Now I know why...

Erica, you always forward some really great stuff. This is one of the best yet : )

Glancing through the hymnal last Sunday I noted that as sisters in
Zion, we who are called to serve are all enlisted to go marching,
marching forward because the world has need of willing men to all
press on scattering sunshine. We wonder if we have done any good in the world today because we have been given much and want to do what is right, keep the commandments, press forward with the Saints, choose the right, and put our shoulders to the wheel going where He wants us to go. However, as the morning breaks high on the mountain top, truth reflects upon our senses, and while we still believe that sweet is the work, we also realize that we have work enough to do ere the sun goes down.
And thus we ask Thee ere we part, where can we turn for peace?

Susanne

I think there is something wrong with your comment enabler. I have never been able to make a comment on your blog. I know there's people that read it and maybe they're having the same problem. I can't wait for tomorrow night.

Anyways, in other news...

I LOVE my job. There is something totally satisfying to me to put on my work clothes and go to work and feel smart and be treated so nicely. I hope I can work there for a very long time.

Tanner has no school today and so what does he want to do? Play the Wii ALL day! That kid already has an addiction problem...lol. Matt and I are very consistent at limiting him but he wants to play all the time. I need to have his friends over more often.

I got the Ensign today and had a quick look at the articles in it and it looks like a really good one. They are all good but some months are better for me than others. Do you find the same thing? I love the First Presidency message this month. President Monson is such an amazing teacher and there is no mistaking what he says. I just love what he shares with us. His stories are easily applied to any ones life. What a blessing it is to have someone like him to share his knowledge with us to lift us up and edify us.

I asked this on my facebook but I will ask it here: if you could or had to design a float for a parade, what would you design or do?

We ran out of pull ups last night so we covered Tanner's bed with a garbage bag and a mattress protector and this morning he was totally dry! We're going to try it again tonight but Matt is buying more pull ups just in case he's not ready yet. I really hope he's ready. It would be nice but it's not the end of the world if he's not.

Well, I think that's it for now.

The best sleep ever

On Monday night I had the most glorious sleep in all the world. I had been telling Susanne about how I can not sleep for the life of me. My brain does not stop...EVER! I write in a journal, I tell what I think and feel to Matt and my friends but I can not get my brain to just...for lack of a better word...shut up! So she suggested taking Melatonin. I tired it last week, but nothing happened so I upped the amount I took on Monday (I only took 2...I'm not a pill popper, don't worry), and I had the best night ever. I was truly rested in the morning and I felt wonderful and energized. Today, it's another story. I could not sleep at all last night. I have a small head cold and it's affecting my sleep. So, hopefully I'll get over it soon and I'll be able to get into a sleep pattern.

We were in Calgary for the weekend. Tanner had a speech appointment and we decided that we were going to do something fun for our 10 year anniversary (which isn't until the 28th). We normally don't do anything for each other on special days because we always get a yearly gift. But since it is 10 years, we thought it would be nice to do something for fun. We went to the Cheesecake Cafe for dessert and then the next day we took Tanner to the movie 'The Tooth Fairy'. We wanted to see Avatar, but it's still wildly popular and it tends to be sold out still. So we'll see it another time.

It's so crazy to me to think about the fact that Matt and I have been married 10 years! It does not seem that long ago we were getting ready to be married. Time flies by so quickly. It has been such a wonderful journey and I look forward to many more years and challenges that will build our relationship and friendship. I really am so lucky to have such a loving, caring, patient, sensitive husband. I just really love him.

I am really slow going on my scripture study. I am 4 chapters away from Deuteronomy. I am really enjoying the Old Testament but there is so much to learn from it. I feel like I'm only scratching the surface. When I read it again, I'm sure I'll learn lots of new things that I missed this time.

Things are going good and we are enjoying our time together.

Words

Some words that I've been thinking about a lot lately...

