tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87300884829630840252024-03-13T14:37:44.387-04:00The Miller FamilyRuss, Jackie, Noa, Ruthie, Lydia, and CalebJackie Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15215617709801229220noreply@blogger.comBlogger317125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730088482963084025.post-18552059788999899652014-05-21T14:49:00.007-04:002014-05-21T14:49:58.407-04:00Water Days<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-naKgVdJQ7m0/U3zwbPy88WI/AAAAAAAAD8M/pz8phz4i55I/s1600/IMG_2375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-naKgVdJQ7m0/U3zwbPy88WI/AAAAAAAAD8M/pz8phz4i55I/s1600/IMG_2375.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Here's Ivana with our kids on our first beach day this year. I think it was at the end of March, which proved to be a tad cold, but I don't think the kids noticed. Except for Ruthie - she always notices.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Brothie <i>loved </i>digging in the dirt!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Hmmm. So did someone else!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UU0SURuEXJY/U3zwoexfbSI/AAAAAAAAD80/9MR3L1xIYuw/s1600/IMG_2379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UU0SURuEXJY/U3zwoexfbSI/AAAAAAAAD80/9MR3L1xIYuw/s1600/IMG_2379.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Vera</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">My beautiful Ruthie</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ICtBfJ6XGHA/U3zwxYvnwDI/AAAAAAAAD9M/3TX01t8JNwY/s1600/IMG_2382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ICtBfJ6XGHA/U3zwxYvnwDI/AAAAAAAAD9M/3TX01t8JNwY/s1600/IMG_2382.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Noa could spend all day at the beach building sandcastles. She gets lost in her own little world of creating.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We went to see <i>real</i> mermaids at the aquarium! After the (kind of weird) show, the girls wanted to play in the dress-up area. Well, Lydie had her eye on a little girl who was wearing the outfit she wanted. As soon as the girl took it off, Lydie snatched it up and stuffed herself in it. She was not going to be outdone by someone else!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sweet sisters</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Queen Mermaid Lydia</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Princess Mermaid Ruthie</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RUrMKKohUoE/U3zxFCrSeiI/AAAAAAAAD98/RFzLaijPQos/s1600/IMG_2451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RUrMKKohUoE/U3zxFCrSeiI/AAAAAAAAD98/RFzLaijPQos/s1600/IMG_2451.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Quick! Everyone act like a homeschool family!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H8aBVw6dxvw/U3zxGgG1oHI/AAAAAAAAD-E/wmpiGLJHF6k/s1600/IMG_2559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H8aBVw6dxvw/U3zxGgG1oHI/AAAAAAAAD-E/wmpiGLJHF6k/s1600/IMG_2559.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ahhh... and then there was <i>my</i> time with Russ on the beach, which was so much more relaxing than with the kids!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ADlmFM8kh8I/U3zxKKjVMcI/AAAAAAAAD-M/uzQkEPLU7Wk/s1600/IMG_2572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ADlmFM8kh8I/U3zxKKjVMcI/AAAAAAAAD-M/uzQkEPLU7Wk/s1600/IMG_2572.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Got the kids all suited up and sun-screened down for a morning at the pool and then we remembered the pool is closed for cleaning on Mondays! Ugh! Instead, I took them down to the pineapple fountain. They loved it but it was screamin' hot and quite a rookie move on my part. It was way too close to lunch time and a ton of work for about 15 minutes of mediocrity. But, I'll say it again, the kids loved it!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o2CmmgbyAPE/U3zxKh9ZHyI/AAAAAAAAD-Q/uCR9CSB7xPg/s1600/IMG_2574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o2CmmgbyAPE/U3zxKh9ZHyI/AAAAAAAAD-Q/uCR9CSB7xPg/s1600/IMG_2574.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sister pic! Two of them are peeing. Can you guess which ones? Stay out of the pineapple fountain, folks!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZge6Zup2ng/U3zxWTTcEKI/AAAAAAAAD-c/4CIUac0VRRI/s1600/IMG_2622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VZge6Zup2ng/U3zxWTTcEKI/AAAAAAAAD-c/4CIUac0VRRI/s1600/IMG_2622.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">And then there was today's beach adventure. 2 hours of awesomeness - except for the pictures. Some kind of blurriness was happening with my phone. ??? And Caleb certainly didn't care about giving me a good pic. He was too busy!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hKsnYs5jUBs/U3zxXZb9U6I/AAAAAAAAD-k/PbZU55rXfiw/s1600/IMG_2623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hKsnYs5jUBs/U3zxXZb9U6I/AAAAAAAAD-k/PbZU55rXfiw/s1600/IMG_2623.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ruthie, Lydie, and Ansley playing in the gully. It was deep! We kept having to move the kids down because it was getting over their heads. I've never seen a gully so deep.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Blurry Ruthie</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Blurry Lyd</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Blurry Ivana and Vera</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OF_vzxziV0w/U3zxnXgc1HI/AAAAAAAAD_M/bou575PBdIo/s1600/IMG_2628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OF_vzxziV0w/U3zxnXgc1HI/AAAAAAAAD_M/bou575PBdIo/s1600/IMG_2628.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Blurry Evie</span></td></tr>
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<br />Jackie Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15215617709801229220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730088482963084025.post-6290674939503307662013-12-13T13:24:00.002-05:002013-12-13T13:39:57.883-05:00Evidently Everyone Thinks Kids Don't Get Enough Candy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I'm not kidding. Everywhere we go these kids are getting candy. Our apartment manager lives in the same building as us and if the kids are outside (which is all the time), she has a sucker every time she sees them. She has been known to give them up to three suckers in one day...three sticky, nasty, teeth-rotting suckers. Why? Stop it. The bank is notorious for their suckers too. Today I took all of them to the Children's Museum and low and behold, today is National Hot Coco Day and we managed to get there at the exact moment that they were having story time, sipping hot coco, and passing out candy canes. The kids were thrilled. I was thinking about the sticky, chocolatey mess. What are the chances? ;)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sipping Coco in the medieval castle</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Beautiful. Both of them.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8-jzSdjhMRs/UqtJeE3Cu5I/AAAAAAAAD0k/YnHtZYKPbxA/s1600/IMG_1726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8-jzSdjhMRs/UqtJeE3Cu5I/AAAAAAAAD0k/YnHtZYKPbxA/s1600/IMG_1726.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Challenging Thanksgiving picture</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yQlLqEvyYNQ/UqtJqYPLFCI/AAAAAAAAD1A/Nhl8BamXksI/s1600/IMG_1737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yQlLqEvyYNQ/UqtJqYPLFCI/AAAAAAAAD1A/Nhl8BamXksI/s1600/IMG_1737.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Seriously, could they get any cuter?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zjq0lBSExf0/UqtJuv44ZDI/AAAAAAAAD1c/VcIUggI4yxI/s1600/IMG_1741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zjq0lBSExf0/UqtJuv44ZDI/AAAAAAAAD1c/VcIUggI4yxI/s1600/IMG_1741.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And if Brothie isn't getting candy when we're out and about, he's getting Oreos at home. I think I am turning into my mother.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6zqhmge6NRM/UqtJxY4r4bI/AAAAAAAAD1w/5PNOZtcBxso/s1600/IMG_1748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6zqhmge6NRM/UqtJxY4r4bI/AAAAAAAAD1w/5PNOZtcBxso/s1600/IMG_1748.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Took a trip to Bee City recently with a bunch of homeschool friends. The kids love that place!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LIneT52YnCM/UqtJ0mcQ01I/AAAAAAAAD2E/1cKiQXZxUjI/s1600/IMG_1750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LIneT52YnCM/UqtJ0mcQ01I/AAAAAAAAD2E/1cKiQXZxUjI/s1600/IMG_1750.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Noa and Lilly</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R3Vl85ZE2-Q/UqtJ8WD036I/AAAAAAAAD24/OvrcqbSLfgQ/s1600/IMG_1756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R3Vl85ZE2-Q/UqtJ8WD036I/AAAAAAAAD24/OvrcqbSLfgQ/s1600/IMG_1756.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ruthie on the warthog</span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-THHHOw43-0g/UqtKN6C8y-I/AAAAAAAAD4c/7ev4gIlNzjY/s1600/IMG_1771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-THHHOw43-0g/UqtKN6C8y-I/AAAAAAAAD4c/7ev4gIlNzjY/s1600/IMG_1771.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Add Broth</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-23VZniVSX_g/UqtJ8qacKII/AAAAAAAAD28/ef0mpcPaP-s/s1600/IMG_1758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-23VZniVSX_g/UqtJ8qacKII/AAAAAAAAD28/ef0mpcPaP-s/s1600/IMG_1758.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ruthie and Harper on the dino</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nQaEuoTFB7A/UqtKEQ6VJPI/AAAAAAAAD3k/_wKj3t6zGIA/s1600/IMG_1762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nQaEuoTFB7A/UqtKEQ6VJPI/AAAAAAAAD3k/_wKj3t6zGIA/s1600/IMG_1762.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lyds feeding goats</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-edmqcah49MA/UqtKLqh3w-I/AAAAAAAAD4E/U6dbcVv8_Cs/s1600/IMG_1767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-edmqcah49MA/UqtKLqh3w-I/AAAAAAAAD4E/U6dbcVv8_Cs/s1600/IMG_1767.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the train</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D3hrFKH5crQ/UqtKQFtCzMI/AAAAAAAAD4s/H04BPYrv4Cc/s1600/IMG_1772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D3hrFKH5crQ/UqtKQFtCzMI/AAAAAAAAD4s/H04BPYrv4Cc/s1600/IMG_1772.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Noa really liked feeding all of the animals. Notice there are no pictures of Ruthie feeding anything. She is terrified of all animals, just like her mother. There was a herd of chickens roaming around Bee City, tormenting her and myself.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qox1s51zIRI/UqtKQ1CS10I/AAAAAAAAD4w/0VI9SBxkbnI/s1600/IMG_1773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qox1s51zIRI/UqtKQ1CS10I/AAAAAAAAD4w/0VI9SBxkbnI/s1600/IMG_1773.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lyds on the "Daddy Horse"</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M-yIq4kgJQk/UqtKRVw1E2I/AAAAAAAAD5E/XPAPl0pq2nE/s1600/IMG_1774.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M-yIq4kgJQk/UqtKRVw1E2I/AAAAAAAAD5E/XPAPl0pq2nE/s1600/IMG_1774.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ruthie on the "Mommy Horse"</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1C9-SAHNRk/UqtKRqafqfI/AAAAAAAAD5A/w4j2CsFGzZg/s1600/IMG_1775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1C9-SAHNRk/UqtKRqafqfI/AAAAAAAAD5A/w4j2CsFGzZg/s1600/IMG_1775.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sweet, little Broth was all tuckered out. </span><br />
