coreyandadrienne

gratitiude

2014-08-15T11:34:00.000-07:00

the past few months have not been easy by any sense of the word for our family..corey got laid of the end of feb and we have not been able to find anything stable since then.. but we are grateful for the job he has now. yeah its not exactly what we want but it is what we need for now.. we have been able to pay all of our bills so i am grateful.. yeah i have sold alot of things to pay them but they have been paid.. we have food on the table and in our fidge and freezer for that im grateful that i can feed my kids and not worry about them being hungary.. i have had people from church drop off their extras from their garden so i have canned them and yes i am grateful..ever busy but grateful.. the same has been with handme downs.. yes i am really grateful.. yes my kids probably will never have the most up to date clothes or shoes or maybe not even new ones but we have what we need.. i am grateful for a house that keeps me and my family warm and sheltered.. yes it needs new paint and carpet (since the flooding) and it desperatly needs a new bathroom but i am grateful i have one that functions.. yes i have two older cars but they work and get us to the store, work and to church.. i am so gratful for the friends that we have.. they love us and support us and most of them know and understand what we are going through.. i have freinds that have lost children and loved ones and my heart aches with them.. i have freinds that are going through divorces and i pray for them and love them..so yes i am grateful that all of my children are healthy and that after 15 years corey and i still love each other.. i am grateful for my family even though they are all so far away.. i am most of all graeful for the gospel and the peace it brings in my life.. yeah life will probably never be easy for us. for those of you that have it easy please pray for those that dont.. we need all your prayers.. it helps keep us calm.. i know this is not easy for some of you too read but i needed to get my thoughts out.. there have been many days of looking around and seeing what everyone else has that i dont.. but i cant be jealous.. we have what we need and i guess for now thats all that matters and for that i am grateful.. A-

our december

2014-01-14T12:39:00.002-08:00

our december started off with a bang.. carter has his christmas concert the 1st week of december.he did really well..

samantha then had hers the following week. she was so cute and so animated..

my family showed up around the 21st and we started it off with a bang.. my parents didnt have a working kitchen so we did a few meals at my house.. it was pretty fun.. we also ended up getting a nice stomach bug the day my sister from iowa came in.. everyone was infected so we still just all hung out.. christmas day was fun.. the kids enjoyed there day and there gifts.. i was a little irritable due to sick children. like i said stomach bug.. ugh

everyone was better by the 26th but corey and i started not to feel well. one apt for him and one my for son and i was done for.. i got it.. omg so nasty.. i started to feel better and we celecbrated samanthas birthday and few days early cuz she wanted to share it with her cusions..

carter also got the principles award in dec and so proud of him..

cameron also went up a class in scouts and is now a weblow..

the kids made candy trains with grandma and had a blast..

the kids got nerf guns for christmas and we have been having a ton of fun with them

december all in all was a crazy month. we had a lot of fun with family and friends. glad we all got better and thank goodness for lysol..gratful for a new year and i hope and pray its a good year for us..

OUR NOVEMBER

2013-12-01T14:53:00.001-08:00

so our november has been pretty eventuful and pretty busy. we started off with my last perfomance with the marching band.. then we had 2 birthdays. carter turned 8 and corey 38..hehe

after the that it was the normal things like work, school, etc etc etc.. corey also got called to be the decons quorm advisor and ast scout master.. i also got called to be the choir director a few months ago and we sang in stake conference this month.. it was nerve racking but it turned out so well and i was so proud of the members that sang.

then we had had thansgiving with my family which was fun.. lots of eating talking, not sleeping and some shopping too. we also were able to celebrate carters baptism.. we were so proud that he made this decision.. we combined with another family in our ward and are our good freinds and it was a wonderful time..after wards we ate and vistied with family and friends

the adults then took a brake and when and did some shooting.. def a good time but i ended up with a nice bruise on my arm.. oh well

dinner came and we celebrated camerons birthday. he choose to do it a day early because we had family in town..

