Magical Night!

This year has been eventful for us. I didn't get Christmas cards out this year, and I apologize for that. Every time I thought about what I would say in a Christmas letter, my heart filled with emotion and I wasn't sure I could express all the gratitude and love I feel. So, I didn't send them, and thought maybe I would write something here to express my love for the Savior and what his life and Atonement mean to us in our lives.

It is hard to be grateful for trials when in the midst of them. Especially the ones which come out of nowhere and are not a consequence of a decision anyone has made. However, having it behind us, I can say I am grateful we had the experiences we had this summer. We have grown closer as a family and have seen the Lord's hand blessing our lives in more ways than one, and who can't be grateful for that? It really opened our eyes to the loving concern of all our family and friends, wherever they are. My heart is overwhelmed with gratitude every time I think of all the prayers that were offered on our behalf during that time. My testimony of the power of prayer and fasting has been strengthened.

Today, Erik (14) is doing well. He had another MRI this past Monday, which showed no change from the last one, which is great news. They will do another in June and then yearly after that. (We wanted to get one more done, before the insurance year.) He had his wisdom teeth removed on Thursday and has been in little to no pain with that. (I don't remember mine being so painless!!!) He does well in school, when he applies himself, and has been enjoying his first year of seminary.

Maren (also 14) is always such a good student. She strives for A's and more often than not, achieves her goal! She is getting very good at the violin and piano, and has been playing the piano for her seminary class this year. She has loved seminary and tells us about the things they are doing there. They are studying the Old Testament this year, and she has made it a goal to read from the Old Testament every night for 15 minutes.

Kaden (11) is taking orchestra this year, and is playing the cello. He is really enjoying it, and can't wait to be able to play with Erik and Maren. In Kaden's 6th grade class this year he had a Harry Potter day, where he was sorted into a "house", participated in competitions (like Quidditch), and came home with a scar and wand. Ever since Maren had this teacher (way back when she was in 3rd grade), Kaden has looked forward to a Harry Potter day, so we were very excited that he had this teacher so he could experience this. Kaden has such a witty sense of humor, and often is the quite instigator of many of the quarrels at home. You'd never guess it, though, with as shy as he is in public!

Liam (7) is our tender-hearted child. He is always concerned about everyone else around him (especially Dallin...usually). This year he has really turned into a great little reader. He is always the one who reminds us to read the Book of Mormon every night, and he has started reading right along with us. He does very well, especially with the big, hard words like "iniquity" and "commandments". He is rather shy when around lots of people, or people he doesn't know well, but he loves to giggle and have fun. Many times during the day I am heard to say "Liam! Not so loud!"

Dallin (also 7) is the classic baby of the family. He loves attention, and loves to be funny. He has always been 7 going on 12 (or 3 going on 6, or 5 going on 10). He loves to act older than he is, imitate his older brothers, and generally try to be as witty and clever as a 7-year-old can. He is also turning into a good little reader, but he is stubborn about it.

The past few months, Ben started a part-time hospice job, and I think he is enjoying that (as much as one can enjoy hospice). He really has a way with the elderly, and he loves interacting with them. He has already made quite the impression on one of his patients, who called 911 and had the paramedics take her to the hospital, just so she could talk to Dr. McEntire. He says he would be flattered, but she has a bit of dementia.

I continue to hold things down at home. I have been creating with yarn a lot lately, and have enjoyed that, however there are always a list of other projects that I should be working on as well. Sometime in the next year I hope to remodel some parts of our house...like the kitchen, laundry, and upstairs flooring.

Again, we are so grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ, and for this Christmas season where we can celebrate his birth and life, and what it means to us in our lives. We hope that everyone has been so blessed and felt of His love this year, as we have.