Attatched

It is 2:00 am. I just got done vacuuming my bedroom. Why? Because I am unable to fall asleep without my husband. He works graves and we no longer sleep at the same time, snuggled right next to each other. Honestly it bothers me.

Dustin and I met February 14, 1996. We were at the same ice skating rink for our ward's mutual activity. No, we were not there as part of the mutual group, we were leaders. He had just returned from his mission, three months prior, and was the deacon adviser. I was there because my brother was the Young Men's president and I was helping him. My brother introduced us. Dustin offered me a ride home and upon arriving, asked me out for that weekend. I apologized and told him I wouldn't be able to this weekend. I told him that I was going home for my boyfriend's mission farewell. Not words he wanted to hear, I'm sure. He asked about the weekend after that, I agreed. We said goodbye.

February 24, 1996. This was our first date. He took me to see Vandermiede, a magician, at the Murray theater. I think we even got ice cream after, but I'm not sure. All part of his clever plan to not spend too much on a date that might not pan out. He had been set up many times since coming home. And I did have a boyfriend, after all.

I think, much to his surprise, we had a good time getting to know each other. He asked me a lot about my boyfriend and the promise ring I was wearing, trying to see how serious it was. I pretty much told him it was very serious and I just planned on dating and having fun until my boyfriend returned. He seemed okay with it. It didn't sour the date. Maybe it even gave him a challenge, I don't know. After dropping me off, he asked if I wanted to go to a fireside with him the next evening. I said sure, I had nothing else to do.

To make a long story short, in that 1st week of knowing each other we went on 5 dates. The boyfriend didn't work out like I thought it would and we were never apart from that time forward.

So, is it any wonder why I can't sleep without him? After 14 years of marriage I can count on one hand the number of times we have been separated (well, if you don't include the annual hunts).

I try to keep myself busy, facebook comes in handy. My daughter tells me all the time that she got up in the middle of the night to turn off my TV because I had fallen asleep with it on. Housekeeping makes the time go fast, but it is the last option.

How happy do you think I am to say this?:

Dustin Merritt will no longer be working the graveyard shift!! We will be sleeping in the same bed, at the same time. And I will not be vacuuming my house at 2 am anymore. At 2 am I will be fast asleep in the crook of my husband's arm.

I cannot wait.

Winter Fun

The first part of November we were hit with two big snow storms. We took advantage! My kids love to play in the snow. I, however, do not. I was good sport and went out anyway and took some snapshots. I love winter snapshots! For some reason, they are my favorite! So enjoy!

*note: My kids were off track all November, Ryan was in school









Dustin loves the snow!! (crazy) He hooked the sled up to the 4 wheeler and pulled the kids around for a good hour. I was too late to get pics of the girls. They gave up early and wanted their hot chocolate (always a tradition after snow play). The boys were not! They even made a jump. Their cousin Jerimiah had slept over, so he got to join in the fun!













Fun for everyone! Now I'm just waiting for spring. (why is winter our longest month?)

Marriage has Changed Us

While blogging about our trip to Mexico,something wonderful happened. Dustin and I celebrated 14 years of marriage! I consider this a huge accomplishment. We have come along way since those early years of marriage. We are both so different. He no longer yells, complains, and argues that the toilet paper is on wrong! I have convinced him that there never was a right way and he should just be happy if it finds it's way to the toilet paper holder. We are both not quite as opinionated as we once were. We have learned to find common ground, but we still have hard time with not being right. Something that will never change, I'm sure.

It amazes me to look at old pictures and really comprehend how young we were! That has definitely changed. We are no longer that young, cool couple. We are the middle aged grumps. We both wake up each morning with stiff backs and joints, cursing our age. Our bodies are not what they used to be. We both have gained about 30lbs from that day.

My goal after the wedding day was to start school.I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with my life. Teacher? Counselor? Something humanitarian? The choices were endless and mine to achieve! Those plans came to a screeching halt 4 months later when I learned I was pregnant. I am very, very far away from those aspirations.

Sometimes it is a little confusing. I feel sad that I am not that girl anymore. I'm so different. Should it really be that way? Shouldn't I have stayed true to who I was?

Then after really contemplating, I realize life is all about change. Life was never meant to be lived from the exact same spot where you started, otherwise I'd still be at home. I heard Elder Costa once say, "Do not be afraid to confront the waves of your future." My future definitely brought in waves of change. I feel confident in the way I have faced them. Because of them, I feel I am a better me.

So, Yea for marriage! Yea, for the changes it has brought to me and my life! I look forward to the many, many more that are in store! I hope to face them confidently.

Days 7 & 8; Going Home

The next two days were spent on the boat, heading back to LA. I have to admit we were ready to see our kids again by the end.

We managed to keep ourselves busy. Dustin entered a free throw shooting contest, he took third place. We also took advantage of the rock climbing wall on the ship. I have to say one of our favorites was the frozen yogurt machine! We ate a lot of that stuff!!





We enjoyed the adult time this trip offered us. It was our first time ever being away and we took full advantage!!! Thanks to all our family that made it possible. And a BIG thanks to my Honey!! It was the best birthday and anniversary celebration!!!! I experienced my first taxi ride, my first trip out of the country, and my first time to ever swim in an ocean!!

Day 6 : Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta was a very modernized city. Right outside our port was a Sam's Club, Wal-Mart, and their local mall. Talk about convenient!

Since we like the city tour so much in Mazatlan, we chose to do the city tour here as well. If we had time and still felt like spending money (man it went quick on this trip) we were going to do a zip-line.

We traveled up a very large mountain! I though we were going to die! But in the end it was worth the scare. Our driver took us up to view the city. It was beautiful! As we watched over the ocean we saw some whales hovering close. We never saw their tails, but you could definitely see something in the water and the guide said this is the time they see them.

After roaming the modern part of this cit, he took us up into what the call the "canopy," basically it was their rain forest. Many poor houses. It was quite humbling.

We ended up in a little village. We were able to see the kids coming home from school. One boy was riding his donkey! The boy's name was Philemon and his donkey's name was Philomena! Very clever!

In this village was a tequila factory. It was interesting to see the process this fruit goes through to become alcohol. They started with a HUGE pineapple and ended up with a bottle of liquor. Part of the tour was to taste the drink. People were surprised when we refused. they pressured a little more and we told them we don't drink. then a little more pressure! We told them it was a religious conviction and right away we heard, "You're Mormon, huh?" We said yes and then we heard, "Mormons? Oh, I've heard about them! Don't you have more than one wife?"

Dustin was quick to reply," No. I can only stand to have one!" So sweet, isn't he? I then explained to the lady (Elizabeth) the whole history and all. So our religion came up and we did a little missionary work. If you can really call it that...

We ate lunch at the only village restaurant, boy do they take advantage of that! Dustin and I split a piece of chicken and rice. It still cost us $22! But, right next door was a little store, the owner was a potter. He made beautiful dishes! I fell in love with the Mexican art work! i decided I need some little bowls as thank you gifts for my sisters-in-law who were tending the kids. So I was quite happy after that.

We headed back to the boat. It took us about an hour. We still had plenty of time to do the zip-line, but we really didn't feel like spending more money. Next time.

This city was beautiful!! I wouldn't mind going back, but Mazatlan was still my favorite!

on the boat after we arrived

couple pic on the boat, see the mall in the background?

can you see the whales?

view from the top

pineapples!!

village home

restaurant

hand made bowls I bought

tile I bought for my kitchen, by Jorge Lopez, done by hand