47 Million

...dollars in my bank account....heck no! I don't even wish I had that much money EVER! because that much money would be too much for me to handle.

...people in Calgary...no, but it sure feels like it sometimes

What does this number represent????

Abortions in the world.

This is a very sad and disheartening fact. The speaker on Sunday was talking about families and he brought up this little fact. I don't get it...why do people feel they have that right to make that judgement call in behalf of a totally innocent, unborn child? Why? Don't they know that there are people that struggle every day to get pregnant or who can't even have children of their own?

When I was pregnant with Tanner and we knew that he was going to be born with Cleft lip and palate and with cysts on one of his kidneys, one of my cousins wife said that it would be better off if Tanner had died because he was going to be born with so many complications. I don't know why she felt she could or even should make that judgement call but it was never up to her to decide. It is ALWAYS up to the Lord. Sometimes it hard to see past the now and see into or even think about the future let alone eternities but we have to place our trust in the Lord and know that he knows all and has a plan for each of us. I believe that those who have abortions don't know better. In my own little world, they couldn't possibly be members of the church. But in reality, I know some of them are. This is so sad to me. People make bad choices every day but that is why I'm grateful for the Atonement. We are required to forgive ALL men...not those who we want to forgive, but everyone. Some days this is harder than others and I'm sure it's the same for everybody else. No one is perfect at forgiveness, but we all need to be trying harder to be better at it.

I was thinking today that it's almost been a year that my Uncle passed away. Sometimes this is hard for me to think about because it reminds me of my Dad and all that he missed out on... being a grandpa, seeing his daughters grow up and get married and go on missions among other things. We were so blessed to have such a great Dad who loved us and taught us right from wrong. Sometimes you just don't know what you have/had until it's gone. Why does death have to re-set the "importance-o-meter"? Why can't our families be important every day? I do know the answer to that and it's because we're not perfect. I just hope that every day we try a little harder to not only make our families more important, but to show them as well.

Just to clarify

I mentioned that I use raw pumpkin seeds in the trail mix below...these are not like raw seeds right out of a pumpkin. They are called raw pumpkin seeds and they are green in color. They are a bit more expensive than the regular cooked pumpkin seeds or sunflowers but if you mix them with the sunflower seeds, it's not that expensive.
And yes, seeds are NOT considered a nut. That was news to me too when Tanner was allergy tested.

A little bit of randomness

I have to laugh sometimes at some of the things I read in the paper. Today I read about a girl whose hand was grabbed by a seal and took her for a swim. She was 5 years old and the article said the girl was upset "...that the seal didn't ask her if she wanted to go for a swim." Potentially this could have ended in tragedy but it didn't. Oh, the silliness of people...

I found a nut free trail mix a month ago that Tanner loves and since the school is suppose to be nut free, it is a perfect snack for him to take. This is HIGHLY addictive (well, at least for me) but very enjoyable.

2 parts granola
2 parts sunflower or pumpkin seeds (I like to use raw pumpkin seeds)
2 parts raisins
2 parts dried fruit (we like a mixture of any of the following: banana chips, mangoes, craisins, dried blueberries or yogurt covered blueberries, apple slices, coconut, dried strawberries)
1 part chocolate chips or chocolate covered candy (like smarties or m&m's)

If you use dried blueberries, they are a bit pricey but they are really good. My Mother in law told me you can get the yogurt covered blueberries at Safeway. I only add about a handful of the m&m's because that is what Tanner would pick out so I only put a little bit in. You can buy all this stuff in bulk at Superstore (except the apple slices. I used my food storage apple slices. And I'm not sure where to get dried strawberries) for about $10-15. Since it's just the 3 of us, I don't need that much but if you wanted it just for snacks for your kids to take, it would be cheap.

Tanner is really enjoying kindergarten so far. They went on a hunt for Chester the raccoon. If you haven't read any of the books in this 3 book series, I strongly recommend you do. They are such cute books and have a great message. The first book is called "The Kissing Hand". The name of the other 2 have escaped me but I got them from my Relief Society Presidency as a gift when we first moved into the ward when I was pregnant with Tanner. Tanner loves treasure hunts and they're fun to do.

What else is new???? We went to Calgary this past weekend for a little vacation. Matt and I didn't really get to go anywhere and Megan and Dean are starting up a little business of photography so we were some of their first subjects.

Normally at this time of year, I already have Tanner's Halloween outfit thought about and his birthday cake in mind. I'm sad to say that I haven't even thought about any of that. I guess I'll be looking for ideas soon enough.

Tanner had tubes put in his ears on Monday. He's such a trooper. He took his baby (his monkey) and said that baby would protect him. When they brought Tanner back up to the room, the nurse said that Tanner told her that he had the most fun ever! I had to laugh a bit at that. After all that he has been through, for him to say that surgery was fun is kind of funny to me. It is the easiest and quickest of all the surgeries he's had so it doesn't really surprise me too much. Anyway, he's fine and happy and I can tell he hears better. He's not always asking us to repeat ourselves. And the T.V. isn't blaring when he's watching a movie.

