Merritt Memories

I know some people have a problem with the lifestyle that is portrayed there, but honestly there are a lot of good people there. My family to name a few (and that's quite a few)! I really do get homesick. I have always loved being at home. There was such a peace in our home. I know that might sound crazy with so many people living there, but it's true. I miss seeing my mom everyday. Sometimes I just sit and wonder what that would be like... I think I would love it. My home was a place I always felt safe. Even though we were not a touchy- feely family( we don't hug and scream and all that nonsense when we see each other , we like our personal space), we love one another. I miss hanging out with my sisters. When I'm here in UT I seem so happy and content, but honestly I miss my sisters. I wish I could call them up and go shopping, or just hang out with them and let our kiddos play. It stinks growing up! The other thing I miss about Vegas is all the opportunities I had t...

Jenny Coleman ( the mother on Where the Red Fern Grows) !! Do you remember that movie and what she looked like? I always felt that she was one tired , over whelmed , and under appreciated woman. She even seemed a little CRANKY ! Why, I even had the muddy dog run across my recently mopped kitchen floor! Every well in my body is dried, especially the patience well. My poor kids. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. I'll pray for that tonight.

I added a story to the last posts. Sorry I wasn't able to do it yesterday. It is a cute one. Does anybody know why sometimes blogger scrunches all the paragraphs together? It really annoys me!

Grace came home from church today with a list of her talents. She's so cute! I'm glad she knows and believes in herself. Grace's Talents 1. gymnastics (she learned to do a back bend, that's her gymnastics) 2. I'm good at making friends 3. good at cooking cookies 4. I'm good at art 5. I'm good at cleaning She came home with this cute little poem: Every star is different, And so is every child. Some are bright and happy and some are meek and mild. Everyone is needed for just what he can do. You're the only person who ever can be you. One of the greatest truths is that we are all different and have our own roles to perform on earth. It is so important to find what those are. Ryan wrote his very own talk for Primary. I got a little chocked up because I had forgotten to write it, but he said he wrote his own. It was a proud moment for me. It was so simple, but the gospel is that way! Here's his talk on baptism. "When we are baptized, we're confir...

I try to read my scriptures everyday. I do pretty good, but I felt I needed something more. I don't have much extra time to do all that I want, but I feel I have a few minutes to spare reading a good, uplifting book. I love Sheri Dew and was in the store and found this one on the clearance table. Can't beat that! It was the pick-me-up I desperately needed! This book was written to help you find the reasons you were sent here and to fulfill them. I have started a journal of my readings. Every quote that I like will find a spot in it. I am thinking that I want to start a separate blog for my quotes. I need some help to know how to do the labels, so I can add different topics. That way you can click on a topic and bring up all the quotes in that category. (Atleast one part of my life should be organized, better to be the spiritual side,right?) Can't wait to hear how and get started. Thanks so much! I apologize in advance for my thoughts for the day. They will most likely com...

The other night I had a dream that I was on the Oprah Show. It was a little fuzzy about the topic of the show, but I was CLEARLY explaining to her that we are all children of God. I have no idea where this came from! I know Oprah believes in God. I think she is aware that we are God's children. The only thing is that I was so angry with her because she didn't believe in the pre -mortal life. I was trying to explain it to her. I couldn't understand the thinking that, "yes, we are God's children, but we did not live with Him before we came here." (I do not know if this is Oprah's true belief, just my crazy dream) I am so thankful for this knowledge! I think it a true blessing to know where I came from. The revelation of the Plan of Salvation is one of the greatest, I believe. I couldn't imagine going through life (excuse the common phrases) not knowing "who am I," "why am I here," and "where I am going?" I was watching Dr. P...

Yesterday, Dustin went and took the Physical part of the test. He did very well. He said that he was not at the very top, but he did better than the average guy. I'm glad he did so well. He can do 45 push ups straight, 38 REAL sit-ups (not crunches) in 1 minute, he has a vertical jump of 23 inches, and can run a mile and a half in 11 min and 27 sec. Way better than me! It took them three hours to do this part because 110 men came to try to get on. Since he passed that part, he had to stay and take a 3 hr suitability test. He said the first two parts were pretty easy. They had to watch some clips on different situations and say what they would do and what they thought. Then they had to write up a police report of their own after watching the situation on video. The last part he is a little scared of. It was on some type of law. He had to put words in the blanks where he thought they might fit- he had never heard of the law and had a hard time with the words. I think he probably ...

