Brianna's Blessing

This is the only picture we have from Brianna's blessing day. We snapped it just before we left for Church. Brianna is wearing her blessing dress, and the dress she will wear at the temple. Trust me, it is beautiful even though you really can't see it in the picture. Ben is wearing his new suit. He was pretending to be a missionary shaking my hand.

We were, of course, planning to take pictures at Church, after her blessing. However, since I always have to leave Sacrament meeting 5 minutes early to go set up chairs in Primary, we totally spaced the picture taking. Oh well, the blessing is the important thing, and Brianna received a beautiful blessing from her Daddy. I have had several people comment that that is one of the most beautiful blessings they had ever heard, and that they had never heard a blessing like it before. It was very special, just like Brianna.





This is Ben's drawing of Brianna's blessing. James is on the right, holding Brianna (the cute little one in the middle). There are a couple of other brethren helping. The words are coming out of James' mouth. I asked Ben about the scary looking guy up above the rest. Ben said, "Oh, he's there to remind us to not be scared, because this is a happy thing."

How It All Began

Many moons ago, while snuggling with Ben at bedtime, he asked me to tell him a story . . . and thus was born:

The Adventures of Jammin-Ben and Lewis
How it all began

Once upon a time, a young boy named Jammin-Ben woke up to the sounds of people screaming. When he went outside to investigate, he saw the frightened townspeople running and shouting, "Run for your lives!!!" And, "There’s a fire breathing dragon!! He’s destroying everything!" Indeed, Jammin-Ben could see the black clouds of smoke filling the air.

But, Jammin-Ben was a brave soul, and curious too, so, instead of running away, he ran towards the smoke. As he got closer, he could see houses and fences burning. And then, he saw him. The great fire-breathing dragon, burning down house after house.

But, as Jammin-Ben approached him, he heard, "Hiccup-phhhgh", "Hiccup-phhhgh". For, after each hiccup, flames came shooting out of the dragon’s mouth. Jammin-Ben thought, "This dragon isn’t trying to destroy everything. He has the hiccups!" And, quick as a wink, Jammin-Ben grabbed a bucket and ran to the river. He filled the bucket, and ran like the wind back to the dragon.

"Quick, drink this whole bucket of water!" he told the dragon. The dragon quickly grabbed the bucket. "Gulp, gulp, gulp." Quick breath. "Gulp, gulp, gulp." When the dragon paused again, Jammin-Ben yelled, "Don’t stop until it’s all gone!" So the dragon continued gulping until the bucket was empty. When he finished drinking the water, his hiccups were gone! "Oh thank you!" said the dragon. "That was my worst case of hiccups yet."

Then, as the dragon looked around him, and saw all the damage he had caused, he felt so bad. Jammin-Ben could see the sadness in his eyes and said, "It’s o.k. We can rebuild these houses and fences together! My name is Jammin-Ben. What’s yours?" "My name is Lewis," replied the dragon. "Would you really help me build new houses and fences? I don’t want people to be afraid of me." "You bet!" said Jammin-Ben, and together they started rebuilding the town.

As the other townspeople saw Jammin-Ben with the dragon, and realized that they were working together, they took courage and came to see what had happened. When Jammin-Ben explained that Lewis was not trying to destroy their town, but that he had only had the hiccups; and when he told them how Lewis was building new houses and fences to replace the ones he had burned, the people cheered. The entire town welcomed Lewis as one of their own, and they all worked together to build a better town. (They also each kept a bucket of water handy, . . . just in case!)

What a Heart

A conversation, out of the blue, on the way home from grocery shopping.

Ben: If the Church isn't locked, we should go and check the nursery. And, if it's dirty, we should clean it.

Me: Wow! That's a really nice thing you just thought of. What made you think of that?

Ben: Oh, well, . . . my heart just maked me think of it. It is Jesus' house.

Me: You're right, it is Jesus' house, so we should help keep it looking nice.

Ben: Yup, we should.