Well, I think that's about all for now.

Here's a thought for today, When life gets tough to stand, KNEEL

Pictures!!!!

Here are just 3 of the many pictures that my dear sister, Megan, and her husband, Dean, took for us this last weekend while we were up in Calgary.

Matt and I



Our family



Tanner on the Monkey Bars

Is it me, or is the world becoming more corupt

Today in the paper I read a short article about a lady (forgive me but I can't remember the name of this "famous", very 'hot' newscaster lady) who was being interviewed on Oprah about a headline she was in this summer. It was about an inappropriate video being put up on youtube and about how she didn't know about the hidden camera that was taping her. Now, to me, people get so out of joint for having their inappropriate videos put up on youtube but people don't have a problem with nudity in magazines or billboards. What is wrong with this world????? It's the same thing.

Allowances

What is your rule/policy/guidelines on giving allowances? This is what my thoughts are...totally random, but nonetheless mine. I think .50 a week is sufficient for Tanner, but does he earn the money or just get it because? That's my problem. I want to instill the value of work so I don't really want to give him money for doing chores (or rather, being/teaching him to be responsible for certain things). So what do I do???? What works for everyone else? What doesn't? What do YOU think? I really need some ideas/suggestions. The thing with Tanner is that he is constantly asking for money or asking us to buy things for him and we want him to appreciate the value of money and that you don't just get what you want (despite what certain other people may feel). I remember getting an allowance as a child but I can't exactly remember if it was attached to anything. I remember having chores but I'm not sure if we got paid to do them. Maybe Megan remembers...do you????? Is 5 almost 6 years old to young to start giving an allowance? Nevertheless, I need some suggestions.

Birthdays

What is your rule on birthday parties? We didn't decide what our guidelines are for birthdays are until we moved to Raymond. Tanner is allowed as many friends as the years he is turning (this year he get to invite 6 friends because he is turning 6) but I guess my question is do I let him invite all 6 or do I make suggestions on the 6? He has been to many parties for kids that I would not really encourage him to invite to his party because they aren't really playmates of Tanners. The other thing that on "weak" day I have conflicting feelings on is the pressure to invite all the kids that he's ever been to their party. That would make for a huge party. It's hard when they get older because the get invited to so many parties and you don't know if that parent is going to expect an invite to your child's birthday. The other thing is that we do not do goodie bags. What parent wants their child to come home with more toys and things? I certainly do not. I mean, I guess it's fun for the kids to get something but my thoughts are that they got invited to a party and got fed fun food and cake and got to play games. Shouldn't that be enough? It's a lot of pressure sometimes. I don't want Tanner not to be invited to parties because of the guidelines we have set for the parties we have for him, but we just can't afford to have 10 kids come to our place, eat food, and take a loot bag home. We are simply trying to be modest in our life and that, for us, means not having big birthday parties.

The other thing Matt and I have been talking about lately is sleepovers. Tanner had his first friend sleep over last night and Tanner has slept over at one of my best friends place because I had to work late. I talked about it with Matt and then with a friend of mine and she said it would depend on who it was. I think that's how I would like to do it too, but it's still too early to tell. I read about an alternative to sleep overs called "late overs". The child comes for the evening until a set time (decided by you and the other parents). They get to do all the things that you would normally do at a sleepover like watch a movie or play games, eat the junk food they normally eat (or healthy if that's your choice) and then they go home at 10 or 11 or whatever pre-determined time. I like that idea for a lot of reasons. But I do think the occasional sleepover with certain children is okay. I don't know, what's everybody Else's thoughts and or guidelines on this subject. When my sisters and I were little, sleepovers were 100% okay. We slept at friends' house that were in our ward and that was it. OH! except we did sleep at our neighbors house when my Dad was in hospital and my Mom stayed with him and when my sister got hit by a van. We grew up with these neighbors and played with them almost daily. When we got older we were allowed to sleep at the friends' house of the kids my Mom babysat but that was when we were grade 6 or older (from what I remember). These are kind of big stages now because of all the bad things that happen or could potentially happen at a sleepover. There are so many kids that have been assaulted or abused at sleepovers so it's not a simple thing anymore.

We have been having a great summer so far...still...lol. Tanner is in swim lessons again this week. Today I almost had to throw him in because he was refusing to go in. What a turkey! He got to go up to Calgary again last week too. He had a great time and came home with an adorable haircut. They went to the zoo and saw the Koalas and watched the Elephant show, went swimming, to the Aerospace Museum, and for a sleepover at Aunty Carolyns.

Well, that's about it for now.

If my life depended on it

I could not fall asleep last night if my life depended on it. I lay awake with random thought going through my head and the song " I could have danced all night" from the movie My fair lady. I watched it and LOVED it! I love watching all the old movies that my Mom loved when I was a kid and I thought they were so boring. Like Casablanca, and Breakfast at Tiffany's and Singing in the Rain.

