There is nothing better..................

THAN MY KIDS!!!!!

So Scott and I took off for a week to go have some fun and sun in Mexico and believe me when I say IT. WAS. INCREDIBLE!!! (Look for a post about that soon, I have to get some pics from our friends)

But man I have not seen my kids since the 19th when my Mom and Dad took them home with them, I know the kids have been having so much fun and I am sure that they even barely notice that we are not there but I miss them sooooooooooo much.  I miss their faces, their smiles, their voices, their laughs, their quirky sayings, and yes even their fighting ( I know crazy huh!), I can barely talk to them on the phone right now without crying and longing to see them and hug them.  I am so lucky in the fact that my Mother-in-law and Scott's step-dad aka Grandma and Pappy will take the kids for a week every summer they call it "Week with no Parents", I feel the kids are so lucky in so many ways because of this tradition.  It all started with Scott's Grandma King, she would take Scott and his brothers every summer for a period of time and Scott has so many memories of the time he was able to share with her and his Grandfather (before he passed away), when Robin became a Grandma she wanted to help out and do some of the same things that had meant so much to her when she herself was in the throughs of motherhood, so thus Week with no Parents was a tradition she upheld.  I know the kids probably don't really grasp the full impact of this time spent with their Grandparents but I do and I know that one day they will look back with great fondness for the relationships that were formed and the special moments that they shared with the wonderful people they have as Grandparents.  They have been able to spend alot of time with both sets of Grandparents on this trip and I have enjoyed listening to all their tales of the never-ending fun they have had.  Thank you, thank you Dad and Mom and Robin and Everett for being ever so willing to take on an extra 4 kids, well really 5 since I will claim Katie too.  I don't know how to convey how much I appreciate all you do for them, I am very spoiled to have such wonderful parents and in-laws!!!


Now.................please; GIVE THEM BACK!!!

My three obsessions 03-13-11

                  Here are my 3 obsessions this week:


                                         #1

I watched the movie "The Last Song" a lot while I was sick and I fell in love with the song that Ronnie (Miley Cyrus) plays at her Dad's funeral.  So I got online and searched for the sheet music, Voila, found it..................or did I???  While the sheet music I found was called "Ronnie's Song" or "Steve's Theme" it isn't what I wanted.  It is in some sense the same song, but not the same rendition of the song, if that makes any sense.  So I have been obsessed with finding the sheet music for her rendition and I am failing miserably, so if any of you out there know where it can be found, PLEASE, put me out of my misery.


                                           #2

The Scale - So you know when you are sick and can't hold anything down, your first thought is usually "YAY!!! I am going to lose weight!" (that is if you are a woman), and some of you already know that I was steadily losing weight before my illness, but sadly in this case for whatever reason, my body just literally shut down and therefore I was getting on the scale 3-4 times a day, a DAY people, because I was so nervous that if I wasn't losing any, that I would eventually gain some back since my diet consisted of alot of crackers, white bread and of course, ice cream!  (I just re-read what I wrote and it totally sounds like I am pregnant, but NO people there are no more babies coming!!)  So anyway back to my point, since feeling better I still find myself on the scale alot mostly because I fear that all that food will somehow come back to bite me, probably in the butt :( 

                                         #3

You know all those little things that somehow always get put off 'til tomorrow, like for instance cleaning "the junk drawer", the top of your fridge, the top of the washer and dryer.  I know you know what I am talking about and I know that you have already named 3 of your own places, well I have been trying to tackle those one at a time, and so you may be asking yourself  "what about this makes this an obsession?", well I will tell you, it is because when I think of the project I want to do for the day, I am constantly thinking about it all. day. long...so why don't I just do it in the morning and get it over with, well because then my name wouldn't be Melanie, I live for procrastination and I do it well.  Maybe one day you will see me all organized and put together but for now, I am just glad that I actually think of these little things!!!

Chapter 89: ZACH (ary)

So my little Z man came home from school and pulled from his backpack a certificate and this is what it said;

LYNX OF THE MONTH

March 2011

Name: Zachary K.

Reason for Honor: Zach obeys all class rules and is a

great example to all the students in his class.

I can always count on Zach!!

Love, Ms. Braithwaite

so cool, I love when others appreciate that I have good kids, it helps me think that maybe, just maybe something is sticking. The first thing I noticed this year in school, is the fact that Zachary was no longer to be, for whatever reason he signs all his papers just Zach, his teacher does the same thing and when I questioned her about it, she said that she just assumed that must be what we called him since that is what he started writing :( I don't know why this is such a big deal to me, I don't care if he is called Zach, I often find myself calling him by that name, but for some reason he will always be Zachary to me.

