Merritt Memories

After cancelling two hair coloring appointments, I have come to the conclusion that I'm a scaredy cat when it comes to messing around with my hair. I was really excited, but, when it came right down to it, I didn't have the nerve. My reasoning was that if I change my hair then the colors that look good on me will probably change as well. I did not want to have to buy a new wardrobe on top of keeping up on my hair, I'm not loaded. I did shorten it though, and got a slightly different cut. You might not be able to tell in the photo, but it is different. I think the hair cut was enough change for me. I can still wear it curly, and boy is it ever at this length! Anyway it has been a fun thought to color my hair, but I'm not doing it...yet! Look, I have some red in my hair. Here it is curly! Wow, that's short!

still under transformation!! It is shorter, but awaiting color change... Check back tomorrow!

I have never been one to repeat the same events over and over again. When life gets mundane, it is typical for me to find something to liven it up a bit. I think it stems from moving around quite a bit as a child. I was born in Arizona. When I was 18 mo old, we moved to Missouri. We lived there until I was 3. At the age of 7 1/2 we moved back to Missouri, only it was different part this time. We moved to Las Vegas when I was 12 1/2. I stayed until graduation and I moved here to Utah. Change has always been a part of my life. I hate it when things get boring. I feel like sticking something in my eye to liven things up a bit! I am feeling that way now! Since I can't move and I'm sure my family wouldn't appreciate me inflicting injury upon my self, I have settled for this: What do you think? I really like the color, but maybe because it looks really good on her . What would I look like as a red head? I am scared because I love the color of my hair and I don't want to s...

As you all know we have a cute little dog named, Ace. Our kids adore him A LOT !! The other day I caught Becca licking him!! I was truly disgusted. "Becca, don't lick the dog," I hollered. She stopped and explained, "Mom, I need to. I Acer's wife." I laughed and thought I'd catch a picture to share now and later on in life when she is much older. I can tell her she has been married before. I realize this is gross. She has been encouraged not to lick the dog. I only allowed it for a picture.

There are a few moments, thus far, that have reminded me that I am not in charge of my children. For example, when their first day of school comes and they tell you they can walk and wait all by themselves, when they learn that THEY, not you, can pick out what they want to wear, and when you get the first, "because I wanted to." These frustrating, but "light bulb" moments, jog your memory that these little guys are their own little person, and don't need your help once they reach a certain age. Another one happened today... Grace did her own hair. While I told her she looked beautiful and that she did a fabulous job, I have to confess that deep down inside I was crying, screaming!! My daughter is going to school with her hair like that! Oh, the agony! (Sorry if you feel I'm being a little dramatic, but it was hard for me to let go of this one) How am I going to get through this? I quickly struck a deal. "Grace, how 'bout if you get to do your own ha...

Mom: "Ryan, please go help pick up the playroom." Ryan:"But I didn't make that mess..." he's interrupted... Mom: "Ryan, I clean up messes that I don't make EVERYDAY! Now, please go clean!" I hate cleaning up messes that I don't make, so why do I lack empathy for my children in this situation? I guess I'm feeling a little guilty, but not too guilty to call him back up here to tell him that he doesn't have to clean. I guess I wouldn't want to cheat him of one of the realities of life...Sometimes life stinks! He's smellin' something stinky!

Hey I just wanted to let you guys know of an auction that is going on. The ladies in charge are good friends of mine. We grew up in Vegas together. Their brother-in-law is battling lukemia, to read more click here. I just felt it was a worthy cause to donate to. All donations go to off-set medical bills. I feel it is an easy way to do an act of service for some one. Click here to go to the auction. It will go until Wed, April 15.

When I started blogging about our vacation I thought I would split it up, so it wouldn't seem so overwhelming. Little did I know that I would be bombarded with reports that my kids had to do for school and church. I can say that I have learned a lot about Ireland and Ronald Reagan (did you know that there is close to 3, 000 members of the church in all of Ireland and that Ronald Reagan is famous for "Reaganomics"?). Seeing that I will never catch up, I am cramming everything into one giant post .... happy reading. Day3- I was warned by my sisters that the 2nd day of Disneyland is the worst! I have to say that it was actually our best day! We stayed in the park all day and rode all the rest of the park we hadn't gotten to the previous day. Dust and I split up with the kids. He took the boys and rode the rides the girls couldn't or didn't want to ride. Since I had the camera, here are a few shots of what we girls were up to. First we took a ride together on...