Merritt Memories

The holiday season is here! I have to admit that I love this time of year, but truly it is exhausting! We celebrated Thanksgiving here at home this year. It was the "in-law year" for Dustin's family and normally we make it to Las Vegas, but this year circumstances were different. I'm hoping to at least make it in a few months! It was a fun day. We had my little family, Dustin's mom and dad, and his brother, Spencer. His Grandma Nelson also joined us! I made some cute little turkey place settings, but forgot to get a picture, the table was so cute! We visited a few hours and then the day was done. I will say how lucky we were to have Dustin home for the holiday! It's a luxury, I'm finding out. Here's a picture of out cute center piece. I found everything on clearance at Wal-Mart and put it together. It only cost me around $12!I love good deals! I wish I had the turkeys, they were so cute! I woke up at 11:30 pm Thanksgiving night to make the best of ...

And I've officially LOST IT!! How the heck am i going to get through all of this!?!? Dustin switched to nights today. Maybe that's the matter. That's all I can say. Thanks for letting me vent. PS I did find these, they helped! Goota love Hilary Weeks. She is such a funny lady!

I realize I have been slacking on my daily thanks. Trust me, I have been thankful in my heart each day. I just haven't had the opportunity to stop, gather thoughts, and then write. It's a very time consuming process. My thanks today is expressed toward my Savior, Jesus Christ. I know my words could never do Him justice, but I would like to try. His example was was flawless! We are commanded to be like Him. At times that seems overwhelming and impossible to me. I am more "flesh" than I would like to admit. I lack compassion, love, and kindness at times. Obedience is hard to do without whining. How am I ever going to be "like Him" ? I know that if I try to become like Him on my own, I will never make it. I don't have to do anything alone. He suffered and gave His life, so I wouldn't be alone. He suffered ALL things: our fears, our infirmities, weaknesses, sadness, heart breaks, so He would know how to help us. I am so grateful for this. When we feel li...

I have recently come to understand why "thankful for my health" has made it to the top of the list. In our stake about 8 or 9 months ago, maybe even a year, a 41 year-old woman was diagnosed with liver cancer. The prognosis was not good and she passed away last month. She left behind her husband and 5 daughters ranging in age 17- 2. Dustin was on the high council with her husband and then worked with him in Stake Young Mens. I knew her, not extremely well, but I would consider her a friend. Our daughters played together, so we would see each other outside of church. I can't even begin to explain how my heart sank when Dustin came home and told me the bad news. I thought, "How unfair. Her baby is one. She will never have a memory of her mom. Her girls are so young!" It is then that I became extremely grateful for my own health. How lucky I am to have a body that works properly, for the moment. I learned not to take a day for granted. I don't know when my last...

Friends are so important in this life. I had the opportunity of spending the weekend with some good friends. Me, my mother-in-law (Lori), Wendy (sister-in-law), Tristan, and Camille all had a great time at Time out for Women. It was nice not to have to attend the function all by myself. I have done that before! I am so grateful for all the friends I have made throughout my life. I remember them so well. I think some people are a little surprised that I remember them. It has been fun to reconnect with friends on Facebook. What a great thing! I think Our Heavenly Father puts certain people in our lives at certain times to help us with what we will need. I love my friends Kellie and Kristin! They were my friends in Jr. high and high school. It was comforting to have friends who believe the same as I did. They always understood how hard being a teenager can be. While I don't keep in contact with them as much as I would love to, I know they would still do anything for me and I would do ...

I would not be where I am today if it were not for my belief in and belonging to tThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For this I am grateful. I am grateful to know what I know, that I am a daughter of a loving Heavenly Father, my life here has a purpose, and I can have all that He has one day. I lumped all the blessings of the gospel into one post. I only have fifteen days! This means today I am thankful for: 1. prayer- how lucky am I to talk to Him everyday and I know he hears me! 2. scriptures- I know these contain all that we are to do if we want to live with Him again someday! 3. temples- I am so over joyed to know if we live right here, I can be with my husband and children FOREVER, not just "til death do you part" I enjoy going monthly to remind myself why I'm here and what I should be doing. 4. a prophet- in days of old the Lord had worthy men who were his "mouthpiece" it's comforting to know that has not changed, He has not changed. The ...

