The Millers

Happy Easter!

2009-04-13T13:07:00.003-05:00

This was our first Easter in TN in a long time! The girls had fun and we did too. Bella was confused why the easter bunny comes in the back door and santa comes down the chimney. She was quite hillerious at her thought process. Everyone is well. Shops are super busy! Thank the Lord! Here are some pics. Bella likes to pose for pics and pick on her little sister, as most older siblings are so good at. The boys are Rachel's cuties Jackson and Chandler. Happy easter!

Become an Itty Bitty Facebook Friend!

2009-03-28T14:32:00.004-05:00

We are working fast and furious on getting our Itty Bitty website up and running. It looks like it is going to be May when we launch. But until we can get the website launched, we are going to be posting the pictures on Facebook and updating it continuously. So become our friend at "Itty Bitty Children's Boutique" to check out our stuff. You can also be our friend for "Ye Peddler Gift Shoppe" to get facebook specials we offer at our gift shop.
We have been working with Mac and Rebecca Brown on the photography for the site and they have done an amazing job! We are wanting it to be as magical as our store is and Mac and Rebecca are truly capturing it. If you want to find out more about them, check out their website at www.macbrownphoto.com. In the mean time, become our facebook friend to get a sneak peak of what we have to offer!

2009-03-11T08:46:00.002-05:00

YES! I am alive and I am actually updating my blog! I have done more in the past 5 months than go to a UT football game. I am not going to go into too much detail, but just start over with pictures and blips of what we have been up to. I have been busy working, and Kevin has as well. We are both loving our jobs! But every down time moment that we have we have been spending with kids or each other (that has taken priority the past few months since our time is so crunched). We are well, still adjusting to small town life in columbia but know we have followed our calling in the kingdom. We terribly miss our friends and church in TX but know that we have an eternity to spend with you all! We are loving our new and old TN friends and getting plugged in to a fabulous church here. We are close to getting Itty Bitty online! In the mean time, we have started using facebook to post pictures of our stuff and we are working iwth a fantastic photographer to get all of our pics up on the web. So become a friend on my facebook(Elizabeth Hendrickson Miller) of Itty Bitty and Ye Peddler! Our website is www.shop8th .com. No promises on keeping up with my personal facebook, seeing my current track record on my blog, but I will say my goal is to do better : )
The girls are great. Mary Kate talks up a gabber storm and knows exactly what she is saying, although we don't and Bella is convinced that she is big enough to be 5 and in kindergarten.A recent funny Bellaism...her babysitter asked her, "Bella does your mom have any harispray? Bella says, NO, we only use hairspray on Halloween". This week, Kev is in Wisconsin and I am going to Dallas to market, so precious Karen is here to keep the girls and they are just thrilled!
So here is a bit of what we have been up to......

Weather...

2009-03-11T08:41:00.003-05:00

Last weekend it was in the mid 70s and gorgeous! The weekend before, we got8 inches of snow!!! What??!!! WE had a blast playing in the snow...that is me and Bella, MaryKate wanted NOTHING to do with it. It was upsetting to her to have something dirty on her hands. Here are some pics but it does not do it justice b/c my camera died...of coarse! The pic of Bella is actually from a previous snow, but I had to get her in there. So, no it is only 4 inches not 8 in that pic.

Friends tried and true

2009-03-11T08:35:00.003-05:00

I have had some EXCELLENT friend encounters recently! Lori flew in with little love muffin Colt and so she and Cristie came down to have lunch with me and visit the shop. Then, this past weekend my beautiful cousin Kyndall got married and Whitney and Bethany were there b/c Kyndall went to church with them in Dalton. Girls-I love you all and I can't tell you how it warms my soul to see you and hug you!...Bethany-continue to pray for you everyday!

And although I do not have a picture, I have had some wonderful suprise guest friends to visit the shop! Shout out to Taa Goodwin and Allison Lewis! and James Brown! It was the Best!

Texas

2009-03-11T08:30:00.003-05:00

While in Aspen, we dropped the kids off in Dallas with Minnie and pop as we flew through. Bella thought she was in heaven being "home" with her friends and fam. Mary Kate did great too with us being gone. But who doesn't love a week full of grandparent hugs and kisses...

Aspen

2009-03-11T08:12:00.005-05:00

Kevin and I took oour annual ski trip to Aspen and enjoyed time together wih NO kids! I HIGHLY recommend getting away with your honey and no little people. It is an awesome time to reconnect and enjoy each other! We skied and skied! Brent tore his ACL on Monday of the trip so he and Meghan hung out indoors. He had surgery last week and is working through recovery.

UT vs FL

2008-09-30T15:40:00.003-05:00

So we had the BEST time with Brent and Meghan at the game! Even though it was a pitiful excuse for some TN football...ol'Fulmer better watch out! It was just great to get to be with the adults, no kids. We had a blast running into old friends too! Here are some pics...

Pictures

2008-09-22T09:03:00.001-05:00

September update

2008-09-16T14:52:00.003-05:00

So, I am averaging about every 6 wks on a blog update...TERRIBLE I know! But it is the best I have got for the time. We are doing well and adjusting as each day passes. I knew that this would be a difficult transition for our family but actually going through it has been, lets call it, a stregthening process. We knew we would miss our family and friends in TX but had no idea the hole that would be in our hearts! Bella continues to request to go home everyday, which breaks my heart and asks if her FW friends can come over to play. She has probably had the most difficult time of any of us. But she is making new friends that are fun to play with. Our neighbors Olivia on the south side and Maddox on the North side are GREAT! It is so fun to just have them going back and forth to each others' homes and not worry about them. It is a breath of fresh air and step back into the "old days". Bella began school last week and she did great. SHe is making new friends there as well. She takes gymnastics one day a weekwhich she may be the next Shawn Johnson! We laugh b/c she is built just like her : ) and on day a week she has started Ballet and Tap. It is SO hillerious to watch! She may not be the most precise of any dancer, but boy she can tap her foot hard and gallop liek a horse : ) so we are really excited about her getting plugged in. We spent last weekend in the ER with her (by the grace of God it was the 1st time). SHe fell in Sunday School while spinning in circles and split her Rt eye open for the corner of her eyelid out. She did great and we chose the dermabond instead of the stitches.
Mary Kate is doing great. She has come into her own the past few weeks. Up until then she has been so laid back and easy going. But now she is becoming just like her sister. It is quite hillerious. I do have to laugh b/c I know what is ahead if this is the case. SHe has taken a few steps this week but not walking - or intereseted in doing so-by any means. SHe is a complete joy and I love watching the 2 of them together!
The shops are going great. It makes it easy when you have an unbelievable staff! We are gearing up for Christmas and can't wait! It is going to be a Wonderland!!!
Kevin and I are getting involved in church and being completely blessed by that! We are actually going to help launch a new Sunday school class in a few weeks as co leaders. We are really exited about it and covet your prayers. WE are doing great here and have loved seeing all of our TN fam and friends, however, there is an emptiness without our TX fam and friends. We press on in the duty of the Lord and can;t wait to see how he is going to use us!
We went to the beach 2 weeks ago and had a blast. It was a much needed vacation and family get away. All the pics are on my moms camera and when I get a copy I will put them up.
Karen is coming to stay with us for a week tomorrow and we are going to the UT FL football game! I CAN"T WAIT! I have not been since I left TN! I will post and let you know how mcuh fun we have! LOVE YOU ALL!
My pictures are not uploading so I will continue to try...

Open for Business!

2008-08-02T09:10:00.003-05:00

Just wanted to share some pics from our first day at Itty Bitty! It has become everything that we hoped and imagined. We are so excited and give all glory to God for His grace and mercy for bringing us to this point. Come and visit us anytime!

Itty Bitty and the girls

2008-06-29T15:33:00.004-05:00

We have been so busy around here, and I have finally taken a moment to sit and update! To continue onto to the grand Miller treck and move across the US, I can now say, our main reason for moving (included in the Lord's calling) is that I (and "we" the Miller family) am becoming part owner of the Ye Peddler gift shop in Columbia with my partner Rachel Hughes and we are together opening a children's store "Itty Bitty" on August 1st! We are SO excited! I took the pics of the before and after of the shop since we have renovated but I wanted to show you the pics that I do have of the outside so you can picture where we are. The 2 story blue house is the gift shop and the yellow cottage is the Itty Bitty. I will post pics of the inside this week.

THe girls are doing great! Bella started gymnastics this week and is a natural pro! I did not expect any less! Mary Katelyn is crawling everywhere, standing up and walking around evertything. What we thought was our laid back child has suddenly leaped into Bella mode! Tons of fun! WE also went home to Ft Worth last week to Summer Spectacular (VBS on steriods) and it was a blast! The girls and I stayed with Minnie and pop and had a blast!

A new shade of orange...

2008-05-27T13:45:00.004-05:00

SO if you have noticed, I have not posted in a LONG time! there has been SO much going on in our family that I could not talk about and once it all came about, I did not have time to write it down. Kevin and the girls are out for a bit, so I am going to take several minutes to tell you about what is going on in the Miller Family!

We are the newest residents of Columbia Tennessee!!! Yes, that is right! We have taken the big plunge and have moved from Texas back to my homeland of Columbia, TN! Our orange has changed from Tesas burnt orange to bright Vols! The Lord has led us in an incredible way to this point. We have been in deep prayer since January of this year regarding this HUGE change!! We were not looking to move but a business opportunity came about, when we were not looking and here we are! (I will go into more detail of this in a later post, don't want to completely overload with info all at once :). We decided we would take some steps of faith and would see what the Lord did with us. We knew he would guide us if this is where he wanted us but if not all of the doors would close. We put our house on the market and sold it in 2 weeks!!! In this housing market, that was a clear go for us. SO 3 weeks later, here we are in the hills of Tennessee.

We miss our friends and family in TX terribly but we have been overly welcomed and loved into our new environment. Our neighbors are incredible! Everyone has stopped by, brought cookies asked for play dates,etc. The Lord completely has placed us in the most wonderful neighborhood! We are adjusting well but are still working at the adjustments. The girls have done wonderfully!!! Bella understands that this is her new home but does ask for her old friends to come and play. She is making some new friends which has really helped. Kevin's mom, Karen, has come to be with us for 2 weeks and help out with the kiddos. We could NOT have done it without her!!! She has allowed Kevin and I to be able to work on getting the house settled and getting everything started up.
I am so COMPLETELY overwhelmed at this point I do not even know where to begin or where to end on telling you how we are in the midst of a complete faith jump and are looking forward to seeing how the Lord is going to use us in His kingdom in TN.

To my friends in TX: thank you for being there for us in all of this rapid change. your overwhelming support and love are what encouraged us in the sad and nervous and exciting times. You are here in our hearts in TN and we continue to read your encouraging notes and thougths. It has helped us so much in this time of reestablishing our family here to know that you are standing in battle in prayer for our family. We continue to covet your prayers and look forward to being with you for lots of visits soon!!!

To our TN friends: we are so thankful for ALL of your welcoming! Many of you may not have even know that we are here for good until now! It all has happened so fast! We look forward to spending precious unrushed days with you and building in our friendships here.

