The Laing's

2.24.2011

It's close enough to Christmas still......... right?? :)

Well.........December was ugly and had no snow, I never got around to snapping a pic of my kids in their Christmas outfits, not even before church! SO....... as I passed this little tree today, and realized it was overcast, I knew we had to quickly change and snap a couple. It did not turn out as cute as it was in my head, with everyone decorating the tree with a smile, and laughing and playing, it was cold, the baby was fussy, I was alone, and this is what we ended up with! LOL! Oh! By the way! Check my photography blog for my new line of temple pictures! I am selling prints! :)

12.19.2010

A thank you letter from Drew (and me) for everyone's support after his accident! It only took us 9 months to get one out!!!!

Forever Grateful... I am clearly late in drafting a letter that tries to express my gratitude and appreciation for the last 9 months. I would offer some “excuses” about being too busy, but they would be inadequate. My life has been abundantly blessed. While the intent of this letter is to address those blessings that have come during my recovery from my accident, the most important blessings in my life have names----Amanda, Kennady, Boston and Owen.“And now, because ye are compelled to be humble blessed are ye...” (Alma 32:13). While my accident proved to be a catalyst to humble me, the actions of so many of you furthered my humility. I will never repay those of you who have done so much on my, and my family’s, behalf. Faith is a powerful thing. I am convinced the Lord blessed me because of your faith and the faith of others. I learned of people from across the country, of all religions praying on my behalf. I know that those prayers were answered. The Priesthood is real. Thank you dad and Rex for administering that blessing. I am grateful for our Savior who, “...[took] upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people...that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.” (Alma 7:11-12). Being a parent myself, I have a better understanding of the compassion you can feel towards your children. Thank you mom for having that compassion for me. Although we tease you about how much you worry for us, I will never question your devotion to us, your children. Thank you Mike and Elisabeth for showing me that same level of compassion and love. Most importantly I thank you Amanda for EVERYTHING you do and everything you are. On my mission I remember writing home to my mom explaining that I must have had first “dibs” in heaven when choosing who my mom would be. Now I am convinced that I got first picks to chose a companion for me and mother to my children. While I don’t do near enough to show you how much you mean to me, I can’t think of life without you. I don’t dare try to compile a list of people name-by-name to whom I owe my thanks and appreciation. All that I can promise you is that I will try to do a better job living up to the blessings you’ve afforded me. I love each of you and couldn’t be more proud to have you in my life. Andrew ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I Would like to express my graditiude to all our friends, neighbors, and family as well. We have had a tough year with Drew being in a terrible accident that almost took his life, and a long recovery, but we have so much to be grateful for. The fact that he is here with us today, and with no disabilities from the accident, is truly a miracle. I haven’t really been able to talk about it without bawling, and never got around to making thank you cards, so I would now like to thank everyone who came to the hospital, to our home, sent cards, flowers, gifts, cooked us meals, worked in our yard, mowed our lawn, put our names in the temple, prayed for us, fasted, etc... We cannot thank you enough for your love, prayers, and support.... we never would have made it through. We had our third child in July, and feel so blessed to have 3 beautiful, happy children. I am so thankful for this time of year, to remember the birth of Christ, our Savior, and for the blessings he has afforded my family and me this year. -Amanda

11.03.2010

Boston's "head injury"!

His poor little head dented the metal on our van!!!

Black eyes!

ICE PACKS!

Doing a tattoo.

Look at that bump! And this is after it had gone down!!!

It was so awful! I had dropped Kennady off at dance class, and took the boys to visit Daddy at work. When we went out to get in the van Boston ran to the wrong side, and ran back around to the other side where I was waiting to buckle him in. Well, he tripped and fell, and smacked his head right between his eyes so hard! It was immediatly huge and blue, I was horrified, I ran him back in to Drew, who took him to get a slushie to put on his head while I grabbed Kenna, then we went to the Dr to get him checked out. I hate that blasted parking lot, that is where Drew got his head injury too!!! Boston is fine, we are so luck he didn't break his nose, or all his teeth out!!