Chrsitmas

We had such a nice Christmas this year. The kids were all very excited for gifts. Every Christmas Eve we open our Christmas jamies and give a gift to Jesus. Our gift to Jesus this year was making sure we are doing REGULAR family scripture study. We have been doing really well. I'm so proud that my kids have extended it to their personal scripture study. Especially Aaron. In the month of December, he read the entire D&C and Pearl of Great Price. He told me with pride last night that he has officially read his entire triple-combination. Now, he's moving onto the Bible. All the other kids have started The Book of Mormon for a second time!

 

For Christmas Eve dinner, our friends offerd to smoke our pork loin in their giant smoker. Oh, was it ever good!! We had homemade mashed potatoes, sugar snap peas, and rolls on the side. It was yummy!!

 

 

 

 

 

We made it an early bedtime. And woke up to see that Santa had come! Everyone got what they asked for and then some! I love giving my kids the things they want. Often, when they ask for something, I have to say, "We'll see." so I find a lot of joy in seeing their faces!

 

 

Ryan wanted everything Eagles! He got a new Eagles jacket, Eagles ipod touch case, Eagles earbuds, and Eagles room decor for his bedroom. He also got a remote control helicoptor, clothes, LOTS of new PS3 video games and gift cards. We have totally entered the gift card stage!!

 

 

 

 

Aaron wanted an ipod touch, so Santa delivered!! He also got clothes, a helicoptor, and lots of video games.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grace received a tablet. It's made by Android, so we're still trying to figure it out. She loves it! Seh begged me for a DQ Blizzard maker. We used it yeaterday and I was surprised they taste like the real deal! All my girls had another Pillow Pets Christmas. They got the Dream Lites they wanted and the Pee Wees too. She wanted new Polly Pockets- I just got rid of their whole collection because theyt sat there- i ended up only getting her a couple. She's in the weird preteen stage and goes back and forth. She also asked for new Barbie clothes. I baought them, but only because I know her sisters will use them when Grace has decided she's too big for such things!!

 

 

 

Kate has been using her ipod shuffle non-stop since Christmas Day!! She loves it!!! She also finally got a LaLa Loopsy boy doll. They are hard to find!! On her list was Ken in a tuxedo too, so she got it. Have you guessed that she will only play dolls if she is the boy?! We also got her a pink baseball glove and pink football. She's all boy, but PINK!

 

 

 

 

Becca wrote 5 lists to Santa this year. On every list was a Princess and the Pop Star 2-in-one Tori doll, a rainbow unicorn Dream Lite, and a unicorn Pee Wee pillow pet. that was it. And the Tori doll was nowhere to be found- not to mention it was $27 for a Barbie!!!! We ended up just letting Santa bring her Barbie on her wedding day, but 2 days before Christmas, I found a Tori doll!! IUt was even on sale!!! That went under the tree for her. When she saw what Santa had brought, she was happy, but she was really happy to unwrap her Tori doll. I loved it!!! She also got a new LaLa Loopsy doll that sings and dances. She loved that too!

 

 

 

 

 

Dustin and I always tell each other to not buy anything, but this year we ignored each other. He has been wanting an electric shaver for a long time, but they are so expensive! I decided to jusbite the bullet and get him one. He told me yesterday that he loves it because he can shave on his way to work!! haha It's the gift that keeps on giving!

 

I have wanted a new vacuum and was shocked to open my gift of a new Dyson!! We didn't really need a new one, but our kids drag our other up and down stairs. it has really taken a beating. We thought it would be great to have one for upsatirs and one for the basement.

 

We hope you all enjoyed the holidays! They always go by so fast! Every year I hear from my kids, "I wish it could be Christmas everyday!" I know that if it were, we wouldn't treasure them like we do. I'm grateful for the time we are ab;e to spend with family and reflect on the savior's birth. I love the whole feel of the Season!!

 

 

 

I took a picture to prove we had lights!!



Being Loved, Flaws and All

I don't know what it is about Sundays in our house, but they always seem to go wrong! Maybe it's the 1:00 church. There's more idle time. Anyway, yesterday was one of those days.

 

It started out with a laugh. Dusitn was helping Becca get ready for church after her bath. Becca told him how she was so sad for the little baby turtle that she watched get eaten by a baby herring the night before. We love to watch the Discovery channel and sometimes forget that our little ones might not really understand.

 

 He asked her a simple question. "Honey, who would you rather die, the turtle or the bird?"

He said he saw the dots connect and she smiled and replied, "Oh! It's the circle of life!"

 

This little girl makes us laugh everyday! She is crazy, but in a cute way.

 

After this, it all went down hill.

