Noah's Preschool Graduation

Noah went to Waterford Community Center in Salt Lake City for preschool this year. He has learned so much from the Waterford Program and I am so sad that it has been cancelled. He had a wonderful teacher names Ms. Marj who he just loved. On his last day of school he gave Ms. Marj a tentative hug and she got a teary eye and said, "I hope all of his teachers see the amazing boy that he is and love him as much as I do." It was such a sweet moment! I am so grateful for good educators in the world. We will never forget Ms. Marj!

My last post was in April. APRIL!?!?!

It's been such a ridiculously long time since I have blogged, I don't even recognize the "new" format for Blogger! It's probably not even new anymore. I need to do a little catch up so I will be posting things from the last few months.

We have had a crazy busy summer, as usual. It has been wonderful, but I am so glad that it is over and we are headed to a calmer, cooler fall. Keep checkin' back for more updates, we've had a lot going on!

I'm prepared, are you?

Remember the crazy winds of December 2011? Here is how it changed my life (or at least my perspective)...

I had a hard time falling asleep on Wednesday night, the last night of November 2011. The wind was SO LOUD! I have never heard anything like it, but still didn't think it would turn out like it did. I am sure you all remember the news stories, pictures of fallen trees, downed power lines. A house burned down just two blocks from me.

At four in the morning, Luke's phone rang. Guess what? Things had gotten so out of control and crazy in Centerville, they needed all hands on deck. Even though Luke wasn't scheduled to work until eight in the morning, he was needed... like 5 minutes ago.

I don't know exactly what time the power went out, but it was out when I got up. Luckily, I didn't need to cook to feed the kids, and we spent the morning decorating for Christmas. Not too bad, right? Well, it started to get colder as the morning progressed. I looked out into our back yard and saw tree branches tangled in our power lines. I don't know what is what when it comes to power lines so I was a tad worried. I called Luke. I couldn't get a hold of Luke. Or the City of Bountiful. Or the power company. Or anybody. I felt very alone and a little powerless, but I was okay. Soon, my sweet brother in law, Jesse, came to our rescue, took us to my in-laws house where they have gas and so it wasn't as cold and there was hot food on the table. All things considered, we survived the power outage unscathed. I wish everyone was as lucky as me. My story isn't scary, but there are hundreds out there that are.

But... a couple of days later it hit me. Wait a minute?!?!?! My husband is a civil servant. He won't EVER be around in this kind of situation. I won't always have Jesse to rescue me. If something truly devastating happens I am on my own. So, instead of panicking, I started to prepare and I am feeling better about taking care of myself, my kids and maybe my neighbors more than ever before.

I have done a few things...

1. I have become a Shelf Reliance representative. I love, love, love these products. I have been receiving the Thrive Q products for over a year and nothing gives me more comfort than to know that I have delicious, healthy food that will last 25+ years.

2. I have become a Group Leader with Emergency Essentials. This gives me access to discounts that are only available to bulk orders. I send out a monthly email with all the specials and gather/place orders. There is nothing in it for me but the power to buy in bulk and good deals.

3. Educating myself. If the "big one" hits... we are right on the fault line. I have attended classes in my area and that my Relief Society has held.

4. I have started saving water in any and every water safe container.

5. I have assembled what I think is just about the most comprehensive and beautiful 72 hr. kit there is. I love it. I have used it and shared it with family already. Can't say enough about how important these kits are!!

I am not finished preparing. But I feel better than ever. So, here is my point in sharing this with you. I figure if I help even just one person be more prepared, I will be happy. If you are interested in any of the above information, please contact me. I am happy to share what I have learned, put you on my email list for updates on group specials, host a THRIVE cooking class in your home, etc., etc. etc. I don't want to be scared and unprepared. And I don't want you to be either. I'd love to hear from you and how you are preparing too!

Thanks for reading. Leave a comment, email, text or call. 801-403-2444

ants on a log

conversations with Emma usually go a little something like this:

Emma: Mom, what are you making?

