My Grandparents

I love my grandparents so much. They are such good people and serve so many, anyone they are aware of. They raised seven kids, all who love to return home for visits. That is something to be proud of, I hope my kids will want to come home when they grow up too. The pictures below are just a few of the good memories and things that I love to see when I visit my grandparents. They love their family and make sure they display that love all through their home.

Memories of Gpa and Gma's

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Christmas 2008

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So I am busy putting more things on Ebay this morning when Preston comes up to me and asks if he can have the camera. I tell him no and he says, "Mom, I need to take a picture of my clothes." I told him yes since he asked and I thought it would be a good lesson to teach him that if he asks, he may get to use it. He brings it right back and this is what I found. Do you think I do too much Ebay? Notice he got his foot in the picture:)

Preston not so innocent

I saw the handsome picture my wife put on this site of Preston in his suit. I thought I would explain what happened after that photo was taken that day. Terra, Tracen and Kelci were sick that day, so Preston and I went to church alone.

Mind you, he has a button in his tie that when pushed it sings some Christmas song. He happened to struggle in his class, he has decided to be shy all of the sudden and so for the first time, I took him to my Elders quorum and I happened to be teaching the lesson. We were packed for that class. We had tons of visitors etc. Preston was horrible, he kept pushing that button on his tie, he kept laughing and moving around, talking.(funny how he is shy in his class but not with all the adults). Devin was trying to help me out by trying to control him. I found out after class that Preston actually bit Devin's finger, I was so upset. I couldn't hardly threaten Preston like I wanted to because of all the people. At one point I called him up and ripped the button out of his tie. Let's just say that it was the worst lesson I ever taught. I couldn't focus, I was embarrassed. It was horrible. He is generally a great kid, but he is definitely not as innocent anymore. He got punished real good when we got home. I don't think he will do that again.

OMGoodness how they grow!

I came across this picture when I was looking for my favorite saucer picture of Preston. I can't believe how little they all are. It is so fun to see them grow! They sure are cute!

Kelci's Turn

Some of my favorite photos of my children are in this little saucer-I couldn't find my favorite one of Preston. Now it is Kelci's turn. She loves being in it, just because she is standing and not lying down. She is so much fun and can't wait to grow up and play with her brothers. She just started rolling over both ways a lot in the last week-I hate it. She scoots everywhere and is trying to sit up-I want her to wait a bit before she does this. She talks a lot-squeals mostly. She is really a happy baby most of the time and a joy to our family.

How Handsome

How handsome and grown-up does he look now?! I miss my little innocent baby:)

Proud-not mad

I went to put Tracen to bed tonite and saw this written on the door. It says "Preston" if you couldn't tell. I normally would have been mad that he vandalized the door, but he wrote his name so straight and nice. I was so proud I had to take a picture and put it on here to share. He doesn't know that I loved it-Nate noticed and was proud too. I love kids-some days can be hard, but I know I will miss the hard days when my kids are gone and will give anything to have them back.

How Sweet

Preston took this picture of Kelci while she was swinging-thus the reason half her head is gone.






Kelci was laying on the floor by me this morning. I had told Preston to go get clothes to get dressed for school. He came back and started to get dressed and then started playing with Kelci (a four year old attention span leaves a little to be desired). He was so cute that I motioned to Nate to take pictures since the camera was right next to him. At one point he started singing the Tiny Tim song. This was seriously a super sweet moment for me to witness.

Perfect Present

I couldn't help but take this picture this morning. I had decided to get a Leapster for Tracen's birthday and just got it in the mail today. I looked down while I was on the computer and saw Tracen playing with Preston's. He was so cute-he had no idea what to do, but loved pushing the buttons and feeling like one of the big kids. He will be so excited when he opens it on his birthday!

What a surprise!

When we woke up on Monday morning, we had a nice surprise...SNOW! The boys were so excited that they wanted to go right outside, in their pajamas at 7AM. I made them wait a little while, but when my dad left for work-I couldn't keep them in any longer. I did manage to get boots and coats on them before they ran out the door.



Notice Tracen's coat is huge-guess it will be put up for next winter since it reaches his knees.

Preston is explaining to Tracen right this moment that he can't eat the snow-"huh mom." Notice that in the first photo he has snow on his face from eating it though. They always know the rules when it comes to telling their siblings what to do, but conveniently forget when they do it. I don't really care, unless it is yellow snow, but don't tell them that. Like dad says, "they'll only do it once."

He realized I was taking pictures of him-so he decided to pose for me-he is so sweet!