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<tr><td><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2f7B2Asxxqw/UqtKV4mVMGI/AAAAAAAAD58/Q5eP26fZ9Z4/s1600/IMG_1807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2f7B2Asxxqw/UqtKV4mVMGI/AAAAAAAAD58/Q5eP26fZ9Z4/s1600/IMG_1807.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">'Tis the season. "Happy Christmas," from Noa!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLyNtJXu_zA/UqtKR4r2ftI/AAAAAAAAD5I/RPw_ZBUIciE/s1600/IMG_1781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLyNtJXu_zA/UqtKR4r2ftI/AAAAAAAAD5I/RPw_ZBUIciE/s1600/IMG_1781.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Recently, we went Christmast shopping and it totally wrecked us. We were sooo tired. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mUJc_-rk2dU/UqtKSuFpFxI/AAAAAAAAD5U/CXbJoHnEte0/s1600/IMG_1789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mUJc_-rk2dU/UqtKSuFpFxI/AAAAAAAAD5U/CXbJoHnEte0/s1600/IMG_1789.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ruthie found a helmet.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4mxUnjwL3Cw/UqtKU0z6tLI/AAAAAAAAD5s/eQcWpzN0x1w/s1600/IMG_1793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4mxUnjwL3Cw/UqtKU0z6tLI/AAAAAAAAD5s/eQcWpzN0x1w/s1600/IMG_1793.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lydie won't stop picking that thing by her eye.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S3MZs6Cfb-k/UqtKU9iWQzI/AAAAAAAAD5w/cMHoTb7ZxSE/s1600/IMG_1803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S3MZs6Cfb-k/UqtKU9iWQzI/AAAAAAAAD5w/cMHoTb7ZxSE/s1600/IMG_1803.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Brothie and his Target popcorn</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h1kJTrklv8U/UqtKV1Zdu9I/AAAAAAAAD6A/7rBxTpD1HnQ/s1600/IMG_1811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h1kJTrklv8U/UqtKV1Zdu9I/AAAAAAAAD6A/7rBxTpD1HnQ/s1600/IMG_1811.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We had been waiting for these ants for our ant hill to arrive (from Utah) for a while and when they did, they were almost all dead. Poor guys. Noa thinks they are pets, so she's not happy that most of them are curled up in a ball at the bottom of the ant hill. :( Notice the contact information that I have to use to get more ants.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zu_fDoG3yOk/UqtKYr88R8I/AAAAAAAAD6U/ekdZPp6k7M0/s1600/IMG_1813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zu_fDoG3yOk/UqtKYr88R8I/AAAAAAAAD6U/ekdZPp6k7M0/s1600/IMG_1813.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lastly, Ruthie has been wanting to wear socks with her high heels lately. It is so horrible. Today she found socks that actually MATCHED her high heels! Even worse! That's how we roll, though. I'm sure people wonder what we dress our kids in sometimes. Answer is: We don't! They dress themselves!</span></td></tr>
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Jackie Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15215617709801229220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730088482963084025.post-32105337981291893242013-11-26T13:26:00.002-05:002013-11-26T13:26:51.829-05:00So, I have an obsession...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fqflkZzyrZg/UpTfMfqjR4I/AAAAAAAADxs/EfFPArGE0qw/s1600/IMG_1617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fqflkZzyrZg/UpTfMfqjR4I/AAAAAAAADxs/EfFPArGE0qw/s400/IMG_1617.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I love fake food! I do! When we only had Noa and Ruthie, I started making felt food for them and was determined to give them an entire pantry full of felt, but I think I only ended up making a tomato, a piece of cheese, and sandwich bread. It was time consuming!! So, because I missed my felt opportunity, I decided to make all of this construction paper food for Ruthie and Lydia's school Thanksgiving party. Why????? It took forever. And I loved it.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bthzvmdF-34/UpTfNA8oIJI/AAAAAAAADx4/1zKbOe3B4Mw/s1600/IMG_1618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bthzvmdF-34/UpTfNA8oIJI/AAAAAAAADx4/1zKbOe3B4Mw/s400/IMG_1618.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Look at these cute mashed potatoes!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NUbWbIzF8tI/UpTfPXgfVII/AAAAAAAADyY/8dl-ltJqtTs/s1600/IMG_1623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NUbWbIzF8tI/UpTfPXgfVII/AAAAAAAADyY/8dl-ltJqtTs/s400/IMG_1623.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Turkey legs</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7FZkNdN8pHo/UpTfPsk40-I/AAAAAAAADyc/QgdpYuFVkOw/s1600/IMG_1624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7FZkNdN8pHo/UpTfPsk40-I/AAAAAAAADyc/QgdpYuFVkOw/s400/IMG_1624.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Injury! Snipped right through my finger when making the pumpkin pie.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HExZZUvi9vs/UpTfPyo2ifI/AAAAAAAADyg/ltAiCp9IuHo/s1600/IMG_1626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HExZZUvi9vs/UpTfPyo2ifI/AAAAAAAADyg/ltAiCp9IuHo/s400/IMG_1626.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's the line-up. Not too shabby. If only my regular meals looked this good!!!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PGYMzeUpX-w/UpTfsDgMF5I/AAAAAAAADzE/2gffN_NtmEg/s1600/IMG_1692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PGYMzeUpX-w/UpTfsDgMF5I/AAAAAAAADzE/2gffN_NtmEg/s400/IMG_1692.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's my 2 year old turkey. Notice the hideous headdresses I made. They were even MORE time consuming than the food. Definitely didn't like that project at all. Aaaaaand, I took it upon myself to make them. I have no business doing that.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fq11N3g8qow/UpTfqQXHvmI/AAAAAAAADy0/MG9hbvVLxmE/s1600/IMG_1688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fq11N3g8qow/UpTfqQXHvmI/AAAAAAAADy0/MG9hbvVLxmE/s400/IMG_1688.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I told her to laugh instead of say "cheese" because cheese was not working. Painful smile.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C_R-M_gqWms/UpTfrD-ja6I/AAAAAAAADy4/Av08B5ms-98/s1600/IMG_1685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C_R-M_gqWms/UpTfrD-ja6I/AAAAAAAADy4/Av08B5ms-98/s400/IMG_1685.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's all the little 2 year old turkeys. Notice that Lydia is propped up on her seat. She had just finished saying the prayer and I think she is the designated "prayer" for her class. She is so dominant, and about twice the size of all the other kids, that initially she kept getting in trouble all the time in her class. Suddenly, when they put her "in charge" of certain areas, she was an angel. So, praying is one of her "jobs." This kid is soooo funny. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0ckmCVXi_yk/UpTfsOzy1CI/AAAAAAAADzQ/ddTb5T47Ysw/s1600/IMG_1689.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0ckmCVXi_yk/UpTfsOzy1CI/AAAAAAAADzQ/ddTb5T47Ysw/s400/IMG_1689.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's the little 3 year old turkeys, with one 5 year old turkey thrown in the mix. Can you spot her? Noa was sooo excited for the Thanksgiving feast and was glad I took her in as my helper. One of the other moms who decorated the table made a spot for her (with her name on it too) and she just thought that was fabulous. They had a great time!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ug09kiNhSU/UpTf0MnRDpI/AAAAAAAAD0A/qDwvblcWywg/s1600/IMG_1673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ug09kiNhSU/UpTf0MnRDpI/AAAAAAAAD0A/qDwvblcWywg/s400/IMG_1673.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">In other news, I took Noa and Ruthie shopping with me one day. They are finally getting old enough to do it. They are soooo cute and funny when I let them look through the toys. I think both of them love to shop, but especially Ruthie. She always wants her purse and her high heels too. ;)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">They kept discussing each item. It was hilarious.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We had a few very cold days and our heater happened to go out at the same time. The wonderful thing about living in the apartments is that things get fixed rather quickly (and not by us), but on this day we had to bundle up and wait longer than we wanted to.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Now we are back to our normal, sleeveless attire. *Sigh*</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Buddy boy, getting fussy in the car.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">He keeps wanting to climb the CEMENT steps at our apartment complex. FREAKY! QUIT IT! I can tell we are going to be in for it in a few months...<br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! </span><br style="font-size: medium;" /><span style="font-size: small;">WE HAVE MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span></td></tr>
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Jackie Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15215617709801229220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730088482963084025.post-40901126696785313942013-11-11T14:07:00.000-05:002013-11-11T14:07:08.083-05:00Monday Meatballs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We are trying a new recipe tonight! I'll let you know how it goes. Around my house I constantly hear, "I WANT TO HELP," "I WANT TO HELP!" Read that back in the most whiney voice possible. Repeat 40 times. That would be Noa and Ruthie (sometimes Lyd), letting me know that dinner prep will take 30 minutes longer than normal. Some days I'm up for the challenge. Today was one of those days. I'll let you know how the recipe turns out. We're having Honey Garlic Meatballs, with rice and zucchini! Noa and Ruthie were incredible helpers today!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VdHtPJ8yr78/UoEj-fua0iI/AAAAAAAADw4/pzRTjoNGwI8/s1600/IMG_1652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VdHtPJ8yr78/UoEj-fua0iI/AAAAAAAADw4/pzRTjoNGwI8/s400/IMG_1652.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This was the 5th attempt to get them both smiling and looking at me. Not working. Separate bowls because everything, of course, has to be fair and equal. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ruthie was grossed out by the meat at first, but after a while she went for it.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-spqxKEDVdQE/UoEj_8cYmwI/AAAAAAAADxM/sO_Ect5HNEE/s1600/IMG_1654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-spqxKEDVdQE/UoEj_8cYmwI/AAAAAAAADxM/sO_Ect5HNEE/s400/IMG_1654.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I'm not sure what was so captivating over my left shoulder, but they just wouldn't look at me! Something interesting about Noa is that she's seen about 5 cooking shows in her life but has <i>really</i> taken it to heart! When she's cooking with me (or playing chef) she's always pretending she's on a cooking show. Maybe in a few years she'll take over as the household chef. I would love that!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_lWuc7EoeJw/UoEj_0I8OcI/AAAAAAAADxI/Amrrm6uPO58/s1600/IMG_1657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_lWuc7EoeJw/UoEj_0I8OcI/AAAAAAAADxI/Amrrm6uPO58/s400/IMG_1657.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Brother was a "helper" too! Not really. In fact, he is a cranky mess. Last week Noa had croup (lost her voice for about 5 days, which actually gave my ears a break!), and then Brothie caught it. <i>Side note: don't act like you don't want that pineapple wallpaper all for yourself. Its like a Magic Eye game all wrapped up in kitchen decor. </i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HEFSXPzeJXg/UoEj9FxiV1I/AAAAAAAADwg/35ngcPtQ998/s1600/IMG_1636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HEFSXPzeJXg/UoEj9FxiV1I/AAAAAAAADwg/35ngcPtQ998/s400/IMG_1636.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Look at how pathetic he looks! Poor buddy.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And another. So sad. But anyway... back to the meatballs.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tuXLmwG4x-E/UoEkAVIHiKI/AAAAAAAADxY/OmKvdEVyuRo/s1600/IMG_1658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tuXLmwG4x-E/UoEkAVIHiKI/AAAAAAAADxY/OmKvdEVyuRo/s400/IMG_1658.