I was watching KBYU this afternoon. Marvin J Ashton was giving a devotional, reminding us to be a thankful people. I got lost in what he was saying. I started realizing that at times I am not as grateful as I ought to be. I have been blessed with many things, all given to me by the hand of the Lord. His talk motivated me to think of one thing I am truly grateful for each day. So, I thought I would share with you guys and keep track all at the same time. From now until Thanksgiving it is my goal to record one thing each day. What I am thankful for today: I am thankful for family. I know it sounds a little cliche, everybody is always thankful for their family. But I feel it is so appropriate for family to be #1 in our lives. The family plays a HUGE role in our becoming who we need to be. I am thankful for parents who taught me correct principles. They led by example. My parents supported me in all I ever attempted and in the end were my biggest advocates growing up (we don't ever rea...

I have to be honest and say that I thought this birthday would be terrible for me. I knew Dustin would be working this weekend. It would be my first birthday without him. On my list of things to do were: finish cleaning, catch up with laundry, run around town for Dustin trying to find the CTR pins he needed and make a salad for his stake dinner (he still has not been released from his Stake YM calling, life has been crazy). Sounds fun huh? Yeah that's why I was little bummed. Dustin told me he planned on taking me out to dinner on Friday. I was happy that we would be able to celebrate a little, even if it was a day before my birthday. Friday rolled around and I was getting ready. I thought of where I might want to go. I always like to try new places, but I felt like Wingers. I love chicken! I wanted to look good, so I dressed up nice. Dustin came in and said, "Hey, do you mind if I just wear a t-shirt?" I wanted to strangle him! Could he at least act like this was a speci...

I'm not one for decorating up my house, but I do love the little projects my kids make. I wanted a cute something for Thanksgiving. I found a cute idea and wanted to try it out. First go gather all your materials. You will need: paper plate fall colored paints paint brush (I like the foam brushes for the kids) fall leaves,pine cones (we went on a nature walk and found what we needed) cute ribbon pumpkin seeds (maybe beans will work or almonds) buttons glue hot glue gun We cut a hole out of the plate and then painted it brown. Next, glue on your leaves. After that you glue on you seeds and buttons. I then had the kids paint the seeds any fall colors they wanted. Last, we glued on the bow. I used the glue gun to glue loose items and bow. I think they turned out really cute. I placed them on easels to display as a center piece, but I think kids would like them in their rooms too.

I always thought it was genes, Dust and I are pretty smart, Grandmas and Grandpas are too! Then I thought it was their personalities. They are very confident, independent, speak their mind kind of kids. I believe a good mom makes a difference too. I work my butt off getting them ready for school! Well, never mind all of that. Kate filled me in on the secret. It went like this: Kate: "Mom, I know that cowgirls come from Texas." Me: "Really? You're so smart. How did you get to be so smart? Is it because you have a good mom?" Kate: "No. I watch Spongebob. He teaches me these things." There you have it, our little secret. you want your kids to be overachievers? Just let them watch Spongebob. He'll teach them all they'll ever need to know! Atleast she didn't say Patrick! PS I know my kids are who they are because they were born that way. I don't want anyone thinking my head is that big! And I hate Spongebob! Do you think she knows this and ...

It's a good thing Camille had a camera or these memories would be lost forever!

a nerd, a zombie, Percy Jackson, Rambo, a vampire, a cowgirl, and a GOOD, little witch? You get the Merritts! We all had fun dressing up this year! Too bad I was a slacker and didn't take any pictures. If I have time, I'll steal some! (Dustin- nerd, Larae- zombie, Ryan- Percy Jackson, Aaron-Rambo, Grace- vampire, Kate- cowgirl, Becca- GOOD witch, she wouldn't be a bad one)