Stand A Little Taller

"We are all children of God, and there is something of His divinity within each of us. We are of the family of God, with such a tremendous potential for excellence...

You will find your greatest example in the Son of God. I hope that each of you will make Him your friend. I hope you will strive to walk in His paths, extending mercy, blessing those who struggle, living with less selfishness, reaching out to others.

The prophet Moroni declared, “In the gift of his Son hath God prepared a more excellent way” (Ether 12:11). You have the witness of that faith. You have the testimony of that faith. You have the example of that faith. Let us all try to stand a little taller, rise a little higher, be a little better. Make the extra effort. You will be happier." 

President Gordon B. Hinckley, "The Quest for Excellence," Ensign, Sept. 1999, 2-5. (Emphasis added by me)

So, I have had a lot on my mind since Mother's Day and since this is a place for me to record my thoughts I just wanted to share that there is nothing wrong with me in my desire to improve myself (key word here is myself not Sister Somebody or Sister SoAndSo). 

This desire to improve my talents, learn new things, strive towards making my home a comfortable/clean/organized space once originated with the idea that I needed to be this perfect mormon mother (being a convert to the church I assumed that there was a certain standard for how one must be or act). I have since realized that we are not perfect - there is no perfect mormon mother example. But the very purpose for us being here on the earth is to work at being more like our Savior - so I have focused my desires on this knowledge, trying to be the best daughter of God that I can be. 


I have heard many women counsel me to aim a little lower, or to not worry so much about things that are important to me (like a clean house or doing crafts or writing Thank You notes). As a Type A person, I realize I add extra stress to my life because of my personal drive to be better. Sometimes this may stress me out but for the most part it helps me to improve upon my weaknesses. I have accepted that this is who I am and I am okay with my quirkiness and nuttiness. 


Well this past Mother's Day I have finally realized that although others may be fine with aiming lower it isn't in my nature to do so. I'm not comparing what I can do and give to what other's can do and give - I do not feel that my way is better than someone elses, it just simply works for  me. I am working on MYSELF!!! I will continue to follow the counsel of our past prophet and current prophet and apostles in that I will strive to work on me and aim a little higher, stand a little taller, be a little better. 

More Freedom

I am looking forward to having more freedom to post about my family! This blog had started, a few years ago, as a place for me to "journal" about what we've been up to. I am looking forward to getting back to that. It truly is a place for me to document the day to day things we've been up to (some exciting, some mundane, and some down right frustrating). So, feel free to read along to my nutty thoughts and the things that we've been up to. Oh and comments are always welcome, in fact, they are so very nice! 

Going Private

Hello all,


I will be making this blog "private" by the end of the month. If you so desire to keep up with our family, please send me an email (either at my personal email - for those of you that have that one, or orangepeanut@gmail.com). I have a lot of updating to do, as our littlest one is getting so big and the other two are up to some pretty fun stuff!!!! 

I keep hoping....

.... that I will feel better and be able to get back to my life. I want to do fun crafts, play games with my boys, open the fridge and not dry heave, I want to feel well enough to plant my garden, I want to spend more of my time out of bed instead of in my bed, I want to clean my house, I want to have the energy to do my hair, I really want to go running, I want to serve in my church calling completely, and I really wish I could eat food (any type of food and not be limited to toast, applesauce, and apples). BUT - I know this won't last for ever and maybe, just maybe, I will feel less like a green Martian and more like me before this baby joins our family near the end of August.

Okay, I'm done, no more complaining!!! Can I confess that I have resulted to smelling a package of baby diapers just to keep me going. Something about that clean, baby powder smell that reminds me that it will be all worth it!!!!

Just to Clarify

... I don't usually have the luxury of keeping pregnancy a secret for too long. I unfortunately have very difficult pregnancies and through pure necessity I need to disclose the information a lot sooner than I would like.

At the risk of sharing too much I feel that I have a story to tell and that it might help someone else along the way. Most who know me know that I wear my emotions on my sleeve and I have no problem talking about them. So in an effort to share but not make you feel I am ungrateful for my trials and struggles, please know that I am not looking for sympathy and I am very aware of my Father in Heaven and my Savior, Jesus Christ, who is making this current struggle something I can bear.