More details to follow, but I know everyone has been asking for pictures of the house and what is going on...so here they are!

Girls Girls Girls...

2008-03-06T15:21:00.002-06:00

So, we have had some major fun girl time the past couple of days with our friends Hadley and Gracie. Yesterday, we spent time at the park together in the beautiful sunny 70 + degrees and today we are having fun in the 30 degrees and snow!!! What is the deal with the weather?? Lindsay is awaiting miss Emmy Jo's arrival today so we are having fun friend day until she gets here!!! How much fun to play with 5 girls! here are some pics of the past few days. Oh, and the one of MK on her tummy, well, that girl is quite adventurous! I had her in her carseat un buckled while I went to the potty and I came back 1 min later to find her looking at me as proud as she can be! I have a feeling she will crawl early like her sister. I did not even hear the little sneaky one slide out!

My little big girl

2008-02-19T08:53:00.004-06:00

Well, 4 months have come and gone in a great fog! I can't believe it! The second time goes faster than the first and I am sure the 3rd is faster than the second...but I am going to leave that up to others to tell me. My little precious Mary Katelyn, after getting up 6 times 2 nights ago, slept from 11-6 last night! The beauty fo the 4 month check up is that you can start on cereal!!! Oh bless the Lord for cereal! Sleep has at last come and now I feel as though I can conquer the world again! I know this may not be a forever thing, but do you know that I have not slept through the night in over a year!! and since she has been here we have been up on average 2-3 times a night still for 1 hr at a time. YEAH Mary Kate!!! This is a pic of her last night before she got cereal, she did not feel well (shots) so she is not her normal happy self. But she could not get that cereal down fast enough. They say to feed it to them until they turn away, b/c babies, unlike me, know when to stop and when they are full. Well, this little pumkin ate 2 bowls!!! Bless her heart, she has just been hungry! So here are the 4 month stats....height 25 inch (74%), weight 14.375 (62%) and head circumference 42.5 cm (85%). Yeah Mary Kate! My precious little one!

I can't post without mentioning my bella, she has been behaving much better (not perfect, but better) in the past few days..thank you Lord. This pic of her is from her bringing me the camera and saying "here mom, hold this in case you need to take a picture of me" and then she posed until I shot one...that girl LOVES the spotlight! The other is me and my little Valentines! Sweetest gifts I know. (bella was NOT happy about having to stop playing to take a Valentine pic with mommy)

A glimpse of why...

2008-02-16T11:37:00.003-06:00

As several of you know, I have really been struggling with my precious Bella the past few months. She is one of the most strong willed kids I have ever been around. It has been very difficult, especially with a new baby, to give her the time and attention that she requires. Well, in my struggle with her from last week, I have cried out to the Lord b/c I am at my breaking point. And then He shows me why she has this bold and tenasious personality. Thursday, James came back to finish up laying the wood plank in the kitchen. We were trying to get out the door for school and as I was packing Mary Kate up, I hear Bella in her boldness ministering to James. She took her bible and opened it up to him and began, "James, do you know that the Bible is the true word of God?" He continued to work and said yes, as most people do with 3 yr olds. SHe then proceeded, "did you know that Jesus lives in my heart? He loves me so Very much!" Then she began flipping through her Bible and showing him stories of Noah and ANgels. He looked through it with her for just a bit but proceeeded on to his work. I pray she planted the great seed in him. I know that I struggle daily with directing her in the right path. I feel like all I do all day long is discipline and fight to direct her in a heart of obedience. But this moment was a small glimpse from God showing me why He gave her this strong personality. It is to minister to others and spread His word with great boldness. I continue to pray that I direct her in the way of Him and her great passion is used to His glory!

Airport Security...love it and hate it!

2008-02-08T16:44:00.000-06:00

I was so pumped today b/c my mom and dad are on their way to Aspen and were connecting in Dallas and had a 1 1/2 hour lay over. I was sad that Kevin and I do not get to go this year to ski with them but next year we will be SO on our game and ready to hit the slopes! So, the girls and I planned to meet them at the baggage claim beside their departing gate to Colorado so they could come out for about 45 min and we could see each other. Well, Pres Bush decided to fly into the Nashville airport this morning delaying their flight for over an hour. Did you know they shut the entire airport down when he comes to town?? I do love my President and appreciate that they try to keep everyone safe in the airports but why this time did he choose to delay their flight : ( So they did not have time to come out and of coarse security after tears and begging would not let me go behind the glass just for a hug. So, as they ran across the airport to catch their flight, me and the girls stood by the glass and waved. I will say it was the most pitiful sight for us to have hand to hand through the glass and that being as close as we could get..stupid terrorist. I miss the days where it was safe for anyone to go to the gate and greet your family and friends! So after our seconds of seeing each other across the window pane, we said our goodbyes and the girls and I strolled our way back to the car with sad little eyes.

Here is a recent pic (for you mom and dad) that I took so that you can get a better look. Bella continues to challenge me daily to be a better mom and Mary Kate has yet to sleep through the night but she is always so happy to see me so I still smile at 11, 1, 4 and 6 as we continue to have our bonding time. SHe is rolling and scooting everywhere! I can't take my eyes off of her. And Bella takes the liberty of picking her up whenever she pleases...very scary.

We are heading to TN Feb 25-Mar 2 and would love to meet up with friends! Hope to see you then! Love you all to pieces!!!

Ready for normal...

2008-02-08T16:33:00.001-06:00

SO, the miller family has been in complete craziness the past 6 weeks. As of yesterday, we have most of the remodling done. We still have the kitchen and bedrooms to go, but they are soon to follow. This is what we have been living in....half of the house has been boxed up and we are now about to unpack the playroom/den and dining room and now pack up the kitchen and bedrooms to be completed. I am SO ready to have my home back. It is so chaotic, it makes me feel like my whole life is in chaos. But on a positive note...I LOVE my new floors and carpet! We not only did the floors but had to re-sheetrock in the playroom and utility room. And we repainted and textured the walls. Here are some after pics...

Merry Miller Christmas

2008-01-13T16:42:00.000-06:00

We spent Christmas eve at Kevin's mom and dads house. The kids had a blast all being together all night. We did too. Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas as well. I will try to keep my blog updated going forward! I think I have finally caught up and made up for lost posts : )

BTW this last pic is Bella and Jackson that I forgot to put on my TN post.

Tender Tennessee Christmas

2008-01-13T16:30:00.000-06:00

Here are some pics from our TN Christmas. i lovE Having Meghan around. She is so much fun and I love her dearly (as do the girls). The little boy with Bella is my dear friend Rachel's son Jackson. They love to play when we go home.

Christmas 07

2008-01-13T16:10:00.000-06:00

Here are some Christmas pics. We went to Neimans for our annual pics with Santa with our cousins Maylen and Manning. You will notice Bella's new fetish of sunglasses. We had a blast but were all worn out after the outing! Bella LOVED Santa coming to visit the house but is still not sure bout sitting in his lap this year! Her big presents were the Barbie jeep (which she drives out of control into the bushes), an art easel and a princess tent (that was MUCH bigger than the pic on the box!! turned out to be 5x5x6!!!). But what does she love the most? Cinderella Polly Pockets and chapstick. When we will ever learn that kids don't have to have everything!

Long overdue..

2008-01-12T15:37:00.000-06:00

Mary Kate's first day of school: )

So, I am sure that everyone has stopped checking my blog since it has been 2 1/2 months since I have posted. All I can say is, I knew it was going to rock my world when my mom left after being here for 2 weeks post Mary Kate, but little did I know the shaking that would occur. Lets just say blogging did not make the list of "survival mode". I am not going to go into much detail of the past few months, just highlights and then I am going to post pictures of different things. We spent Thanksgiving in TN with my family and had a blast. my grandfather Charlie was very sick and so I flew home early and spent 11 days there to spend special priceless time with him.

We went to Tn the week before Christmas and my papa Charlie went to be with the Lord on Dec 19. What an addition to the heavens he is! I wish you all had hours to read or listen to the marvelous things about him. He was about to be 93 and so with it! At his funeral the words repeated over and over were "honor, integrity, character, true gentleman, no one like him, the standard for all men (besides Christ of coarse)". A friend put it best, he was one that after you had been with him, you felt as if you knew the Lord better b/c he was so wonderful! I look forward to being with him and my granny in the presence and glory of the Lord one day! Thank you Father for the hope of eternity we have in you!

We returned to TX on Christmas eve and spent Christmas with the MIller family! MUch fun! We spent the night all at Kevin's parents house filled with much laughter and celebration. The girls had a blast!

Following Christmas, our house has flooded and we have been dealing with it for the past 2 weeks. Much damage and we are now getting all new floors and a few rooms of baseboards and bead boards. So, the house is in a mess and will be until we get all new installed. Thank you Lord for insurance and even though we would not have chosen to remodle at this time, we are thankful for the help in $$ from insurance companies. God is always good: )

As for the family, we are all well. Bella continues to crack us up in her vocabulary. She has a word of the day that she tries to use all day and then finally (or still working on it sometimes) gets down what it means. Our recent words have been "obvious and usually" just to give an example. It is so funny to hear the ways she uses them and then we redirect them to a correct use. She has asked several times about returning mary Kate but we continue to explain she is here to stay.

Our precious Mary Kate will be 3 months old next week! How time flies!!! She is such a joy. Is she sleeping?...not yet...but hopefully it is soon to come. She began laughing this week and her coos and goos make my night time chats with her very enjoyable. At least she is not up crying all night : ) She started school this week and goes to "nursery school" while I work. It is not so bad b/c I am just down the hall and I see her all day long.

Hope to begin keeping the blog updated from now on. We are finally beginning to get the hang of this no sleep and balancing 2. I love each of you!

This is my precious papa charlie at his 90th birthday party. (Bella was 6 mo)

Happy Halloween!

2007-10-31T15:37:00.001-05:00

OK, so now that I have updated you on life with Mary Kate, here are some fun pics of my Bella. She wanted to be (and I encouraged her) a cheerleader for Halloween. You have seen the previous pics of her cheering, she LOVES it! So, this was a great way for us to get dressed up and not have to work too hard. Our fave cousin Maylen was also a cheerleader and we thought that was the greatest thing ever!!! I also took some pics of my little spooks this morning as sisters. Poor Mary Kate is not quite strong enough to hold herself up against her big sis but Bella does the best job at loving on her! She thinks it is the greatest thing in the world to hold "her baby" as she calls her. I LOVE having little princess pumpkins! Happy Halloween!

Mary Kate at 2 weeks

2007-10-31T15:15:00.000-05:00

These girls look so much alike! This is Mary Kate in Bella's Halloween outfit and the next pic is one of my all time FAVES! of Isabella, Hayley and Ava on our first trip to the pumpkin patch. Can you believe how much they look alike??? Mary Kate would not wake up for the pic but you can still get the idea.

