Firsts For Me

This week I don't feel like anything exciting has happened, but then I got to thinking about how I really needed to write something, and I have come up with two great things.

The first one took place last Saturday. I went to my first baby shower that was not my own. Weird huh. I have friends, and siblings who have had them, but I have always lived too far away to attend. The shower was for Emily Werrett. She is a sister that moved into our ward this summer. She wanted the shower to be small, and it got even smaller when there was a crazy snow storm on Saturday. However, it was super fun. We had great food: orange rolls, M&Ms, fruit, jello cake cupcakes, pretzels, salsa and chips, cream cheese chocolate chip bars (really good), and banana bread.  We did a lot of talking which we all enjoyed, but we also played a couple of games. We played one where you had to not say the word 'baby' an if you did you lost a pacifier thing we had. That is not really my favorite game, because it makes people cautious of what they say, or they stop talking, or something. However, I actually ended up winning only because I caught someone once. The other game we played was where you drew one part of a baby and then passed the paper and everyone added too it until the baby was done. Oh man, that was so funny. Either way I thought it was a very fun baby shower.

The other first I had this week was having someone over to my house. I must clarify this because I have had people over, but never just a friend and her kids, and never during the day. On Wednesday, it was a BEAUTIFUL day, but I didn't feel like running, but I also didn't want waste such good whether, so I called my friend Bethany Blaine, and asked her if she wanted to go on a walk. She said, "Sure, but my boy is asleep." I said, "No problem, just call me when he wakes up and we will go then." I expected it to be a long nap, so I got Little One in the bike trailer and we rode over to the park. We were able to play for a little while, but then Bethany called and said that her son woke up. So, we went home and met her there. It was such a good walk. Neither of us really wanted to stop because it was so nice to be outside, and talking. It was great. So, when she was about to her house I asked if she wanted to join us for lunch. She agreed and we went to my house for a scrumptious lunch of sandwiches. Our kids really enjoyed each other and it was really fun to watch them. However, Little One needs to learn to not touch faces. Oh well, he survived and I think still enjoyed everything. It was so fun to have someone over and to talk. Especially someone who is so happy. Bethany is just a very positive person, and I love it. I want to be like that, positive.

That pretty much sums up my most recent firsts. They may not sound that grand but you know what I really enjoyed them, and even want to do them again. These are the adventures of life. It is just doing little things that brighten a day or a week. Moments.

This Is What Rocks About Being A Mom

Buying baby clothes on clearance. Hoping they will fit next year.

Buying cute baby shoes, and hoping she will fit in them this summer.

Best of all, playing together outside in the sunshine.

This week has not been our normal week, but you know what it has been really good. We have had an adventure everyday between naps. Usually we go running and that is about the extent of our out-and-aboutness but not this week.

Monday was great except Little one didn't really want to take naps. Normally that would really erk me, but I decided to run errands instead. So, we drove to Johnson's Corner to take pictures of the jewelry there. (I need pictures so that I can come home and decide what I need to order next instead of standing awkwardly in front of the case trying to figure it out. Here is a smattering of what J'Leen Jewelry is.

This shows Butterflies, a heart prism, and the top half of a dragon fly.

Just a cool selection of the bottom of the case.

After heading to Johnson's Corner, we went to Walmart to pickup some vitamins and then see if they had cute baby stuff for a shower I am going to this weekend. Well they did I had, so much fun buying things for her, and remember how awesome it is to get things at a shower. Anyway, I picked up a few extra's like a cool pair of sunglasses (sorry no pic), and the things pictured above for Little One. Overall very successful and not too expensive. However, that night we were reading Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey and he talked about habits for money each of us have and need to stop. It was interesting that the day I splurged just a little we read the chapter we did. Oh well, I am back in control and Gaupo said it was okay.

Tuesday: We went on a spontaneous outing to a new park. The subdivision by my house has a park that Gaupo showed me one day when we were walking to the store. Well, I had looked at it and thought it would be a good place to come with Little One some time. Well, Tuesday was the day. Little One wanted to ride in the bike trailer and I needed to get out. So, off we went. It was a great little park. They had steps that Little One could climb all by herself and I didn't have to worry about her falling through the cracks. It had ramps, and a swirly slide that a mama's hips can fit in. It also had a side-by-side slide, so that we could go down our own slides together. I wish I had pictures but my phone was in the trailer and my camera was at home, so all you get is pictures after we got. The one of her playing in the rocks is from that day because after we got home she wasn't done exploring, so we continued the adventure in the front yard. It was such a fun day.

