Charity

I was reading a friends blog before I fell asleep and was so sad for her. She was blogging about her Christmas traditions and Love of the Holidays. She intended on posting traditions and celebrating throughout the holidays. She had someone post an anonymous comment that hurt her feelings bad. I'm sure the person reading her post was offended because she hadn't posted any of their traditions but what that person didn't realize is that my friend would continue to post and she would get to them. As a consequence my friend was crushed and chose to stop blogging her traditions. Therefore all of us missed out and so did she. As my heart broke for her I reflected on circumstances in my own life. How often do we take offense when no offense was meant? How often do we become irritated and short of patients which leads to much contention? We are all guilty of this! I know that this is Satan's greatest and happiest moment to cause turmoil and contention in families.

This is our little family Christmas Eve. And even though I would love to think that we were going to be happy and trouble free always I know this isn't possible. So I just hope we are strong enough to work things out and live by this council from Brother Ashton. It is something that I have learned a lot from, found great comfort in, and read often. If and when I ever get so that I truly am a Charitable person I know I will be the happiest person ever. It is easier said then done and something I will constanly have to work on.

Real charity is not something you give away; it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never the same again. It makes the thought of being a basher repulsive.

Perhaps the greatest charity comes when we are kind to each other, when we don’t judge or categorize someone else, when we simply give each other the benefit of the doubt or remain quiet. Charity is accepting someone’s differences, weaknesses, and shortcomings; having patience with someone who has let us down; or resisting the impulse to become offended when someone doesn’t handle something the way we might have hoped. Charity is refusing to take advantage of another’s weakness and being willing to forgive someone who has hurt us. Charity is expecting the best of each other.

Marvin J Ashton

May we all strive to be more Charitable in 2010. Here is to a new year of Memories, growth, heartache, friendships, family, and most of all Love.

Where did December Go?

Where did the month go? This is a long photo catch up!

I was lucky to participate in a Relief Society Lesson. We took live photos dipicting the Nativity. It was an awesome experience.
The kids got a special letter and package from Santa Clause to start off the Month.
Let the decorating begin. Dan hung all the lights Thanks Mr Grinch! Christmas wouldn't be the same with out ya, and the lights are one of my favorite parts of Christmas. Hadley Hoffman spent a lot of time with us this month. Sorry her grandma was hurt but glad to add her to our family.
Traditional NFR/Chinese Night with the Berezay's and Durbins. Love this Family to peices!

The Man in the Big Red Suit...

SNow Angels!!!

Dance recital at Heritage Hills. Kaci Loves Performing.

Family Night with the William's we went shopping for Sub for Santa, had dinner, and went Caroling. We decided we had so much and as friends what better gift than to give to others this Christmas season. The kids had a great time shopping and then visiting neighbors in Mona. This is an amazing Village that Max loves to share with everyone young and old. What a fun tradition of sharing and giving. We are grateful for all that we have most especially our dear friends. Love You.
Dan's Aunt Lee and Uncle Art have added us to their family Christmas party it is becoming a fun tradition for us. They are so giving.
Grandma and Grandpa Lou's Christmas Party was fun this year with Gingerbread houses and breakfast. Life was a lot crazy for them this year thanks Grandma for fitting us in. We Love you!

More fun in the snow

Mona loves Tradition. The Christmas Operetta was another sucess. The Boys did great, Jake didn't get to do his part they cut it out last minute but he was prepared and would have done great. Zeak did awesome! We made a new tradition this year that we all loved. We sang a Christmas song every night. The kids loved this and we took turns choosing our favorite carols. This gave me a great chance to play again. Christmas isn't as magical if you don't have the music.

Making Candies at Durbin's Yummy!

A disappointed wrestler wanting a match and not one wanting to wrestle. We drove to Fillmore and Zeak was pretty bummed he didn't get a match. They ended up getting him 2 at the very end. He lost both matches. Then next night he went to Delta and redeemed himself winning both matches. He is loving wrestling!
Kaci has been sick every Christmas her whole life. This year we caught it early enough she was not so sick Christmas morning. Instead she shared with her mom and I was sick Christmas Morning. Thanks Sweetie Love Ya.
Delivering Gifts is a fun tradition. Dressing up might have been added to the fun this Christmas.

What a Month and I think we got it all in. Wahoo! Hope yours was as fun packed as ours.

Happy Birthday Jaker Man

Jake turned seven yesterday. He is very special to our family. Jake thinks his birthday is a 10 day deal. It starts the same day at the NFR and ends the day of his birthday or the last day of the NFR which ever one comes last. This has become a huge tradition for our family to watch the NFR with family and friends. This year he asked for 2 things first his pony that he got Thanksgiving day and to watch the NFR with Grandma and Grandpa Berzay and the Durbin's. He didn't want me decorating his cupcakes this year because I put coconut on them last year. So I decided it was his birthday and that was one less thing I had to do. Jake is a kind hearted boy, he loves school and learning, he is so excited to read and get new books, He loves the animals and has really taken to rodeo. I didn't know if he would or not but he really loves competing. He is a big competitor. He loves improving and winning. His favorite event is Goat Tying and his goal is to beat his big brother (he is not very far watch out Zeak!) He is very sentimental and treasures presents from friends and family but most of all he loves being with them. We LoVe you Jake and LOVE spending time with you. Thanks for making us all laugh and keeping us on our toes. Hope you had a Happy Birthday!

