deck the halls

It is our tradition to drag the Christmas tree and various other Christmas items out the weekend after Thanksgiving.  I love it because then we get to enjoy a full 25 days of the Christmas season.  I thought I would share a little from our evening.  Most years it is Merl and the kids that put up all the decorations and tree and I take them down.  This year it didn't work out that way.  Madison, Ryan and I did the honors.  We set up the nativity and hung up our homemade advent calendar which is based on one of my childhood family traditions.  We also got out the advent wreath with candles and the various household decorations.  While trimming the Christmas tree we drank hot chocolate and ate peppernuts (a traditional cookie the Miller family always has at Christmas).  Madison and Ryan did most of the arranging on the tree and worked together fairly well - though at one point when Ryan thought Madison was being a little too bossy he said "You sound like a professional tree decorater!"  The kids kept going outside to see how the tree looked from the street.  It leans terribly to the left.  That may be its way of saying it is tired of being stored in a 120 degree attic every year.  The tree by the way is my parent's old tree and is probably about 40 years old!

After we were ready to be done the kids decided they wanted Aslan in the final picture.  He of course did not want to budge from his slumber - so the kids were trying to drag him on his bed over to the tree - all 80+ pounds of him! 

So we are ready to celebrate the season of Christ's birth - are you?

Happy Birthday, Dear Madison......

I am a day late with this post - should have been Nov. 29 - but better late than never!  Yesterday we celebrated 10 amazing years of Madison's life.  It is sobering to think that over half of her time in our home could be gone......not to rush her out or anything.....just the reality.  Ten years ago we were beginning our journey as parents and had not a clue what we were doing.  Luckily - we had the textbook infant.....little Madison who slept through the night in like a month, sat quietly in her seat and watched what was going on around her, and seemed to just be - well - an easy baby!  The other day I was looking through the old pictures of when she was born and remembering how very quiet our home was then.  Quiet, tranquil ...... HELLO!  That was then and this is now!  Wow what a change!  Madison has grown into such a lovely girl.  In the last few years she has become so capable, thoughtful, responsible, loving, articulate, helpful.....she is amazing!  I appreciate so much how dependable she is - it is difficult not to take advantage of that!  The next ten years I hope to spend time continuing to equip and encourage Madison - making the most of every moment......because I see now how little time I have left.  Oh Lord help me to slow down and worry less about the little things.  Madison has brought much joy and laughter to our home - praise God for her heart and talents.  When Maddie was born her dad and I decided to choose Romans 15:13 as her "birthday verse".

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

our new addition

Well I have been waiting to post about this for awhile but now the time has come!  Meet the newest "member" of the household - Aslan.  After about 3 months of research, decision making, and waiting we picked Aslan up on Friday.  I will try to give the short version....(OK so maybe there is no "short version" for me but I'll try).  Aslan is a 4 year old Rhodesian Ridgeback who belonged to a single young man in our church.  Several months ago the man went on the mission field and placed Aslan with a friend.  A few months after that we found out Aslan needed another home and met him.  After the meeting we thought it would be like putting a wild horse in our house!  We were in love with him but not sure he was the right dog for us.  So......he went to a "Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue" group - into foster care.  I know ......  bare with me ..... I have not switched from being passionate about children in foster care and adoption to dogs......only briefly!  While in foster care he was neutered, received a heavy dose of daily exercise, and attention.  We researched Rhodesian Ridgebacks, had a home visit with the rescue group, and waited to hear if we were "the best family for Aslan."  Yes.....this is humorous that me - the adoption social worker who did this for years had the tables turned on her!  

Insert strong statement: "I am in NO WAY comparing this the the grueling and emotional process of adopting a precious child." End of statement and back to the story.....

Finally a few weeks ago we were asked if we wanted him - even though he is proficient at escaping from a crate and at counter surfing......we decided we could still love him despite these things.....

So here we are......yes I know some of you are shaking your heads - "Goodness girl - you have your hands full enough" or "My that is a big mouth to feed!" or "Whoa!  He is a big dog!"  or "We are never coming to visit you again!" But so it is.....Aslan is a different dog from the one we met three months ago!  Wow has he mellowed out - and has just a sweet disposition!  Don't worry - I haven't forgotten my schooling.  I realize we are in the "honeymoon period!"  Either way our first weekend has been fun.

