My favorite husband and sons/should I clarify, my only husband and sons

More pictures

This is a picture of my favorite daughter, and our dog Boo.

My family

Help! A monkey escaped from the zoo!

The monkey already exists, but now a monster has been created, now that I have figured out this uploading of pictures and videos!

Pictures of Tanner's room

Just a little reminder

What a day. For those who don't know me, I used to suffer from Crohn's disease. Through changing my eating habits I have cured myself. There are just a few little "quirks" that my body occasionally reminds me of. The latest one being, I cannot eat the same food for more than a couple of days in a row. If I do, my stomache gets upset with me. In this case it was, spiral cut ham. I really like spiral cut ham, and since I usually only have it at Thanksgiving or Christmas I tend to pig out on it. Bad choice. My stomache got really upset with me this morning, and I haven't felt well all day.

I have to find some sort of blessing in this. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.............

Okay, I've got it! The good thing about this is, it's just a little reminder and I am not actually sick again with Crohn's disease. What a blessing.

I actually think it is a good thing to have these little reminders, because sometimes I get tired of having to cook as much as I do, and eat the way that I do. Only because it is more time consuming than just opening a box, sticking it in a microwave and eating. But it reminds me WHY I am cooking and eating the way that I am. And I am so greatful for the knowledge I have learned about my own body, and the knowledge that I needed to heal my body.

For those who don't know, my diet consists of: whole grains, (no white flour) raw honey, (no sugar) raw milk, (no pasteurized milk) natural meats and chicken as much as possible, good water, no preservatives or artificial food colorings, no harsh chemicals, lots of vegetables and fruits, free range fertile eggs, (no regular store bought eggs) butter, coconut oil or olive oil, (no hydrogenated oils) organics whenever possible, and a positive attitude and happy thoughts. It really doesn't take me THAT much longer to cook than "normal" people, it's just when I am not feeling well that it seems like a burden. "Who is going to cook for me?"

I also want you to know that I have been pretty good during the holidays. I have only eaten a teeny tiny bite, here and there of treats other people have brought over. I have to admit it tastes good, but the side effects (mental and physical) are certainly not worth a few seconds of mouth pleasure. I encourage you all to try it. See what you can overcome!!!

What did Heavenly Father do for me?

Yesterday we went to the store to get a few things and (maybe) exchange some shoes "if" the line wasn't too long. When we walked into Walmart we had to stop at the door while they checked all of our stuff. Then we turned the corner to see if the customer service line was big. It was HUGE, there were probably 20 or so people waiting. So I said forget it, I will just exchange the shoes later.

Blessing #1- we needed to find a curtain rod for Tanners room. At Walmart they had one that he liked, but it wasn't big enough. It also cost about $35 so I was hoping for something less expensive. We got our other things and left Walmart. Tanner and I went over to Lowe's afterwards and found the perfect curtain rod for $5, on clearance!!!! It was regurlarly $38.

Blessing#2- I went over to Walmart last night around 6:00pm to exchange shoes, and now sheets (the ones I bought for Emerald felt like plastic, yuck!) I walked in and went straight to the customer service counter. NOT ONE PERSON WAS IN LINE! How great is that! I was able to return the things I had and buy new sheets and get back home in less than 30 minutes.

I really love looking for these small but large blessings each day. It helps me stay focused on who is blessing me.

Emerald gets her ears pierced!

I have to back up a little before I explain why this is so exciting. When Emerald was 6 years old, I took her on a "girls day out" to get her ears pierced. It traumatized her and it traumatized me. I couldn't go to sleep for 3 days after that, because I just kept thinking about how "I let" someone PUNCH HOLES THROUGH MY DAUGHTERS EARS!!!! They then got infected, and pretty much never cleared up, so we had to take the earrings out and let the holes close up.

Emerald LOVES jewelry. So for Christmas we gave her a gift card to a place where she could either buy clip on earrings or...........get her ears pierced. She decided to get her ears pierced, but was very nervous about it. To tell you the truth I think I was more nervous than her. Miguel came with, so she would at least have one brave person with her. Emerald sat on the chair and a couple of tears leaked out. I asked her "are you sure you want to do this?" she said "yes." And Miguel told me to go away, because I was making it worse. So they pierced the first ear, and she sat there just smiling. It didn't hurt at all, because the holes were still open on the inside I guess. Then they did the other ear. That one hurt just a little bit. By last night her ears were just fine, and she was twisting her earrings.

Emerald told me that she started praying (once she decided to get her ears pierced) that it wouldn't hurt. Her prayers were answered, and she LOVES her new earrings. She does look beautiful in them. I love you Emerald.

