Happy Birthday Noelle

Yesterday was my sister Noelle's 29th birthday and I made the cake for her party. It looks a little like the leaning tower of Piza, but overall I think it turned out okay.

Happy 29th Noser!!

San Diego

Dan and I just got back from a fantastic vacation to San Diego. My parents have a time share condo on Pacific Beach so we tagged along with them,my younger sister Noelle and her baby Sophie. Dan's family also lives there so it was a great way to kill 2 birds with one stone and see both our families at once. We did a lot of fun things while we were there, but we also relaxed and did nothing at times and that was the best part for me.

Our condo was right on the beach and we fell asleep to the waves crashing. It was wonderful!

Here is a view from our balcony:



We went to Lego Land which was okay, but overrated. It's a little over priced for what there is to do. Maybe we would have liked it better if we had younger children, but the only thing that caught our attention was Mini Land.

The skyline of New York - all made from Legos

Las Vegas

Dan dragged me to his favorite high school hangout... TIJUANA, MEXICO! I loved Tijuana as a kid because I could buy all sorts of junk for pennies, but I had no desire to go this time. Like the good wife I am, I went along and put a smile on my face although the whole time I wanted to go home and lay out on the beach.

This is the Tijuana Taco Bell that we have to stop at every time we go.
The tacos are 3 for $1 and they're actually pretty good for a hole in a wall.

I bought Sophie a little Mexican dress which was the cutest thing I've ever seen.
That purchase alone was worth the trip to scummy Tijuana.

We spent a lot of time on the beach, which was my favorite part. I took a good book and read the whole time (while I was not taking pictures of my adorable niece).

She loved the pigeons

Mom, Noelle, & Sophie

My mom and I also took Sophie to the San Diego zoo. I never get tired of going to the zoo, as childish as that may sound. It was so fun watching Sophie take in everything, but her favorite thing to watch was the green people movers that moved overhead. She spent hours watching those go by. It was hilarious!


We also went to Mt. Soledad which is in La Jolla and overlooks the whole city of San Diego. The view was spectacular from there.

We gave Sophie a piece of licorice on the way home
from Mt. Soledad...BIG MISTAKE!

Austria...here we come!

My parents have a time share in Austria that needs to be used by the end of the year. My parents won't be able to use it due to my dad's poor health, so they're letting us use it...for free! We'll be staying in Salzburg, Austria but will make our way to Berlin, Prague, Budapest, and Venice, Italy while we're there. If any of you have been to these cities and you have some recommendations of things to see/do while we're there...I'm up for suggestions!

I'm in much need of a break and can't wait! Actually, Dan and I are heading to San Diego on Thursday for a week, but I'm sure come Thanksgiving I'll be needing another get away! One of the perks of not having children - we must take advantage of the traveling while we can.

My most personal post yet

I've been in somewhat of a funk lately, hence the reason I haven't updated my blog in weeks. Today my tears are at the surface due to some infertility issues my husband and I have been experiencing. I may be going out on a limb here by sharing too much delicate information so I apologize if I offend any of you. I've felt like I needed to post this for awhile now but am a chicken and am afraid you'll think I'm crazy for posting something so personal to me. This is long and I apologize in advance, but hopefully you will gain some insight to my situation as you read.

As some (hopefully most) of you know that my husband and I have been trying for over 3 years now to conceive. It has been an exhausting 3 years full of tests, failed IUI's, unsuccessful IVF procedures, heartache, and pain. At the same time it has brought me some joy in the fact that I've learned more about myself and others dealing with infertility than I could have ever imagined. I have found myself to be less judgmental and critical when I see couples who don't have children, which is something I wasn't very good at before. Maybe this is the reason I've had to deal with this. God is sneaky in the ways he teaches us sometimes!

Last summer I was at a family reunion and was talking to my aunt and cousin about my infertility journey. My cousin, who hasn't experienced infertility but has suffered pain in her own way this past year kindly asked, "Mer, give us some advice as to what we should say to friends and family members who are struggling with infertility. What can or can't we say that will/will not offend them?"