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here we are! I'm trying <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/honey-garlic-appetizer-meatballs-104014?scaleto=8&mode=null&st=true">this</a> recipe tonight. I asked the girls to roll them in 1" balls and, for the most part, they did pretty good. Towards the end, they just started smashing them into the dish, so I had to take over. But it was a good 10 minutes before that started happening!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sGz7W1J6rdo/UoEj8c-YmdI/AAAAAAAADwU/NLLFgcZK6VQ/s1600/IMG_1634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sGz7W1J6rdo/UoEj8c-YmdI/AAAAAAAADwU/NLLFgcZK6VQ/s400/IMG_1634.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">In other news, I made some aprons for the girls (for Christmas) this weekend while Russ was on the Man Retreat. Sadly, the night that Russ was gone was Caleb's worst night with the croup. Neither of us slept (like, not for a minute) and for most of the night Caleb was either trying to catch his breath, or screaming. We spent most of the night in the bathroom with the hot shower running so he could breathe in the steam. It. Was. Terrible. Why is this the caption for the aprons? I will tell you why. On Saturday, all I wanted to do was sleep, but since that wasn't an option (caring for three girls who slept well and a baby that just wanted to be held), I had to throw myself into a project or else all I would think about was sleeping and then how angry I was that I couldn't sleep. So, I cranked out these aprons in record time! Just kept rollin' 'em through the sewing machine and now I have three Christmas presents that didn't cost me anything!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thankfully, the night before the Man Retreat, Russ and I went out to a new restaurant downtown that we loved! It is called <a href="http://therarebit.com/">The Rarebit</a>. Fabulous ambiance, great prices, and even better food. Russ had chicken and waffles, I had fish 'n' chips, and we shared a Lentil Salad, which sounds gross but it was great. I wanted to order it because it was different than something I would usually pick, even though I was really wanting the onion rings. I've never met an onion ring I didn't immediately eat. But, now we have to go back so I can try the onion rings. It was all part of a greater plan.</span></td></tr>
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Jackie Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15215617709801229220noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730088482963084025.post-8422925319785195042013-11-02T09:43:00.001-04:002013-11-02T09:45:52.139-04:00Pumpkin Patch with Noa and Caleb<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NB_S3-iO8Js/UnUAqwvGyFI/AAAAAAAADvo/EDDTBU3trVY/s1600/IMG_1577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NB_S3-iO8Js/UnUAqwvGyFI/AAAAAAAADvo/EDDTBU3trVY/s400/IMG_1577.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Look how dirty this kid is! Our car has smelled like manure all week and I'm sure it was because of Brothie.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MV0svIt1ong/UnUAqkoMgzI/AAAAAAAADvk/c6rIeU0HLUA/s1600/IMG_1578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MV0svIt1ong/UnUAqkoMgzI/AAAAAAAADvk/c6rIeU0HLUA/s400/IMG_1578.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Noa didn't want to touch the dirt. Sadly, we are not farmers.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some of our homeschooling friends.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Always standing up.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Jackie Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15215617709801229220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730088482963084025.post-43181276203279530462013-10-28T14:50:00.002-04:002013-10-28T14:55:30.074-04:00Por Mi Familia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: start;">So I just downloaded a bunch of pictures of the last *ahem* year. Yes, it has almost been that long and the idea of keeping up with the blog has been nagging me for months now. I don't like the new blogger and well, I just shut down and that was that. I also have four kids 5 and under, and I think that accounts for some (o.k. most) of the blog failure. But we're back! I chose a handful of recent pictures to throw up on here today and in the next few posts, I thought we could just go backwards through the last year. Poor Brothie hardly has any blogs about him! Anyway, here's a sampling of the last month or two. And I completed this task in just under an hour. Record time, folks! I hope each of my 7 readers know how much I love you...</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here he is himself, the king of cuteness, the Sire of sweetness, the most awesome boy in the whole world. He is snakes and snails and puppy dog tails, and he melts my heart each and every day.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-23oReLyzYOo/Um6qM7iZ2eI/AAAAAAAADtM/1Gq16c5AtDQ/s1600/IMG_1089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-23oReLyzYOo/Um6qM7iZ2eI/AAAAAAAADtM/1Gq16c5AtDQ/s400/IMG_1089.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This picture got thrown in randomly. The shirt says it all.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ruthie Joy. We've gave her that middle name in hopes that we would actually see her being joyful one of these days. This particular day was challenging, but she does have many wonderful moments. :)</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GDfmLUjFuiE/Um6qo3GI0kI/AAAAAAAADtk/OLhy8qJTsbU/s1600/IMG_1514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GDfmLUjFuiE/Um6qo3GI0kI/AAAAAAAADtk/OLhy8qJTsbU/s400/IMG_1514.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's the girls' new favorite tire swing at their new favorite park on Folly Beach.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C8nzGx7PCxM/Um6qtIbSCKI/AAAAAAAADts/7ZmpXhBrxx4/s1600/IMG_1516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C8nzGx7PCxM/Um6qtIbSCKI/AAAAAAAADts/7ZmpXhBrxx4/s400/IMG_1516.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Double wedding with dogs, singing Bible verses, lots of dancing, a butterfly in a jar, each of them greeting their guests and saying a bunch of gibberish into a hairbrush... they are so wonderful.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JLvIfkLz8sg/Um6q3HajRWI/AAAAAAAADt0/AStIqQo5PRQ/s1600/IMG_1293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JLvIfkLz8sg/Um6q3HajRWI/AAAAAAAADt0/AStIqQo5PRQ/s400/IMG_1293.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My handsome date for a wedding we went to downtown - we are so conservative.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wwHGWufOIwE/Um6rCFtvcVI/AAAAAAAADuE/fHEyaPx7eYY/s1600/IMG_1511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wwHGWufOIwE/Um6rCFtvcVI/AAAAAAAADuE/fHEyaPx7eYY/s400/IMG_1511.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another picture of our new park. Pirates and lighthouses are the theme.</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IAbyaRywwgE/Um6rF5bNfdI/AAAAAAAADuM/N0ATx1xrv_E/s1600/IMG_1505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IAbyaRywwgE/Um6rF5bNfdI/AAAAAAAADuM/N0ATx1xrv_E/s400/IMG_1505.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I found a bike trailer for $12 at a sale so everyone has been getting rides. The only problem is it takes up a bunch of space at the apartment and I'm sure our neighbors are getting tired of it taking up the walkway. </span></td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ST6TyGt1KSw/Um6rJVXqq0I/AAAAAAAADuU/ionjwiFfASk/s1600/IMG_1494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ST6TyGt1KSw/Um6rJVXqq0I/AAAAAAAADuU/ionjwiFfASk/s400/IMG_1494.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Birthday bike taxi downtown with my best friend. It was such a fun night! I look like I have dentures, but this is the only picture from that night! Can't believe I am 36 years old. Where does time go? Where has my upper lip gone?</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9H-nIoVN_Hc/Um6rPy5X4BI/AAAAAAAADuc/4yl4QrwqKEs/s1600/IMG_1492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9H-nIoVN_Hc/Um6rPy5X4BI/AAAAAAAADuc/4yl4QrwqKEs/s400/IMG_1492.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Brother boy <i>has to</i> be standing up.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QbnvSYPBDbY/Um6rVSQrDpI/AAAAAAAADuk/9XVYy_I-OuU/s1600/IMG_1490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QbnvSYPBDbY/Um6rVSQrDpI/AAAAAAAADuk/9XVYy_I-OuU/s400/IMG_1490.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sweet Noa has been very interested in brushing (and spraying) her hair lately. You can't tell from this picture, but her part is soaking wet with hairspray. I love her.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rsfKSxdzNl0/Um6rcR6s1FI/AAAAAAAADus/YW6sNPYbuH4/s1600/IMG_1481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rsfKSxdzNl0/Um6rcR6s1FI/AAAAAAAADus/YW6sNPYbuH4/s400/IMG_1481.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Library time with Brothie and the gash! (Notice the scrape on his head from falling out of the wagon.) This was right around his 1st birthday.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v1SCBG7ebS0/Um6r2runZTI/AAAAAAAADu0/Bu87EGaC6Yc/s1600/IMG_0308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v1SCBG7ebS0/Um6r2runZTI/AAAAAAAADu0/Bu87EGaC6Yc/s400/IMG_0308.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">What a difference a year makes! Last year he was just a helpless little hotdog. </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gEUoALifHE4/Um6r85z8XkI/AAAAAAAADu8/aOcAjiTAJBo/s1600/IMG_0462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gEUoALifHE4/Um6r85z8XkI/AAAAAAAADu8/aOcAjiTAJBo/s400/IMG_0462.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The girls often sabotage my phone with selfies. Here's Noa's version. This is how all of them look. I need to teach them the difference between up angle and down angle pics...</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Y3OQeFk7hc/Um6sF3pS3TI/AAAAAAAADvE/87YBB2Y5YRg/s1600/IMG_0418.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Y3OQeFk7hc/Um6sF3pS3TI/AAAAAAAADvE/87YBB2Y5YRg/s400/IMG_0418.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ruthie's version. Just the eyes.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3PNdtVD97y8/Um6sVA-Uf6I/AAAAAAAADvM/1WLW7nK77AE/s1600/IMG_1028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3PNdtVD97y8/Um6sVA-Uf6I/AAAAAAAADvM/1WLW7nK77AE/s400/IMG_1028.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lydie's version. Are you serious? I could eat this kid up. Since we're going backwards through the last year, I'm giving you a spoiler alert: Lydie cut her own bangs and this picture showcases them well...</span></td></tr>
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<br />Jackie Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15215617709801229220noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730088482963084025.post-76404814998972101612013-04-03T14:29:00.001-04:002013-04-03T14:29:50.232-04:00Strawberry Pickin' Days and Low Expectations<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-njm7wEKBV68/UVxzLLOo4zI/AAAAAAAADr4/_JBfZOZ4r-I/s1600/IMG_0340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-njm7wEKBV68/UVxzLLOo4zI/AAAAAAAADr4/_JBfZOZ4r-I/s320/IMG_0340.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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So, I couldn't let a good strawberry picking season go by without a
few pictures on the blog. I know, I know... the blog has been down for
a while. Quite honestly it is just another thing to do - and I already
have enough of those. But, for the sake of my lovely Mom, I thought I
would post a few pics from time to time and hopefully, *hopefully* keep
up with it AT LEAST on a monthly basis. We'll see. 4 kids ain't no
joke!!!! Especially when one is a nursing baby!<br />
<br />
April
in Charleston means Strawberry time! Actually, it was a tad early.
