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!

Our camping adventure and the story of our death defying dog

Howard Prairie

We were able to have our first camping trip of the summer this last weekend at Howard Prairie. Seems a camping weekend with Jason's brother and his family is an annual way to celebrate Jason's birthday. The weather was perfect. Not too hot, not too cold. Our campsite was perfect..at the end of the loop, close to the bathrooms and a good view of the lake with a few short steps to our own little beaches.

We took our wonderdog Rigley. For those who know...his main wonder is that he's still alive. Jed claims he's like a cat, having nine lives. He's survived eating De-con, the rat poison, a rattlesnake bite, and near drowning two times. The second drowning was just this last weekend.

Like most labs, he has a deep love for the water and swimming. The trick with him is that you MUST throw his dummy BEFORE he gets in the water, or at least make sure you throw one for him in front of him so he knows what he's swimming for. This dog refuses to come back to shore unless he has successfully secured his dummy. So, I know you are all thinking, what happens if he misses, or doesn't see the dummy? Well, he swims....FOREVER. The first incident, my Dad can tell you with much emotion and detail. This second event happened while Jed, my brother-in-law, took Rigs down to the shore for a swim. He knows very well about Rigley's swim problem. After a few minutes of him down at the shore, we hear Jed frantically calling Rigley's name to no avail and then a panicked call of help for Jason to come quickly. Yep...our wonderdog had missed the dummy and was swimming, and swimming and just kept swimming.

Now we have Jed, Jason, Casandra, Kylie, Saiah, Brianna and myself down there YELLING at Rigley to come back. I was hysterical. The dog would just not turn around. I had this sinking feeling we were all going to witness our poor pup going under the water and losing him forever. It's truly a TERRIBLE expereince, one I've now had to watch two times. As I was screaming for anybody on the lake with a boat to please help us and praying to God to please have Rigley turn around, Jason came back with his binoculars to see what Rigley was doing. Yes, he was really that far away. With the binoculars we noticed that miraculously, Rigs had turned around and was coming BACK!! Praise God! Oh, what relief. Now, I was just praying that he had enough energy to swim all the way back to shore. Sure enough, he made it. Not only that, but he bounded up to shore, and was of course, ready to go out for more. Our dog is delusional.

If you click to look at the picture larger size, you will notice the buoy Rigley swam out to. It's at the top right of the picture.

So, that was our excitement. We had a wonderful time camping, relaxing, laughing, building hot campfires, watching the girls play, eating, hiking and dipping our toes into the lake. Saiah and Kylie were even thrilled to find that they were walking on two dead fish. Really. They thought it was cool. Cas on the other hand....not so much.

Saiah learned to skip rocks

Hanging out by the campfire

Casandra chopping up a log

Saiah sitting by her campfire she made

Jason's dream of Mountain Biking

Jed Mountain Biking

Happy Father's Day

These are the precious words of Saiah as to why her Daddy is the best. Thank you Jason for being such a wonderful father and husband. We are truly blessed!

"My Daddy is the best daddy. He takes me on special trips like Nevada and camping. I love him so much. He plays soccer with me, even when he has a headache. At night he reads "The Little House on The Prairie" to me. I liked when he let me stay up really, really late one night when mommy wasn't here. I love him very, very, very much. Daddy lets me mow the whole side yard, even though he wanted to get it done quickly. This is why he is the very, very best."

"Remember when I was this small?"

Well...I've been anxiously awaiting the end of the school year to be done with commuting back and forth and getting up at an unreal hour(I am NOT a morning person), struggling to get my daughter out of bed, working with a bunch of cute yet often crazy group of kids, and just wanting to relax and enjoy some downtime. Then...it hit me. Wait. End of school year means that my Scooterbug will no longer be a Kindergartener...but a FIRST grader!!! Oh wow. Made me a bit sad. Sad, but mostly proud.

Saiah has done wonderful this year in Kindergarten and enjoyed all of her good friends at school. She will tell you that her best friend is Trey and that he has asked Saiah, wait, make that told Saiah, that he is going to marry her. Yikes. Saiah has the good mind to ever so smartly say..."Trey..that won't be until I'm like 16". Ha!! Saiah enjoyed doing "Blue Book", which I believe is math and recess..of course.

Tonight was Saiah's graduation. A bunch of cutie pies singing their hearts out, reciting bible verses and full of giggles.

CONGRATULATION SCOOTER!!! WE LOVE YOU AND ARE SO VERY PROUD OF YOU!!!Funny...they must all think something is in those mock diploma's!!

Celebrating at DQ was Grandpa and Grandma Magallanes' treat and Cree was there as well. Good times!!