Anerner

Andi came and spent Christmas with us. It was quiet because there were no grandchildren, but Betty and I both really enjoyed her visit.

We laughed and talked, we had dinner with "Popo", and we watched a lot of movies. I know that my sister, Bonnie would have been disappointed in us because we slept in Christmas Morning. 5AM came and went without us.

The time with our children is a precious gift. The older I get, the more I realize the truth of that statement.

Tis the night before Christmas

'Tis the night before Christmas, and all through the pad
The children are missing, we're feeling sad'
No stockings are hung by the chimney with care
In hopes that St. Nicolas soon will be there;

No children are nestled all snug in their beds;
With visions of ipods that dance in their heads;
And Grandma in her nightie and I in my jammies,
Have just settled down with full little tummies;

When out on the road there is a heavy thick fog
I spring from the bed just wanting to blog.
Away to the keyboard to type a short note
I've turned on the computer and started to gloat.

The glow of the screen of the blogs does show
News of my grandchildren wherever they go
What do my wondering eyes should appear
But six little grandchildren that I hold so dear.

With a little old cursor so tiny and quick
I moved from family to family with a click
More rapid than eagles the pages they came
I read and chuckle as I search for each name.

“Now Matthew! Now, Luke, Now Aubrey and Ashleigh!
On Hannah! On Chloe! The keys I'm a smashing
To the Homes in South Dakota! To the top of the mall
Now come away! come away! come away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstable, mount to the sky,
So up to their beds the grandkids they flew,
With dreams full of toys, and St. Nicolas too.

And then, in a moment, parents hear them all snore
Till the pictures are rattling and so does the door.
As I click on my mouse and am surfing around
Down the staircase their parents come with a bound.

They were all covered in sweat from their heads to their feet,
And their clothes were all dirty and they were lookin so beat;
A bundle of toys they have hung on their backs,
They look like some peddlers just opening their packs.

Their eyes – how they're heavy! They need some more sleep;
They head for the bedroom to count some more sheep.
Their wallets are empty, drawn up like a bow,
But deep in their hearts they're' feeling aglow.

The path of my mouse held tight in my thumb
Goes from house to house and just makes me feel numb
But I have a broad little smile and a big round belly
That shakes when I laugh like a bowl full of jelly.

I'm chubby and plump, a lonely old elf,
I laugh when I see them in spite of myself.
A wink of my eye and a twist of my hand
Soon gives me to know that all over the land;

Just laying a finger to the side of my mouse,
And giving a click fills up my whole house.
So I spring to my chair, to my mouse give a quick whistle
And here they all come like the down of a thistle.

Hear me exclaim, as I click through the night,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

Chloe's 5th Birthday

Wish you could have seen this face! When we were singing Happy Birthday, Chloe got the funniest look on her face...she didn't seem to know what she thought about everyone standing around and singing to her. A priceless moment!

(Sent by Brenda)

Aubrey's birthday

This is Aubrey's 13th birthday. She is interested in country music and her favorite artists are Taylor Swift and Carrie Underwood. She is in Karate and doing well with it. She is #1 in her class for reading the most books. She loves doing creative arts and crafts things and for awhile she was writing her own books. Grandma and Grandpa are very proud of her. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Aubrey.

She had a birthday party with her friends and I think she is having a grand time with her friends and her sister Chloe.

Chloe had her 5th birthday on the 2nd of November. She likes creative things to do and she LOVES to dance and loves music. She is in Karate with her sister and is the youngest one in the class.

We love our girls and are so proud of them.

Thirty Days of Gratitude - Day 30 - The Greatest Gift

Betty and I have seen many Christmas programs this year. They've been enjoyable, and they have been entertaining, but they fail to mention the very reason that we celebrate Christmas.

The scriptures say, in John 3: 16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." What greater gift could be given?

One of the movies that I enjoy every year at Christmas time is one called "The Fourth Wise Man" starring Martin Sheen. The main character, Arteban, spends his entire life searching for the Messiah. He carries with him precious gifts to give to the new king. As he encounters people in need during his life, the precious gifts are sold to help those in need. Arteban and his slave end up spending thirty years in a lepers' colony serving the people who suffer there. All the while, Arteban carries his most precious gift, a beautiful pearl.