I told them some of the naïve and hurtful comments people have said to me but other than that my mind went blank and I wasn't able to give the advice she asked for.

I have been thinking a lot about this question the past year and have come up with some concrete ways to help relate to your loved ones during the painful time. Please don't think I'm on a soapbox telling you what you should or shouldn't say. That is not my intention. Unless you have experienced the trauma of infertility, it is difficult to know automatically how to respond to someone in the midst of it. Hopefully these ideas will help you as I'm sure each of you know somebody who is going through this.

• Don't give blanket advice. If your friend received a diagnosis of brain cancer you wouldn't say, "Go on vacation-that can do wonders for your cancer." Infertility is a medical condition. Going on vacation will not cure or fix the problem. Other things to skip saying to your friend "you're trying too hard", "you're not doing it right", "turn in your adoption papers and you'll get pregnant, or "relax and you'll conceive". They all discount the medical condition and imply that your friends are defective or too stupid to figure out procreation without your help. If I had a dollar for every time I've heard these comments, I'd be a rich woman.
• Understand that handling infertility is a process. Try to be patient -the infertile person needs your acceptance and understanding.
• Share with the couple your concern and support so they know they are not alone. If you are at a loss for words, say so ('I wish I knew what to say I could help in some way. Is there anything I can do?"). Otherwise, silence may be interpreted as rejection or lack of concern. Don't be reluctant to open your mouth for fear of saying the wrong thing. As long as you can convey your feelings of support and caring, most infertile people will understand an occasional tactless remark.
• Avoid asking the infertile woman if she is pregnant. Believe me; she will let you know if and when it happens.
• Respect the couple's need for privacy, but let them know you're there when they might need you or want contact again. An occasional brief call or note can help you stay in touch and let them know you care.
• Be honest in telling of your own pregnancy or that of others. As painful as the news may be to the couple, it is usually better than keeping it secret. Understand that the tears they may shed do not reflect malice, only sadness and anger at their own emptiness.
• Understand that for some people there may be a need to isolate themselves occasionally, especially from events involving children or pregnant women. Baby showers are usually difficult for women dealing with infertility but it's always nice to get an invitation. Please don't hesitate to send an invite but don't expect her to come nor be offended by her absence.
• Try not to offer false hopes ("I'm sure you'll be pregnant by the summer"). Infertile people play enough games with themselves without the additional burden of your denial. Also be careful about sharing the success stories of others.
• Humor has its place in dealing with the struggle of infertility, but do not be the one to joke about it - leave that to the once experiencing it. A remark like "Sorry you're not pregnant, but it sure must be fun trying!" is not only hurtful but probably untrue. Nor should you diminish the impact of infertility by comments like "It's really not so bad. Think how much worse things could be. Did you hear about so-and-so who. ..?"
• Do not say directly or insinuate in any way that the couple's inability to conceive must stem from inner doubts about their desire to have children or must mean that God has not found them suitable for parenthood. Comments like these can be devastating.
• Support the couple's decisions regarding medical treatment or resolution as best you can, even if you do not agree. They probably feel enough turmoil already without you adding your advice -unless of course they have requested it.
• Last but not least, don't ask the infertile couple if they've prayed about their situation. Honestly, do you think we're that dumb?

There you have it! I am a ball of nerves as I'm ready to hit "submit" but I got a lot off my chest and that's the beauty of a blog.

A Blast from the Past

Here is proof that I have too much time on my hands at work!

1952

1954

1960

1964

1966
(my mom has a picture that looks just like this)

1968

1976

1982

1992

1994

1998

2000

Go to www.yearbookyourself.com to create your own!

some people should not be allowed to procreate

Every once in awhile when I need a good laugh, I pull out my "crazy names" list that my best friend Carrie (whom I give most credit to) & I accumulated while working at a children's hospital in Salt Lake City, UT.

The majority of these made the list because of stupid spellings. Don't even get me going on the beauty of adding a silent 'H' to everyone's name. My friend is no longer 'Jill' she's now 'Jhyll', I mean, why not? You'll also note that 'X', Q', and 'Z' can take on whatever sound you'd like them to. I don't know if it's a Utah thing (I'm sure it is, some white Mormons have to give their children a separate identity somehow, heaven forbid we let them dye their hair blue or something less permanent). This is a mere spattling of what has come through the hospital over the years.