Week Three Wrestling

As I took this picture one of the dad's said don't take pictures of that. I said why not we are not always on top. The first week of wrestling we lucked out and didn't wrestle the second week we won one and lost one this week we lost all three. Even though we lost all three it was a good week. I can tell Zeak is learning lots and he is enjoying wrestling. I am getting better at cheering and supporting him. I am just glad he gives it 100 % and doesn't get discouraged easily. As long as he keeps improving and learning then I guess we will keep doing it. I told him as long as he was a good sport winner or looser we would keep doing it.

Festival of Trees

This was the most unique tree. It was created and decorated by a young boy who had spent time in Primary Childrens and wanted to give back.
Kaci got this Fancy Nancy Hat and outfit from Aunt Shannon for her birthday. She was so excited when she found this Fancy Nancy Tree.
Christmas isn't Christmas without sitting on Santa's lap. Rylon wasn't to sure about Santa but loves Grandma.
Kaci and I had the pleasure of going to the festival of trees this year with my mom, sister and nephew. We had a great time and saw so many beautiful trees. One of the young kids volunteering asked me which one was my favorite. I replied, how do you even begin to pick a favorite. I love a variety of things and there was a tree there for everyone. For me there was a magic unlike anywhere. As we learned of some of the stories behind the tree you could help but be full of gratitude for the many blessings we have. I was in complete awe at the time and love that went into each tree.

Thankful

So this is a really long post and the worst part is that I put the pics in backwards I hate it when I do that. Since it is late and I am tired from a full weekend I am going to leave them and just leave instructions. Start at the bottom and read up. Happy Reading.

Good thing we fed all of the hay and made room for the trees.

Grandpa teaching Zeak how to cut Christmas Trees.
Happy Anniversary. So I would not recommend the day after Thanksgiving as a good date to get married. In 12 YEARS we have spent every anniversary with family. NOt that we don't love our family BUT... Dan loves the Life is GOoD store in St George so he got us matching sweatshirts. For our anniversary we drove home from St George, stopped in Fillmore for a quick taco before going to cut Christmas Trees, then home to watch the lighting parade (which we missed half of it because we left to early) and home to watch a movie that we turned off in the first 2 minuets because it was awful. I think after 12 years we are finally through a lot of establishing and our to a point of love and acceptance. We know when to say when and when we need to do more. We truly are BEst FrienDs and I would say we love each other more today than we did 12 years ago for sure. Thanks Dan for being MINE even if I have to share you with everyone else on our anniversary. After 12 years we have much to be grateful for we have good health, 3 beautiful children, a home, we live the simple cowboy life, we have the gospel and most important we have each other. We have sooo much!
Another party and perfect gift for a Fancy Nancy Fan.
We had a Woodland Family photo session. This is my favorite photo of the day. Can't wait to see how the rest turned out. The Preview was great.
With Thanksgiving celebrated we now move right into Christmas. I took the kids for a walk to see BABY Jesus. The little girls were so excited I think they really thought we were going to see the real Baby Jesus. A lady in St George that lives by my sister-in-law had life size painted figures of the nativity it was absolutely gorgeous. The kids were amazed at the details and I had to keep them off the lawn. They wanted to touch it and make sure it wasn't real.
Each of us decorated a table and when you have 26 eating dinner you need 5 tables perfect for each family to decorate one.
I am so thankful for Turkey I love turkey dinner and leftover turkey on rolls. YUMMM Thankful for the two turkey's carving the turkey so we could eat.
SO Thankful for cousins. My kids love being with their cousins on both sides. When I asked them a week or so ago what their favorite part of Christmas was they all agreed... spending Christmas Eve at Grandma's and waiting on the steps with their cousins to go see what Santa brought. I hope they always want to be with their families for this is the best part of life.

The End and the Begining

At the Woodland house my kids don't know they have Birthday's. It seems as if we have birthweeks! We started celebrating Kaci's Birthday on the 13th when we took her to Disney Princess on Ice. The actual day of her Birth we had so much going on trying to get ready for Thanksgiving that I was rushing to get things ready and Grandma Sperry volunteered the leftover cake from Aunt Diane's wedding. Kaci thought it was great she added polka-dot sprinkles to it. Then we got the BIG Present the next morning before leaving for St George. We got a pony named Blue for Jake and Kaci. This is their Christmas and Birthday combined. While in St George we celebrated all of the NOV and DEC Birthdays so once again we had another party. So we bring Kaci's Celebrating to a close and we begin Jake's Starting with the pony. Today while visiting with the Berezay's he informed us all that his Birthday starts on Friday (the 1st day of the National Finals Rodeo) and will end in 10 days so Sunday the 13th the last day of the NFR. I have no idea who started Birthweeks but how do you break that tradition? I like to say they are LOVED LOTs not sPoiLed. With the Hustle and Bustle of the Holidays I guess it is just one big celebration. How grateful I am for them and that they just extend our reason for celebrating.

