Daddy

This is my Dad. Carl Leigh Bair. I believe this picture was taken when he began teaching college many years ago. He is now 77 years old and my look a tad different than this photo but none the less he is still my dad. I Love him. I Love him for the kind of man he is. He has a heart of gold and loving way about him. He once told me "Honesty is the prerequist of Integrity and he has both! I love him for his constant example of one who knows what is right from wrong. I love him for his firm belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ. For his love of learning and teaching and the way he has strived to live his life in accordance with what he believes in. My Dad is a strong and loving man. To this day I call him "Daddy" and Always will and it is important to mention that I will Always be his Baby Girl. My parents are visiting this week and it was wonderful to come home from work yesterday and receive a Big Bair Hug from my daddy. There is something about when my dad smiles at me that makes me truly happy inside. It's a feeling of joy that I just can't describe. A feeling that I'm doing OK in his eyes. And I know that I'm very much loved by him. I'm so blessed to have a Dad who is there for me and whom I can count on when things get tough. I Will Always LOVE YOU DADDY!

Change In Me

Awhile back the following message was shared with me and I want to remember it as well as pass it on to others. It has helped change my life as I continue to strive each day to live my life following His example. The sad thing is I fail too often. This is taken from a talk titled "The Tongue Can Be a Sharp Sword" given by Marvin J. Ashton of the Quorm of the Twelve Apostles and can be read in its entirety from the May 1992 Ensign. Hope you like it....It may change your life as well.

"We are reminded that Jesus Christ, the only perfect person to ever walk the earth, taught us through quiet example to say nothing or to be silent in stressful times in our lives rather than to spend time and energy bashing for whatever purpose.
So what is the antidote for this bashing that hurts feelings, demeans others, destroys relationships, and harms self-esteem? Bashing should be replaced with charity. Moroni described it this way:
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all. …
“Charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever.” (Moro. 7:46–47.)
Charity is, perhaps, in many ways a misunderstood word. We often equate charity with visiting the sick, taking in casseroles to those in need, or sharing our excess with those who are less fortunate. But really, true charity is much, much more.
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."

Babies 3rd Birthday 2.24.08 SGM

Following is a note that I wrote to Sophie the evening of her third birthday:

My Dear Sophie, Today is your 3rd birthday. My little darling girl - I love you so very very very much. You bring so many smiles to my life. There are tons of things I love about you. You love others with all your heart and soul. You have such a giving and kind spirit about you. What a beautiful example you are to me of one who gives so freely and lovingly of yourself. Tonight we had Tianne, Carsyn, Matt T. and his roommates, Aunt Jackie & Uncle Barr, Josh, Kaleb, Golden Bair, Verna and Cody. They all love and adore you so much. We had lots of fun seeing you dressed up like a princess in your yellow dress with a hoop. You even wore a terra! You looked marvelous! It was a big day. It was your day. Your brothers were so excited for you to be opening your presents. They love you so very much. And will always be there for you to care for and watch after you. They want you to be happy and will do whatever they can to make that happen. Tonight as I held you in my arms I told you of 3 years ago this night when you were born. Your Daddy and I couldn't have been more excited to have you join our family. You were such a perfect little baby girl. So beautiful and sweet. How blessed and lucky we feel that Heavenly Father gave you to us and entrusted us to be your parents, to care and teach and love you. We hope we can teach through example and love so that you will always know that you are a loving daughter of our Heavenly Father. Remember this Sophie. You are a daughter of God who loves you beyond measure. As do I. your mommy XO...

me & my babies

Matt and I have certainly been blessed or should I say just plain lucky to be the parents of 5 amazing children. Hunter 15 - Wyatt 10 - Porter & Connor 8 - Sophie 4. They are our gifts to treasure and teach to care for and love. We LOVE them more then they realize and are just excited to be their mom and dad. Today I hiked up to the Timpanogos caves with the 5 of them. What a thrilling event that was. As we were going down the mountain I was holding Porter's hand and we were admiring the absolutely gorgeous view on this perfect weather day. I made the comment to Porter "This is such a beautiful view." And he quickly replied "Not as beautiful as you are mom." Thank you Porter. You made my day brighter with you loving words....

will miss him

Yesterday morning I received an email from a neighbor informing me that my dear friend Sheldon Nicholason had past away earlier that morning. I really loved this man. I met Sheldon about 9 years ago when we moved into the area and we became good friends right from the start. He had a remarkable memory like no other, even remembering my childrens names and birthdays. Weve grown to love him and will miss his kind words and love that he freely gave. Sheldon was one of those extra special people you meet in life that you'll forever remember. I learned so much from him and his example. It just felt good to be around him. As much as I'll miss him I'm equally happy for him as he was in so much pain from cancer. And I'm sure he is happy to be with his sweet wife again. Until we meet again. . . . .