Blessings

Blessings often come in unexpected ways!  We left our old home and ward with some sadness because of the wonderful people that surrounded us.  I forgot how hard it is to be the new people!! We are gradually growing accustomed to our new area and one of the greatest things about it comes in the form of these three young men...combined with our three young men, they are quite the crew, terrorizing the neighborhood.  We are grateful for them and hope their friendships continue to grow!  They are great outside, fun boys and we love having them around.

(picture courtesy their mom)

 

Micah's 9 Birthday!

Our youngest continues to grow up.  It is crazy how old he is getting.  This year Micah has been very into soccer with his good friend Sam Y.  They play every day at recess, so we thought we'd give him a REAL great birthday!

 He was a smart boy and requested crepes for breakfast instead of breakfast cereal this year.

 The unveiling of....

 you guessed it!  More legos!

Hours of fun!

 

Phil is Micah's soccer coach, so we planned a little surprise after practice!

 Magic Matt came and gave us a great show!

 And happy birthday cake!!

 We REALly love you a lot Micah!!



Easter

I love traditions!  We have a few traditions that still continue, even as the kids get older.  One of those is an annual Easter Egg Hunt at conference time with the cousins! The dads hide the eggs while the kids get the front porch pictures.  You can tell they love this portion!

 A little more mobile as they get older.

Then for the best part...eating the candy!!

 Lynette loves it!

 This year we also got to celebrate Grandma Baird's 70th birthday!!  We love our amazing mom/grandma!

Tender Mercies

I have recently been called as the choir director in our ward.  I am very anxious about it. Even though I have sung in choirs all my life, I've never been on this side and it is a challenge for me. I  feel unqualified and inadequate being the director. 

So today was our first song in church.  Last week I dreamt that we had never rehearsed the last page, which did not happen so that was good.  As we warmed up, we were still a little shaky, but people showed up and that was good.

The couple speaking have just been called on their 4th mission.  Amazing people!  Her talk was great.  She started by talking about her 2 year old grandchild that has his hands all over everything, all the time!  Kids learn by using their hands and from there she talked about our hands and how we can use our hands to do so many things, including helping others and following our Savior, who's hands are the ultimate example of service and love.  She referenced the nail marks in His hands and the suffering He did for each of us.

As she spoke, I just sat and stared at our choir piece, "Behold the Wounds in Jesus' Hands".  I couldn't believe how well our song went with her talk.  It was a song I had sung before and in a stack of music the previous choir director had given me, so I chose it and casually picked a date to sing it.  It was such a testimony to me that our Heavenly Father can use us in many small and insignificant ways to further His work, and that He is aware of each of us.

The choir sounded beautiful and I was caught a little off guard being right there, up close and personal, listening to them.  The last line of the song is, "The Savior takes you in His arms, and quiets all your fears."  To hear that sung to "me" a timid little, scared to death choir director, well...you know I was up there bawling my eyes out!  Poor choir...at least they know what I am right up front. And at least I was facing them and the congregation had no clue:)

I'm thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who knows me.  He loves me.  He knows my strengths and weaknesses and can use them to make me stronger and help others.  I'm grateful for tender mercies in life that often show up when we are trying our hardest to do what we have been asked to do, even if we aren't the most qualified for the job!

Spring Break 2015

Jennie was adamant that we actually get out of the house and out of the county to enjoy some family time over Spring Break.  We ultimately decided to join some friends in the South East corner of the state.  Base camp was in Blanding, Utah.  The only city I'm aware of the features a combination gas station/bowling alley.  Gotta love those small towns.

 

Our first day was in Mule Canyon, where the trail is a more of a suggestion for than a mandate and the boys could pretty much get down the canyon any way they chose:

 

The north face of Mule Canyon is dotted with ancient Cave Dwellings.  We're not sure that Micah and Ben grasped the awe-inspiring reverence of these 1000 year old ruins. 

 

The first ruins are known as "Fiery House," about one mile up the canyon and a good spot for a family picture 

 

Stopping at the second set of ruins... 

 

...apparently a good spot for snack. 

These third set of ruins were described as "inaccessible."  Geez, ya think! 

 

Fourth set of ruins, almost 4 miles into the canyon 

 

On the way out we found a fifth set of ruins, with Anasazi Rock art.  Here Micah demonstrates that the human hand hasn't changed all that much over 1000 years (though our pinkies have apparently gotten a bit shorter). 

 

 

We found a swimming hole on our way out.  The water was too cold for much more than wading... 

 

...until Ben's shoe fell in and Jacob assumed his responsibilities in looking out for his younger brother.  (It was to his benefit that the $6 and hot chocolate at stake, that no one initially dared to earn by touching the back of the cave, were his reward after he sacrificed for his brother!)

 

That night at the camp fire, cooking up some "Smeeps."  (S'mores with roasted Peeps instead of marshmallows) 

 

The next morning at Natural Bridges National Park.  This is the first of the 3 bridges, Sipapu, and the coolest one to hike down to. 

 

Cuter with sunglasses? 

 

...or without? 

 

At the base of the second bridge, Katchina 

 

and the 3rd bridge, Owachamo 

 

Can you find Micah? 

 

 

After a pleasant drive through Glen Canyon we realized we would drive home by way of the Little Wild Horse slot canyon.  Couldn't resist a stop there as well. 

 

 

 

Hiding places abound.  There were Stevens boys behind every darkened corner...literally! 

 

and Goblin Valley is just a short drive away! 

 

 

how can you root for BYU when even the rocks boldly declare their loyalty to the "U?" 

 

Sun's setting fast, time to head home.