Dear Family and Friends,
Since most of our Christmas Cards went out with the Blog address I felt that I needed to do a Christmas Letter, or a Year in Review if you will. I feel that the years are just flying by and that the kids are on fast forward, it just seems impossible that they are as grown as they are, it hardly seems real that the end of the year is near.
Bradley is now 11 and in the 5th Grade, Bradley finds it funny that he is now almost as tall as his mom and likes to remind me of that fact often. Bradley is a very busy guy lately he is involved in Scouts, having just earned his Arrow of Light, piano, comp. soccer and his latest endeavor of song-writing. He also passed Hunter's Safety this year and has found a passion in shooting and hunting (much to his Dad's delight).
Kennadee will be 10 on the 29th of this month and she is in the 4th grade. Kennadee is really coming into her own this year, I can see a change in her from the little girl, to little woman, she is also in Piano and recently at her recital she played both her pieces without much fear, which for those who know her well know what a struggle it is for her to do things in front of large crowds. She is in comp. dance and her team has done really well this year. Kennadee also loves going to Activity Days and is a great friend to all her know her.
Zachary just turned 8 in Nov. and is in the 2nd Grade. With just turning 8, Zachary was recently baptized and he is now going to Scouts and will be receiving his Bobcat award this month. Lots of fun things have going on for Zacky, he started piano this year and has been doing fantastic, he also has been taking Karate and just earned his white belt.
Lainee is now four and being "Home-Schooled" by Mom, Lainee is probably the most seasoned traveler of our Family and this year her travels took her took Maryland with Mom, we were able to go spend some time with her Aunt Erin and Uncle Dru and their brand new baby Alesa in March (we did also spend time with Aunt Taci, who took her to D.C. for some touring). She also started Dance this year and was moved from show team to comp. team quickly. She is a joy to have around and constantly says the funniest things.
Scott is keeping busy with Laser Stop and his calling in the Elder's Quorum Presidency, and in between all that he enjoys Hunting and taking the boys shooting and the occasional golfing, he also got his motorcycle license and has enjoyed some riding with friends.
I have been kept busy with the 4 kids and Sophie and my calling in the Primary Presidency, but on my down time I really enjoy scrapbooking and reading and spending time on Facebook (yes a guilty pleasure) and keeping up on this blog.
Our Family has enjoyed many, many adventures this year, as well as mine and Lainee's trip to Maryland, the kids get to spend a "Week with NO parents" at their Grandma and Pappy's house in Neola, and while they were there, I went to New York for "girl's week" with my sisters and mom (and Aunt Pam and Jeanne), we also got to spend a week exploring nature's beauty in Yellowstone Nat'l Park, and traveled down to Southern Utah to Hole-in-the-Rock and Captial Reef.
We have been so incredibly blessed this year and feel the loving guidance of our Heavenly Father in all our endeavors. We are so grateful for the Savior and for his Atonement, and we are so excited to be able to spend the Holdays reflecting on our Savior's birth and we hope to share our love of him with you our Family and Friends, we hope that his spirit will be with you this Season and the year to come.
With Love to you ALL,
Scott and Melanie
Bradley, Kennadee, Zachary and Lainee
and Sophie
Friday, December 11, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Chapter 42: CTR
Saturday was such a wonderful day, Zachary had turned 8 in Nov. and he decided that he would like to be baptized and so on Sat. the 5th of Dec. he was able to have his Dad baptize and Confirm him. It was so neat to watch as our little boy seemed to grow right before us, he really took his baptism seriously. He came to me about a month ago and said that he really thought he needed a suit, so I went and got him out of school one day and we went to lunch and then went to JC Penney and bought him a suit, it took him some time to decide on the perfect suit for his important day, but he was able to find a good one. On Sat. as I was making my bed, he came rushing into my room and as excited as can be he said Mom, Mom, today I become a member of the church, and I said Yes, you do, he then asked if it was hard to do to which I kind of laughed and said No, I don't think it is hard at all.
Scott took Zachary early to the church so they could get ready and by the time we got there they were dressed in white and ready for the baptism, I just have to say that Zachary looked like he was beaming (which is very rare for him) you could tell how excited he was just by looking at him. As they called his name for him to go to the font with his Dad he didn't even hesitate (I was singing praises to God at this time, any who were at Kennadee's Baptism will know why) and he entered the waters where Scott took him by the hand and preformed the ordinance, I felt the spirit so strongly as he came up out of the water, testifying of the truthfullness of the gospel.
We then got to witness the Baptism of Zane who many know that he and Zacky seriously think they are twins and they are as close as brothers, how wonderful for them to be able to share this day together!!!! 
As Zachary entered the room to be confirmed I had to wipe a tear away, he had a countenance about him that just made me excited, his confidence and sureness in himself was so very evident, I don't know if it was the suit that made him appear that way or just the simple fact that he could feel the spirit too, but I know that I will never forget the day of his baptism, and I know that he will not either, we are so very happy for Zachary and we know that his life will always be blessed because of his decision to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Scott took Zachary early to the church so they could get ready and by the time we got there they were dressed in white and ready for the baptism, I just have to say that Zachary looked like he was beaming (which is very rare for him) you could tell how excited he was just by looking at him. As they called his name for him to go to the font with his Dad he didn't even hesitate (I was singing praises to God at this time, any who were at Kennadee's Baptism will know why) and he entered the waters where Scott took him by the hand and preformed the ordinance, I felt the spirit so strongly as he came up out of the water, testifying of the truthfullness of the gospel.
