Moving On...

Hello Everyone!

Once again I have gotten behind on posting on my blog. I am really going to try and do better as I miss doing this and I miss reading everyone else's as well. When I write on my blog I also spend time catching up and reading other people's blogs.

Some of you know that we listed our house in January to sell. We listed the house so that we could mainly move closer to school for Sophie and in turn we would also be moving closer to work for Nick. Sophie attends a private Christian school that is very close to work for Nick. Last year we did a lot of driving, but it was so worth it as we just love where she goes to school. When we listed our current home we didn't mention it to many people as we thought it would take a long time to sell. It did take a few months as we just got an offer on it in June. We had been praying about it for months and we were trying not to stress to much about it not selling. Then God provided a great offer and we are now packing up and getting ready to move. We were in crunch time for a week and a half trying to find the right "new" for us. We have finally found a fabulous home that will only be 12 miles from Sophie's school. We are delighted and are so excited about our "new" home and the area we will be living it. We are going to be so close to lots of dear friends - of mine, Nick's (his college roomate), and Sophie's. We already have a fabulous babysitter (the daughter of Sophie's Kindergarten teacher :-) and we have already visited some wonderful churches in the area and we know that God has big plans for our little family in our new location. Even though we have only been in our current home for just under three years we have made many precious memories here. We celebrated Sophie's 4th and 5th birthday parties in the backyard of this house. We brought Luke home from the hospital to this house. We played slip-in-slide and many hours on the playset in the backyard. We have put our heart and soul in this house as it was quite a mess when we moved it. We have loved it and it has loved us back....so we are sad to move on, but know that this is truly the best thing for us. We are delighted at how God has provided and answered so many prayers for us. We can't wait to see what awaits us in our new town, neighborhood, and home. We also can't wait to get everything moved in and set up so we can have visitors! I'll post some photos of our new home soon...after we close on July 20th and it is all "official".

"Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him." John 14:23

The first day of March brought snow to our house and the kids were thrilled! I must say that I was too. I was hoping that we would get snow this year and to our delight it came a little later than one might expect. The snow came down in big flakes and it was beautiful. My favorite part about it was seeing the kids as they looked out the window watching in amazement as the snow fell to the ground. As soon as enough gathered we headed outside. As you can tell by our photos...we don't get snow very often in these parts! My kids have on rain boots, a raincoat and an umbrella in the first few photos! That is how we do it here in GA when it snows :-) The snow was like a large slushy from the snow cone man...not very powdery and fluffy, but rather wet and sloshy. We'll take it any way we can get it though and were so excited to have enough to play in. The next day Sophie's school was canceled so we got to sleep in, which was so very nice. However, the snow was pretty much all gone by morning the next day. Oh well...it was fun while it lasted!

"Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation." Psalm 35:9

It's Me! I am here!

Well...my blog has been totally neglected and I would be surprised if anyone is still reading! I have just not had time and then lately I have forgotten all about it. So much has happened since December that I truly don't know where to begin. We are all doing well, but have been through quite a lot lately. Right now I must say that I am so blessed with sweet family and friends! I have posted a photo of Sophie and me from her Valentine's Party at school. It was so fun and I cherish these days when she is able to have fun parties at school and celebrate holidays! Nick's mom was able to come to the party as well so that made it extra special. I hope you all are doing well and I am going to try and update more often....

Many blessings to you and your families!

Merri

Psalm 36:5 "Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies."

Merry Christmas

Well...it has been a long time since I posted! I promise to be back soon if I still have any readers?? We have been busy with Sophie's bday party, Thanksgiving, and all the fun Christmas activities that go on this time of year. I'll be back soon to update with photos and lots of thoughts. I hope that y'all will come back soon to read about it :-) Right now I am going to get back to wrapping presents and finishing up some handmade gifts....I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. May the birth of our Lord and Savior bless you in new and amazing ways this year.
Love,
Merri

Halloween

Halloween was lots of fun this year with two kiddos who were totally into it! We traveled to Florida for the weekend to attend the UGA/FL football game with my family. I must say that Trick or Treating was muuuuch more fun than the game the next day. We did have a great weekend though and it was fun to Trick or Treat in a new location and with my family! My sister Sherri, who lives in Washington D.C. got to Trick or Treat with the kids for the first time and that was a huge blessing! She got little noses for all of the adults to wear. I was a fish, Nick a pig, Sherri a shark, and Dad a wolf (which Luke thought was UGA and called him that all night!). My mom got some fun glasses to wear. We got to go where we have our family vacations at the beach every summer with my family. It was neat to be there and see all the homes decorated for Fall/Halloween. We got some super duper candy too! Luke LOVED the candy and insisted on eating it with the wrapper on. I had to hang onto his treat bag so he wouldn't do that. Once he got a lollipop though he tore the wrapper off and went to town! He finished the thing off and was a huge sticky mess...but he loved it and that is what Halloween is all about. Sophie was so brave this year - not afraid to run up and ring the doorbell. My little kitty and puppy dog were so cute and I cherish this time when we get to Trick or Treat with them.

"Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation." Psalm 35:9

Bye Gook!