Wednesday: We went to book club. I had just come back from my run, and someone rings my doorbell. (that never happens) So, I answer and there is my friend Kat. She says "Hey, random Kat here." Like a shocked person I say "Hi." She responds "Book club is right now, if you want you can come. You don't have to have read the book, or bring anything just come hangout." Well, I thought to myself, why not. So, we did. I went upstairs and changed and we went. It was really fun. Kind of overwhelming to be around so many people and kids, but after being alone for the last year I think it is time we start being social. I think we will keep going and I might even try to read the books too. Either way it was fun. The ladies there are mostly from my ward and almost all of them have at least one kid at home. It was fun, crazy, but fun.

Thursday: Company luncheon. I really enjoy these, but this time was even cooler because Gaupo and I were in charge of the meat. That means we buy it with the companies money, and then prepare it, and Guapo was grilling. We bought several marinades to try, but everyone at work was like we want it plain. BORING! Anyway, we decided fine if you don't want to try them, we will keep them and try them during our grill days this summer. However, we did open one and make up our own. We opened up Herb and Garlic, and our own consisted of liquid smoke, BBQ sauce, oil, vinegar, lemon juice, and water. I wanted to add other stuff, but Guapo said that was enough. I tried both today at lunch and they were great. Everyone with plain missed out on some awesome taste. I have to say my own was the best, but then again I love the taste of the smoked Hickory.

I am going to have more adventures this weekend, but I think this tale will suffice for right now. It has been fun to get out and about, especially because I don't do it much. So, being a Mom rocks because you get to do stuff with your cute kid ALL day. True that can be a downside, but this week it has been AWESOME!

Quick update on Little One: She is still not walking but is getting more and more comfortable with walking only holding one of your hands. She is not a huge steak fan, but will apparently eat rice if I don't make it. She jabbers a lot. She can get lucky and actually get some people right when I ask "Where is _____? (insert Mom, Dad, Oma, Papa, Grandpa, etc.) She gets better every day. She loves to hangout with mom, and hates to be held by someone other than Mom or Dad when either of them is around. She laughs a lot, is silly beyond all reason, learned to crawl in the bath, and makes me smile, and laugh a lot.

Well, until next time. Love ya.

And Then There Were Two

Cars. Yep, that is right this week we purchased our second car. We have been pondering on this together for about 3 or 4 weeks now. I say together because I had been thinking about wanting another car for awhile, but was having a really hard time convincing myself that I 'needed' a car. Gaupo had also been thinking about it, but said he didn't know how to bring it up and if it was really a good idea. Well one day I don't quite remember how it came about, but we both started talking about maybe needing another car. As Gaupo and I should know by now, we need to be absolutely sure when we start talking about big things because they usually happen quite fast, sometimes faster than I am ready for. Anyway, Gaupo did his typical thing which is find something to buy ASAP before Adventure Girl changes her mind. I on the other hand did my typical thing...nothing. So, before long Gaupo found something. It was a 2006 White Honda Civic Hybrid going for about $8,500. Well, he started asking questions, I started freaking out (that is what I do before ALL large purchases). So, to comfort me about what we were doing we decided to make a list of what we wanted and needed in the new car. This is what we came up with (these are in no particular order)

• Gas mileage has be be greater than or equal to 26mpg
• 4 doors, I said this because moving a carseat back and forth out of a 2 door, way bad.
• 2000 or newer ( I just realized that this is what we wrote, I thought we wrote 2004 or newer)
• Automatic (I can't drive a stick. I hate that, but there is not much I can do about it yet.)
• Not a Ford or a Saturn
• Max Price: $9,000 off the lot
• Mileage: 120,000 or less ideal 100,000
• Not white, brown, or a bright color (I said the first two but Gaupo said the last one)
• Not smoked in
• No boxes or bubbles (referring to shape)
• CD deck (our impala only has a tape)
• Good cargo space

After we made this list, I gave the go ahead to Gaupo to look into this car. Well, it turns out this car got sold the morning before we could get there, and we thought we had another chance at it, but the people that bought it decided to keep it. We were kind of bummed, but kept looking. Everything we looked at, mainly Honda Civic Hybrids, were too expensive and no one was willing to cut their prices. However, from one negotiation round I learned a lot about negotiating.

• Dealers ALWAYS think their car is top notch when it isn't even close.
• Though your salesman seems willing to work with you his MANAGER is usually not.
• Salesman want to sell you anything they can even if you don't want it.
• Walking away from something you like is hard, but usually after you walk away you don't regret it because you can see more clearly.

There are other things I learned, but they aren't really explainable, so that list will have to do. Anyway, on Saturday during what was suppose to be a HUGE snow storm we looked at cars at dealerships around here. We found what we thought we be perfect--a 2011 Hyundai Accent. Well we couldn't look at it that day because it was in Denver, so we waited till Tuesday. Tuesday Jason test drove it two our house and it had no power anything, not locks, not windows, nothing. Anyway, we thought it might still be a good idea but I was SUPER nervous about the no power thing. So, when I need advice I call my parents. Mainly my mom, but my dad has great advice too. I talked to her and she made some really good recommendations. They were as follows...