Strawberries were out, but they will be juicier and more plentiful
probably in a few weeks. We're going to go back since today's
adventure landed us ZERO strawberries. The girls ate some along the
way. At one point, Noa even had a bucket full. But somehow they were
gone when we left. I'm not sure if she ate them or if the bucket
tipped. Either way, no jam for us... <br />
<br />
BUT WHO
CARES?! The more kids I have, the more I feel like I need to lower my
expectations. I would've been so stressed out if I had wanted to bring
home a ton of berries today, while goin' it alone with 4 kids. My only
expectations were to get there in one piece (which we did!), and to
have fun with friends (which we did!). See what a victorious day we
had??? I need to start applying this to my time with the kids each
day. It is certainly o.k. to expect some things, but when I get myself
all in a wad about it, usually the day goes downhill fast. But enough
talk... here's some cute kids...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ytLA4e_c-Jg/UVxy9Z2EMbI/AAAAAAAADrk/0V5sinQCVTs/s1600/IMG_7109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ytLA4e_c-Jg/UVxy9Z2EMbI/AAAAAAAADrk/0V5sinQCVTs/s400/IMG_7109.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stinky feet!!!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rw3ticlX39w/UVxzHOHBrbI/AAAAAAAADrs/N9CqVmEyOqw/s1600/IMG_5130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rw3ticlX39w/UVxzHOHBrbI/AAAAAAAADrs/N9CqVmEyOqw/s400/IMG_5130.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brothie was a trooper. It was a little windy, so he totally did NOT want to be there. He wanted to sleep. Eventually he fell asleep on me. I'd like to think my heartbeat had something to do with that... so miraculous. ;)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M-GyCkeUneA/UVxzPRueFiI/AAAAAAAADr8/IQcEHxYga3Y/s1600/IMG_0361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M-GyCkeUneA/UVxzPRueFiI/AAAAAAAADr8/IQcEHxYga3Y/s400/IMG_0361.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yaya Joy (A name she gave herself. She thinks everyone's middle name is "Joy.")</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xNIQQ_pEjsI/UVxuryM0R1I/AAAAAAAADpw/QxpNR18uLoQ/s1600/IMG_0838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xNIQQ_pEjsI/UVxuryM0R1I/AAAAAAAADpw/QxpNR18uLoQ/s400/IMG_0838.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a bad selfie of me and Brother. Focusing so hard on getting the picture! Sun in my eyes! I can't remember a strawberry picking adventure without a kid strapped to the front of me so I had to document that it was happening once again... This time Caleb was my helper. </td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KJzblL93Ysg/UVxuvQ23yAI/AAAAAAAADp4/r5CTx4DbS3k/s1600/IMG_0839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KJzblL93Ysg/UVxuvQ23yAI/AAAAAAAADp4/r5CTx4DbS3k/s400/IMG_0839.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FN9WbrIywWk/UVxux8wn-gI/AAAAAAAADqA/krTXVLQXmC8/s1600/IMG_0840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FN9WbrIywWk/UVxux8wn-gI/AAAAAAAADqA/krTXVLQXmC8/s400/IMG_0840.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lydie soon tired of finding strawberries after about the fourth one.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2X9pwS_9E_0/UVxu0gmFCzI/AAAAAAAADqM/3fWUaRILBBs/s1600/IMG_0841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2X9pwS_9E_0/UVxu0gmFCzI/AAAAAAAADqM/3fWUaRILBBs/s400/IMG_0841.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why no smile, Lyds?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PYXBiPHqeCE/UVxu4SsPOxI/AAAAAAAADqU/YJcPJ_-mJBQ/s1600/IMG_0842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PYXBiPHqeCE/UVxu4SsPOxI/AAAAAAAADqU/YJcPJ_-mJBQ/s400/IMG_0842.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dawn's crew. Nothin' says Johns Island like Dawn.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KSb5a83USYE/UVxu-FzZzQI/AAAAAAAADqk/WgNXJU570SM/s1600/IMG_0844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KSb5a83USYE/UVxu-FzZzQI/AAAAAAAADqk/WgNXJU570SM/s400/IMG_0844.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruthie and her favorite shirt. It is not MY favorite shirt which is why we chose it for strawberry picking. I was hoping she would totally destroy it. Didn't happen.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nmZxK2L43nQ/UVxvDqjR4pI/AAAAAAAADqs/9njaVBcOc6o/s1600/IMG_0846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nmZxK2L43nQ/UVxvDqjR4pI/AAAAAAAADqs/9njaVBcOc6o/s400/IMG_0846.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">O.k., o.k. Now I get what people are saying about Ruthie and Lydie looking alike. They are so incredibly different that I see similarities, but I've never really seen it like I see it in this picture. I wonder if they will be even MORE similar when Lydie loses those chubby cheeksters. It will be a sad day. :(</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aT-1Vm6iiBA/UVxvGY9PNsI/AAAAAAAADq0/qONYREKxe6o/s1600/IMG_0847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aT-1Vm6iiBA/UVxvGY9PNsI/AAAAAAAADq0/qONYREKxe6o/s400/IMG_0847.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shandy's crew. Smart enough to bring a stroller!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hjwB395usw4/UVxvKA0gfCI/AAAAAAAADq8/WxBNaCo-enI/s1600/IMG_0849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hjwB395usw4/UVxvKA0gfCI/AAAAAAAADq8/WxBNaCo-enI/s400/IMG_0849.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ivana showing off her baby love in the back. And Sue being sweet Sue.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2t2XxUFjiW0/UVxvNlkz3-I/AAAAAAAADrE/c1DVgOTW724/s1600/IMG_0850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2t2XxUFjiW0/UVxvNlkz3-I/AAAAAAAADrE/c1DVgOTW724/s400/IMG_0850.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Ansley. Her hair and her personality match.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GhpPD1634Bc/UVxvRCq0LlI/AAAAAAAADrM/B9Cy1ouuqHs/s1600/IMG_0851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GhpPD1634Bc/UVxvRCq0LlI/AAAAAAAADrM/B9Cy1ouuqHs/s400/IMG_0851.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lydie couldn't quite get the hang of the bag inside the bucket thing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tZ5ygd1KslQ/UVxvVrhpzAI/AAAAAAAADrU/AtRSk6HPA7k/s1600/IMG_0853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tZ5ygd1KslQ/UVxvVrhpzAI/AAAAAAAADrU/AtRSk6HPA7k/s400/IMG_0853.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Get IN the picture with your kids, Jackie! Brother was crying, Lydie was running away, Noa and Ruthie were mildly supportive of the family pic. Not all it is cracked up to be.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QuWrkcUrq08/UVxvdJsd4hI/AAAAAAAADrc/SmVabxK_wgM/s1600/IMG_0855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QuWrkcUrq08/UVxvdJsd4hI/AAAAAAAADrc/SmVabxK_wgM/s400/IMG_0855.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rode home with a car full of dirt faces. And hands. And feet. And bellies full of strawberries. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Jackie Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15215617709801229220noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730088482963084025.post-22402644931211446322012-12-25T16:00:00.001-05:002012-12-25T16:00:31.728-05:00Christmas Video 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/24ArzbtLcBg?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Jackie Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15215617709801229220noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730088482963084025.post-14437257240677071992012-12-24T19:53:00.002-05:002012-12-24T19:56:07.981-05:00Joyful and TriumphantIt is quite tempting to be a scrouge this year. With one sickness rolling into the next in our house, I have felt neither joyful nor triumphant a majority of the time. In the last month, I have only been out of the house to do some minor Christmas shopping (like maybe 3 hours), and to take my 2 month old to the Emergency Room. Friends with kids can't stop by because you'll just keep passing each sickness around. I've had lots of sleepless nights, comforting children, nursing the baby, helping the girls go potty... One day runs into the next until it occurred to me the other day that I hadn't even seen the church decorated for Christmas. We only made ONE of the gazillion Christmas parties we were invited to, and that was with MUCH effort finding a babysitter to watch flu-ridden kids. I've missed the entire Advent Season with our church due to sickness! The only thing up in our house this year is the tree and it looks terrible. The kids (in particular, Lydia) can't stop messing with it, so all of the ornaments are either broken, on the floor, or up high as to keep little fingers away from them. I have had no desire to put anything else up and quite honestly I feel a little depressed. And, of course, Charleston won't have snow any time soon, but I'm not even going there...<br />
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But as I was in the ER, holding Caleb who was screaming hot with a fever, I started thinking about the Father sending his Son to us. Emmanuel. God with us. I started thinking about what it would be like to have thought up and created the universe, only to be limited to the body and mind of an infant. Willingly. I looked at my son, helpless, and couldn't imagine entrusting anyone else with him. I was wondering what it must've been like for the Father to trust Mary and Joseph with Jesus, knowing everything probably wouldn't be handled perfectly, or the way he would've done it himself. I was thinking about what it would be like to entrust my son to an 8 year old or something. Who would do that? Tough for Jesus. Tough for his Father. Glorious for us.<br />
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As I sing about our Savior's birth this year, I am wearing sweats in my kitchen and I'm usually singing alone. There hasn't been anyone to sing for except Jesus, and usually that's with my kids in the background telling me to stop singing. Nothing very holly or jolly about this Christmas. No cookies, maybe 2 presents, no decorations, no fun Christmas cards to send out. Nothing. In fact, I told Russ today that this is probably the worst Christmas I've ever had. But without those distractions, in some ways it has also been the best one. It has been stripped down to Jesus! Jesus + nothing = everything. When I think about what Jesus sacrificed for MY sake, how can I be anything but joyful and triumphant? God is with me. <br />
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O Come, all ye faithful<br />
Joyful and Triumphant<br />
O Come ye, O Come ye to Bethlehem<br />
Come and behold him<br />
Born the King of angels<br />
O Come let us adore Him<br />
O Come let us adore Him<br />
O Come let us adore Him<br />
Christ the Lord <br />
<br />Jackie Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15215617709801229220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730088482963084025.post-63861892801889424692012-12-14T19:59:00.000-05:002012-12-14T19:59:54.426-05:00Where Has the Time Gone?<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh my goodness. It has been forever since I've updated this blog! Part of it has been computer problems, and part of it has been sheer exhaustion. 4 kids ain't no joke! I find that on a normal day, I just don't stop. If I stop, something goes wrong. Even after the kids go down, we're usually folding laundry, cleaning the kitchen, getting things ready for the next day... I can't wait until the girls are old enough to help with some of it. They help a little bit now, but it is with MUCH assistance, and sometimes I'd rather do it by myself. :) Anyway, here's some pictures from the last month, in no particular order, because that would take about 45 minutes longer... </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rS1YNZyqzFY/UMvGmLBg87I/AAAAAAAADmQ/5tQe-GZo_no/s1600/IMG_1992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rS1YNZyqzFY/UMvGmLBg87I/AAAAAAAADmQ/5tQe-GZo_no/s400/IMG_1992.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ruthie has a baby in her tummy!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nesi4RoPC1U/UMvGpl8JVDI/AAAAAAAADmY/w_ou9L5qJYU/s1600/IMG_1993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nesi4RoPC1U/UMvGpl8JVDI/AAAAAAAADmY/w_ou9L5qJYU/s400/IMG_1993.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Noa has a baby in her tummy!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Bnsdkn9yCU/UMvGtBBJ9JI/AAAAAAAADmg/CTSFZ5zjNQQ/s1600/IMG_1995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Bnsdkn9yCU/UMvGtBBJ9JI/AAAAAAAADmg/CTSFZ5zjNQQ/s400/IMG_1995.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The girls watching TV. This is when Ruthie had some stash of soap that we couldn't find and after a bath, she kept slicking down her hair with it. I was the happiest Mom alive the day I found that darn soap.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--LMCTkI-4XI/UMvGxc0LrRI/AAAAAAAADmo/purkiIEn8tI/s1600/IMG_2005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--LMCTkI-4XI/UMvGxc0LrRI/AAAAAAAADmo/purkiIEn8tI/s400/IMG_2005.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Noa and Ruthie had dentist appointments with Dr. Chris. They were both CHAMPS and went through the whole appointment without any problems. This is a stark contrast to the appointment 6 months ago when I took all 3 girls to MY appointment (while pregnant) and they crushed Pringles all over Dr. Chris' office while watching Veggie Tales. They were allowed to pick out a prize since they were so "good" and I (still pregnant) had to carry Ruthie out of the office kicking and screaming (while pushing Lydia in the stroller) because she wouldn't choose just one prize. I had to pry them from her hands. Needless to say, things have progressed. I'm not sure why I thought taking 3 kids to my appointment would work, but live and learn...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y3xMpRH-qwk/UMvG2gImcBI/AAAAAAAADm0/mgKEMlZaKNE/s1600/IMG_2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y3xMpRH-qwk/UMvG2gImcBI/AAAAAAAADm0/mgKEMlZaKNE/s400/IMG_2017.