As soon as Aslan got into the van when we picked him up, he curled up into the front seat and went to sleep!  We took him on a walk as soon as we got home and found out he seems to know how to "heel" fairly well - pleasant surprise!  Allison kept walking around the house saying "he is fixed now (meaning neutered)."  I spent a lot of time watching my back in the kitchen paranoid he'd snatch something but actually he settled on his bed and slept most of the night.  Saturday morning was a bit more of a challenge since Merl was gone but we managed.....took him for a walk and gave him a bath!  He was a pro - stood nice and still in the bath tub like a gentleman.  I don't think it is high on his list for favorite activities but he was good.  Later I was busy doing something with Aslan when I heard swishing in the laundry room.....hmmmm....and there was Jonathan crouched over Aslan's bowl drinking his water just like a dog!   Aargh!  Later that night we actually (the kids and I and Aslan) picked mom and dad up from the airport! Aslan seemed happy to meet his new grandparents and they liked him I think!  As I type right now he is sleeping like a king on his bed in the girls' room.  I am sure he is pooped because he went running with Merl this morning and roller blading with the family tonight!  He should have a full stomach too....because while I was gawking at my new nephew on the computer screen, Alsan gulped down an unidentified number of tortillas off the counter!  Merl thought the package was almost full, but Madison thought it might only have had a few in it.  Either way there was 1/4th of a tortilla left when Madison wrestled it away from him!  All in all it was a calm and fun day for all - he seems to be a nice addition to our life.  We are shocked at how mellow he is and his disposition is patient and fun with the kids.  S0 - no doubt there will be future posts about Aslan and his adventures in the Miller family!

one more cousin!

Lots of news to report this weekend - but I have to start with the most exciting......and that is my one and only little brother became a daddy!  I can hardly believe it.....but it is true!  While our kids have 7 cousins on the Merl's side we had none on mine until yesterday (11/22)!  I wish I could post the pictures  - but I need to get the parents' permission to plaster him on my blog......anyway Archer Callisto (yes, that is his name - first and middle) was 2 weeks early but a healthy 8.1 lbs!  And I have to say......he is the cutest!  And now that is saying something considering I was quite confident we had 4 of the best looking kids ever!  But this guy makes me really have babyitis!  Anyway - several issues caused an early C-section which was not the original hope or plan - but all came out well and for that I am so thankful to the Lord.  I can't wait to hold him - but will be awhile before we are in Albuquerque I think.  Rats!  I admit Steve and Sarah - this boy is GOOD LOOKIN - I am so thrilled for you!

Happy Birthday, Dear Allie.....

Happy Birthday to sweet Allison today! What joy and happiness she brings to our life!  Why does time move so quickly?  It feels like you are strapped into a roller coaster and can't slow down.  It has only been 4 years and I can hardly remember holding this little sweet bundle.  We had a fun low key day.  Madison made a birthday sign and wrapped presents, we went to pick up the fruit and vegetables at coop, watched Ryan's flag football game and then ended the day at Joe's Real BBQ for dinner with grandma and grandpa Spence - where we are traditionally beginning to celebrate birthdays.  It is one of our favorite restaurants for 2 reasons:  1) free dinner on your birthday and 2)  a grass area outside where the kids can run and play!  After finishing her macaroni and cheese and corn Allie declared, "What a nice dinner!"  We all agreed (though we actually enjoyed the BBQ meat too!).  A few presents were opened then home for ice cream and the day was done.  So....thank you Lord for such a precious little girl who brightens our days!

birthday party

How can it be?  Allison 4 yrs. old?  Well not for one more week - but this year I decided to have her party a week early so there was a little more space between Birthday #1, Thanksgiving, and Birthday #2!.  "Flowers" was the theme - and I think a good time was had by all.  One thing that did my heart real good this year was the participation of all Allie's siblings.  Madison helped extensively with the planning and the games.  She drew and facilitated "Pin the bee on the flower" (while even sliding in a short science lesson about pollen on her own!), made up a very cute treasure hunt and walked the kids through it, and decorated the table!  She is a gem for sure.  Ryan helped to make the pinata and assisted Allison in decorating it.  He desperately wanted to help whack it to smithereens but patiently allowed the girls to do it.  Well - ok we gave Jonathan several whacks which he throughly enjoyed!  My mom made the "cake".  Notice the purple flower pot with flowers in the middle of the table (before candles).....it is filled with a pudding and crushed cookie mixture and gummy worms.  Looks like real dirt with flowers in it!  It was beautiful - the kids were worried when I said we were eating dirt for the cake!  So we had a fun time - hope all the guests did!  We are blessed to have so many to share our lives with.  The Lord is good and abundantly rich.  