Mom: Ants on a log

E: That isn't ants on a wog. That is celery, peanut butter and waisins.

M: I know. But I like to pretend its ants sitting on a log.

E: Are you seriously telling me you are pretending those waisins are ants on a wog?!?!?

M: Yes! It's kinda fun.

E: Mom. Don't ever tease me like this again. That is so silly!

Mini Me

Have you met my husband? I mean my baby? I mean my husband? Wait... who is that?!?!

When people see Zane, the first thing they say is, "Oh my goodness! He looks just like Luke!"

Or some similar variation. And I couldn't agree more.

I need to find a picture of Luke about this age so we can compare side by side.

Zaner is already four months old! I love this little guy like crazy. He is so sweet and calm and just the best baby ever. When he starts to cry, which is rare, I get so flustered and frustrated because it doesn't happen often and I  don't know what to do with it! He sleeps most nights at least six hours. He had his first applesauce on Thursday the 9th and absolutely loved it. He is always ready for more. He almost rolled over today, and every other day for the last week! If he rolls, he will be my earliest roller. In fact, he already is, because he rolled over in the hospital right after he was born and up until he was about 3 weeks old. Then, I think he got too chubby.

Luke can always make this boy smile by singing a silly song about a Zaner Tot. Zane smiled his first real smile on my birthday, but not for me! It was for Uncle Jesse. Zane always wakes up with a smile. He is so happy. Love, love, love this baby.

To my Valentines...

Noah... I love you. I love your readiness to learn. I love that you love your baby brother like crazy. I love your pinboard in your room where you pin everything special to you. I love that you never want to play in your room so you can keep it cleaner. I love that you look like me. I love those big brown eyes! I love your sincerity. I love that, sometimes, you still let me snuggle you. I love that you plan. I love that your favorite song is still "Rudolph" even though its February.

Emma... I love you. I love your craziness! I love that lately you started calling everyone a 'funny gooser.' I love your dancing. I love that you can't get enough of  "Moves like Jaggar." I love your smile. Sometimes I love it when you wake me up in the middle of the night for no reason at all, except to say, "Mom, I wuv you." I love that you love your hair and that you are upset that I cut mine. I love you because you are you. And nobody else. Because, sister, you are something else!

Zane... I love you. I love how sweet, sweet, sweet you are. I love you because you wake up with a smile. I love your chubby thighs and your blue eyes. I love that you sleep six hours a night. I love your intense desire to move! You are ready for the world! I love that you are trying to roll. I love that you want to sit up and watch your brother and sister all the time. I love your snuggles.

Luke... I love you. I love that you are passionate. I love that you love your job. I love that you take care of our family. I love that you are strong. I love that you sing to the kids and make up silly songs for them. I love that you love your hobbies... painting, taxidermy, hunting. I love that you laugh at my jokes. I love that you are patient with me most of the time. I love that you let me be me. I love your blue eyes. I love that Zaner looks just like you. I love that you are my best friend. I love that you love our kids like crazy. 'Cause I love you like crazy.

just a few notes on my kids... i love 'em and they are growing up too fast.

Zane grabbed his toes on Thursday night. Don't know why this is a moment, but it is. He is almost rolling over! He is such a happy and content baby. Happy and happy. He is half giggling! And slept eight hours last night making him my favorite child o' the day. He loves company and hates being left out of anything. In the morning, when I have to go to work, I wake him up, change his bum and get ready to feed him. He just lays on the changing table, stretches his arms up, opens his eyes and then he smiles the sweetest smile. He melts my heart.

