my person

(I was feeling sentimental when I wrote this mushy post.  Don't be sad if you're not in here.  You know I love you!)

Remember how I'm a Grey's Anatomy addict?  Well the main character, Meredith has a best friend, Christina who is "her person".  The person you call when you're sad, happy or angry.  The person you know will run to your side if you asked them to.  The person who would defend and love you no matter what.  The person you write down as an emergency contact after your husband.

 

And over the years, I've had many different "persons" in my life.  (I've been very lucky to always have lots of amazing friends.) These are people besides my husband, my Mom and Dad, 4 sisters and one brother.  Because let's be honest...they always rank number one :)

 

Elementary and Junior High Years:

Sarah. 

Come on, how could you not see that one coming?  We met on the first day of kindergarten and we were inseparable until I moved to Idaho.  I was crushed each year we weren't in the same class in elementary school.  And I was so much more comfortable  when she was in my class or homeroom in Junior High.  We cried together a lot when we found out I was moving.  We did everything together.  I'm pretty sure every kid memory I have, has her in it.  She deserves to have one of my children named after her  :)

And even after I moved to Idaho and grew up...she is still my "honorary" person.

 

High School Years:

Amy T.

I remember we met at a school dance our freshmen year.  We found out we had the same birthday and for our birthday that year we drove to Idaho Falls with other friends to see Star Wars.  And by our sophomore year we were BFF.  She was athlethic and I wasn't...but I was her best cheerleader!  She made me a better person.  She was good and happy and only wanted to see the good in people.  We went to parties, sleepovers, games, and dances together.  I was so sad when we didn't get asked by friends to a dance.  It meant we couldn't party together!  She was a good friend and definitely my person all through high school.

 

College Years:

There were two...

Mary my first two years!  She was my rock.  She made me feel strong and that I could do anything.  She loved me for my faults and always had fun ideas to do on a Friday night!  We built forts and went caving together.  We even went sledding down wicked high sand dunes.  She stood by me through all of my ridiculous college relationships.  I miss those days!

 

Candice my last year and a half.  She's my cousin and deciding to live together at college was the best decision EVER!  We quickly realized how similar we were.  She needed me and I needed her.  She could make me laugh harder than ANYONE.  If I could live next door to her, my life really would be complete.

 

Student Teaching:

This was kind of a weird time for me.  I moved to Utah and didn't have any close friends nearby.  My little sister was dating her soon to be hubby and my roommates were never around.  I'm pretty sure the weekend that Candice, Megan, and Melissa came to visit me, I realized that they were still my PEOPLE.  And it crushed me that they lived so far away.  However, about the time my student teaching was ending, I started talking more with a girl in my singles ward named, Kimberly.  I called her Kim.  She was a blonde teacher from California who liked to sing.  She was everything I wasn't and I LOVED playing with her.  We sang a duet for the Christmas program.  She might not have been my very best "person" at the time, but I knew I was creating a strong friendship. (which lasts until now...and I know shes one of my people now!)

 

My first teaching job:

This is when I met James's mom who set us up our a blind date.  And after about a month, I had my person again.  He loved me.  He loved me for all of my faults.  He treated me better than any boyfriend ever had.  He adored me.  And let's be honest, I need that.  And I loved him.  I loved his sense of humor, looks, smile, testimony, and his honesty with me.  Gosh dangit I love him!

 

The first year we were married...we were newly weds and then planning for a baby.  I spent all of my time with James.

First time living in Logan:
I had a new baby and my only social interaction was church.  And I loved it.  I met Jashley.  She was such a good friend.  She'd come visit me in between her classes.  We both loved food, especially dessert.  I miss recipe exchanging with her!
And then I met Shalisha a few weeks after I had Paige.  She has twin boys a few months older than Porter.  We met at the park and it took about two months of running into each other at the park before we exchanged phone numbers.  We played 3-4 times a week.  She was my FIRST playgroup Mom!  She jumped my car a handful of times, gave me hand me downs, and made me lots of yummy things to eat! 

 

Davis County:

When we moved to Davis County, I had two babies and a hubby who worked and went to school a lot.  And my sister Stephanie and my friend Caley were my people.

