"Don't Worry Be Happy", people...posts from the Millers will return. We have been busy gardening and playing outside..hopefully the camera situation will be resolved soon, but until then I will try to post some things we missed along the way...Happy Day!

A Tribute to my Mom on Mother’s Day

There is hardly a way that I can describe my mom in a little blog. She is an amazing and unique woman who loves to have fun and who you just have to meet. ;) But I do want to give you a glimpse at the person who has so much to do with the woman that I am today and the woman that I am aspiring to be…

I don’t know if growing older makes you more sentimental or if the gifts of life just overwhelm you sometimes, but in recent years my family gatherings (especially around the holidays) have become markedly more emotional. Well, this Thanksgiving, all of us gathered at my parent’s house for dinner (Mom, Dad, Me and my family, my 2 sisters and their families). Before we ate, we went around and gave thanks to God for something He had done or taught us that year. My mom was one of the last to go and she referenced the song that is printed below by Mercy Me called “Bring the Rain”. Through tears she thanked God for all that He had done in her and others close to her even, and especially, through difficult times. The amazing thing about the story is that only God in His providence knew that more rain was about to come for my Mom. The next morning we were awakened by an early morning phone call from my Uncle telling us that my Grandmother, my mom’s mom, had passed away. Although, she was in a nursing home, her health was pretty good and her death was not expected (not that the “expectation” of someone dying lessens any of the pain). But, my Mom had been praying and making plans to move her to Iowa, so she could be closer to family. The next two days that I was home, we cried together and we laughed together as a family. I saw my Mom testify to the faithfulness of God that we were all there, so we could remember Grandma by telling stories together -celebrating her life and memory. My mom lived before me, again, the words of the song that had come to mean so much to her and in turn she allowed her life to bring great glory to God.

I thank God today for the great blessing of my Mom. There is something about a mother- something that makes her more beautiful with each passing year. My mother adamantly refuses to get her picture taken (I have to sneak up on her), but she is one of the most beautiful women that I know. God in all of His wisdom knew that there could be no better fit for me than her. She is not perfect, no Mother is, but she is living her life, learning as she goes and loving with all she has. Thanks Mom!

Happy Mother’s Day!

BRING THE RAIN

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that
I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You

Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings
You glory And I know there'll
be days When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to
praise You Jesus, bring the rain

I am yours regardless of the clouds that may
loom above because you are much greater than
my pain you who made a way for me suffering
your destiny so tell me what’s a little rain

He doesn't have to, but He does it anyway....Sweet thing!

My camera broke last week. I am totally frustrated by it and today Tori's class put on the "3 Piggy Opera" at her school. She has been singing and practicing for weeks, so the fam headed up to the Washburn gymnasium and I watched as all the proud parents and grandparents snapped pictures of their cute little piggies. I told myself it was no big deal that there would be one big event in Tori's life that was not covered in pictures--there are worse things that could be. WELL, after the play Jamie offered to take a picture with his phone (sad, I know), and as I was waiting to congratulate Tori I ran into one of the mom's that I have become acquainted with from Tori's class. Her daughter Abegail is one of Tori's best buds and when I told her my camera wasn't working she took a bunch of pictures for me and e-mailed them to me. She had even taken a picture of Tori during the play saying her part just because--before she even knew I would want it. So here are some of the pictures from Sue, but in my mind I also know they are a sweet thing to me from my Gracious Heavenly Father. Thank you to you both!



My cute piggy- she designed her shirt by herself on the computer--too cute!


This is the crew...they jump rope together every day at recess...they are inseparable! (These are the sweet girls I jumproped with last week!)

Well, for the sake of closure--Jamie came home last night. Lisa and I made an event out of it and after a yummy dinner at her house, we made signs (Lisa's was even in German) and headed off with the girls to wait in baggage claim for our boys. They were expecting us to just do the drive by pick up that we normally do, but Lisa and I felt an overseas trip merited paying for parking. It was so good to see them come down the escalator. I think they were pleased with our decision.

So, Jamie did a "one thing" for his Germany trip on the Consumed website and so I will end this little journey in the same way. I have learned a lot actually in the last 10 days--mostly stuff not related to Jamie being gone--just stuff that God continues to teach me. But the thing that I have learned from him being away is this...many people have commented that the girls and I were busy or wondered if we always did such fun things. The answer is "yes" we stayed very busy and "no" we aren't normally that active. I do try to hit community events just because they are fun, but never that many in a week. The thing that I realized this week is the reason I have to keep us so active while Jamie is gone is because without him the regular routine just doesn't seem to cut it. With Jamie around I don't find much need to "go out" for adventure because when he is around the ordinary routines of life are an adventure. He makes dinner more fun, nights at home watching tv cozy and all of life just more interesting. So, when he is not there our "home" just doesn't feel complete. So, there you go--gag if you like (I am sure Jamie's sisters are), but that is what I learned and it makes me so thankful for him and for the life that God has given us together. I am so thankful that he got to go as it renews his passion and encourages his heart, but at the same time I am so very glad that he is home so that we can live out the adventure of life together.

Sweet Day!

A few shots from the weekend in Iowa. I did not get very many, because sadly my camera is not working. :( But, we had a great time going to the Circus and enjoying a Cinco de Mayo Celebration and just enjoying each other's company. I am blessed beyond blessed with a great family and I am reminded of that each time I get a chance to see them. A personal highlight for me was hearing Gracia Burnham speak, but I will have to blog about that another time. It is very late (for me), so I am off to bed.

Sweet Dreams!

Day 8:

So I am posting a little early today. The girls and I have had a great week, but I figured it is time to call in the reenforcements- we are off to MumMum and Papa's (a.k.a. my parent's house). I would appreciate your prayers as the girls and I drive down to Iowa. We will be leaving this afternoon and coming back on Sunday morning. I would like to say that I will post while I am away, but....

1. My parents don't have the greatest internet connection and...

2.

Happy Friday!

Day 7:

Today was a really quiet day. No petting zoos, carnivals or dinners out--I didn't even take one picture today. We had homemade pizza and the girls went to bed early. And after they were all in bed, I got to enjoy one of my favorite things--the company of a good friend. Katie from my church came over and we watched The Office and 27 Dresses. And then I got online and spent some time instant messaging with Abby. I am so thankful for the great women God has brought into my life, especially my GC Ladies. Sweet Dreams!