Well, we have made it to the 2 week marker and I feel that this is managable. Although, my mom is still here, thank the Lord, and if you ask me next week, I may tell you differently. But as for now, all of my anxiety of shifting family life from family of three to family of four has subsided. This is do-able! Not to excuse away any feelings of I would really love some sleep, but I can handle it. Mary Kate is an amazing baby. If all babies were this good, I think that I would have several more! She sleeps in 3 to 4 hour segmanets at night already (that is after feeding her too!!) which I can totally do! Bella I would only get about 45 min of sleep in between feeding her if I was lucky, but MK is a much more laid back and sleeping baby. I am not quite sure how to handle this. She is still a very determined one though. Last night, on her 2 week bday, she was ALREADY rolling from tummy to back! and the first week we were home she could almost get from her back to tummy. She just gets her arm caught under her but she definatly throws herself on her side! She may be milder tempered but she has Bella's strength and determination! We were excited b/c at our Drs appt yesterday in 1 week she had gained 12 oz!!! putting her at 7 lbs 6 oz! What a little chunk! So, if you are wondering, she eats like a champ! I am LOVING having my 2 girls. Isabella sings to Mary Kate nonstop. Her favorite is singing "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart". It is the most precious thing I have ever seen or heard! She loves her baby sister so very much! Now, don't let me fool you, we have our tantrum moments and times when she is really testing me, but overall, she has taken the change with much grace and love! I know you are all really just interested in the pics, so here they are. I can drive now and I am itching to get out and about so I hope to get back in the swing this week! Love you all!

This is Mary Kate...is this hereditary???

More Pics

2007-10-21T15:38:00.001-05:00

Happy Anniversary! Welcome Home!

2007-10-21T14:31:00.000-05:00

So, our 4th anniversary was spent this year bringing home the number 4 addition to our family. What a wonderful gift! Sorry I got behind on updating, the internet went down in the hospital and then we have been on go since we have gotten home Thurs afternoon. All is going well. We are delighting in our family of four! It has been such a blessing!

Mary Kate is an absolute angel. I ahve never seen a better baby! She eats like a champ, and I have to wake her up everytime to feed her...even in the night! She only cries every once in a while. We took her to her 4 day check up and she was slightly jaundis(no idea how to spell) but it is not bad enough to put her under the lamp. We just have to set her in front of the windows during the day and that has really helped. I know the day is coming when it is hard, but as for now, this is totally managable.

Bella is the sweetest most precious big sis in the world! She is so interested in Mary Kate in a sweet way. If she makes a peep, Bella comes running and says "Mommy, Mary Kate needs you". Kevin and I took Bella to get a pumpkin at the pumpkin patch yesterday so the three of us could spend a little time together. Went pretty well except she did not want to leave the bounce house. But we did choose a pumpkin and had some good 3some Q.T.

Funny Bella stories of late: For her 3rd birthday she got a fisher price digital camera from my brother Brent and Meghan. If you do not have one for your little one, it is a must have! She somehow last weekend snuck it into church and pulled it out during communion Sunday morning and took pics of everyone during communion. It was so funny b/c she kept going where none of us could get to her. They dim the lights so the flash was going off like crazy. It was quite entertaining. Now she likes to use the camera at my most vulnerable times. Like when I am going to the bathroom (all of you moms know what a process that is the first few weeks) and when I am nursing MK. So, thank goodness for digital cameras that the pics can be deleted from!

So, enough talking and updating. Here are some pics of the girls. It will take a few posts to get them all on. Love you all and thanks for all of the prayers and calls and encouragement!

Mary Kate has arrived!

2007-10-17T08:02:00.001-05:00

Well, she is here! And it is no trick this time! I went to my appt yesterday w/Dr Robert and my blood pressure was high. She kept me for a while and checked three times and it never dropped, so she sent me upstairs with papers in my hands to order an induction....wooohooo! I was pumped. I could not get a hold of Kevin b/c he was on a sales call but finally did about 40 min later. My mom and dad hopped on the 6:40 flight to DFW and made it for the big arrival. I moved really slow for a while. Started my petocin at 3:30 and broke my water at 4:30. Got my epidural at 6:30. I stayed at a 4 and 100% until 10:30 and by 11:10 I was at a 10 and ready to push. My epidural was not in full force so I was really feeling it. It just took the edge off which was great. I was dying to go and I had to wait for Dr Robert which took about 10 min...longest 10 min ever! and breathe through not pushing when she was about to hit the floor.. Pushed for 2 min and she was out! So the stats are 6 lbs 15 oz and 19 1/2 inches long. She looks a lot like Bella as a newborn but has some good black hair. She was born at 11:28 pm so she is an Oct 16th baby! She is eating well so that is encouraging. I am doing Great!! I am a little sore (obviously) but God was so sweet to keep me safe and well and Mary Kate as well. So here are the pics, what you really care about. I have not seen her a lot so we will post some additional pics today that are better, but here is a sneak peak! Love you all and thank you for your prayers. God is good and faithful. I give Him all praise and glory for our new arrival. We commit to Him to raise another daughter for His kingdom purposes.

Last family of 3 pics!

2007-10-03T17:14:00.001-05:00

Jenn took some great pics of Bella and our family yesterday as we get ready for the arrival of Mary Kate. Now, I am well aware of my hugeness, but I LOVE that it is my sweet baby girl Mary Kate that is all grown! And I am actually within my target weight (not so much like with Bella). Please know that the angles shot were purposely to show "big Belly" and that yes, I did choose to wear polka dots, a cardinal nono rule if you are trying to look slimmed down. But there are some great shots of our family and Bella for her 3 yr old pics. Hope you enjoy! I am about to pop...really : ) Went to the Dr today and she said I am well on my way and could be anytime from this point on! I schedule my induction date next Tues, so I will let you all know when that is!!! It is quickly approaching!!!! For pics go to...
www.storyteller-photography.com
enter site
choose proofs at bottom of page
password is: elizabeth

Thoughts of my Bella

2007-10-01T16:48:00.000-05:00

My sweet Isabella has been cracking me up today and I thought I would share. This morning on the way to school, we called Mimi (my mom) like always to say hi. Well, I have always wondered what kids think about talking on the phone and Bella let me know what she thinks...she held the phone close to her shouting "Mimi, are you in there?" "Mimi,are you in those buttons?" She was very concerned about her miniture mimi that was stuck inside of my cell phone behind the buttons. We tried to explain that Mimi was in TN not inside of the phone but an almost 3 yr old does not quite get that : )
I went by her class to peek in on her as I always love to do while I am at work and her teacher, Ms Jill (whom I adore!!!), said that on the playground today a little boy that is a little roudy went up to Bella and just growled really loud in her face. She said most of the girls shy away and whine / cry when he does that but not Miss Bella, she said she looked at him and just growled right back in his face as loud a she could and sent him on his way. Ms Jill told me there is no need to worry about her, she holds her own.
And while I am speaking of Ms Jill, may I tell you why I love her so much. Today I was walking by their class and she said Bella was on the potty trying to poop (still has not happened) and Ms Jill was standing there with her doing a cheer about Poop in the potty and then asking if Bella needed a book and encouraged her to take her time as she cheered her on, you can do it! I love that her teachers are so amazing and cheer her on in Everything just like I would and do. How blessed are we by Young Childrens World!!!

Comments of the week

2007-09-29T08:43:00.000-05:00

This is just a little humor for all of you gals out there. Mindy was with me on Thursday and we got so tickled at how the comments NEVER stop on my belly : ) I had told her how outragous it was and she witnessed it for herself. It is one after another. The funny thing is, it is ALWAYS the most entertaining at church and mostly from women who have children...have they forgotten what happens when pregnant? Just wanted to give you some giggles to ponder on for the day...some people truly amaze me at the lack of filter on their mouth. Thankfully, I am totally comfy in my prego body. I love it! I am glad my belly is growing bigger and bigger b/c it means my baby girl is continuing to grow! Thank you Lord for that! Here we go...
*"you are preeeggggnnaaannt!" (my thought-what was your first clue?)
*while staring at my stomach in close range..."goooood grrrieeff" (my thought-yes, and there is a baby in there, it is called being pregnant)
*the regular..."you are about to pop" (my thought-yes, and if you would like to see my stretch marks it will really make you wonder)
*"when are you due?...oh, you will NEVER make it that long"(Oh yes I surely will and I am sure I will have to be induced too!)
*and for my favorite of the week..."you are BIG! (very simply put) are you allowed to walk when you are that big (it was a serious question)?" (yes, I am! and did you not notice my precious 3 inch stiletto heels that I can still manage to walk in ALL day mind you and carry a toddler and diaper bag at the same time?!...this was obviously a comment from a man...and one that I barely know at that.)

Hope you enjoyed...I will let you know of some others as I recieve them. I am sure they will stack up this weekend as I am working all weekend at church and that is when the fly at their prime! I do get quite a kick out of this! I just think to myself, too bad you did not know me on my first baby when I was 20 lbs ahead of this! You could have really had fun with that! hehhehee : )

24 days and counting!

2007-09-26T09:47:00.000-05:00

Profile shot (forehead on right and chin to the left)
2nd picture is face staight on with her forehead tilted toward the right

I had my final sonogram yesterday to check and make sure miss Mary Kate is looking healthy and ready to arrive and sure enough she is! I thank the Lord for a healthy little one! She was right at 6lbs already! You may not be able to tell in the pics but one shot is a profile shot and the other is a face shot straight on with mouth open wide (I know if you are not used to seeing these they are very hard to decifer). The Dr said it is almost like she is laughing in all of her pics. I am sure she is b/c I know she is a happy girl! The only suprising news we recieved is that of her "big head". I will say I am a little nervous about this one. If any of you moms out there experienced it, any advice would be great : ) Apparently she is measuring a week ahead of schedule in general but her head is measuring 2 weeks ahead of her body. Dr said it would even out eventually but not looking forward to the delivery portion. I already asked Kylie to make me some extra big bows for proportion : ) My original "due date" is Oct 27 (which they are not changing) but she said if I had not had her by the 20th she is inducing...thus the 24 days! OH MY that is soon! So, I am pretty ready. I have a few more clothes to wash but if she came today I would be ready as could be! We are super excited and Bella keeps asking about her.

As for my sweet Bella, she woke up this morning and I said, "did you sleep good?" and she looked at me and said "yes, but I really was missing you". Ok, kids are the best! Love that sweet precious gift and I can't wait to get another one! Talk to you all soon! God bless!

Here are some nursery pics..it is hard to capture the full view but I hope you can get an idea. I love it!

May I add a thought...

2007-09-20T09:45:00.000-05:00

I just dropped Bella off at school and recieved one of "those comments". This tiny girl in all spandex - biking shorts and spandex workout top- that looked so cute saw me and said, "oh, another me! you waddle just like I do". OK, first of all, I could not even tell she was pregnant, secondly, yes, I am well aware of the waddling, thank you as you bounce very cutely in your tennis shoes. Oh, to bounce so cutely myself : ) Believe I would GREATLY frighten the neighbors if I wore that! (she looked great in it of coarse) Don't think I will even fit into the spandex post prego : )

Busy week

2007-09-20T07:00:00.000-05:00

So since I have last written, I have much to say. All of the blogs written in my head the past 2 weeks have yet to make it to the computer..anyone relate?

