Cali-Mery Style

On Saturday the weekend of Thanksgiving we headed to California for a week. We drove to St. George and stayed the night and then headed out of there around 2 on Sunday. That was a little bit of a bad idea. What should have taken maybe 5 hours took us 10. Traffic was seriously insane I could not believe how many Californians were headed back from Vegas. After we arrived in California thanks to our Navigation system we found our place of rest easily. Rick and I a few months ago went to a Worldmark presentation as a favor to our babysitter. And well if you know Rick he buys pretty much anything presented to them and I wanted a place to stay in St. George so we agreed on getting it. Well that's how this whole cali trip started. We made a reservation in a brand new resort in Anaheim. It was a beautiful 2 bedroom condo equiped with everything even a washer and dryer it was very nice. The best part was seeing Disneyland out our windows and balcony.
On monday we got up and were a little slow going but finally made it to Disneyland and had a good time got a few of the bigger rides and things out of the way. It was all decked out for Christmas which was way cool to see. Even the Haunted Manchine was decked out Jack style it was Awesome. Jazmine is big enough to ride pretty much everything and Kyli is big enough for everything but the really big rides i.e. Space Mountain, Indiana Jones. Jaxon is 39 and 1/2 inches so he got screwed out of the good rides and Karsen well he was just there. We took along our wagon to cart the two boys around but due to tripping hazards we couldn't take it in so Ricki had to run it back to the car. Where he was going to move the car and meet me. Well until he got to the car did he notice that I had the keys. So we had to get strollers. Holy $^&t can I say that they make a ton just on their strollers. Lucky for me I have a Mickey Mouse credit card that meant I got them for free. EVERYDAY FREE!! That was a highlight for me. I like Free! So we continued to play we got back to the hotel late and enjoyed the evening exhausted. Tuesday we got up early and hit Disneyland early. We had a good game plan. We played for a while then headed back to the condo for lunch then went back to disneyland for a funfilled evening. Came back to the condo and enjoyed the Fireworks from our balcony.
Wednesday we headed down south to San Diego to go to Sea World. We hit all the shows. The Dolphins were a blast, the Sea Lions were a hoot and the Whales were spectacular. We rode on a couple rides and ended up sopping wet. Nevermind the fact we sat in soak zones at each show we did. It was fun! We made it home in time to watch the fireworks again.
Thursday we got up and went north to L.A. to go to Universal Studios and I was worried it wouldn't be too much fun due to the fact that we have small children but it was a blast. I snuck my 39 & 1/2 inch son onto the Simpsons ride and I am just glad he didn't pee his pants cuz he had to go bad. We say Bart, Lisa & Homer taking pictures. Then we went to the lower level to go on the Jurassic Park ride and the Mummy Ride. Both were way fun. Rick and I took turns on the Mummy Jazzy wussed out. It was way fun.
Then we did the Backdraft show. Kids didn't like that much. Apparently they don't like fire and explosions. Then we did a special effects show and that ended up being the best. I will add the story and video in a seperate blog but seriously it was funny. Well to me anyway!
We went on the Universal Studios tour and saw lots of cool stuff. The only thing I was excited to see was Wisteria Lane. That was cool and they were filming so we were hoping to see someone but had not luck. We then went to a muppets 3-d show and it was the first time that Karsen would were the glasses and he was so dang funny. I had more fun watching him try to grab the characters and flinch at things then watching the actual show. After having dinner we headed home and Rick and I were out.
Friday we got geared up headed out early just to get there in time for Disneyland to open early. Didn't know that but oh well. We went in for breakfast and then headed to California Adventure. I have come to the conclusion that this is a glorified Lagoon. We had fun. The big Mickey Mouse roller coaster was so fun Jaz went twice once with Rick once with me. Then we did the swings (just like Lagoons but inside an orange peel). The best was the new toy story ride. The line was the longest we experienced the whole time we were there but it was fun. Its a 3-D ride where you go through and try to get as many points as you can shooting things with your pop gun. Rick beat me only cuz I was trying to help Jaxon figure it out. I wanted to go again to try and kick his trash. Then soaring over California was way cool I went with Kyli and it was very exhilarating. Rick took Jaz. We did the Big Bear River Rafting ride and got soaked. The good thing about taking smaller kids was that we would just get in line and they had no idea what to expect it was so fun to freak them out a little. We then went to the Bug's life 4-D show and that was way cool. At the end they let the bugs go first and it felt like they were running under our butts it made me scream it was so funny. We then watched the Pixar Parade which was way fun. After that we headed back to Disneyland we went and did a few things and then the tired hit us all. We watched a parade and rode a couple rides and then it was all over. The kids were exhausted Rick and I each had a kid on our shoulders and a kid in the stroller fighting Friday night Disneyland Pedestrian traffic. It was great. We survived and made it back to the condo. We all crashed and slept in. Saturday we literally did nothing. We knew it was the last day of vacation so we layed around and then went swimming for a bit and then showered and watched HSM1 with hillarious captions and then HSM2 with again hillarious captions. Then we went to bed only to get up early and make our trek home. We stopped to visit some friends in California and then stopped to have dinner in St. George with my parents. We made it home in time to put kids to bed just to get up early the next day for reality.
Our vacation was well needed and well worth it. I loved being with just my little family and suprisingly Rick and I really enjoyed being the only adults to talk to...