Kelci's Earrings

So I could not wait to pierce Kelci's ears. I thought I would wait until she was like five or so, until I saw Kali's ears. They were way too cute! I decided to do her ears before I got Christmas pictures taken. SO Friday was the big day. Tiffany and I went together and Tiffany actually picked and paid for them and even held Kelci while they were doing it. This was Tiff's Christmas gift to Kelci-one that will last forever. Since Tiffany and Kelci have the same birthstone, that is what she chose-very sweet. They look adorable! I am so glad I did them; now she looks like a girl without a bow on.

O Christmas Tree

Tanner, Preston, Brekyn and Tracen with Santa at the Concho Holiday Bizzar

Preston being goofy!



Tracen was so excited about the lights, the tree, and of course his Santa hat. I love that kid!


The boys loved decorating our tree this year-Nate bought a real one this year. It smells so wonderful and looks even better. All the ornaments are bunched together at a 3 and 4 year old's level, but it still looks great!

"You told me I could"

We were given a huge sheetcake the other day with green and orange frosting. Preston wanted a piece so badly. I told him he could have some after school. A long time after school I see him coming out of the bathroom. He tells me he just washed his hands-he was proud of himself. Then I wonder why he needed to wash his hands. Then I smell cake!

I went into the kitchen and found the cake-just like it is in the picture. I said, "Preston, what are you doing?!"' He says to me, "you told me I could have a piece after school." This was his piece! It was like a sixth of the cake! Before you ask-he did not get to eat the whole thing. We all shared it; Preston, me, Tracen and the dog.

P.S. I am still cleaning up green and orange frosting from various places in my home. Life is going to be boring after my kids leave home:)

Growing up Princess

Kelci will be five months in one week. Time has really flown by. She is so sweet and loved by many. She is a really good baby; only cries when she is hungry or messy. She sleeps through the night every night now. Thank you princess. She is rolling everywhere-she rolled all the way across the living room the other day. She is trying to hard to grow up. She tries to sit up and grab things. I just wish she would stay little for a long time. I really love this stage. She is my pride and joy. I love to dress her up and get all girly with her. She is amazing and I thank my Heavenly Father for loaning her to me.

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About time-again

Thanksgiving was fun and relaxing. The night before I had taken Hayden, Tanner and Brekyn home so Tiff and Justin could get things ready for company. We had lots of fun videotaping the kids playing football. Then we watched family videos of all of them, including the football. They loved seeing themselves on TV. I need to do that more often. The next morning Brekyn and I made cinnamon rolls, eggs and sausage.

We had a really nice Thanksgiving dinner that my dad made-Tiff and Justin did the turkey-but he made pies, rolls and homemade yams for Justin and his parents. We visited for a while and then were all in bed by ten thirty-just after making our list for the shopping early the next day.

Tiff and I got up at 3:30AM to go shopping and were hard at it for about nine hours. Our legs were sore for days afterward. We spent about six hours between Lowe's and Home Depot-can you believe it! We bought everything, including the kitchen sink-literally (thanks for the joke Tiff). We really did buy a sink for Tiff's kitchen.

It was a great holiday! I can't wait to see what Christmas brings. Children make the holidays so much more fun-family makes it even better!

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What a Relief!

With life stressful most of the time, I have really learned to appreciate the little things. Monday morning I called to pay my electric bill and it had been paid and had $118 credit. Later that day my aunt called and said they needed Nate to sub a couple days this week. To top it off, I went to check my mail and found out my house payment went down $40 something a month. I could not believe all the good things happening.

Yesterday, I got a call from Preston's school. They said they finally had an opening for him and he could start right then. HE was so excited-I was too! I did not know what to do with the time I had while the two little ones were sleeping. I did homework-can you believe it. I am almost done with all my classes-one final and a few little things left. Can't wait to be done!

Happy Turkey Day!

Happy Thanksgiving! While staying at my aunt's house I discovered my seven year old cousin, Mazie's journal. I came upon it while cleaning up and did not know what it was until I read the open page. At the top of the page was written, "How many time I said thank you today." Tally marks followed. It was so sweet that I had to show my aunt.

This was a great lesson to me to recognize my many blessings and the things that I am thankful for, and to remember to give thanks to my Heavenly Father for my blessings. I have a desire to write letters to the many people who have contributed to my life for the better. The problem is, I get a letter written and then add someone else and my list never gets any smaller.

I suppose that is a good thing, at least it means that I recognize others to be thankful for. I truly have many blessings in my life and the most important of those are people. I hope that I will remember my blessings more than my trials in the coming days. I love life, family and this beautiful holiday season. Happy Thanksgiving!

Fun Times

Occasionally Nathan will get a burst of energy and be able to wrestle the kids for a long time. This was one of those times-he went for a while and did not even complain about his back hurting later. You will see why his back may have hurt after seeing the photos. The kids really enjoy times like these and I am glad I had the camera ready. Thanks Nate!

