Saltines anyone? Please pass them to Mandy...

Ok folks.......

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE WONDERFUL DAYS

When you get a text from your little girl

Mandy and her sweet husband Ryan

that reads:

we are having a

healthy baby

AND

you just sit back and say....

OH NO!

It might be a Ryan...

or it might be a Mandy...

and it kind of scares me.

BUT BRINGS ME GREAT JOY!

Congratulations

Merriman Family!

(Let's hope it has a great mix

of both families...)

(ok - maybe we should hope that

it has more of the Merriman

side to have some sort of 

chance in life....) 

JOY!

Arrives On St. Patty's Day

2011

(probably carrying a saxophone in one hand,

track shoes in the other,
wearing a BYU Onesie,

and it will burp really really loud

like it's mom.)

Mike and Ashley - you are next - and don't think you're off

the hook - because your kid will be exactly like this one...

Only he'll be packing guns, knives and

motorcycle keys....

Oh Happy Day
Oh Blessed Babies....

Ya... I wear my shirt like that all the time...

Today I miss my beautiful Emma.

I want to look into those blue eyes and

tell you the stories of our lives.

I want you to know of my love for you,

and that I am your grandma, by choice,

because I know I knew you in heaven.

I said, "I want that one Heavenly Father"

and he said - oh but she is a special one...

and I said, "I already know that".

Today I miss my handsome Andy.

When I talked to him early this morning he

asked me if he could have some juice.

(I'm 3 states away) I said, "I'll be right

there to make some for you!"  Then he

waved goodbye to the phone to me.

I want to read you the, "There's a monster at

the end of this book" book - and use all of my

voices.  Then I would use my Cookie Monster Voice

and we would make cookies.  We would never bake

them though - because we would just eat the cookie dough.

I miss you today because we dress the same.

I always wear my shirt like this... it's a strange

genetic disorder we have.  When I think of

you being the first Grandchild - I want YOU to

tell me the stories of who else is up there waiting

to come to earth.  I want to know about Ashley

and Mike's kids, Mandy and Ryan's kids, and

actually - all about Ryan's cute wife here on earth and

their kids waiting in heaven.  I know you know!

We always said that Uncle Ryan H came last to

the earth because he was the one that said - I'll wait,

just don't forget I'm here!  I believe that heaven

wept when you came... because no one can make

the sound of a garbage truck like you can.

I love my grandkids,

those here,

and those to come.

Oh Happy Day...

Happy Anniversary Ashley and Mike!

Wow - 5 years ago we were partyin'.

There was a handsome groom dressed in his Dress Blues,

A bride that was stunning...

and a magical day to remember.

Today I live that day over and over,

and realize that because of your

true hotness love for each other

Every day is your Wedding Day!

"Fresh Courage Take"

as yet again you are separated by miles

but never by love.

I honor you both today and know that

God's Arms

are around you both,

eternally.

Next year - need you fat and preggo...

no not you Mike - you'll just play a very very very small part.

xoxoxox

Bobby Shew

OnlY 4 tHe SMarT PeoPLe

In mathematics

One hundred [and] fifty is the sum of eight consecutive primes (7 + 11 + 13 + 17 + 19 + 23 + 29 + 31). Given 150, the Mertens function returns 0.
The sum of Euler's totient function φ(x) over the first twenty-two integers is 150.
150 is a Harshad number and an abundant number.

In the Bible

• The last Psalm in the Bible, Psalm 150, perhaps the one most often set to music.
• The number of sons of Ulam, who were combat archers, in the Census of the men of Israel upon return from exile (Holy Bible, 1 Chronicles 8:40)
• The number of sons of Parosh and Zechariah at the Census upon return from Babylonia (Ezra 8:3)

In sports

• In cricket 150 runs is a milestone for a batsman.^{[citation needed]}

In other fields

A Professor's Cube has 150 colored squares...

150 is also:

• The number of degrees in the quincunx astrological aspect explored by Johannes Kepler.^{[citation needed]}
• No precise value has been proposed for Dunbar's number, a theoretical value with implications in sociology and anthropology, but is approximately 150

BUT FOR ME
JUST FOR TODAY
Monday - August 2, 2010

  
MEANS
I HAVE ONE OF THESE

 

 BECAUSE AT THE RIGHT OF YOUR SCREEN

you will see that MY MISSIONARY ONLY HAS

DAYS - UNTIL I CAN MAKE

HIM WAFFLES AGAIN.

I LOVE YOU ELDER HILLARY!

(AND THUS BECOMING THE MOST

IMPORTANT FACT OF ALL...) 

Numberzz

Funny Funny Grandma..... so - my weekend to go and love my mom in every way... Mow, clean, sort, entertain, repeat things several times because of her hearing, repeat things several times because of her hearing, you get the picture.  Successful weekend - because she was pretty good about how much invading of her privacy we have to do.  My mom is a member of Hoarders Anonymous - I have her booked for the Oprah show.  If you want to know the weather report for Cornish, Utah in 1927... (and we live no where NEAR Cornish)  I guarantee you she has it in a stack - and she also has 3 Xeroxed copies of it with at least 4 post it notes attached with 6 to 8 paper clips and most of the article highlighted.  And you are thinking I'm really kidding here - but folks - I'm not.  My sister in law (angel of mercy) and I are trying to find mom's house under piles and piles of Cornish weather reports - (why why why).  She's going to write a book one day she said - ok she's 81 - and it took her 2 hours to find the Pledge Polish to just dust one table we assigned to her - after 2 hours she said, "How can I help" I told her to go and dust again.... and the dog chased the tail around and around and around.   Needless to say I have endless stories of this weekend - all of which I treasure - right after I cry my eyes out over them.  One of the top ten bests of the best was when we were out on the patio eating tuna fish sammies with little green pickles and lettuce, always 3 kinds of chips and a Hostess Ding Dong.... and she came out with a ziplock baggie of Napkins.... 

