2015, Hello. Happy. New. Year!

We rang in 2015 last night. Family style. Perfection. The Holidays have been great, but with the new year. I'm yearning for some more organization and discipline. Maybe I'll wait until January 7? But why wait. Today is the day. Which seems to ring true in most of what I'm seeing, online. Live in the moment. For god sake, put the phone down. LIVE! NOW! Enjoy, today. #truth

8th Year

I cannot believe we've been going to Mt. Hood and staying in the same cozy cabin for eight years in a row now. Wearesopredictable. That, is what I love most about my family. And you know, the fact that they are oh so fun. Someone, get this man to the free run. Like, now.

Anyone else up for a late stroll through Govy Camp? 8 kids, snow, friends, all while sugared on homemade brownie sundaes! To those heading to Charlies or the Rat, watch out!

Here's to peace.

Love. Family. Special Memories. Friends.

New nephews. Who are totally sweet, cute and lovable!

And big girl days. Because, I am not going to lie. My fave day was Sunday afternoon. Happily talking and sipping some good brew.

What girl doesn't love a good talk?

And last but not least. Here's to new fur hats. Because the hubby is searching for just the right one. As I type.

They are no trouble.

3 & 4 year olds are no trouble at all. Mine are best friends. Sweet, innocent sisters. Smart. Happy. Funny. Girly. Athletic. Jokesters. They share like the best, and worst of friends. They smile and giggle. Run and ride together. Trip and fall, all together. They move stools to discover nail polish, mascara and lip stick. They empty out diaper wipes in a matter of seconds. They feed their babies from secret food they stash in their playroom, their arm pits and bottles. They make crafts and paint. They love to dress up and pretend they are getting married. Well you get my drift, they have fun and are really, no trouble.

Merry Christmas, 2011!

It's been a rough year. But, we've survived. Traditions and all, including Christmas Eve at Anthony Lakes. AKA, Skiing with St. Nick. We are so ready for 2012. Our  My New Year Resolutions are coming soon!

Don't go asking for the moon, kids.

Or should it read, iPod. iPad. LeapPad. Computer. Bike. BMX bike. Kindle Fire. Barbie. Baby. Wii Games. Leapster. Yikes. So, what are you getting your small children?

We stumbled upon this Santa at the Soroptomist Festival of the Trees. I don't really think they were prepared. But Mason and MaKenna, hopped right on. Morgann screamed. And although she feels too old to scream, we I let her. Get away with it. It was going to be fine. We I don't have to have her in the picture. My, the things I have learned to look past with a number three. I'm so glad the he's pushed it. Santa and Earl. And at minimum, we had her in the picture. There was no touching. She wouldn't even grab the candy cane from him. But he's not going to disappoint her this year!!

The world just changed. Big Love Ahead!

After a long overdue arrival. Carson William entered into the world on 11/6/11. And I was lucky enough to be right there with my sister, for those hurting hours. And there were lots of hours. Lots of screams. A few laughs. But  most of all, love. Pouring out of everyone. The entire day. I love my family. Sisters are the best.

It hurt to see her in so much pain.And gave me a whole new appreciation for the Daddy's who make it through labors, too. Bill was amazing. Knowing exactly what to do and when. And I am so thankful he let me crowd my way in there to squeeze her hands, rub her back and breathe with her.

The baby was big! 8 pounds 11 ounces and came out at 9:51 PM. Michelle and I reversed roles. When I had Mason, she cried while I was in so much awe I didn't know what else to do. My tears were flowing. Life is amazing. This baby, he's a gift. Wonderful. Happiness all swaddled up into a perfect package.

I wish I was still in Kirkland, listening to his sounds. Cuddling him and helping my sister. I'm home. And the kids are so jealous. They want to meet their baby cousin Carson, so bad. They looked through all the pictures, watched the video and said let's go. Now. I've held them off until the weekend, hopefully.

This picture created rolling laughter. They asked if these were the doctors. After a much closer look, couldn't stop giggling. Why were you wearing that? We'll save that part for Michelle.

Baby, Baby. You're the world to me.

I'm one lucky wife. This man, he takes care of me us.

What a girl wants!

Sandals. Sunshine. Giggles. Jet. Best friends. Play dates. Tight jeans. Tank tops. Pretend. Long hair. Short pony tails. Leggings. To learn. To teach. Shopping. To love. To dream. To dance. Her very own dance. Right now, with us right beside her. And we are loving every single second of MaKenna being four.

