Christmas Trees, Fires, Shooting...oh my!

We went out this last weekend to get our Christmas tree...an annual tradition. Both Jason and I grew up going out into the woods to cut down a tree. Although...in high school, my parents did turn more often to the lots, if I remember right!

We still love going out, playing in the woods and looking for that "perfect" tree. Saiah makes it even more fun as she has much excitement and anticipation for the event. This year seemed a bit different as there was absolutely NO snow on the ground. It did make it nice to be able to drive around anywhere we wanted to in the mighty woods, but still...the snow does add a fun factor.

We ended up finally finding a spot with relatively few people. There were SOOO many people out getting trees this year. Not sure if it was because gas is so cheap...thank you Lord!...or the weather was nice, but it was craziness. It didn't take too long to find one we liked...a silver tip...we think. Perfect size and shape. Hopefully, this one will not stink up the entire house like last years tree did. We had to take down last years just days after we put it up. It was the most horrible smell...like rotten broccoli and pee. And, we ended up getting one at a tree farm. It was a nice tree, but still...a funny experience indeed. We are on day two, and so far...smells just fine.

After falling the tree...all 7 feet of it, we sat by a fire and did some target practice. Saiah is getting pretty good holding up the 22 on her own and shooting the target. She really enjoys it and it's fun to watch her. Jason is an excellent gun safety teacher as well.

After the tree, fire and fun, Saiah drove us on out of the woods. Jason gives her driving lessons on their hunting trips and she is getting pretty good! Of course, Jason does the gas and brake, but Saiah's ability to steer around things is impressive, and at times a bit nerve wracking!

All in all...a good Christmas Tree year. We keep reminding ourselves in all these traditions, that Jesus is the reason we celebrate Christmas, God's perfect gift to us. It's so easy to go through all the motions and forget the amazing love God has for us.

As Long As There's Christmas

Saiah had her final ballet performances this last weekend. It was bittersweet. I really enjoy watching Saiah in ballet. She does a fairly good job with it and is improving with each session. It's also so nice to see her do something girly too!! Saiah has decided to not pursue ballet, at least this point in life, so this performance may very well be her final hurah in dance. It was fun while it lasted...I'm sure we're off to do basketball, softball, football, or heck..wrestling. Just kidding on the last one...or two.

The girls did a great job and looked beautiful, of course. They danced to "As Long As There's Christmas" from the Beauty and the Beast Christmas movie. Those of you who have princess girls may very well know this movie..we don't own a single Princess item in this household! When Miss Diana announced to the girls they'd be dancing to this song, there was a gleeful chorus of "yays" and clapping except for one girl, who stood there rolling her eyes. Yep, my daughter. She's so not into Princesses. But, she managed to learn the routine week after week listening to the song.

They did a few performances, and unfortunately, the best recording I was able to get, was of the one they did for The Festival of Treesl. The sounds not so good, but I got a good view of Saiah.

Saiah with Miss Diana

The girls at The Festival of Tress performance

Saiah with Grandma at the Waterford performance

God's Country

Jason and Saiah just returned from their 2nd annual "God's Country" hunting trip. It's a special time for them to go out and hunt coyotes, rabbits, and this year, badgers. They both start eagerly anticipating their yearly trip. Saiah usually wants to pack things up a few weeks, or even a month before they depart. Our garage had necessities and essentials strewn everywhere for the past month or so.
This years trip had the addition of Jason's Mr. Heater, Big Buddy Heater, guaranteeing nice toasty warmth all night long. The first night it kept them toasty warm....until the rain and wind started blowing INTO the tent. At 2AM Jason was packing their things into the truck. Fun times! Funny, the cheapo Walmart tents with the oh-so-nice mesh screen for summer camping don't fair so well in winter like camping conditions. Not wanting a repeat of the first night, they slept in the truck the second night as well.
All in all, they had a good time, despite windy weather, which for those non coyote hunting type readers-that translates into bad coyote weather. Saiah was so excited to shoot her first bunny. This was the first time Saiah was able to hold the gun AND shoot it all by herself. They thought she had shot the bunny, but as Saiah said,"I shot a rock."
Due to the windy conditions, they had to be creative in finding things to do. Saiah enjoyed her time driving Daddy's truck. I guess she's a pretty good little driver...although she'll still have to wait until she's 18 to get her license!! They also explored around an old abandoned mining town and looked at mine shafts. No..they didn't go in any...phew!