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">We've decided that pig tails is Ya's best look.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qGvUYx7Jp-E/UMvG43bFg2I/AAAAAAAADm8/tW5t-pHFQio/s1600/IMG_2024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qGvUYx7Jp-E/UMvG43bFg2I/AAAAAAAADm8/tW5t-pHFQio/s400/IMG_2024.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ruthie lovin' on Brothie.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p-v1OBRmgOg/UMvG7ibWGNI/AAAAAAAADnE/dzHzQwP-F5A/s1600/IMG_2025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p-v1OBRmgOg/UMvG7ibWGNI/AAAAAAAADnE/dzHzQwP-F5A/s400/IMG_2025.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sweet kids. I love this picture.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5rcc1mkpu90/UMvG_av8A7I/AAAAAAAADnM/T40SgQgeVc0/s1600/IMG_2032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5rcc1mkpu90/UMvG_av8A7I/AAAAAAAADnM/T40SgQgeVc0/s400/IMG_2032.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Brother Boy. Brothie. Buddy Boy. K-Bob. Caleb. <br />No shortage of nicknames in our house.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zOcgXnXw3Xw/UMvHFf3N6PI/AAAAAAAADnU/yu8eennQBLY/s1600/IMG_2036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zOcgXnXw3Xw/UMvHFf3N6PI/AAAAAAAADnU/yu8eennQBLY/s400/IMG_2036.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Went to the lights and rode the carousel. Daddy braved it while Mommy held Caleb. Noa is somewhere else, goin' it alone.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9MFgL3BrRNc/UMvHH_EJCjI/AAAAAAAADnc/gDlYvRRC6ZE/s1600/IMG_2043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9MFgL3BrRNc/UMvHH_EJCjI/AAAAAAAADnc/gDlYvRRC6ZE/s400/IMG_2043.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Ya-baby stealing a moment on Ruthie's bike. I'm sure that 5 seconds later, Ruthie screamed and assaulted her for riding it, but she seems to be enjoying this moment. Poor baby.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DlKROq9hnQc/UMvHLTEcaoI/AAAAAAAADnk/XuSh2r4OuyM/s1600/IMG_2044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DlKROq9hnQc/UMvHLTEcaoI/AAAAAAAADnk/XuSh2r4OuyM/s400/IMG_2044.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This is some kind of bunk bed that the girls came up with. <br />Whatever keeps them busy...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kz2evCrs1S4/UMvHOJxrTgI/AAAAAAAADns/jMpGcAt7JZg/s1600/IMG_2046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kz2evCrs1S4/UMvHOJxrTgI/AAAAAAAADns/jMpGcAt7JZg/s400/IMG_2046.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Day at Brownswood Nursery with Pops and Cousin Micah. Ruthie got to go by herself since everyone else was sick...or just getting sick...or something. I can't quite remember. Anyway, she was the big-shot that day.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bZctqfcd21g/UMvHRmJVbzI/AAAAAAAADn0/BA1EXUgHjes/s1600/IMG_2052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bZctqfcd21g/UMvHRmJVbzI/AAAAAAAADn0/BA1EXUgHjes/s400/IMG_2052.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Noa and Lyd play well together. <br />Here they are laying in Noa's bed, being buddies.</span></td></tr>
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<br />Jackie Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15215617709801229220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730088482963084025.post-18262730538035398042012-11-16T09:24:00.002-05:002012-11-16T09:24:17.683-05:00Rosy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I was growing up (and still), I never understood why my Mom loved my rosy, red cheeks. When I look at Lydia, I finally understand why. ;)</div>
<br />Jackie Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15215617709801229220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730088482963084025.post-48830089745865836052012-11-09T21:47:00.004-05:002012-11-09T21:47:32.324-05:00Chicks, Babers, Ya, and Brother<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So, Russ is at a retreat this weekend and what do I sit around doing? Looking at old pictures on the computer. I found some gems! ;) These are all sometime within the last year. My, how time flies.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pQdiSD3yC8E/UJ26D2OW8tI/AAAAAAAADk4/0DEm0Nq2E_E/s1600/DSC_0107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pQdiSD3yC8E/UJ26D2OW8tI/AAAAAAAADk4/0DEm0Nq2E_E/s400/DSC_0107.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
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Chicks! We really don't call her that anymore, and I don't even think she'll respond to it. Noa Jane is our sweet firstborn. Her love for music is amazing, and I love to hear her worship the Lord and make up songs in her childlike way. She is both tenderhearted and bossy, level-headed and goofy. I love who the Lord came up with when He made Noa.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bCZJ_BzgxlY/UJ267sYRAdI/AAAAAAAADlI/n7ql_JLjo_8/s1600/DSC_0310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bCZJ_BzgxlY/UJ267sYRAdI/AAAAAAAADlI/n7ql_JLjo_8/s400/DSC_0310.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>
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Babers! Ruthie, Ruthie, Ruthie. I feel like I call her name ten thousand times a day. Maybe that's why she doesn't respond to me! Need to tone down the directives, Mom! ;) Ruthie is passionate and curious, shy but friendly. She's a quirky little doll that keeps us guessing (and praying for that matter!). I love my Ruthie Joy. I was never quite sure of that middle name, but now that I know her I'm glad we chose it because it suits her perfectly. She is definitely a joy.</div>
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Ya-ya! I think we have another passionate one on our hands! Even though Lydie is girl #3, she definitely doesn't let the older two push her around. This girl is feisty! And really, really, really sweet. She melts us with her hugs and kisses every day. She is extremely verbal and very smart. We've kind of been amazed by the things she'll put together, I'm sure from watching the other two. I'm excited to how her personality blossoms as she learns even more words. I love my little ya and am thankful for her beautiful smile (and dimples!), her warm heart, and her silly laugh. I could listen to it all day long. </div>
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Brother! Poor Caleb has the most boring nick-name. But it fits! Out-numbered! Easy to identify in pics! He is every bit as precious as he looks in this picture. He is now a month old and has been eating well, sleeping well, loving well, and enduring a LOT of hugging, touching, carrying, holding, kissing, dropping, feeding, and all kinds of things from his other 3 "mommies." He seems to be very laid back. I was never sure about having a boy. I'm not sure why; I guess I was just used to girls. But of course NOW, I can't imagine my days without him. He is such a blessing to us and definitely a piece of the puzzle that was missing. We love you Cabes!</div>
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Thank you for enduring this weepy, sentimental post about my kids. I am so amazed by the amount of love the Lord places in our hearts for our kids, even though they've turned our world up-side-down since they came! I wonder what we did with all of our time before kids??? I'm sure it wasn't very important. But anyway, oh how I love them. Totally humbled that the Lord chose ME to be their mom! I hit the jackpot with these kids and I totally don't even know what I'm doing! Thankful also for his grace because He is fully aware that I don't know what I'm doing! :) </div>
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<i>James 1:17 - "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down </i></div>
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<i>from the Father of heavenly lights."</i></div>
<br />Jackie Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15215617709801229220noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730088482963084025.post-40932761330254057442012-10-27T20:29:00.003-04:002012-10-27T20:39:51.905-04:00Pumpkin Patch<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Cheese!" Look at all those teeth!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Scary! Ghouls! Ruthie didn't get it</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The girls kept putting that gourd in his car seat with him</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Caleb was the easiest to photograph</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Check out that cowlick - super sweet!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Quite a challenging picture to take</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This may have been the best one we got...pathetic</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lydie was fine if she was by herself</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9UgHRZXrrF4/UIx4yo0GQUI/AAAAAAAADkE/SDsIfogg7Uk/s1600/DSC_0361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9UgHRZXrrF4/UIx4yo0GQUI/AAAAAAAADkE/SDsIfogg7Uk/s400/DSC_0361.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Definitely didn't want to be part of the group</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ruthie <i>loves</i> to hold and take care of Baby Brother</span></td></tr>
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So our time at the pumpkin patch was short and sweet this year. These blue outfits were all I could come up with and I'm not even sure I like them. Oh well. Brain is on overload lately. But I <i>love</i> the kids in the blue outfits! I asked Russ to bring his camera and it was quite a challenging little (very little) photo shoot. The girls were running around like crazy and it was hard to corral them for a picture, but at least we got a few that sort of work. Caleb slept the whole time. It was all of about 15 minutes, but that was enough for us. They each picked out a small pumpkin (they wanted the smallest, cheapest ones!) and now they carry them around constantly. I think they're even sleeping with them. I remember this craziness from last year. We bought a big pumpkin to carve too, but have yet to do it. Happy Halloween everyone! ;)Jackie Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15215617709801229220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730088482963084025.post-5142912914421259612012-10-13T21:23:00.003-04:002012-10-14T09:04:50.450-04:00Caleb's BirthThis has been the most miserable pregnancy! So at 38 weeks, because of the diabetes and the hope for a vaginal delivery, we were ready to get this big boy out! A few days before the induction, he was measuring (ultrasound) 9 lbs., 2 oz. Since the ultrasound can be off by a pound either way, there's no way to know how big he really was at that point, but suffice to say he was going to be a big baby - even at 38 weeks. So, we felt good about the induction. I swear we had hundreds of people praying for us! Although it was the most difficult pregnancy, it was the easiest birth by far, even though it was my first VBAC. I'm so happy to have avoided the cesarean and experience the wonder of pushing a baby into this world for the third time. What a gift.<br />
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So...we got to the hospital around 6:15 and started the admitting process. It was taking FOREVER! I was ready to get the show on the road! While we were still being admitted, I received a call on my phone and it was one of the doctors saying that Labor & Delivery was very busy and could we come in at noon instead. She said, "the good news is, we'll still be able to deliver your baby today." Well. I didn't think that was the best news. I almost burst into tears. I didn't want to start the process at noon, I wanted to start as early as possible. I told her we were already being admitted and she said to just come up and "we'll see what we can figure out for you." Not what I wanted to hear. Well, the good news was, they had us in a room right away. The bad news was, they just kind of left us there (very uncomfortable bed!!) until some of the craziness died down. So I had to sit there with the heart monitor on and an IV running for a few hours before they started the pitocin drip. We should've gone out for breakfast instead! But, anyway...<br />
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They finally started the drip around 10:30 a.m. I prayed for good IV's and had two in my right arm that were placed very well. I was so thankful! I started feeling contractions right away (like a balloon being filled up with air inside of your belly), although it wasn't that painful at the start. When we arrived, they checked me and I was dilated to 3cm, 50% effaced, so that was a pretty good starting point.<br />
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The contractions were picking up and although they still weren't very painful, I knew they would be very soon. I also wanted to get the epidural before they broke my water because that always speeds things up tremendously. So, they called for the epidural and I think it was about 1pm when they came in to do it. After the area was numb and they were placing it in my back/spine (whatever), I felt a tinge of pain when they were putting it in and jumped. The doctor and all of the residents were like, "Whoa! Where did you feel that? Left, right, or middle?" I was trying to think about where I felt it -- don't want to mess up that question and not get the epidural right -- but couldn't really place it, so I just said middle. I don't know if that's where I felt it or not but the epidural set up better on my left side than my right. I kept having to lay on my right side to dump the medicine over so I could feel the numbness there too. Ugh. I also noticed that with this epidural I felt a lot more. Not necessarily in a bad way, but with the other two, my legs were totally numb and I couldn't move them at all. With this one I felt a tad bit more mobile with my legs.<br />
