Merritt Memories

In October Grace started piano lessons. I was so excited for her. She has been enjoying it. Her teacher is so surprised how quickly she has picked everything up. After Thanksgiving, she had her first piano recital. She played Yankee Doodle as a solo and then as a duet with her teacher. She also played Old McDonald as a solo and duet. She ended her performance with Jingle Bells . I'm anxious to watch her grow and develop this talent!

A few days after the New Year, my friend Kristin sent me an email. I don't check email too often, but I was glad that I chose to listen to my urge. She had shared with me an article written by Christine Kane. Who? I had never heard of this woman either, but the title caught my curiosity, so I kept reading. The article was titled, How to Make 2011 Your Best Year Yet . I found it on her blog, it is called, Resolution Revolution . She originally posted it in 2007. The article is a tweek of the rituals of making New Year's resolutions. It really resonated with me! The idea is to pick a word for the year, instead of making goals. Goals are good, but the point she was trying to make is they are never specific enough. If you chose one word that envelops all that you are trying to accomplish, and focus on it, the whole process becomes very customized to your needs. Read the article, I linked it. You have to read to it understand. My explanation will not do it justice. The word I chos...

Kate bore her 1st testimony on Sunday. I wish I had recorded when all my children took their first steps to the pulpit to share with about 100 people what they feel in their hearts about their Savior and the gospel(I still have time with Grace. She suffers from anxiety, so it will be a while). Kate went up and grabbed the mic to bring it to her level. She said (paraphrasing), "I'd like to bear my testimony. I know this church is true. I love my family. I know Pres. Monson is a true prophet. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." That was it, short and sweet. Her testimony. It is a neat thing to see your children share what they have learned. The amazing thing to me is they all have their own personal time-table. I know my boys were around the same age, but we have never asked any of them to share, they choose to when they are good and ready. I think that's the way it should be.

We had a very small Christmas this year. Sometimes those are the best, I think. Not too much "stuff." By eliminating "the stuff" you are able to focus on its real meaning. Kate asked me, "Mom, why do we celebrate Christmas?" I was a little shocked because I thought we have pounded into their little brains why. I reminded her it was to celebrate Jesus' birth. She looked right at me and said, "No, Mom. Jesus' birth is in April, so why are we doing it in December?" She had a good point. So we had to explain how come the world chose to celebrate it in December. Now I think she's more confused than she was before!!! Poor thing. Thought I'd share what the kids got for Jesus' un-birthday celebration and a few pictures. Every Christmas Eve we open pajamas. We alternate every other year giving either books or slippers. this year it was slippers. We also have our traditional gifts for Jesus that we put under the tree. We then watch Joy...