We then got to witness the Baptism of Zane who many know that he and Zacky seriously think they are twins and they are as close as brothers, how wonderful for them to be able to share this day together!!!! 
As Zachary entered the room to be confirmed I had to wipe a tear away, he had a countenance about him that just made me excited, his confidence and sureness in himself was so very evident, I don't know if it was the suit that made him appear that way or just the simple fact that he could feel the spirit too, but I know that I will never forget the day of his baptism, and I know that he will not either, we are so very happy for Zachary and we know that his life will always be blessed because of his decision to become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Chapter 41: Merkley-isms
YOU MIGHT BE A MERKLEY IF:
-you use phrases like "the older 4" "Galen and Erin" and the "the younger 4"
-your mom remembers things based on who she was pregnant with or who was the baby.
-it takes all 10 fingers to count you and your siblings
-you bring your own place to sleep to go visit the family
-you think having Thanksgiving at a church is "normal"
-your kids have to know whether you are talking about Aunt Erin, Uncle Aaron or Cousin Aaron.
-your assignment for Thanksgiving is 10 pounds of potatoes and there are at least 2 others with the same assignment, and you still worry if that is enough.
-you have to introduce yourself at dinner to your own family!
-where 2 families = 18 kids
-your Dad still has trouble remembering which kid you are Jus...Matt...Mel...Kar...Ga..Eri...Taci...Kate...Loga...CAMI!!!!!
Here are just a few Merkley-isms I am sure there are many, many more but for now just enjoy some of the pictures from our larger than life family Thanksgiving, Thanks to all you Merkley's who make gatherings fun and entertaining!!!!!
-you use phrases like "the older 4" "Galen and Erin" and the "the younger 4"
-your mom remembers things based on who she was pregnant with or who was the baby.
-it takes all 10 fingers to count you and your siblings
-you bring your own place to sleep to go visit the family
-you think having Thanksgiving at a church is "normal"
-your kids have to know whether you are talking about Aunt Erin, Uncle Aaron or Cousin Aaron.
-your assignment for Thanksgiving is 10 pounds of potatoes and there are at least 2 others with the same assignment, and you still worry if that is enough.
-you have to introduce yourself at dinner to your own family!
-where 2 families = 18 kids
-your Dad still has trouble remembering which kid you are Jus...Matt...Mel...Kar...Ga..Eri...Taci...Kate...Loga...CAMI!!!!!
Here are just a few Merkley-isms I am sure there are many, many more but for now just enjoy some of the pictures from our larger than life family Thanksgiving, Thanks to all you Merkley's who make gatherings fun and entertaining!!!!!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Chapter 40: Possibilities
So yesterday Bradley calls me from school and this is how our conversation went;
"Mom"
"Yes Bradley"
"Before you say no, I just want you to know that this is our last chance"
"Last chance for what?"
"Zac and I have to go to the recording studio, to finish up our song for the talent show."
(at this point I am beginning to wonder if my meds have been making me a little more loopy than usual)
"Mom, Mom, so is that okay!"
(giggling)"The Recording Studio?"
"Yeah it is at Zach's guitar teachers house and we just have a few things to finish up and then we are going to do our homework and I will be home, what time do you want me home?"
"Well, I guess if that is what you need to do, by all means go finish at the recording studio and then after you are done with your homework come home, just try to make it by five!"
So then to top it all off, this morning he wakes up and he is furiously writing on this sheet of paper and after a while he is like "YES", and then he asks if I want to hear the song he just wrote------am I dreaming, did I wake up yet, what is going on and who is this boy that can only think of recording studios and song lyrics. Well I think I will just go with the flow who knows maybe there will be a musician in our family afterall!!!!!!
"Mom"
"Yes Bradley"
"Before you say no, I just want you to know that this is our last chance"
"Last chance for what?"
"Zac and I have to go to the recording studio, to finish up our song for the talent show."
(at this point I am beginning to wonder if my meds have been making me a little more loopy than usual)
"Mom, Mom, so is that okay!"
(giggling)"The Recording Studio?"
"Yeah it is at Zach's guitar teachers house and we just have a few things to finish up and then we are going to do our homework and I will be home, what time do you want me home?"
"Well, I guess if that is what you need to do, by all means go finish at the recording studio and then after you are done with your homework come home, just try to make it by five!"
So then to top it all off, this morning he wakes up and he is furiously writing on this sheet of paper and after a while he is like "YES", and then he asks if I want to hear the song he just wrote------am I dreaming, did I wake up yet, what is going on and who is this boy that can only think of recording studios and song lyrics. Well I think I will just go with the flow who knows maybe there will be a musician in our family afterall!!!!!!
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