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So we just sat there for a while and let the contractions do their work. I was dilated to 4 cm maybe around 2pm or so and thought to myself, "Man. This is going to take forever." A little bit later, my water ruptured by itself (I felt a gush and they determined later that I was correct!) and from that point on, my contractions started to pick up quite a bit. It is amazing that something so crazy can be taking place in your body and Russ and I were just sitting there waiting...not really feeling much at all. I've felt pitocin contractions before and I don't ever want to feel them again, so this was great!<br />
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About 3:45 or so, the pain started to increase on my right side and when the nurse came in about a half hour later I told her that I might need to up the epidural. She asked me what it felt like and all I could say was that there was a lot of pressure and it felt like my body was opening. I couldn't describe it better than that. We had a good laugh about this later! I had never felt that with the other births and thought maybe my cervix was dilating more and the contractions were just getting crazy. She said it was about time to empty my bladder, so she would ask the doctors about upping my meds after she cathed me. She lifted the sheets to do my cath and the baby was crowning! She said, "well, that's why you're feeling more pain! The baby is about to come out!" She quickly got on the phone and said, "we need the doctor down here right now. The baby is crowning." A few seconds later, the attending doctor, Dr. Goodier (who we really liked!), 3 of the residents and a few nurses rushed in. There was a crowd in there!! They all got in their places like they knew this was going to happen or something. They put my legs up in the stir ups and told me to push at the next contraction. I couldn't believe it was all happening so fast! I thought the whole process would be much slower! So when the next contraction came, I took a deep breath and pushed. Out came the head. The contraction was still going, so I took another deep breath and pushed. Out came some of the body, I think. They said to push again, so I did and out came the baby. I honestly think I pushed for about 45 seconds. I think one of the neatest things with my vaginal deliveries is the feeling of the baby coming all the way out and your stomach going down. Anyway, it was crazy! He looked huge! Dr. Smith (one of the residents) was the one who caught the baby and as she was pulling him out, what seemed like a few gallons of amniotic fluid shot out of my body and hosed her and our nurse (Kim) down. They were soaked. How gross! That has never happened to me before. The nurses were all getting towels to clean up all the fluid on the floor! They kept saying that I had extra fluid and I guess they were right.<br />
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Caleb was cleaned up in the room. It seemed like it took forever for me to get to hold him. I was just laying while he was being measured, weighed, etc. etc. etc. Finally I got to hold him but it was rather awkward as I was still laying down being stitched up because of a 2nd degree tear. (We had prayed that I wouldn't tear horribly and this was the least amount of tearing I've ever had!) I could only hold him one way - kind of like sitting up - and couldn't really snuggle with him or anything. Even so, he was beautiful. I couldn't believe he was out! And I was in love at first sight. What an incredible gift.<br />
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Russ got to cut the cord although he was reluctant. It did look kind of gross. Very thick. Ugh. We're just not the type of people that would get all geeked up about that, I guess. Everything with Caleb was fine. They weighed him and asked everyone for their guesses. I guessed 10 lbs. Russ guessed 10 lbs., 3oz. and got it exactly right! Big baby! At 38 weeks! If we let him bake longer, he definitely would've been our biggest. Our nurse, Kim, who had been at MUSC for 8 years and a nurse for longer than that, said that this was the biggest baby she had ever seen birthed vaginally. She had definitely heard stories of others, but never been in the room for a birth like this. Wow. Big babies are so normal to us, but I guess it really is kind of a big deal. Does that mean I have a gigantic pelvis? I hope not. Maybe I do. I seem to handle these big kids well. ;) More than anything though, it means our prayers were answered! There was no shoulder dystocia! This was my number one fear with a VBAC.<br />
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The girls didn't make it up to the hospital until the next day because he was born around 4:30 p.m. and by the time we were transferred to postpartum it would've been too late. It was funny to see how they acted when they came up to the room though. The older two were kind of nervous and kept asking questions about why we were there. Poor Noa was genuinely concerned for us and cried when they had to leave. It was really sweet. I think she missed us and didn't understand why we were staying in the hospital and why I had all kinds of IVs, etc. But they LOVED their brother! And they keep on loving him (A LOT) now that we're home.<br />
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Here's some pictures from the day. We were going to have a photographer come up and take some professional pictures but honestly, I was just too tired. I can definitely tell this was my 4th baby in a row and unfortunately my body isn't recovering quite as quickly as the first! So, we'll have some better pictures of him within the next few weeks. But, here's the pathetic pictures we got with our little camera or our phones. I still think they're cute. :) <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going home. I honestly hadn't thought about an outfit for him to go home in. I had a few weird choices in our bag, but wasn't really happy with any of them. I did have this hat that was way too big. I'm not really into hats but the nurses kept saying how chilly it was outside and that we better bundle up. So I put the hat on. When we got outside it was a *brisk* 80 degrees or something. I immediately took the weird hat off.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I always think it is weird when moms post half-naked pictures of themselves. I'm not sure if this qualifies or not. The nurse wanted to take our picture and there was hardly a moment to put my clothes on! This is the only one I have of the three of us though, so half-naked it is! This is right after he came out.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was obviously a really hard picture to get. No one was cooperating. Or they were all cooperating at different times. Baby brother looks gigantic!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls kept wanting to ride up and down on the bed. I look horrible! I felt rather horrible, actually, and the roller coaster bed wasn't helping much. :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look how many people are in our family! I still can't get over it!</td></tr>
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<br />Jackie Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15215617709801229220noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730088482963084025.post-66078511499248331422012-10-12T10:35:00.001-04:002012-10-12T10:35:09.813-04:00HaircutsSo, I'm putting together a long post about Caleb's birth, but to fend you off in the meantime, I thought I would post a few pictures of the girls new haircuts. They LOVE them! And I LOVE them! It all started when I thought it would be a fun outing for Noa and myself to go to a shop and get her haircut. She was extremely excited at first. Here's a picture of her on the way there. <br />
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Well, when we got to "Great Clips" and they wanted to put her up in the chair to wash her hair, she wouldn't budge. I tried to lift her (very pregnant me - must've looked crazy), but she wasn't havin' it. We talked for a minute and then decided another time would be better. She told me on the way home that she only wants "Mommies that we know to cut her hair." So I said, "What about me?" knowing full well that I do not know how to cut hair. She thought that was a splendid idea. So when we got home, I did the cutting. A LOT of cutting. And although Russ was very skeptical, I think both of their cuts turned out really cute! AND it is less for me to manage after baths! Here's some more pics.<br />
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Ruthie Before</div>
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Ruthie After</div>
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Noa Before</div>
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Noa After </div>
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And Lydie didn't get a haircut, but she's super cute, so here's a picture of her too! </div>
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Jackie Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15215617709801229220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730088482963084025.post-33068796393789164112012-10-01T14:35:00.001-04:002012-10-01T14:36:35.766-04:00Baby Brother - 37 weeksHad an appointment today and things are looking even better for the induction next week! Baby is still head down and had moved even further down. I am dilated 2.5 - 3cm and 60% effaced. This is more than I have ever been dilated - even further along in the other pregnancies!! I always go into the hospital at about a 1, so we were really pleased to hear this! Not much other news other than to say I've been having quite a lot of contractions since she stripped my membranes this morning. I don't think it will amount to anything (as they aren't regular), but will hopefully help me dilate even more before next week. So thankful for the progress!! One more week of pregnancy! :) <br />
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And I've been sooooo lazy about posting pictures, etc. lately. Hopefully I can post some of the girls' new haircuts later today. I need to get the camera out and let the world see just how sweet they are. ;) Jackie Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15215617709801229220noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730088482963084025.post-12127840279902840672012-09-17T13:22:00.003-04:002012-09-17T13:35:23.894-04:00No CoincidenceWell, I went in for my non-stress test today and other than being the patient who fell through the cracks (I was there for over 3 hours - mostly waiting), it was an awesome appointment! I asked Dr. Mauldin if by feeling my belly, she could tell whether or not the baby was still breech. She felt around and said it still seemed like he was breech. Boo. (The NST tech had previously given me some hope based on where his heartbeat was, so I was hoping for a different answer.) But then she wanted to double check so she ran and grabbed an ultrasound machine. Sure enough, he turned! Baby boy is head down and in the perfect position for a VBAC! Dr. Mauldin just kept saying, "No way! No way!" So we went ahead and scheduled an INDUCTION on Monday, October 8th which will be at the beginning of the 38th week of pregnancy. Having had 2 other vaginal deliveries is a good indicator that I can have another one, as long as the baby fits, which is why they are scheduling a little early to see if they can get ahead of some of the weight gain the baby might have. All of my other babies were delivered at 39 weeks (and still quite large!), so that is also favorable! All that to say, THINGS LOOK FAVORABLE FOR AN INDUCTION!!!!!!<br /><br />Now, I know babies can flip around a lot, and can do so late in the pregnancy. I don't think that it is any coincidence though, that our whole church family prayed for us yesterday in the service. Last Thursday, the baby was breech. Today he is not. In between those two events (and before and after) was a lot of prayer. So we will just keep praying! We are praying he stays in the right position (Dr. said that was likely), that my body is receptive to induction at 38 weeks (this is the biggest prayer request), that the baby won't get stuck, and that everyone is healthy and whole. Thanks for your prayers!<br />Jackie Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15215617709801229220noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730088482963084025.post-56448370103420521692012-09-12T12:02:00.005-04:002012-09-12T12:19:07.646-04:00Krispy KremeOn Tuesdays and Wednesdays Russ leaves very early in the morning. Usually I'm dragging myself out of bed to meet my chipper, 6 o'clock wakers, but today I was ready for them! I guess it helped that they woke up 45 minutes later than usual.<br /><br />The weather is awesome today, and was even cooler in the morning, so we decided to get out and go to the park, stopping at McDonalds for breakfast. This is my second time going to a park downtown that is enclosed. What a difference that makes! I can sit on the park bench in the shade and they can run around wherever they want without me worrying about them. I don't have any pictures but we stayed for about an hour and then I started getting sentimental, thinking that this was my last few weeks with "just the girls." So, we decided to go to Krispy Kreme for doughnuts. They were elated when I told them we were going <span style="font-style: italic;">inside </span>and not just through the drive thru. Ruthie and I had custard filled/chocolate covered ones and Noa and Lyd had sprinkles. They were a little bit to manage, but there was no one in there and the older people working just loved watching them. Win-win!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6afJFF4mSSI/UFCzm6q1rrI/AAAAAAAADdU/mj0g9AZRr0U/s1600/photo-74.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6afJFF4mSSI/UFCzm6q1rrI/AAAAAAAADdU/mj0g9AZRr0U/s400/photo-74.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5787323002336423602" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NheLq9WM2Mw/UFCzmcC0sTI/AAAAAAAADdI/sDYdLMlFoFk/s1600/photo-75.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NheLq9WM2Mw/UFCzmcC0sTI/AAAAAAAADdI/sDYdLMlFoFk/s400/photo-75.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5787322994115522866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0kZc2T1lvsE/UFCzmHVhuJI/AAAAAAAADc8/oLAHBHJapAQ/s1600/photo-76.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0kZc2T1lvsE/UFCzmHVhuJI/AAAAAAAADc8/oLAHBHJapAQ/s400/photo-76.