From the Creator of "Finger Guys!", we bring you . . .SUPER BANANA vs. ROTTEN POTATO

Greatest "Grinella" Recipe in the World

1 1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup water
4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 teaspoon salt
6 cups rolled oats
1 cup chopped pecans or slivered almonds
1 cup bran flakes
½ cup coconut
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup cornmeal
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
½ cup raisins
3 Tablespoons butter
1/4 cup flour

Preheat oven to 275 degrees F. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper and reserve. Combine brown sugar and water in a 4-cup microwave proof glass measuring cup or bowl. Place in microwave on high for 5 minutes and cook until sugar is completely dissolved. Set aside the flour, butter, and raisins. In a large mixing bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Remove brown syrup mixture from microwave, add vanilla extract and salt. Pour liquid mixture into dry mixture and stir until thoroughly mixed. Add flour and butter, mixing with your hands to form little chunks. Spread the granola onto cookie sheets and bake 25 minutes then stir and switch oven position between the two cookies sheets. Cook an additional 20 to 35 minutes or until golden and crunchy. When the mixture comes out of the oven, it is still very pliable. Add in raisins as a finishing touch at this time. When granola has cooled completely, store in an airtight container.

100 or so things about me that may bore you

O.k., here goes nothin'

1. My name means "quiet" at least that's what my parents always told me, although in every baby name book I've ever seen it means, "from the grey fortress" ... whatever that means. I think it was a conspiracy to brainwash me.
2. I love to sing.
3. I married my perfect match.
4. I wanted to be an editor until some very talented writers let me read their stuff from an editor's stand-point and I finally realized that I don't have the education to be a real editor. But I still like reading their stuff!
5. My favorite calling was Primary chorister.
6. I am Florida-phobic.
7. I don't think of myself as a strict parent until I hear my son explain all of our rules to his friends when they come over.
8. I love my children so much it can bring tears to my eyes.
9. I love to snuggle, both my children and my husband.
10. I love the scriptures.
11. I tease Ben way too much!
12. I can crochet.
13. I love to look through ads, grocery ads, catalogs, whatever.
14. I hate clutter.
15. My house is often cluttered.
16. I cut James' hair for years . . . until I bought him a really good razor set and made myself obsolete.
17. I love to watch my baby discover something new.
18. I love to watch my boy grasp a new concept.
19. I've hired a girl in my ward to help me clean my house. (see #15)
20. I think I'm funny.
21. Living with Ben has forced me to develop my imagination.
22. In second grade, I sat on the front row and still couldn't see the chalkboard. I stayed in every recess and stood at the chalkboard to do my work.
23. I regret a mean-spirited letter I wrote to my younger sister when we were teenagers.
24. Most of my regrets in life center around how I (mis)treated someone else.
25. I think I have become a much nicer person as an adult.
26. My husband has helped me to grow in so many ways.
27. I used to eat my salad without salad dressing.
28. I used to hate salad. (see #27)
29. I love my husband's smile.
30. I love the way Ben helps me see things from another perspective.
31. I love the way Brianna rewards me with hugs and smiles and snuggles when I get up with her at night.
32. I never know if I am supposed to use "through" or "thru".
33. I look at my children in my rearview mirror waaay too much while driving.
34. I love a good well-written movie.
35. I love good music and am particulary sensitive to the lyrics.
36. I love a good book, but I feel like I never have time to read.
37. I am grateful to know my parents as an adult.
38. I have the best siblings and in-laws in the world.
39. When Jesse first put his map of England on his bedroom door, I said to my husband, "England is an island?"
40. I once ended up flat on my back on the dance floor with my dance partner on top of me saying, "[You're supposed to turn] THREE times Leslie, THREE."
41. Someday I hope to take dance lessons with my husband. (Poor guy).
42. I have an insatiable sweet tooth.
43. I hate to exercise.
44. I love the way I look and feel when I do exercise.
45. I am a Gilmore Girls fan. I have the first 3 seasons on DVD.
46. Sometimes I worry that my children will learn all of my bad habits and none of my good.
47. Ever since I was pregnant with Ben I have had terrible acid reflux.
48. I slugged the first boy who ever kissed me. (It was in 2nd grade.)
49. I love to receive mail, e-mail, packages, etc.
50. On my mission, just before Christmas, the UPS man once delivered a package to me on the side of the road, several blocks from home.
51. Entering the MTC 4 days before Christmas was a huge trial of my faith.
52. I didn't receive my answer to prayers about marrying James until 3 days before our wedding.
53. I know a LOT more medical lingo than I will ever be able to intelligently use.
54. My neices and nephews amaze me with their intelligence, creativity, energy, and faith.
55. I love to watch my children interact with eachother.
56. I love to watch my husband interact with my children.
57. I love ProActiv.
58. I love a good haircut.
59. I hope to spend a great deal more time with my husband after residency.
60. I once beat my husband at Lord of the Rings Trivial Pursuit.
61. I spend way too much time feeling guilty about doing this or that at the expense of something else.
62. When I feel the need for a "stiff drink", I have a chocolate malted milk.
63. I should be doing laundry right now. (see # 61).
64. I love a bargain!
65. I love taking long showers.
66. My husband amazes me with the breadth and depth of his talents.
67. I still feel like a kid.
68. I love taking a walk on a beautiful day.
69. Autumn is my favorite season -- I love the colors, the smells, the crispness in the air, etc.
70. I make great homemade granola.
71. I love how Ben mispronounces certain words: grinella for granola, soldiers for shoulders, etc.
72. I enjoy giving massages.
73. I enjoy receiving massages even more.
74. When I get nervous, I get diarrhea.
75. When I get cold, I sweat - go figure!?
76. I hate being hot.
77. I hate being cold.
78. I have about a 3 degree comfort zone.
79. I used to have a greenthumb until I had kids. I guess I'd rather have thriving kids, than thriving plants.
80. We are particular about using Dove soap and Charmin toilet paper at our house.
81. I love that I can order things online from my library, and then I can drive-thru to pick them up.
82. I love going on road trips with my husband.
83. I love breakfast foods.
84. I love quick, one-dish meals.
85. I love that when we "steal kisses" from Ben, he insists on "stealing" them back.
86. My little sister says she doesn't remember growing up with me. (I think it's because I believed #1, so I was quiet.)
87. I feel very blessed.
88. The sound of my kids' and/or my husband's laughter is the best sound on earth.
89. I love the smell of clean, fresh laundry.
90. My children's smiles light up my day.
91. I had nightmares for two weeks after seeing the Sixth Sense.
92. I love to watch Nature and National Geographic shows.
93. I was just called as Primary President. (see #67)
94. I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt.
95. I will miss Ohio, but I will be very happy to be closer to family.
96. I love to watch all of the extra features on DVD's.
97. I am afraid of underwater creatures.
98. I love to eat halibut.
99. One of my best talents is that I can go to sleep so easily-- anytime, anywhere.
100. The first time I visited a dermatologist, they asked if I "flushed easily". Puzzled, I answered yes. It wasn't until years later that I realized that they weren't talking about my bathroom habits.