Anyways, I am thankful for so much lately. For being able to go to the pool as much as I want with Tanner. We love the pool and it's a great place to be on a hot day like today.

I am thankful for being re-connected with my friend from childhood through our blogs. She was my first best friend and I actually slept at her house the night my Dad died. I remember her and her Mom talking to me about what had happened and that they were there for me. It was such a huge comfort to know that my friend was still my friend even though my Dad had just died.

I am thankful for my amazing husband who this last Sunday carried my heavy church bag to church while we walked to church because I was careless and got a sunburn. He is so thoughtful and constantly does little stuff like that for me.

I am thankful for my sisters. My sisters are a huge part of my world and I love them a lot. I think about them daily.

I am thankful for my friends who are amazing and forgiving and kind to me. I have the best group of friends anyone could ask for.

I am thankful for Christal's blog. She is so uplifting and I hope my blog will be more like hers and that I myself can be more like her. I think she is an amazing person and she is so grateful for so many things.

I am thankful for my Mother who always has such great advice. Just this week I was asking her how do I encourage Tanner to say other things in his prayer other than the 3 things he always says every other time he prays. So we've tried a different tactic and it's been working pretty good. She's so smart!

I am thankful for the Bible. I love the Bible. I have been studying it this year and am thoroughly enjoying it. The stories are more personal to me as I read them and I love that I can apply the principles into my life.

I am thankful most for the gospel and for the Savior. I can see the difference it makes in a persons life and am grateful that I have the blessing of both in my life.

Anyway, those are just some of the many things I'm grateful for this week. My life is not my own. It belongs to the Lord and I hope that I can do the things that He wants me to do and live a life that honors His name.

This one's for you Lahni

The article that refers to what I'm talking about is here:


Although it doesn't specifically say "no Lingerie", it does say that we should not find reason to remove them and to me it is finding reason to remove them to put something immodest on (weather it be in your own home or not, it is still immodest) when we take them off to put on lingerie.
This is clearly my opinion and I'm not trying to say anyone is right or wrong. But I DO feel like (and again, this is MY FEELINGS and opinion) it is defiling the garments when anyone takes them off for lingerie. Of course you have to take them off for swimming. I don't wear mine when I swim. I don't know anyone that does. Anyway, the article is worth the read and everyone will read it differently and that's okay. But that's what I based my opinion and feelings on. So take it for what it is. I'm not here to say I'm right and everyone else is wrong. I'm also not blogging about this to start a huge debate on something that is personal to each individual. I'm just making myself clear on where I'm coming from.

On another note...Tanner and Matt had a great time at the father/son camp. They left really early on Friday and left me all alone...lol. I ended up going swimming with my best friend and her sister and their children. It was a blast! Then on Saturday, I went to Sharon's to hold her baby. Oh so little and cute. I never really understood the phrase "I could eat him up" until I became a parent. But it's true. We had a great Sabbath. We had a wonderful dinner at the Burton's and then came home and hung out and watched Joseph, prince of dreams. We only allow Tanner and ourselves to watch church movies on Sunday. So we have a few of them. I'd like to get more adult ones. We have a bunch of the living scripture ones. I'd love to get the "Liken" series. They look amazing and I think Tanner would really enjoy them. WE are kind of strict on Sunday's about our activities (if you can call them that). We never have big meals or play outside. We are together as a family and read, or play church games (we have a couple of them) or watch a movie or nap or visit people. I know, we're so boring, but I believe that it's part of keeping the Sabbath Day holy.

My MIL is coming this week and we are looking forward to that. There's also the Primary annual swim party. It is always fun except this year we only get the pool for one hour instead of the two that we normally have because of how much the pool costs. It should be fun, none the less.

I can't believe that July is almost over! Where does the time go. We ended up getting a family swim pass so we can go as often as we want. It is perfect in the hot weather we are having lately. I love getting into the cool water and just relaxing.

Anyway, that's about it for now. I hope everyone is having a great day.

First

I went to the pool yesterday and got burnt because I didn't wear sunscreen. I am paying for it today BUT I'm going back to the pool tonight with one of my best friends and kids. I will wear lots of sunscreen tonight and just continue to nurse my burn with aloe vera gel. Matt and Tanner on gone for their father/son camp out and left at 1:30. I don't think most people are even going to be there until 4 or 5. Oh well, more time for them.

I just wanted to let those of you know who commented on my last post that I did respond in the comments as well.

Tanner has his surgery date set for August 31st for his ear tubes. HOORAY! He'll have them in before school starts. That makes me so happy. He'll even be able to do an additional swim lesson in August so that will be good too.

We're having a great summer and loving every minute of it. I'm hoping to get our Internet back soon (at our house) so I can post some pictures but we'll see.

I am so thankful this week for so many things. I feel over flowing with thanks. I have amazing friends who are strong and who I love so much, and I have family that I am especially thankful for too. I try to always be thankful for my family and friends because they are important to me, but sometimes I know I take them for granted.

Anyway, that's about all for now.

Have a great weekend!