Saiah, holding up Jason's 100th coyote!

The old mines

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Saiah and the Strikers

Saiah has just completed her 5th season of soccer. She really enjoys playing and has a great coach(Danielle) and assistant coach(Casey), not to mention her best little bud Mia is on the team. This is the first season in awhile that more of the team was new at soccer than before. The boys from last season moved on up, so Saiah and a few other originals welcomed in a whole new crowd of soccer players. It was fun watching them come together as a team and really play their hearts out. They have a great sense of team spirit and consideration for all out on the field. I truly appreciate Danielle's coaching and her style.

At the end of every season, Danielle is great at making sure they get a soccer party, with trophies and all. This year we met at her house for a brunch right before their game. Good times, good food and good friends.

Saiah and her good bud Mia

Loving the new look!


Saiah with Danielle - an awesome coach!

Mia, Ireland and Saiah..playing together for four seasons now

Saiah and Mia

Daddy and Saiah during the kids v. parents game (somehow, the kids always win;))!

Mmmm...Alfredo!

I somehow found the best Alfredo Sauce recipe here. After reading the reviews, I cut 1T of the butter out. It's so yummy...think Vinny's for us Medfordites. :) I won't ever buy the jar version again!!

A Biblical View on Voting

Not much else to say here except that this is a truly good article written by Lynn Barton, a woman from our church, on how a believer should look at political issues, all supported by Scripture.

"Vote and Vote Like a Christian"

Too Important To Ignore

The Momentous First Tooth...and the second...

At just a few weeks shy of her 7th Birthday, Saiah has FINALLY lost her first tooth!! It was truly a huge deal in our house. Her two bottom teeth have been loose for a very long time. In fact, behind both of her two bottom teeth were the adult teeth popping up, a case I found to be called "Shark Teeth"!

Neither Jason nor I had ever heard or seen this phenomenon. I did learn from a few friends, that they too had children that had teeth come in before they lost their baby teeth. Made us a feel a bit better, but still...the idea of the teeth not falling out and the adult ones not coming forward as should made us think...oh no...we see Orthodontia bills in the future!!

Now, we are not strong believers in bribing our children. But, with a daughter who refuses to wiggle teeth and the thought of dentist bills, Jason thought it wise to tell Saiah that if she were to get her tooth out that day, he'd pay her $5!! This caught Saiah's attention. As she was mulling it over in her mind, Jason asked to see her tooth. As Saiah opened her mouth, Jason went to feel the lose tooth and instead, quickly pulled at it!!! Was she ever shocked!! With that tug, a few roots came loose and Saiah was able to successfully work the tooth out on her own. She was very excited to have lost her first tooth, and quite the money maker at that!

As we put her to bed that night, I looked at Jason and said..we don't have any cash!! Not going the traditional tooth fairy route, we decided to write up a note of congratulations along with a check made out to Saiah Merrihew for $5.00. She awoke in the morning seeing the note and smiling her semi-toothless smile.

The First Tooth

That was last Saturday. Today....

Jason and started out with $2 for this tooth. It went to $5 and then the next thing we know, Jason promises her this NFL Football she wanted from Toys R U. Oh yeah...she was all over that!! With a little thought, she decides to let Daddy again yank it loose again. We got the reaction on tape this time and it's quite hilarious.

Glad to have the two teeth gone so the adult ones have room to grow forward. Oh, and yes.....it has already been well announced to Saiah that the future teeth will not be as golden!!

