Friday, November 25, 2011
Black Friday Madness
I started shopping the Black Friday sales with my mother when I was probably 16. I am not a big shopper but there is something about Black Friday that makes shopping more fun. Maybe I like the crazy drivers and the long lines. Ha ha. This was my first time in Memphis and it was so different than Omaha. Crazy different. Memphis makes Omaha look boring. Tame. I don't really have an explanation except that the stores were more concentrated geographically and so it looked crazier than normal. And the lines were worse. I started at about 11:30 PM after I got done working (which was so busy) and went to Toys R Us first. It was the most disorganized Toys R Us I've ever seen. There were Legos over here and Legos over there. Movies here and movies there, all jumbled up. Stuffed animals on the floor in the middle of the aisles. It looked sad. Their sale started at 9 PM and I thought that most people would be finished there but I was wrong. By the time I dug through the piles to find what I wanted and got in line I still had to wait over an hour to check out. I got to Wal-mart about 1:15 AM. By that time everything was picked over. My main destination was movies. I wanted to find one that Toys R Us had on sale that I couldn't find but Wal-mart didn't have it either. I also wanted to dig through the 1.96 movies to see if there was anything worth buying for Josh. The lines at Wal-mart were also long. I got out of there some time after 3 AM. I skipped Target. I was planning on going but I just couldn't convince myself that I wanted to shop anymore. It isn't as fun to wait in line for an hour if you are by yourself. Next year I definitely need to find a buddy so I can chat the minutes away.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
29 Things I Am Grateful For
I turn 30 next year. It doesn't seem right. I am trying to cope with how weird it sounds. Thirty. Ugh. I still feel about 27. I don't think it is so much the number that bothers me as much as the fact that I am feeling older. This year I feel like I have aged, not improved, just aged. It is hard to explain. But...I am trying my best to look at the positive in life and Thanksgiving is a wonderful time for that. I want to list 29 things I am grateful for, because I am not yet 30. I still have a few more months to go.
1. My Savior. I have a strong testimony of repentance and know that even though I am so flawed that I can always change and He will forgive me and love me through it all.
2. My husband. I love all the little things, like how this morning he was dragging luggage up into the attic sometime before 5 AM because I asked him to do it last night and he didn't have time to get it done but he also didn't want me to be disappointed this morning when I got up. I do notice those things. He sacrifices so much for us. I love him so much.
3. My little Emmett, who is now really big. I am grateful for how he keeps me thinking, all the time.
4. My baby Melynn, the sweetheart sneaky girl that she is. I love how she keeps me on my toes.
5. Our future baby, expected in May 2012. Yes, I'm officially announcing on my blog. I am mostly grateful that so far we have had no problems like in the past year. I'm still praying that all will be well.
6. The Conestoga Branch. Even though we don't live there anymore I still am grateful for all the blessings we received while serving there. I miss the people in the branch more than I thought I could.
7. Josh's job in Memphis. It has truly been a blessing to be here. We are surrounded by good people and he is enjoying his work.
8. Our house. It is a cute little thing, slightly vanilla when it comes to decorations, but so homey and wonderful.
9. Holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. I love those two holidays. They are so warm and happy.
10. Blogging. Even though I may not produce an award-winning blog, it is so wonderful to have a space for my journal where I can write about my life. I especially love January when I take it from a digital product and print it into a book for permanent storage. Love my blog books. They are totally worth the money.
11. Friends. We have been able to make friends in every single unit we have lived in. Now I have friends all over the world, including New Zealand, the Phillipines, Dallas, Columbus, etc. I love having friends.
12. My gym pass. There are few things I like doing more than going to the gym and running on an elliptical. Even though I may not look like the exercise is doing anything, I sure enjoy it!
13. Books. I love books. I love reading. I can't remember ever not liking reading. It is fun to read to my kids. It is even more fun to read while I work at night, with no distractions.
14. Homeschooling. This is a recent addition to our lives and I love it. It helps me be creative. I feel like it has helped me focus on my kids rather than myself. I love watching them learn and grow.
15. Musical Talents. I have mostly played the piano or organ in church but in this ward I get to teach primary songs to children and that is a lot of fun. I can't say that it is a talent, but I sure use my ability to read music and my love of music each week!
16. My silly job. It is so funny to share stories of all the crazy people I talk to. I really enjoy it, even when I have to work in the middle of the night to fulfill my hourly requirement. It is such a blessing to have a little extra to put towards our loans.
17. Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University. I can't say it saved our marriage like some people, and I can't say it has helped me become debt free in three days, but the principles taught that was are trying to apply have helped Josh and I get together financially on where we want to be. I love being united and for the peace that comes from living with a budget.
