Good Morning Sunshine

Saiah is not much of a morning person when she has to be woken up. I went into to her room this morning a bit earlier than usaual to wake her so she could shower and had to share our "conversation".

"Good morning sunshine, time to wake up" I say as I gently pat her arm.

No response from a very sound asleep little girl.

"Scooter, time to wake up. You want to go get in a nice warm shower?"

"Hmmmm" ever so softly

"Do you know what you want to wear today honey?"

Saiah rolls over to her other side, pulls up her covers, snuggles in.

"Honey, you need to wake up" trying to shake her a bit.

"I'm dreaming of what I'm going to wear" she says in a sleepy voice.


Too cute. And yes, she did finally wake.

Cinderella

I'm sure many of you have already heard and been touched by Steven Curtis Chapman's latest song "Cinderella", but I just felt compelled to blog it.

I must admit, I don't listen to Steven Curtis Chapman very much - I like his music ok, it's just not the first style of music I go to. His most recent song though, is so touching, most especially to those that have little girls, or even grown up girls.

I wonder why it takes a song, or somebody to actually say "cherish the times you have while your kids are little" to reflect on how true it is.

Why does it take pondering to realize just how precious a gem we have in front of our very own eyes? A sweet, dear child that wants and desires our time to talk to, play with, cuddle up to, show off to, and just be near us. How special these times are. I know there will come a day when Saiah will be all grown up and all these moments will be few and far between. But, right now we are blessed today with an amazing little girl.

"I don't want to miss even one song. Because all too soon, the clock will strike midnight and she'll be gone."

So, here it is - a wonderful song to remind us to cherish the time with our children.

The Merrihew Pause - Succesful!!

Our week of no TV and internet was so very nice. We succeeded at keeping the TV off the entire week (except for some Wii time, does that count?). The computer remained off except for a moment to double check our funds in checking (I had a little shock at the ATM) and to file our taxes.

The quietness of the house did us good. We were able to do stuff around the house, work on the garage, clean the cars and spend time with each other. We have also been somewhat successful at spending time every night reading short little biographies of great believers in the Lord as a family.

Our week was over last Monday. As for this week, the TV has remained pretty quiet for the most part and our Wii playing has been reduced as well. Yes, I've been back on the computer, but not near as much as I used to be. I have dropped one of my very time consuming activities (a forum) and it's been very freeing.

Feel free to drop us a note, keep us accountable - especially me! I pray we don't fall back into the laziness trap again. Even more, I pray that we will become more disciplined to do a family devotion and commit myself to spend time in God's word, something I somehow really struggle with.

All right...off to do chores!

Superbowl Sunday (The Monday before our Merrihew Pause)

I know...I'm not supposed to be on here, but I'm still officially able to post this entry. Our week long pause goes into affect tomorrow.

Of course, today was Superbowl Sunday. Jason and I have no real rant against either the Giants (ok, so maybe Jason does just a bit against the Giants) nor the Patriots, but we were rooting for the Pats. They default due to Brady being a Michigan boy.

We gathered at Rusty and Leanne's house today for good food, laughter and fun times as we watched the Giants take on the Patriots. We all agreed that this years' commercials were better than the last few years. We especially liked "Thriller".

Hanging out, home group style


Yes, we still consider Bill a friend despite the obvious
(to the non-football fan, take note to never, under any circumstances, wear the jersey shown above!)

Saiah, Shaylynn and Bekah

The kiddos, Saiah, Shaylynn, Bekah, Anna and Mason hanging out and having fun


THE Moment
Can you tell who Bill is rooting for?

Pause

I'm preparing myself for a challenge. As is Jason. Saiah doesn't know yet what will hit her. Yes, we have committed to go one entire week without any TV, OR Internet. Did I just hear you gasp? Oh, right, that was me.

The internet is a great commodity. When I have a question about anything, from recipes, how to make a craft, how to spell a word, phone numbers, etc I immediately go to the internet. It's easy, it's convenient and it's oh so fast! We also pay all our bills through it - I don't ever really buy stamps any longer. This is all good. But, my problem is that I spend a little bit, oh fine, way too much time on it, checking email, myspace, facebook, and er, yes this blog. Not to mention a forum I'm a part of. It has consumed me. Which, takes me away from Jason, Saiah, and more noticeably, God.

