Our X-Mas Hike

This last Sunday, the whole Baird family got together with the Boomsma family for their annual Pastors & Family Christmas day.  We then congregated at Mom & Pop Bairds home for some refreshments after church and then drove to a hiking trail by JPL for a beautiful hike.  We then came back to the Bairds and had a delicious dinner.

Here are some pictures of Ryan, Kai and I on our hike.  Please know that these gorgeous pictures were taken by Courtney Boomsma.  Thanks again, Courtney!

Ya, if I had known we were going to be taking such awesome pictures, I would NOT have worn such a loud jacket =P

Our little goober did so good - he loved being in the sling and being able to look at the nature around him.  He soon drifted off into dream land and was out like a light.  It was really cold however, so we bundled him up in the only blanket I had on hand - a burp cloth.

Other than that, life is still a mystery.  Ryan and I find ourselves asking God "Lord, what are you doing????"  Stuff still keeps coming back with the whole condo thing - I don't want to get into the details but I will say that that door just keeps opening and won't shut.  If you want more info, feel free to call =)

Ryan is doing good.  He is such a hard worker and is working diligently to find a full time position.  Right now, he is still doing his Notary business and working as a piano instructor at a private christian school and then does odd handyman jobs on top of that.  He is so good about making sure he is working hard and faithfully at whatever it is he's doing.  

I am learning everyday how to be a better GOD centered mom instead of child centered or parent centered - it's really tough though, I won't lie about that.  I am finding that my life dominating sin is anger and God is helping me to pull out those roots of anger by teaching me love, patience, compassion, HUMILITY, and kindness through the trials that motherhood and being a wife bring.

GOD IS GOOD though and I know that He still loves me even though I'm not having my quiet times like I should be and even though I consistently sin against him and my loved ones throughout each and every day.  It makes His grace so much sweeter when you look at the reality of your own sinfulness in light of His holiness.