Oh I just love the way Luke talks. I love to hear him say words (and so does Sophie!). He is always repeating what we say and I love the way he pronounces words...it is just adorable to hear a 19 month old talk. He says "Burd" for Big Bird, "Beeear" for Bear, "airpane" for airplane, "Ermie" for Ernie (Bert and Ernie on Sesame St.), "tuck" for truck, "bunkin" for pumpkin. Any who...I could listen to him talk all day long and not grow weary of it. The other night we were at church and we were leaving the nursery. The ladies that keep him each Wednesday night said bye Luke and in return he said, "Bye Gook". That is the way he says his name "Gook". I laughed so hard! My sweet little Gook...who can resist?

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14

I've Been Tagged!

Amy Farley tagged me a few days ago so I thought I would keep it going....

7 Random and/or Weird Facts about Me:

1. OK since I have been giving the opportunity....I have to get something off my chest. A random fact about me is that I think there are just too many famous people in the world today! I can't keep up with all of them. There is always someone new on the cover of magazines and I am always asking Nick - who is that? Where did they come from? How are they famous? I am so tired of people being famous for just being rich, or pretty, or just because their parent's are famous. There are so many people who are famous today who simply aren't talented. They are just rich and pretty and wear really expensive clothes. I am tired of these "famous" people telling us the "common people" who to vote for, what to buy, how wonderful they look after having babies since you know we all can have personal chefs and trainers. I know we don't have to listen, but it is everywhere! A little is alright, but there are so many now that you can't get away! I am really frustrated about this. It seems that many of them aren't very educated either. I mean so many of them aren't even talented....can't really sing...or act. I guess it is because of all of the reality shows that are on today there are just oodles of famous people, but I am just tired of it. I am ready for our society to change and not focus so much on these people. I am ready for well educated women to be in the spotlight more and to be the ones who have more of an influence our young girls. I am ready for some good role models for young women to arise. I am tired of famous girls selling out - I wish more of them would stand up for what is right and stick to it. Whew....

2. Another random fact about me is that I read my Bible every night. I have been wanting to do this for some time and about two months ago I decided this was it...I am going to do it. I have tried very hard to stick to it. I am really wanting to read the entire Bible. I have read lots of the Bible over in the course of my life, but never really started in one spot and finished. So that is what I am trying to do. I have started in Psalms and we'll see how long it takes me! It has been a blessing to go to bed each night after reading my Bible and it is really the best time for me. In the morning it is just too early and too hard since I usually have to get three people ready. I am not a morning person so the night time is great for me.

3. I love being a mom and wife. I knew my whole life really that I wanted to have children. I babysat for as long as I can remember - even helping my sister babysit when I was really young. I have always loved kids - really at any age. Being a mom is a tough job and I really didn't understand fully until I had my first child. I have learned that it is much more physical than I ever imagined. It is also much more mentally demanding than I ever imagined. However, it is the most rewarding and amazing thing. I feel so privileged and honored to be the mom of Luke and Sophie and the wife of Nick. What an amazing blessing. I also love being a wife. I love that I have someone by my side to live life with. I love that God gave me someone who is so compatible with me and helps me be a better person and loves me even when I have smelly breath in the morning and also when I get mad. I love that he loves being a Dad and that we are trying to figure this whole "life" thing out together even though sometimes we make mistakes. I am glad we have each other to learn and struggle with. These two things are so rewarding and I feel so blessed that God has given me the opportunity to be a mom and a wife. I try not to ever take it for granted.

4. I love Trader Joe's! I love their chocolate pudding and their tapioca pudding! I love their cheese sandwich crackers (they are much better than Ritz cheese crackers!). I really like that my hubby can buy wine he likes for under $3 and I like the white Zinfandel on occasion too and it is equally as cheap. I love their breakfast bars! I love that they have little children's buggies that Sophie can push around when we shop. I love that the selection isn't so overwhelming and I don't leave exhausted. I love their tea/lemonade...so yummy! I just love Trader Joe's, but wish it was a little closer to us.

5. My favorite department store to shop in is Nordstrom. I love how nice the sales people are and they aren't stuffy or pushy. I love the selection. They seem to have a wide range of prices and I like that so I don't have to go and spend a ton of money when I shop there. I don't go to the mall very often, but when I do I love shopping at Nordstrom!

6. I really like my red hair! I have always loved it and think it makes me different. However, lately I have gotten a little worried. I have always had people ask me if it is real...and of course it is so I say yes. However, lately I am starting to get grey hairs. I keep finding more and more of them and I am not sure what I am going to do. I have loved that I don't have to dye my hair and spend a ton of money at the salon. I love that I can tell people that yes, it is real. However, I am definitely not ready to go grey....so what is a true redhead to do? I guess I'll have to get highlights and then say....no it isn't totally real....I have highlights. I am not really ready for that yet....this getting older thing is going to take some getting used to.

7. I love working with teenage girls. They are so full of energy and so eager to learn about life. I love ministering to them and praying with them and for them. I love hearing about their life stories and what is going on with them. I love laughing with them and seeing God move in and through their lives.

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

Ok so now on to tag 7 more people:
1. Rebecca
2. Mary Catherine
3. Amanda
4. Amy Lee
5. Audrey
6. Jennifer Able
7. Meredith