Halloween!!!

Halloween was great fun my man was such a trooper at our halloween party. He definitely got the best costume award! Jaz was a sweet Cheetah, Kyli was the prettiest Super Girl ever. Jaxon was a super Buzz Lightyear, and Karsen was Fire Marshall Karsen!

Why? Sometimes thats a good question!

I have been pondering the word why this evening. Why did I make the choices I made? Why am I here? Why do I have so much on my plate? Why in the world did I have kids? Why do I love them so much? Why Why Why??
Most of you may not know but my sweet hubby is on another Walmart venture in Odessa, TX. He is going to be working there until October 5th or sometime around there. This little adventure has me asking myself why?
About 3 years ago we began doing these Walmart remodels. Why? Well why does anyone sacrifice so much. For the money of course. We get paid pretty nicely and that is why we choose to have Rick go for 6-8 weeks at a time to do these projects. When presented the job this time Rick was opposed and I strangely wasn't. Why? Well because during the slow months of this year we have accrued some debt for his company. I am not a fan of that and my thought was "what is the quickest way out of that debt? A Walmart would do the trick!" So I began to spin the wheels in my head and we decided now was not the right time. We had birthdays and school and whatever. Well come to find out they desperately needed a crew to cover the job and would work with us so Rick could go after Jazmine's birthday (if he went on time he would have missed mine, Jazmine's and Karsen's birthday). So we worked it out and he left on Sunday. Now mind you I was for this adventure from the beginning. BUT... Here it is not even the 4th day out and I am wondering why in the hell did I do that.
In Mary Kay they say short term sacrifice for long term gain. I know that is what this is but it has still hit me. Considering in the last three days I have dealt with whiny off track bored girls that keep getting grounded from almost everything besides breathing. And two sweet little boys with the stomach flu. Throwing up in beds, on my floor, diarrhea the works. On top of that we have 8 cute new little puppies that I need to figure out what to do with because I am having a neighbor come help finish the sheet rock so I can paint the basement. (They're in the basement btw).
The craziest part of all of this is that I usually take 2-3 weeks to start really missing Rick. Now mind you he is the best husband. He cooks, cleans, does laundry, takes care of the dogs, fish, yard all of it. He's been home (not working out of town) long enough to take on all of these responsibilities that I once carried. So I have gotten used to that but I know with him gone it challenges my abilities. I know I am capable of all of it doesn't mean I want to do it all but I have to. Seriously though this time I miss him for different reasons. I miss him holding me, telling me its gonna be ok when I am frustrated, having an adult to talk to, all the little things, even him grabbing my butt when its inappropriate (don't tell him that though).
Hell I have resorted to Blogging.
So I guess its ok to wonder why? It challenges us. I know it challenges me. I know that I need to be strong for my family and that is what I will do even if I wonder why? Even if I am upset or sad. It will all be ok. right? Thats what Ricki always says and I believe him. Sometimes its ok to rethink our decisions because if it is a good one you will always get a good feeling.
So enough bout this lame topic. I am done venting. Thanks for letting me get it off my chest.

