Merritt Top 5 of 2008

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-school

2. Dinosaur Land

3. Thanksgiving

4. Getting a dog

5. Gateway Discovery Museum

Becca

1. getting potty-trained

2. Dinosaur Land

3. getting a dog

4. Gateway Discovery Museum

5. finally being big enough to play on the computer

Happy New Year!!!

Holiday Season 2008

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 better.

We had a very "white" Christmas this year, lost power and everything! We measured a foot of snow on Christmas day, and I think the next day we got another foot! It has not melted yet, bummer! It sure is pretty , but I don't like the mess it brings!

I cannot find my Christmas pictures!!!

"Every Knee Shall Bow and Every Tounge Confess.."

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!

Snow Found Where?

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

No Princess and the Pea Story Here!

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!

Go ahead, get it over with... LAUGH!

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 7Th 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 12Th 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 7Th- 12Th grade. I think I've come along way. I will say I had two boy friends in high school. That's gotta say something.

So, now that you've had a good laugh, it is your turn! I want to see your pictures, all of you!

The Law of Consecration

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. Elder Maxwell always speaks way over my head. I'm simple folk. We don't use big words, but I love that he does. I have to always re-read and figure out what he is saying. I was so thankful that the Lord softened my heart to take a few minutes to read and renew my commitments with Him.





Our whole life should be dedicated to serving the way the Lord would have us serve. We are in great debt to Him. He only asks that we do as He would do, then all that He has can be ours. As Elder Maxwell puts it, "what an exchange rate!"



How grateful I am for the opportunity to live on this earth. I'm truly blessed. I am thankful for the chance to pay my debt, even if it will never be reconciled.

Air Quotes

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.

Come What May, and Love It

Dustin called me this morning and told me that Elder Wirthlin 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 wife. I will always remember him and his example.

What I'm Working On

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."

So I'm needing some pointers of how to contain my composure as my children willingly disobey, ignore, and tune me out. Any suggestions.? I need some lessons on being kind.

I find this post ironic to my last post!