Jake's first ride on Blue turned out to be a little more than he bargained for. They delivered him to us Thursday morning we loaded him in the trailer with strange horses and took him to St George. When we got their the kids were so excited they unloaded him and just started mauling him. Pretty soon they were all climbing on him and the next thing I new kids were flying. So we learned some lessons even though little he is still a horse and can buck. The next day he went on a horse ride with Aunt Kathryn, Uncle Jeff, Grandpa, Dad, Zeak, Uncle Lance, Brett, and Carson. Jake and Blue did great no bucking.
Kaci and Sparkles meeting Blue. She already loves him and prays for her pony Blue and her puppy Sparkles. What more does a girl need???

Happy Birthday Kaci Fae

Happy Happy Happy Birthday! I can't believe my little girl is 4 today. She is getting so big. Yesterday at dance class she had to say what she was thankful for she said, "her puppy." He is her love and she takes good care of him. Dancing and singing are on the top of her favorite things to do. Cooking with her mom and SHOPPING (with any luck without her mom). She loves to write and cut. She is all girl which I am so thankful for and so not prepared for. I know she was sent to soften our little family which she does just with her little voice. She loves to wear dresses and she loves the color pink. We are so thankful to have Kaci in our family and the sweet spirit she is. We Love you Kaci Happy Birthday. (Her big present is coming tomorrow so we will post pictures.)

First Wrestling Match

Getting in position for the half nelson and pin to win the match. Good Job Zeak.

Stale Mate

Getting focused to wrestle. Zeak did good for his first time he won his first match and lost his second match. His second match Dan went over and the guy said I don't know if his coach wants him to wrestle this kid or not. He is 15 pounds heavier and has wrestled for two years. Dan said, "I am the dad it's OK lets wrestle." Zeak held his own and almost got the kid in the second round. Then the kid decided to be more serious and pinned Zeak in the third round. It was a good experience that taught Zeak a lot. He says he loves it and is getting ready for next week.

WOODLAND UPDATE

TIME OUT FOR WOMEN

This has become something I LOVE. It is sponsored by Deseret Book. I don't know how to explain or describe what it is like. It is just comforting to know that I am very lucky and that my trials are so small compared to others. On that same note I would say my testimony isn't as great. So what do I learn from this? To gain a testimony and have faith so that my trials don't have to become great. I don't know if it works like that but I sure hope that I never have some of the trials that others have. I am greatful for the small ones that I have. I am grateful for the strength and example of others. What a rewarding experience.

After Time Out for Women I met Dan, the kids, and My Aunt Beverly, Uncle Mont, and Sheyanne. Bev and I took the girls to Disney Princess on Ice. Kaci doesn't look like she is having fun but she just didn't like the guy taking our picture. She loved it. She Loves Princesses, Bell and Snow White is her favorite. Since she was about 2 she has wanted to be an iceskater. One night she sat with Grandpa Woodland and watched the olympic figure skating now when you ask her what she wants to be when she grows up she says an iceskater. We didn't tell her what she was doing so when she started to see all the little princesses and we explained what we were doing she skipped the rest of the night. She so excited and loved being with Sheyanne. Thanks for the fun night.
Zeak is growing up much to his moms dismay. He started wrestling last week. He has practice everynight from 3-5. As a mom I was not ready for this. I still wasn't ready for it Tuesday night when he had his first dual. Luckily he didn't have to wrestle. That gives him and me one more week. I am sure I will still be sick to my stomache next Tues night. He is loving being with the other kids and I think he is learning a lot. Casy is a great coach. Check back for weekly updates on his status.

Light

So we all have days where everything seems cloudy and grey.   Where the weight of the world and daily tasks seem too hard to deal with.   Today was one of those days.   I was having lots of guilt and it seemed as if there were to many things on my agenda.   The stress was starting to weigh  me down.  Then I walked out my front door and this is what I saw.   I ran back in for my camera.   This  beautiful sight in nature depicts how I was feeling.   Why feel down and blue when there is a ray of light shining through the  dark clouds?   So what is my light???     Coming on the Thanksgiving Season I took a minute to think of the "Lights" of my life.   

1.  My Husband  who is my best friend.

2.  My kids  who remind me of the important things of life.  

3.  My Faith (in a loving brother Jesus Christ & a loving Heavenly Father) 

4.   My extended family.   My Wonderful Parents and Grandparents

5.   My Friends you know who you are.

Thanks for being my LIGHT in the darkness.