Just for fun!

I really try to stay pretty politically stagnant on this blog as this is not the forum I want to discuss such topics. However, there are times that my sense of humor gets tickled or my passion flared and I just must share. I don't know about you, but I have had a horrible time trying to get Doodle the H1N1 shot not the mist due to her having asthma. No matter who I speak with, where I go, I get the run around. I know everyone is doing what they can but it feels as if no one really knows who has what or who is in charge. It makes me feel like a hamster running on a wheel. It makes me think that the left hand really doesn't have a clue of what the right hand is doing as far as the governments handling of these said shots. So with that, when a friend sent me this picture below, I just laughed. I don't know that it is the message as much as the look on the face but it made me giggle so hard my girls came running to see what was up. So with that in mind, enjoy a laugh on me. :)

Boys and Their Toys!

The girls have been on their big trip with grandparents which left Matt and I home alone to tackle a paint job. We got up on Friday ready to get going on painting the ceiling in the living room and hall. I was going around spackling the holes I made with all my pictures hanging on the wall. Matt kept standing and looking at the half walls that divided our living room area with our very tiny entryway. I should not have been surprised when he looked at me with that look I know so well.

Matt tearing the last part of the half wall out.

He had a vision to tear out the walls, fix the hard wood floor he put in when we moved in then paint. It all made perfect sense to him because if we have to paint anyway, now is the time to tear stuff out. I just keep thinking, where do these things come from? I mean, we both slept in the same bed, ate the same food and yet never have I ever started a paint job only to stop and think" Man, those walls need to come out". I just don't get it. Yet, I am also very blessed with a husband who knows his ways around the tools and is a perfectionist with his jobs. (who would go to a dentist who did not expect perfection?!) Anyway, he started tearing down the first wall and I just stayed in my happy place...the computer! haha! After he tore down one wall, he called me out and I have to say that while I really deep down just wanted to get the painting done so we could put the room back together quickly and have a date night, he was right. It looked so much nicer and he looked so proud.(and cute!)

Dr. Demo is his new name...looking way too cute and proud of himself!

The poor second wall has no idea what or who is coming.

So now he is out there still fixing the floor. I can't do much to help. I have sanded the spots I fixed yesterday but really I am just here for moral support and snacks. We still don't have the ceiling or walls painted, but I know they will be soon. He gets his mind set to something and he won't stop until he finishes. That is one of the things I love about him. He is much more of a risk taker than I am and let's face it...I'm so glad he is since we met on a blind date! :) I'll post after photos soon.

Dr. Demo completed his task: both walls down.

Harvest of Friends Blog Party!

Lynnette Kraft is hosting a fun blog party to get to know each other better. Take time to answer these fun questions or just one. Then link to her blog and hop around to other blogs. Enjoy the harvest of friends!

1. What is your favorite thing to snack on while you're blogging?
I am not much of a snacker at the computer but if I do it would be chocolate. :)

2. What is one thing you wouldn't want to live without?
First thing that came to my mind, my family...but I think we all feel that way so I will simplify. I can't live without chocolate.(refer to answer 1)

3. Beach, Mountains or Farm? Where would you live if you had a choice? Oooh, tough choice. I love parts of all three. So, how about a farm near mountains with a cottage on the beach for getaways. Is that asking too much? If I have to choose one, beach by the ocean always reminds me of just how big my God is. :)

4. What's your least favorite chore/household duty? Oh, I have two, laundry and dishes because they are never ending! :)

5. Who do people say you remind them of? Not sure anyone has ever said I looked like anyone famous...usually my mom but as I have gotten older, rounder people say my dad! Not sure how to take that but regardless, I love them both and will consider that a complement. :)

6. Prefer parties and socializing or staying at home with the fam? Staying with family always wins!

7. What's your all time favorite movie? I have several. I like to laugh but I would say the one that makes me giggle most and takes me to my "happy place" fastest....don't laugh....Winnie the Pooh! Love that bear!

8. Do you sleep in your make up or remove it like a good girl every night? Remove it most nights unless I fall asleep before I finish reading.

9. Do you have a hidden talent or a deep desire to learn something that you've never had a chance to learn? What is it? Hidden talents....no. Desire to learn something would be just about anything. I love learning new things.

10. What's one strange thing you're really good at? Remembering who gave my kids gifts from infancy. When I pass down the clothes to friends, I will see their child in it and know who gave it to mine. Gee whiz that was 10-12 years ago! Freaky! Either that or rearranging furniture/pictures. It is something my family still calls me to help out with at their homes. :)

11. What first attracted you to your spouse? We talked on the phone before meeting on our blind date. So what first attracted me to him was his sense of humor. Then came that smile and those eyes! :)

12. What is something you love to smell? My kids AFTER a bath. :) Fresh baked goods.

13. Tell something about you that you know irritates people. I am a loud laugher and can talk too much at times.

14. When you have extra money (HA!) what's the first thing you think to do with it? Do something with the family then save.

