What's a Mom to Do...

when her boys won't behave and get along?

Ryan and Aaron were having a hard time going a day without fighting and getting angry with one another. I had reached my limit. They couldn't go 10 minutes without arguing. I started lecturing them. Dustin arrived home from work during this lecture. He is never happy when he comes home and I am having a bad day.

He turned around and walked back into the garage. He came back in silently. All he said was, "Boys, stand back to back, and put your arms up." The boys reluctantly followed his directions. He pulled a roll of packing tape from behind his back,and "wrapped" them up. They were laughing, but not for long!

tried to get more pictures, but Ryan was upset I was taking some (ignore the sink of dirty dishes my sink is always full)

They had to go everywhere together. At first Ryan dragged Aaron everywhere! He was missing the point of the whole reason they were connected. Dustin said, "Ryan,you will not move one foot until you have consulted with your brother. You make sure he wants to go that way." They were this way for about an hour! They had to go up stairs together,it was kind of funny. Aaron asked,"Dad what if we have to go to the bathroom?" We both replied in unison,"You'll have to figure it out." I love it when we're on the same page. Thankfully they never did. I would end up having to clean the mess! They have learned to get along. I haven't had to get upset with them about their fighting. I know siblings fight, I had 10 of them! My boys were just out of control. So you might want to think about it next time your kids can't get along.

No kids were harmed in this process

My New Motto:

I have always liked this quote from Marjorie Pay Hinckley. I feel it fits what I am trying to accomplish. I admire her. She always seemed to have it together. I guess you can say she is one of my HEROES!

"I don't want to drive up to the Pearly Gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking the kids to scout camp. I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from mowing Sister Schenk's lawn. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed some one's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

I love this quote! I may not do all she is saying. I am definitely not driving a station wagon. I don't even know Sister Schenk! The point is I want to spend my life doing the things that show my Heavenly Father that I did not waste my time here. That I lifted people, rather than dragged them down. I like the hymn Have I Done Any Good. I want to spend my days doing the things He would have me do.

The Past Week's Activities...

I have had a really good week. I have really felt a difference in my life, now that I have decided to have a purpose. I know it is strange to say that. I'm 31 for heaven's sake! It has been really hard for me to find it living here, I think. I have always felt like everyone else. Kind of like the "cookie cutter" home developments. The outside may be different, but you get inside and it's the same as so-and-so's. I believe there must be that likeness and unity in the gospel, but I believe Heavenly Father gave us our own strengths. I think I have spent too much time trying to emulate strengths of everyone else, and forgot to use my own! Maybe that is why I try to convince Dustin to move out of state. I thought that if I get away where the Church isn't as strong, I could be more useful. He's not budging!

I started the week off by feeling prompted to make some goodies and give them to some families who are less active. We did it for FHE. We explained to the kids why we were doing this. I think it was important for them to know that we love people and care about people even if they don't come to church. We wrapped them up, put a little note saying," YOU ARE LOVED," they knocked on the door and ran! They had fun. I have decided to include the recipe for the cookies. They are my favorite. They are just choclate chip, but it's better than the usual one.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

3 1/3 cup flour

1 1/2 tsp baking soda

1 small pkg of instant vanilla pudding

1 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 cup margarine

1/2 sugar

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

3 eggs

1 bag semi-sweet choc chips

1/2 cup nuts (optional)

Combine margarine, sugar, pudding, and vanilla. Beat until creamy. Beat in the eggs. Gradually add in dry ingredients(flour and baking soda combined in bowl). Stir in choc chips and nuts. Bake @ 375 until tips are just barely golden(about 8 min). They are yummy and soft. I love to eat them on the next day!

I have now insisted Dustin read the book No One Can Take Your Place. I feel he needs to understand how important I am! J/K. I just want to be able to talk to him about it, and him be able to follow me. I think he might be farther than me!

The boys started flag football. They had their first game last night. I think they got a big shock at how physical the game could become. They both were able to get the flag of another player! I didn't think the task would be so hard, but it was kind of tricky. Ryan scored the winning touchdown for his team. We were all pretty excited! I have pictures, but I can't find the camera!