You see, nothing about pregnancy is easy for me. I am grateful for my two boys but what a mighty struggle it was to conceive, be pregnant and then to deliver them through c-section.

We struggled mightily, during the beginning of our marriage to bring a little on into the world. After a few miscarriages I finally turned to my husband and told him that if we did not have a baby by my 25th birthday, we were going to start the adoption process - for I wanted to be a mother whether it be my own flesh and blood was beside the point! Wouldn't you know that 5 days before my 25th birthday we welcomed our first child into the world. After 4 years of marriage we were thrilled to have had a successful, albeit, hard pregnancy. I was sick my entire pregnancy. I was no stranger to IV's to be rehydrated, or trying different nausea medications to find one that would help squelch the sickness. After a somewhat long labor, we were rushed into an emergency c-section and our son was safely delivered.

Fast forward 3 years and we were happy to discover we were pregnant again and my pregnancy was just as difficult, with trips to the ER for iv's and lots of nausea medicine that made me feel like I was passing life in a blur. The mother guilt was the worst this pregnancy - for my serious sickness made it impossible for me to be the mom I wanted to be to my 3 year old. He would bring me crackers and we would lay down and read books together and we made it through another 9 months of haze and sickness. Our second son was born via c-section and spent a few hours in the NICU until he was able to breath on his own.

After his birth I was so stunned by the awesome task of raising two children. Now I have friends who have many children and I am always in awe of them. I was struggling mightily with my feelings of inadequacy and pure doubts that I couldn't do my job, my calling of that as mother.

Now both of my boys are amazing! I am blessed to have great children. Don't get me wrong we have our struggles, our frustrations, our joys, etc.... but I was so overwhelmed with the struggles that I didn't enjoy the bliss. Most of my close friends know that I was done having children. That I felt I was stretched beyond belief. They helped me through my doubts and by their examples taught me that being a mother is wonderful and that I don't have to be perfect at it.

For the last year or so, my dear husband has been asking if we could think about having another. I couldn't even fathom the idea of another child, but the spiritual experiences I was having while working on the Youth Pioneer Handcart Trek that our stake went on last year truly changed my heart. In fact, while we were on the trail, covered in dirt, I realized that I was indeed not done having children and I was scarred beyond belief. I was not sure I would be capable of being that sick again, or deal with the thought of maybe loosing another pregnancy, or if I would be able to deal the thoughts that I would be abandoning my family as I dealt with my severe pregnancy sickness. I was so scarred and then one day I realized that I didn't have to face those fears alone. Not only would my husband be there to support and sustain where I couldn't, but that my burden would be lifted! I became increasingly aware in the scripture in Ecclesiastes (3:1): " To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven." It was time to put my fears aside and do my part in welcoming another of God's sweet spirits into our home.

Yes we are pregnant; yes I am scarred; no I am not that far along; nor am I oblivious to the fact that we are still at risk of having a miscarriage, I have faith that I will be lifted when I need to be; yes my husband and children are being so very helpful as I have spent the last 2 1/2 weeks in bed, and I pray that I will be able to manage the sickness well enough to not feel like a bystander in my own life.

So in August we will welcome the newest Kanzler into the world and in the meantime, we are praying mightily that all will go according to our Father in Heaven's will.

Thanks for your prayers and your support.

As strange as the man was....

...Michael Jackson was absolutely the King of Pop!

I was at Girl's Camp when I was told that Michael Jackson died! My first reaction was shock! Despite the scandals of the last few years, I was taken back to the 80's and the Thriller record! I would play that thing over and over and practice his amazing moves in my bedroom until late in the night! I would open the record cover and just stare at him in the white suit laying there with the tiger! I would watch MTV and wait for his music videos to come on (remember when they played music videos)! As his skin color changed and his nose got smaller, I still thought he was a legend - weird but still pretty amazing!

I wonder if people felt this way when Elvis Presley died? I was a newborn when he passed. He was an icon for his time, but wasn't such a great role model near the end of his life!

So as a way to acknowledge his dancing greatness and his music that brings back fond memories, I have uploaded many of my favorite MJ songs onto my music player! May you be taken back to the days when he looked like a fine young black man! TURN UP THE MUSIC and DANCE!!!!!