The king is found and Arteban rushes to find him and present him with the precious pearl. He's always one step behind. A young girl is about to be sold into slaver to pay her father's debts, and this kind man spends his last gift to save her from slavery. As he is dying, he meets the Savior and is reminded that as he offered his gifts to each of these people, he gave them to the Lord.

I enjoy this story each time I see it. It is a reminder that we must follow the Savior's example and give ourselves to those around us. I am grateful for Jesus Christ and for his sacrifice for us.

Thirty Days of Gratitude - Day 29 - Time

Searching for a moment to give
Each person with whom I live
Christmas greetings expressing my love
Or doing some small thing to let them know of
Nice tender feelings in my heart that's aglow.
Days slip by and no time is found.
Soon I'll be the only soul around.

Merry Christmas aglow in lights so bright.
In every child's heart was the desire to do right.
Naughty children, you see thought they could change
Until the morn came that caught them so strange
Teary eyed and sad holding a bowl
Eating their porridge and looking at coal.
Santa had passed them by that night.

Hopeful but wearily we continue to try
Our behavior to change as days go by,
Until the day comes no more can be done.
Repentance was delayed too long, my son.
Sin needs to be dealt with so the battle is won.

Do something today.
Ask the Lord. I know what He would say,
"You can do it child, I am the way."

Never delay doing what's right.
Only work hard both day and night.
We must use time for which I'm grateful tonight.

Thirty Days of Gratitude - Day 28 - Winter

Although I like a routine that I feel comfortable with, I am easily bored and thrive when there is a variety in my life. Variety makes life interesting and pleasant. Contrast makes beauty more noticeable to me.

There is a chill in the air that requires a hat and scarf and gloves. There is a crunch in my step as I move through the freshly fallen snow. The ground is clean and white and pure. The warm moisture in my breath is converted to small clouds it the cold air. The leaves are gone from the trees exposing the beauty of their architecture. The spectrum of colors is distinct to this season. I love the contrast of the dark night and the Christmas lights.

I will enjoy the other seasons as they come, but for today I will be grateful for Winter. I will try hard not to complain when I have to shovel the snow or scrape the ice. I will try to be careful on the ice that winter brings to busy streets. When Spring and Summer and Autumn come, I will have the opportunity to be grateful for them as well.

Thirty Days of Gratitude - Day 27 - Music

Today was a busy day. Early this morning, I add a couple of new links to our blog. One of them is called My 9 Cents. It was a nice blog because it helps us get acquainted with Betty's family, but it was also nice because of the music that plays when the blog presents itself. I enjoyed the music so much that I just let it play and play. As I did, I began to feel that I must have the same tastes and interests as this family does.

This is a time of year that music plays in most stores you go in to. I love Christmas music, but the music I love is missing. Today I got a good dose of the kinds of music I love including the religious music.

Music is a powerful tool for good. There was a time in my life that I played the piano. When I came home after a frustrating day, I could work my emotions out on the piano. "Master the Tempest is Raging" was a good hymn for resolving anger. "Whispering Hope" was a song that was good when I was feeling sad. I enjoyed "Winter Wonderland", "Lara's Theme", "Smoke gets in Your Eyes", "Memory", and to many other songs to number.

Music can also be irritating, annoying, tempting, or depressing. It's important to select the music that is uplifting and soothing rather than the opposite.

Today, I am really grateful for good music.

Thirty Days of Gratitude - Day 26 - Betty's Dad

Five years ago, Betty and I moved to Colorado Springs so that we could be closer to her dad. We had been coming down once a month to visit him, but it just wasn't enough for Betty. We checked into the possibility of working remotely and we changed our address. It was a good move.

Betty's dad is a really independant man. He takes care of himself and is a good example for me.

He was born in Mexico and served a mission for the LDS church when he was a young man. Later he was drafted into the US Army and served as an Air Borne Ranger. He has first hand experience with Normandy, Berlin, and Guam. He doesn't talk about them very often, but it is fascinating when he does.

I have enjoyed getting to know a few of the men who served with him as a "Mule Skinners". The mules were once used to transport the supplies for the soldiers. They were replaced with jeeps and tanks.

After he left the armed services, he worked as a heavy equipment operator. He often will show Betty and I some waterline or road or parking lot and let us know that he had part in preparing the land for those features. He still loves to watch heavy equipment.

He and his wife, Grace, moved into their little mountain home in 1964. He used to take twelve mile walks from his home into the mountains. When Betty's Mother was ill, we watched him care for her faithfully until she passed away.