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Halloween-I Know It's Late

I finally got my pics downloaded and could post them-better late than never. We had a good Halloween. We went to Licanos with my mom for her birthday dinner and then off to trick or treat. We met Tiffany and Justin and the kids. Nate and Justin went home with the babies while Tiff and I took the others. My mom and Mike and the kids came along. After doing the door to door thing, I can appreciate the Trunk or Treat more.

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Our 7th Anniversary

Tomorrow is our seventh anniversary-amazing. I used to think that people who were married for ten years were so old and had been married forever. Seven years went by so fast, I regret feeling that way. I also am amazed at how much we are still learning about each other and maturing as time goes on.

Nathan got a hotel room for us tonight and made arrangements for our children-all on his own. This was really sweet-he surprised me-sort of. He still had to clear a couple of things with me, but I was so happy to see he had wanted to do something sweet for me. It will be nice to spend time with only my husband and remember what he is like-without all the distractions.

I really love my husband and all his little quirks. He twirls his hair, loves to laugh, loves to cuddle, likes extra mayo on his sandwiches, likes his underwear rolled-not folded, likes his toothbrush on the left side of the holder, loves basketball, loves St. Johns, loves his mom, loves his children, and treasures me.

He is a simple man and enjoys life's simple pleasures. He has really made me appreciate the little things in life. I am a better person because of him. He recognized potential in me that I did not know I possessed. I am truly grateful for him. I love you Nathan Alton Tanner! Thank you for loving me.

Here We Go Again

Okay, so now we really have everything situated. We are back in St. Johns, I know, how many times are things going to change with us. We are glad to be home and in our own environment. So this is how it all happened.

We came up on Tuesday to take care of some things in St. Johns and so I could go to school. While we were in St. Johns Nathan took his certificate for substituting into the school district and talked to the head of security person at SRP.

The school called him the same day and asked him if he would be willing to start subbing as soon as the week of Thanksgiving. The guy at SRP said that there are new projects starting soon and he would be looking for more help and would be in touch. Between working with my dad and subbing, Nate will be able to take care of us.

A big deciding factor for us was that Preston will be able to start school next week. He has really been wanting to go to school again. He was on a waiting list in the valley and we didn't know when he would be able to start. He is really excited!

We are thinking of turning our garage into an apartment and renting it out. We would be able to get quite a bit since we would include utilities. My dad would help us do the remodeling-he is a really handy man. This would make things financially easier and we could stay in St. Johns. This is just an idea, but we will see what happens. If Nate can pay the bills without doing this, we would prefer it. We just have to see how much work he will be getting.

Nathan's dad always says that there are many ways to do the right thing-or something like that. Being in St. Johns looks like it will work out for us now, but the valley would have too. As long as we are taking care of our responsibilities as parents and trying to better ourselves, I guess it doesn't matter where we are. There are people to serve where ever we are. As long as we are serving others we are serving the Lord and the Lord will provide for us.

Life in motion!

It has been really crazy lately in the life of the Tanner family. We have been everywhere lately. The kids are wondering why we have so many houses-inconsistency has been our only consistent thing lately. We still don't really know what our plan is.

We are currently living with my aunt and uncle in Apache Junction. Nathan has been substituting at a charter school here and I have been trying to help out as much as I can with household duties. I will be traveling back and forth to Show Low until my semester at NPC ends. Tiff and Justin have been so good to watch the kids and let us stay there when we need.

The bishop of our ward in AJ offered Nate a job with his company as an in-home care provider. It doesn't pay much, but has benefits. He is awaiting a call from the HR department now. In the meantime, he is keeping his resume active and is constantly trying to find work in the White Mountains.

I do have to admit that I feel like we are in the right place at the right time. My uncle is out of work at the moment so this is a fix for both families for the time being. My aunt and uncle are also really good at keeping the Spirit in their home and that is reflected in my childrens' behavior and my patience with them.

We really enjoy spending time with their family and are very appreciative of all they are doing for us during this difficult time in our life. My testimony has really been tried during these last couple of months. I love to think of President Monson's talk on the morning session of the Saturday conference that just passed. He said "Never let a problem to be solved be more important than a person to be loved." I think that is so perfect for my life right now. I also have been thinking about the quote the feed store in St. Johns has up occassionally that says "Faults are thick when love is thin."

Financial stress can be hard on a marriage, but I am trying to keep these things in mind. I want to take advantage of the time that we have as a family right now and make positive memories. You never know when the last day you spend together is going to be. I want to end my life knowing that I told my husband and children that I love them. Everything else does not matter.

I went to the temple last night and for the first time realized that Adam and Eve had strength unimaginable to us in today's society. Adam partook of the forbidden fruit to stay with his wife and fulfill the commandment that the Lord had given him to "multiply and replenish the earth." He stood by his wife's side after she went against the Lord's counsel. Marriage is and always has been a sacred covenant. I am blessed to only have financial struggles with my husband as our major issue and not something as serious as Adam was dealing with.