Its been a long time...

So it has been a long time since I have blogged. I kinda suck at it but well here's whats been going on in the Mery world. For a while now we have been running and running. Well Jazmine finished 1st grade on July 1st and is starting 2nd grade tomorrow July 28th. And Kyli starts Kindergarten next week. So sad but exciting. Jaxon will be starting Preschool in September as well. Unfortunately we didn't get the schedule all worked out so the kids will go to school at different times and stuff but we will figure it out. I wish that all my kids were in school it would make some things a lot easier but in due time. I don't want to wish away my babies childhood. I am Excited to report that I finished directorship with Mary Kay and have tripled my income but above all I get to do what I really want to do. That is work with woman that want more with their own lives. I am excited to be able to help with my own family income so that my sweet hubby doesn't have to work so hard. I am truly grateful for the hard work he does. On another note Zoey is pregnant again and is due any time now. We decided to breed her again this time we did it with a Black male. We are hoping for brown, black and yellow labs. We will see. We also just got back from our only family vacation in East Canyon. It was a blast. I will find some pics and blog on that later. So for now that is all I have to report.

My Absolutely Amazing Family!!

Ok so I am not one to brag but seriously...
We just got our family pictures taken and wow do I have an adorable looking family.
My husband is Hot, my girls are gorgeous and my boys are so handsome its crazy.

I DID IT!!!

ITS OFFICIAL!!
I have Earned my first Car with Mary Kay Cosmetics....
I AM SO EXCITED!! I CAN'T STAND IT!!
Now I can say I did it!!! Phew...
Mary Kay is so Awesome they give away 200 cars a month.
Anyone can have one that wants one.
I personally am going to take the cash because I am also in qualifications to earn the next level car which is a director level car. CAN YOU STAND IT!!!
So instead of the car I will get $375 Cash every month added to my love check and when I am done with the next level I will get $500 Cash.
Since I just purchased my Dream Car we will put the Cash towards that until I Earn the prestigious PINK CADILLAC. Then I will take the Car I don't care. Its a Trophy on Wheels.
So Yeah and Thanks to my Team who helped make it happen and to all those who love and support me in my business without you I wouldn't be who I am today!!

THINK, BELIEVE, DREAM AND DARE-Walt Disney

I Love my Life and I Love my "JOB"!!

Blah Blah Blah

OK so I know it has taken me forever to post but I have just been super busy. My hubby left on sunday and is in Anchorage, AL for 2 weeks lucky punk. I am home chillin with my peeps, haha lol. I am working hard to finish up my directorship and car with Mary Kay. Working hard well not really I could definitely be working harder. Its late and I'm tired and gotta get up early cuz well cuz I have too. I hate when Ricki's gone I seriously can't sleep its no fun. But its life. Well now it will say I have posted and I'm ok with that. Goodnight moon!

Look at my booboo!!

I love my kids they come up with some funny stuff. The best part is their innocence. They do things and say things that come out funny to adults but the child itself doesn't get it. For instance in this picture my sweet (haha for those that know him) 3 year old Jaxon is showing off his booboo he has. But to those that don't know it looks as though he is being vulgar and funny. In this picture Jaxon is showing the babysitter his ouchy. He scratched his little finger and wanted to show it off. I got a kick out of the picture and thought I would share it to make you all laugh too.

Life's what you make it!!

So I have decided that Miley Cyrus is right... Life's what you make it!! I know not everyone in this world is a big Hannah Montana/Miley fan but thanks to my beautiful girls I am. She's not the greatest but for being like 12 she has some very heartfelt songs.
Such as...
Life's what you make it and Nobody's perfect.
I am very tired of the standard people are trying to live up to. I know I am guilty of doing the same. But I believe we are where we are because of the choses we have made. I am not striving for excellence and despite what others might think I do not expect perfection in any way shape and form from anyone. I at times expect more out of myself. I believe we are all here on this earth for a purpose and we have a plan. Do any of us know what it is? No not necessarily but some may have a glimpse. I have come to many realizations in my life. It is not about ME anymore. Its about me serving those I love. I have found many things out about my true self in some of my service and I can say I am generally happy. Am I perfect no. I am still tired, ornery and selfish at times but really that is life. Some of our personality flaws can't be erased.
Recently my bro put up a blog about Wanting what you have... It was brought to attention from a friend of mine that thought he was very insightful. I am going to try and copy/paste it because it sums up a lot of how I feel.