Let's be honest, my sister should have gotten annoyed with me.  I packed up my little people and came to her house after naps 3 times a week.  I expected dinner and entertainment until almost bedtime.  She let me.  She never told me to go home or to not eat her food.  She was and is the best.

Caley...we had been friends since high school.  And I loved her then and knew we were good friends.  But all of a sudden, we were two adults living a few minutes apart.  And our friendship was different.  We had a different view and understanding of life.  Our friendship was stronger and better than it had ever been.  She drove to my house for girls nights and loved my kids.  I loved her for that and still do.

 

LOGAN:

We moved back to Logan to finish school.  I had two little toddlers and realized how much I needed play dates for my sanity and my children's.  We quickly got into the swing of things and made lots of new friends.  And then I met Valerie.  A beautiful Mom in my ward with two little boys.  After a few playdates, we realized we had a ton in common!  And being her friend was just too easy!  I know that I can call her anytime I need a quick sitter for my kids or if there's an emergency.  She's already fulfilled that a few times. 

 

So there you have it.  My "people" over the years. 

the 4th weekend

On the 4th we drove up to Bear Lake and played on the beach for a few hours.

My kids could have played there for days. 

 

 

That night we were walking by the fairgrounds and there was a Sock Hop for the "Cruis-In" event.  So we danced to fifties music for a couple of hours!  The kids got candy and glow sticks.  We got home late, but still did fireworks and ate cookies.

 

On Saturday we went to the show of all the "Cruis-In" cars, ate fair food, and then sat on Center Street and watched all of the cars cruise.  Awesome.

the eldridge reunion

This is the Eldridge family.

Les, Randy, Shanon, and Greg.

I married Greg's first son, James.

And this past week we had a family reunion in Hatch at our family cabin.

It was a lot of fun.

 

We went to the fish hatchery.

We played outside...a lot. 

My kids played with their cousins every second of everyday while we were there.

One night, Uncle Les serenaded us.  The kids danced.

We went for a hike.  It was really hot.  I might have complained more than the kids.

We went on a REALLY long four wheeler ride up a mountain.  I was behind James - I'm dirtier.

And we went to the Panguitch Balloon Festival!

 

My days

My summer days are filled with:

 

popsicles

walks to the park

running through the sprinkler

playing at the splash pad

the swimming pool

riding our bikes

playing with friends

hikes in the canyon

just BEING OUTSIDE

 

(from our FHE a few weeks ago - hike in Logan Canyon, and then dinner in Bear Lake)

 

 

 

I love summer.  Please never go away.

a weekend with a few

IF you didn't realize this already, I'm a little obsessed with family get togethers.  I can't get enough of my siblings and parents.  Any chance to see them, I'm freaking there.  So I was really excited to host a quick Merrifield party this weekend.  I have one sister moving to North Carolina and a brother moving to Wyoming.  I'll be the only child left in Utah.  Weird, huh?  So two siblings showed up Friday night, and then the other sibling and my parents arrived on Saturday. 

 

We ate too much, swam at the pool, played at the park, and just sat around visiting.  I cried when it was over.  I probably won't see some of them for a while.  It stinks.  I know my siblings wouldn't go for this but I secretly wish we all lived in the same town.  I'd be in heaven! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AND...Happy Father's Day to my wonderful Dad.

 

Thanks for:

Joining the church when you were 15.

Chasing off that other guy so Mom would date you.

Having your 5th child :)

Teaching me right from wrong, love, kindness, determination, hard work and confidence.

Teaching me the gospel, setting an example and honoring your priesthood.

Most of all...for just being a REALLY good Dad!

if you really knew me

My friend Kim (who I love dearly) posted this on her blog.  I guess it's been a "thing" with blogs.  I wouldn't know because I've been a little out of touch with the blogging world.  But I read hers, loved it, and missed writing about something besides special events with my children. 

 

Enjoy.

(from our trip to Blackfoot last weekend.)

 

If you really knew me...

 

You'd know that I absolutely positively loved food.  It rules my life.  When I wake up, I get excited thinking about what to make for breakfast.  I love to cook and bake.  I like to follow recipes and not follow recipes.  I love baked goods.  Bake and devour them in the same day is my motto.  Every event in my life needs to have food involved. (don't you love that I started with this?)