Let Freedom Ring, 2011

This family is having quite possibly our craziest, busiest summer of all time. Once this move is complete, mommy returns from D.C., and Daddy gets out on a fire--we should be back to our regularly scheduled summer. Oh wait, we've got weddings and baby showers and 30th birthdays and soccer season and oh my. Breathe!

Lucky in Love

May 7th marked our sixth anniversary. And of course, Sunday was Mother's Day. Gosh, we got a lot done in six short years! I'm one lucky Mommy!
BOOM!

BOOM!

POW!

Hello to the Last Week!

I've Blogged about really meaningless things like shoes and silly days that are stressful. But this post is a BIG Deal! The excitement filling the homes of the Miller's is unavoidable!  UNCLE/BROTHER/SON/ BROTHER IN LAW - he's something to everyone- ALEX COMES HOME ON FRIDAY!  And we are ALL going to the Boise airport to pick him up. I honestly don't know who's the most excited- his Parents, Sisters, Brothers, Nieces, Nephews or Friends...

I can't help but wonder what he looks like. Two years can really change people. I'm sure he looks the same, but different. As we will all to him. I wonder if the babies will remember him? I know Mason will remember him. But will he feel as comfortable with him?

The meaning of a mission is below. But since my religion is different, I tend to be more selfish with the idea of a two year mission. I want to talk, when I want to talk. Have my family close by. See my family, when I need too. But he made it. Two years! Two years! Two YEARS! Way to go Alex. You have served and you will be released to come home very soon! We can't wait to see all the way's you've changed. We are ready to welcome home the missing Miller Link, you- Alex Nelden Miller! See ya and Love ya!

From Wikipedia the definiton of an LDS Mission, a rather short version:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has an active missionary program. Young men between the ages of 19 and 25 (usually beginning at the age of 19) are encouraged to prepare themselves to serve a two-year, partially self-funded (the LDS Church pays for transportation, health and dental care, the MTC stay, leadership, etc. the missionary pays a monthly amount), full-time proselytizing mission. Young women and retired couples may serve missions as well. Young women who desire to serve as missionaries serve at an older age, 21 or older, and often for only one and a half years. Missionaries typically spend one to three months in a Missionary Training Center where they study the scriptures, learn new languages, and otherwise prepare themselves to teach the Gospel and understand the culture in which and the people among whom they will be living. The LDS Church has about 53,000 missionaries worldwide

Is It Friday Yet?

Because this has not been my week, or theirs--all those M's I blog about. Probably FOR SURE not theirs because as MaKenna put it first thing Monday morning, "Daddy is nicer." That was in response to me asking her why she would rather have Daddy home instead of me, as we climbed the stairs into Kim's house. According to my boss, I set myself up for that answer. She's right. OK. They are right. I knew what the answer was going to be. But, he had just left Sunday afternoon. And things had not gotten that bad. YET.

I sailed through Monday at work. Came home. And. Whew! Cry. Scream. Ruckus. Fight. Squeak. Squeal. You name it, I heard it. Clever me, put the kids to bed at 7:30. Sound asleep they slept, right until the moment I sought out my shut eye. They were thirsty. One fell off the bed. And into the wee hours we slept like newborns. Catching an hour at most before a wake up.

That's right. I was late to work again Tuesday morning. One of them wouldn't put their coat on. The other their shoes. The next had an accident right as we all finally were ready to walk out the door. All I could do is yell at them. I know my Love and Logic. I have not been using my Love and Logic.

I only can wish that I had a video of Tuesday evening. Although it started off quite nicely. Kim must have noticed my rising stress levels and sent me home, when I picked up the kids, with a super tasty Mexican casserole. Mason had seconds. While the girls stood in the hall for what I don't have a video for. Screaming back and forth. Just making high pitched yelling sounds one after the other. Until they decided to go essentially into an all out brawl. Really? Over a, well to be honest I can't even remember!

When I arrived late my third day in a row at the Court, I shared my struggles of Wednesday morning (a crying for no reason child at 5:30 A when everyone could have used much more sleep) and then my entire week up until that point. As I shared my flood gates opened and my really- bad -really- NOT- Love and Logic- WAY- too -much- yelling- parenting- style- of- the- last- three -days- hit- me. I couldn't stop the crying. I have never felt like such a bad parent!

So, what have I done since my ah-ha moment? I brought Morgann her missing bum-bum (blanket) at nap time. I picked both the kids up, with smiles and in no rush to get back to the office, after school today. We went to Dairy Queen for dinner and ended up really only eating our ice cream! And while the older kids were at Awana's I snuggled with Morgann. Here's the proof!

And despite how bad I felt things were going at home this week, Mason still brought home the Super Bee today! And just because it's a good place, I'd like to add that last week he received all E's again-that's 2 weeks in a row!

