Merritt Memories

I took my real estate license exam today. I wanted to take a test to just get me ready to know what I should focus studying on. To my surprise, i passed! First try!! I can't even tell you the excitement, pride, and shock I felt all at once. I called to tell Dustin and just broke out in tears. Our life has been crazy as I have been taking courses online and studying. I didn't know if it was all worth it. But, it was! It really was. I can do hard things!!

I had quite a few pictures that I loved from this month. All having a little sentimental value, life lesson, or just being super cute. I just want to remember them for forever. 1) Britten is getting so big! He's 5 now, but he's starting to mature and be ready for school. He is learning what it means to choose the right, and understand he needs to! He loves army guys right now and my living room is a constant war zone! He and Becca have this love hate relationship. they fight like siblings, but they love being together! 2) We got a couple snapshots from Elder Merritt. He sent us Happy Valenine's greeting from the beach. And the other I know was just for me. he know's I like different photos. Here he is finishing up a hard day of proselyting.       3) I made dessert for my sister's invite to Sunday dinner. I forgot to grease the bundt pan.  I think most would've chosen to not take the cake, but I did. I messed up, but it was ...

I started a new job on February 15th. I am going to be a hostess for Perry Homes Utah. Basically, I sit in the model and give out information on homes and let them tour the model. Because I'm not a real estate agent, I'm not allowed to give prices or anything like that. I am, however, in the process of getting my license. I decided that I wanted to to pursue this career last summer. I started taking classes, and now I'm almost done and ready to take my exam. I talked to Jeff about working for Perry. he was all for it. I'm grateful for the hook-up! I still work at the daycare every now and then until they can find a new teacher for the preschool class. I have mixed emotions. I'm excited to start something new, but I will miss these kids. Britten has known them since they were all little. He's really sad to not be coming back... I'm excited to be able to be home with him and take him out of an environment that he struggled in a lot of days. He l...

 With having 6 kids, you would think I would have more headlines like this. Becca was dancing in her room last night-she was supposed to be cleaning- and we heard the most horrifying screams from the basement. We got down there, and Becca's kneecap was on the side of her knee. Poor girl was in the most pain I'd seen in any of my kids! We were loading her in the car and she said, "Mom, I'm sorry. I was dancing instead of cleaning." I wanted to cry for her! 1)Why would she be worried about that? 2)Some lessons are learned the hard way. They got her to the hospital and popped it back into place. Dustin said it was worse that the scream when she fell! She wanted to go to school the following day, but we told her she needed to rest. If you know Becca, she's always ready to conquer something. She'll have to do it in a brace the next three weeks!!!

Britten turned 5 while we were in Las Vegas for our nephew's mission homecoming. We spent the weekend with my mom. Jaycee and Britten are becoming good little buddies. I think Britten has met his match with little Jaycee!! She loved that we were having cake with a candle. She blew his candle out. We re lit it, and Britten took appropriate actions to make sure she didn't try to do it again: Then life continued: We had his little friends over from the neighborhood when we got home. We took them to McDonald's to eat and play in the play place. I can't believe he's five and will be starting school in the fall! Right now Britten loves ninjas, Star Wars, and Legos. His favorite food is chicken nuggets and chips. He loves chocolate milk, too. the boy is so skinny, but eats those things like they are no longer going to be on the earth! He loves to watch TV and play toys...

I really struggled in 2017. I can say it wasn't my year. I took time off of doing goals because I felt too much pressure. But, in doing so, I felt absolutely lost in purpose. It taught me a great deal of why I should always be working on something! This year will be different. I have chosen my word for the year (remember when I used to do that?). After tossing a few around, I chose my focus of the year would be the word: FRIEND. We're working on it as a family. We came up with a list of what we think a friend is. A Friend Is: -there for you whenever -patient with your weaknesses -comforting -loyal -trustful -kind -interested in my life -selfless -nonjudgmental In order to have friends, you have to be a friend. It's a two way street. By focusing on this, we hope to become better friends with our family, those who are outside of our home, but we also are going to focus on our relationship with Jesus Christ. He is our greatest friend, and we want...

We woke up and got straight to work! In our home you get to see what Santa brought first.  Aaron got new binoculars for hunting. Grace asked for a chalkboard for her room. It was handmade by Santa! Kate got new softball equipment. Becca asked for a hover board- I may, or may not, have tried to ride it and hurt my bum. Britten wanted to be a ninja like, like on Ninjago. All their wishes came true! Santa delivered! Once we were all ready for the day, then we can eat and open presents. Once presents are opened, we head over to Grandma Lori's for lunch, and to open more presents, of course. This year we were able to do a little service project too. We assembled lunches for less fortunate kids. they take them home on the weekends, so they can have food in their home. We are very fortunate to have all our needs met. It is important to help others in need. ...