You'd know that I've never dyed my hair and that I hardly ever blow dry it.  Which explains my 26 year old hairstyle - long, blonde and straight. 

 

You'd know that I LOVE company.  I love to have friends or family over.  I am happy when it's just me and my kids at home all day.  But something about having friends or family come and stay is SO exciting!  I'm giddy with excitement over making a menu for the day which always includes snacks and desserts.  And when people need to spend the night, I can hardly wait to stay up late talking and then surprise them with a delicious breakfast!  (This kind of sounds like an invitation...take it as one!)

You'd know I can't decorate, sew, design, or create ANYTHING crafty!

 

You'd know that I'm self conscious about my weight.  I've always wanted to be skinnier.  I started thinking about my image and my weight way too early.  I try really hard to work out and eat right.  But my love for food hurts this part of my life :) 

You'd know that I'm more comfortable entertaining/teaching a group of children than a group of adults.
 

You'd know that I love music.  I love singing, playing the piano, and listening to the radio.  I love dancing to music!  Ask any of my closest friends, hubby, kids or siblings.  Dance parties are a MUST!  I love the way music brings out emotions and makes you feel like you can do anything!  I wish I were more musically inclined.

You'd know that most of my favorite things to do are very "lazy" - watching movies, reading, eating, visiting with friends.

 

You'd know that I become a little "too involved" in TV shows.  This goes for books and movies too.  Especially teenage dramas.   I love these different realities where a vampire can fall in love with you and not eat you, or two surgeons can fall madly in love while surviving bombs, gun shots, and plane crashes, or where teenagers fall in and out of love while playing basketball or trying to track down "A".  But I'm also a sucker for hilarious comedies.

You'd know that I love being a Mom.  Sure it's hard.  I complain about it too.  But it's all I've ever wanted.  I love being pregnant.  I love having babies.  I love all of it - nursing babies, rocking babies, kissing babies, even changing their dang diapers.  I love playing with toddlers and coming up with new games and activities to entertain them.  And I know I'll be sad when I'm done having children.  Being a Mom is definitely my calling here on this earth.

You'd know that I'm a summer baby!  If it's not 80 degrees and sunny outside, I'm at a complete loss with what to do.

And...finally, you'd know that I was afraid of marriage before James came around.  I had too many embarrassing and failed relationships which made me think I couldn't commit to an eternal marriage.  But I did.  And I'm forever grateful that James helped me see that I could.  Gosh I love him.

 



little behind

We've been up to a lot!!

 

James turned 31 a few weeks ago.  We went out for his birthday.  We ate wings and saw Iron Man 3.  It was so much fun!

  

Porter turned 3 the day after James' birthday.  He is so wonderful.  I can't believe he's already three years old.  He's brave and kind and hilarious!  We had a friend birthday party for him.  We made trains out of boxes and rode them around the "track" outside.  We decorated train sugar cookies and had a picnic outside.  That evening we had our own family party.  I'm pretty sure by the end of the day both of my kids were sugared out!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I turned 26 this past Saturday.  Weird.  I still think I'm like 18 and then I look in the mirror.  Two babies have definitely given me a few nice wrinkles and beautiful CONSTANT bags under my eyes ;)  We treated ourselves to donuts for breakfast and had a barbeque with our family that night.  That night before James and I went to dinner and a movie again!  We never get to go out...so twice in two weeks was AWESOME!

 

I'm thinking summer has finally arrived in Logan.  And we are living it up!  We bought a season pass to the little zoo down the street from us.  We walk to the park EVERY morning and play until lunch.  And we tried out the new splash pad today...it's awesome!  I was the only Mom wearing my swimsuit.  That was even cooler.  But I insist on being tan in the summer!

 

Summer is my favorite.  I feel like I'm a much better Mom in the summer.  Is that weird?  There's just so much to do and we're much happier playing outside.  I LOVE IT!

 

AND...I started my 8 week training/diet yesterday.  I'm doing pretty good.  I ran my 3 miles yesterday and I haven't eaten any breads or treats yet.  That alone is a freaking miracle!