15. Are you a silent laugher or a loud laugher? What makes you laugh the hardest? Loud laugher! My kids make me laugh. They are seriously funny. Physical humor gets me every time as well and anything makes me laugh once I hit that slap happy point of an evening.

16. Where is your favorite place to shop? Hmmm, that's tough because it depends on what I am looking for. Most of the time I shop online. If I go to a store for me, I love to go to office supply stores! ha ha! Isn't that fun! But it is for me. Nothing like new notebooks and fresh pens! Love them. :)

17. What's one thing you'd do more often if you had more time? Read for me! Dance

18. Are you a big spender or frugal? Neither, I want to be more frugal but enjoy my comforts yet can't afford those...so really we are pretty average. We tighten the belt where we can and spend according to what we put as a priority.

19. Who is your favorite character of all time (from a movie or book)? (Can't be real)
I think I already said...POOH BEAR! Love that little guy. Who can't be in love with a bear who sings," I am short, fat and proud of that"! As for non-animated, there are too many to mention.

20. Would you want to be famous? No, it comes with a pricetag too steep for my liking. I prefer to be given my treasures in heaven.

Unexpected Visitors

On Saturday, the girls and I had gone to the grocery store after Doodle's dance class. We were unpacking the groceries when two men came walking up our driveway. They were dressed in their Sunday best and had a Bible with them. I was pretty sure this was team going door to door witnessing for their faith, which is not ours. I knew this was going to be an awkward meeting in front of my girls but thought Matt would come out and save the day. :) As the men walked up, I started praying for wisdom and strength.

While I do not desire to debate doctrine or theology through my blog, I will say as for me and my house, we serve the Lord and believe His Word only. We believe the Bible to be the true Word of God and it is alive and useful for all things everyday and every day to come.

With that said, these men had another book they viewed equal to the Holy Bible. They were kind, considerate and tried to quote their scripture to me about family. That is where they get people sucked in to their beliefs. Family is huge with this group and I must say that I see why people desire that. However, the one thing they do not do well is recognizing God's family, His Son, as deity. We believe that Jesus is the only way to the Father and all others fall short. Scripture supports that and we stand by it.

The men tried to give me information and I asked who publishes the item. They told me and I thanked them for their time and kindness but as for our family the only place we go for guidance with raising our children, marriage and family is straight from God's Word, the Holy Bible. They were kind and seemed stumped as to what to do or say then. God won that moment. I was sweating and my girls looked at me like I had a fire on my head! I think I shocked them in being able to stand up to these men without Daddy. What I shared later was that it was not me, it was Jesus using me to share His truth. This message on this day was not for these men. I think it was for me and my girls. They needed to see that Mommy is not just their teacher, laundry woman, cook, cleaning woman, and nurse. They needed to see that Mommy is capable to take a stand for Jesus and He will give her the words to say and bring the opportunities to share His Truth with others. I had been praying about having opportunities to share my faith with others outside my family and isn't it just like God to have them walk right up my driveway. I have to say that I was humbled by their knowledge of the Bible and need to take that challenge to be sure I am just as versed in God's Word so that I do as Christ and quote scripture as tempted or fed lies. Have I mentioned lately what a mighty God we serve?!

Hello McFly!!!

I might be aging myself a bit with that title for my post, but I definitely felt like poor McFly from Back to the Future today. As I have said before, my girls are preparing to leave for a very fun trip with their cousins and grandparents tomorrow. All week, we have been running around getting things ready. I had noticed that Bean had really been acting out. I just thought it was her being a stinker before a big trip with Grandma...preparing for the spoiling. :) I also chalked it up to direct disobedience, until today. Duh!! Hello!! McFly!! My "baby" (and I use that sparingly but she is) is going on her first trip without her parents. She has never been away from us in this way. Sure she has stayed over night at both sets of grandparents but never on a trip without all four of us together. So I prayed about it and decided I needed to talk to her. When I mentioned it to her, tears fell immediately. She crawled up on my lap, which is a sight in itself as she is almost as tall as me. She sat there and let me rock her and pray with her until she felt better. I gave her some scripture to help her when she is sad and reminded her of what is true...

What is true sweet child?
1. Mommy and Daddy are only one phone call away.
2. Doodle is with you and will help you feel better if you ask.
3. Grandma and Grandpa are parents and know how to help with anything you may need...you just have to tell them.
4. You are safe and loved.
5. Most of all, God loves you so much and will be there anytime you feel sad or scared.

