Peace

As many of you know..... Ryan has decided to go back to school to get his masters in accounting this Summer or Fall.  I am so proud of him for wanting to do this, and for being so motivated.  He has worked 2 jobs for a while now and we both think that if he is going to be gone this much, that instead of working a 2nd job... he should go to school.  We have been extremely prayerful through it all.  Our house was on KSL because we thought it would be a good idea to rent it out for a while.  I have felt good about Ryan going back to school from day 1 of this process, but when I think of our house renting out, I just feel empty and sad.  I love my neighborhood and my ward.  I love my friends.  I love our life here, and I feel this is where we are supposed to be... right now.  We have worked so hard to stay in this house.  I just haven't felt good about leaving.

Last week I was called to be the first counselor in the Relief Society.  Even though it made things a little more confusing (at first)... it's made things much more clear for me in the end.  I am excited to serve in this calling and to have this experience.  I had a bit of a melt down this week.  haha.  I was exhausted from all of the thinking, praying, reading, looking for answers, and showing my house to possible renters.  BUT, I feel that my prayers have been answered in more way than one.  I talked to Ryan about everything.  We both feel that where there is a will, there is a way.... so we aren't going anywhere!  A HUGE, enormous, burden was lifted off my shoulders when we decided we would stay here while he goes back to school.  It may not be the easiest route, but I think it's the right decision. 

So I guess the plan now is that Ryan will continue to work at Zions, and at the church in the evening. Come Summer or Fall he will hopefully go back to school to get his masters in accounting, and work at Zions during the day.  I will continue doing hair out of my home salon.  I just know everything will work out.  I am so thankful for everything we have, now more then ever.  I feel so blessed.

I am so thankful for the gospel, the scriptures, the temple, and for prayer.  It is sometimes hard to rely on faith, but that is what we are choosing to do.  I know things will work out for the best.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

  

  -Proverbs 3:5-6

Music...

Most of you have probably already seen this on my facebook, but for those of you who don't have a facebook... I thought I'd put this on here too.

I have told a few of you about my project that I'm doing right now. Many of you have a copy of my first Christmas cd I did a few years back. I decided I want to do another one this year. I have matured and improved a lot since then. So far I have 5 songs completed, and 3 in the works, including a piano instrumental. This is a SUPER ghetto sneak peek of one of my favorite hymns... With Wondering Awe (my rendition)... it needs some work still. But you can get the idea. I'm hoping that the songs I put on this cd will bring others closer to Christ, as I feel I have the past year. I absolutely love writing music and singing. It is my passion. The piano over powers my voice in the vid... but you get the idea. Just turn up the volume. Enjoy! Hopefully many of you will get a copy of my music (hoping to have all of the recordings finished in a studio by September) :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Dad scored some major points with all of his girls this V Day.  Gracie and Lola woke up to some fun surprises from their biggest admirer.

 

 

We started a tradition for our family this year.  Valentine pancakes and strawberry milk!  (It was just pink milk this year with food coloring) Next year I will hopefully be more prepared. 

 

Gracie had a fun day at preschool.  She had a blast at the party, and loved getting 

valentines from all her friends.

  

Lola playing with her new toy.  She's cutting her bottom 2 teeth right now, so this was a perfect gift. 

 

 

btw, Lola has a valentine this year.  His name is Beckham (aka Nick Lachey Jr.).... isn't he cute?

 

I had a great Valentines date with Ryan last weekend.  He took me to see Jon Schmidt.  I absolutely loved it.  Tonight Ryan is working so we are off to have some cousin time.  Hope you all have a great evening with your loved ones. 

Nice Weather!

It was gorgeous out today.  We spent a good amount of time enjoying some fresh air!

Under the Weather...

The Tanner household has definitely been out of commission the past couple of weeks.  First we got the stomach flu, and shortly after we got the horrible cough/cold that's going around.  If that wasn't already enough, Gracie got some kind of viral pinkeye.  Lola also got it but a milder version.  Thanks to breast feeding and it's fabulous benefits Lola has actually stayed pretty healthy throughout this winter, only getting mild versions of what's going around.

I wanted to take a minute and just say how thankful I am for my mom.  She is the most charitable person.  She's made several trips out to Lehi to bring us food, homemade chicken noodle soup, raw smoothies, herbal teas, and even some natural cleaners.  Not to mention the cute red KitchenAid tea kettle she got for us. :)  I love it!  Thanks to her Gracie was able to get out of the house today, get a new toy, and a kids meal too!  She also brought us some homeopathic medicine, and taught me some things I can do with my girls when these horrible viruses are going around.  I feel lucky that my mom has taught me so much about natural ways to heal.  So far neither of my girls have ever needed antibiotics! (knock on wood)...  Even when the pediatrician has prescribed it ... I always try some natural things first that I've learned from my mom.  She's pretty amazing and a great example to me. :)

Here are a few things I've learned from my mom when it comes to colds/flu.  I thought I would pass these on for those of you who like to take a more natural route.

* If you have a respiratory cold/flu and have lots of coughing, sneezing, etc.  Turn the shower on to the hottest setting, and sit in the bathroom with the door shut for about 10-15 minutes.  This does wonders in clearing out the nasal passages and helping you breath better.  Kinda like a sauna!  Gracie, Lola and I did this at least twice a day this week.  It helped tons!

*At bedtime rub tea tree essential oil on the bottom of your feet.

*Have a humidifier going throughout the day and all night long.

*Eat HOMEMADE chicken noodle soup.  There is actually a science behind why it works, but you have to cook the full chicken (without the skin) in the pot and use the juices from the chicken.  The broth of this soup works wonders in helping you breath and feel better.  I need to get the recipe from my mom so I can share it.  It's one of the rare times she cooks with meat. :)

*There is a homeopathic medicine that we go through like candy.  It's called Coldcalm by Boiron.  I get it at Harmons.  Non-drowsy, no side effects, no drug interactions, works naturally with your body.

*My mom came up with this delicious smoothie specifically for coughs and colds.  Raw Coconut-Creamsicle Smoothie.

*Warm herbal teas! 

*Open windows throughout the house for about 15 minutes a day.  Helps circulate the air and get fresh air in.  It's never good to just hang out in a room that's been coughed in all day!

*If your nose is raw from blowing it so much, rub Carmex on it!  I use it on my nose and lips when I'm sick. Very soothing.

*Get the 1,000 mg vitamin C packets you get at the store that you add to water, and drink them all day.

*Sleep elevated.

*Colloidal silver.  We haven't tried this yet, but I have heard great things.

*Coughing, sneezing, fevers, and all of that great stuff is actually your bodies way of getting rid of the virus.  So even though it's not always pleasant, it's good to let your body do what it needs to without always suppressing it with medicine.  However, night time is a different story.  It's SO important to get sleep to get better, so I think it's okay to do what you have to at night.


Hopefully some of you will be able to use these tips!  I can't wait until we are back in business at our house.  I'm OVER feeling under the weather.  One thing I have enjoyed though, is plenty of down time and snuggling with my precious girls. :)