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5787322988556826770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zqs8DJmFfwo/UFCzlg1EMOI/AAAAAAAADcw/eHONtry6zfc/s1600/photo-77.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zqs8DJmFfwo/UFCzlg1EMOI/AAAAAAAADcw/eHONtry6zfc/s400/photo-77.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5787322978220126434" border="0" /></a><br />They were fascinated by the machine making the doughnuts and watched the assembly line through the window for quite a while. They are all sugared up now, so probably won't take good naps. ;) I, on the other hand, am very tired and forget how much all of that takes out of you when you're as big as a house. But it was totally worth it to have some fun with my girls before the baby comes. They are precious and I am thankful for them! Now I have to think of something extra healthy for dinner since we are full of junk...<br />Jackie Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15215617709801229220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730088482963084025.post-63851045790390329202012-09-10T14:03:00.002-04:002012-09-10T14:16:48.737-04:00Update on Baby Brother - Week 34Well, I had another Ultrasound this morning and Caleb (more on the name decision later) is still breech. Amniotic fluid is still high, but they still don't seem that concerned about it. It hasn't gotten any <span style="font-style: italic;">higher</span>, just hasn't gone down. I talked to Dr. Mauldin (whom I just <span style="font-style: italic;">love</span>) who said the further along we get, the less likely baby is to turn, so it is looking like this baby will stay breech unless something divine happens. :) I asked her about turning the baby but she wasn't keen on doing anything like that because of me being high risk on so many levels. (1. Diabetes, 2. Large baby, 3. High fluid, 4. Previous C-section, 5. Early induction (around week 38)) All of these things make a "version" (what it is called) more risky. I'm fine with that. We have prayed all along that if a VBAC was not a good idea for us, that the Lord would make it easy for us to make the decision for a c-section. If brother stays in the breech position, our decision is quite easy because there <span style="font-style: italic;">ain't no way</span> I'm aiming for a diabetic, gigantic, breech VBAC. But if he switches, I think we'll still try the VBAC. In our appointment, she mentioned that I seemed so laid back about the whole thing. I told her that while I would definitely prefer a VBAC, I knew it was in the Lord's hands and I truly do have peace about it, even if the recovery is much more difficult. I know we are surrounded by so many people who will help (and have helped!). What a blessing. I was thankful for even that small moment to express our trust in the Lord.<br /><br />No good pictures today. Is it crazy that the ultrasounds are getting a little boring to me? Just a bunch of gray blobs on the screen and awkward conversation with the tech. Only one more month though! I think I may have the option to schedule either the induction or c-section on my birthday. I think it would be cool! Russ doesn't like the idea. Any thoughts???<br />Jackie Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15215617709801229220noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730088482963084025.post-86829680794073932912012-08-30T13:07:00.004-04:002012-08-30T13:24:23.344-04:00Baby Brother - Week 32So the grueling part of the pregnancy is finally here. I'm tired! And I'm now going to appointments twice a week. The great thing is that I get ultrasounds every week, so I get to see my little buddy. Today they were wanting him to do a "practice breath" within 30 minutes. I guess they watch for his diaphragm to rise and fall. It is a pretty boring appointment because you're just waiting to see if he'll do it. He <span style="font-style: italic;">finally </span>did it when we had 2 minutes to go! If he would've failed that test, I would've been put on the NST machine to monitor his heart rate. Ugh. So, this is what we're going to do every Thursday... practice breathing. We can all pray that he passes his breathing test and that I never have to be put on the other monitor!<br /><br />The other thing they noted this morning was that I have a lot of amniotic fluid. They didn't seem to be concerned about it at all since it is something that goes along with maternal diabetes. I didn't have excess fluid for any of the other pregnancies, but then again, my sugars were more controlled. I'll be the first to admit it! I'm getting laaazzzyyy with this one. But, I guess if it puts me at risk for a cesarean or pre-term labor, then I might as well get back on the wagon. That is something they'll monitor closely as we go along. And, the doctor wasn't worried about it, he just said it will make my load heavier. Great! As if I need any more weight to carry around! ;)<br /><br />Oh, and he's still in a breech position. He has a little time to turn, but we're definitely praying that he does, as that will certainly mean that we're signing up for another c-section. So Lord, please turn baby brother around soon! Other than that, he looks perfectly healthy and normal. Looking at these pictures, we think he looks like Lydia. But of course, there's lots of time for that to change. Maybe its just because he's getting chubbier... He is now 5 1/2 pounds. :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yGo26WVN1aY/UD-ecNHAcqI/AAAAAAAADcQ/I6GOVxBL4LA/s1600/32%2BWEEKS_4.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yGo26WVN1aY/UD-ecNHAcqI/AAAAAAAADcQ/I6GOVxBL4LA/s400/32%2BWEEKS_4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782514653959582370" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--krtwTR4Css/UD-ebboJOgI/AAAAAAAADb4/2nB0FRmKCUQ/s1600/32%2BWEEKS_14.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--krtwTR4Css/UD-ebboJOgI/AAAAAAAADb4/2nB0FRmKCUQ/s400/32%2BWEEKS_14.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782514640676796930" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6edIpiSQlk/UD-eavXbq_I/AAAAAAAADbs/vBbkirtJEoI/s1600/32%2BWEEKS_9.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y6edIpiSQlk/UD-eavXbq_I/AAAAAAAADbs/vBbkirtJEoI/s400/32%2BWEEKS_9.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782514628795542514" border="0" /></a><br />Smiling<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gHZa2WqvU38/UD-eaIQPbwI/AAAAAAAADbg/c1eC_YobtHs/s1600/32%2BWEEKS_5.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gHZa2WqvU38/UD-eaIQPbwI/AAAAAAAADbg/c1eC_YobtHs/s400/32%2BWEEKS_5.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782514618296397570" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vHXNV0k7VdE/UD-eb_LEzFI/AAAAAAAADcE/mtVWGoVNsmA/s1600/32%2BWEEKS_12.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vHXNV0k7VdE/UD-eb_LEzFI/AAAAAAAADcE/mtVWGoVNsmA/s400/32%2BWEEKS_12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782514650218548306" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Jackie Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15215617709801229220noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730088482963084025.post-51653013367093638912012-08-29T15:24:00.008-04:002012-08-29T15:48:07.700-04:00Happy 3rd Birthday, Ruthie!We had the <span style="font-style: italic;">perfect</span> weather for Ruthie's party. I intentionally planned it at the spray play at 9:30 a.m. (a little early) to beat the heat, but it ended up being really nice, even without the water! And in August!! I was very thankful! But I am even more thankful for my sweet Ruthie. We had a few melt downs that morning because she was just. so. ready. for her party. But, all in all it was great. Lots of friends showed up and we had a blast.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VJ_yutXm2Xk/UD5tJXFWKwI/AAAAAAAADXc/yGtGWNxnfL4/s1600/DSC_0159.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VJ_yutXm2Xk/UD5tJXFWKwI/AAAAAAAADXc/yGtGWNxnfL4/s400/DSC_0159.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782178979172985602" border="0" /></a><br />Ruthie wanted a purple and blue Elmo party (purple and blue are her two favorite colors, in that order), and had a hard time keeping her hands off of the cupcakes before we sang to her. She was in *love*. :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WJWSEgmIFwE/UD5tLyGOcrI/AAAAAAAADYM/1U6roK4AzSA/s1600/DSC_0160.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WJWSEgmIFwE/UD5tLyGOcrI/AAAAAAAADYM/1U6roK4AzSA/s400/DSC_0160.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782179020784169650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zXYNBF5bKCI/UD5tLOk3RVI/AAAAAAAADYA/pBiz5U2vIac/s1600/DSC_0162.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zXYNBF5bKCI/UD5tLOk3RVI/AAAAAAAADYA/pBiz5U2vIac/s400/DSC_0162.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782179011248997714" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hk4ZRmEiptw/UD5toC316TI/AAAAAAAADYc/fTMPjI4rl8Q/s1600/DSC_0169.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hk4ZRmEiptw/UD5toC316TI/AAAAAAAADYc/fTMPjI4rl8Q/s400/DSC_0169.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782179506323581234" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WRgIw3FD6lM/UD5toubDFPI/AAAAAAAADYo/Vhjv9cu7o50/s1600/DSC_0170.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WRgIw3FD6lM/UD5toubDFPI/AAAAAAAADYo/Vhjv9cu7o50/s400/DSC_0170.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782179518013969650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4QVoj3EVjmA/UD5tpPaSUnI/AAAAAAAADY0/6XnEhojyQqE/s1600/DSC_0171.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4QVoj3EVjmA/UD5tpPaSUnI/AAAAAAAADY0/6XnEhojyQqE/s400/DSC_0171.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782179526869144178" border="0" /></a><br />Proud of her accomplishment with the candles...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UDTkCsnsj1M/UD5tKV-ErgI/AAAAAAAADX0/Qd81NhN3k54/s1600/DSC_0164.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UDTkCsnsj1M/UD5tKV-ErgI/AAAAAAAADX0/Qd81NhN3k54/s400/DSC_0164.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782178996053913090" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-huNa9RNSr4E/UD5tJ-GIlbI/AAAAAAAADXo/ekNRjbC9yDo/s1600/DSC_0166.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-huNa9RNSr4E/UD5tJ-GIlbI/AAAAAAAADXo/ekNRjbC9yDo/s400/DSC_0166.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782178989645272498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pT_El_smXII/UD5usWwfdxI/AAAAAAAADa8/DJcvL0B9GOg/s1600/DSC_0190.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pT_El_smXII/UD5usWwfdxI/AAAAAAAADa8/DJcvL0B9GOg/s400/DSC_0190.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782180679892563730" border="0" /></a><br />Lydie wandered all over the place. This was one of the *many* cupcakes she had that morning. We finally had to lock her down in the stroller and it is still blue.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RbAnjKYm6Eg/UD5ur0jDjhI/AAAAAAAADas/DPIpINPajKg/s1600/DSC_0188.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RbAnjKYm6Eg/UD5ur0jDjhI/AAAAAAAADas/DPIpINPajKg/s400/DSC_0188.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782180670709403154" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xsaYMZJ1F_0/UD5urUKadjI/AAAAAAAADag/db29ZiX8-aQ/s1600/DSC_0187.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xsaYMZJ1F_0/UD5urUKadjI/AAAAAAAADag/db29ZiX8-aQ/s400/DSC_0187.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782180662016112178" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zGAyah-k3ow/UD5uNhYloLI/AAAAAAAADaI/knRWf78K2hM/s1600/DSC_0182.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zGAyah-k3ow/UD5uNhYloLI/AAAAAAAADaI/knRWf78K2hM/s400/DSC_0182.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782180150169149618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-szuY8jA5EzM/UD5uNLpjJcI/AAAAAAAADZ8/pykNEAtY2dE/s1600/DSC_0181.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-szuY8jA5EzM/UD5uNLpjJcI/AAAAAAAADZ8/pykNEAtY2dE/s400/DSC_0181.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782180144334710210" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-znYHB0bTrgk/UD5uMkAYmiI/AAAAAAAADZw/qGZ1sIB8VZs/s1600/DSC_0180.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-znYHB0bTrgk/UD5uMkAYmiI/AAAAAAAADZw/qGZ1sIB8VZs/s400/DSC_0180.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782180133693069858" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tMW9f_Q0T7E/UD5uMKhAKwI/AAAAAAAADZk/62R9-iAegu4/s1600/DSC_0179.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tMW9f_Q0T7E/UD5uMKhAKwI/AAAAAAAADZk/62R9-iAegu4/s400/DSC_0179.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782180126850558722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OWwmIeATRys/UD5uLqh0EFI/AAAAAAAADZY/OcU88sOaCx0/s1600/DSC_0177.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OWwmIeATRys/UD5uLqh0EFI/AAAAAAAADZY/OcU88sOaCx0/s400/DSC_0177.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782180118264025170" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rN19UuhIp34/UD5tqhqYYRI/AAAAAAAADZM/0qdRCFZH4Ws/s1600/DSC_0173.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rN19UuhIp34/UD5tqhqYYRI/AAAAAAAADZM/0qdRCFZH4Ws/s400/DSC_0173.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782179548948357394" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W6mw_I0ktIY/UD5utHERCKI/AAAAAAAADbE/cyMRGUcQNts/s1600/DSC_0191.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W6mw_I0ktIY/UD5utHERCKI/AAAAAAAADbE/cyMRGUcQNts/s400/DSC_0191.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5782180692860405922" border="0" /></a><br />This is after the party, when everyone ran over to the park to play. Why do I always stress out about having enough cupcakes??? Obviously the healthy snacks weren't much of a hit. Oh well. We tried. I at least got points from other moms for trying, right???? :)<br />Jackie Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15215617709801229220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730088482963084025.post-71354244613446356132012-08-16T11:40:00.008-04:002012-08-16T13:45:02.457-04:00Today was a gift......and quite undeserved. I woke up not feeling the greatest and wasn't really into a whole day with the kids. I'm just getting so worn out lately! But today I felt worse. Anyway, before Russ left for work we prayed as usual, and I don't think I expected anything from the Lord, but it has really been a fun morning with the girls! I was all geared up to go grocery shopping, and decided that would just be frustrating, so I'll go later by myself (key words: BY MYSELF). Anyway, I was able to take a shower with no one getting hurt, screaming, dying, fighting, going outside, or getting into the sink, so that was the first victory.