After that, she felt better. The rest of the evening and not night, I think I am reminding myself what is true as the momma. ;) They will have so much fun and this will be an experience they will never forget. This is the stuff great memories are made of and my husband and I need some time alone as a couple. Well, I think I will be able to go to bed once I am able to find that same comfort she felt while sitting on my lap. What is the truth sweet Jesus? The truth is my Abba Father loves me so much that when I feel sad about my babies going on a trip, I can crawl up in His lap until I believe all that is true and am able to let go of all my fears. Aren't you glad we serve such a mighty God and have such a precious intercessor? God is so good! I will have to let you know how the good byes go tomorrow. Praying over it already. It is so hard to be so excited and so sad all at the same time!

School Photos

Click Here to see more photos.

These are the girls "school" photos for the year. A friend from our homeschool co-op took them and has for the past three years. She does such an amazing job that I have stopped paying a professional to take their pictures! These truly remind my how quickly my girls are growing up. Beautiful pictures! Enjoy!

Menu Plan Monday

This week is a big deal at our house. The girls are both going to be leaving on Thursday to go to Philadelphia and Hershey, Pennsylvania with their grandparents and their cousins. It is going to be a great trip for all of them. I know we will miss them but it is also so sweet to think of having 4 days with just my husband. Can you believe it?! We have not had a weekend without kids where both of us are free from activities in two years! We use to take our anniversary weekend and go somewhere or at least send the kids somewhere, but that has not happened the past two years due to the girls activities. So this will be a refreshing time to spend together. With that in mind, our menu will be a bit different as we will be going on on dates while the girls are gone. We finally get to use the gift cards I have been saving! God is good! So here is the plan:

Monday: (BSF) sandwich, fruit and veggies on the road

Tuesday: (dance) ham and cheese wraps, fruit and veggies

Wednesday: Baked ziti, salad, green beans, fresh bread

Thursday: (girls leave) Pulled pork sandwiches, baked beans, salad

Friday: Date Night!!!

Saturday: Date Night!!

Sunday: Taco salad, nachos and salsa

Upside Down Your Turning Me....

What a crazy weekend! We have a dear friend who is building built in bookshelves to surround our fireplace. We are very excited about their completion but he can not put them in until we paint. Oh boy, the crazy life of painting while still in school. Friday night Matt went to our small group while I kept the girls home with me since Doodle was still coughing so much. The girls and I started emptying the old bookshelves and placing everything from inside the entertainment center in boxes. The boxes are being stored on the bottom bunk in Doodle's room! She loves it! haha! We had no were else to keep them out of the walk way and off the floor. No one sleeps on that bed so it seemed like a good fit. :)

Saturday we filled the rest of the boxes and took pictures off the walls in the living room and hall. The girls are excited about the new shelves and are eager to help. Matt was ready to start painting the ceiling. What we did not expect was to find evidence of a mouse while we were working. I went into the kitchen to make lunch and found said evidence in the pantry. So the painting project ended quickly and clean out pantry mode went in full effect. We now have a house that feels and looks a bit turned upside down but the pantry is clean. :) Matt set a mousetrap last night and he had the little scoundrel this morning. So we should be in the clear. Makes me nuts to find those little guys but it is just part of living near fields. Not sure when the painting will be done but I know it will. I am just happy that my family likes to tackle jobs together and we don't lose sight of what is most important...the time spent together. We laughed a lot during this ordeal and we truly enjoyed our day. What a blessing.

Giggles, giggles...uh,oh!

Recently I was given the pleasure of reading Green Eggs and Ham to a little buddy over at Peaceful Home. I giggled as I kept reading " I Do not like green eggs and ham. I do not like them...Sam I am!" Each time I would stress a different word. Funny how that sticks with you even when you are not reading it anymore. Today, I was working with my youngest daughter with her grammar program which will remain nameless to save everyone from telling me how wonderful it has been for their child. :) I do not like this program but use it because that is what the co-op we attend uses at this time. I will not make that mistake next year. :)

Anyway, as we were working, I kept hearing that little voice, "I do not like this __ ___ program. I do not like it in a box. I do not like it by a fox. I do not like it in my house. I will not use it with a mouse. I do not like ___ _____ ____. I do not like it JAM I am. "

Now those of you who know me know that I am a big joker. I enjoy a good laugh. So I started laughing out loud as I was working on this little number in my head. I could not help it! However, my poor girl thought I was laughing at her!! Oh boy! Talk about back tracking! I did my best to explain what I was laughing about but somehow she did not find it as funny. I guess that goes to show you that if you are going to giggle at your own jokes....be sure no one else is in the room. :)

Slow Cooking Thursday

I love finding new items to blog about! I was trying to find something I could get excited about for fall and winter and I found it~ slow cooking Thursday! Woohoo! I love using my crock pot whenever I can and could always use some new recipes. So, this will be a meme I will enjoy thoroughly. Thanks to Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom!