 

We have been deciding what to do about bedrooms. Normally this is probably not a big issue, but when you have eight people who need to fit in an 1800 sq ft home, you run into problems. Whose going to get their own room? What rooms need to be painted? How can we do this the least expensive way? All these questions! And on top of it all, differing opinions. 

 

I thought we had decided about 2 months ago, but Dustin brought up that he thought we should just put the baby in with Grace and worry about everything later. I didn't like the idea, but I agreed so we would not fight about it. It bothered me most of the morning. He could tell something was wrong and asked.

 

I shared my worries and all of a sudden there was this massive fight with everyone. Everyone was happy with the new plan. Grace was happy she wasn't moving to the basement, the boys were happy they were keeping their own rooms, Dustin wouldn't have to paint any rooms, and Becca and Kate found out they would get new bunk beds. Everyone was happy, but me!

 

When I shared how I felt, every opinion in the house came pouring out. In my household we're pretty opinionated which I don't think is neccessarily a bad thing, but on this day it was. I lost it!! I don't get  emotional often and I seldom lose my cool because many things are not a big deal to me. I was blessed with my father's laid back persoanlity. But all the anxiety I was feeling, all the fear, all the baby homrmones came gushing.

 

My eyes were full of tears. I blurted out, "Who is going to take care of this baby? Me that's who. Whose life will be most affected? Mine! No one seems to care about that. All they care about is where they are sleeping, having to put funiture in odd places, and if they have to share a room!!!" As I'm yelling this, I see my little Kate trying to hold back her tears. Her hands are on her face and I could tell she is wondering what to do. I just run up to my bedroom and shut the door.

 

Later Dsutin came up. He had been talking to the kids. He let me know that they had all come up with a new plan. It happened to be the exact plan I was fighting for in the beginning. My plan made more sense to me. Yes, having your own room  would be sacrificed and furniture would be placed in inconvenient places, but it made more room. The thing that has bugged me about our house for a long time was that I feel claustrophobic. We have no space in this house and I wanted to take full advantage of all the space possible.

 

My husband hugged me as I sobbed in his arms for a while. Then he nicely said, "I think you need to have this baby." We both laughed. Yes. I need to have this baby.

 

When I came home from church, I found a bright red Christmas card on my pillow. I opened it up and it read:

 

Mom, Merry Christmas! I love you.

Love, Kate

 

PS I will help with the baby.

 

I had forgotten that I had scared her. I felt awful, but that feeling was soon replaced with gratitude. I was grateful that my little Kate was able to love me even though I had acted the way I had. She forgave me and gave her love unconditionally. In fact, all my kids had. They gave up what they wanted, so I would be happy. I felt so blessed right at that moment. My family amazes me! They are so wonderful to me even when I may not deserve it! 

 



Are You LDS?

I did not grow up in Utah. In fact, my growing up years were evenly split between Arizona, Missouri, and Nevada. I loved moving around! Change does a heart good.

I have been begging Dustin to make a huge, out of state move for a while now. He refuses. I will die here in Utah. I have learned to put those feelings away and live life, but there is sadness about it in the back of my mind.

One of the greatest things to me was that wherever I went, after getting to know someone, I was always asked, "Are you Mormon?" I remember sitting in science class my 8th grade year and talking to another girl I had only known for about 15 minutes and she asked me this very question. I could name a bazillion more times, but I won't. My reaction was always the same: I'd get a big, huge grin and reply, shaking my head, "Yes, I am." I have been lucky to always have a positive response to my response.

When I came to Utah, I was escaping boys. My plan was to attend school, serve a mission, maybe join the Peace Corp (I always wanted to), get married, and then we would raise our family somewhere. Missouri was my place of choice. I never thought it would be Utah. If you are wondering why, I'll briefly fill you in.

Everytime we visited family we would of course attend their ward. Because I was young, I would end up in Sunday School and Young Women's group. I always felt odd. They would find out where I was from and it seemed to be weird. I also thought of them as kids who knew nothing of the "real" world. My thought was always, "I will never raise my family here." Before you hate me too bad, let me say, that I was wrong and through grown-up eyes can see how I was just as bad as they were.

Anway back to being in Utah...

I never thought that Heavenly Father would have such a different plan for me. I met Dustin 7 months after moving here. We were married 9 months later. I got pregant 4 months after marriage-not planned.That's how we roll- and I have not, YET, been able to attend college. Lastly, I doubt I will ever experience the Peace Corp. The closest thing might be a humanitarian mission which I would LOVE!!! I did try to talk Dustin into doing a service project when we were in Mexico last time, but he said another time and gave me the weirdest look...lol.

I found myself feeling sad about who I had become. I remember for years hating the fact that I had become someone cut from a cookie cutter. I was just like every other woman in Utah. It ate at my soul for a very long time. I was never asked about who I was. People knew. They'd see the cart full of children and know. When you are a busy mom of 5, the grocery store becomes a social place to meet new people. I thought I'd never hear the words, "Are you Mormon?" again. Sharing my differences was a thing of the past.

