Mertz Family

Halloween

Just in case I don't get the chance to let you know about Halloween, Zac is excited to go as Bumblebee Transformer (he's all about the transformers right now) and Gabby is Dorothy (cause Grandma Heidi & I got to pick) she even has the cute ruby red slippers! We got some cute pictures of the kids taken so some of you have them to look forward to soon...check those mailboxes! To the rest of you, hope you all have a wonderful and safe Halloween! Don't eat too much candy!

FIREPROOF

With all of our stresses lately (Dan out of work, broken car, deciding to pull the kids from a good day-care due to money issues) Dan & I needed a night out and a date so we went to the movie Fireproof. We didn't know anything about it but some friends recommended it. I'm so glad we decided to take their advice and go. It was a great movie! Dan & I left knowing that we will be able to get through anything because we are Fireproof! Go see it if you have the chance...take your honey too, even if they don't want to go! You'll thank me later.

Stupid Car

My VW Jetta is causing us much stress! You may remember that it broke down in March. Well 6 months and $1800 later we got it fixed and back. We literally had it 3 days and it died on me...leaving me stranded in a bad part of town with only a t-shirt on, flip-flops and wet hair (I was at my friend's house for a hair cut and color) at 10:45 at night and had to walk 6 blocks home in the freezing wind! I haven't been that angry in a long time! We were hoping it was the same issue and could be fixed with little money but it of course is something different estimated at over $2000. We really need to get rid of this vehicle or should I say LEMON so please keep this in your thoughts and prayers...we are getting sick of putting money in an unreliable car! Thankfully Dan's parents had an extra vehicle so we both have a car but I really want a nice family car. I've been a bit interested in the Mazda CX 9 but know it is only in my dreams until Dan is working full-time and we are back out of debt....some day right?

Bad News

Some of you may be aware that Dan was in the very long hiring process for Rapid City Police Department. After physical and mental testing, back ground checks and meeting with detectives (I even had to meet with one!) Dan was told NO on Friday. We pretty much had a lot of life things hinging on it such as me going part-time, daycare, new car purchase, etc. and we were pretty sure everything was cleared so we were really shaken by the news. It started with 87 applicants and he made it to the top 10, unfortunately due to budgeting they were only able to hire 6 and they had military backgrounds, master degrees, or previous law enforcement experience. So now, it's back to the drawing board for a new plan game plan. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. I'm still a bit emotional about it but know Dan did his best and God will work everything out for us.

Where have we been?

I know it's been awhile and a few of you have been wondering about us. Well, we didn't drop of the planet. Here's what's been up: my work now blocks all blogs so I can't enter a quick one from work and I can't check some of yours out so I feel like I am completely out of the loop...then our laptop at home finally died and we just can't afford a new one now (after some unexpected car expenses) so that leaves me pretty out of touch with the world. I haven't been ignoring you, just not able to say hi.