Emma, oh Emma! She is a study in contradiction lately. She is so bouncy and flashy at home. I guess flashy might not be the right word, but I can't think of the right word. She is loud, she likes to be heard, she loves to dance and sing. Until you leave home. Then, she is quiet and reserved and all things that Emma is not. Thursday, my friend Darlene picked Emma up for "bring a friend to preschool" day with Andi, and brought her home 30 minutes later. Why didn't Emma want to stay, "Because, I was being shy!" At dance class, she dances her little heart out exactly the way she is supposed to, but when they have "free dance" she stands there not knowing how to break the mold. And insists on holding the teachers hand when they aren't dancing. I told her she didn't need to do this and she said, "I'm her friend. She needs me." Such a big, dramatic heart.

Noah has become somewhat of a planner. He has planned out his life and I fear, oh how I fear! how disappointed he might be if it doesn't turn out how he tells me it will. And his plans are so specific and detailed. (Brittany, if you happen to stumble upon my blog, please don't be alarmed). There is a sweet and gorgeous little girl in our ward/neighborhood/Noah's school that Noah has decided to marry. Her name is Dylan. He is not forward or kissy or lovey-dovey... yet. He is... matter of fact... decided to marry her. He has planned out their life. He tells me bit by bit as it is planned and the timeline goes a little something like this...

• Noah and Dylan will get married in the Bountiful Temple
• They will live in Zach and Melanie's old apartment on 1200 S. in Bountiful
• Noah will be a police officer and a teacher. Sometimes, he wants to be a Costco 'cooker' as well. Basically, he wants to pass out food in a hair net.
• Noah will work for Centerville being a police officer.
• Dylan will stay home with the kids and bring Noah his lunch while he is at work.
• Noah and Dylan will have 4 or 5 kids.
• He will buy Jelly Belly beans at Costco. And he will share them with his kids.
• They will move to Silver Creek someday

As far as I can tell, Noah has not told Dylan any of his plans. But Dylan's mom, Brittany, has told me that they are quite chatty in the car on the way to school. When I was driving carpool, it was the beginning of the year and nobody spoke too much yet. And Brittany tells me that Dylan has told her that Noah is pretty much the only boy she likes to be around. The rest are too loud, crazy, bouncy or what have you. Oh my! Don't try to argue with him about this. It just results in him being stubborn and upset that you don't agree. He has also informed Luke and I that there are 2 more babies that need to come to the family. One girl and one boy. This last week, he informed me that they are coming at the same time. Oh dear. We'll let you know how that one turns out!

January is flying by, but it seems Christmas was so long ago! We are super busy lately, as I have been working part time and now full time for a couple more weeks. Little temp jobs here and there help me keep my sanity and my family seems all the more appreciative of me when I get home :).

A few updates... One more week until I lock the blog for privacy. Please let me know if you want to be included.

My mother-in-law, Michelle, has started a blog with her sister, Robyn, to document her journey through chemotherapy at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. Michelle was diagnosed with MDS Leukemia in November. We are praying for her and love her so much. Her blog can be found here.

Michelle's New Dawn

Goodbye 2011

Disclaimer: On the day we blessed Zane, December 11, Luke teased me that I needed to share my testimony in the obligatory, "mother of the child being blessed" way. It didn't happen as I am afraid of microphones and Zane was hungry. No worries, as it was a fabulous meeting and very much themed around the Great Wind of 2011 as I like to call it. Anywho... my teary testimony is what this has turned out to be. You were warned.

The first day of the new year is now over and I can't believe that another has come and gone. So much has happened to us this last year and it is hard to believe how quickly it all happened. I have spent some time reflecting over the past year and I have so much to be grateful for and so much to look forward to.

We have had such an amazing Christmas season and the highlight was definitely Christmas Eve with my in-laws. Michelle asked us to take turns sharing what the best gift that Christ gave us this year was. I knew immediately what my gifts were and couldn't keep my composure and started crying right away. Here is the extended version of what I shared with my family that night.

This is very near, dear and spiritual to me and it has taken me a....year... to be willing to share with the entire world wide web.