I have been thinking lately aobut the Depression and what the divorce rate was during this time. I am sure it was much lower than our rate now, even when the economy is booming. I guess that I am trying to say that my testimony about marriage has been strengthened. Financial stress is not an excuse to let your marriage fail. I know this and know that the Lord will bless my family if I exercise my faith in my Savior. I am thankful for all my many blessings and especially for my husband.

Veterans Day

I just got back from taking my children to the parade in AJ this morning. I have never been to a parade on Veterans Day-sadly. I have many relatives who have served in the military, including my brother Garett and my father-in-law.

As I was waiting for the parade to start, many older people came to sit by us. Many of the men were veterans themselves and were wearing clothing to represent themselves. It was really neat to see them all come out.

The parade started with three jets flying overhead-low and loud (sorry Kelci). The boys were so excited! It was really neat to watch their excitement. I started to get emotional at this point and it was all down hill from there.

Leading the parade were soldiers-vets-carrying the flags. Everyone stood with their hands over their hearts as the flags passed, but what was really touching was the veterans saluted when they passed. It was the neatest thing to witness men from all different branches,scattered in the crowd, simultaneously saluting the flag.

I started thinking about the turnout present at the parade. Although it was a large crowd, it was no where near the crowds I have seen on the 4th of July. A sadness and a truth hit me as I thought about this. If it weren't for veterans, there would be no 4th of July.

I decided today that I will always make sure my children attend Veterans Day events to teach them the importance of the people who make our freedom possible. I was so impressed with all those in the crowd who would thank the veterans. I want my children to grow up with a respect for these people.

It was so refreshing to see support,regardless of political party, for our country and those who have made it what it is today. I am proud of my family who have done this as well. There was a float of wounded vets that passed with the crowd standing and thanking them. It was a beautiful site to see. To any who have served, thank you. To any who have died, you are not forgotten. To my children, I am proud to be an American!

My bakers dozen list of why I love my wife Terra. By Nathan Tanner

1. She loves the Lord more than anything, including more than she loves me and I love that about her. The Lord should be everyone’s first love.
2. She is always concerned about other people and their well-being, even those that she doesn’t know. She is truly a Good Samaritan.
3. She wants to be the best mother and is. She is always relating things to the gospel when teaching our children.
4. She is super smart. Very intelligent! She is a great problem solver because of it. I am in love with her mind. Unfortunately for her, because of that attribute, I rely on her making most of the decisions, and that is one of the things that is on her “13 things that she does NOT love about me” list.
5. She is very spiritual and really wants a husband who is too. I hope to grant her that wish someday.
6. She is beautiful! And I love that she is beautiful even without makeup.
7. She has some really quirky things that I love about her too. For instance: She is scared of all the water drying up, scared of our drought to death almost; She stays scared after scary movies, kind of like back in Jr. High; The way she rocks side to side when she is nervous (okay, that one I only love when I am not around it); The way she jumps out of her skin when you walk into the room and say something. You can walk in as loud as you can and it still startles her.
8. I love how she wants to have lots of kids, and even has a desire to do foster care, and even adopt. She really wants to bless children’s lives.
9. I love that her political beliefs are based on her social conservatism. That her moral beliefs shape her political choices. And that she and I almost always agree politically.
10. I love that her testimony is built upon the feelings of the Spirit and not based upon the teachings of man. She knows how to confirm her beliefs based on the Spirit and not on blind faith.
11. I love that she is a small town girl with small town values. She doesn’t have to have expensive things. She is just a humble person who looks for ways to help out where she can.
12. That when she has had jobs, she has always been at the top in her field. Like when she was in the top 5 in sales for Carnival Cruise Lines, or when she was one of the tops on her team, which always battled the top teams for first in for the University of Phoenix. She is a sales person, as long as she believes in the product.
13. That she chose to love and believe in someone like me. I love her with all my heart. She is a wonderful woman. I hope she never questions my love.
    

The Pumpkin Patch

Auntie Tiff kept Tracen for me for a couple of days while I went to the valley. She was going to the Pumpkin Patch with Justin's mom and took Tracen. He loved it and talked about it for a long time. He is still talking about it. Thank you for the memory Auntie Tiffy!

Yuck!

Uncle Justin went dove hunting and let the boys help him clean them and gut them. Preston loved it-Tracen, not as much. Preston has been talking about killing birds, specifically owls, since. Justin and Nathan are so good at letting the kids be a part of things I would never think they could handle.

Softie Uncle Justin

Tiffany emailed me this photo from when she was watching Kelci for me so I could go to school. Kelci was crying and all of a sudden started calming down. She went to check on her and this is what she found.