, for the past 2 ½ years, as he has hugged, loved, scratched, grabbed and kissed his sister. Something he learned from Josh, and now has passed on to Maycie. Oh the fun we have!
Maycie is our new Matthew. She is so cute, and learning so many new things, and loves to play pretend, talks like crazy, and keeps us laughing every day. She is also our biggest mess maker. Today, it was sparkly make-up all over herself and Ally’s bed, Pen on the couch, unrolling all the Christmas wrap, unwrapping wrapped presents, and more. And…she does it in record time, too! We love her.
Lydia, born in September, is the new light of our lives; so beautiful, and such a blessing. She has become a content little sweetie. Which took a little while, but we’ve settled in; and, despite not sleeping at night, she makes everything just a little sweeter. Her smile and laugh melt her daddy’s heart.
Jennifer is just happy to be a Mom, healthy enough to keep up with her growing family. When not dealing with the constancy of family challenges and maintenance, she tries to exercise, (Zumba, anyone?), ‘save’ money couponing, and is serving as an Activity Day leader in the Ward. Life moves at lightning speed. Kids grow, and I’m already wondering where the time has gone. With each of these new little additions we’ve had, I find myself moving on in life to new adventures with my older children, and yet still enjoying the challenges that come with new motherhood. Each year, I have a greater appreciation for our parents as we face each of these new experiences, and come to realize the sacrifices made to raise a family.
We hope and pray for you, our family and friends, many of whom have faced, and will yet face challenges that seem unbearable. Somehow, with the strength of a loving Father in Heaven, we carry on. We thank our Heavenly Father for the love of you, our dear family and friends; For a Savior who lived and died for us; For the Gospel of Jesus Christ which guides our every step; For prophets led by God; For this great little sheltered community that we live in…AREN’T WE BLESSED! May we fill our hearts with greater patience and forgiving, kindness and love.
Merry Christmas, with Love from the Taylors
2 comments:
Ahhh...it brought a tear to my eye. Well said, and the cutest pics! I love it when you blog!!
You have such a cute family!! Your little baby is so cute! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!!
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