WANTING WHAT YOU HAVE... by Brandon McGee-- Thanks B

I have been faced with some dilemmas as of late and it has made me think about life in general. Because of the ease with which people confide in me, I find that there are some common themes among some of the issues brought to me for the "Complaint Department." This isn't necessarily about anything recently but is a common theme that I have discovered over the last decade or so.

Most times, people have everything they need to be happy except for the attitude. They think of things past or could-have-been. They contemplate "what-ifs" and make their current life seem like the bottom of the barrel. There is a consistent desire to see what they want. Life would be all roses if something different would have happened, if you would have chosen a different spouse, gone to school, taken a different opportunity. There is one thing that I can say; life would have been different but not necessarily better or worse.

One thing to understand is that if you live your life as though you made the wrong choices, you will find that you will have lost not only what you dreamed up but what you have. Right now is very important. Take a snap shot of right now and evaluate it. Not for what was or what could be but for right now. Are you happy in your spousal relationship? If so, why? If not, why? Are you happy with your home? Are you happy with your kids? Are you happy with your career? If you are happy with things, what can you do to keep things happy? Are you doing it? If you aren't, what needs to change.

Life is not a dream. It isn't what appears on the big screen. Not always does the good guy win, not always is there sage advice that will help boost you out of your rut. Not all crimes can be solved in an hour of TV.

Life is a series of events. Some are good and some are bad but they are all events that happen to us. Some happen to a few people while other events affect large numbers of people. It is the culmination of these events that help provide us with the opportunities to define ourselves. How we handle these events and the repercussions that are a result of those event is what creates the person we are and the happiness or sadness we feel.

Most people have tunnel vision. They see one or two items and focus so hard on those items or events that they do not see all of the glory surrounding them. If you are in a forest and see the only dead tree but that is all you see, to you the forest is completely dead. Every once in a while you have to lift your head from the rat race and look around to see what is going on around you. This is not to compare with any of the other's running the race but to look at what you have gained.

One example is this. Let's say you live in a house. It is not the best house nor is it in the best neighborhood. The yard needs a lot of work, there are a lot of maintenance needs inside and outside the house. It is drafty and needs new carpets. The walls could use paint and some of the cupboards are falling apart. Kind of dismal, I know but look at the bigger picture.

The house really is in decent condition. It could use some work but for the most part it is clean. Not only is it a house, it is a home. You live there with your spouse and kids. Your cupboards that are falling apart are full. The yard that needs work also houses some toys for the kids to play on and maybe a sandbox. There is an area to plant a garden. You can afford it plus afford to do a few extra activities with the family. You can have a pizza night every once in a while. Because the carpets and walls are not pristine, you don't mind letting the kids have movie night in the front room because popcorn can be vacuumed up fairly easily. Everyone is happy and healthy.

A lot of what we struggle with is the perception of what we have to what we want. Most ignore what they have because they are focused on what they want. We want that tree to be healthy but we ignore the rest of the forest because of that one tree. Its OK to have a few bad trees in our life if we focus on the entire forest. Take the time to appreciate the forest of your life with its good trees and its bad trees. the end...

So when it comes down to it...Life's what you make it. God hands us seeds or lemons or whatever you want to pretend it is and it is up to us how we are going to use them.

WOW!! Its been a long time...

So the last time I posted was a very very long time ago... I am finding a lot of my friends have blogs so I thought I'd catch up. Its fun to see whats going on inside peoples minds thats for sure. Well I will blog more later its late and well I gotta get up early. TTFN

Yeehaw! Only 15 days till we hit the road!

Ok so I am not really sure if I am excited to go with Rick on these walmarts. What do you do though? I need him and my kids need him and the time apart is a long time. It is a lot of work to plan everything and pack everything. Plus organizing everything ugh. I just pray we can get it all done. Ok I pray I can get it all done. Rick is busy making money right now in Mount Pleasant. Getting out of debt will definitely be worth it but the rest is just a who knows situation. Well gotta run I will finish blogging later.
The end for today