Some fun facts of Zach:

- Is always the first one up in the mornings
- Likes breakfast immediately (I have really loved the fact that he can cook himself simple meals)

- Will always play a key or two on the piano when he passes it

- When he finds a song that he really loves to play, he does. all. day. long......

(song of choice this week the "Star Wars" theme song, which happens to be Zane's piano piece, go figure.)

- his bladder is now trained to never be full when at school, but suddenly almost explodes upon his arrival home, it's that whole block that gets him everytime!!!

- is the most creative kid, ever. You can give him anything and he will turn it into something. I sometimes wonder if Phineas and Ferb is actually based on him...?

- has a big heart, but is very reluctant to show that side of him to anyone.

- is eerily similar to his best friend Zane.

- Hopes to go to BYU one day.

- and although he is sometimes (okay always) loud and rambuctious (at home, apparently never at school), I absolutely and totally LOVE that kid.

My 3 Obsessions 03-06-11

I am officially BACK!!!!

Now I don't know if this is good news for any of you, but I am sooooo excited to be blogging again!!!

#1 - GSA

I am obsessed with how little I am obsessed with the Girl Scout cookies that are in my house right now as we speak............I don't know if it is because I am still reeling from the effects of being sick or maybe my body has decided that it doesn't need a cookie to feel good about itself, so take that Samoas!!!

#2 - Celery

I am obsessed with Celery this week, my vegetable of choice right now!!! I especially love it paired with the Laughing Cow Garlic & Herb Cheese Wedge, so crispy, crunchy, and yummy!!! They have been so crunchy in fact that Scott has given me the evil eye during shows because it sounds like I am crunching on a piece of ice with my mouth open wide and into a microphone. :)

#3 - Baths

(okay for some dumb reason this is not letting me change the color and size of the font so just imagine please that this is blue. :)

There is something to be said about having a nice long soak in a hot bath. I have almost made it a daily ritual now, using the steam to help with my sinuses and the heat for all my other problems, the biggest problem with taking a bath is that my kids don't seem to understand the need to just relax and soak, they want to talk or tell me very, very long winded stories, or in Lainee's case she just props herself up on the side of the tub and gives me a run-down of whatever is on her mind, clothes, school, walking, what she had for breakfast, why I say "it's not on sale", shoes, books, why she sleeps with Kennadee, why her feet are cold, the list could go on and on forever, you can test her if you want but don't say I didn't warn you. I do actually like to hear the kids' stories and such most of the time, and I try hard to stay patient through it all, but I do have to say that I relish alone time as well.

Chapter 88: In sickness and in health??

So much has gone on lately and I have really wanted to get on the blog and update it, but somehow the days and weeks just slip by and I find myself with not one post in the year 2011, so sad :(

But today was a turning point when I noticed that my sister Kari updated her blog, now really how sad is that, she has done 2 posts this year alone and she is one who NEVER updates, so I was spurred into action to at least say something.............................?

This past couple of weeks have been really rough (to say the very least), and trying to muddle through has been somewhat of an agonizing feat. But through everything that I have had to deal with I have grown a new level of respect and love for the one person who had to take on a few (or twenty) new roles, the role of:

- care - giver
- nurse
- teacher
- listener
- homework checker
- laundress (my personal fave)
- Primary President
- dishwasher
- meal planner
- short order cook,

and that is just to name of few, but Scott can now say he has "done it all", with the exception of the almost daily carpooling (hey he needs a few faults, right), I have been sick and most days barely able to manage a shower, but everyday he has gone to work (dealing with some stressfull issues there as well) and then came home to a house full of chaos, he usually asks me what I thought we could do for dinner and once I give him a run down on what is available he cooks, feeds, clears and cleans the kitchen, he has even gone to the grocery store for more than just milk and bread, when I handed him my grocery list he had to take a deep breath and I know he was wondering how long this trip was going to take him, I just think he should feel lucky I didn't have the energy to clip coupons because I think that would have sent him over the edge. When I am at my worst, having no energy, sleep deprived and barely holding on, I am so thankful that he will just come and sit with me and hold my hand or talk, just having him near is one of the best medications I can have (mostly because it is NOT another pill) I have been extremely blessed with Scott and I hope that he knows just how much I appreciate him. When I see him cooking Breaded Pork Chops and Pasta for dinner just because it looks sooooo good to me, know ing full well it is probably going to be a huge fat waste of time, and spending 1 whole day trying to catch up on laundry and even folding socks with the kids, putting up with my whining and complaining about how unfair it is that I have to be sick and miserable, and again just being the one thing that brings me the most comfort, I feel blessed. What an incredible man and wonderful husband he is, Maybe it is nice every once in a while to really see someone in a different light and to be reminded of just how special those we love are. Thanks honey, I really appreciate all that you have done for me lately, I hope to be able to take back a few responsibilities but if you want I will gladly let you have a few to keep as well :)

