Tanner's Mothers Day Talk

We cleaned out Tanners room and found his Mother's Day Talk, so I thought I would share it.
(He wrote this by himself)

Since it is Mother's Day today I am going to talk about mothers, my mom specifically. My mom is a very special person, she has been a huge help for me throughout the years growing up, and still this very day. My mom is the foundation of my family. She provides so much stuff for me and the other people in my family, especially spiritual support for us. I don't know what my family would be like without my mom. It would feel like there was an empty gap where fun, happiness, support and other things should be. I know that my mom cares so much for me, and the others in my family. She is there to help us get back on the straight and narrow path if we stray from it. She always helps us along if we are going through any hard times at school, at home or anywhere, she will be there to pull us through for sure. My mom has always taught me to include the Lord in whatever I do, and to stay clean, physically, mentally, and spiritually no matter what other people are doing, or what is "cool" at the time. She says to crave the spirit like you crave that plate of cookies on the kitchen counter.
Russell M. Nelson said that the highest and noblest work in this life is that of a mother. I know that this is very true. Out of all the jobs in the world, I think a mothers job is the hardest, but also the most rewarding.
The first presidency also said this about mothers, "Motherhood is near to divinity, it is the highest holiest service to be assumed by mankind, it places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels. Mothers are a big part of God's plan of happiness." I think that the influence of my mom will bless me throughout my life.
Here's a story about how a mother's influence saved a young missionary. Elder Frank Croft was serving his mission in the state of Alabama. While preaching to the people he was forcefully abducted by a gang. The gang ordered Elder Croft to take off his coat and shirt before he was tied to a tree. As he did so a letter he had just received from his mother fell out of his coat and fell to the ground. The leader of the gang picked the letter up and started reading it. It said, "My beloved son, remember the words of the Savior when he said, "Blessed are ye when men shall revile and persecute you and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my names sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad for you shall have your reward in heaven for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Also remember the Savior upon the cross suffering for the sins of the world when he had uttered these immortal words, "Father , forgive them for they know not what they do." Surely my boy, they who are mistreating you know not what they do or they would not do it. So be patient and love those who mistreat you and say all manner of evil against you, and the Lord will bless you and magnify you. Remember my son that day and night you mother is praying for you." After reading this letter the gang leader pondered the words in the letter for a moment and said, "Feller, you must have a wonderful mother. You see I once had one too, " Then addressing the mob he said, "After reading this Mormon's letter I can't go ahead with the job, maybe we should let him go." Elder Croft was then released without harm.
A mother's influence can truly affect your life and those lives around you. She has been a great influence about prayer. Many times I walk into her room to tell her something and she is on her knees, by her bed praying. This is a great reminder to say my own personal prayers if I forget.
If you are a mother you are doing God's work. You should try to be a good example to your kids and always include the Lord and the spirit into your daily lives. My mom is what gets our family going through the day, no matter what. Even if we have an argument she will always come immediatley after and apologize. She is a very good example at forgiving others.
I hope that I will be able to be as hardworking and forgiving as her. My mom is such a great person. Mothers are the foundation of families and we should all strive to be at least half of what they are. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I love you Tanner.

Tanner's Mothers Day Talk

Organization

I have so many things going through my head right now I am not sure where to start. I have gotten on this "organization fest" this past week and decided I need to be more organized. I got one book case and am now looking for 2 or 3 more, thinking that will solve all my problems. Ha Ha. I bet you never knew that book shelves were the "cure all" for organizational needs. The first went in Logans room, it holds all of his books on the top shelves and on the bottom I am putting baskets with all of his toys. I want a book shelf for the kitchen to stack my many buckets full of honey, grains, popcorn, dog food, and maybe even some cook "books." I want a large book shelf or wall unit in the living room to house, books of course, stereo, dust and whatever else looks appropriate. My thinking is that if I can push everything up against the walls from floor to ceiling then I will have more space and it will look nicer. Who knew that all you had to do was stack things to the ceiling to solve such problems? Meanwhile I am trying to be very thrifty in this endeavor or obsession, you can call it what you will. After this is complete I will reorganize the book shelves we already have downstairs.
Then comes the new chore charts. I am sure the kids will be very excited about these!! I wonder what else I can stack from floor to ceiling?