This just makes my life a little easier

Can I share with you something that makes my life just a little bit easier...........

Quilted Washable Underpads (not what you were expecting was it)!

Carson has almost mastered sleeping through the night without any accidents (about 4 months ago he decided he was done wearing diapers) and I tell you these underpads have been a life saver! Instead of having to change the sheets everynight or morning, I simply take off the pad (which is placed on the top of the sheets) and then place a new one on in its place. Then I can wash the soiled one and reuse it the next day. I would highly recommend using them and would even recommend that you get the ones that are tuckable (they have long sides that can tuck under a mattress). This would prevent the pad from moving while the child tosses and turns through the night. I love things that make my job easier!

What is something that makes your life easier?

UPDATE: Jennie asked where did I get the underpads, a family member actually gave them to me, but look for places that sale assisted living or home care products. There are several websites that sell them like: http://www.northshorecare.com and http://www.assistedlivingstore.com .

American Idol: Latest Predicitions

Early in this season of American Idol I was a huge Adam Lambert fan. But I am now predicting that Kris Allen will win the whole thing. He has a beautiful voice, he's a very talented artist, each week he makes the songs his and I will definitely be buying his first CD!

My American Idol - Kris Allen

From http://www.krisallenation.com/ :

Jamie Foxx gives Kris tons and tons of praise on Seacrest's radio show.  A quote -"that cat's gonna have a significant, significant career"

Listen to the interview here

Idols or other musicians/celebrities who have named Kris as their favorite or among their favorites....Jordin Sparks, Brooke White, Melinda Doolittle, Phil Stacey, David Archuleta, David Cook, Jason Castro, Chris Daughtry, Jamie Foxx, Quentin Tarintino, Reba McEntire... any others?

Viva Las Vegas

So my bags are packed, everything is ready on the home front, the boys bags are packed for a fun weekend with the grandparents, I am excited to spend a weekend away with my husband in Vegas (he is there for work and I was going to join him for the weekend), and wouldn't you know.....

...this week I have been thrown -up on; done about 10 loads of laundry in 3 days (that's alot for our small family); had to cancel a haircutting appointment; washed my hands a gazillion times; washed and sanitized the bathroom toilet, couch and other surfaces that have been used for target practice; been woken up several times each night; did I mention my husband is out of town; baked cookies and banana bread for a neighbor who's husband just passed away (yes, I washed my hands. Those who know me know that I am a bit of a germaphobe); given many hugs and kisses; barely eaten myself - I am just soooo tired; and the kicker of it all - I had to cancel my plane flight and am about to unpack my bag.

I'm not gonna lie - I am in tears and very frustrated! Everytime my dear husband leaves town - someone in the house gets sick. EVERYTIME! I'm not exaggerating! It is just an annoying coincidence. So while I clean up throw up and do loads upon loads of laundry and try not to cry about not being able to step on that plane and meet my husband in Vegas for a weekend getaway, I will try to remember my new year's resolution to serve and count this experience as a lot of service.

Thank's for letting me vent!

I love....

...POP TARTS! Truly an obsession and my little ones have become converted to the ways of the yummy toaster pastry! Mind you we don't eat JUST poptarts, but it is a treat we enjoy in our house! Yummmmm! Just thought I would share!

Totally tubular!

We are in 80's flashback mode here at the Kanzler house! Ryan and I are going back in time as we prepare for the Stake Elder's Quorum 80's Dance Party that we are hosting next Saturday! To help you remember how people dressed back in the day, here is a video that I found on The Wirig's blog. This video is from 1984 and is actually filmed at my alma mater - Antioch High School. 

Do you have a favorite saying, movie, song, clothing style, etc.... from the 80's? 

The Golden Rule

My friend Christina recently posted about her official "Make a Freakin Comment Day" and I thought that was hilarious. She went from only having 9 followers to like 18 because she boldly told her family, friends, and blog readers to leave a comment - instead of just reading her post and moving on - and to become a follower to help her with her self esteem ;-) Besides the hearty laugh I got out of this, it got me thinking about the Golden Rule.