We were especially excited because they were Christmas napkins!!!!

On the outside of the package she had written the number

My nephew Brandon (available for marriage) and I inquired about the number... because as you know 'Enquiring' minds want to know (of which she has every single one since that blessed day when Adam came to the earth.... and didn't have anything to read while gardening 'n stuff)

She said - "I needed to know how many napkins were in there!"

Simple answer - Duh...

So before I left I made sure that '58' was crossed out and this was in it's place....

because you never know when you'll need exactly 55 Christmas napkins.

I have never loved a human being more that I love my mom.

On a side note Ashley and Mandy...
the word "Gads" was used 37 times....
(and you are genetically linked to this family....)

Soldier Boy, you got a SALUTE today from a total stranger...

Today I went to the Draper Temple - it's the day I usually go, and I love being there.  I decided to get some family baptisms done and had hoped that there would not be a long line of (wonderful) youth - because they won't let you in if there is.  Good Day - went right in.  I wear a band on my arm - a bracelet - like this one pictured - but obviously not that particular name on mine.  Mine has my handsome son in law's name on it.  When he leaves I put it on - when he returns, I store it in a safe place for another day.... this is the last time, my 3rd time, that I will wear it - because I miss that home boy way too much - and I really don't want to see just how strong and brave my daughter is through these times any more.  So - I'm headed into the font - and the following conversation took place.  (Man at the font and I)  Sister, you'll have to take your bracelet off before you get into the font.  Me - I'm sorry I will not remove it - it's a military bracelet and it means a lot to me.  Him - Sorry - you are not allowed to wear it in the font.  At this point I start getting out of the font and walking away, and he says - Where are you going?  I turned and stood as tall as I could and said - If I have to remove it in order to do baptisms, then I will not do baptisms, I will not take it off until he's home safe.  Another gentleman asked what was going on - and the first man told him that I refused to remove a bracelet and I was leaving.  The 'Gentleman' said - Sister Hillary come here - tell me what name is on that bracelet - I told him the story of my son in law.  He first of all said to tell him thank him for serving, then he turned to the original man and said, "Don't ever ask someone to remove something as priceless at that bracelet.  I am a Vietnam Veteran, I flew choppers over the jungles, I wish I had someone back home that cared as much for me as she cares for him.  don't ever disgrace a military family member.  Then he turned to me and escorted me back into the font and said - Now Sister Hillary, let's do some baptisms.  That one was for you Mike.... I couldn't have been more proud of you than I was standing there defending my right to honor you - and it looks like you have one Veteran - that saluted you today.  Thanks for serving our country mind, body and soul.  I send the sweetest blessings of comfort and protection for you and your sweetheart.  By the way - I thanked him for his service too.... and he responded with his tears of gratitude.  What would you have done?  I think most of you would have done the same thing.  The world is catching on that our service men and women are our countries most priceless gems - and in a close second - their families.  So in case I missed someone today that has served so that I could be safe and free.... thank you too...

 (I don't think the beverage cart could get down the row...)

Training Wheels....

Ok Mike - this post is for you - I know that you are far away and you have no control of your world here - and just to prove that - I'm posting these pictures of the kinds of things your wife is getting away with.  I mean - check out the new boots, the new gloves, oh - and that little thing called YOUR MOTORCYCLE.... bwahahaha..... Ashley completed her motorcycle training course - that's 2 kids down and 2 to go.  I'm thinkin' that the Missionary Man will be next... then I'll have to ask Ruth if it's ok to teach Mandy... (:  We took Ashley to a school parking lot and let her try her 'wings' out.  She is a quick learner - and has very strong legs - the bike fit her well and you could tell she had taken her training seriously.  After a few rounds - we took her to the road - and she was a pro.  * Quick note for helmet people... Utah has no law - and the comments will flow in I know - so just save them.  If I die on my Harley, it will be a quick deed - I don't want to be offering up any choices like pull the plug or not... * I'm just sayin'.  (Tomorrow I'll die just because of that comment)(Is there a Harley Heaven?)  SO - back to Ashley.  She went around and around and around - shifting, starting stopping, and laughing.  I was really proud of her.  Del is a very patient teacher - he made sure that he didn't hurt her confidence... I said to him.... "Ya - like anything could hurt her confidence..."  Del was born on a motorcycle... I love it when he teaches the kids all of the great things he knows about.. basically everything....  My advice to her?   Feel the wind on your face... but never in your hair - it's a bugger to comb out afterwards....  good advice from a mom eh?  Here's your pics Mike - love you so much - miss you like crazy.  When I walk into your house... you are there.  Oh - and by the way... she moved all of your clothes out of the closet to make room for hers... you now live in the little room (:  Serve strong - stay safe - and next time... take the bike keys with you home boy! 

By the way Ashley - I'll be charging extra for the
Helium Induced Voice

I used in the making of this 9 second video....
(and yes Ashley I DO represent - the Lollipop Guild)
Punka....
Ride Safe...