Merritt Memories

We seriously had so much snow this winter. It's so clod! I hate the cold. This body was not raised in the cold. Sun! I love sun! Because of these reasons, I really don't go out in the snow. We don't get many snow pictures. The sun was out and snow was not falling, so I ventured out and caught these two cuties building a snowman. At least I documented snow still falls in Utah!

Out of all my mothering years, this is the first time I helped with a Valentine's Day box. We've had older kids make thiers, but Britten wanted one so bad. He wanted a tank. So of course, we had to add army guys! The kid's obsessed. Happy Valentine's Day! There's always a first for something!

We’ve had Ace 11 years in May. He’s diabetic, almost deaf, and going blind. His quality of life has been dwindling. There have been days we wondered if it was the end. This has been the worse day so far. He woke up puking. He refuses to eat, even when I mix real food that he loves with it. He wanders the house trying to get comfortable. The most peace I see in him is when he’s outside. It’s windy and cold, but that’s where he wants to be. He comes in long enough to get warm, then goes back outside. I’m wondering if this is it. I’m sad. He’s my special buddy. Our family loves him!  💔

Britten is turning 6 this year. And he is into anything "Army Guy." So, we decided to have and army themed birthday. He invited his friends. They had to participate in and army obstacle course where they were able to throw gernades, army crawl, do jumping jacks (I'm really bummed I didn't take any pictures)! Then they decorated their own cupcakes, and we opened presents. Itwas a nice time celebrating this 6 year old!!

Hes home, and loving it....probably not really, but we're happy to have him home. I know it's been a really hard adjustment for him. He's been on his own for the last two years, so to come home and have to follow house rules that teenagers have is hard. But to be fair to us, we give him a lot more space than hen they get.  He's 21 now. He kept remonding me he can officially but a drink if he wanted to. I tols him, "Yes, you could. But I also know you don't want to." He's always been my teaser. Even if he's teasin me!  There's not much he wanted. I gave him some money. We also had his blog from his mission turned into a book. Now, all of his letters and pictures are in one spot. He didn't journal, so I believe this counts.  Happy Birthday, Ryan! Thanka for being such a great kid, er, young adult. You really are so great!! We love you!! 

Christams Dayis always a blur. I never remeber much of it. We wake up and kids can see what Santa brought. Then, we eat and get ready for the day. Then, we can start opening presents. We take turns, so it lasts longer. Once we have opened gifts, we are off to Granma and Grandpa's house to open more gifts and have lunch there. After a few hours, and full bellies, we drive back home and soend the rest of the evening playing with what we got, and just relaxing.  We may not do anything memorable, but I sure love that we get to be with family and just relax. It's how holidays should be!! Merry Christmas!!