A great piece of advice that I think is required for mom's across the globe to teach their children is the Golden Rule - "Do unto other's as you would have them do unto you." This law actually is derived from the New Testament and was taught by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ - "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets" Matt. 7:12.

I try, I'm not always great at it but I do try, to do this - even in the little things like leaving a comment on my friend's and family members blogs. I love getting comments so others must like it to. So I figure if I leave comments for others, eventually they will do the same. I haven't had the best of luck with this, and it's okay, really! We all have busy lives, but maybe just this once, everyone who views this post will leave me a comment, even if I don't know you personally (because I do see cities and countries pop up in my traffic feed of places where I may not know anyone who lives there). So say hi and introduce yourself. The Welcome Mat is out......

My dear blogging friend, Pike's Pickles, had this post on her blog today and as she was on her soapbox, she got my attention.! Thanks Stef!
From Pike's Pickles:
A woman from the crowd shuffles up to the front of the group and puts down a piece of wood and soon pulls out another piece of wood and connects them together and another and one last piece of wood comes from her tiny purse. Pretty soon it is a small box. She places her tiny purse on the ground and carefully steps up onto the soapbox. She looks around the crowd and clears her throat. This is a bit difficult for her as she doesn't typically get on her soapbox and she really is nervous about talking in crowds. Soon she seems a few familiar faces ; Her mother, Ms Hope, Chelle is there beside her and Della brought her children and look over there is Becky and Lisha. She feels a bit more encouraged. Then 5 little faces appear and she realizes she must speak.

She says

"If you vote in California please vote YES on Prop 8. If you are from somewhere else, please listen because this vote will soon be coming to Virginia, South Carolina, New York,Rhode Island, Tennessee, and your state. It doesn't matter if you are Mormon, Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Universalist, Lutheran or any other religion. This will affect you.

(She pulls a wide screen TV out of her purse)

Here is an interview with some parents in Mass., where this law has already been passed. I think this sheds some light on what we will be dealing with if we don't vote Yes.



What did you think? Can you imagine? I myself, am not ready for that discussion.

I have one other video. It was produced by the Catholic church. It is really quite well done. Please take a moment to watch that one as well.

Well. I hope that we have shared a moment here today. If you know of other voters in CA please tell them about these videos. Here is the link to the post I did recently as well to remind you. Also please feel free to click on the Yes on 8 button on the side of our blog.

Here, I will leave my soapbox here in case any of you want to use it. "

She gets down, crams the TV back into her purse and shuffles over to her 5 sweet children and gives each of them a kiss on the head and the family disappears into the crowd.

You stand there looking at the soapbox ....you feel moved to say something. It's stuck in your throat. So you slowly walk forward and lift your shaking legs onto the wobbly box. Then you clear your throat and say ......

My Color Based Personality Career

So I saw this on my friend Jenni's blog and I took  two different quizes and here are my results - pretty dang accurate if I do say so myself. Try it out here!

Quiz #1:

The Dewey Color System® is the world's first and only validated, color-based personality career testing instrument. Based on our experience and your interests, your best suited occupations are listed below. 

Best Occupational Category
You're an ORGANIZER 
Key Words:
Self-Control, Practical, Self-Contained, Orderly, Systematic, Precise, and Accurate 

These conservative appearing, plotting-types enjoy organizing, data systems, accounting, detail, and accuracy. They often enjoy mathematics and data management activities such as accounting and investment management. Persistence and patience allows them to do detailed paperwork, operate office machines, write business reports, and make charts and graphs.

ORGANIZER CAREERS
Suggested careers are Administrator, Secretary, Printer, Paralegal, Building Inspector, Bank Cashier, Private Secretary, Statistician, Operations Manager, Financial Analyst, Bookkeeper, Medical Records Technician, Developer of Business or Computer Systems, Clerical Worker, Proofreader, Accountant, Administrative Assistant, Banker, Certified Public Accountant, Credit Manager, Store Salesperson, Actuary, Dental Assistant, Business Education Teacher, Food Service Manager, IRS Agent, Budget Analyst, and Underwriter.

ORGANIZER WORKPLACES
Your very careful, conscientious, conservative nature gives others the confidence to trust you with handling money and material possessions. Structured organizations that have well-ordered chains of command work best for you.