Hope you enjoy,

Mheriahnne(all silent H’s of course)

Boys

Branigan

Nestor (future playground nickname: pester, fester, molester)

Asa (like Asia)

Dimple (future playground nickname: dimple the pimple)

Kenly

Marqus

Kenyatta (sounds like a car model, who doesn’t want to drive the new Mazda Kenyatta)

Astchyn

Caidgen

Mycal

Jazmon

Kieler (future playground nickname: Kieler the liar, or if it’s pronounced wrong he could be Keiler the feeler)

Jessami

Irelynd

Kyltan (Kyltan and Bits anyone?)

Jordin

Tryler (“Bobby Rae, get your lil’ arss over here and get in the Tryler”)

Alighia (looks like a name of a severe rash but it’s supposedly pronounced ‘Elijah’)

Starson

Jaz

Zakarey

Deseret Sage

Jaisean

Izik

Ramsey

Naythan

Justus

Jaxon

Jakup

Jaymz

Sparticus (why not give your child a proper pro-wrestling name?)

Xaqurey (product of an illiterate teenager who got knocked-up. Pronounced Zackary)

Tanyon

Daykota

Darvan

Ajax (wonder if his brother is Comet, Pine-sol, or Windex)

Orange Peel (swear on my grandmother’s grave, this kid is for real)

Girls

Rainbow (My friend is actually related to this one, her parents have some developmental issues)

Brikenna

Kawlie

Paecen

Mahdisen

Alinie

Cheyne (I think this is suppose to be Cheyenne, but it could be Shane)

Tunicquea (white girl)

Aaliyah

Belladonna

Chaunacey

Brooque

Tayzia

Jewelee Ruby

Raevynne

Kyairah (suppose to sound like Kira)

Trintdee

Phuc (yep….like the king of all swear words)

Timberly (need I comment on the playground names for this one?)

Brookee

Mirlexzy

Tylaann

Sweet Peaches (not even kidding, it’s a real name. She should marry Orange Peel)

Chlamydia (why not? STD’s are the up and coming rage as far as baby names go)

Syerrah

Chedeline (isn’t that what you call poo stuck to a cows butt?)

Kyanne

Nicoya (I think I heard this on a cough drop commercial “Niiiiiicoooooooyyyyaaaa”)

Unknown Genders

Timber (this could be the masculine version of Timberly, I’m not sure what grammatical rules we’re following these days)

Juddie Rae

Nat's trip to DC

It's true! I've been a complete slacker with the whole blogging thing. I wish my life was exciting and could have something to post on a weekly basis, but it's not so I'll spare you the details of my boring life and only blog as something worthwhile happens.

My sister Natalie and her best friend Holly came into town this past week and I was able to play hostess for a few days. We had a great time going to the Baltimore aquarium, eating, and watching the Olympics. (That's another reason I haven't posted for quite some time...I have been GLUED to the TV watching Michael Phelps).

Nat & I fought over who got to hold Sophie.
We can't get enough of this girl!


On Friday morning we took a day trip up to the Baltimore aquarium.
It's an amazing aquarium, but there were so many people there that day that it made it unbearable. We didn't even get to see half the things there were to see. But we did see....

TARANTULAS

SHARKS

& STING RAYS
(plus a lot more, just didn't take pictures of every little thing I saw)

Waiting for the dolphin show to begin

The highlight of the day was when I was asked to be a volunteer at the dolphin show. They had me get up in front of thousands of people and pretend I was a dolphin trainer. I learned some hand signals they use to get the dolphins to jump and I saw them in action.

Here the guy is explaining what it takes to be a dolphin trainer (notice my face on the screen up on the top right side of the photo but please don't notice the wedgie I have). Or you can see it here (my face that is)....

EMBARRASSING huh??

Loved the waders

Because I was such a good dolphin trainer, they let me touch the dolphin.
What a lucky girl I am!

The Baltimore aquarium is a great place, but it's definitely no Sea World!