18. My safe neighborhood. We could take our kids trick or treating without danger, they can ride their bikes outside without worry of getting hit by a car and so many other benefits of being surrounded by good people. Like borrowing ladders and such.
19. The scriptures. I am currently reading about Christ's visit to the people in the Americas and I love that part. I love reading every day.
20. Texting. I never thought I would say it, because kids texting in the classroom was one of my pet peeves, but I really like being able to send Josh a message without interrupting him with a phone call. And vice versa. He can tell me when he is going to be late, or early (that would be a miracle!) or just that he loves me.
21. My awesome parents. Love them to pieces.
22. My in-laws, especially for raising such a polite and valiant son.
23. The public library system, in general. Isn't it amazing that I can reserve books online and go pick them up at my convenience? And I don't have to pay anything to read them?
24. Time when my kids are playing together. This is happening more and more as they are both able to imagine and can now create a play world with each other involved. Less fighting. Love that.
25. Play dates. I like visiting with the other moms and watching my kids play with their friends.
26. My bed. Lately I have been pretty tired and I love just laying down and snuggling under the covers.
27. Hot chocolate. It is a feel good food for me. Probably not the best thing, since it stains my teeth, but it works every time.
28. Being able to pay all our bills with one income. I know that this isn't the case with a lot of families and I am very lucky to be able to stay at home and for my income to simply help us work toward our financial goals.
29. My Heavenly Father, who loves me. I am grateful for prayer and the ability to take concerns to One who is kind, patient and wonderful.
Happy Thanksgiving!
1. My Savior. I have a strong testimony of repentance and know that even though I am so flawed that I can always change and He will forgive me and love me through it all.
2. My husband. I love all the little things, like how this morning he was dragging luggage up into the attic sometime before 5 AM because I asked him to do it last night and he didn't have time to get it done but he also didn't want me to be disappointed this morning when I got up. I do notice those things. He sacrifices so much for us. I love him so much.
3. My little Emmett, who is now really big. I am grateful for how he keeps me thinking, all the time.
4. My baby Melynn, the sweetheart sneaky girl that she is. I love how she keeps me on my toes.
5. Our future baby, expected in May 2012. Yes, I'm officially announcing on my blog. I am mostly grateful that so far we have had no problems like in the past year. I'm still praying that all will be well.
6. The Conestoga Branch. Even though we don't live there anymore I still am grateful for all the blessings we received while serving there. I miss the people in the branch more than I thought I could.
7. Josh's job in Memphis. It has truly been a blessing to be here. We are surrounded by good people and he is enjoying his work.
8. Our house. It is a cute little thing, slightly vanilla when it comes to decorations, but so homey and wonderful.
9. Holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. I love those two holidays. They are so warm and happy.
10. Blogging. Even though I may not produce an award-winning blog, it is so wonderful to have a space for my journal where I can write about my life. I especially love January when I take it from a digital product and print it into a book for permanent storage. Love my blog books. They are totally worth the money.
11. Friends. We have been able to make friends in every single unit we have lived in. Now I have friends all over the world, including New Zealand, the Phillipines, Dallas, Columbus, etc. I love having friends.
12. My gym pass. There are few things I like doing more than going to the gym and running on an elliptical. Even though I may not look like the exercise is doing anything, I sure enjoy it!
13. Books. I love books. I love reading. I can't remember ever not liking reading. It is fun to read to my kids. It is even more fun to read while I work at night, with no distractions.
14. Homeschooling. This is a recent addition to our lives and I love it. It helps me be creative. I feel like it has helped me focus on my kids rather than myself. I love watching them learn and grow.
15. Musical Talents. I have mostly played the piano or organ in church but in this ward I get to teach primary songs to children and that is a lot of fun. I can't say that it is a talent, but I sure use my ability to read music and my love of music each week!
16. My silly job. It is so funny to share stories of all the crazy people I talk to. I really enjoy it, even when I have to work in the middle of the night to fulfill my hourly requirement. It is such a blessing to have a little extra to put towards our loans.
17. Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University. I can't say it saved our marriage like some people, and I can't say it has helped me become debt free in three days, but the principles taught that was are trying to apply have helped Josh and I get together financially on where we want to be. I love being united and for the peace that comes from living with a budget.
18. My safe neighborhood. We could take our kids trick or treating without danger, they can ride their bikes outside without worry of getting hit by a car and so many other benefits of being surrounded by good people. Like borrowing ladders and such.
19. The scriptures. I am currently reading about Christ's visit to the people in the Americas and I love that part. I love reading every day.