Fast forward 12 years. Yes. I said 12 years, that is how long this ate me away inside. It is now 2008. I started to get real about who I wanted to be and who I was expected to be. Through lots of prayer and self questioning, a new life was begining. For the first time I realized who I was as a Daughter of God and my very own purpose here. I was learning why I was put on the very path I was on. Being married so young AND to Dustin, taught me A lOT!! That is another post I might choose to share one day. I am forever changed because of him and it is for the better. My kids? I would not be who I am without them too. I learned young and quick to forget about myself and serve.

And about living in Utah...I have learned why it is so great here. There are so many wonderful people. I have great friends who are of my faith. There is strength in numbers. I also have new friends who are not of my faith. We have great talks about my faith and their faith. We respect one another for our differences and find happiness in our similarities. I never thought that would happen again. And, just the other day at a work party, where I am the only member of my church, I was having a great time talking and laughung. After about a 30 min conversation, my new friend, Manuel, asked,"Are you LDS?" To which I grinned, shook my head, and replied, "Yes!"

Would I still jump at the opportunity of moving? You betcha! But, I am loving where the Lord has me for now. I know that on the outside it appears I am just another mormon girl who fits the mold to a tee, but on the inside I know who I am. It is great to me that I was able to discover that in the middle of "Mormonville" and find out that there is no mold.



Bliss

I can't believe it's December. Another year is almost over. I do love this time of year though. I try to be thankful all year long and remmeber my Savior always, but I'm not as good as I want to be. I enjoy having little reminders wherever I go.

 

 

Dustin put up Christmas lights today. The girls' hearts are happy! Kate asked the other day if we owned Christmas lights. It made me sad that she wasn't old enough to remember. We used to be really good about being festive, but by the time we HAD time to put them up, there was only 2 wks left of the holiday time and usually a bunch of snow on the roof. I'm glad they can see that we actually do have them.

 

 

I am so thankful for my little family. We are so blessed. I wake every morning grateful for all that I have. I love that my kids are relatively kind to eachother- we have our moments. I know that if it really came down to it, they would whole heartledly defend and protect one another. It brings my heart joy to watch them live the gospel in theri own ways. They are such good kids. I have truly been blessed.


Dustin and I just celebrated 16 years of marriage! SIXTEEN!!!! It makes me feel super old. How I love that man though. He is always so hard on himself and thinks he doesn't measure up. The other day he was in tears because he felt like he wasn't being the father that he should be. I could truly empathize because I feel that way a lot. I love his soft, kind heart. He loves his children and me! As I type this he is sitting on the floor, with all 5 kids around, playing a very looong game of Uno Attack. The "Attack" part is what makes this game very long. He is being patient and sticking it out. He also took the girls to the church today to play dodgeball and kickball with them while I was at work. He didn't have to go in until 2 pm. Does a lowsy father do such things? I think not!!!

I came home from work and he told me he did the laundry. Do you know how wonderful those words are to my ears? He had cleaned the whole house and I was able to lay down for a little nap with happy girls quietly playing and a clean house and nothing to catch up on. It was wonderful.


I spent the rest of the day driving around like crazy trying to find advent calendars for my kids. We don't have a ton of traditions for Christmas becuase I like simple, but we do have this one. I totally dropped the ball and forgot to get them. They go fast here, real fast. The kids and I had no luck finding them, but we had fun searching for them.

I absolutley love my wonderful, little life! We don't have much by the world's standards, but I know am truly blessed with what really matters. Nothing could make me happier!!



Baby

I have wanted to blog for a long time, but my life right now is not cooperating. I feel I am being pulled every direction. It sounds bad, but I'm actually grateful for it because it has made this pregancy fly by. I have 9 weeks left!!!

 

Everything pregnancy wise is going well. We are expecting a boy to arrive at the end of January. Dustin and I have not agreed on a name. I have had the name Britten C Russell picked since I was expecting with Kate. He has agreed to Britten, but wants to use the initials RC instead. I can not allow this. When I hear RC I think of "remote control". He thinks using the initials shortens the name. I will always feel we named our child, Britten Remote Control Merritt. Not going to happen!!!

 

The kids are getting excited to have a baby in the house. The girls rub my belly every morning and say. "Good morning, Baby." It will be nice to see them interact when he is here.

 

I'm getting excited too. I'm tired and I'm sore, but it will be nice to have a baby in the house. I think it will bring the softer side of my kids out. We have had too much teasing and fighting going on and I'm tired of it. My kids were so kind and loving when they were little and best friends. I'm hoping the baby reminds them how it used to be. It will be a good change.