it was a very good and busy weekend.. we def felt blessed and loved after this weekend. we had support from family and friends.. we are so grateful for all that we have and we are also so grateful for the gospel and the truth that we have in it.. A-

my life the past 2 months

2013-11-05T14:53:00.001-08:00

sorry havnt blogged the past little while but i have been a little busy.. with these kids.. i had the opporunity again to work with the snake river marching band.. we has a wonderful year this year.. we did a latin show with some fun music and a great routine.. we did 3 football games, 3 competitions and a parade.. these kids did such an amazing job.. they worked really hard and it paid off. we ended up taking secong place in our division and also too the gem state award too.. it was the best way to end the season.. i cant wait to do it again next year.. it was crazy busy the past few months but wouldnt trade it for anything..

first day of school

2013-09-04T09:46:00.003-07:00

it has begun..WAHOO!!!!...we started school today.. 7, 4, and 2.. carter ended up barfing so he is home but what a way to start the school year off with a bang.. and yes i have a kid in junior high.. ahhhhh im old.. A-

labor day weekend

2013-09-04T09:42:00.001-07:00

we had a great but busy labor day weekend.. well first we bought a new/used car well not a car a surburban for our family.. we were so excited to be finally able to upgrade vehicles.. anyway i had lots of practice with the band and we had our first performance on sat in the parade and they did AWESOME....i was so proud of those kids.. we then headed out to my aunt and uncles for a family filled weekend.. we ate a ton of course but had some good time playing and visiting.. the kids had a great time with there couisns and hardly saw them all weekend.. we eneded it monday morning with a yummy breakfast and goodbyes.. i have also been canning like crazy.. u name it and i have probably canned it in the past few weeks.. we had a great weekend.. hope yours was too A-

catch up

2013-08-17T13:58:00.000-07:00

needless to say the past few weeks have been CRAZY.... samantha and cameron finished up their last games of soccer and did amazing.. the both did really well this year and are already to start next year.. i think carter will be in the mix too.. wow 3 kids 3 games a week next year.. oh boy.. we also had a great ice cream social for the year end of the season and had a great time.. wyatt had a court of honor for scouts and earned 7 merit badges from scout camp.. good job kiddo.. i had band camp and the kids this year are doing AMAZING... i cant wait for them to show there stuff this year at competetions etc. it was a busy week but very rewarding as well.. i have also been canning already.. lots of jams and pickles and tomoates and peaches are just about there.. the kids start school in a few weeks which finally means a schedule for this house again.. yes please.. corey will be done with school on sept 6th.. WAHOO.. we made it and i am so proud of him.. who knows what that means but atleast we are done the schooling part..anyway we are on the crazy train right now but hopefully things will calm down just a little soon.. nothing else excting but hope u are all doing well..A-

family pictures

2013-07-22T08:52:00.000-07:00

eggplant parm..

2013-07-22T08:33:00.001-07:00

so ridleys had there 10 produce bag a few weeks ago and there was eggplant in it.. we have never really eaten it before but i thought we would try it since we like other sqaushes..

so here is what i did.

1 bowl with 3 eggs

1 bowl with bread crumbs. ( i made mine in the food processer with just white bread)

i added italian seasing and garlic powder

so peel and slice ur egg plant.. i got enough thinner slices for 7

dip it into the egg and then the bread crumbs and then pan fry to a couple of minutes.

while ur doing the other peices have the cooked ones rest on a cooling rack ontop of a cookie sheet. after there all fryed layer them in a 9x13 pan.. cover with ur favorite spagetti sauce and sprinkle with cheese.. bake in 350 oven until cheese is melted.. we had steamed peas from the garden and cinnamin toast as sides.. my kids loved it.. couldnt beleive it but they did.. def doing this one again..A-

chicken fingers and fries

2013-07-09T21:18:00.000-07:00

so this is one of those take time meals and it is def not figure freindly but u sometimes just have to splurge and do it.