I am grateful for his kindness to us and for the exampleful he has set for me.

Thirty Days of Gratitude - Day 25 - Encouragement

I am easily discouraged and even more easily distracted. Just a simple word of encouragement can make all the difference.

Recently, I was sitting in church and was feeling discouraged because I haven't been happy with my progress. A leader came over to me and told me that he he was grateful for the work I have been doing. My attitude was quickly adjusted in response to his words of encouragement.

I have been putting histories on several of our family blogs, and have been dissappointed that there has not been the response that I had hoped. I put one out there just last night. There was a single line of gratitude from someone I love and respect. Although recognition should not be my motive for posting the histories, I am grateful that someone took just a moment to let me know that my efforts are making a difference in their life. It makes the effort more worthwhile.

Thirty Days of Gratitude - Day 24 - Boxes

I have always been fascinated with boxes, perhaps because I love to have my life completely compartmentalized. My ideal world has a place for everything and everything in its place. This pile of boxes represents some the of the things in my life that I am grateful for.

The tiny box at the top of the stack is usually in my pocket. It contains the medicine that makes it possible for me to live a normal life. It also has an eagle engraved in the lid which reminds me of our son, Ed.

The second box in the stack contains a small collection of pocket knives. Some are large, some are small. Some are old, and some are new. All of them have been gifts and I cherish each one.

The cherry colored box was a "Thanks" award from one of my clients and contains some of my small jewelry items. If you look closely, you can see the fake teeth I brought home from our last family reunion.

The light colored wood box contains some of the treasures that were handed down by my sweet Mother in Law, Grace Wagner, including her mouth organ which I can't play.

There are many boxes that are not pictured. One was built when I was in Primary. Another contains my oil paints and brushes. Yet another contains thread, needles, ribbons, plastic eyes and noses. These are my teddy bear supplies. There are shadow boxes on our walls. They contain collections of trinkets gathered over the years. There are toy cars from my wife, and clay teddy bears fashioned by my daughter, Andi, a stone apple made by Rob, and pictures of my parents. Each of the boxes has had a specific purpose.

The box that is the most special to me is my stone box, which was created for me by my son, Rob. It was made representing the stone box in which the gold plates were hidden in the hill Cumorah. It holds my Spanish scriptures including my Bible and my Triple combination. The triple contains the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. I used these books when I was a missionary. I am now using English versions of the same books.

Boxes of themselves have no value. They contain things that are symbolic to me. These little personal treasures help me remember what is important in my life. I'm grateful for my little collection of boxes.

Thirty Days of Gratitude - Day 23 - Givers and Takers

There seem to be two kinds of people in the world. Some are givers and some are takers.

There are people in this world that spend their lives looking to get something for nothing. In school, they were the students who studied just enough to pass the tests. Sometimes their scores were stolen rather than earned. In the workplace, they are the people who put in only what is required an no more. In the community, they are the first in line to get a free handout. At church, they are the first to ask for assistance and the last to accept a calling to help carry their own weight.

On the other side of the scale are those who are always going the second mile. In the schools, these are the students who do more than is required when doing assignments. In the workplace, they are concerned about their co-workers yet are conscientious about completing whatever needs to be accomplished and more. In the community these are the people who are looking for others who they can help. They look for opportunities to serve without giving a thought to being seen or recognized or to receiving thanks. In the church, these are the people who have more than one assignment and who give their whole heart to everything they do.

When we were children, our family often selected another family for whom we would serve as a "Secret Santa." We thought of each member of the family we chose. We provided a gift for them that would be appropriate. We selected the perfect tree and decorated it for them. We would secretly place the presents and the tree on the porch of the chosen family. We rang the doorbell and then we ran and hid. It was very important that the family never know where the gifts came from. It was a wonderful feeling to know that a needy family had received our offering, and it was equally rewarding to remain anonymous.

I am grateful that in my life I have known both. I am equally thankful that I have known more givers in my life than takers. I pray that I will always remember to be a giver before being a taker.

Thirty Days of Gratitude - Day 22 - Employment

Today and yesterday, I took two vacation days. I spent the day with Betty walking the dog and doing some pre-Christmas shopping. We really love walking down the streets of old Colorado City where usually at this time of year all of the shops are touting their holiday wares. I could hardly believe my eyes at the number of closed businesses we encountered.