Numbers-numbers can sometimes be like a story that doesn't add up

Joke-they can be super funny and it's great to be the one that has the last laugh...but they're not funny or morally ethical when they attack something so personal

Games- I LOVE games. I love playing card games and board games with my family. It's a favorite past time of my family's. A game I don't like is this one.

Truth- someone very wise once said "the truth shall set you free". Another one I really like is "truth will prevail".

Knowledge- knowledge is power and the power that is given to all of us faithful members of the church is powerful beyond any other power if we use it wisely. I'm talking about the power of Christ.

Belief- I don't just believe what I say, I know it to be true with every fibre of my soul and no one can take that away...ever.

Loyalty-I consider myself a fiercely loyal person. I will back up and stand up for anyone who I love...even if that person has ever or ever will hurt me. I will be loyal to my family and friends until the day I die.

Love- love is such a rare and precious gift. There are so many different kinds of love and it's such a great gift and feeling to know that people love you for you no matter what

Lies- are a tool of the adversary and if a person chooses to lie, judgement will be upon their head and no one else.

Happiness-is what I try the hardest to choose no matter what trials or hardships I face because in the end, I know that's the better choice and I will become a better person for that choice.

Laughing on the inside

Some people have nothing better to do with their time...seriously!?

In other news, things have been going pretty good. Tanner is such a funny kid. He has learned to try to trick us to get his way. Matt had an interview today. Hopefully it works out but really, it's in the Lord's hand. We are loving the weather here. It's been so nice. We have a lot of stuff going on for the next while. We'll be really busy which is good. We are going to a potluck at the end of the month. It's a celebrity one...we have to all dress up as celebrities. Matt and I are going as Luke and Lorelai from Gilmore girls. We were going to go as Derek and Meredith or Izzy and Denny from Grey's but I couldn't justify buying a dress (we were going to go as them from the season finale of season 2 where they are all dressed for the prom) that I would probably only wear once. So I got an outfit that we'll be able to wear anytime.

Well, I guess that's it for now. I hope everyone has a great day!

Dear annoyn.

If you know so much about my life, why don't you own up to who you are and tell me what you think you're so sure of and who you are.

My favorites

I re-read the November (General Conference issue) Ensign and found some really great quotes. I will share a few of them with you because there are many and over time, I will eventually share more.

Richard G. Scott: Our Father expects you to learn how to obtain that divine help by exercising faith in Him and His Holy Son Jesus Christ.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf: When we truly understand what it means to love as Jesus Christ loves us, the confusion clears and our priorities align

Dallin H. Oaks: This sobering teaching (Luke 12:51-53) teaches us that when family members are not united in striving to keep the commandments of God, there will be divisions...the straying of our loved ones will detract from our happiness, but it should not detract from our love for one another or our patient efforts to be united in understanding God's love and God's laws.

Robert D. Hales: When we do not do what is right or when our outlook is dominated by skepticism, cynicism, criticism, and irreverence toward other and their beliefs, the Spirit cannot be with us.

Kent D. Watson: Security for our families comes from learning self-control, avoiding the excesses of this world, and being temperate in all things. Peace of mind comes from strengthened faith in Jesus Christ. Happiness come from being diligent in keeping covenants made at baptism and in the holy temples of the Lord.
And finally for today...

Boyd K. Packer: No matter who you are or what you may have done, you can always pray. The Prophet Joseph Smith promised that " all beings who have bodies have power over those who have not"

I was inspired by one of the sisters I teach to go back and really ponder the words of the recent Ensign. I always have the intention to do that but I have not been successful at accomplishing it. So during Christmas break, I did it.

We had a wonderful Christmas. We went to surprise my Mom on Christmas eve day. She was surprised! We had a lovely time. Tanner is very spoiled by my family. Although this year, it was very mild compared to some other years. I think because now Emerson is part of our family (my nephew) they spoil him much more because he's little. Tanner really liked the blanket Santa made him. Santa came to him twice. Once on Christmas Eve Morning (before we left) and then on Christmas day at my Mom's. I was really worried that mine and Matt's gift we got him would be boring compared to some of the other stuff he got but he was the most excited about it when he opened it. We got him the second season of the Transformers cartoon. He opened it up and screamed and jumped up and down for about 5 minutes and when we tried to get him to open another gift, he wouldn't. So that was nice.