20. Texting. I never thought I would say it, because kids texting in the classroom was one of my pet peeves, but I really like being able to send Josh a message without interrupting him with a phone call. And vice versa. He can tell me when he is going to be late, or early (that would be a miracle!) or just that he loves me.
21. My awesome parents. Love them to pieces.
22. My in-laws, especially for raising such a polite and valiant son.
23. The public library system, in general. Isn't it amazing that I can reserve books online and go pick them up at my convenience? And I don't have to pay anything to read them?
24. Time when my kids are playing together. This is happening more and more as they are both able to imagine and can now create a play world with each other involved. Less fighting. Love that.
25. Play dates. I like visiting with the other moms and watching my kids play with their friends.
26. My bed. Lately I have been pretty tired and I love just laying down and snuggling under the covers.
27. Hot chocolate. It is a feel good food for me. Probably not the best thing, since it stains my teeth, but it works every time.
28. Being able to pay all our bills with one income. I know that this isn't the case with a lot of families and I am very lucky to be able to stay at home and for my income to simply help us work toward our financial goals.
29. My Heavenly Father, who loves me. I am grateful for prayer and the ability to take concerns to One who is kind, patient and wonderful.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Our Vacation to Idaho
It will take me tons of time to write all about my trip because we did a lot and were there a long time. So, today I will just put on the pictures and maybe later I will find time to fill in some details.
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| Turkey cookies. Cute idea. |
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| Emmett and Melynn listening at the Museum of Idaho: display about nuclear power. |
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| Four generations. Josh with Melynn next to his Grandpa John Merrill and his mother, Susan holding Emmett |
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| Family Home Evening, complete with caramel apples |
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| Amber (sophomore in high school) trying on her cousin's coat (size 4T) |
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| Melynn, the indian girl |
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| Emmett my native american brave |
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| Two cute kids |
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| Can you lick your elbow? These two can! |
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| Some day we will touch these prints for real. |
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| Cassie and Emmett at the Idaho Falls Temple visitor's center |
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| Grandma Susan, Cassie and Melynn |
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| Emmett discovered K'nex and made all sorts of things. Here is a motorcycle. |
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| Dune buggy |
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| Space shuttle |
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| Grand piano |
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| Mostly finished tow truck |
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| playing in the leaves |
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| Emmett and Brinley reading |
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| The Museum of Idaho had a WWII exhibit. Here is the fuselage of a plane that crashed in the jungle. |
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| Another part of the Museum of Idaho about local history. Emmett by the teepee. |
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| I've never seen a real purple heart before. Cool. |
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| Trapper Emmett |
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| Cousin Gabe getting really into the vacuuming. |
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| Emmett and his crane |
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| Race car |
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| Helicopter |
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| Cute Melynn |
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| The girls: Cassie, Karlee, Anika with Gabe, Mariah (Isaac's girlyfriend) and Grandpa John |
Going Back in Time
We are home from Idaho. It was so cold there. They are in full blown winter already. So when we flew back to Memphis and it was in the mid 60s and the trees are still fall colors and it was muggy and wonderful it was a bit confusing for Emmett. He and I had quite the conversation about seasons. He understood that Memphis is still in fall and Idaho is in winter but then he assumed that Idaho would get spring first since they got winter first and I had to tell him that wasn't the way it works. The distance from the sun concept hasn't quite sunk in. Anyway, I feel a little guilty being able to walk around in a sweater, with no jacket, when all my family is freezing their tail feathers off. But not too guilty. Bwa ha ha!
So how about we go back in time and I share some Halloween pictures? It's about time! I haven't uploaded my pictures for so long that my memory card was full. That has never happened before! I have a bunch of Halloween and a bunch from Melynn's preschool activities from October.
So how about we go back in time and I share some Halloween pictures? It's about time! I haven't uploaded my pictures for so long that my memory card was full. That has never happened before! I have a bunch of Halloween and a bunch from Melynn's preschool activities from October.
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| Skeleton activity for preschool. I helped Melynn do this one. |
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| Our dentist has a hygienist that makes balloon animals for the kids after their cleaning. Emmett got a sword. Melynn's bunny broke before we even got home. |
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| I taught preschool on harvest and the letter was C. This is our carrot C. |
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| And a harvest scavenger hunt. This activity really showed the difference in ages between the girls. |
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| Dinosaur D the next week at preschool. |
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| They learned about leaves and did rubbings. |
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| Melynn playing with blocks |
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| Out of about ten pictures from the halloween trunk or treat at church this was the best one. |
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| Josh's prize for the funniest costume: He was The Cat in the Hat |
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| Ready for trick or treating! Notice the lack of winter coats, boots, extra layers for warmth. We ain't in Idaho anymore! |
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| Melynn exhausted |
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| Close up |
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| Emmett's skeleton. I think he said it was doing a headstand or something. He put on fingers if you are confused. |
Thursday, November 10, 2011
I'm On Vacation
I haven't posted Halloween pictures yet because they haven't been uploaded. I haven't written about anything lately because I am visiting my family in Idaho and I'm very distracted from my normal routine. So, here are just some snippets of what has happened and I will add pictures another day.