The Second Tooth

Boy oh Boy!!!

We are so very excited to say....we are having a BOY!!! Saiah so badly wanted a baby sister, but is now very excited to be have a baby brother. The ultrasound went very well. He was quite the mover, so we saw a LOT of poses. He is looking wonderfully perfect and healthy so far...praise God!

First Grade

Saiah with Ms. McDonald on the first day of First Grade

Hard to believe the summer is over and Saiah is now in the First Grade!! She was unsure about first grade. Many of her friends from last year were no longer going to be at her school, and she just didn't think she could make it until 2:30. Her class this year is a K-1 combo with Ms. McDonald again. Having Ms. McDonald again is a huge blessing, as Saiah adores her.

Turns out, even though most all of Saiah's friends are no longer there, she is enjoying the Kindergartners that are in her class, as well as the other lone first grader, her only friend from last year. I also have noticed many of the kids kind of "looking up to" her as she is indeed the tallest and oldest.

The end of the day is just the first graders.....the two first graders!! Yep..only two of them. It's actually a wonderful thing as a parent, knowing your child gets such specialized attention from a teacher. The two of them really like it as well. They get to go on special walks and do their Math and Reading outside on a picnic table for a special treat every so often.

I have the pleasure of being able to work in Saiah's class this year, all five days. I am thrilled to be in her class and helping one of my close friends during this school year.

Yes, Saiah didn't quite want summer to end, but I do believe she would tell you now that she is enjoying school and definitely looks forward to going. In fact, today, she didn't want to leave Ms. McDonald. Only thing that helped was my telling her that she would see her this evening as Lacey, aka Ms. McDonald, was coming to our house for dinner. Indeed a rare treat for a child to have their teacher also be an adopted aunt of our family!!

Saiah and Chloe, helping prepare special treats for the class

Saiah's classroom

Like Father, Like Daughter

This last weekend, we headed to Etna so Jason and Jed could take Saiah and Kylie hiking and fishing up at Taylor Lake. It was a trip talked about for most of the summer, so it was really nice to see it happen. The girls popped right out of bed at 6:00 a.m. with eager anticipation of the day. Dressed in clothes to hike and fish in, they were on their way. The guys reported the girls were quite the troopers, hiking all the way around the lake, going through spider webs and bushes, having a grand old time with no complaining. In fact...they said, with glee, that the girls, when posed with the question of "what would you rather do...fishing, or shopping?" quickly responded that they would rather fish! They are such Daddy's girls!!

Both girls came home excited to share their fish stories. Kylie was able to reel one in and Saiah actually cast, and reeled in her own fish all by herself, even though neither her Daddy nor uncle believed she had a fish on! Luckily, we have a bit of it on video Jason was able to catch.

Oh, and at the home front..Casandra and I kept things low with coffee and PJ's till noon!!! What more could a girl ask for?? ;)

Saiah's First Fish all by herself!!!

Ten Years 8.8.98-8.8.08

8.8.08

For many...that date reminds them of the 2008 Olympics. But, for me and Jason, it marks 10 years of being married. I cannot believe it's already been 10 years. How is it even possible?

For those of you who don't know...this is our story.

Fall 1995...God has led me away from missions and returned me back to finish college to the first school of my choice, Simpson College (now known as Simpson University), in Redding, California. I was very excited to return back to school. I loved that it was smaller than my first college at Western Oregon, and primarily that it focused on God and biblical teachings. I quickly learned that God placed me with a quirky, but great roommie, and wonderful suitemates to boot. Anyways...many fun times were had in the first few weeks at school. Meeting new friends, going to events, attending classes, and an alumni volleyball game that would change my world forever.

My suitemate, Rebecca and I went to the Alumni volleyball game. As we were sitting there, watching it...she, out of the blue asked me..."what kind of guy do you like?" I know...very mature, we were. I glanced around and a few rows up saw a group of guys. In that group was one that really got my attention. I told her "that guy...right up there..". And there, was Jason. What drew me to him? I seriously think the Lord had a hand in it, but to be honest, it was the joy he showed through his laughter and his eyes. He seemed to have a sense of kindness, fun, enjoyment and, oh yes...he was terribly good looking. Seriously.

