"OH DEAR! WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE?"



It has been a while since my last post. I don't need an excuse, but I am giving you one as a little insight into my world. As Trip Manager of the Miller household (this is an official role I have--I can explain it another time). But as Trip Manager it takes me about a week to prepare for an Ohio trip (I like making trip lists). And then we were there in Ohio for about a week. And then upon return it takes a few days to recover from all the festivities. So I am giving myself an excused absence from blogging.

At any rate, we spent time in Ohio with our wonderful family. It is a trying time currently for the Miller family, and so it was really good to be together.
I sum up my Ohio trip as Beauty in Chaos. Beauty in watching 14 grandchildren, with totally different personalities and ages spanning from 7 months to 16 years, find the greatest of joy in playing with each other. The big ones gladly helping the little ones and the little ones looking up to the example of the big ones. Beauty in childlike faith as demonstrated by the humbling generosity of some special nephews. Beauty in the love of a Father and Mother sharing "big news" and giving all of us a special time away. Beauty in a brother-in-law removing 40 viruses from my darn computer (Thank you, Tim). Beauty in relaxing around a fire, a family style dinner from Bob Evans, a family picture shoot, a scrunched meal at Tony's Coneys. The beauty of Father/ Daughter moments. The beauty of a 3 year olds singing one line of a song over and over again that echoed truth to my soul. And most of all the beauty of my sweet sister-in-law, whose grace, strength and faith inspire me and whose face reflects the very presence of her Saviour.

Confession #1: I have a few quirks. I know, it is surprising, but true. One of my more alarming quirks to people I meet is my absolute refusal to put milk (or any other liquid substance) in my cereal. I eat it plain, right as it comes out of the box in all its crunchy, glorious self. The thought of milk sogging it all up...yuk!

Confession #2: I may have influenced the girls to carry on my quirks. I don't think I did it on purpose. My original intent in not giving them milk in their cereal was to avoid the mess that a two year old with a spoon, milk and cereal could create. I don't like messy. I am not the fun mom that gets excited to jump in puddles or make mudcakes or play with sand. SIDENOTE: The theme for this weeks I Heart Faces photo contest is "messy". I got nothing. I have let the girls get dirty, but since I am not a big fan, I am not inclined to take their pictures when they are. :)

Anyway, back to the cereal. Jamie let Macie try his the other day (The other girls just scream with disgust if he even suggests they put milk in their cereal). But, the Mace...she liked it. And Jamie instructed me that I was to give her cereal and put milk in it. So yesterday, for the first time ever as a mom...I gave my two year old a bowl of cereal with milk and a spoon. Surprisingly, it wasn't too messy and she ate pretty much the whole bowl. I guess I will have to influence Macie with one of my other quirks. :)