Christmas

I am so greatful for our Savior, Jesus Christ. The perfect unselfishness, the perfect love, the perfect charity, that He is. That is "who he is." His life and His example are awe-inspiring. When your soul becomes love, and charity, and unselfishness, that is when we can make a difference in this life. It is something I am not perfect at, yet I strive for it daily. How can I be all of these things each day? For me I have to make a conscious effort, I have to be thinking about it A LOT. Sometimes I think I use more energy "thinking" than I do in any physical activity. Somedays, I would like to be able to just shut off my brain. I haven't been able to do that, any suggestions? I do absolutely love learning and growing, it is very fulfilling. I just have to remember to stay humble. Sometimes I get a little "attitude" with growth.

Christmas was great. I love watching my family open presents and being excited and happy about what "santa" brought for them. My absolute favorite part about Christmas is just getting to spend so much time together. Hang out and watch movies and play with their toys etc. etc. It's like you can finally relax when it is over and just enjoy everything.

Something to think about

This is taken from a book I am reading, given to me by a great friend. I think her and I are kindred spirits. (or maybe it's just because we both have red hair?)

You want money? Use your thoughts. You want food? Use your thoughts. Think on the worthy desires of your heart, and they are drawn to you spiritually. All physical things have a spiritual counterpart. By thinking we draw the spiritual counterpart to oursevles. By persisiting in right thought, the angels do our bidding and arrange the affairs of men to cause the worthy desires to pass from the spiritual to the physical world.

The moment you entertain doubt or fear, all of those forces reverse and the things, the ideas, the situations, the people you need immediately draw away from you. Our negative thoughts actually and literally cause the blessings to be repelled.

Change your thinking, and you will see the opportunities all around you.

For me this applies not only to the temporal, but also to the spiritual blessings we have the opportunity to receive. All of these blessings are all around us, all the time. We just have to do our part, which is not always easy, but.......absolutely possible.

Tanner's new room

Tanner wants me to write about him. So I will.

For part of his Christmas we are re-doing his room. He thinks he has grown out of his "little boy" room, just because he is 13 now. Tanner and Logan and I took off the wallpaper. Then we primed parts of his walls. I then painted the whole room. It took us about 6 hours from start to finish, which really isn't that bad, considering all we accomplished. Tanner is going to paint some abstract art on the walls. He is a good artist, so I know it will look great. After Christmas I am going to make him some new curtains also.

I may do Emeralds room later. I would like to do some canvas paintings with her, to hang on her walls.

The only problem with all of this is, it STINKS. The paint smell is still lingering. We have had Tanner's door closed and his window opened to air it out, but it is still too smelly for him to sleep in there.

I enjoy doing projects like this. It is nice to have a change.

Where is my book?

The latest on my book is........... its been sitting in a box on my counter for a whole week and I haven't even touched it. This past week my time and energy has been needed elsewhere. That is okay. I cannot allow myself to be discouraged, or let the book control my life. I will have time to work on it this weekend. This is still the type-set version. So as soon as I get this back to the publisher I shouldn't have to do anything more with it. Then I will look at the different (3 I think) versions of the cover. Then it should go to press. By the time this one gets done, I will be almost ready to do book number 2. I already have a lot of new recipes. Probably about 100.

Architecture Of All Abundance Chapter 1

This book (besides the scriptures) has changed my life more than any other book that I have ever read. I LOVE IT! For a long time now I have been wanting to get together with my family, or a group of friends and read this book together and learn from each other etc. etc. My family has either just been, too busy, or not really interested, so I have decided to share via my blog.
I really would encourage you to buy this book and read along as I make posts about it. I would love to hear your comments as well. (I will try and post about 1 chapter per month)

I would like to start with a quote, that is not from this book, but something I have learned because of this book.
"Happiness is a condition of the Soul" by: Benjamin De Hoyas

This book is by Lenedra J. Carroll and this is her dedication;
"This book---like my life---is dedicated to the understanding of the Divine excellence within each of us that, when lived, uplifts our humanity and moves us beyond our current limitations and difficulties and into the revolution of the Soul and its certain transormation of our individual lives, our planet and our species."

Chapter 1
1--Ask yourself these questions? Who do you think you are? Who is your soul? Who were you in the pre-existance?
2--What values did you learn in childhood? (Focus ONLY on the Positive!) Look deep and find value, you can heal the future and the past.
3--Go outside in nature (your own yard is fine or take a walk) for at least 10-15 minutes EVERYDAY! I know, I know, you are going to say you don't have time. Make the time, this is a great way to connect with the Savior. Look at the nature around you, pray to see something you have never noticed before. Pick up a rock, look at it, study it. Think of the Primary song "I Feel My Saviors Love." "Look deep, deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." Albert Einstein.
4--What does it mean to be a human being in the hightest sense? What is the deepest nature of our being?