The Lord Works in Mysterious Ways

Okay, this is pretty cool. I have decided I need to become more organized and simplify my home. I wanted to get some book shelves to do this, so yesterday I became obsessed with looking for book shelves on the internet. (Walmart, Target, Ikea, ksl etc etc etc) (Money is tight so I am looking for something inexpensive.) Last night I had the feeling that I should just go and look at the DI to see if they had anything. So this morning I went over there, and to my delight there was the perfect book shelves for my needs. I cannot tell you how many times this has happened to me.
The key to this is as follows:
1-I have to have a positive attitude.
2-I have to have the spirit, hence positive attitude attracts the spirit. Negative attitude repells!
3-I have to be willing to listen.
4-I have to be willing to accept the gifts the Lord wants to give me.
5-I have to be thankful.

The law of attraction is more powerful than we think. The Lords willingness to give us gifts, no matter how large or small is POWERFUL.
Thank you Heavenly Father.

So..........what did heavenly father do for me today?
Gave me a gift of book shelves to help me organize AND helped me save money at the same time. He ALWAYS knows the desire of our hearts.

Feeling Good

I am listening to "Feeling Good" by Michael Buble right now, and you know what? I am feeling good. I feel like I am my old self again. The last few blogs I was trying to escape from the melt downs and temper tantrums. This past week and a half have been trying. But I have once again gained control of myself. (Some of the tantrums were from Logan and some were my own) Thats nice.
I think its this music it just makes me feel happy and calm. My dreams are big, my ambitions are big, my motivation is big. I have nothing profound to say today, I just "feel good."

Latest Obsession

Michael Buble music

Eight More Things

Eight Things I Say Often:
1-take a chill pill
2-NO
3-I love you
4-you're cute too
5-how was your day?
6-what did you dream?
7-i'm tired
8-thats poison, don't eat it
Your turn!

Eight Things

Eight things I'm Passionate about:
1-family
2-gospel
3-food
4-my field
5-fresh clean air
6-creativity
7-learning
8-music
Your turn!

Old Soul

You know, sometimes I feel like an old soul. I have such a strong desire to do things the old fashioned way. Such as sewing clothes, making homemade soap, making food from scratch, like cheese and butter, doing home school, living on a farm or a ranch. Sometimes my whole being craves this lifestyle to the point that I feel so unfulfilled living the way I am now. I crave open space and fresh air, like it is breath itself. I want my children to be able to run and run and run in their own backyard and not run out of room to run! (Was that redundant?) Lately my creativity feels crushed and smothered like I am suffocating. Maybe thats why all of these things seem so appealing to me right now. I can seriously picture myself standing in a open field just twirling around in the fresh cool air, breathing it all in. I feel "free and light" when I am in my field.

There is more to life than food....

Okay so this blog is not just about food. There is more to life than food. (not much more) I will also be contemplating very personal thoughts and feelings as I try to grow up in life. As I try to become the person I am supposed to be. As I try to fullfill all of my purposes here on this earth.

It's not all about me

Last night I had the realization that this world is not all about me. One of my purposes here on this planet is to serve and help others. By focusing on myself I miss the point. I am greatful for the person who helped me realize this and will try to re-focus my energies where they are supposed to be.

Food is good

Wow, this is my first blog. I have decided to start this blog to talk to others about food and get more ideas for cookbook #2. For those who don't know me, I used to have Crohn's disease, I am now healthy without any medications. (It has been a little over 5 years of good health now.)I have changed my diet and healed my body and my mind. My wish is to share with other people what I have done and help others. I am not a Dr. I just have my own experiences to share. I cannot give medical advice I can just tell you what I have done. I have written a cookbook which is about to be published and will be ready for sale in February 2008. There are approx. 300 recipes in this cookbook, including: appetizers, breakfast, breads, main dish, dips, sauces and spreads, vegetables, desserts and more. I look forward to hearing from you all.