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?"

Sledding Fun

One of the funnest day's I've had in a long time...

If you've been reading my blog(which if you do...shout out a comment or two to let me know you read this!!), you already know today was our second Snow Day. I was expecting a rather dull, tedious day.

Well, my mom, who did read our blog this morning (yay!), knew Saiah and I were home, so she called to see what we were up to. Next thing I know, Saiah's wrapping up her ballet performance to "The Gameplan" and we are off to borrow sleds from my dear friend Maria to head on up "Cherry Hill" to go sledding.

Let's back up.


Maria, my mom just knew, would be my one friend that for sure would have sleds. So, a quick game of phone tag and wa-la! She did indeed. So, we're off.

Saiah and I get to Maria's (it's now snowing) so I tell Saiah just to stay in the warm car and I'll just run on up to the door to grab the sleds. Nope. Maria comes out..you see, there is a small problem. The sleds are in the garage and are up in the top attic area and she's scared of heights. OK...I can do this, no problem. I quickly glance back at Saiah and think she'll be fine, it will just be a matter of a quick climb up a ladder and voila!. Ah, no. The slides are crammed back into a dark recessed corner that is VERY difficult to get to. I mention I really shouldn't leave Saiah out to be grabbed by some carjacker, let alone a kidnapper and hurry off to bring her inside the garage.

Back to the sleds. I quickly realize that the problem is having to deftly maneuver oneself across a hole to get to this one area that is blocked off from the main area by a wall. So, I must crouch down AND step over a gigantic hole (Yes, it seemed gigantic even though my sweet daughter was saying.."What's wrong Mommy? It's nothing...I'm not scared of heights!").

As I am about to step over the hole, I notice that Saiah is directly below me..."Umm..sweetie, I would like you to move, in case I fall - I don't want to crush you". I get to the other side, but not before I first ask if they have any gigantic rats up here (Maria quickly reassured me no, no rats - she's a VERY honest person, I trust her with anything). I pull out two sleds and as quick as I can, I get BACK over the hole and climb back down the ladder. PHEW...we are good to go!

So...all this for a wonderfully fun filled day of sledding with my dear sweet daughter and terrific mom. We truly had such a blast. It was Saiah's first time sledding and she just loved it. Even ate some snow going down the hill a few times, which didn't discourage her one bit.

I cannot remember the last time I went sledding. It's times like this that I just really wish we could be out doing active fun stuff all the time. Cold, yeah....wet, sure....but the fun surpassed it all.

Sledding Fun Pics

And, some video of the excitement, one of which shows me running over my own daughter! Yikes.

Snow Day 2

It hit me today....I like school days better than snow days. What? When did this happen? I used to LIVE for snow days! Sleeping in...lounging on the couch...laziness. Aaahhhh....

So, reasons I like school days better than snow days:

1. I really do like my job and fellow co-workers (friends).
2. Saiah really, really, loves school.
   
3. Saiah is upset when she cannot go to school whether it be a snow day, or a sick day:(no, mommy...I feel fine, really...see, I can breathe :loud plugged up noise:)
4. Yes, since I'm not of the homeschooled mind any longer (for now), I do find that Saiah gets very restless and bored at home...which in turn..drives me a bit batty.
5. And lastly...when it's a snow day on any day except Thursday or Friday, I then in turn, miss getting paid for that day. Yep...the money is very helpful right now.

Yep. Snow days are good occasionally. But two days in a row is a bit hard. It would be different if there were actually some SNOW on the ground for her to play in. The snow from Sunday is very patchy at best.

Why then is it canceled you ask? Well...Ashland currently has streets of ice and schools are on a 2 hour delay. A 2 Hour delay is a cancellation for us, as what good is it for kids to come to Kindergarten at 10:30 to be done at 12:00?

It is supposed to snow again today. That will be wonderful, for then, Saiah will be out frolicking in the powder, laughing and having fun.

Until then, it's hot cocoa time as Saiah has just now stumbled out of bed (and yes, upset that school is canceled "but it didn't snow!"). A little bit of Curious George and Clifford. Then, a little bit of baking. Oh, yes - and some reading and homework.

I'm wondering if there will be a Snow Day 3.....