Guatemala

I am so excited! Chad and I get to go to Guatemala at the end of January. We are going to be there 11 days! It will be tons of fun to see all of the ancient ruins. The sun will be a nice change from the cold we get in January. I'm a little nervous, yet ecstatic that we will get to go to the Guatemala temple while we are there. I've never been to a temple where I will have to have an interpreter. Should prove interesting.

I'm all set for Christmas. This year Chad's parents gave us a book with a scripture, a Christmas song, and a story for every day in December. It has been fun and has brought the spirit of Christmas into our home. I have really enjoyed that.

Merry Christmas!!

Hospital

Chad: You need to take November 1st off of work.

Me: Why? Is that when you are going into the hospital?

Chad: Yes. It makes me sad. I wish I didn't have to go into the hospital.

Me: Me too!!

Chad: Do you know what I feel the worst about? Leaving Buckie.

LOTOJA

Little J came to hang out with us a couple weekends ago. My sister and brother in-law, Lynn and Darryl, help with the bike race, Logan to Jackson.
I had such a fun time. I led Little J on Snowball. She absolutely loved it. She loved it so much we walked around for 2 hours because she wasn't ready to get off the horse.
We then went to see Grandma and Grandpa Merritt.
Little J also had tons of fun throwing huge rocks into the creek that runs by Clark's Barn. It was such a good day.
I LOVE MY NIECES!!!

Church

Have you ever wondered what you would do if while sitting in church you had your name called to be sustained in a new calling but you had no idea what they were talking about?

I had the 1st counselor in the bishopric come to my work to order some gravel on a Thursday. When I saw him pull up my first thought was "I'm getting a new calling." I didn't know what it would be but I just had that feeling. He just ordered some gravel and left. So I thought "I guess I'm wrong."

That Sunday while they were sustaining people I wondered, wouldn't it be funny if my name got called to have a new calling. Luckily it didn't.

The next Sunday comes and I've forgotten all about my previous thoughts. I'm enjoying the opening song, thinking about a few things when all of a sudden I hear my name being called to become the new volleyball coach for the young women. I had no idea!! I turn to C and he is looking at me with a look that says "Why didn't you tell me you were getting a new calling?" I look back at him and tell him " I wasn't talked to about this. What do I do???

Meanwhile they are reading another name. She stands and C. tells me to just stand up. So I tentatively stand up. Look at the second counselor in the bishopric and he looks at me. He can tell something is wrong since I gave him a "deer in the headlights look".

We sit on the second row from the front so with him sending me a questioning look I just say right there in the middle of church "No one talked to me about this."

Needless to say it seems like the whole congregation starts laughing. The 2nd counselor looks back at bishop then turns back to me and tells me to "go ahead and sit down." They then proceed to sustain the other person. After the sacrament is passed the 2nd counselor gets up and tells me "We voted 2-0 that the next time you see the 1st counselor you are allowed to hit him." He then apologizes.

After sacrament meeting I had lots of people come up and congratulate me on a calling that they don't know but I'm going to have to turn down, but the best comment was from a former bishop. He told me "S I didn't mean to giggle at you but that was the best practical joke I have ever seen even if it was accidental!"

Next week will be better though. They will call someone else to that position because I have other obligations on that night that I can't change so everyone will know I said no. The bishopric did ask me if I wanted them to throw in a disclaimer for me. That is how my sunday went last week. It made for a very enjoyable meeting though!!

Max Merritt Family Reunion

We had a small reunion this year with C's family. It turned out good though. I had such an enjoyable time. We were able to hike to an abandoned silver mine. The above picture is us in front of the opening to the mine.
Below is the cabin/shack now that people used to stay in when they worked at the mine. There was a ghost town another 1.5 miles but we weren't able to go to it.

C did some compass work with Mr. D for his scouts requirements.

I couldn't believe how big the squirrels were. The little buggers were into anything we left out. 1 even jumped onto the propane tank then onto the grill we had there.

Summer has been so crazy. I think every summer is though.

4th of July

We were lucky enough to head to SLC to witness the blessing of little C. It was so fun to visit with my whole family. Which isn't an easy feat since there are 29 of us now. If you're wondering who is who. My brothers are all on the left with their wives in front of them and all of my sister's are on the right with their husbands behind them. My parents are in the middle.

Home Improvements

C n' I had 2 major projects we wanted to get done this year, building a deck out the back door, and getting the front yard planted with grass. We just stained the deck this last week. I am loving it. We have had lots of barbecue this last week and just hanging out on the deck. Thanks C. You did great!!

We have leveled out the front yard, brought in topsoil, and planted the grass seeds. When it starts coming up I'll take another picture. I love owning my own home but it sure gets expensive.