homemade fries, the key is to fry them twice.. i fry them 1st and then put them in a 300 degree oven while im frying the chicken in its batches. also i put a cooling rake on a cookie sheet in the oven to hold them. once you are done the chicken fry them the second time and dont forget the salt. sooo good..
chicken fingers are a little messy but so worth it..
start with defrosted chicken and cut it into strips.. coat in egg (just egg) and then into your flour mixture ( i use 2 cups flour, season salt, garlic powder, italian seasoing and sometimes that bottled parmasen cheese). mix that up and coat your chicken in the flour mixture and fry in batches.. wait till it floats and is brown.. put into the oven with the fries while your getting it all fried.. also make sure u cut through a couple to make sure there fully cooked..
we eat with homemade fry sauce.. i also have a fry daddy which makes this whole process easier.. enjoy.. A-

july 4th weekend

2013-07-09T21:10:00.001-07:00

so for our 4th of july weekend we stayed home and just hung out as a family.. it was so nice.. we spent the 3rd and went to the dollar movies. i still dont know why we havent done this before.. it cost us 14 bucks for us all to get in.. after ward we went to jimmy johns and split some subs.. so yummy.. they need one in blackfoot.. 4th we just hung out at home cuz it was so crazy around town..we did do fireworks later and the kids enjoyed that.. friday corey took and few kids fishing while i mowed and did some yard work.. then on sat we went as a family.. prob wont be doing that again for a while.. emmett was a little too crazy.. cameron caught a couple fish and corey caught one but they were both too small to keep.. we then came home and enjoyed the air condiitoner..it wasa nice family weekend..A-

pasta salad

2013-07-09T21:03:00.000-07:00

sorry this pic wouldnt rotate.. anyway.. this is s quick easy salad i got from my friend cory so i could use my garden peas..

1 box pasta
1 can spam fried ( i know wierd but so good)
1 cup cubed cheese
1 cup peas
1/2 - 1 bottle ranch
mix all together and enjoy.. i also added a fresh fruit salad on the side..

stuffed shells recipe

2013-06-29T10:03:00.003-07:00

i did a stake class and decided to put on a few recipes that i did so here is one of them.

stuffed shells

1 lb hamburger

1 cup cottage cheese

1/2 to 1 brick cream cheese

after u browned the hamburger add your cheeses.. you dont need to boil your shells just stuff them and put them in the bottom of your crock pot..(dont forget to pam it first)

add your favorite jar of sauce (i use two cuz i like sauce), and 1 jar of water.. cover and cook on low for 5 hours or high for 3.. add cheese to the top before u serve and let it melt.. and there u have it dinner..

cost:

shells .49

hamburger 2.49

cottage cheese 1.49 for the tub

cream cheese 1.00

broccoli .88 lb

watermelon 4 lbs for 1

total to feed my family of 7 plus leftovers: 10.23

end of june.. thank goodness

2013-06-29T09:57:00.002-07:00

the end of june is here and i am sooooooo glad.. we are just about done with tennis for the kids.. they have 2 days left with one of them as there party. wyatt had a campout for a few days and i realized how much i miss that kid. plus how much i rely on him some days.. but cameron and carter have helped out a ton.. we hit the library this week and it was big equipment day so the kids got to climb all over the big trucks and dozers the city uses.. we also ended up getting a new washer cuz mine finally died..yeah and boo.. but it works .. nothing fancy at all but it works... happy end of june.. A-

june- so far

2013-06-19T14:00:00.000-07:00

so we started june off with a bang.. i had band camp the first week.. the kids did really well. the picked up everything they were taught and it made me so proud and excited for this year.
we ended the week with a water balloon fight..

cameron and samantha also started soccer. cameron is excelling and picking up new things that he has not learned in the past. like goalie.. samantha is having alot of fun learning too.. she is a little timid at first but then warms up to it..wyatt and carter are also doing tennis so our days are pretty crazy right now

if u have been to or seen my house i did have a deck.. it was falling apart along with the rest of my yard so i started working on it. i ripped out my deck with the help of a good freind and now its time to rent a bobcat to finish up the heavy stuff and move all the dirt around and level everything.

we went to logan this past weekend to have a little get together with my siblings before 2 of them move away. my baby sister and her hubby are moving to north carolina and my brother and his wife are moving to wyoming. they are both excited to start there new lives and i am excited for them. who knows when all the merrifields will be in the same room again but it thats ok. we can handle.. thats probably why we all talk so much. we are now from coast to coast..