So..that was the first time I'd spotted Jason. Then, come to find out, I had three classes with his brother, Jed, who was a freshman that year. My keen observation also realized that Jed and Jason were roommates, right around the corner from our dorm room and I saw them walking above on the outdoor walkway above my room very frequently. I don't remember exact events, but since Jed and I did have so many classes together, along with many of my new friends, we studied in groups a lot. After a couple times, I told Jed he could invite his brother along if he wanted to. Tricky, I know. But, soon, Jason was joining us in studying. Well..,most of us studied...Jason just went to hang out since he had already taken the classes. I remember praying a lot during this time, asking God to lead the way. I believe without a doubt, that the Lord lead us then, and leads us know.

That's how our story started. We enjoyed many nights of talking and getting to know one another. Many fun times, studying together, doing Bible studies just the two of us, trips to his family, trips to my family. That was in 1995. Married for 10 years, together for13. No..it has not always been easy..but, I don't think it's supposed to be a piece of cake. Marriage without the Lord seems impossible. But with the Lord, marriage is truly a wonderful gift. The fun and joys outweigh the difficulties.

I love Jason, more so even than in the beginning. He is an amazing husband and I am truly blessed. I'm often amazed that God has blessed me with such a wonderful man. He loves the Lord, desires to know more about God, loves me and cherishes me, adores our daughter, enjoys spending his time with his family, laughs, lives, and loves.

I thank God for Jason and the ten years he has blessed us with, our daughter Saiah, and our new one to come. I look forward to the years to come that the Lord blesses us with.

Jason and I during our college years

August 8, 1998

Big News for the Merrihews

Well...for those that haven't heard...Saiah is very excited these a days as she is going to be...a big sister!! Yep. After 7 years, God is blessing us with another little one. Saiah is beyond thrilled as she has been praying for a baby sister for over a year. She does realize that it could very well be a baby brother though!

Yesterday we all went to the doctor appointment to see little Baby Merrihew waving it's tiny arm around. Heart beat was strong and all looks good! Jason and I are excited, but a bit shocked still!!


And here, without further ado...Baby Merrihew! :)

Proud Big Sister!

Scooter's Sweet Nightime Song

Oftentimes, after we put Saiah to bed, we can hear her little sing song voice lulling herself to sleep. Usually it's a "Here I am Too Worship", or "Jesus Loves Me" or some other children's ditty. Sometimes though, we are blessed to hear her own little creations. She likes to just sing whatever is on her mind..it's quite funny sometimes, but always sweet. It's been awhile since she's sung herself to sleep, so I found myself listening especially close to tonights lullabies. I couldn't catch the beginning, as it took me a moment to figure out it was her own ditty, but this is what she sang:

"You can't see Jesus...but you can feel him"
"You can't see Jesus...but you can feel him"

"When you die, you get to see-eee him"
"When you die, you get to see-ee him"

"Dying isn't so much fun, but you get to see Jesus"

Very sweet and I must admit Jason and I were attempting to stifle the giggles on the last line!

I love my sweet Scooterbug. I pray she grows up loving the Lord, serving him, and desiring him above all else. What more can a parent want?

A Bainbridge 4th of July

We were able to head up North to Bainbridge for the 4th and spend some time with Jason's sister and her family. The kids enjoyed all the small town festivities Bainbridge had to offer. Here are some highlights.

The bus ride to downtown...Saiah's first time on public transportation..and Jason's too!

Enjoying the tire swing

Bounce House fun

Waiting for the parade to start

This parade even handed out Otter Pops..how cool is that?

Jonah, in control of Joel


We had a nice day down at the beach

Saiah crashed hard on our trip back home..tired girl!