Merritt Memories

I got an e- mail in response to my letter. I was a little let down by it. They just simply told me they would be addressing some of my concerns in next weeks show. Hmmm ... sounds like a ploy to get me to watch another show! They said what they don't address, they will follow up with another e-mail. So, what do you think I should do? Should I tune in next week, or just let it go? Chances are they will never understand my point of view. You never know though. I'm a little curious.

I know in our religion there are a few things that seem weird to those not of our faith. It might be hard to explain things to them. I think Baptisms for the Dead fall in this category. Today after church Grace came to me and was really confused. "Mom, why do we do baptisms for the dead?" I explained to her that in order for someone to live with Heavenly Father again, they had to be baptized. So, if someone dies with out being baptized we do it for them. She looked at me and said, " Ewwww ! I think that is the grossest thing ever! Why would they do that?" I stopped for a minute and had to process what must have been going through her mind. Then it hit me! "Oh, no! Honey, we don't actually baptize dead people! If someone needed to be baptized, I would be baptized for them. Instead of saying my name they would use the dead person's name." I had to give her a few examples, then she got it! I wonder how I reacted the first time hearing the words, ...

Here in Salt Lake, on cable, they have channel 20. Has anyone ever watched it? It happens to be the s tation that broadcasts all the anti - Mormon shows. Those type of shows exist , can you believe it? Okay, so I am naive. Dustin has told me not to watch the channel, but I always stop and see what they are talking about as I channel surf. Usually I roll my eyes and change the channel, but not last night. The lady was talking of polygamy- she helps woman escape from it, I guess. Anyway, she just really bugged me! She was taking their doctrine and our doctrine and rolling it all together. She was accusing us of replacing the doctrine that Christ is the Savior, with, what saves us is "the new and everlasting covenant." BTW, she referred to plural marriage as the "new and everlasting covenant", so in order to be saved we HAVE to live the law of plural marriage. She was so confused! I was so mad! So, I wrote her- it was too late to call into the show. I contemplated...

I know , I know, what business do I have in commenting on their life. I don't really, but I just finished watching the " announcement " and reading their blog, and I felt , I don't know, PITY for them. Here were all these comments of individuals scolding and judging people they have no right to judge. I have to admit I was one of them- I have my own opinions about both of them, I 'm choosing not to share them. Nobody knows what went on behind the scenes and have any clue about how hard they tried to stay together. They believe they do, but really no clue! I am a little shocked about all the publicity that is surrounding them. You'd have thought it was the first "celebrity" divorce ever! Divorce is ramp id in stardom! I g uess when you think people will beat the odds, you are surprised when they don't. I will just say that I feel bad for them and their kids. I imagine divorce is never fun. Unless you are Jon and you feel a little "excite...

Of course I was taught to pray since I was old enough to talk. I have very vivid memories of my family kneeling in prayer every morning and night. I recall seeing my parents moving to their bedroom after family prayer in the morning for a couple's prayer. We were a praying family. How is it that I do not have many personal experiences regarding prayer? I remember praying when I was young and even as a teenager. But somewhere along the way, I lost that habit of kneeling and talking to my Heavenly Father. I have had the opportunity to increase my testimony of the purpose of prayer. Nothing big really, just reading the Ensign this month. There were a few things that stuck out to me. The first article was by Pres. Uchtdorf. I have linked his entire article to my thought of the day. This article intrigued me from the very beginning. When life is the darkest, it is through prayer we are "lifted" to where Heavenly Father is able to surround us with peace and love. The second a...

Every year we have our family reunion in Loa, Ut. It is always held over Memorial Day weekend, Fri- Mon. My kids look forward to it every year! Because Dustin was in the academy, we were only able to attend the last two days. That was okay, we were just happy to be there! They saved all the fun things til we got there, except paintballing. My boys were upset, but we brought our little quads to make up for it! Everyone loved them! I didn't get the best picture selection this year. I was lazy. Enjoy what I have. Sorry, Alissa Hailey won in her age group in the duct tape contest! She made a whole wardrobe out of duct tape! There were a lot of cool things made. I wish I had more pictures of what was made! This little dog had a duct tape cast! She didn't win anything! Love the cousins! Kate and her blue hat! My girls loved these hats. i got them at the dollar store! The treasure hunt! Still looking for it! The treasure this year was our family reunion t-shirts. Don't have a pict...

She woke up from this nap complaing that her legs hurt. Hmm.. I wonder why? I showed her the picture and she started laughing!!

We completed our first project today. I had the boys cut 25 strips out of construction paper. Then on each strip we wrote an activity. The point of it is, when they are bored, they can just go to their chain, tear off a link , and complete the task it has written on it. The activities include: (I made up my own according to child and interests) paint a self portrait make a snack call a friend make your own charades game, have everyone play create "Toe People" make a sock puppet make something out of Popsicle sticks with a timer, list all the things you can think of that are a certain color before time runs out, then do all colors write a letter to your grandmas read a book, draw a pic of what you read make a pillow make up a dance routine, teach it to someone make a macaroni picture with a timer list all the animals you can think of, then do more categories draw a picture of what you would do with $100 write a tongue twister make a band instrument put on a fashion show usi...

Our summer vacation has officially started, for Ryan and Aaron anyway. Grace is year-round, so she has about 3 more weeks. I'm always a little fearful of summer. The first little while is okay, but soon the kids get bored and I'm at my wits end! This year will be a little different. Not because they will all return to our neighborhood school which is year round, that will definitely help, but because I got this book from my mother-in-law: I have been reading through it and I'm so excited to some of these activities with my kids. It is a must to break up the summer. Our summer won't last too long, but I plan to cram it with as much fun as possible. Watch for some fun posts on things we did!

Now that our computer is up and running, I'll fill you in on our latest happenings. Not in one post of course. I'll have lots to say for a while. Our biggest news is that Dustin has officially started the police academy . We are adjusting. The kids are taking it the worst, but I'm not fairing very well either. He is gone all day Mon- Thurs., and all day Sat. The kids are sad that he is gone so much and constantly ask where he is. Then they catch themselves, and remind themselves, that he is at the academy . I have noticed that my patience is lacking. It is something I'm trying to work on. Doing a lot by myself has stressed me out a bit. We'll get through it though. I'm excited for Dust. This is a dream come true for him. He is excited! We have decided that he will keep his Salt Palace job and get on the reserves in Bountiful or Lehi . They start out as part-time. This way we don't take such a pay cut. He is learning A LOT! He shows me every night. I am his ...