we also signed up for the summer reading program cause its free.. today they planted seeds and emmett played in the tire sandbox while the kids got books.. hey everyone was happy..now off to the rest of the day

dawson reunion weekend

2013-05-30T15:11:00.000-07:00

so we had the annual dawson reunion this past weekend.. (pics to follow).. it was a good weekend.. we spend 3/4 days up at the beaver moutain ski lodge.. we rent the whole thing out and glorify camp.. this year my sister in law amy and i were in charge.. we did a holiday jumble.. it was so fun.. friday we did news years eve.. plus i had vomiting kids.. that was fun.. sat we did halloween in the morning and then everyone played games outside and enjoyed the nice wheather. we have not had that in 3 years.. we then did 4th of july and then into christmas eve.. lots more playing and lots more food. sunday we did christmas morning with gifts, stockings and christmas stories and a little testimony mtg.. some went down the canyon to church and others an stayed and relaxed and played games.. after that is was an easter egg hunt which was fun and then valentines.. we had a 7 course dinner for the adults which was super yummy.. then it was dancing and games..monday it was breakfast, the annual auction and then clean up and home.. driving home more kids got sick.. ugh.. i was so glad to pull into our driveway.. it was wonderful crazy and insane with a 3 year old that had no boundries..
glad to have gone and glad to be home.. now onto the next month of craziness with soccer, tennis and band for me.. wish me luck.. im gonna need it..A-

crazy past 2 weeks

2013-05-13T18:18:00.000-07:00

so to start of we had dentist apts like crazy for a week.. wyatt feel while riding his bike and broke a tooth.. got that fixed along with getting his glasses.. emmett had to go be sedated for his fillings and let me tell you NEVER EVER AGAIN.. he screamed and screamed for 3 hours after coming out of the medication.. omg it was awful..then samantha had hers and she did great..

carter got to do rock the halls.. he got to do it by getting 100 a.r. points for reading at school.. i wa so proud of him.. plus he was the 1st in his class to get it..

then emmett turned 3.. this kid omg is amazing ad such a stinker at the same time.. he was so excited to blow out his candle that we had to light it 5 times just to get a picture.. he also got a bike and a helmet for his birthday and has rode his bike everyday since.. he loves i mean loves his bike..

i also had colorguard tryouts and i have 6 really great girls and possibly one more returning from last year.. but still i take 6..corey has also been working like crazy and has been doing like 60-70 hour weeks.. its been crazy but really nice to be able to get caught up and put some money back after he was off for 3 months this past winter..

i also had the great chance to go out with a friend to dinner and to go see the paino guys in concert. it was an amazing concert and was so glad i was able to go.. anyway thats been our past few weeks.. talk to u soon.. A-

50 in a minute

2013-04-28T15:31:00.002-07:00

cameron and carter both got there 50 in a minute awards on friday at school.. they essentially have to pass 50 math problems in a minute.. once you have passed so many they get an award.. this time its a medal.. the teachers even do it too to encourage their students.. good job guys..

scouting

2013-04-28T15:12:00.000-07:00

so the past few weeks or so we have alot of activities for scouting with the boys.. cameron had districts with his pinewood derby car. him and his friend tyler went and had a good time. (i think the dads had just as much fun building them)..wyatt had his 1st over nighter with the scouts since turning 12 and his dad got to go with him.. (he was pretty excited for that).. wyatt also had a pow wow to earn more badges and cameron had pack mtg where the boys did there skits.. its been crazy but fun. def a wonderful program for the boys.. i hope it stays that way too..A-

sorry

2013-03-29T20:55:00.000-07:00

sorry i havent posted in a while but i have been a little discoraged and havnt wanted to vent or seem to negitive.. march has gone by and i am so glad its over.. we did spend a wonderful sat with coreys entire family. we ate a ton, played, and laughed.. almost a mini reunion.. the kids have gotten better and so have i but allergies are starting to take over.. oh well. but after 3 long months corey is back to work finally and hopefully for good.. it has been a long 3 months but some how we have made it.. all the bills have been paid and there has been gas in the car and food on the table.. i struggle to watch others around us do so well and not to be jealous or hold a grudge for what we have been through.. there has been tears of frustration and anger but mostly a feeling of gratitude for the fact that we have made it.. our savings is gone and the bathroom will have to wait another year but we have made it..thank goodness march is over..A-