So my first entry for this new venture will be an easy one. My mother-in-law always used to amaze me at her ability to make the best pulled pork or beef sandwiches. I could never time it just right to get the meat to the point it was ready to tear apart when ready for food! So I decided to give up on her oven idea and try the crock pot. Viola! It worked beautifully and has for 18 years. So the trick is...buy a roast,
put it in the crock pot,
cover about half way with water,
put lid on,
turn crock pot on and
walk away for between 6-8 hours (depending on your crock pot).

Now that is not so hard is it?! After you are able to stick a meat fork into the meat and gently twist some meat off, you know you are ready. Take the meat out of the crock pot. Take two large forks and tear the meat apart gently. I drain some of the juice out of the crock pot for gravy. Put the meat back into the remaining juice. Serve with buns of choice or all by itself. It is simply the best tasting pulled pork/beef. My husband does add BBQ to it, but my girls and I prefer plain. Give it a try! Everyone who has ever had this meal with us always talks about that silly meat...oh, you went to too much trouble. Oh boy, if they only knew! Shhhh! Don't tell. :)

Wordless Wednesday

Cocoa Time!

Last week, we enjoyed spending time with our friends, the Stumpf's. While visiting, we picked up a couple handy ideas, as usual. :) One of these ideas which all the Miller girls enjoyed was Cocoa Time. Who doesn't like a good cup of cocoa? At their home, each morning is met with a cup of cocoa and God's Word after animal chores. Well, the only animal we have is a a dog so that doesn't take long but we so needed assistance in getting kids out of bed and to the kitchen for breakfast as well as for Bible time without whining. My girls did not complain one day about getting up and going with this lovely greeting.

Upon my return home, I decided to implement this time into our day as well. So today was our first cocoa time! We all were up, most showered and dressed and at the table ready to begin our day in God's Word together. My husband takes the girls to BSF so that is what we worked on and then had quiet time reading what we wanted to in God's Word. After reading, we prayed and started breakfast. What a lovely way to start the day. God's Word is sweet to the soul and let's face it, nothing hits the spot on cool days like that sweet cup of cocoa. The two are a great match. Teaching my kids to start their day in God's Word is something I have tried for years but had not had success in finding a way to do it where they were eager to get out of bed. Problem solved. Thanks Lainie! :) Now if you can figure out something for the afternoon uglies that would be great! :)

Menu Plan Monday

What a great week! Doodle did great as Billy Goat in the musical. I just love watching her perform so much. Bean helped out with the little ones and played with her buddy all week. We enjoyed our visit to the Stumpf's so very much. I think it is just fun to get to stay with friends from time to time. While we always enjoy that visit, there is just something about being home that is such joy. With the end of Missoula Madness comes the after math of that week. So we are going to get back to our normal routine as much as possible with some flexibility for starting times as we are all sleep deprived. So here is what the Miller's are eating this week:

Monday: (BSF) sandwich on road, fruit, veggies

Tuesday: (dance) chicken salad lettuce wraps, grapes, snap peas

Wednesday: Teriyaki Chicken (crock pot), rice, broccoli

Thursday: Crock pot lasagna, salad, bread

Friday: (small group/girls at grandparents) eat at group

Saturday: History club's Seder meal! So fun!

Sunday: Glazed Chicken, potatoes, green beans and salad

Missoula Madness!

This week we are staying with my buddy, Lainie, to delve into the madness of Missoula Children's Theater. It is an amazing week! We move in with the Stumpf's after try outs on Monday. Each day the kids do some school, chores and play until time for rehearsals. One of us drives those that go to practice while the other holds down the fort with those who get to play. At the end of the week, the children in the play will be amazing all of us with a production of Robinson Crusoe that is quite well done. I never cease to be amazed at what these people can pull off in one weeks time.

The Stumpf's have been involved in this craze for three years and invited us to join in last year. We had 7 kids try out for parts and 5 of them got them. The two that did not are buddies and decided that either they wanted to have both of them have parts or none. They did not want to have one with a part and one without like last year. So those two are enjoying the freedom of playtime together everyday! What a joy!

It is so much fun to move in with friends. Last night the girls all slumbered down in the girls room, boys in boys room, while the adults sat up talking and then watching Tim Hawkins and other silly videos on YouTube laughing our silly heads off until after midnight. Today, we feel the pain of that late night but it is so fun to see how other families live and to know that we are not alone in our pursuit of living for Christ. What a joy! I will be sure to post pictures of the production later.

Right now, I am enjoying the sound of three sleeping little ones and three middles outside playing with the rabbits....that would be the sound of silence in a house that had 10 kids running through it all morning. Those precious moments are few, but what is even better than silence to an old tired woman is having a little one run up to me in the morning and ask me to read a book to her as she climbs up in my lap. Such a worthy payoff. Sleep....or cuddles and books? Hmmm....I choose cuddles and books every time. Can't wait to see what I get to read tomorrow!

Does God Exist?