Matt had a double Christmas. He got 2 wallets, and 2 attache cases/brief cases.

I got 3 kangaroo jackets (I believe they're just called hoodies now), some really good sheets (400 and 600 thread count...Soooo luxurious) and we got the Wii! We have some really fun games and we love to play together as a family so it's awesome. I use to be very much against any kind of game system. I always thought it was such a waste of time but now, I'm glad we got one because we have a lot of fun together (okay Super Mario Brothers isn't that fun when Tanner plays, but we suck it up...after all, it's just a game).

Maybe this means that one day we'll have a pet...lol. NEVER!!! I like animals but I strongly, strongly detest pets. It's like having a 2 year old for the rest of your life...no thank you. Anyways, it was a really nice Christmas.

I am really glad Tanner is back in school. He was not very good during the holidays and for a week before Christmas we took all his presents away and told him that if he couldn't be good then he couldn't have his presents. He ended up being good but then on the weekend, he started misbehaving again. The Wii can be a good bargaining chip, but it doesn't solve the problem. It ends up that we send him to his room to think about what he's done and when he's ready to come out and try to be good, then he can come out. It's been working pretty good. I think it has helped him to understand the consequences of not making good choices. He was soooo cute yesterday at skating. His coach told him and another boy that she wanted them (the 2 boys) to be able to learn to skate fast and Tanner said "I can do it. I can skate fast because I'm good". Matt and I had to chuckle. We're always telling him what a good job he does at skating (among other things as well) so I think that's where it came from. We're reading the first Magic Tree house book right now. It's a really easy book and the words are not difficult for Tanner. We really try to foster and encourage his reading. He is such a good reader. His teachers are always amazed at how well he reads. They say he reads at about a grade 2 level...which is great, but we're not totally confident that he understand stories at that level. I guess that will come with time.

Matt is still looking for a job. He worked for a short bit for a friend of his. This is going on I believe the 3rd month of not having a job. It is a very difficult market out there. I may have to look for full time work and have him stay at home with Tanner. I'm not sure I can get a great paying job, but even a consistent income would help out.

Well, I think that's about it for now. Have a wonderful day!

I've been dreaming of a white Christmas

Well, it's already white here, so no, I'm not dreaming of a White Christmas. I do have to tell everyone that I found the BEST cd ever!!! If you have ever watched Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, you'll understand why this is so exciting to me. I found a CD that has all the songs from that movie on it!!! And...this is the best part...it was only $5.99!!!! It came in a collectors tin with a stocking. My sisters and I loved that show and looked forward to it every year. I have always wanted to find the CD but never could. I will listen to this all year round, I'm sure.

We went skating yesterday and that was super fun. Tanner loves skating and is really good at it. We also slept under the tree for our advent activity. We've also baked, iced and decorated sugar cookies and played in the snow. Tonight we are watching "The Nativity Story".

I have been doing a lot of reading of the General Conference issue of the Ensign and am feeling inspired to what my goals for the new year should be.

Other than that, things are going well. Tanner is done school for the holidays. He is really excited to be going to Calgary for a day. His concert at school was SOOOOO stinkin' cute. He was a little panda bear (well, all of the Kindergartners were). They all did a really good job.

Have a happy holiday and a Merry Christmas.

The secret...