my son is a deacon

2013-03-03T17:57:00.001-08:00

today was a wonderful day.. my oldest boy became a deacon today at church. i cant tell you how proud i am of this young man and what he is becoming..my heart is so full of gratitude and love for my family, my savior and for the gospel.. it brings me such joy and comfort.. i just want everyone to know how much i know that it is true.. i beleve that families are forever.. i just had some freinds from college loss their 10 year old son.. mitchell jones.. this family is amazing.. to see them loss and to still be so strong is amazing.. they know the gospel is true and know that they will see their son again..i am just grateful for my family and how good they are.. we truly are bleesed.. i have been very emotional latley and now i know why.... the gospel is true.. jesus is the christ and i am s very proud to be a member of it.. A-

st. george day #3

2013-02-22T13:24:00.000-08:00

day #3. we went all over on friday.. we started out by hiking in snow canyone.. it was a simple hike but a ton of fun.. the kids had a good time looking at everything.. we then went and played in the sand doons( sorry no pics) for a few hours.. the kids had a blast just digging and even the adults had fun too. the sand felt so good in your toes.. after that is was dinner and video games (just dance).. so much fun.. we all then went swimming at my aunt and uncles place and then it was finally bed time.. we did our final visits with my sister stephanie and her family.. we had a wonderful time but sadly we left sat and then headed toward home.. we made some stops along the way.. springville to see some freinds and then stayed in farmington with some freinds for the night.. the adults went to dinner and the kids just played.. we serioulsy did not see them for 12 hours.. they had such a good time.. sunday we stopped and saw another friend from college and had dinner.. we made it home sunday night tired but happy.. we saw a ton of old freinds, had a great time with family and it was the perfect way to celebrate turning 35.. if though life is hard right now we are truly bleesed..

st. george day #2.. the temple

2013-02-22T13:12:00.002-08:00

thursay was a beautiful day.. we got to go and see my brother get married and sealed to his wife shaelee.. it was so awesome to be there and to also be there with every single one of my siblings and their spouses.. it made me emotional but feel very blessed at the same time.. i am so greatful for the gospel and the wonderful joy and peace that it brings to me and my family.. even though we may not have the most perfect life with everything in the world we have what we need. we have wonderful family and friends.. we can make it..

st. george trip day #1

2013-02-22T12:51:00.001-08:00

so we "had to go" to st. george last week.. my one and only brother was getting married and boy did he have to twist my arm to go.. we took the kids out an hour early on tues and headed down and drove the whole way that night.. we got down there about 11.. not to bad.. the kids did really well and was glad to finally be out of the car.. wed we did a few things for my brother and then took a few hours to go climb dixie rock. the kids had a hay day.. there was even a really skinny part to climb through but all the adults were to big.. well except my one sister so she took all the kids threw.. it was way fun..

what a crazy month

2013-02-10T13:23:00.000-08:00

this has been one crazy past month.. well first off corey has been laid off since the end of dec.. its been a little stressful but we have made it through so far.. he also went to school this month and he even took his journeyman test and he PASSED.. wahoo.. that was one hug stress reflief.. we are surviving but i only can say is that we have been blessed and its because we are paying our tithing..

cameron moved up in scouts and now is a bear.. we are proud of him for that accomplisment..

carter got the student of the month for his class and even got a free pizza as his award.. we showed up and he didnt even know he was getting the award.. got to love surprising your kids that way

and yes after 20 years i have bangs again.. i have been told by a ton of people that i look exactly like my mom.. i have decided its ok..lol...we also recieved a shipment of yummy treats from my friends back east to take to my brothers wedding.. yes james is getting married to a wonderful girl this week and cant wait for her to be part of the family (pictures soon).. also wyatt will be ordained a deacon in a few more weeks.. im really struggling with this.. not because of anything bad it just means my kids are getting older and growing up.. im so proud of my children and the wonderful choices they are making.. i am so proud to be their mom.. life is not always easy but it is def worth.. i just hope and pray we can keep going and making those right choices.. off to st. george this week for the wedding and i get to see my whole family.. what a great way to celebrate turning 35.. A-