Joy

Merry Christmas

Pioneer Wrestling

Yesterday was Noah's first ever wrestling match. Although the outcome wasn't what he would have desired, he made a great effort and learned some valuable lessons he will use as the season progresses.

As a mom, I'll just say this ... it was a million times more stressful than watching him play football.

I'll admit, I have been one to mock wrestling in the past. But I am quickly realizing that, while the uniform still leaves a bit to be desired in my humble opinion, wrestling is one very tough, intense sport that requires a ton of mental and physical strength.

And, although Noah is really enjoying it, I'm happy it's a fairly short season because after just one match I felt like I needed a bottle of Advil, a massage, and maybe some counseling regarding my overprotective mothering.

No School!

A dream come true! No school! Too bad it's so unbelievably cold and windy today! But, as snow is pretty much a novelty here, playtime must go on!

The Second

wishes coming true....early release from school...

The First

of many, if the kids' wishes come true...

We did it!

We made it through our first football/cheer season. (Well, except for our awards banquet, which is tomorrow night). And, in what will seem like a very short time, we'll do it all again :-) Only, hopefully it will be a bit easier the second time around.

We are honored that our franchise is featured in our local newspaper this month. Here is the link if you have a few minutes to spare.

Halloween 2010

Our new favorite tea. And I'm definitely not normally a huge mint fan...but this stuff is so nummy! Drinking some right now. Mmmm

Practice for Cheer Competition

Abby's cheer team is having their year-end cheer competition this weekend. During last Thursday's practice, Mark had all of the players and their parents come into the gym to watch them have their final practice before their big day.

All of the girls did such a great job. They have worked so hard this year and it really showed in their performance. And, yes, Abby was amazing. Really, she was. And no, I'm not a bit prejudice. I know this because everyone else told me so. I just happen to agree wholeheartedly.

Fall 2010

Sweetness

Cole

Today was a big day for Cole. He discovered he actually can tackle.
And he was awesome.

Friday Night Lights

Pretty much the cutest ball boys ever...

By Abby

The daisy is simply sweet. She is silently waving in the breeze. She's an adorable pink with a bright yellow middle and a long green stem. She is all alone but she points to the sun as if it is her friend. She stands tall and thin and shows off her beauty. She smells very pretty. Her petals have little lines on them, and are smooth and soft as a blanket.

What a peaceful flower.

Happy Birthday Noah!

As hard as it is to believe, we now have a teenager in our home. Noah turned 13 this month!

I've included this collage of how many photos I had to take to get him to smile nicely, to give a glimpse of what our life with a teenager is like.


But Noah is seriously a great kid, and we are very proud of the young man he is becoming.

Happy Birthday Noah! We love you!

Abby's 1st Day of School

OK, this is a little late, but homeschooling, keeping up with two middle schoolers and a first grader, working, and football have pretty much consumed all of my time this fall. So, finally, here is a photo of Abby's first day of 4th grade!

First Day of School for the Miller Boys!

We have two middle-schoolers! How can that be? Noah is now in 7th grade, and Ethan in 6th, so they both attend our local middle school. Ethan has been home-schooled for the past two years, so this is a big adjustment for him. Noah is a middle school pro now, but still has all new teachers this year (except for band). I am so excited for them to get home (they rode their bikes together) and tell me all about their first day. They should be home in approximately 21 minutes!

And our baby started first grade today! This is Cole's first experience with all-day school as he went to half-day kindergarten last year. He was so excited and brave and confident this morning. I love it! I can't wait to hear all about his day, too, when I pick him up from school in 1 hour and 14 minutes! (Except maybe the part about how thirsty he is because his dorky mom forgot to put his water bottle in his lunch today...oops!)

I am home-schooling Abby this year, but she doesn't officially start until next Tuesday. Mark took her on a little shopping run this afternoon, though, to get some last minute supplies for art class.

Homemade chocolate chip cookies are just out of the oven...I can't wait to share them with the loves of my life as they share their days with me.

Triumphs

Abby is love, love, loving cheer!
She is doing so amazingly well for her first year.
And, yes, she really is that cute in real life.

It's been a long road since January, but you've made your dream become a reality,
and I'm so very proud of you!

Portland Zoo

So thankful for a much-needed (football-free) family day!!

