Finally! and This is Me...

After four years of marriage Aaron and I are finally getting our own Internet. We have never had it at our house and have currently been using our phones as a mobile hotspot to use the computer. For quite a while now I have been suggesting to Aaron that we get rid of television and get the Internet then just have netflixs. Well he finally changed his mind and I am so excited to have the Internet. I mean I really only use it to look at Pinterest, Facebook and blog, but it was so frustrating to try and blog. A simple post that only should have taken 10 minutes or less took an hour! I am not even exaggerating. Such a waist of time! My computer also need to be rebooted or cleaned or whatever you call it. It is slow! I am also glad to be getting rid of TV. I have watched it too much in the past and have been making an effort to watch it even less. So this will help with that goal. Plus I don't like the horrible commercials in my home!

I am so pooped right now. It is only 8:15 and I can hear my bed calling to me. I got up at 5:30 this morning to work out and I am feeling it now. I had big plans to clean up my house with out a little "helper" but I am thinking that is not going to happen. So I thought I would blog to get a point for the day. My sister is doing a THIS IS ME challenge and I am going to as well.
http://ldsthisismechallenge.blogspot.com/p/personal-history-in-depth.html


Your birth and family:



*What is your full name and how did you get that name? Do you have any nicknames?
My full name is October Lee Brooks. Merrill is my maiden name. My parents have always told me that they chose October because they loved fall, it was their favorite time of the year as the leaves changed and the new season came. Plus they couldn't think of anything else :) My mom also told me that she always liked the name Lee and had an uncle named Lee that she always really liked. I have had a lot of nicknames probably because I am the youngest and have played sports. Growing up my family called me weedee, stink, LeeLee... Bean is the one I remember the most, after Mr. Bean. I remember during volleyball some of my friends called me Limeral because it sounded like Lee Merrill when you said it fast. My senior year people called me sub zero after mortal combat. I was always embarrassed but secretly I liked it because I hit the ball hard.

*What are your parent's full names and birth dates and places?
My Dad's name is David Alden Merrill, born December 20th, 1953 in Tucson, Arizona. My Mom's names is Patricia Lou Brewer, born January 9th, 1953 in McNary, Arizona.

*What is the date of your birth? Where were you born? What are some of the circumstances (when your mom went in to labor, how long, her doctor, your dad fainting, etc.) of your birth?
I was born October 3rd, 1989 in Show Low, Arizona. My mom had a horrible pregnancy with me. She had hives the whole time. Sorry Mom! Also they thought I was going to be a boy. My name was going to be Benjamin. I came out a girl obviously and they said they didn't believe I was girl when the doctor said so because they were so sure I was suppose to be a boy. My Mom also told me that my shoulders were very broad and that caused some trouble.
*What are your sibling's full names?
Peter Cole Merrill
Michael Paul Merrill
Sarah Jill Papa
Timothy Reed Merrill
Heidi Elyse Joncas


*How was your relationship with your siblings and parents?
I think that we had a good relationship all around. I am almost six years younger than my next closets sibling, so my younger memories of my siblings are much different than theirs. My oldest brother was 14 when I was born, so I got to go to endless sports games, concerts, and whatever else they were doing. I remember my brother Pete's track meets and thinking he was so fast, I remember him winning state in the 100 meter. Jill blowing out her knee and her long beautiful blond hair, sneaking onto her water bed on Sunday afternoons. I remember breaking Tim's windshield with a rock and a bat and watching him play video games in his room. Most of my more clear memories are of my sister Heidi though. I was a live doll for her for the first few years of my life. I enjoyed that. She would always dance with me and swing me around. We would pretend we were on the Sound of Music. She also made the best forts. However once I realized I was big enough to wear her clothes that when we started fighting :) I just remember thinking "wow there is a whole other closet full of clothes I can wear if I am sneaky". I had a good relationship with my Mom and Dad. Most weekends when I didn't have volleyball or track I was home with them and liked it. I enjoyed being around my Mom and Dad. That is probably weird for a teenager.

*What are some lessons you learned from you parents?
I am sure that almost every good lesson I have learned I learned from my parents. This list is too long to put down here, but the most important things I learned were living what you believe is the most important, do whatever you're doing right the first time (I am still working on this one), how to function as a good citizen, and to make family first.

*How did you help in your home?
I did whatever I was told. My main job growing up though that I had consistently from age nine till I graduated was to mow the lawn. We did yard work most Saturdays, pulling weeds, stacking wood, landscaping... whatever we were told. Inside was the same. I started doing my own laundry in the 5th grade and I thought I was cool. My Mom still did loads every now and then, which was always appreciated, but it was up to me. I also painted the exterior of our whole house one summer.