TV is quite similar. It serves a good purpose for occasional entertainment, the ever so important football games, news and weather. But, it too has consumed a large chunk of Jason's life.

Oh what can be accomplished without the TV and computer!! Laundry done and put away, dishes always in their correct spot (nope, not in the sink waiting to go into the dishwasher!), house neat and tidy, garage and car clean, TIME with Saiah doing more valuable things such as reading more, playing more, and just hanging out more.

The most important reason to do this is to allow ourselves to take the time that we've not done in so long to sit down and spend time with God. Reading the Bible, praying more. We've also decided to make a commitment to learning the lives of past believers that have done amazing and wondrous things for God through Biographies. So, if you know of any great ones, let us know!

I find it fitting that this Wednesday is the start of Lent. We are taking this pause for one week starting on Monday and ending on the following Monday. Perhaps, we will be able to extend it even longer. I'm praying that through this we will all grow back to the Lord, make Him our focus and then also spend time together as a family, bonding, learning, and growing together.

The Merrihew Few will be on hiatus for awhile. Enjoy your week. Focus on the Lord. Spend more time in quiet. Enjoy the loved ones that are in your own home. Pick up a good book. May I challenge you also to try the same - leave the TV and Computer OFF for an entire week. If we can do it...anyone can!

Blessings.

Are Wii there yet?

Yes! Yes, indeed Wii are!

Yep. Searching for a Wii has become routine in our lives as of late. Getting pretty used to the typical phone conversation

"Yes, just wondering if you have any Wiis in stock today?"
"No, we don't"
"Ok, thank you."

Or...I feel I've become a regular fixture in the Talent Walmart electronics department. There is actually a pretty nice lady there that doesn't seem too bothered by the ever popular question of "Did you receive any Wiis in stock today?".

So, today Becky calls me to say that Tonya, another friend with whom I work with at Saiah's school and is also in the market for a Wii is RIGHT NOW at Fred Meyer and they have Wiis and she's willing to pay for one for me, but I need to call her. So, I call her and lo and behold, Freddies will NOT sell Tonya another one, nor will they sell one to her 20-something-year-old son. Sheesh...whatever!

Tonya says to hurry, it's the last one and they were going quicker than quick. I rushed out of the house with clothes I didn't care for on and hair undone, with mismatched shoes. I call the other Freddies, the one closest to us to make sure they didn't get any (nope) and "race" on towards the other Freddies. I'm going down the Freeway, I call the Fred's Tonya was at to see if they by chance still have that one last unit only to hear, "nope, we are all out". UGH!!! So, I make my way back home...frustrated. I know..all for a silly Wii.

Tonya calls a bit later to check if we got it and then tells me the lady at the Talent Walmart said to call around 2 PM today as that is when UPS usually gets there.

Jason, Saiah and I leave the house at 1:30, get to the Walmart about quarter till and we walk directly back to Electronics. Heart sinking, I can see no Wiis in the cases. Bummer.

Saiah and Jason are off already headed to the motor oil as I lag behind. I leave the Electronics area slowly, and apparently have a look on my face that needs attention.

The nice lady there asks, "Can I help you with something?"

"Just looking for a Wii" I manage to say

"Oh, well we have some." She says

"You do?? Can I get one?!" said with utter shock.

"Of course" as she leads me to BEHIND the counter where they have them still unpacked!

Woo Hoo!! We have our Wii.

Good quality family time! Ok, not perfect quality...but it sure is fun to play tennis, golf, baseball and other fun games with each other. Lacey even came over to help break in our new toy today!

So yes...Wii have arrived.

Bowling

Saiah has very huge movements when she plays!

All tuckered out from our Wii day

Babies

On the way home from our Home Group on Wednesday night, Saiah decided a little clarification was needed on the subject of babies:

"Do all babies come small and grumpy?"