I have a little secret up my sleeve for Friday. A surprise trip to the Pendleton Children's Museum. Just me and my M's. Hopefully I'm going to start going back up on their NICE-PARENT-METER! Because being a mean parent isn't fun. Neither is being a single parent.

It's the Big E!

Finally. Mason received all E's in one week. Excellent. For my super. excellent. smart. boy! Every weekly progress report contains four E's and one G (good). Up until last Friday. And my excitement is overflowing. To celebrate, because I promised earlier in the week a surprise for all E's, we piled in the unvan Friday after school and headed West.

I took a picture of this report with my new phone. I took a lot of pictures with my phone this weekend. In fact, the 8 MP camera on it took the place of my regular camera this weekend. Now I post pictureless. Because the server is denying all my photos from that phone. AHHHHH. Sometimes technology can be so frustrating!

Pictures were from our impromptu travels to JJ and Grandpa Dan's. A cake for JJ's almost birthday. Visiting with Uncle Rob and cousins. And the kids swam. However, there aren't pictures from that. I was at the farm. Helping my mom clean out the garage. To park in there because that is of course what garages are for. I come by things honestly. Like not being able to park my ride in the garage. Her bug could have fit in the garage.

However, the new to her eight passenger cross over would not have fit. It does fit three little kids perfectly in the back seats. Which means that ALL children would be able stay at the farm together since their wheels can now transport all children from point A to point B.  There's never been a question of their capability or willingness to take all the kids. The bug was just too small.

I have already started the *push to get the three kids there for spring break. Originally just because. But after some thought and talking with the hubs, I realized it might be the perfect opportunity to polish things off on our house. Have the realtor stop in to take pictures, when there aren't any toys out and around or laundry piles stacked. Our goal, for getting our home on the market, is April 4th, that would put us ahead of schedule. Being ahead might feel good, it's a feeling I've not known in a while.

I'm home this Monday with a sick baby, which will put me behind the game this week at work. Here's to Hoping that only one baby gets sick this go round. Because sick going through five, is seriously, No. Fun!

*This post is step 2 in my push!

The Twenty One One

We'll Do Second Chances. We'll Do Grace. We'll Do Real. We'll Do Mistakes. We'll Do I'm Sorry's. We'll Do Loud, Really Well. We'll Do Hugs. We'll Do Family. We'll Do Love!

*Picture courtesy of the hubs. Point Promise LookOut into the Eagle Cap Wilderness. And guess what? Just when he thought it'd be years before he was on a snowmobile again, he was wrong! For work he had to help repair the lookout. And there happens to only be one way to get there this time of year! 

Hello 2011

For New Years Eve this year we celebrated with lots of food. Friends. Fun. And Cake Pops!

We didn't make it at the par-tay until midnight, we left around 10:45. The fourth out of five times that MaKenna came down the stairs crying. We were up until midnight. To ring it in. Fireworks. Ball Dropping. Then the kids watching a movie. Except for Morgann. And me.

Mason decided he found his calling, drums. I did not find mine. I should never sing again, I'm sure of it. Or for that matter, play the guitar. But I had fun. So did E. His toe nails, and every other dad that was there, were painted very nicely with bright red polish. Having polish on meant they also received a foot massage.

Thanks to our beautiful hostess and friend, Bene!

For the second year in a row, I started the year off with the New Years Resolution Run in Union. This year it was a Chilly 12 degrees. Glad we opted for the 2.5 mile run, I wasn't prepared for anything longer.

2011 includes many plans. Races. Family Adventures. Resolutions. Cheers!

Aren't They Lovely?

Morgann and the tree. Although not my tree. It is my co-worker and friend's. Whom happened to invite us out to her place Saturday for sledding and lunch. My jaw dropped when I saw her 12 foot tree and all its captivating beauty. My kids, and the others, loved the sparkles, too! However, getting a good picture of a tree is pretty much impossible!
Speaking of the Holidays, it's crazy how quickly we've stumbled upon them. I contemplated with sending out cards this year. At the last minute, last night at 10:30, I finished the cards and placed the order. Only to see, after I hit confirm, that they would arrive between 12/20 and 12/24. 12/24 does not work for me! Late is still better than never. It will be what it will be.
Coming next, a look at all of our past Christmas Cards. After you see them, you'll know why I had continue my tradition, how could I not?

Vent. And done.