• Maybe you should think about spending considerably less, that way when you need to buy a family car you are more ahead than if you spent a lot of money now. You don't need a car that get to here at back you only need it for around town, or at least that's what you said. Also, maybe look for an older Honda or Toyota they were meant to go 200,000 miles with no problems. If the car is older it will be better for insurance and for licensing. 

So, I said to myself, self she makes some good points you should at least think about them. So, I called Gaupo and told him to not lock us into anything till I told him about my mom's suggestions. He said okay. Later we talked about these suggestions and Gaupo said, I think she's right. What do you have in mind? I said I think we need to look for an older Toyota or Honda. We left it at that till after work.

I went to pick up Guapo from work because I had to run some errands that day. When I arrived he hoped in and said you want to see what I found. I tried to ask him questions about it, but he just said let me take you. I said yes and off we went to what I found out was Longmont Auto Brokers. Guapo had found a 2000 Honda Civic on their site and wanted to show me. While we were there, the gentleman helped us make a list of every car he had in the lot that he said was a good car in our price range. We took the choice we had and narrowed it down to a 2002 Cheve Malibu and the Civic that Guapo had seen. I test drove them both, and the Malibu had cool features like a sunroof, leather seats, buttons all over, and handled just like the Impala. I drove the Civic, and it handled different, it didn't have as many gadgets, but it drove smooth and easy had a super tight turn radius, was clean, and looked pretty nice. I came back, and Guapo had been talking prices with Donnie, our sales guy. I said that Guapo needed to drive the Civic before we talked anything about prices. He drove it and said, 'handles just like I thought it would.' So, Donnie gave us his reduced prices due to Guapo and his prior negotiations. Guapo and I went outside and talked it over a looked at them, and talked about the cars and what we thought. We decided that if he could get the price off the lot below 5k we wanted the Civic. We chose this because though features are great they were out, and sunroof seals leak, and its a Cheve it would have worn out sooner. So, we go back in and Guapo said can you get below 5. Donnie, messed with the numbers and got it below, so we bought a car. 

Well after we decided to buy I went to get the check to give him a deposit and realized I didn't have the checkbook. Realize this guy had already negotiated with us, and it was after hours, he wasn't supposed to even still be there, and we had like 60 bucks. Needless to say, that wasn't enough to continue, but he said him and Guapo could work on the paper work while I was gone to get the checkbook. I drove home with expert abilities and got back. We signed the papers, and wrote out the check and I drove home it our new to us 2000 Honda Civic. This is it...

Me showing off the front view and the fact that it needs a wash.

So, happy to have our new car.

So, just to some it up and compare the lists we only gave up one thing we needed and that was no more miles that 120,000. This little car had 140,000. Anyway this is what we got.

• Gas Mileage: estimated to be 28 to 34 or so
• 4 door
• Year 2000
• Automatic
• Honda
• Price: you can ask me the specific but less than 5k
• Mileage: 140,000
• Color: Dark Green
• Not smoked in
• Its not a bubble, or box
• It has a CD deck
• It has pretty good cargo space

Anyway, we are pleased as punch about it and are loving it all the time. Also, when we bought this I wasn't nervous at all I was so excited at what we had found. So, if its not a good enough deal for you don't tell me, because I am at peace with what we did.

p.s if you made it this far congrats this was a SUPER long post, but I don't want to forget everything.

Little One had a Birthday

That's right. My darling cute, fun, adorable Little One is finally One. We had so much fun celebrating her Birthday. We started on Saturday by flipping her carseat around so it was forward facing. A picture and why we were in car is right here. However, the real celebration was on Sunday. Little One and Heather from the other Merrill Clan are twiners born several years apart. Heather wanted to celebrate her birthday with Little One, and our babysitter who is Heather's daughter wanted to make her a cake. So, we said sure, we don't have any big plans and it will be good to have company.

So, Sunday at 4:00 we had celebrated. There was us, the other Merrill clan, the Moore Clan, and the other Merrill clan's cousins. It was so much fun. We had tons of great food and fun. The kids ate and played together while the adults talked. It reminded me a lot of my Bryce and Brady family get together's. I told my mom it would have been the perfect celebration if we could have had our families there too, but I have to say these families did a good job of making us feel at home. Here are some pic of Little One with the cake.

Her staring at her cake, and me trying to get her to blow out her candle.

She got the top layer of the cake. She ate almost that whole thing. She loved it.

She was so cute. Everyone sang her Happy Birthday and then clapped and cheered when she (really her babysitter) blew out the candle. She was so confused about what all fuss was about, but you know what someday she will love it I am sure.