Suggested Organizer workplaces are large corporations, business offices, financial lending institutions, banks, insurance companies, accounting firms, and quality control and inspection departments.

2nd Best Occupational Category
You're a CREATOR 
Key Words:
Nonconforming, Impulsive, Expressive, Romantic, Intuitive, Sensitive, and Emotional 

These original types place a high value on aesthetic qualities and have a great need for self-expression. They enjoy working independently, being creative, using their imagination, and constantly learning something new. Fields of interest are art, drama, music, and writing or whether they can express, assemble, or implement creative ideas.

Quiz #2:

Your Career Planner Quiz results appear below, grouped under "Interests" and "Style." "Interests" are activities you enjoy, regardless of your skills. "Style" refers to the behaviors you use to get results.

Career Quiz Results 
 
People with Blue interests like activities that allow them to be creative. This can be through more traditional visual arts, writing or musical pursuits although not limited to these. The creativity is often expressed in thinking of new ideas or strategies that can have a broad range of applications. Blue interests often like thinking about the future and planning for long term benefits. Hobbies include: performing or listening to music, attending theater, story telling, journaling, decorative arts, painting. Career choice often are: Editor, Journalist, Teacher, Strategic Planner, Consultant, Performing Arts, Marketing, Communications, Research and Development. 
 
People with Yellow strengths are good at managing details and creating sophisticated processes that allow them to get complex work done. Once a game plan has been put in place, it is implemented. Their decisions are based on facts and carefully reasoned. When working with other people, they are fair and democratic and always can be counted on to deliver what they commit to. 

There are four possible ratings categories organized by color.

RED indicates
Expediting

GREEN indicates
Communicating

BLUE indicates
Planning

YELLOW indicates
Administrating

Nie Nie is in my prayers!

Have you heard about this darling couple in Arizona?

From the Nie Reovery website: "On Saturday, August 16, 2008, Stephanie Nielson was in a plane crash with her husband, Christian Nielson, and his flight instructor, Doug Kinnear, near St. Johns, Arizona. Doug Kinnear passed away soon after arriving at the Maricopa County Hospital.

Christian & Stephanie remain in critical condition at Maricopa Burn Center. Christian has sustained burns on over 30% of his body. His wife Stephanie’s body was burned over 80%.  

For the past four years, Stephanie has welcomed us into her charming abode through the NieNie Dialogues. Far from being a product of creative editing, the Nielson’s don’t just shine through the selective lens of a blog. They are ingenuous examples of family devotion, eternal romance, and Christ centered faith. This site is dedicated to their welfare & recovery."

*Their story has touched my heart and my prayers and well wishes are with them and their family. Their 4 children are being cared for by their loving extended family! So tragic! Everytime I think of them, I give my little guys an extra hug and kiss. May we never take for granted the time we have with out loved ones!

{Sorry to Disappoint}

Ashley requested pictures of me decked out in my country gear, but I don't have any! How sad is that? Major bummer!

I do, however, have this picture of one of my college roommates, Monica, and I taken right before we went to a George Strait concert. We were hot cowgirls, but you can't see the full picture, just waist up!



So sorry to disappoint, I know your heart was set on seeing me all countrified, but you will just have to paint a pretty picture in your heads!

{American Idol Concert Rocked}

Have a mentioned that I am the luckiest lady in the world!!! Not only do I have an amazing husband and family, but we have some pretty dynamite friends too! I just hope I haven't scared them away! You see last night Ryan and I were invited to go to the AI concert at Arco Arena with 3 amazing couples! I had to give them all the warning that I will sing loudly, spontaneously scream like a little girl, and probably act like a teenager from time to time. I know that I didn't disappoint, but like I said before, I may have scared them or at least they might think that I am always so silly :-)


Here are the pictures from the concert:


I love American Idol!


The Smith's, The Moser's, us, The Smith's



My hunky husband and me!



Randy, I mean President Smith and his phenomenal wife Carrie. Nothing like acting crazy with your stake president sitting 2 seats down!



Michael Johns was awesome!!!!



Brooke was great! I just love that she is real!



Jason Castro did a nice job. He had on some sweet red shoes!



