Merritt Memories

So, this year I was able to convince Dustin to play along and list a couple of things. His exact words to me were, "I don't wanna, I think it's gay!" Well, thanks for your support hon. I'm glad you were happy about a few things this year. If some of you think it's a dumb idea, just skip over this post. I enjoy looking back and remembering what things brought us joy! It's for me more than anything. Dustin 1. Hunting with my boys 2. Larae letting me take the steps to becoming a cop 3. Dumb 4. Dumb 5. Dumb Larae 1. Getting a new kitchen , thanks hon! 2. Thanksgiving, it's always fun to go home! 3. Dinosaur Land 4.Volleyball 5. Taylor Family Reunion Ryan 1. Hunting with Dad 2. Taylor Family Reunion 3. Getting a dog 4. Christmas 5. Dinosaur Land Aaron 1. Hunting with Dad 2. Getting a dog 3. Taylor Family Reunion 4. Dinosaur Land 5. Cub Country Grace 1. Going to a new school 2. getting a dog 3. Dinosaur Land 4. loosing a BIG tooth 5. Christmas Kate 1. Pre...

We had a really good Christmas! For years I have said I was going to simplify the whole present thing. I actually did it this year. The kids were a little taken back at first, but I still think they enjoyed their new stuff! They received only ONE present from Santa this year. You could kind of tell they were going to say, "This is all Santa brought?" They know better, so they kept quiet! Mom and Dad gave them two gifts, one big, one small, and then they got one from their siblings. I actually really liked doing this, it took more emphasis off of presents and put it back where it needed to be. We did our annual Gift to Jesus Night. On Christmas Eve we "wrap" Him a gift. We make it a goal of something we will work on all year long. We then put it in a pretty box and set it under the tree. We will peek at them next year to see how well we did. I think I did pretty well this last year, but I have had to give it to Him the last few years! Hopefully this year will be be...

even if it happens to be Han Solo and Chewbacca. Some little visitors found their wan into our nativity. There's always room for everyone!

So, Dustin got a text message at about 2:00 am this morning. Our friends, Greg and Maria Serrata , sent him a picture of a snow buried Las Vegas! Say What? There hasn't been snow there since my Jr. high school years!! Has H-E-double hockey sticks frozen over? (oh, I'm just kidding family, I have good memories there) By the looks of the picture, there was a lot! Very interesting.... this is where I would normally post the picture, but Dustin has it on his phone

You know how the fairy tale goes. So gentle and delicate, that only a "true" princess could detect a pea under a gazillion mattresses . Well, we are definitely not royalty! Look what I found under our couch cushions. Apparently the cushions double as garbage can and secret hiding place. You never know when you'll need a pencil (used as Harry Potter magic wands), a toy for when you're bored, a ribbon for your hair, an extra sock for when your foot is cold, or a cracker in case you start suffering from hunger pains! I hate cleaning the couches. I have decided that as punishment for when they are misbehaving they are going to do all the petty chores I can't stand. They will clean the couches, wipe the banisters, scrub the base boards, and so forth. I should have the cleanest house around! Until, they learn to get along...who am I kidding, my house will be spotless forever!

My sister had a fun tag. I was a little hesitant to do it, but I'm a good sport. I'm able to laugh at myself. These are pictures of me in my glory years. Don't I look FABULOUS! I think the bolo tie really says it all. The glasses say a lot too, I guess. This was 7 Th grade. Did I at least get the hair right? The shirt was a few sizes to big. I think it belonged to my sister who would have just graduated from high school. Thanks Lea Ann! So, let's try it again. Most people only have that one year of awkwardness. How's this for you guys. I traded in the pink and blue glasses for the infamous tortoise shell glasses. And the head band? well, that's just some tank top material cut for that good stretch feel. Real head bands are too constrictive. Grace would vouch for me on that! How long could my ugly look run? Here's 12 Th grade! I was a senior? I look like I'm 12 still! Thank goodness for the big hair look! Unfortunately my ugly run ran from 7 Th - 12 ...

Sunday always seems to be the hardest day for me. I never want to wake up, I'm late, my kids are awful during Sacrament meeting. I'm quite sure that people are laughing at me while I sit in my car, alone putting on my make-up, while the rest of my family walk in together. They are probably saying in their minds, "Come on, Woman, pull it together!" (actually I have really good friends, so I know it is my guilt speaking to me) I was sitting in Sacrament, trying to deal with unruly children. Dustin was in another ward today. It was hard for me to concentrate on the speakers. I know they talked of Christmas and the Law of Consecration. I'm sure I chose not to listen to intently, I know all about both of those, right? I came home feeling guilty for my attitude. I pulled out the Ensign and in it was a talk given by Elder Maxwell in 2002. It was about the Law of Consecration. I figured I should read it, so I could say I learned something today. What a great talk. Elde...

To use "air quotes" while you talk is a common thing. In fact it happens quite often. Did you know it is recorded that people started using them in 1927, but it became widespread in the 1990s? That's what Wikipedia says anyway. Why am I talking about this? I think it is funny what our kids pick up on. Kate has been trying these out. She said to me, "Mom, the boys won't let me play because I'm not a 'boy'." "Mom, I don't like ' mayonnaise '." I 'm afraid she is much like Joey off of Friends when she tries to use them. Do you remember that episode? He, or she, does not understand when to use them. They copy what they see. It is quite funny , but it will hopefully be limited to the air quotes. I hope she has better judgment when it comes to other things.

Dustin called me this morning and told me that Elder W irthlin had passed away last night. To read more about it click here. I have come to love this cute little man. He has been one of my favorite apostles for a while. He is always so happy and positive. For my visiting teaching lesson this month I chose his talk, Come What May, and Love It . It was such a good talk. I loved his stories. He shared 4 ways we can be happier in our struggles. He said, " If we approach our adversities wisely, our hardest times can be times of greatest growth, which in turn can lead towards times of greatest happiness ." This talk was so uplifting. Who doesn't struggle in life? If there is anybody on that list, I wanna be on it! The four things he suggested we do in times of discouragement and pain is : 1. Learn to laugh 2. Seek the Eternal 3. Remember the principle of compensation 4. Trust in the Father and the Son I will miss Elder Wirthlin , but I'm so happy that he is with his wif...

I was having a terrible morning yesterday. The kids were not listening, or paying any attention to getting ready. We have been doing this for how many years? You would think they knew the routine and would just do what needed to be done! Needless to say, I had to get after them. I thought I handled it pretty well. We ran out the door. Dustin slept in so I wasn't able to see him. I called him when I got home. I told him that I loved him and sorry I wasn't able to give him a kiss good-bye. He said, "Rough morning, huh?" I said, "Yeah!" I went on to grumble about the kids. He interrupted and said, "You know, you need to be a little nicer. You get all bent out of shape. Nobody wants to do anything for anyone when they are not being nice." I was a little taken back. I was ready to lay into him. It was the pot calling the kettle black, I thought. I bit my tongue . He was right. I just quietly replied, " You're right. I know. I'll work on it....