Each year at our kids' birthdays we share the bible verse we chose for them when they were born.  This is for Allison Grace:  "May the Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." 2 Thessalonians 2:4

rest vs. trust

OK - it is 12:15 am here and I guess I have to say that I am not "resting" in the sovereignty of God yet.  I will be working on that.  The first step would be going to bed!  I CAN say that I am "trusting and believing" in the sovereignty of God.  I CAN say that God is still on the throne.  And I CAN say that after tonight (or I guess last night) I will be praying even more fervently for the souls, lives, and courage of my children.  I have a lot of growing to do.  I have a lot of "resting" to do in the arms of the Lord.  And I will continue to strive to "not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own!" (Matthew 6:34) Onward  and upward.

dress up

So here are the cuties.......just a few notes to share:  notice the absence of Jonathan.  He screamed bloody murder when I tried to put on a furry "bear suit" that someone loaned us.  OK fine. 

 Then there is "Sarah Palin".  OK - I know just the name makes some cheer and some sick - let's put that aside folks - she did look good (thank you Jeannie for doing the hair!) This was not my favorite picture (can't see how good her hair looked), but it was Madison's so there you are.  She was a real hit.  Everyone wanted their picture with her and she was glowing.  One 10 year old male friend from church was dumbfounded:  "Wow, Madison - you look - wow - so different - so grown up!"  She had a lot of fun.  Of course she doesn't know all the details of the fierce debates going on about "Sarah" - just that she is a vice presidential candidate - and some people agree with her and some don't.  Ok and well, maybe her own mother gets a little bit too riled up about it all.  Aargh.  

Then we have Allison the "fairy".  She just kept saying all night at the festival.  "This is so much more fun than cleaning up the house!"  I have no idea what she is talking about.....no we have never tried cleaning the house as a fun Halloween alternative!  

Finally we have Davy Crockett and his sidekick (friend Amanda).  He was lovin that authentic coon skin cap (sorry animal people) and western rifle (ok - also sorry anti-gun people)!  That boy just LOVES the pioneer characters from history like Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett just to mention a few.  Don't worry we have not skinned any animals and the gun was for the costume!

So that wraps it up.  Fun costumes, lots of candy, and lots of fun. 

Happy Reformation Day!

 For ten years (hubby and I) have discussed/debated the holiday of Halloween.  We have never felt comfortable "celebrating" this tradition but could not come up with a good alternative.  We've tried it all.....trying to run away from the house, turning the lights off and being "grouchy neighbors", handing out candy but not letting our kids dress up, having a special family night ourselves......nothing seemed to be "quite right".  

It was last year that we realized however that there was something of eternal value that could be celebrated on October 31st!  The date was October 31st, 1517.  The place, Wittenberg, Germany.  It was the day Martin Luther tacked up his 95 Thesis on the church doors of Wittenburg.  Luther may not have had plans of leaving the church, or starting a public dispute with the church - he probably never dreamed those 95 points would spawn a revolution of thinking in Germany and across Europe.  It seems Luther simply wanted to express his newly-discovered views of the bible. He wanted to discuss them with other church leaders.  Without Luther's knowledge, someone printed copies of his message on the newly-invented Gutenberg press and distributed them all over Germany.  Within weeks, Luther found that he was the subject of everyone's thoughts.  The chief debate was the matter of salvation - how man could have his sins forgiven and be restored to a right relationship with his Creator-God.  The church taught that people could buy forgiveness for their sins.  Luther and other reformers taught that God alone could grant forgiveness.  The reformers also taught that religion and good deeds could not save people.  They taught that salvation came only through faith in God's Son, Jesus Christ.  "Through faith alone in Christ alone...."(No we didn't just realize there was a Reformation, just that the dates coincided)!  

Anyway - last year we began to teach our kids about the history of the date.  We were all excited but of course the kids were like - hmmm.....interesting, when do we get to dress up?  We are attending a new church now and it has been celebrating Reformation Day all week and ended with a "Reformation Harvest Festival" on the 31st.  While the festival was not Reformation themed - the kids finally got their wish: to dress up.  I would have liked to see a little Reformation theme in the festival - but sure appreciate the hard work of the youth who put the festival on for the kids.  It was not unique to other "alternative" celebrations in function really......but for us the difference this year was what we focused on during the week prior and it was nice to end it with our community of friends and family.  

So for us personally we are relieved that now we have decided on a way we can truly CELEBRATE Oct. 31st.  We hope to add new traditions, neighbors, and more friends in years to come.