I know this is A LOT to think about, that is why I am giving you a month. I would also recommend that you keep a journal during this, and record your discoveries along the way. It is a great way to be able to go back and see the growth you have achieved.

This to shall pass

The thought for the day.

"This to shall pass!"

Trust in the Lord and move forward with Faith and more faith and more faith.

Daddy is a "proton"

A couple of days ago, Miguel put on a belt that used to be Tanner's. Needless to say the belt was very tight on Miguel. It is one of those scout belts, that has the slide thing to tighten it. (Hope that makes sense) Well, then Miguel couldn't loosen it to get it off. I was laughing my guts out at him, and I called him a "retard." Logan heard me say that, and then a few minutes later he said "Daddy you are such a "proton." I have no idea where he has ever heard the word proton, it doesn't usually come up in our home.

Type-Set back AGAIN?

This book thing is more complicated than I thought. I have just gotten the type-set version back again to add page numbers to the index, and to re-check the cross reference page numbers. I assumed the publisher people would be doing all of the page numbers. I was wrong. Now I understand why the publisher told me we could get the book back as late as April.
I will still plug forward.
They are also working on the cover. The picture I gave them, I had a frog coming out of my head. (Waterfall and yard behind me) So they will take that out also. I can't wait to see it all put together.

WWJD

The thought for the day "What Would Jesus Do?"

Be compassionate, be kind and loving.

Birthday Prayer

Every year on the kids birthdays, I kneel with them in prayer and thank Heavenly Father for them. Well this year I forgot to do it on Tanner's birthday. So last night I finally remembered. I feel so greatful to be able to do this. It gives me a time to really let my children know how important they are and how much I love them. I will be doing Emerald's prayer next week. I can't wait. She is good at reminding me if I forget again.

This weekend we will finally be putting up our Christmas tree. We have been really busy on the weekends and the kids and Miguel have been sick off and on, so we haven't been able to put it up yet. I think in a way that has been a blessing, because I wonder how the dog is going to react to it, and how much I am going to have to babysit her to keep her away from it. However, I am glad to be putting it up finally.

Lately I feel very blessed to have Miguel, Tanner, Emerald and Logan as my family. They bring me true joy and true happiness. My life is full.

My family

The thought for today:
Focus on my husband and children, that is what is most important ALWAYS!

Make happy memories with them, work with them, spend quality and quantity time together.

New Calling

Before I get to the calling I need to update the book situation. I got the type-set version back from the publisher. I now have to go through each page and see if it is to my liking, and also add the page numbers for all of the cross-reference recipes. It is looking a little more like a book, but not as "bookish" as I would have liked. The cover is not finished yet either. I can't wait to see that!

Okay- the new calling is Compassionate Service Leader. I will still be teaching Relief Society, which I am glad about, I really love that calling. I have to confess......that I think I "dreamed" this calling to me. For about the last 6 months something has been bothering me. I have been so focused on myself and "my book" and me, me, me. I don't know if this has shown outwardly, but I have definately felt it inside. At times it has made me feel really selfish, and too self absorbed. That is what is so amazing! Heavenly Father ALWAYS knows our hearts, He knows what we need, and what will help us grow. Will this be a challenge for me? YES! I already feel overwhelmed with all I have to do, but...............I also feel great peace, that this is something I need to do. I was given a wonderful blessing as I was set-apart last night. Truly inspired. I am so greatful for the opportunity that I have to serve in another capacity and know that the Lord will bless me.

Before I was set-apart, Brother George, read to me, and gave me a copy of what my responsibilites will be. It was much more involved than I had thought. I thought this calling was just about the meals. (Funerals, new babies, the sick etc.) But there can be much more to it, which is challenging to me in a good way.
This is what I am to do:
Identify skills and circumstances of sisters who could offer compassionate service. all sisters should be given the opportunity to serve through compassionate service assignments.
Identify sisters who have special needs. Coordinate the efforts of the RS to help these sisters.
For example----coordinate assistance for sisters who are elderly, alone, homebound, or in nursing homes. Coordinate assistance for sisters who have illnesses or disabilites. May arrange for members to correspond with sisters from the ward who are away from home, such as those who are serving missions. Coordinate the efforts of sisters to friendship and support women who are not memebers of the Church. This includes attending the baptismal services of new convert sisters. Arrange for endowed sister to acompany sisters who will be alone when receiving the temple endowment. Keep records of nonconfidential compassionate service assignments for the president. This record should include the names of people served, dates, types of service given, and the time spent. Attend ward Relief Society leadership meetings.

Much more involved than I thought, but also very good. I think this will get me out of the "me, me, me" attitude.