1) Halloween Trunk or Treat: Emmett was a football player, I dressed as his biggest fan and wore Josh's Nebraska Husker t-shirt, Melynn was an angel sans halo and wings (because she doesn't like them) and Josh went as the Cat in the Hat. He won the funniest costume award and his prize was a whoopie cushion. I am still trying to figure out why it was funny. It wasn't any funnier than the Mario and Luigi costumes out there. The whoopie cushion has since been destroyed by the kids but it was funny while it lasted.
2) Halloween Night: I worked at home while Josh took the kids trick or treating so I could get my 10 hours in before I left town. He was so nice and disconnected the doorbell so any visitors couldn't disrupt me. I never heard a single knock. We were left with lots of leftover candy since we didn't give it out and will be using it at Christmas.
3) Idaho Trip: I have been here almost a week and it has gone fast. The kids have watched more movies than they should and are trying new foods since my parents have started eating vegetarian. Melynn has fallen in love with Cinderella. Emmett has fallen in love with K'nex toys. They are from when I was a kid and he LOVES them.
4) Temple Sealings: I went with my parents to their branch temple night to do some family names that were ready to be sealed. Everything was fine until the very end. I was acting as proxy for the mothers and we were doing the very last few names when I fainted! I basically slumped over and made a fool of myself. The sealer had me lay down on the floor and lift up my feet. You don't get to do that every day. How embarrassing!
5) Out to Lunch: I have gone out with my mom twice so far to different lunch dates. The first was to Olive Garden and was with "the girls" meaning my sisters-in-law, my mom and my sister. Only Haylee and Eileen were missing. The second was for my mom's friend's birthday. A group of ladies always meets for a birthday lunch. Today we ate at Sizzler. I got the salad bar and it was delicious.
6) Melynn's Elbow: While sitting on my lap after lunch, she wanted to flip upside down and have her feet flip over her head. Well, it didn't go so well and her elbow popped out again. This is the fourth time it has happened in a year, poor thing, but I knew exactly what to do and I popped it back in for her. She is good as new. Josh will be so proud of me! The last time it happened I wouldn't even touch her she was screaming so loud. I have conquered my fear!
1) Halloween Trunk or Treat: Emmett was a football player, I dressed as his biggest fan and wore Josh's Nebraska Husker t-shirt, Melynn was an angel sans halo and wings (because she doesn't like them) and Josh went as the Cat in the Hat. He won the funniest costume award and his prize was a whoopie cushion. I am still trying to figure out why it was funny. It wasn't any funnier than the Mario and Luigi costumes out there. The whoopie cushion has since been destroyed by the kids but it was funny while it lasted.
2) Halloween Night: I worked at home while Josh took the kids trick or treating so I could get my 10 hours in before I left town. He was so nice and disconnected the doorbell so any visitors couldn't disrupt me. I never heard a single knock. We were left with lots of leftover candy since we didn't give it out and will be using it at Christmas.
3) Idaho Trip: I have been here almost a week and it has gone fast. The kids have watched more movies than they should and are trying new foods since my parents have started eating vegetarian. Melynn has fallen in love with Cinderella. Emmett has fallen in love with K'nex toys. They are from when I was a kid and he LOVES them.
4) Temple Sealings: I went with my parents to their branch temple night to do some family names that were ready to be sealed. Everything was fine until the very end. I was acting as proxy for the mothers and we were doing the very last few names when I fainted! I basically slumped over and made a fool of myself. The sealer had me lay down on the floor and lift up my feet. You don't get to do that every day. How embarrassing!
5) Out to Lunch: I have gone out with my mom twice so far to different lunch dates. The first was to Olive Garden and was with "the girls" meaning my sisters-in-law, my mom and my sister. Only Haylee and Eileen were missing. The second was for my mom's friend's birthday. A group of ladies always meets for a birthday lunch. Today we ate at Sizzler. I got the salad bar and it was delicious.
6) Melynn's Elbow: While sitting on my lap after lunch, she wanted to flip upside down and have her feet flip over her head. Well, it didn't go so well and her elbow popped out again. This is the fourth time it has happened in a year, poor thing, but I knew exactly what to do and I popped it back in for her. She is good as new. Josh will be so proud of me! The last time it happened I wouldn't even touch her she was screaming so loud. I have conquered my fear!
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