Easter

I know it's a little late... but here is our Easter post. We were in Utah so it was fun spending the holiday with family. On Saturday morning we wanted to go to an Easter egg hunt with my sister Melissa, but ended up missing it because I thought it was at 10:00 instead of 9:00. Instead we ended up going to an Easter egg hunt with my sister Brittany. Our kids had fun and got way too much candy, but I think my sisters were happy because they got to eat a lot of it :)

Saturday night we colored Easter eggs with the Smith family. I think the girls had a lot of fun.



Easter Sunday was a very nice day. We blessed Amaya and got to spend time with both sides of the family. I think this Easter Sunday was my best one ever because I was really focused on the atonement and all that Christ has done for us. I am so thankful for His sacrifices so that we can live again someday. What a comfort that is to know that this life is not the end. I know the Lord is watching over us. We sang I know that my Redeemer Lives at church. The second verse especially felt like it was for me. I am thankful to know that My Redeemer Lives!! If you are interested in finding more about our beliefs go here.

Another Rachel Moment

This morning I woke up to Aliza coming in our room saying, "Rachel took off she's diaper, Rachel took off she's diaper". It took me a minute to wake up and then I caught a glimpse of Rachel... ! That girl has been full of it lately, and is definitely keeping us on our toes!

Happy Sunday morning! :)

1 month old!!

Amaya is already one month old, and it's hard to believe! She is such a cute little baby and I love her so much. She almost always sleeps in bed with us, which I'm not really a big fan of... however, it is fun to wake up to a sweet little baby who is sleeping peacefully. She smiles alot in her sleep. She is getting better at sleeping at night, and as you can tell in the picture with the pink outfit, she's growing out of her clothes. (it's a preemie outfit) We love our little Amaya. She is a blessing to our family.

Secession a Possibility?

Texas Governor Rick Perry, said Texas might secede if the federal government doesn't shape up. He said “We’ve got a great union. There’s absolutely no reason to dissolve it. But if Washington continues to thumb their nose at the American people — who knows what might come out of that,”

I like listening to Ron Paul more and more. He seems to know the real story behind things.
Here's what he had to say about Rick Perry's comment.

In Memory of my friend Cameron Merrill

(at my mission farewell)

One of my best friends passed away April 9 from cancer. He was a great guy with super determination with big goals. Cameron and Eliana made it to their two year anniversary, which made me happy. His cancer was discovered while they were engaged. He was definitely a fighter and was certain he'd overcome it. Well, he's in God's hand now.

His funeral was very touching. His dad, mission president, brother Aaron, former bishop and friend Joe Hawkes spoke. My favorite story that was told was when Joe and Cameron were running a pest control business in Kaysville, UT, they didn't have a place to stay so Cameron convinced Joe to live in the mountains for 20 days. That is totally something Cameron would do.

I told Jen before we walked in the church, that if she wouldn't cry then I wouldn't cry, but then she started to cry, so that didn't last long. The most emotional part of the funeral for me was seeing Cameron's scouting bandelo, with his many merit badges. I grew up in his ward and did almost all those merit badges with him. I also was happy to see his JPI basketball hall of fame plaque on the same table.

One of my favorite stories of Cameron was when we went on a camping trip to southern Utah in high school. We all pitched in about 20 bucks to cover the costs. Cameron instead brought a drill and a door peep-hole. His plan was to stop at some small town on the way, go door to door until he sold and installed it to make the money. Sure enough, within an hour, he got his money to fund the trip.

Cameron's family is great and I can only imagine what they've gone through these past two years. Especially his wife Eliana who helped him so much through the cancer.


Obituary from Daily Herald

Cameron Lamoine Merrill
1982 ~ 2009

Cameron was born in Provo, May 17, 1982, the oldest son of Lisa Merrill and Michael (Susan) Merrill. He met his sweetheart Eliana and they were married April 6, 2007, in the Salt Lake Temple.

Cam was an Eagle Scout, graduate of Orem High and BYU Idaho. He served in the Poland Warshaw Mission. We will miss his smile and wink, his laughter. We are glad he is now at peace with his Heavenly Father after a two year battle with cancer.

He is survived by brothers, Aaron (Callie), and Tanner; sisters, Kristina and Brooke. Grandparents, Wendell and Geraldine Merrill, Fred and Pat Dixon, great-grandmothers, Elaine Merrill and Tressa Garrett.

We thank Dr. Rich and Dr. Hill for their kindness and care. We appreciate the prayers and services provided for Cam.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Cameron Merrill Memorial Fund at any Wells Fargo Bank.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 14, 2009, at the BYU 146th Ward Chapel, 710 East 800 South, Orem. Family and friends may call from 9:45-10:45 a.m. prior to the services. Interment will be held at Orem City Cemetery.

Amaya's Blessing Day

Last weekend we made a quick trip to Utah because one of Jared's best friends passed away. We were sad to have to go to Utah because of Cameron's death, but thankful that we were able to bless Amaya and have so much family there to support us. Both sets of my grandparents were able to come, as well as some Aunts and Uncles, our parents and all of my siblings and two of Jared's siblings with their families. It was such a nice blessing day, especially since it was also Easter Sunday. I am thankful for our sweet baby Amaya. She slept through her blessing and during all of sacrament (at my parents ward in Springville). Thanks again to everyone who came to the blessing!!

Rachel Cracks Egg for Easter

We watched Charlie Brown's Easter last night. There were multiple scenes of cracking eggs. Well, this morning Rachel got into the fringe and broke over a dozen eggs. Well, happy easter eve.

If the clothes fit...

Amaya is two weeks!

These last two weeks went so quickly!! I can't believe Amaya is already two weeks old! She is a sweet little baby and LOVES to be held! I've never had a baby like this before, so it's kind of an adjustment, but I love being able to hold our new baby in my arms.

The girls have tried to be really helpful. I'll say, "oh, Amaya needs a diaper change", and without me asking, one of the girls (usually Madeline) goes and gets everything needed. Madeline loves holding Amaya too, and has only picked her up (without help) once... :)

Today is the first day that I have been completetly on my own. It's been a nice two weeks having help. I have to admit that I am really nervous about being able to take care of all 4 girls on my own, but conference yesterday helped encourage me. President Monson's talk on Sunday morning has stuck to my mind. Roughly quoting him he said, "Our future is as bright as our Faith". We have to have faith, not fear with everything we do. That's my goal. Have Faith, not Fear. I'm so thankful for conference and for living prophets to guide and direct us!!