Let's just let it all out. I tend to go above. Trying to help people out. My kids, my husband. The clients at my office. Sometimes I just feel as if I am waiting for someone to take advantage of me. To make me think twice. To hurt my feelings. To make me realize that we all aren't as good as I'd wished we were. I work in an environment where many people get jaded. And fast. There, I am the "eternal optimist." I like that title. I love what I do. I love what I share here. With you.

For a few months I've been thinking about password protecting my blog, but for simplicity reasons I continue to decide against that. I don't want a road block and that is what a password or log-in seems to be, especially for those who quickly look here and there. (I know that password log-ins work for others and I follow those password log-in blogs that have decided to share with me). Because I want to share our family experiences with others. Especially those we love. I want my family to feel close to us. See us in pictures as frequently as I can post. A post is so  much quicker than email. And it reaches everyone, who cares. The people who I'd rather not look are few and far between. So when someone commented anonymously a few posts back that I am, "always hiding behind my kids." I either took it the wrong, or right, way. It became a day when I wished I'd had a road block out.


Seriously. I live in a fish bowl. Online and in my so called real life. One of my blinds broke and since I refuse to have 3 out of 4 blinds down, I choose to leave all 4 windows wide open. All the time. After Christmas I intend to purchase new blinds, but we can handle it for a month or two more, it's been three already. I do have three children to provide for.

The past six months have left me feeling that I've taken a blog, for and of my children, and turned it into a blog about a selfish- mom who likes to participate in costly races that include girls weekend getaways, get tattoos, and traipse all over the PNW. I can't afford to go much further, otherwise I would.


It is those things that have helped me find me. EverydayI learn more and more about just who I am.  Inside and out. The lengths I can push myself, when and where. What I will and will not stand up for, or against.  There's a reader board in town that reads right now, "It takes a lot of courage to grow up and be who you are really going to be." I love driving by that. I am learning this with each step I take. Forward.

Maybe that comment just hit me at a bad moment. Maybe it was taken wrong because I have no idea who put those words there. Or maybe it's true. Maybe I still tend to stand in the back of the picture because, well I'm not the size I wished I was. What did that comment even mean? Maybe I am just being a typical girl and reading far too much into something that really wasn't there. Probably not.

All venting complete. I feel better. Better than ever. In fact ready for a new day. A busy Tuesday. That starts with 5:15A boot camp, 6A spin (instructed by muah), work at 8A. But before work and after spin, getting the three M's ready for their day- breakfast, clothed and happy. Work from 8 to 5. And it happens to be my most favorite day of the week! One where I get to watch struggles and triumphs unfold right before my eyes. I love the triumphs. Live for the triumphs. I'll keep doing that. Regardless.

Right Around the Corner

I haven't been the best blogger ever lately. I haven't taken hardly any pictures of the kids. Really we haven't even done anything that's that much fun. Unless of course you consider getting firewood, painting doors, rearranging (finally), hanging the school pictures, and everyday life- dishes, laundry and bedtime, that much fun.It's fun for me because it is my life. It's not so much fun for the blog.

However, in one week, I am so looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with my family. Whom I love so much. So, in anticipation for a very Happy Thanksgiving 2010, I'm looking back a few years to 2007. We're going to the Macy's Day Parade People! And I can't wait!!! I'm ready for a magical season.

And while I do my things around the house. She does hers. Of course with help from a big brother and little sister. Let's not forget how much our children look to us for guidance, do as we do, and love us. I do the same with my parents. Always looking up.

From M to M to M

I still blog from M to M to M. Mason to MaKenna to Morgann. I live from M to M to M. Basketball to Princesses to Baby Dolls. I feel from M to M to M. Tough to Giggly to Playful. I love from M to M to M. Forever.

My life is and always will be from M to M to M.

*Which means, for now, no time for unneccesary pedi's!

It's 10.5 inches, shorter!

Can you say comfortable? Something about long hair feels warm and cozy. It feels comfortable knowing though that it was sent to a great cause, Locks of Love, especially knowing I had the full requirement. I thought I'd be growing it out until June. The chop came quick. And I was ready!

I'm smiling bigger now. If I can style it this way after it's been washed, I'll keep smiling. I know I can, I know can. That's a lot of hair, gone. A lot of curls, straight. And a whole new me, on the outside. I think maybe I should go out on a hot date tonight. With my hubby. Get wild and crazy, because nobody would know it was me. Already, people have not waved, smiled or said hello. My girls gave me a double take, Morgann a triple and a step backwards. Hello, new hair! Hello, fall! Hello, Happy!

If your wondering- 1) What Mason's reaction was? Pure pleasure that I'd be home the remainder of the afternoon and a little Mason smirk. He said, "Your cute!" 2) The back? Stacked quite nicely.