So, last update I raved of the Dr that helped us out in Destin...since then, I have changed my tune quite a bit! That Monday, after I wrote my blog on Sunday, I took Bella to her normal pediatrician b/c he wanted to follow up on her since she had seen someone else, very thankful for him. He checked her out and what the Dr - who should not be in practice in Destin- called allergies, was a case of double ear infection and walking pneumonia! I knew she was not herself but thought, if the Dr says allergies, it must be. She had almost recovered by the time we returned home but still had evidence of it (so do not fear fellow moms that she has played with your children). My amazing pediatrician, Dr Tran, said it was a good thing my dad had put her on an antibiotic or it would have been bad! The Destin Dr. said she had wax build up in her tubes, Dr Tran said it was puss that was clogging them and had been there for the week and no wonder she had such a bad plane ride. The Destin Dr said, "her chest is clear". Dr Tran heard the rattling that he said was some that was left over from the week. Moral of the story, a good pediatrician is a huge blessing! and never doubt your mommy instincts : ) She is now better and on high dose of antibiotics trying to clear out her tubes. I will let you know next week about the follow up.

As for the big events in our lives, Bella started back to preschool last week. Oh what a big girl! I can't believe she will be 3 in two weeks! She LOVES school and has wonderful teachers this year. I am somewhat sad b/c they had to separate her from some of her favorite friends from last year. There were 3 of them that were trouble makers together and they had to all go their separte ways...not suprised and I do get a kick out of it. She is doing great and I adore her teachers!

She also had her debue moment as a cheerleader! Her big cousin Maylen-who she thinks hung the moon and can't get enough of- cheered with her. It was the cutest thing in the world! Those girls are so precious together! She only speaks now of going to the ballgames and needing to practice her cheerleading. She tells me she is going to her room to practice and I will peek in and she is trying to do cartwheels..so funny! I do appreciate, as a mom, the precious Jr High girls that invite her out to participate with them. It really means so much! And Uncle Daren (Kev's brother) is the coach so she can't wait to go and cheer him on too. Bella adores her family!

My dearest of girlfriends also hosted a precious shower for Miss Mary Kate (we missed you Calista!). We actually did a desert party at my house which worked out great! I did not have to transport things and it was best since we did not know if I would still be on bedrest or not. Did I mention that I have taken myself off of that? I told my Dr and she was ok with it and said at least I was honest. I am NOT good at it and admire anyone who truly does it for a long period of time. Due date is in 5 weeks but Dr Robert has said if I have not had her in 4 weeks, she is going to induce...that is SOON! So, I am busy washing all of Bella's old things and some of MK's new things to get ready. I will post nursery pics after I get everything washed and picked up from the room (lots of baby laundry sorted in there). I am growing by the day and so is MK. I have a sonogram on Tues and I will post pics if they get any good ones. They think (not for sure) she may be close to 5 lbs now and 18 inches long...I sure feel every bit of it! And have begun to recieve the "you must be due any day...really!, you have that much longer....you will never make it....is it twins? You must be miserable...etc" I actually feel great and I am ok with it being several weeks away. I am one of those that many hate, I LOVE to be pregnant! I am so sad that it is almost over even if I am a little uncomfy, it is so worth it! So, count down is on! My hands are profusly sweating as I type this in awe and nervousness : ) I am trying to soak my precious Bella up for all she is worth b/c I know I am not going to have this alone time with her as I normally have, but I thank God that He is adding another daughter into our lives so that our love can grow even greater!

I am not sleeping great, going to the bathroom like 5 times a night and MK is like clock work on when she wakes up. She is just getting me on her schedule : ) Bella has been getting up a lot too. She is ready to go about 4 am...not fun! So, we are a little tired around here but just getting ready for being a lot tired : ) Love you all! Enjoy pics from our past 2 weeks....

Home and Refreshed

2007-09-09T14:13:00.000-05:00

Well, to my dismay, we have returned from the beach. I could live there in a heartbeat! It is my favorite place that the good Lord has created for me to enjoy! Now, don't get me wrong, I do love me some snow-skiing and mountains, but there is just something to be said about sitting in my little chair with my feet in the sand listening to some Michael Buble and the waves crashing in and sipipng on my Pina Colada (non alcoholic I add for all you skeptics : ). Oh how I long to return!

It started out rough. We left Sat morning and got on the plane and as soon as we took off Isabella started going NUTS with her ears! As much as we fly, she has NEVER been in such pain. I was a basket case, but once again, my amazing Kevin to the rescue! He rocked, walked and held her as she screamed, sweated and shook and cried in pain as I have never seen her do. He finally got her calmed down about the longest 30 or 40 min of my life! I reflected on it a lot this week on how it hurts so bad when your children hurt and there is nothing you can do to make it stop. I don't think you ever understand the pain your parents speak of until you are one. I thought of how our heavenly Father feels when we hurt and He cradles us in His loving arms as we walk through fires. So, anyway, we got her on an antibiotic and ear drops as soon as we arrived to help with the oncoming ear infection. She felt better through the week but never really was herself. We had to take turns staying with her in the room a lot so she could rest (she would take like 4 hour naps!!!) I took her to a Dr in Destin who was GREAT and he said that all looked clear by TUes and to carry on as normal. It was just her allergies. I am so tired of hearing this! I have an appt with her pediatrician on Monday to see if we can get to the bottom of these allergies. It is causing way too many issues.

Anyway. We had an amazing time. I ate enough for all of you reading this and then about 100 times more. I am pretty sure I have gained like 10 pounds this week. I am trying to eat salads and get back on healthier thoughts than fried seafood before my appt on Tues.

Isabella loved the beach as much as me! Kevin loves it too but if he had to choose you would find him on the slopes in Aspen. We had a MAJOR accomplishment of Bella learned how to swim this week!!!! You got it! "Ms Jody woud be so proud" she would say (jody Allison her swim teacher). She is not totally on her own but can go about 15 feet by herself. She smiles so big while swimming she swallows half of the pool comes up for a good cough and then is ready to go again! I cannot believe it! My internal thought was to have her swimming by the end of next summer (older threes) but this summer, NO WAY! She was so proud of herself! I will get the pics on later this week. My mom has them b/c my camera ran out of batteries that day...of coarse! But I am SO proud of my precious little fish! She may not be completely potty trained, but my goodness she can swim : )

Some quotes of the week of hers. She is learning that using her manners can get her about anything : ) so now everytime I ask her something in a yes or no form. She replies,
"no, but thank you though" and bats her little eyes with such satisfaction. She is a little con artist at many points b/c I just melt! and she knows it! There was a dead locust on the side of the pool and she proceeded to tell everyone laying out around us that it had just run out of batteries and just needed some new ones. She has moved on from not only calling me Elizabeth but to calling everyone else by their first name too as my mom is "Pam" and my dad is "Vance" etc. We had many threats of discipline and many follow throughs as well. I caught her letting her baby doll have it one time, "Now, make your choice do you want a spanking or do you want to obey?". The worst is the faces she makes and the firmness in her voice, do I really look and sound that bad??? She would strip down as we left the beach to NOTHING and it took all I had to get her in a cover up to walk through the hotel. She did not like the sand on her if she was not playing in it. so we would stand at the shower stations just off of the beach with her naked as can be just taking a shower. It was quite interesting how she would continue to ask stangers if she could use their shower when I would not turn one on for her...all in her natural state of coarse. I promise this girl would be naked all day everyday if someone would let her.

Well, that is all for now. I am getting BIG and only have 47 days to go!!! I pulled out those clothes from when I was pregnant with Bella that I thought, surely I won't wear those this time...oh but I can! OH MY!!! Can't wait! Miss Mary Kate is just over 4 lbs now and 17 inches long. And I sure feel like it too! Can't wait to meet her!

Here are some vacation pics. Of coarse I am having trouble getting the captions to go where the should, so here is a short description:

Brent and my hottie sis-in-law Meghan

One of the few family photos we got. Bella is in this weird stage of smiling silly. Can't get her to not. I know all kids go through it.

Bella playing on the beach

My mom and Bella watching the fireworks show on the beach. My dad and I wondered who was having more fun, mom or Bella? But Bella LOVED the fireworks she was ultra dramatic "it's gorgeous, it's beautiful, I just can't believe how wonderful!"...don't know where she gets it from :)

Dad and Bella, they had a great time together! She is Papa's little buddy!

Destin, here we come!!!

2007-08-29T08:40:00.000-05:00

So, from the title you can tell that I had a wonderful Drs appt yesterday. Thank you Lord! I have not progressed in 3 weeks so they are thinking that my body just goes into prep mode early on. But I am still taking it easy and being careful...until I hit that 36-37 week mark, I am on the move to help speed things along!!! I was doing to much before all of this and making it go faster than it should, but now that I listened to my warning, all is well. As my dad said, "I am glad something finally pulled the rug from under you and slowed you down...you wouldn't listen to us." So, it obviously takes something major(unfortuatly) to get my attention to take care of myself. But Dr Robert said all was well and have a great time at the beach! And that I will! 8 days in my favorite place in the world with lots of extra helping hands to assist in my busy little one! And OH how I dream of all of the seafood!!! It is my favorite!! My last trip home was so stressful so I am really looking forward to spending time with the family and relaxing together.
As for my dear and precious Kevin, I continue to ask him to help me in my nesting. I feel so great and want to get so much done but I know I can't do it myself anymore. So, I have suggested the garage clean out, he (by own choice with help from a dear friend) worked on fixing our sprinkler system, and has helped me by cleaning out the guest room take it (bed, dresser, etc.) apart and move in all of the baby furniture...this is all since Saturday. I feel so guilty as I continue to suggest and do not help but his precious servant heart and strong arms have accomplished so much! it makes my heart leap with joy! My goal is to have the nursery set this week before we go to the beach. It is super cute and coming together just as it was in my designing head. I will update you upon our glorious rested return with our marvelous tans (excluding Bella and her translucent skin of coarse). Thank you for all of your sweet prayers and concerns for our dear little Mary Kate! Love you all!!!

Less than 9 weeks to go!

