Merritt Memories

Now that Dustin works for Sandy, we have the opportunity to join him on the 4th of July. He will work it every year as long as he is with them. It's really a pretty nice thing. They do their parade later in the day. Dustin gets to work and the first thing he does is mark off a territory for us to enjoy the festivities. When other people are being redirected to other roads, we a re whisked through the barriers and are able to find a sweet parking spot. if it happens to be a little far...no problem. We just all squish in his patrol car and he takes us where we need to go. Not too bad. Here are a few pictures of us enjoying the parade. We stayed and did fireworks too. We got front row seats where they were setting them off. Next year we might find a spot that has a good view, but the noise doesn't rattle your chest! We are so thankful to live in this country and the freedoms we enjoy everyday! We appreciate all those who sacrifice so we can live the way we do! PROUD to BE an AMERI...

Our school offers an award for doing a little extra during the school year. Aaron, Grace, and Kate all earned their Distinguished Cub Award. Good job guys! They all ended the year with straight As. Such good students!

June 10th we were able to take a family trip to Lagoon. It is an amusement park here in Utah. We were able to get a good deal through Dustin's mom's work. Thanks Grandma for giving us your tickets!! It was also our brother-in-law's work party, so we were able to spend the day with the Sanchez family (Dustin's sister, Taryn)! The kids had so much fun. It had been a while since we had been to Lagoon. Kate was a baby the last time we visited. I was hoping to get pictures of Kate and Bec on rides that I have of the older siblings, but Lagoon has changed so much! There were so many fun, new rides. It was warm, but not too bad. We were able to really enjoy it. I was proud of my kids. They are not scared of these big rides. Kate and Bec weren't big enough to go on some of the rides, but Ryan, Aaron, and Grace showed no fear. I think our favorite family ride was The Bat. It is a roller coaster that all of us could go on and was one where your feet dangled. We also enjoyed T...

We replaced our hot water heater today. In fact, it is now a quarter past 10 and they are still working on it. And it has been a tender mercy in disguise. What is a tender mercy? Well, to me, they are the things that happen in our life that prove God watches us and is aware of our needs. Let me explain. Our friend was driving by and stopped to briefly talk to Dustin. In the back of his mini-van was a brand new hot water heater. Seeing this sparked something in Dustin. You see, for the past little while Dustin has been telling himself to replace the hot water heater, but it always got overshadowed by so many other things that need his attention. When seeing his friend, it lead him to go check on ours. And what did he find? A leaky, VERY leaky, hot water heater. He said that if he had waited any longer, it would have been too late. I'm so thankful! Thankful for Dustin to finally listen to the prompting and thankful for friends and a stranger who helped us all day long. Our friend wh...

I knew I would teach my children to accept everybody. I knew this long before they were here. I knew by personal experience. I wish I could say it was because someone was awful to me, but I can't. It's the exact opposite. When I was in the 6th grade, I was pretty popular. I wasn't the most popular- that would be my best friend- but I was well liked and had a lot of friends. I had known these kids since 2nd grade after all. These girls and boys were extremely nice. I have some really good memories of my life at Hazel Grove. I do, however, have one memory I'm not so proud of. I can say, though, this experience taught me an important life lesson. And it has stuck! I decided then- almost 22 years ago- that I would accept everyone, and my kids would accept everyone. The experience: There was a girl named Angela. She did not have many friends. She had red hair, was chubby, and she never wore in-style clothes like the rest of the group (neither did I, I was the exception). Th...

Life can be crazy! At times I feel I'm just rushing to the grave so it's over with. I forget that I actually came here with a purpose. Do you ever feel that way? Is it only me? This song, * It is Well With My Soul , is my new favorite at the moment. It has reminded me "the clouds, not the grave, is my goal". I'm learning to enjoy what life brings me and to find peace in it. And sometimes that's not easy. I so much like playing the victim at times! (did I just really admit that?) It's the easy way to live! The truth is we are responsible for the way we choose to react to life. We need to be willing to take whatever comes our way with a smile and say, "It's okay. I'll do whatever you need me to do, so I can become the person I was meant to be." We need to be willing to turn our will over. After all, it's really the only gift we can give that is truly ours to give. * click to download my fav version by Jericho Road for $.99, totally wort...

This year my gift was a little different. But I was real excited about it. Not only did I get these: but this was going on: Dustin and the boys built me some garden boxes in the backyard. Dustin cut away about 1 foot of concrete around the perimeter of the basketball court. It never went all the way to the fence and we have wanted to do something with it for a while. What better thing to do than plant some veggies and stuff!! Here are the first sprouts! Can't wait for more! Cucumbers, beans, peppers, onions, a few herbs, carrots, and tomatoes are on the way!