Happy Halloween!

In God I Trust

Last night Matt and I had an honest conversation about the Election and we are on edge because the future of our country is at stake as well as the future of our family. We ARE an active duty military family. I want to be sure that correct steps are taken to ensure the safety of every American life and not only that...the QUALITY of each American life. Therefor, I will be voting for the candidate who chooses LIFE.

To see what I mean, follow the link below. I think this link is informative. However, I do not think people will be "damned" for voting for either candidate. Just to clarify!

http://www.americaschoicenow.com/

Empty House

After having been alone with Grace for over a month...then all of a sudden having 3 more adults here at all times for over a week...now I'm alone with Grace during the day again...I forgot for a second how quiet my house is at times. Of course, there's the constant babbling and growling provided by Grace, but I don't ever watch TV and I don't own a stereo anymore; so other than my own voice or phone ringing I don't hear many other noises while Matt is at work. Hard to adjust to.

Anyhow, on a different note. My business is doing pretty good right now. I have parties lined up for the next few weeks and then the holiday shopping will REALLY hit! I have been putting ever penny of my commission into the bank and I have been in the black for a bit now. Feels good because I have accomplished a goal. I have a successful home business that I love. My husband enjoys that our house always smells good, too! A win-win! Grace is still my ultimate-tester-smelling-champion. She knows if the doorbell rings during the day that we are getting a package from Scentsy and she hovers around me until I open it. So cute.

Anyway, I hadn't posted for a week so I thought I'd write whatever came to mind. There you have it.

Daddy's Home Pictures

Nose Push Giggler

October Pictures

Warning!!! The world may end tomorrow.....Matt is actually posting a message!!!

Here is a short message from Mateo...the one Mandy has been prodding for months now, feebly attempting to create some sense of obligation to contribute to the family blog. I hate to break it to her that the begging, pleading, and fluttering of eyelashes have not paid off....it's actually the foot rubs, car washes, and seven-course meals that have led to my fall!
Actually, I am quite ashamed that I have hidden for so long from all of you, my family, friends, and blog-o-mites. I beg for your forgiveness and hope that you will accept me into the fold with few, if any, tongue lashings. I promise to contribute more than the.....well..... no times that I have contributed in the past...wow....I am quite pathetic!
Anyway, to give an update of sorts, I am keeping quite busy with work. A lot is coming up and sparing the boring details I have simply been helping in the planning side of things which will effect what we actually do once we hit our area of operation. My influence is little, but I hope that I will soon be able to make a difference in the life of at least one person out there in the world where we do business.
Being able to spend time with Mandy and Grace is without a doubt the most important thing to me. I love them both so much and each memory we create brings us closer together and closer to our ultimate goal. Grace is amazing, I love discovering something new in her personality every day. I am so blessed to call these two girls my own!
Grandma and Grandpa Merrill are here visiting Grace right now; it is nice to have them here and to watch how Gracie attaches herself to them as if Mandy and I no longer exist....we love it! We miss family a lot and hope that we will not miss out on your lives as we are apart. Please keep in touch as we will make better efforts to do the same. We love each of you, family and friends, and hope all is going well in your lives! Until next time, (probably around Mandy's 72nd Birthday) Love Matt

Home!!!

Just wanted to let all of you know that Matt is home and safe! His parents are here for the week and we have Matt all to ourselves for a 3 day weekend! Watching conference at home is a blessing...something I took for granted in Utah. Though paying a ton for cable to do it is hurting the wallet a little.... :)

Thanks for your prayers and concern for our little family. We have truly been blessed to have friends and family like you!

Long Time Gone

My Matty is still gone. He has been away for nearly a month and will most likely be sent home on Friday. The worst part of it all is that I had been building myself up for his homecoming on this past Sunday and now it is Wednesday...then come Thursday...THEN comes Friday. The Army life is not for us for the longterm...we decided that together this month. Matt and I want to spend time as a family with our children and not apart for 12-15 months at a time at the whim of the United States Army. So, in five years when the contract is up and we have had all of our biological children, we will be moving to a small city in the West closer to family and living a simple, yet more stable life. Let the countdown begin. Again.

Unless a miracle occurs and the world is peaceful and there are no more deployments and Matt enjoys his job in Military Intelligence a whole lot more than his job in Armor. I heard a few of Matt's fellow officers say their units motto is, "First in, last out." Yee Haw.