I was looking for my Oil of Olay face scrub, the one that exfoliates and helps me to look younger. I couldn't find it! I was a little upset. I feel I NEED it, I am starting to get some fine lines under my eyes and on the sides. Not being able to find it, I had to settle to wash with my Cetephil. It got me thinking those whole two minutes while I washed. Do I really need it that bad? What's wrong with getting older? Everybody's doing it! I feel 15 on the inside, so I can't look that old. Right? I have been obsessed with these thoughts lately. Isn't getting older a good thing? When we are little, we can't wait to be a teenager. That is all I hear from Grace and Kate, "Mom, when I'm a teenager...". Then you are a teenager and can't wait til you graduate and go to college, or get married and have kids. When all of those have happened, you can't wait to be an Empty Nester ! The goal is to get OLDER! If so, then why do I worry about appearing o...

Dustin was set apart today as the Stake Y M's 1st Counselor today. He will not be released as a High Councilor until the middle of next month. They need his help on a few things before he can be released. I feel really bad because he is going to be so busy. The kids have been asking for him all day today. He's usually done with meetings at about 2:00 on Sundays, not today. With both callings he has lived at the church all day. We'll probably see him around 8 or 8:30. I kind of got a taste of what the wives of our church leaders must go through, only on a lot less scale. It's hard having your husband gone. I couldn't imagine it going on for days. For those of you who don't know, Dustin is planning to try to get on the Highway Patrol. He sold his bike on Friday to kick off the "getting out of debt plan". I don't think I need to convince anyone it was a sad day for him. He has until Tuesday to keep riding it, then it's gone. We will be selling...

My friend Tami introduced me to picnik.com. I had a chance to mess around. It was so fun play with all their stuff. Check it out. I'm still learning. It's a fun way to post pictures. I just hope they will print out alright.

Happy 9t h !! This post is quite late. Aaron's birthday was on Sept. 2n d . We did not celebrate it till Sept 6t h . He had a fun birthday. He invited a few friends, we played games, and had a pinata. He was excited to have friends from his new school. Last year he didn't know anyone, so we let him have a friend birthday this year- we alternate every other year between family and friends. Aaron is such a good kid. He has the emotional make-up of a girl though. He is very sensitive and loving. He is quite moody, but I think he will grow out of it. He is my biggest helper with the girls. He was always excited about having a baby in the house. He keeps begging for a brother. I would, but his father is not cooperating! I love Aaron and all the funny, wild things he does. He is our "no fear" child. Always willing to try any new adventure! We are happy he is part of our family. These stilts were his favorite gift. He received lots of Pokemon card, some shirts, Pirat...

After family night tonight, we were sitting down and having our ice cream. Ryan out of the blue said, "Mom, I want armpit hair," as if I was a magic genie and could grant his wish. I laughed and said, "Sorry pal. I can't give that to you." I just got a kick out of his request. When he actually goes through puberty, I doubt he will want all that comes with it. Apparently he has a friend who has a whole bunch. He was bragging about how hairy his pits were. BOYS!? My kids are growing up way too fast.

I have been toying with the idea of cutting my hair for a while. I have been growing it out since February of '07. I finally got it past my shoulders! It was a lot of work and patience for me. A big accomplishment in my mind considering my hair was what my boys called "a boy's haircut." After seeing my sister-in-law's cute new style, I wanted it even more. Thanks Audrey! So I did it. I chopped it off. It's not as short as before. Dustin told me he liked it longer. They cut 5 inches off! Usually I have to be careful when I tell them to cut 1 inch! I really like the change. It was nice to have long hair again. I just found myself always pulling it back. I don't think that is an attractive style. I'm getting used to it. I have now used a flat iron. I was scared at first, but I'm getting the hang of it. I LOVE change!

We went to visit Dustin's grandparents. They live "up in the mountains". We call it Grandma's Land. It was a fun quick get away from everyday life. The kids forgot all about TV and just had fun being with the family. We were lucky to come up with his parents and his sister, Wendy, and her family. We all had fun! Family photo on Grandma's swing. Ryan, looking for the perfect skipping rock. The kids love to stand on the bridge and throw rocks in the river. Aaron shooting Cory's 22. I even took a turn. A favorite is to practice shooting skills. Aaron likes to collect the bullet casings. he came home with 82! Grace on the riding lawn mower. They had a blast with these last year. She is sporting sunglasses she received from Dustin's Uncle Randy. Kate throwing rocks off the bridge. A great way to pass the time. Becca in the big tree swing. the little ones love this! Their dads get them soaring high! We found this little guy while looking for rocks. We disturb...