Anderson Island

Chalk Art by Abby

The Kiddos

Abby's Dream Come True

Abby has always loved horses, but we have never really had the opportunity for her to enjoy one up close and personal. Until now!

Our new church, The GraceWorks, has been such a huge blessing to our entire family is so many ways. One way is that I feel like our whole family is truly worshiping and ministering together. That, alone, is amazing. But we have also had the opportunity to meet some of the most wonderful people, and are so blessed to be able to call them our friends.

Among those new friends is Erika - who, along with her husband, Scott - has become so dear to our family. They are in our weekly small group that meets at our house, and they are so amazingly great with our kiddos. And, as any parent knows, when other people love your kids, they automatically gain a very special place in your heart!

And, to make things even better, Erika has a horse! Her very own horse! And she generously let Abby and I come along to help take care of Bree one evening. Abby thought she was in heaven, and hasn't stopped talking about it since. I'm pretty sure this first visit will not be our last.

Locks of Love...Again

Abby donated her hair to Locks of Love again. This is her third time donating her beautiful locks.

2010


2007


2004

Is that Cole?

Before...




During...


After...

Noah got home from school and said, "Is that Cole?!?!"


And...Mark trying out Cole's hair as his new toupee!!

Tacoma Rainers

Cole is so loving baseball this season. And, it's actually been really fun for all of us to enjoy something other than football for a bit :-)

Thanks to Cole's good buddy Caleb's family, he and Mark were able to enjoy a Tacoma Rainiers game with them on Saturday evening. It was a gorgeous evening and the guys all had a blast!

6th Grade Camp

What happened ...

... to my baby? How did she get to be 9 already? I wish I could freeze time and keep her from getting any older.

Cole's First Baseball Game

Amazing

Abby is amazing. She always has been. It's the way our God created her. She is the most empathetic person I know. She is the only person I know who physically feels other people's pain and suffering. Since she was little, she would feel such sadness when we talked of Jesus dying on the cross for her sins, because she would actually feel physical pain in the palms of her hands when we talked about it.

She talks to her friends at school about her Jesus. Her goal for 2010 was to know God more, by reading her Bible and praying more.

Earlier this week, I found a note from Abby on my pillow when I went to get into bed. It said:

Dear Mom and Dad,
Come in my room. I might be asleep but please write somewhere the answers to the questions I wrote on my white board.
Love,
Abby

When I went into her room, this is what she had written on her board:
1. How often do you see homeless people?
2. Could I save money to buy Bibles for homeless people, so I can give them to them and tell them, "Read these stories. They are true."
3. Will you help me save money to buy the Bibles?

See, I told you she was amazing.

I've told her that I think we should save money as a family to buy Bibles, and then pass them out along with some sandwiches, in downtown Oly or Tacoma. Any of you locals want to join us?

Birthday Feed 2010

Seabrook 2010

Easter Birthdays

Easter Sunday at The GraceWorks

Easter Egg Hunt/Football BBQ

It may have only been 43 degrees (brrrrr), but there was no dumping rain, hail, or wind, so after the week we've had, we were VERY thankful!

And, yes, Noah was there, too, but playing football with his buddies took precedence over searching for some pastel-colored plastic eggs :-)

Just because...

...he still melts my heart.

Abby's Special Day

Abby was baptized this last Sunday! She did such an amazing job of sharing the gospel message clearly, and of explaining why she wanted to be baptized. She shared one of her favorite verses, which is Titus 3:5, "He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy."

Abby has always had such a deep love for her Jesus, and it was so wonderful to see her take this step. We couldn't be more proud of her!

It was our second-to-last Sunday at Emmanuel, as we launch The GraceWorks (Emmanuel's daughter church) in just two weeks. It was bittersweet to have Abby baptized there, where so many people have played such an important part in her spiritual life and growth, knowing that we will be leaving so soon. But, we look forward with great expectations to what God has in store for our family as we begin this new adventure.

Third (and final!) Retainer

Cole just got his new retainer on Thursday. He is doing such a great job with it! His speech is just a tiny bit slurred, but I know that will improve quickly with how well he is already doing.

Noah and Ethan both also had retainers, so we feel like we're kind of experts at it by now. Thankfully, Abby's bite corrected itself when her permanent teeth started coming in, so the dentist feels she doesn't need one.

Another year or so and we'll start all over again with braces! Oh, Grandpa, why can't you just move out here and be our personal orthodontist?!?! :-)