The girls are just hanging out with me all day. Grace is off track. So we have been doing absolutley nothing during the day. We've gone to the park and shopping. Grace has learned to tie her shoes. I have been kind of lazy. She has always picked shoes that didn't need to be laced. It's been fun watching her grow up. She is pretty skinny and doesn't have much muscle, but she has now mastered the monkey bars! We were pretty excited for her. She is a girl who likes to do things all by herself, and she works hard and is diligent til it's done. She is trying to ride her bike right now. She is funny, because you don't help her unless she asks. Kate and Becca are a handful as always! Kate has learned that she is in control of her own body. She can make her eyebrows go up and down, make her nostrils flare, and move her jaw back and forth. Her last and final trick is she turns her bum to you and says, "Look!" You can't see it but she has learned to clinch her bum cheeks together. She shows everybody! Her primary teacher last Sun. got the whole routine, and lost it at the last one.

It has been a full, fun week!

What I have learned recently...

about womanhood

okay, so I have had a really hard time lately. Does anyone ever feel like me? Motherhood is so dang hard!! I feel at times that I make no contribution to society. I wonder what difference I really make. My kids really don't listen to me when I talk, so are they listening when I try to teach them? I feel like the maid. I never thought I would ever feel this way. I wanted to be the fun loving, cool mom. I feel I am far from that. The other day I was wearing some new jewelry and I asked Dustin if he noticed anything different. He didn't, but Aaron came in and said, "Mom, I noticed something different. You're in a good mood!" I laughed, but then I got scared. Is that what they really think of me? I hope not, I think he was being a smart mouth which he loves to be.

So, desperate to feel some peace, I found Sheri Dew's book No One Can Take Your Place, was it a godsend! I have really enjoyed reading it. I'm only on the fourth chapter(I am a person who does not enjoy reading). The value of woman is incalculable. It has inspired me to reach beyond my capabilities. How is this possible? Through the love of our Savior. He will make up the difference. I was put on this earth to make a difference, and with sincere prayer will know what he wants me to do with my life. I have decided that I will just leave it in the Lord's hands, and go where I am needed. Now I realize, right now that is as a mom in my own home, but it would be nice to be needed in someplace like Africa.

I recommend this book as a good boost when you are burnt out.

I have a few ideas of some things I want to do, we'll see how they go!

April Fool's Day 2008

Boys and Poo

The boys wanted to play a fool's day trick on Dustin. We decided to make rice krispie poo logs and serve them to him on a diaper. I know this is gross, but if your boys (husbands included) are anything like mine,everything has to do with bodily functions. Please tell me this is not just my family! Dustin will make up a song and he is amazed because everything rhymes with pee or poo. So, we surprised him, and then everyone got to eat their treat. Kate loved them! She finished before everyone and kept asking, " ________, can I have your poo log." It was funny then, but now I think of it and it is kind of gross!

Ryan and Aaron preparing the "TREATS".




Pretty gross!




Here they are!


The final presentation for Dustin! Looks pretty real. Ryan informed me they need to not be so dark.

I've Been Tagged!! Twice!

Alissa tagged me with a hubby tag, and Kristin tagged me with one about me!

Hubby Tag

Name: Dustin Wesley Merritt
How long have you been married: 11 1/2 years
How long did you date: We met each other in February, engaged in August, and married by November

Who proposed: He did

How old is he: 33, almost 34
Who eats more: He does

Who said I love you first: He did

Who's taller: He is 5' 10", I'm 5' 5"

Who sings better: I do, sorry hon

Who's temper is better: Depends on the situation

Who does the laundry: I do the majority, but he helps

Who does dishes: I do the majority, but he will help

Who mows the lawn/yardwork: He does, I don't help

Who pays the bills: Both, I do the mailing ones, he does the ones online

Who cooks dinner: I do, he will once in awhile

Who drives when you're together: He does

Who is more stubborn: Depends on the situation, we're both strong willed

What side of the bed does he sleep on: left

Whose parents do you see more: His, they live 5 min. away

Who has more friends: I think we're pretty even, we both like to socialize

Who has more siblings: Me I'm the 9th out of 11, he's 2nd out of 5

Who wears the pants: He does, but he asks which one's he should wear

Here's his pretty bike! We enjoy riding together!

Always the HAM! I wouldn' have it any other way!(Well, okay sometimes it would be nice if he would be serious!) I love you Dust!

Okay I tag... Kristin and Julie