After, all the festivities of the night we came home and Little One opened her present from Papa and Oma. We did it via Skype so that they could watch her. Sadly it didn't work super well, but at least they got to see her a little bit. After that we put Little One to bed. She was so tired and very, very full.

We carried the celebration one day further and had pretzel dogs for dinner on Monday. She wasn't really that impressed, but Gaupo and I thought they were good.

Here are some stats from her 1year doctor appointment, and fun things she is doing.

• Height: 29.75 inches (93%)
• Weight 16 lbs 14oz (5%)
• Head 41 cm (40%)
• Walks along the furniture by herself, and she can go up and down the stairs.
• LOVES to 'walk.' That means she holds onto your fingers and walks taking you where she wants to go.
• Jabbers all the time. She doesn't really say any words yet, but the doc said that is to be expected. She just recommend to help her start to understand word that we play games like "Where is your____?" and have her point to it, or to look at a book and point to things and tell her what they are  or ask her what is this, what sound does it make, etc. She can't really do any of this yet but we are trying to play the games.
• She is learning about pointing. She can do it, but doesn't always understand what it means.
• She signs 'all done' for everything, so we have to guess what she is really trying to say.
• She loves brushing her teeth, and taking a bath.
• She hates being left alone and when I go to the bathroom.
• Most of all she is a bundle of joy. True we have days and sometimes stretches of days that are rough but I am so glad I get to be her mom. 

Here are some pictures of her.

So happy.

I thought in this pic she almost looked cubby.

Fake smile.

Food Storage

For awhile now, Gaupo and I have been wanting to get our Long Term food storage. Well last week Gaupo finished his homework around 11:00 and said now what should we do. Well, we had been planning on going to the Home Storage Center this coming week, but it wasn't going to work out. So, I said well let me call and see if they really are open today. Well they were open and they had everything we needed. So, we flip Little One's carseat around and headed to Aurora.

First time facing forward. She loves it.

Everyone thought Little One was the cutest thing they have ever seen. So, after their ooooing and ahhhing we  got this.

This is all the food in the trunk.

Gaupo has a better picture of all of it on his phone, but we bought 3 25 pound boxes or rice, a 25 pound box of sugar, 10 25 pound bags of wheat, 2 25 pounds of black beans and 1 of pinto beans, and 3 25 pounds of refried beans. We piled all of that in our car and came back.

Once we got it home. We unloaded it into the kitchen, and put Little One down for a nap. During nap time we 'canned' it.  We made super pails. So, we had 6 gallon pails, mylar bags, and oxygen packets. When we were all done this is what we had.

Our super pails. Red is wheat, white is beans, and blue is rice and sugar.

It was an unexpected trip and adventure, but you know what it was so fun, and now we have food storage!!

Gratitude

A couple of nights ago as Gaupo and I were going to sleep we started talking about all the miracles that have happened in our lives in the past 4 years. I then said to him, it is so easy to see how God helped us so much in the past, but right now they seem harder to see. Then being the great guy that he is replied "There are lots of miracles that have happened in our lives in the past 3 months." So I asked, "what." These are a few that he said.

• We got to go on vacation. That is a miracle we took a two week long vacation at the end of the year. It was a miracle to have the time, catch all the events that we did, and be able to afford it.
• Little One. She is working on walking right now. That is crazy because three months ago she wasn't even crawling.
• All the experiences I am having at work. True we may not always want them, but we are learning a lot and they are experiences we wouldn't get anywhere else.

He may have had others but I can't think of them right now. However, the profoundness of that night was not in what he said but that after he said his he asked me "what can you see?" That caused me to reflect and come up with my own, and boy howdy did I truly see the Lord's hand in my/our life.

• He knows when I can't take it anymore and makes Little One sleep, stop crying, smile, give me a hug, etc.
• He has helped me many time get out of bed when I just wanted 10 more minutes.
• Guapo loves his English class, and comes home happy every time.
• We will finish with Grad's school in July instead of October.
• I have time everyday to read and study the scriptures.
• Gaupo and I have jobs that allow us to not only provide for ourselves, but allow us to be parents. I get to stay home all day with Little One.
• Financially he has worked miracles. Every time I see the numbers in the account I think how is that possible, why is that way. Then I remember because he cares.
• Little One is for the most part happy, and most of all she is growing well.
• I have worked out at least 3 times a week even though it is cold.
• I got a new friend. She is one of the sisters I visit teach and I need her at this point in my life. I have actually found I need all of them, but this one specifically.
•  I have had an over abundance of peace and joy. Even though I don't really feel like I should be either one of those sometimes-- I am at least one of those most of the time.

These are just a few of the things the Lord has blessed me with. He has blessed me with the Gospel and my testimony, more patience though I am still working on that. He has given me scriptures my family on all sides. He has also listened to me many times when I needed him. However, two of his greatest gifts to me are these two.

Love them both so much.