2007-08-25T09:58:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone! So much has happened in the past few weeks I don't even know where to start so I will only highlight. I went to TN for a visit end of July / first of Aug. This was my "last trip" pre-Mary Katelyn but it was a crazy one! My grandfather (dad's dad) is 93 and has been in excellent condition-driving, goes to the gym 3 days a week, does it all on his own, etc. Well, before I got to TN he took a turn for the worst and was in the hospital. Come to find out he is infected with Asbestass (sp?) from all of his years of plant management. So wierd but has caused his health to dramatically decrease over the past several weeks. So, I spent a lot of my trip in the hospital with him. I was so thankful that I was able to be there. It is so hard to be away from family in times like this. They lost my luggage that week and it was EXTREMELY stressful although I tried to not let it bother me. I wore the same thing everyday-not a big deal. But Bella's blankies and Mr Bear was in there, my Prada handbag (last connection to my Neiman's days but I was willing to part with it), almost ALL of my maternity clothes (replacable) but the biggie was ALL of my work files were in there that I did not have a backup to...yikes! But thankfully the Lord helpedit to reappear after 6 days of stressing...once agian, reminder to depned on Him : )

When I got home I went for my 28 week appt and I was telling the Dr how this time Mary Katelyn felt so much lower and I had Braxton Hicks some already. She checked me just in case, thankfully! I was already dialated to a 1 and 50% effaced. So, I have been put on modified bedrest this month...of coarse my busiest season of recruiting for church. I have to go in weekly to get checked and tested for an enzyme that is present to indicate if I will deliver within 2 weeks of the test. not easy to take it easy when you work, have a toddler and family to care for and need to take care of the baby on the way. So, Kev and I prayed that my body would reverse all of its progression. God was faithful and I went in this past week and had gone in reverse on my dialating...who knew you could do that! Thank you Lord!!!

So, now I am trying to stay down as much as possible, but I do not behave as I should. Kevin has been so amazing! I am sure many of you feel the same but there is that overwhelming feeling of the Lord's hand in our marriage. I cannot explain what a gift my precious husband is to me and how he is my perfect soulmate. I am SO thankful that the Lord orchestrates these things when we allow Him to. He knows exactly who we need. Kevin has been doing EVERYTHING around the house-laundry, dishes, dinner, Bella's needs, you name it! I feel like will never be able to describe my thanks to him. I only pray that the Lord heaps blessings all over him for his precious servant heart!

As for little Miss thang Bella, she continues to light up our life and fill it with laughter. She keeps us on our toes and is beginning to SOMEWHAT mellow out. She talks non stop and is quite busy, still above average on the busy scale but she is getting more managable. Her precious little soul invites everyone with us everywhere we go and is so considerate to anyone when she sees them asking if they have had a good day at school. We have accomplished tting in the potty, the other, still NO success, but it will come. She refuses to wear panties, which I do not understand, but as long as she goes, it is fine with me. I would however, appreciate the money saving of washable underware. The other day she was saying something and just hit her leg laughing and said, "I just crack myself up!" Such a little mess.

As for Mary Katelyn, her bedding is done (see pic) but I still have to put the nursery together. Here is a pic for your previewing pleasure. I will let you all know how my Dr appt goes this week and if she allows me to go to Destin for Labor day....I PRAY SO!!! Until then, God bless!

Here it is...can't miss it!

2007-07-23T14:51:00.001-05:00

Hey everyone! After requests I am bravely posting belly pics (I apologize for lack of cuteness but it has been a long weekend). I don't know what it is about the 2nd time around (for me at least) my body is acting like I am 90! It is doing all of the ugly things that I by passed the first pregnancy and felt so cute! I have really "popped out" as several have begun to comment. I feel pretty good considering! I am in my 26th week and I can't believe how fast it is going this time. It seems as though my appts with my OB come around and I think I have just gone to see her. We have officially decided to name her Mary Katelyn but she will be called Mary Kate. We loved the name Katelyn and it was a front runner for Bella's first name so we figure, why not use it? She is a VERY active one. I must say that I am not shocked by any means and to be quite honest if I did have a calm one, I don't know if I would konw what to do! She is on the move constantly! Jayce and I watched my tummy move during small group last night (slight distraction from the video Bible study) but it is just crazy how much she is on the go. At my 24 week appt. the nurse was laughing b/c every time she tried to listen to the heartbeat, Miss Mary Kate did not enjoy it apparently and you would see her "knocking or kicking" from the inside of my tummy all around where the doppler was wherever she moved it. Guess she knows she has a big sister who she is going to have to fight for some attention from! Speaking of, little miss Bella thing is non stop all of the time (no change). She talks so much that sometimes I just start laughing b/c I think, will she ever take a breath? We continue to potty train and it is going much better. She does not like panties and we have bought a million different kinds (and let her pick them out). But I don't care for the moment as long as she goes in the potty. She has not ventured more than tete ...any suggestions for the other? We have many bribes on the table pending she will go but it is not enough for her. She makes Kev and I leave the room for her to "go all by myself". We peek in the door and find her reading books on the potty...so funny! We got caught taking a pic of her. Her most recent learning is that of whistling. If kev and I are not paying attention she will shout "hey you guys (insert whistle better than mine) I said..."She does not let us miss a thing! We laugh all day long after catching our breath from chasing her. Her fave game is hide and seek and we play SEVERAL times a day. The great part about it is whether she is the hider or the seeker, she can't wait once it is ready or not here I come and she is off to reveal herself! SO I rarely have time to hide or if she is hiding, she never stays long.

Not much going on for now. Just busy recruiting at work for my school year teachers...all 558 of them! I will be in TN next week so I would love to catch up with some of you! It will be my last trip until Mary Kate is here! Love you all!

Last set of pics...

2007-07-09T09:31:00.001-05:00

More pics from the wedding...

2007-07-09T09:24:00.001-05:00

Brent, Meghan, Dad, Mom, Me and Kevin...happy birthday sweet Kevin!

Brent and Kevin were "putting out the vibe"

Lori Mycoskie 7.7.07

2007-07-09T08:55:00.000-05:00

Bride's cake and Lori gives a toast!

Lori's family Julie, mom Cheryl, Lori and Ashley

Groom's Cake was a guitar for Jordan..it was awesome and delicious!

I know several of you are waiting to see the pics from Lori's wedding, so, here it goes! It was SO BEAUTIFUL! and tons of fun! We started out on Friday with a lingerie shower for her and then went to rehearsal and then to the rehearsal dinner. The dinner was at this beautiful home outside under the oak trees. They served steak and chicken. They had lots of speeches and a slide show. Lori looked so beautiful and I of coarse missed a pic of her that night. I will try to get one from her to share later. My mom and dad came up and Brent and Meghan..full house at the millers and it was a blast!Saturday was the big day and we started out with an 11 o'clock luncheon. We then had a couple of hours to get ready and were at the church by 5. She looked more beautiful than I have ever seen her. And if you can't tell by the pics, she is super skinny these days. They did not see each other before the ceremony so it was slightly emotional, but considering, they held it together very well. After the ceremony in a gorgeous old church in downtown fort worth, the guests had a cocktail reception at Bass hall (our preforming arts center) while we took pics. Then everyone moved to the reception. It was a sit down dinner with hot pink and orange table cloths and some with sequins. It was just fabulous! They had an amazing band and we danced the night away until 1 am and then they left to go to Jamaica for 10 days! Jordan sang to her at the reception and it was really sweet. It was too much fun having Cristie and Leslie in town. We were all terribly sad to see each other go! SO, here are the pics. It may take a few posts but I want you to feel like you got to be there. Love all of you gals and wish that you were here!!!!

Reminders from Bella

2007-06-27T10:00:00.001-05:00

So, this will be short (compared to the last) but when I have time, I like to try and record things about Isabella, or I so often forget. This morning, she came in to wake me up early as she loves to do with "here are your sunglasses (she hands me my glasses to see) and here is your rope (my robe, she does NOT like for me to be uncovered in ANY way...not even just my pjs) and told me she was ready for her glass of milk. I stumbled through as I always do. And I turned on Dora as she requested so I could get my eyes to open and begin my quiet time. She handed me my Bible and said, "will you read the Bible to me?" OF COARSE! I replied.. She so tenderly reminded me and said "it is so good for you to read your Bible, it has everything in there to help you." My heart is so full when those little teachings that I have done or she has learned at church emerge from her heart. So often I think that she is just not listening or does not understand, but oh does she ever. And does she ever bring those teachings back to me as a student of her. What a sweet blessing! I read to her about Rachel and Leah and how children are such blessings to have. I talked to her about how much of a joy she is to me and a gift that God gave to me and Kevin. And she did agree, "yes, I am a joy". Oh how I love her and thank the Lord for His blessings in children! He teaches me so much through my child and I can't wait to see how he will use 2 precious girls to continue to remind me of His mercy, grace, love and blessings.
On a totally different note, we had a potty break through this morning. I took a break yesterday and decided I was going to try again next week as she was TOTALLY not interested and squated on my leg the other day proclaiming, I DID IT...knowing that she did not and gave me a warm trickle down my leg. This morning she got up and went straight to the potty all by herself while I scrambled out of bed and then she did it on her own again and came to tell me she had. Guess I need to stop pushing and she will come around when she is ready : ) Thank you Lord for reminding me of patience and timing is not in my hands...

Finally an update

2007-06-25T12:49:00.000-05:00

So, I am well aware of the 6 week break that I have taken from updating you all on what is going on. But honestly, this is the first moment that I have had to breathe in the past 6 weeks. SO much has happened and this will be a marathon read, but I will try to keep it as short as my wordy self can.

May and June have been crazy (understatement) at church! I had to recruit for my summer teachers and for summer spectacular (our VBS) volunteers as well. It all adds up to be about 800 volunteers total. God was so gracious to bring the servants that we needed to serve the kids but as He often likes to do, He reminded me that He was in control and not me by bringing them all at the LAST possible moment. I was trying so hard not to be stressed and remember that He would bring the volunteers b/c I know it is His will that the children learn about Him but I am not good at giving up all control. But I know He is always faithful and helps me through my unbelief. My summer teacher team is amazing and Summer SPectacular was CERTAINLY spectacular! Over the 3 nights of the study of Daniel with the kids and families, we had a total of close to 7500!!!! I have not seen the final count but based on the first nights count and the traffic the second and third night, that is probably pretty close. It is so wonderful to see the families get together and to learn the Power of our God throught the story of Daniel!

June 3 I was in TN at one of my dearest friends, Laura Lee Stockdale, wedding. It was BEAUTIFUL!! and we had a fabulous time! I don't have any pics b/c I took them all on my moms camera, but I will try to upload some soon b/c it was super special to spend great time with my old girls!

My mom and Aunt Connie came and stayed with us a week during summer spectacular to help out with Bella. It was a HUGE blessing! Bella had a great time and I did not feel so guilty leaving her so much b/c I knew that they were getting special time together.

THE BIG NEWS if you have not heard is that we are having ANOTHER GIRL!!! We are so excited! As for now she will be Mary Kate Miller. This is after my precious grandmother Mary Jo. We do carry the disclaimer that it is always subject to change until it is on the birth certificate. Kevin is excited but I think when he thinks about it for a while it is a little overwhelming to think he will be greatly out numbered in hormones : ) Little Miss Mary Kate is a VERY active one! In my sonograms it takes about 30 extra min. b/c they can't get her still to get a picture of her. I am not suprised in any way if you have ever been around Bella. I am just glad that I won't know any different and think that over active children are totally normal. And apparently she has very long legs, which if you know me and Kevin, that is one of those traits that has shown up from past generations, not from the current one. She is an incredible kicker and quite a boxer. We have been feeling her move on the outsid eof my tummy for several weeks. It is such a miracle! I am feeling great and full of joy! I tried to post pics but all of the sonogram pics are so blurry from her active movement you can't tell what anything is.

