Ethan is Awesome!

Ethan just received an Outstanding Student award from his middle school! His award was for always having a positive attitude (a glass half full kind of kid), and for academic improvement.

Ethan has always been the most positive kid. He truly does always see the good in everything (and everyone). He is a genuinely kind and loving young man. He loves people the way Jesus wants us all to love people. He is an inspiration to me.

Ethan has also improved and matured academically this year. Although his report cards have never had lower than a B+, and mostly As, he is taking more responsibility for his own learning, and that has been great to see as well.

So, in case you didn't already know, here is further proof that Ethan is awesome!

Pirate Pride

Noah was once again this year given an outstanding student award at Pioneer Middle School. He was awarded for his academic excellence and excellent classroom behavior. We sure are proud of this kid!

And, oh my, look how he's changed since receiving the award last year!

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.

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.

Cole

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

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!

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

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?

Easter Birthdays

Easter Sunday at The GraceWorks

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?!?! :-)

She's a Winner!

Congratulations Abby!

You worked so hard on your science fair project, and we are very proud of you!

Go buddy, Go!

It was a big day for Cole today!


Here we go! First try with some help.


Getting better. A little less help.


A temporary set-back.


Don't give up, buddy! You can do it, I know you can!


A little encouragement from Daddy goes a long way.


Feeling more confident by the minute.


He's got it!


Who needs Mom and Dad anyway??? See ya later!

Pirate Pride

We received the following letter from Noah's school last week:

To the Parent/Guardian of Noah Miller,

It is with great pleasure that I announce that your child is receiving a medallion as an Outstanding Student at Pioneer Middle School. He/she will be recognized at our Pirate Pride Assembly. Each student was selected by his/her teachers on the basis of Academic Excellence, Improvement, Leadership and/or Citizenship.

Today was the day of the assembly, and we were SO proud to see Noah receive his award. He was selected by his Language Arts/Social Studies teacher, Ms. Nixon. She is probably Noah's favorite teacher, so it was nice to see that the feeling is mutual :-) The awards were given with the entire 6th grade in attendance, so it was great for the kids to be recognized in front of their peers.

While Noah has always done very well academically in school, we have always stressed that more important than a grade on a piece of paper, is the character that is being developed. So we were thrilled for Noah to be recognized today for his positive attitude and leadership skills - two great character traits that he definitely possesses!

We love you, Noah, and are so very proud of you!

A Little Bragging

So I had Cole's first ever parent-teacher conference this past week. And, I'll admit, prior to the year starting, I will a little bit nervous about how Cole would do in kindergarten. He's never been in any preschool or montessori before, and he's, well, kind of a talkative, busy little guy who really, really likes to have fun.

I've been volunteering in his class on Wednesday mornings, and he has seemed to be doing really well while I'm there, but I wasn't super confident he was doing as well when I wasn't around :-)

But, I had a really great conference with his teacher! She said he is doing really well academically (scored 105 out of 107 possible points to place him in the highest level reading group), and he is also just a really focused, settled student. Seriously?!?!? I mean, I knew he had the potential to do well academically, but focused??? Settled??? So amazing. I tried not to grin too much, but it was hard not to. I was one proud mama!