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...

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 Va...

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?)

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...