Oh sweet David A. He was so cute and was applauded a lot! He sang great songs and I can't wait for his album to be released! It's gonna be good!



This is where I screamed like a little girl! I love David Cook!!!! I really love all types of music, rock to opera! I try to listen to music that is good, without bad language, or suggestive lyrics, but when he performed Billy Jean , I almost cried! His version of that not so great song was pretty great. After all the song is about an affair! Singing along, loudly, I realized not a great song to be singing to with my stake leader sitting right there.

But, it was fun and I had a great time!

So thank you President and Carrie for the great night. Janalee and Bishop Smith - thanks for sharing the back seat with me. President and Lisa - thanks for the great conversation over dinner!

If I didn't scare them too much, I hope there will be future date nights with these fun people!

p.s. I am excited to try Guitar Hero, I never have played it and just might pop over to the Smith's to give it a go! Should be fun!

American Idol

Wednesday night found me parked on my couch watching the finale of American Idol. I thought it was a pretty good night, but sometimes, well most of the time, I just wish they would save us the time by just announcing the winner!

When Ryan Seacrest announced the winner, I was thrilled!!!!



COOK WINS!!! COOK WINS!!!

David Archuletta is a great singer, but I have to admit I would never go see him in concert. I would probably by his future CD's because I am sure they will have a soothing sound like Michael Bubble. Cook on the other hand, would be very entertaining! I love his voice and enjoy him!

I am content that Cook won and can't wait to hear the music that he produces!

I'm just now seeing the humor of it!

This morning I watched my friend's son, who is the same age as Peanut #2! This isn't a new thing, we have been rotating watching each other's little ones while we take turns working in our older children's classrooms (although she has spent more time watching mine than I have watched hers).

While we were outside, the boys were helping me water the plants and the dirt and themselves a little bit. I needed to get a shovel from the shed so that I could tackle some weeds. So I got the shovel, closed the shed and went to the little weed patch. The boys were happily taking turns drinking water from the hose.

Next thing I hear is my little one saying "Mama, hep me. Mama." There was no panic in his voice so I walked around the corner and to my surprise I found he and his playmate, inside the shed with ....

...a can of white paint, upside down in their hands with the paint being all over the ground, the tools, the lawnmower, their shoes, their legs and hands! Are you kidding me! I was so irritated, and I have to admit I am just now calming down about it some 6 hours later.

So I quickly moved the boys to the lawn and handed them the hose and tried to get the paint off of their hands and legs (in the process getting myself covered in paint). So after they were reasonablly clean I then grabbed the tools, that were covered in paint, and brought those over to the lawn and asked them to clean them (no I didn't give them any tools that were sharp :-) .

While muttering under my breath and a few times rather loudly "Are you kidding me?" I got to work sopping up the paint on the ground. So a few towels later I decided to use the hose and a broom to brush the paint out of the shed.

An hour later, I had gotten most of the paint out of the shed, off the tools, etc... I found the boys happily playing in a puddle of mud. After I was able to get them cleaned off we made our way inside, where I had to change the boys clothes so that I could wash the ones they were wearing. Then I had to get to their paint covered shoes.

Once I had things cleaned and clothes in the washer, I called my husband to tell him what happened. After I finished venting to him, he kindly asked "Did you take a picture?" So that helped to lighten my mood! I wish I would have done that, to document the excitment.

So I have to admit, in hindsight, I'll admit that it was a little funny - just a little.

Well thanks for letting me vent, and the moral of the story is that little kids learn quickly how to do things, so don't let them out of your sight!!!!!!

American Idol Addict

I'll let you in on a side of me you may not know! I love AI and really enjoy watching these people develop and grow. If you really know me you know that I dig music! This show is such a great way for these talented people to get some public love. This season I really like David Archuleta and Brooke White, but as of late I am really digging....

...David Cook!!! I loved his perfomance of Billy Jean on Tuesday night! It was brillant and he is slowly grabbing my attention!!!
I am so sad to see Chikezie leave - he really had a fun personality and a silky smooth voice! I am shocked that Kristy Lee Cook is still in the running, but she did perform very well this week. I just hope that next week rocks and that the final 9 really aim to entertain!!!