As for my precious Bella, she keeps me hopping as much as ever. We took swimming lessons with Miss Jody for the past 2 weeks and she has done great! No fear for this little one. And she loves affirmation. After EVERY turn she had to get out and run over to me to say, "did you see me mommy? I did it I did it!" And I have to tell her how very proud I am, which is very true! We are not swimming on our own, but she is only 2 1/2. I hope to see some progress by the end of next summer. For now, we LOVE to swim with a little help.

We are also attempting potty training for the hundreth time...any suggestions anyone? We have tried everything I think! Treats, new panties, special privalidges, major encouragement, stickers, baby goes to the potty now you go, movies, books, all of your friends are doing it, etc. I know that all kids are different but I am SO ready for her to be trained! She goes when she wants several times a day but is the strong willed child that will only go when she is in the mood, not any other time. It will come, but once again, I am ready and not in control : ) We went the other day for some more panties and of coarse she did not want the precious princess panties, it was little boys underware with Nemo for her. I at this point do not care, if she will wear them, and she does, I can work on doing away with underware with a flap later.

Lastly, I would love for you all to check out my friend Christine Pinson's blog. She has been in a battle with her pregnancy for so long and baby Sam has finally arrived safely at 33 weeks. WE praise God for all of the good that He is doing for them. Please pray for their sweet family as we love them dearly!

That is all in a nutshell for now. Thanks for hanging in there for a long update! I will be better at it in the future now that I am not working 50 some odd hours a week! Love you all!!!

Here are some recent pics of our world:
Laura Lee-the beautiful bride, Emily and Leah celebrate before the wedding!

Isabella and Hayley enjoying free time swim after working hard going under with Ms Jody...

Benjamin, Keeley, Bella and Miss Chelsea waiting their turns on the step. Bella had to sit next to Miss Chelsea the whole time to be kept under control to the best that she could...

ANd Bella kickign around the pool on the noodles by herself

And this is what happens when your two year old is sitting right next to you but you are not looking directly at them....Tip for the day, if they are quiet for any period of time (even 10 seconds) check it out...and put the markers higher up on the shelf : )

Lots of laughs with my priss pot!

2007-05-11T12:58:00.000-05:00

So, Bella cracks me up everyday! Last night I was putting her to bed and attempting to read her a book while she continued to attempt seat drops on the bed. After the second or so attempt, I said,"isabella, if you do not sit on your bottom I will turn out the lights and walk out of this room." She came and snuggled next to me and began in song (her fave thing to do) and said "the more we work together, together, together, the happier we'll be". SO I cracked up and she sat for maybe not even 1 minute and stood up again and I said "Isabella" and she said in her stern mommy imitation "you gonna turn out the lights and walk right out of this room". Again, I laugh. How do you discipline when they are so funny?? THis is my most difficult challenge b/c I laugh all day long!
I started thinking the other day about how I love seeing traits of myself and Kevin in her. I have to tell myself all of the time that she has some of my traits b/c I might explode hearing how much she is "just like Kevin" all of the time! But no one here knew me as a child, so I guess, she will always be a little Kevin in TX. But she is just so prissy..my trait : ) I picked her up from school this week and the teachers were laughing b/c they had made paper hats for the kids and Bella would not wear hers. SHe told Ms Lisa, "I can't wear that, it will mess up my hair". And on the kids lunch plates at school they write their names on them so they get their own lunch. Instead of hers saying "Bella" it appropriatly said "princess of the universe". At least she has made herself known : ) SO she gets the prissy from me and she is fearless like her dad! I will turn my head for one second and she has climbed up some wall onto a table or swinging from the mantle over the fireplace. Yikes! But then my heart was led to think of the traits that I see of Christ in her already. She is a Wonderful encourager. She cheers for me everytime I go to the potty and always tells me what a great job I am doing at something. She has great compassion and is so full of life. Her joy is contagious. She sings about Jesus everywhere we go and I I just love how she maybe ministering to someone in the grocery and she is not ashamed to claim His name! So now when I see traits of her, I hope she is not just like me or just like Kevin but Just like Christ!

My small obsession...

2007-04-23T13:40:00.000-05:00

My small obsession is named Isabella and I confess the obsession I have had with her pictures : ) There is something about someone capturing your child in all of their personality. I know several of you have seen these, but I want to make sure everyone has the chance to see my precious angel in her element....tutus!!! My dear friend, Jenn Boilla, has begun a photography business this year and is absolutely amazing and I HIGHLY recommend her to anyone in the area!!!! Her website is www.storyteller-photography.com . TO see Bella's latest shots, enter the site, go to "clients" and the password is imiller . ENJOY!!!

YCW preschool program

2007-04-20T16:19:00.000-05:00

Last night was our first preschool program with Isabella. I must say she acted just as predicted. That girl LOVES the stage! She did not sing one song b/c she was so busy waving at everyone in the crowd and blowing kisses b/c there were hundreds of people there, and as she imagined, all to see her : ) Every wave in the crowd from a parent she was waving right back saying "heeeyyy" and blowing kisses. I am going to try to post some of the video that I took so you can see her front and center out waving at the world the little entertainer that she is. Kevin's aunt put it best, "she may not be the star performer, but she was the star of the show." I wonder where she gets it from, loving to be on stage and all?
This is Bella going to stand at the microphone...where she assumes everyone would be looking for her....
This is Bella not going up the steps to take her place b/c she was too busy waving at everyone...
This is Bella and Ms. Lisa, her very favorite teacher in the whole world! We LOVE her too!!!!
And here is the Miller family...Bella is hiding my "pooch" and my unbuttoned pants. On the 2nd child, it is true, you show much sooner! I have a small round belly at 12 weeks...or 13 weeks tomorrow!!, but thankfully I have not started gaining any weight yet....which is a miracle considering all that I eat, and several times a day!

I am a new aunt!

2007-04-18T14:56:00.000-05:00

I am sorry that this is late, but as of last week, I am a new aunt. I don't have a great picture, but Daren (Kevin's Brother) and Kylie had Manning James Miller last Monday, April 9th at 6:36 pm. He was 6 lbs and 13 oz and 20 inch long. He looks just like his big sister Maylen. Very exciting! First boy in the Miller / Bankes family. He is very sweet! And Maylen is the best big sister! She is so interested and very helpful!

New sonogram pics

2007-04-18T14:46:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! I had another sonogram today to check for the "triple screen" and everything was looking healthy and on target. It was so funny b/c this baby is a mover! She had to stop b/c she could not even get a picture of it b/c it was moving so out of control. I fear the things to come : ) But I guess I am prepared to have all overly active children. I had to lay on my side for several min and go to the bathroom and then she tried again. All looks healthy so I just wanted to share the news so you could praise the Lord with us for His goodness in giving us a healthy baby!
The First picture is the profile shot. You can see the head in the middle left. The small indention is the eye and then you can follow it down across the abdomin. This 2nd pic is my favorite. I think it is an excellent personality shot to go along with the busyness. It is a little scary looking like an alien...which is normal, but it was waving (I am sure on purpose : ) so funny! The large dark circle is the brain and the 2 below is the eyes and then the little mouth. So CUTE!!!!

Visit from Mimi and Papa

2007-04-13T12:20:00.000-05:00

Last week my mom and dad came up for a long overdue visit! Isabella was so excited to have her Mimi and Papa just in the room right next to hers. She has the best time with them! She loves to play outside with Papa and read books with Mimi. They have such a precious relationship and I treasure it so! Here are some pics of us with Mimi and Papa:

Papa and Mimi took us to the zoo...Noah's Zoo as Bella likes to call it. Her VERY favorite place to spend the day:

Here is Bella and Kevin looking at the Rhinos. Last week she jumped in the cage with the giraffes. I took 2 steps back to take her picture with some friends and she climbed and flipped over onto the grassy area. Luckily there were no animals close by and I could easily reach down to get her...and much scolding followed. She scares me so much with her NO fear! I just pray over her all of the time that she uses all of this energy and determination for God and she will go far in life!

Here is the royal treatment that only Papa's can provide. Breakfast in his lap!

And our favorite thing to do at the zoo is to ride the carosell!

We had so much fun last week. I was extra sad to see the extra hands of help leave! We will be heading to TN in 2 weeks for a shower for one of my dearest girls, Laura Lee. Can't wait to see some of you!

3 plus 1 is 4!!!

2007-03-20T17:53:00.000-05:00

You guessed it, there is a number 4 Miller on the way! I had my first sonogram today and all is looking great! I can't ever tell what a sonogram is, so, I did my best to point to the brain, arms and legs in a publisher version, but it will not upload to the blog. We are super excited! I am due on October 27th...20days after Bella's 3rd birthday. This was our first planned pregnancy and it is all very fun! I was not crying hysterically in the Dr's office today like the last time, full of fear. We (Kevin and I) were so giddy! We are so blessed that the Lord is allowing us to raise another child for Him! We commit him or her to Him in all ways. Isabella is very excited about being a big sister. She says differently every day if it is a baby brother or sister. We are fine with which ever. It would be very convienient to have a girl, but wonderful to have a boy to have one of each. We just want which ever little warrior for the Lord that He sends to us! I am feeling great. Just a little tired and very hungry! But NOTHING to complain of. Please cover our family in prayers for health and peace. Thank you all so much for sharing in our great joy!! I will let you know how

things are going! the head is at the top with the dark spot (brain) and the arms and legs are extending out like a teddy gram : )

Bella and the big bed

2007-02-23T14:24:00.000-06:00

So, we finally did it, Isabella has officially been in her big girl bed for 2 nights and it has been great! She has not even tried to get out and she sleeps better than in her crib! What was I thinking waiting so long! I don't have anything for the walls yet, or a lamp, etc. but here is the general idea. Unfortunatly, I loved this bedding, but I know I willl be kicking myself for getting a toddler, and my sweet one at that, white based bedding. At least it is washable, right? What I will do in the name of cuteness :) You can't tell, but all of the stripes are different grosgrain ribbons sewed on.

So this is Bella when she first saw it all set up. She grabbed her Mr. Bear and the Bible and started reading to him...it was the sweetest thing in the whole world!

Nd now for all of you who are entertained by my overly active toddler:

She streaked out the door on Wed to go play. Granted, it was 70 degrees, but for some reason, she LOVES to be naked! I have had several occasions when people keep her for me they have told me they could not keep her clothed. I say if you can keep her in undies, you are doing great! We are potty training and up to several potty trips a day, in resturaunts, etc. Her teachers at school laugh b/c everytime she goes potty at school as she sits on her glorious throne she says "you want to take my picture?" Guess I have snapped one too many of her on the potty. It is so funny b/c she always wants a book to read as she sits and a stool to prop her feet on...quite the princess. She keeps us laughing non stop! She has become quite the con artist in her negotiations. For example, she wanted some cheetos at Kevin's mom's house the other day and she said "minnie, can I have some cheetos?" and Karen said, you have had enough. Bella said, "Oh but Minnie, you are so beautiful" as she patted her and wooed her. She is such a stinker! Anyway, We will keep you updated on her round abouts! Until the next Bella adventure!