Many of the stores that are bustling this time of year were relatively quiet. There are shoppers out, but it's not the same as other years. The spirit is subdued.

There are places in our city that homeless people have been occasionally seen. It seems to be a bigger problem than it has been in the past. Today I saw a clean looking young man with a sleeping bag and a back pack on his back. When it's cold out like it was today, it's especially noticeable.

This evening, I am really grateful for my job. There may be times that I am frustrated with the job I have and gripe because retirement is so far away, but today I am grateful for the job I do have.

If I am truly grateful for my job, my performance on the job needs to indicate that is the case. I'll hit the conveyor belt running in the morning.

Larry's publishing Books

Larry has published the compilation of articles and comments from this BLOG into a bound volume for 2008. If you wish to have a bound copy you can purchase one from LuLu.com.


Kent and Betty Vance BLOG book

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Thirty Days of Gratitude - Day 21 - A gift for which I'll always be grateful.

I have a friend, Russ Petty, that is always busy. He was assigned as my Home teacher and I have really admired him. He may watch some television, but his hands are always busy. He makes powder horns from bulls' horns that are etched with beautiful scrimshaw patterns. He makes and flies kites. These were not ordinary kites. They were large enough that they can be ridden by a full grown man. He has clocks all over his home. Some are restored antiques, and some are built completely by him. One of his hobbies caught my attention. He made teddy bears. I admired his work, and he gave me a pattern and some fur. He then taught me to make them too.

This is one of Russ' bears that he gave as a gift to Betty. The kids have played with it and the bow has been tied and untied many many times.

My first attempts to make bears using the same pattern that Russ uses were clumsy and fun. Grandpa bear above was one of the first I made. I have made and placed about one hundred twenty five teddy bears. All of my grandchildren have at least one of my bears. My mother and my sister also have some one of my bears. Many of my bears have been placed with counselors who used them with clients who had experienced some kind of trauma. They seem to have a calming effect.

I started working with synthetic fur, but have made bears from denim, old tapestries, cheneel bedspreads and other materials. This bear was made from a real mink coat that belonged to singer, Ethel Merman . Her old mink coat was given to her hair dresser who gave it to a relative who gave it to me. (I'm sure you are thinking, "yeah sure!".) I took the coat apart and cut it into pieces. One completed bear went back to the person who gave me the coat and the others were mine. This poor bear's ear is coming loose. I need for someone to teach me how to make stitches that don't come loose with play.


I bought this bear and gave it to Betty when she had surgery once. Several times, I have suggested that she get rid of it so that we can downsize our household. She won't let go of it. It must meet a need of some sort.


This bear was also made from an old fur coat. I believe it's brushed wool. I need to get some final touches added and get it back to it's owner. I also need to complete it's partner who is in pieces in a basket in my closet.

Russ could have given me a bear and he would have been done with it. His gift to me was much longer lasting. He taught me how to make them as well. This hobby has given me many many hours of pleasure, and I believe that the product from my hobby has also benefitted others as well. I am grateful for this gift from my friend Russ.

Thirty Days of Gratitude - Day 20 - The Christmas Story

Tonight, we pulled down the Christmas boxes and set up the Nativity. We then discussed what Christmas is really about. We are both grateful for the gift that was given to us when Christ was born on Earth and for the gift of the atonement.

We are also grateful for Christmas traditions. This is the nativity set that Bonnie made for me back in 1973. Robert added the buildings about 1992. These little figurines remind us that the purpose of celebrating Christmas not the giving and receiving of gifts. It is to help us remember that the Son of God was born on Earth and gave his life for us.

There were shepherds watching their fields at night who received the news from angels on high.

The bible tells us that there were Wise men who came bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Tradition tells us there were three.

Each Christmas Eve, when I was a boy, my father read the story from Luke 2. I loved the story then, and I love the story now. I am grateful for the Savior's gift to each of us.

Thirty Days of Gratitude - Day 19 - My Big Brother

Sometimes, competition between brothers can be keen. During our school years, we weren't as close as I would have liked.

The years have changed that. I no longer feel a need to complete with my brother. I enjoy being with him.

There are differences in our interests. He's into fishing and camping. I'm into motels and the meat department in the supermarket. In spite of these differences, we have more in common than I previously thought. I love to watch Donnie with his children and his grandchildren. He's a wonderful grandfather. He's a good man, and I'm grateful that he's my brother and my friend.