My 3 Obsessions 12-05-10

My 3 obsessions this week (and really since I last posted)

#1 - Halls Cough Drops

(for someone who has not had that wonderful of winter so far, I have had to rely heavily on Halls to relieve my coughing fits, I hate that most days I can't make it more than a couple of hours without having to pop one in my mouth, but at the same time I am glad I have something to make me quit sounding like I am hacking up a lung.)

#2 - Leap Year

(Taci bought this movie recently and although I remembered seeing it once I couldn't remember what it was about so it has been on the movie channel and I recorded it, now I just can't stop watching it, I seriously think I need a vacation to Ireland. My "romantic" husband has gently reminded me that if he goes on a trip with me it is not going to be like the movie..................so I am thinking of leaving him home and trying my luck at the pubs!!!!)

#3 - Breyers Rocky Road Ice Cream

(Macey's had their Breyers on sale for 1.99, can you believe it 1.99, I know it was to wonderful to pass up, I went right out and had to purchase a couple (or 4) quarts of ice cream, thank heavens they had some of the good stuff!!!)

Chapter 87: Thanksgiving

So for Thanksgiving we spent the time with Scott's family in Horrocksville, Ut (aka Neola), Grandma Ada decided that everyone should come over to her house and it turned out to be a housefull!!! Although I do have to say that there is one HUGE difference between my family and Scott's and that is the fact that when the Merkley's get together for Thanksgiving the pie ratio is like 1 pie per person, with Scott's it is more like 1 pie per 10 people (so sad) but in the spirit of gratefullness I am willing to overlook this imperfection because I do love my in-laws!!!! I am thinking that Thanksgiving is also becoming a different sort of tradition for Scott, for the last few years he finds something that must be hunted or fished. This year was no exception, that morning he and Bradley set out in hopes to catch and kill a coyote, Scott's step-dad Everett told him that they had been hearing Coyotes so they were very excited to go see what they could get, so in zero degree weather, with all their gear they set out to see if they could find a coyote. They came home empty handed and at this point I was just glad they were not sent to kill the Turkey for dinner because it would have been a bird-less dinner :) Later that day Scott took Zacky out and their luck wasn't any better, but they had a good time and I love to hear the stories from the boys about their thrilling hunting adventures with their Dad. Later that night we headed up to my Dad and Mom's to visit with family. When we got up their we found my Aunt Dawn (mom's sis) showing my mom how to crochet some adorable flowers (ssshhhh, I think some might be for Christmas), my Aunt Pam and Uncle Pam (you read it right, that is what Lainee called them she just thought that Pam was there last name :) , Uncle Bruce and Aunt Gayla (mom's bro), my brother Galen, my sister Taci, my sister Cami and her husband James and then two of my favorite people Grandpa and Grandma Harvey, we had so much fun visiting with them and planning our Black Friday Night!!!! Why some people do not love Black Friday shopping I will never know, I love the feeling of chaos and excitement when you get a good deal on stuff, I love people watching and besides NYC, this is the best way to see people and watch how they handle it all. I finally had to put my sister on cart patrol so she wouldn't have a panic attack but we still had tons of fun and after I had a sleep over with Taci at my mommy's house!!!!

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on all that we are thankful for so I am going to list my top 5, just for all my fans!!!!

1. My most awesome kids, they may drive me insane daily, but I love, love, love them!!!

2. My wonderful husband, he is truly an incredible person!!!

3. Our fabulous families, I love spending time with our immediate and extended families, THANKS for the memories!!!

4. Warmth (we came home to a 42* house, but it was the warmth from a child on my lap, the warmth from the kids working together to get blankets, heaters and such that I appreciated.)

5. Ice Cream (if you know anything about me you know that this is my everlasting joy!!!)

I hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving and that you are looking forward to the coming holidays!!!