Aspen 07

2007-02-23T14:06:00.000-06:00

So, it looks like I have fallen into a poor pattern of once a month blogging. I promise my intentions are better. I just log on and then read everyone elses and by the time I go to update my own, Bella is up from her nap. Anyone feel me?

So, Kevin and I just retruned from an 8 day Aspen trip. It was so amazing! We left Bella with his mom and dad and she did fantastic!...and so did we! We met my family up there as well as the Wilburn klan...our ski buddies. We had the best time! We shared a condo with Brent and Meghan and the adults shared one. The snow was amazing! Here is Kevin on a mogle run...that we could not even tell was mogles b/c of the snow!!!!

Sorry, its upside down..

So we celebrated Valentines Day there too. here is us at a fabulous resturaunt called Elevation..

It was such a great time to reconnect with each other! If any of you get a chance, even for a weekend to go without kids, it is so worth the time to invest in your marriage! Never forget, that your honey should be your number 1 (besides the Lord) and it takes time and energy to invest in that relationship...especially without the kids! So do it! And you will be reminded why you fell in love all over again!

Here we are with Meghan and Brent. Last year they got engaged and this year they are "the Hendricksons!" We have the best time with them! We love hanging out! What a blessing!

So that is what we have been up to. I will update a Bella post soon, I just wanted to focus on my hot honey for this one :)

Hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day!

It always makes me miss Brooke Milam :)

Update to all nighters..

2007-01-22T14:54:00.000-06:00

So, I wrote the other day about Bella getting in and out of the crib all night. Well, she has continued to do this all week. We have tried everything! Her poor little hinnie has been spanked to pieces (yes, we do spank in our family) and she has sat in numerous time outs and had things taken away and had rewards systems too. Yesterday, we resorted to locking her in her room. It was quite possibly the most hillerious thing we have ever done! She knocked on the door for 40 min calling "Elizabeth, open the door" "Elizabeth, let me out", "mommy daddy, help". SHe was not crying, just demanding and appauled that we would ever do such a thing, so it was very funny. We could hear her opening the closet door just to reassure herself that yes, she still did have the ability to open the doors. Anyway, It worked last night! We went into her room after a while and put her back in bed and explained to her one more time you may not get out of the bed. She stayed in bed until 7 this morning! We will see if we can get it for 2 nights in a row. But today I got so tickled b/c she called for me again at the door when I put her down for her nap for about 20 min. She was quiet for about 15 min and I went to check on her and she was asleep in her toy basket! So funny! I did not take a picture in fear of restarting the cycle. We are shopping one last night for the big girl bed and then making a decision. I am really looking forward to putting her in a big bed! Lots of laughs with this little princess! Any other suggestions on how to handle this problem?

We are alive!

2007-01-19T16:04:00.000-06:00

So, I have not blogged since Thanksgiving and most of you probably don't even check it regualarly anymore. So many things have happened since then! My dear friend Melissa Thomas got married! She was the most beautiful bride!

Christmas was great! Everytime Bella saw a present she would dramatically exclaim "Oh! A present for Bella?! Oh I love it! it is so beautiful!" I wonder where she gets it from! She got a Table and Chairs and new art project supplies! We are covered in a variety of colors of markers, paints, stamps, glue, you name it! these days. It is so wonderful!

She is at such a great age right now. She is getting in and out of her crib all by herself. It is quite entertaining to watch her. Can you say, we are procrastinating on the big girl bed? It is coming soon! We are in the shopping process. She woke me up Wed morning at 4:30 am scaring me half to death with her little eyes beaming at me through the dark, "did you have a good nap mommy? do I go to class today? is Hadley going to come play? where is dora? is she on the TV? Let's watch her?...etc. etc....and on and on... just picture the little girl in the volvo commercial that never stops talking. I was laughing through my tears of are you kidding me? She keeps us rolling all of the time. She loves to spin in circles! She spun so much last night that she threw up...I warned her after 30 min of it just following dinner. She said look mommy, I spit out and then continued jumping and hopping and running in circles. I have never seen anything like it! What a joy to have a little buddy like her!
SO, that is the latest on us. We are all well. Work for me is crazy right now. We are starting up a new Sat night worship service and I am trying to find 150 new volunteers for Sat night on top of my current 500! And I am throwing a huge banquet at church for our volunteers next Friday. It is so much fun to honor them for all of thier hard work! I also started teaching Breaking Free in ladies class this semester (remember that Jillina?). I am loveing it! I love all of my ladies. I can't wait to learn with them and break through satan's bondages into Christ's freedom!! I am looking forward to our ski vacation in Feb with my family in Aspen. We are leaving Bella home again with Kevin's parents. It will be tons of fun! I will be better at my updates...not that I can get much worse. Love you all!

Giving Thanks

2006-11-30T14:19:00.000-06:00

So, we have had a fun past few weeks here in the Miller home and I just wanted to update you on some highlights.
I was getting the house all clean and Isabella got the dust buster out(side note...my FAVORITE invention EVER!) and she decided she wanted to wear her indian hat in honor of the Thanksgiving time...my little slave is so cute : )

We went to Granbury to see Kevin's grandmother and went to the parade to see Santa come into town on Friday night. Bella and Maylen had the best time! Here is Pop and Minnie waiting on Santa with the girls. Aren't they cute! Then, Sunday night, Kevin's aunt Jerre took us all to see the Rockettes for our Christmas present. Bella LOVED it. However, she was a little confused. She kept asking, "mommy, where did the rocks go?" and "mommy, where did the cats go?". SO cute! She danced and danced in the isle and had everyone from rows around laughing.

Yesterday, Bella's best friend Hadley came over to play! We had the best time! It was 80 degrees here yesterday and we played outside and ate popcicles and enjoyed the final beautiful day of the season. The next picture tells you what happened over night. Well, it snowed after being 80 degrees yesterday! Texas is so confusing! It dropped to 30 degrees in a matter of hours. We were on our way to church last night (7 miles from the house) and it went from 74 to 51 just by the time we got there. You can imagine the wind! And today, schools were out for snow and preschool and church closed early, this is Isabella outside in her first snow that she is aware of! My little drama queen : )

So, today (for the 2 hours that Bella was in school), it was parents are invited to praise time with your kids today. SO of course I come totally prepared with video and all! However, I am still not sure how to put that on my blog, any help is appreciated! This is Bella doing some dancing today in praise time. Not the best picture, but you try catching a 2 yr old on camera in a pretty shot while moving 90 to nothing, and this is what you get :) I tell you there is NOTHING sweeter than watching your child in praise to the Lord! It is so pure and sweet and truly uninhibited. My prayer for her is that nothing of this world will ever stop her from freely worshiping the Father. My heart is so full of joy in times like this and I can't imagine the joy she fills our Father's heart with in glorifying Him. My blessed daughter, oh what a gift! There is so much to be thankful for in this life. God is so good to us!

Last but not least, I am finally going to be an aunt to a nephew! Kylie (Kevin's brother's wife) found out yesterday she is having a little boy! All of us in the "Bankes" family are not sure what to do with little boys since we have 4 little princesses running around. So this will be so much fun! We can't wait to meet Manning James Miller! What a cutie! Congrats Kylie!

Bella and Maylen Christmas pics

2006-11-20T11:26:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone! Here is the link to Bella and Maylen's Christmas pics that Karen had made. Please note that Isabella was not her princess self for these : ) Enjoy!
http://www.photobiz.com/portfolio/portfolio.cfm?photographerID=581
Click on Miller Cousins

Halloween and friends

2006-11-10T12:52:00.000-06:00

Ok, so I know all of you consistant bloggers are probably dying that I have actually done 3 posts in 1 day. I have just now had time to sit down and get it done and so I should be close to caught up! SO Bella was a bumble bee for Halloween. We celebrated with Fall Fest at church and a party at Jamie and Joe Don's house. Bella was quite the cutie I must say! She LOVES candy...suprise suprise : ) My favorite pic won't upload. It is of Bella and friend Jack...I will see if I can work on that. in the mean time, Here are some pics...

Hayley the tiger...Eva the flower...
Jack the tigger...
Anna the ladybug and Garrett the Shark (costume winner of the evening!!!)

Bella the bumble bee : )

Bella the Bee and Jillian the Fairy

Ok, so I know all of you consistant bloggers are probably dying that I have actually done 3 posts in 1 day. I have just now had time to sit down and get it done and so I should be close to caught up! SO Bella was a bumble bee for Halloween. We celebrated with Fall Fest at church and a party at Jamie and Joe Don's house. Bella was quite the cutie I must say! She LOVES candy...suprise suprise : ) My favorite pic won't upload. It is of Bella and friend Jack...I will see if I can work on that. in the mean time, Here are some pics...

Proverbs 17:17 cont

2006-11-10T12:42:00.000-06:00

I was having some trouble posting pics, so here are some more:

Top to bottom: Lindsay, Bethany, Becky

Cristie, Chris Anne, Jillina, Kate

Rebecca Stevens, Rebecca Johns, Laura, Me

Abigail, Ansley, Bella

Cristie and Me...Love you CAC!!!
Becky, Kate, Rebecca, Bethany, Chris Anne
Thanks for the hospitality Reba! You are too amazing! God knew what he was doing when He put us together living in a room converted from the vending machine room : 0

I cry as I write this with a heart so full of love for you and the girls!
I miss you all so terribly and treasure all that you are to me!

Proverbs 17:17

2006-11-10T12:14:00.000-06:00

"A friend loves at all times" is my thought, which is long over due (sorry girls), for the day. A couple of weekends ago my group of college girls got together and had a reunion. Oh what a blessing it was. I treasured it very close to my heart and know that I did not take it for granted being as I live over 900 miles away. There is nothing like those girls that you litterly lived with for 4 years. We began on the 2nd floor back halls of Elam dorm and migrated to the Royal Arms apartments down the street with our continual open door policy with each other. There is something to say about our depth of friendship. We were all in Pi Delta together, all of the "sacks of torture" as one : ) BUt now we have moved on to our new phases of life in jobs, marriages and friendships and the beauty of it all is that we only continue to grow together. It was just like old times, just new topics of conversation, and as Chris Anne said "a little added maturity". So girls, cheers to us! Satan hates bonds of friendships like we have. I know this is so cheesy, but that I can do well. I was listening to my new Amy Grant CD and she has a song that is called "stay for a while". I continue to listen to it and long to be with you guys. She says, "stay for a while, it's good to see your smile and remember the days gone by." I pray we have so many more opportunities to be with each other and stay for a while together. I don't think that the word homesick even describes it. May the Lord continue to go with each of you, cover you and your families in His hedge of protection and may your cups and saucers continue to over flow! I love you with all of my heart!!!!
Here are some pics:

Leslie and her new hubby Paul got to take a break from med school and join us.

Leslie is going for dermatology and Paul for sports medicine.

Way to go guys! It was WONDERFUL to see you!

Ansley and Abigail were definatly the hit of the weekend. What a precious gift they are!

TN Trip...Brent and Meghan Hendrickson!!!