 

We had a scare thinking I'd have to have a C-section, but everything has turned out for the best. I was happy to hear this news. I have had my last four natural and was hoping to do it with this one as well. The thought of being cut open didn't thrill me. Here are pictures of our latest ultrasound in October. I have a feeling he'll come out resembling Aaron. Seeing what our genes do is always the funnest part for me!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm happy that I'm finally allowing myself to be happy about this baby. Ever since I found out I was pregnant I was having feelings that everything would not be okay. I don't know it was my age or what, but I just had this terrib;e feeling that wouldn't allow me to be happy. I still can';t buy anything for him. I feel I'll jinx it, but my mind is slowly coming around. Thankfully we have been given almost everything for this baby, or we'd be in trouble. We are well prepared to have him because of generous family and friends!! I don't know what I'd do without them!!!

 



Hunting & Fishing Trips of 2012

Dustin has taken Ryan and Aaron hunting for the past few years now. He also has taken them on 4 wheeling trips with his dad the last couple of years. They really enjoy it! This year there was no luck deer wise, but the boys told me they had fun anyway. It's really all about bonding time. I'm grateful they are able to spend time with such great men. 

Dustin and Ryan

Aaron and Grandpa Russ

They did some fishing on the 4 wheeling trip up at Mirror Lake

Hunting in the woods = lots of walking

They built their own blind all by themselves.

Can you see then in the one below?

Hard to believe they didn't get anything!

They came back dirty and stinky, but we were glad to have them back!!

Grace is 11

Grace turned 11 on the 18th. September is a busy, crazy month. I have 3 of the 5 birthdays and it is also the start of a new school year. I feel like I'm always running behind. I hope my kids will forgive me for always posting late.

She is turning into such a young lady. She is still my sweet, angelic child. She has started testing me, however. I really kind of enjoy seeing her develop this way though. She has always been so shy and scared of change. I see her bursting out of her shell and becoming her own person. It is quite extraordinary.

Grace is the middle child. I have always felt a little guilty of this. I'm not sure why. I was the middle child out of the last 5 kids in my family and never felt ignored or scarred, but I tend to treat her like she is. It's something I need to change, she might become even more herself.

I interviewed her as well.

favorite food: potato soup

favorite color: light blue

favorite movie: Star Wars

favorite book: The Hidden Girl

favorite subject: math

favorite animal: bunny (she has wanted one for forever)

favorite soda: Dr. Pepper

favorite candy bar: Symphony

favorite hobby: watch TV

favorite cartoon: Jacob Tutu

What do you want to be when you grow up? a mom and a vet

What would you do with 1 million dollars? buy a car and the food I love then donate the rest

All my kids have answered the last question basically the same. They would buy what they want, but then share the rest. I haven't influenced any of them to answer this way. I'm grateful they are aware that there are those who need help and are willing to share what they have.

Grace, you are beautiful young lady. You love to cook and take care of your sisters. I love that you are so willing to help me. We are so glad that you are part of our family!

Becca's Barbie Birthday Bash

On September 13th we celebrate the birth of our Rebecca! She is 7 years old now. It amazes me how time flies by so fast.

This year was Becca's friend party. I asked her what theme she wanted and right off the bat she yelled, "BARBIE!" She loves Barbie. She loves anything girly and Barbie is as girly as you can get!

I never make the party last too long since I feel they get bored and out of control, so I kept everything short and sweet. I found a site where you could print out your own paper dolls. The girls loved choosing their own and coloring it. Then we painted fingernails and decorated them with nail stickers. We opened presents and then had cupcakes and ice cream. She had such a fun time and great day! 

the girls had fun helping me decorate

take home party bags and favors

wonderful gifts from wonderful friends

opening her RC Barbie car from Mom and Dad

opening gifts from friends: a Littlest Pet Shop

a new Barbie with clothes

a new Barbie and card games

her twin friends gave her a new shirt, twist-able crayons, and a Magic Tree House book 

a nail kit and a Cutie Pup

and new walkie-talkies!!

HaPPy BirTHdAy, BeCCa!!!

Enjoying the company!!

I started interviewing the kids on their birthdays so they can remember what they were like at that age. Here's Becca's answers:

favorite food: pizza

favorite color: pink

favorite movie: Star Wars series

favorite book: Magic Tree House series

favorite subject: math

favorite animal: zebra

favorite soda: Sprite

favorite candy bar: Snickers

favorite hobby: reading, coloring, and puzzles

favorite cartoon: Scooby-Doo

What do you want to be when you grow up? A teacher

What would you do with a million dollars? buy healthy food, a phone, and new clothes. Then I would buy food and give it to those in need.

Becca, we love you and all the CRAZY energy you bring to our family. Your silly personality is insane sometimes, but always amusing! You are so smart, talented and beautiful!!! Never change!!