Someone has a Birthday!

Do you know who's birthday is today? It's Corby's! He's 31 today!

Here's a picture of the birthday boy....

Can't tell if he looks happy or if he's just humoring me. Either way, Happy Birthday to you Corby!

God's intervention

God is all around us! Just when you think He isn't you get a glimpse of His protectiveness when you need it most. Yesterday I was on I-15 on my way to the Granite School District offfices to turn in the paperwork so that I could get my insurance in order before school starts. Anyway, All the sudden the lane that this delievery van is in merges but he doesn't turn on his blinker, he just cuts me off. I thought that I should move over a lane, but there was a white van next to me and I knew that if I had put on my breaks the person behind me would have hit me. Either way I thought for sure I was toast! The only thing that would've stopped me if at all would have been the cement retaining wall.
I all but gave up hope of getting out of it alive and that's when I know someone else's hands where on the sterring wheel guiding me out of what could have been potentionally a horrible accident.

I am grateful to know that there is a Father in Heaven and that He is with me even when I do think so.

Pic 1, the view of the temple while saving seats for three hours!

Picture2 Alaine at the top of a wall in Maple Canyon

While I sat here listening to the hail bounce off my windows yesterday it makes me appreciate the fact that it didn't rain or hail on us the night we were at the Mormon Miracle Pagaent in Manti, Utah.
It was a fun weekend, especially because it was away from here. I needed just a little getaway and that's what I got. Here's a little recap
Thursday-- drove down.. We watched the pagaent that night in nice weather until it turned bitter cold when the sun went down...flip flops..icy cold toes.
Friday--Still good weather, so we went "walking" on rocks up Maple Canyon. Crocs, not all terrain footwear. I remained on solid ground while my mom-in-law, sis-in-law(Kami) and Bro-in-law(Logan) climbed one side of the canyon wall where a cave looking thing was. Then we went to the Malt Shop in Ephraim(ahhh the memories of life at Snow College) and then later on after a short nap went to dinner at Los Amigos. Afterward a game of "Pass" back where the Merchants stayed in Manti. Corby and I rented a hotel room in Ephraim.
Then Saturday--The rains came and it rained and rained all the way home.

Check out some pictures from the trip ( Look for more pictures in further posts)

Mistaken Identity

So the funniest thing just happened. I called this company that we owe money to for Corby, because he can't call obviously when he's at work and they are usually closed when he gets home. So I call, I give the guy Corby's SSN and he says "Thank you Ms. Merchant" then I guess he looks at the computer and sees that this SSN belongs to a guy. So for the rest of the conversation he referred to me as "Mr. Merchant and Sir" I was able to answer all the questions he asked. During the conversation the more times he referred to me as 'Mr Merchant' I just wanted to say, " I'm his wife and he has given me permission to call and use his SSN to get this taken care of."

I laughed out loud when I got off the phone. It still makes me giggle to think of it.

Busy, Busy Busy

As some of you may or may not know, I am returning to teaching! I didn't think I'd be too jazzed about teaching fifth grade, afterall I've only taught k-2. So I decided to go down into the basement and sort through the boxes. The many, many, many boxes! To my surprise I have actually found some things that I can take with me!
Each night since I've found out what my next year's assignment is and where I am going to be...Thank goodness it's not Rolling Meadows. I'm going to Robert Frost. Anyway, as I was saying each night I've thought of different things I can do to this room to make it great! I've even thought about sending my students a letter in the mail introducing myself...am I crazy?

I must be off, I've got more to do downstairs.

Ta ta for now

Summer's Comin'

Yesterday I was outside trying to get the weeds untangled from my flowers and while I was out there I got my first sunburn on the season-which will lead to the first Farmer's tan of the season.

We also got out Lucy's kiddie pool, which she LOVED! The minute Corby drug it up from the basement she was dancing around with excitement and couldn't wait to get in as Corby filled it with water. She's a water dog no doubt!

We also went up to see our friends' new baby last night and went to a 'End of the Year Bash' with Justin and his two girls Gilli and Anna. Right now he's a full time student at the U of U. It was such a blast, the university provided pizza, popcorn,and kiddie cone ice cream and the had tons of stuff for the kids to do. There was a jumping house and a blow up fun house. They also had a petting zoo with baby goats, black lambies and a Shetland pony along with a 5 week old baby camel!

I can't wait for summer! I love the warm weather and long days.

Happy Mother's day!

Happy Mother's day to all my friends that are mothers and for those of us who are not, I was curious, by the raise of hands, who boycotted it and refused to go to church? Just me? Come on now, be honest.
Well I did and I'll tell you why. I hate that all the women in the ward who are 18 and over, whether they are mothers or not get a mother's day gift. Last year i went and I made a girl in Young women's feel bad. She tried to give me the gift, but I politely refused it and then she tried again and I said, "Nicole, I'm not a mom-I do want the gift." Then she stood there stunned and didn't know what to do. Corby(bless his heart) tried to make her feel better by saying that there was a lady sitting not too far away from us that didn't get one. She moved on, but afterward I felt horrible.
So this year I told Corby to go without me. He went and told the ladies in nursery the reason I wasn't there was because I hate mother's day and didn't want to come. I also wanted to avoid the whole refusing the gift thing.
Now MAYBE when I'm a mom I'll feel differently about it, but until then I'm standing firm in what I believe, is that wrong?