2006-10-25T15:37:00.000-05:00

Well, we went to Tn Oct. 10 for Brent and Meghans wedding and ended up staying 2 weeks! It was the most wonderful time! Karen (Kevin's mom) flew down with me on Tuesday and Kevin and Danny flew in on Thurs. night. It was quite a wonderful celebration! Thurs. the girls (me mom, and Karen) went out to get our nails done with all of my other mothers (Jody, Becky, Nancy and Beth). We had the best time! It is such a blessing to be surrounded by strong women in your life! Here is a pic:

Karen, Nancy, Beth, Jody, Mom and Becky

We also celebrated Isabella's birthday, TN style. We had cake and presents with my family. She stuck her finger in every spot on the cake that she could before we could cut it. Smart girl, I say...if you lick your fingers and touch all over it, no one will want it and you get it all to yourself!

On Friday, we had the bridesmaids luncheon at Aunt Connie's house..Tons of fun and then we had the rehersal that night at Hillsboro C.o.C. The rehersal dinner was at the Belle Meade plantation. Fabulous job mom! It was decorated with deep orange table cloths, with fabulous cascading flower arrangements, yummy fried chicken and prime rib!, a jazz trio with background music and a precious video and sweet toasts. Most of the pics I got were on my moms camera, so I will have to wait for those to post, when I get a copy.

The wedding was the most beautiful wedding I have ever been to, truly. Not only in decor but also just the joining of the marriage. I ahve never seen my brother happier. And that says a lot for all that we have done together. There is something about seeing your sibbling, a dear and best of friend, join with their soul mate. And because he is my borther, I know his heart, and I say confidently that he has found his friend and love in Meghan. We are overjoyed to have her as a part of our family, she is now more than a friend and "my brother's girlfriend", but my sister now. My cup and saucer overflow with love and happiness for them. Welcome to our family Meghan! And Brent, we are so proud of you for waiting for your queen. God Bless you richly!!!!

I hope that they don't mind, but I am putting a link to a few of their pics, so that you can get an idea of the magnitude of how fabulous this celebration was!

http://marycrow.bigfolioblog.com/

You can see a few more pics if you click "back in time". Enjoy!!!

Bella's 2nd Birthday

2006-10-25T15:16:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday to my sweet Isabella Ryan Miller! Isabella turned 2 on 10-7-06. It is amazing how the time flies! It is like a switch has been flipped and she is suddenly a big girl and is talking non-stop. And not just talking, but really communicating! It is amazing! This past year has been full of fun times! She makes us laugh and is such a joy bringer. And it is so precious to hear and see her love for the Lord. She carries her Bible everywhere and pretends to read from it, and will sing Jesus loves me and the Little children while she pretends to read. She talks non stop about Jesus and David (her favorite stories). But don't let me fool you, she is a big fan of Dora, Diego and Barney too these days. I am posting some birthday pics for your enjoyment. We had a "Two-tu" party and some friends came over to play.

One of my favorite friends (and cousin) Anna Claire came to play on my actual

birthday and watch the TX / OU game. We love to play outside together.

Mom and Dad took me to Chick-fila-my favorite place-for dinner and I

got to play in the playground. I love to slide.

Lunch with my friends at my "Two-tu" party
Hadley, Jack, Emma and Bella

I love cupcakes and sang Happy Birthday to myself!

This was the best group shot that we could get. They don't cooporate as well
since they can run away.

Garrett, Abby, Hayley, Bella, Jack P., Jack W., Anna and Eva

Bella's latest photo shoot..

2006-08-05T11:34:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! I am attaching a link for Isabella's latest photo shoot. It is only online until Aug. 10th so check it out quick! Scroll down to the bottom and click on Isabella Miller. Cousin Maylen Miller is also available to view. I have to brag a bit and say those Miller girls are so beautiful! Glory to God : ) http://www.photobiz.com/portfolio/portfolio.cfm?photographerID=581

more pictures...

2006-08-04T11:16:00.000-05:00

I could not get all of the pics on one upload, so here are the rest...

We welcome baby Eva Faith Carder into the world..perfect and helathy! For my friends in TN, this is our friends Rick and Amy's baby girl that was helaed to
God's perfection in Amy's womb. The Doctors said she would never make it but after prayer of healing she has arrived in PERFECT health! on Wed. Praise the Lord for He is ever present and healing today!!! We love you Rick , Amy and Eva!

Here is Eva, Bella and Anna Claire. Bella thought that she would welcome Eva
into the world with her first noogie : ) the joys of toddlers.

Happy Birthday Garrett! He is in the front center withthe red shorts on. Our
precious family of friends just keeps growing. Bella is toward the back left. Precious little friends!!!

So, remember I said she likes to be naked, well, this is how I usually find her from her naps. This particular time she woke up in a stooper saying, "oh no mommy,
naked booty! WHat happened? no diaper!" and I responded by, You tell me what happened.

July

2006-08-04T10:31:00.000-05:00

This is the 4 Bankes Cousins (Kevin's Mom's side) all of the girls! It
is so much fun!!! From left to right is Bella 22 mo, Elizabeth 3.5 months,
Anna Claire 1 yrs yesterday...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!, and Maylen 3 1/2 yrs
Isabella's favorite person to play with!!!

Here is Bella with a mouth of Chocolate Cake
her favorite thing, great personality
snapshot!

And here is Bella (left) and Hadley just hanging out. We try to play at least once a week with miss Hadley. They carry on in their own world of conversation
and song and Lindsey and I enjoy the time we get to hang out as well.

So July has been a very busy month! So busy I have failed to write. I am in my fall recruiting season at church and almost back to full time hours in this season. It takes 500 volunteers a week to run our ministry!!! Wow! God has really blessed us! We have done lots of things together as a family and I am adding some pictures to share. Bella is full out acting "two", although we have 2 months to go. Her favorite things include being naked, saying no, throwing tantrums, running away at my most vulnerable moments (like in the bathroom), and singing. I will say she is quite the little singer. Her favortie songs include Jesus Loves me, Jesus loves the little children, NaNa NaNaNaNaNa...waves of mercy, holy holy holy, twinkle twinkle little star, and the itsy bitsy spider are just a few that she busts out. We did have a MAJOR moment last night, she teeteed in the potty for the first time. We made a big party out of it. I am not pushing it b/c I don't know if I am ready yet, but, it was a major mile stone. Also, yesterday was her last day of school with her first teachers. Oh how sad am I!!! Ms Terrie and Ms Jlill were the best! I don't know what I will do without them!!!! When I picked Bella up yesterday, we were telling them how much we will miss them and Ms Terrie said "the best way to describe Bella is that she is full of life". And that says it all! She is just full of hersalf and life. She keeps us laughing and we have the best time together. Enjoy the pics! God bless you all!

Happy Birthday Kevin!

2006-07-10T18:33:00.000-05:00

So Kevin turned 29 on Friday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! He has the best birthday ever: 7-7-77! I love it b/c I can remember it so well. We celebrated all week! We started out on Sunday in TN with Granny's fried chicken dinner and a family party. Friday night we had Babe's Country fried steak dinner-YUM! (all you TN folk, think Monnels or Loevless Cafe style!) and then we went to see Pirates of the Carribean. Graham and Lindsey joined us for an adult night out, it was so crazy without all of the girls! It was good but we agreed that the first one was better. It was a little too sci-fi / gooly for me. Saturday night we went to one of our favorite places, "Brio" with Minnie, Pop, Daren and Kylie and Maylen. Lots of fun and yummy food! And last night was the great "Bankes family celebration". We all got together with the family-grandmother, aunts, uncles, cousins and all! We celebrated Daren, Kevin, Uncle James and Joe Don (aka "Donna" per Bella) birthdays. It was so much fun. We grilled out at James and Anne's house and swam and jumped on the trampoline. Check out some of the pics...TONs of Fun! Anyway, I always reflect on days that celebrate my sweet Kevin. I am so incredibly blessed to have him as the leader of our home, my partner and friend. He is the best daddy! He and Bella love to rough house and play "get you". He says the sweetest prayers over her. How awesome for a father to pray over his daughter in the ways that he does! He also is a wonderful husband. He works so hard for our family and guides us down the path of the Lord. May God cover my sweet Kevin in all His love & protection and fill him with wisdom only He can give and courage to go forth with it! I love you Kev! Happy 29th!!!

Bella LOVES the trampoline! She is quite a jumper!

Bella took it upon herself to jump off the diving board, Minnie got a picture,

and thankfully I made down there just in time to catch her!

My child of NO fear : ) On the way to celebrate Da's birthday..."HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY"

Bella loves to decorate herself in stickers for special occasions.

****I am having picture posting troubles, I will add them later...make sure to check back!

Trip to TN

2006-07-10T16:48:00.000-05:00

Last weekend we took a LONG overdue trip to TN. It was so wonderful to be with family and friends that we have not seen in so long. I unfortunatly got some strep type of bug aand was sick at the beginning, but what other place would I rather be? WE got to see Aunt Connie, Uncle Larry and Chris's new house-gorgeous! And we also got to hang out with the grandparents a lot which is always precious time. We celebrated my parent's 33 anniversary at a very quaint little resturaunt in Thompson Station-Thanks for the example mom and dad! We celebrated Kevin's birthday with homestyle Sunday lunch..YUMMY! Brent and Meghan came to hang out which was wonderful too! I did not get to see everyone I wanted due to the illness set back but we had a great time! Everything was so wonderful. Here are a few pics to share. Lots of love accross the miles to TN!!

Mimi, Bella and Papa

I could not wait to get my hands on Baby Chandler (Rachel & Stephen's new addition)!

He is the cutest little guy!

Bella and Big Brother Jackson had fun playing in Chandler's bed and tumbling on the floor

Bella LOVED to play in mimi and papa's backyard and blow bubbles

THANK THE LORD for portable DVD players! We got stuck on a 4 1/2 hr flight instead of

a 1 1/2 hr flight due to rain in TX on July 4! But we were thankful for the rain and that the airlines

were looking out for our safety!

Bella's favorite things

2006-06-26T11:20:00.000-05:00

Don't know how to rotate pics yet...sorry

Bella at the zoo...

Bella going swimming...

why we need a harness...

Bella on the fence, Hadley and Jack

Two of Bella's favorite things are going to the zoo and going swimming. You may notice that she has a "leash" on...I always said I would never...but never say never! It is quite possibly one of the greatest toddler inventions! If you notice in the last picture, it explains it all. Hadley and Jack are looking through the fence but Isabella needs to climb over in the short time that I have stepped back to take a picture. I LOVE that she is so active. We are constantly laughing. Hope everyone has a wonderful day full of laughter~Can't wait to see all of our TN friends!

Let the blogging begin!

2006-06-25T16:03:00.000-05:00

We have enjoyed another weekend full of the Lord's rest, worship and family time. Bella has been quite the "two year old" this week but she keeps u srolling laughing. Our week was filled with recovering from Summer Spectacular (VBS), swimming lessons, and fun family time. We hope that you all will keep up with us through our new blog and we look forward to hearing from you as well! Here is a recent pic of our little angel. There are plenty more to follow!