"What bib?!?"

"No, I don't have a 'teething problem.' I have no idea how your fingers, your shirt, Ben's toys, my blankie, my fist, or anything else within my reach got soaking wet."

Setting the Record Straight

James: Ben, Great Great Grandpa died last night.

Ben: O.k.

James: We're not going to be able to see him again.

After no response from Ben,
James: He went back to live with Heavenly Father.

Ben: I know that.

James: O.k., well then, I've got to go to work.


Later that morning . . .

Ben: Did you hear the sad news, mom?

Me: Yes. Did Daddy tell you?

Ben: Yes, but Daddy forgot about resurrect.

Me: He did? Did you remind him?

Ben: No. I forgot the word until just now.

Me: Well, maybe he just forgot to talk about it to you.

Ben: No, he said we would never see Great Great Grandpa again. Silly Daddy! He forgot about the resurrect!

My home is well protected . . . Is yours?

Me: I hope you win the war.

Ben: We will. We're the good guys. The bad guys are fighting for gold and silver. But we're fighting for liberty!

Harold Angus Merrell b. July 9,1903, d. January 30,2007

Great Grandpa Merrell, (the stately gentleman shown above in the blue shirt & tie) passed away last night. He was 103 1/2 years old, and though his eyesight and hearing had declined, his mind and his humor were still completely in tact until the day he died.

He once told me that he had loved me since the first time he had ever heard about me. He always made me feel special. I loved him, and I will miss him.

To give you a feel for the kind of man that he was, here is an excerpt from his oral personal history:

"Ross and I were coming home from a party. We saw some girls walking ahead. Ross said, 'Let's go get a girl to walk home with us.' I walked up to Marie and put my arm around her and said, 'Could I walk home with you?' Marie slid her left arm around my back . . . and you might not believe it, but I felt sparks all along my arm where it touched her back. It was warm and like an electric shock. I can still feel it. I had walked other girls home, but I never felt like that. I kept wanting that same feeling again. We went together for about two years before we were married. We were married in the Salt Lake Temple, August 19, 1925. Then I went with her for another 78 years.

"For a date we used to go to the picture show. They didn't have sound then only words written across the bottom. Most people sat at the back, but Marie's eye sight was so poor that we would sit at the front and I'd lean my head over and quietly read the words so I wouldn't disturb the others."

What a sweetie! Good-bye Grandpa Harold! You will be missed!