...to great Gingerbread cookies that do not crack is to use parchment-lined cookie sheets. Last night Tanner and I made gingerbread family cookies and even on my Pampered Chef cookie sheets, they cracked but on my regular cheap aluminum cookie sheets that were lined with parchment paper, they were smooth. Tonight we will decorate them and then possibly give some away...lol. We will give some away. We don't need 5 dozen cookies. The following is the recipe for the cookies. It is from the cookbook "The Essential Mormon Cookbook" by Julie Badger Jensen. I LOVE this cookbook and use it A LOT. I used it when I was asked to make funeral potatoes and I had no clue how to make them. Anyways, here's the cookie recipe:

1 cup butter, at room temperature
1 cup sugar
1 cup molasses
1 Tablespoon vinegar
1 egg
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
4 1/2- 5 cups flour

In a large bowl cream butter and sugar; set aside. In a small saucepan heat molasses to boiling. Pour molasses over butter and sugar and add the vinegar. Let cool. Add egg. Mix in sifted dry ingredients. Chill for at least 1 hour. Roll on lightly floured board or surface and cut as desired. Bake on well-greased or parchment-lined cookie sheets for 8-10 minutes and 350 F. (I baked for 8 minutes only and they turned out great)

So try and enjoy!

Also, I found these useful tips in time for Christmas:

Soften butter in a hurry...just grate the amount you need or invert a small heated pan over the butter dish

To prevent cheese from sticking to your grater, chill the grater first by placing it in the freezer for a few minutes.

Gravy too salty? Ada a few pinches of brown sugar. It will mellow the saltiness without sweetening. Throw in a chunk of raw potato and the same thing will happen.

To get rid of strong smell on your cutting board, cut a lime or lemon and rub the cut side over the board. Or make a paste of baking soda and water and apply generously.

So thankful

Yesterday we had testimony meeting because we missed it last Sunday. There were lots of people who were thankful for the service that was given to them because of the big snow storm. As I was thinking, I thought about how grateful I am to the people who helped us with cheerful attitudes. After talking to my Mom and realizing that no one even offered her help to dig out her garage...not a neighbor, not a member of her ward, no one, it made me think about how blessed I am to live in a community where everyone helps everyone else and that's just what we do. It makes me grateful that I DON'T live in a city...even Lethbridge. More positives just went on my list of things that make where I live a great place to live!

I have reflected a lot on the last year and this year has been for sure one of my top 5 years. 2000 was one: married! 2003 another: Tanner born 2008:Emerson coming into the family and 2009: turning 30. This has been a wonderful year filled with, I feel, much growth for all of my family. I am looking forward to a new year with, hopefully, more growth (read:maturity), more love, more joy, more learning, more fun/sad/challenging times. I am sad to be saying goodbye to my Primary kids. I had a rough patch with them but I have really grown to love them and have love, love, loved teaching them.

We are making and decorating Sugar cookies tonight...most likely just making and decorating tomorrow. We have also had a p.j. party and watched 'The Flinstones Christmas Carol, 'The Muppets Christmas Carol', and 'A Christmas Carol' (the first, black and white version). I have never seen any of those. I have seen a version of the Christmas carol, but I can't remember which one it was. I have also seen the actual play twice. I LOVED it! You must go if you can. It is well worth the money and it's such a neat experience.


In process of making the cookies



The decorated cookies


Saturday, we went to the Temple in the bad weather. It took us 55 minutes (normally 35 minutes) because we drove so slowly. I love the Temple and I love that Matt and I have made a commitment to make it a priority in our life. We have truly benefited and been blessed because of it.

We went today and picked out our yearly Christmas tree ornament. We decided that every year, since we moved, we would pick a new ornament as a family. The first year I picked a stocking. Last year Tanner picked a glass tree, and this year Matt picked a snow filled snowman ornament/ball. None of them match the Blue and Silver decor that is on our tree, but each ornament has special memories from that year.

Well, that's all we've been up to for now. I am starting to get really excited for Christmas. I will be back tomorrow and Wednesday and then on Thursday is Tanner's school Concert!!!!! I can not even convey the joy and excitement I feel for this. I am close to floating on air. My little boy, in his first school concert...ahhhhh....So much more to look forward to!