I spent the bulk of 2010 in prayer wondering why we were struggling with Luke finding the right job, in the right place and why wasn't this the right time? My prayers were answered, rather cryptically, it felt. The answer always came to trust in the Lord's plan and things will work out as it is intended. Well, that pretty much meant nothing to me so I prayed further to understand what exactly the Lord's plan was. My answer to those prayers and meditation in the temple came as a little spirit telling me that it was his time to join our family. I told the Lord that it wasn't possible! We didn't have a job, let alone the money for another baby! But, the answer was persistent.

Now here is where it gets personal and if you don't know me really well, you might think me a bit of a loon. That little spirit that kept telling me that it was time to join our family visited me. We didn't speak or anything, don't worry. But I could sense his presence and knew he was waiting for us. He came to me and sat near me and just let me know that he was there, who he was and waited for me to acknowledge him. It is hard to explain what this experience was really like and I am happy to elaborate in person. Just ask.

Then, each time we went to the temple I would have the overwhelming nagging feeling that I was knowingly not doing what the Lord was asking of me. I was not following the guidance to trust in the Lord and increase our family. Not good feelings, right? But how could I tell my unemployed husband, "Hey, I want to have another baby. You in?" Not a conversation I wanted to start.

November came and with that, Zach and Melanie's wedding. They will never truly understand the full impact of their temple ceremony on not just me, but probably ever other person in that room. After that sealing, I couldn't deny the Spirit any longer. I sought comfort and advice from my dear cousin and friend Kelly and she gave me the strength I needed to tell Luke what I had been feeling. And so I did. And his response was, "I know. I have been feeling the same way for a couple months but how is it possible?" Wha....? Not what I expected AT ALL! I was so overwhelmed with joy and now FEAR as we were accepting the assignment from our Heavenly Father to have that little spirit that had been bugging me (for over a year) join our family.

Now here is our miracle. We decided to go ahead and try to get pregnant and we did, rather quickly. But first, within 2 weeks of making the decision officially official, Luke received 4 job offers. Four! Centerville was the best choice at the most pay and the best part is that we didn't have to move and it is a small department with lots of growth potential so it all made sense.

And so began 2011 with all its twists and turns. Obviously, I got pregnant right away. Luke started working like crazy and life as we knew it changed. We moved in August and I can't believe the luck we had in being able to stay in our ward, on our street, with good friends and family so close. The highlight of our year was our little spirit who could not wait any longer to join our family. Our little Zane Christopher was born in October. Its strange to me still, but miraculous that his spirit is so familiar to me and I feel like I know him so well. He is a mover and a shaker, always has been, even when I was pregnant. He just can't wait to get going! I always tell him I know he has an important job in this life and that is why he couldn't wait any longer to get here and why he can't hold still. I don't know what it is, but I know he will do great things.

And for those who were wondering, Zane means God is gracious. And Christopher is not only a Merkley family name but means bearer of Christ. Fitting, no?

I truly have a testimony that the Lord will answer our prayers. We cannot forget the importance of heeding the promptings that we hear. We are continually being prompted and guided if we will just stay in tune with the Spirit. Guidance from the Spirit is not always life changing or earth moving. It comes daily, if we let it. We will see the hand of God in our lives if we know how to recognize it.

I read a sticky note at a house I used to clean that said,

How have I seen the hand of God reach out and touch me or my family today?

Did God send a message that was just for me?

What can I do to preserve that memory for the day I need to remember

how much God loves me and how much I need him?

At the start of this new year, may you recognize the hand of God in your life and remember how much he loves you and yours. I know we are loved as I cannot deny his hand and love in my life this past year. Merry Christmas to you and a joyous, happy new year.

Privacy Please!

Privacy has become a real issue in our house as I never get any! So, I am getting privacy where I can, MY BLOG! I have debated over the last couple of weeks wanting to share more personal, more journal type entries to my blog and have decided to put a privacy block on our blog. Please email me or comment on this post if you would like to be included. Thanks for understanding and hope you will continue reading.