<br /><br />Then, since we don't have much to eat in the house (grocery trip is necessary!), I decided to rummage through the freezer and see what we had. I found a bag of cut up apples and thought maybe, just maybe, they would be busy with play-dough long enough to make some apple bread muffins. It's always a crap shoot. You never know if they're just going to fight over the play-dough, if the baby will just keep eating it, if they'll get it all over the house... you just never know. But today it worked! Lydie stayed in her highchair for an hour and fifteen minutes (what?!?!?!?!) and didn't eat the play-dough! She didn't eat one piece! A HUGE gift!!! And the older two were so busy doing a cooking show that they didn't even know I was baking and didn't ask to help. Another gift! Another grace. <span style="font-style: italic;">Side note: I do like the girls to cook with me, but it takes forever --like FOR-E-VER-- and sometimes you're just not feelin' it. So I'll happily take a break from their help when I can! ;)</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N48dw3Pg5QY/UC0t5hDYoDI/AAAAAAAADW0/9lCyphnIJ3c/s1600/photo-59.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N48dw3Pg5QY/UC0t5hDYoDI/AAAAAAAADW0/9lCyphnIJ3c/s400/photo-59.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5777324363134574642" border="0" /></a><br />After that, the play-dough clean up was really easy and while I cleaned up the kitchen, they wanted to play in the garage. It has been so hot lately, that they've started to go in the garage but never unless I tell them they need to ride their bikes around for a little bit. Anyway, today they stayed in there for another 45 minutes! They didn't get into anything, and they didn't fight. Chalk this up for a victory I didn't even plan or have to set up!<br /> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NeTg3UaBMZY/UC0t6HbTkTI/AAAAAAAADXA/-5j_Q7rj99o/s1600/IMG_0158.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NeTg3UaBMZY/UC0t6HbTkTI/AAAAAAAADXA/-5j_Q7rj99o/s400/IMG_0158.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5777324373435453746" border="0" /></a><br />That gave me enough time to prepare lunch and also take a random pregnancy shot. This poor boy will have almost no record that he was ever in my tummy for a good 9 months. I think I only have 2 other shots! Oh well. Here we are at 30 weeks. Belly is taking over!! Since I'm not buying any more maternity clothes (the subject of countless previous posts), I've become very familiar with the few outfits I have, and somehow all I have are jean skirts! I know I bought a few of them on sale, but I have like 10 maternity jean skirts! I'm not even really into jean skirts! Oh well. Since I'm hardly wearing make-up anymore, pulling my hair back everyday, and covered in chewed up goldfish, I think I can handle a few jean skirts. I'm just wondering why I have so many... Less than 60 days to go, folks!!! The countdown is on!!! (Oh, and in case you noticed the new look in the dining room, I'll post a before and after soon. We are loving the new color!)<br /><br />AND...since I'm having such a great day, and was in the downloading mood, here's a few pictures from Ruthie's birthday. Her Elmo party is yet to come, but as a family we went to Chuck E Cheese, Hubee Dee's for dinner, and TCBY for icecream (Ruthie's FAVORITE!). We realized the next day that we never did candles (because the dessert was in TCBY), so we gave her candles on her waffle the next morning. And of course, she had to have it on a purple plate. I'll post more pics after her party.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qgOujkcFJ3o/UC0t423ZDJI/AAAAAAAADWs/9thBVTHwiEI/s1600/photo-60.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qgOujkcFJ3o/UC0t423ZDJI/AAAAAAAADWs/9thBVTHwiEI/s400/photo-60.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5777324351809981586" border="0" /></a><br />Ruthie, Mom, & Brother<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e49KIKZEe5E/UC0t4Zg3wII/AAAAAAAADWc/0sW3VToDj6Y/s1600/photo-61.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e49KIKZEe5E/UC0t4Zg3wII/AAAAAAAADWc/0sW3VToDj6Y/s400/photo-61.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5777324343930896514" border="0" /></a><br />Daddy & Noa Jane<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lhADYDjuauQ/UC0t367cT-I/AAAAAAAADWQ/YT9sRJ2jU8A/s1600/photo-62.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lhADYDjuauQ/UC0t367cT-I/AAAAAAAADWQ/YT9sRJ2jU8A/s400/photo-62.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5777324335720845282" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Jackie Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15215617709801229220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730088482963084025.post-17144629105315385852012-08-02T21:08:00.008-04:002012-08-02T21:26:07.172-04:00Surfside BeachLast week we were so thankful to spend some family time in Surfside Beach! We weren't sure how it was going to go (kids are always a wild card - especially the sleeping part), but it isn't even 2 hours away, so we thought we would try it and if it wasn't working, we would just go home. But it worked! We had such a great time relaxing with our girls! These pictures are in no order - it already took me about 3o minutes to get them off the phones!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-psBuDbdmsEo/UBslrgRz8qI/AAAAAAAADV0/i4t-aGDGS4M/s1600/photo-41.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-psBuDbdmsEo/UBslrgRz8qI/AAAAAAAADV0/i4t-aGDGS4M/s400/photo-41.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772248776734667426" border="0" /></a><br />Ruthie with the Jellies at the Acquarium<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AftfHZ_BEag/UBslrDwG4FI/AAAAAAAADVo/YJDvr0_SECQ/s1600/photo-42.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AftfHZ_BEag/UBslrDwG4FI/AAAAAAAADVo/YJDvr0_SECQ/s400/photo-42.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772248769077108818" border="0" /></a><br />Best Buds<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVYmLxMrEmU/UBslq6bLklI/AAAAAAAADVc/yyI4GYK0pIw/s1600/photo-43.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZVYmLxMrEmU/UBslq6bLklI/AAAAAAAADVc/yyI4GYK0pIw/s400/photo-43.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772248766573417042" border="0" /></a><br />We were across the street from the beach, so we just took the girls over in the wagon every morning and evening.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-59Lqtov7NJk/UBslfjHPVLI/AAAAAAAADVQ/hSQhrs7XRKI/s1600/photo-44.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-59Lqtov7NJk/UBslfjHPVLI/AAAAAAAADVQ/hSQhrs7XRKI/s400/photo-44.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772248571337200818" border="0" /></a><br />Snacks on the porch<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-79JRgnsBfLg/UBslfAkjhHI/AAAAAAAADVE/uVDu2hYUtA4/s1600/photo-45.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-79JRgnsBfLg/UBslfAkjhHI/AAAAAAAADVE/uVDu2hYUtA4/s400/photo-45.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772248562064917618" border="0" /></a><br />Noa was very focused and worked on her sandcastles most of the time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U1w_UmzDtV4/UBslemLF9jI/AAAAAAAADU4/bULx1O0EDFE/s1600/photo-46.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U1w_UmzDtV4/UBslemLF9jI/AAAAAAAADU4/bULx1O0EDFE/s400/photo-46.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772248554978801202" border="0" /></a><br />Lydie really liked hanging out in the wagon and opening and shutting the door. She got in the water and played in the sand too, but mostly she liked the wagon.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yw0rTmCHQps/UBsleB7JyUI/AAAAAAAADUs/uwSW57DEAr0/s1600/photo-47.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yw0rTmCHQps/UBsleB7JyUI/AAAAAAAADUs/uwSW57DEAr0/s400/photo-47.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772248545248266562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f4SXJ2Fdsjg/UBsldkS9iZI/AAAAAAAADUg/MUS-Vc0TurM/s1600/photo-48.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f4SXJ2Fdsjg/UBsldkS9iZI/AAAAAAAADUg/MUS-Vc0TurM/s400/photo-48.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772248537295063442" border="0" /></a><br />Uh-oh. Broke the shovel<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qqKUIxcRT9s/UBslPCnGArI/AAAAAAAADUU/JsFrjnW957M/s1600/photo-49.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qqKUIxcRT9s/UBslPCnGArI/AAAAAAAADUU/JsFrjnW957M/s400/photo-49.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772248287734530738" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uJD_PNryf6Y/UBslOoJMBoI/AAAAAAAADUI/Bge0PqUVR3k/s1600/photo-50.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uJD_PNryf6Y/UBslOoJMBoI/AAAAAAAADUI/Bge0PqUVR3k/s400/photo-50.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772248280629773954" border="0" /></a><br />Constant running = good naps!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yGexsVmPwCY/UBslONOK1mI/AAAAAAAADUA/bnVTFNaUoMU/s1600/photo-51.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yGexsVmPwCY/UBslONOK1mI/AAAAAAAADUA/bnVTFNaUoMU/s400/photo-51.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772248273402910306" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-6m9ZnzrDs/UBslMRoUa_I/AAAAAAAADTw/WIab1nFma9s/s1600/photo-52.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-6m9ZnzrDs/UBslMRoUa_I/AAAAAAAADTw/WIab1nFma9s/s400/photo-52.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772248240226593778" border="0" /></a><br />Oops. Up-side-down. Back at the aquarium we found Nemo. I think they liked this stuffed Nemo more than any of the real fish.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xIGRLxnsmjQ/UBslL4qutSI/AAAAAAAADTk/X-5oGkvrpqM/s1600/photo-53.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xIGRLxnsmjQ/UBslL4qutSI/AAAAAAAADTk/X-5oGkvrpqM/s400/photo-53.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772248233525818658" border="0" /></a><br />Bad picture but FREAKY! I couldn't wait to get out of that tunnel. Bull sharks everywhere.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyVaTFh7lGY/UBsk8pjWzNI/AAAAAAAADTc/hez2wfvAbDU/s1600/photo-54.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyVaTFh7lGY/UBsk8pjWzNI/AAAAAAAADTc/hez2wfvAbDU/s400/photo-54.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772247971770322130" border="0" /></a><br />Noa's turn with Nemo<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YCVz2nzCtto/UBsk8TEPw_I/AAAAAAAADTM/T_AkodeMDRo/s1600/photo-55.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YCVz2nzCtto/UBsk8TEPw_I/AAAAAAAADTM/T_AkodeMDRo/s400/photo-55.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772247965734257650" border="0" /></a><br />Ruthie's turn with Nemo<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DJrcrDGTNPE/UBsk7yvSdDI/AAAAAAAADTA/TDIhAMcyaqI/s1600/photo-56.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DJrcrDGTNPE/UBsk7yvSdDI/AAAAAAAADTA/TDIhAMcyaqI/s400/photo-56.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772247957056418866" border="0" /></a><br />Three ducks in a row<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6OYX7v8RgTg/UBsk7RfwAPI/AAAAAAAADS0/3mo_piBsGTQ/s1600/photo-57.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6OYX7v8RgTg/UBsk7RfwAPI/AAAAAAAADS0/3mo_piBsGTQ/s400/photo-57.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772247948132876530" border="0" /></a><br />Breakfast on the porch. Wow, look at Russ' gut in this picture! ;)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_r3qllkrz28/UBsk6wOgDMI/AAAAAAAADSo/R635GoOWbA8/s1600/photo-58.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_r3qllkrz28/UBsk6wOgDMI/AAAAAAAADSo/R635GoOWbA8/s400/photo-58.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5772247939202157762" border="0" /></a><br />First night at Outback. It was a little bit crazy and our meal was rushed, but we prepared to be disappointed (not in the food, but with the kids) and we were! For the most part it was quick and a tad bit frustrating, but since this pregnant mom is wanting steak all the time, I still think it was worth it. :)Jackie Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15215617709801229220noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730088482963084025.post-84680974592717792602012-07-30T11:40:00.002-04:002012-07-30T11:44:45.666-04:00Thankful<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sc77iVyCqjU/UBarGzcdbrI/AAAAAAAADSQ/ukMAS2UrkUc/s1600/MILLER_JACQUELYN_3.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sc77iVyCqjU/UBarGzcdbrI/AAAAAAAADSQ/ukMAS2UrkUc/s400/MILLER_JACQUELYN_3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5770988105899011762" border="0" /></a><br />Chunkin' up!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-deCEEttNM78/UBarGgzQGaI/AAAAAAAADSE/AOkvqHJdx3w/s1600/MILLER_JACQUELYN_5.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-deCEEttNM78/UBarGgzQGaI/AAAAAAAADSE/AOkvqHJdx3w/s400/MILLER_JACQUELYN_5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5770988100894333346" border="0" /></a><br />Toes up by his head! Wish I could flex like that!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-29DSK92Q2Ic/UBarGb_lHbI/AAAAAAAADR4/UiEOh64VofA/s1600/MILLER_JACQUELYN_2.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-29DSK92Q2Ic/UBarGb_lHbI/AAAAAAAADR4/UiEOh64VofA/s400/MILLER_JACQUELYN_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5770988099603865010" border="0" /></a><br />Sweet little brother!<br /><br />Today's ultrasound appointment was sweet. Basically, it was just a growth check (don't get me started on how dumb I think that is) and he is currently measuring 61st percentile. Pretty normal. I expect that to go up the further along we get, but I'll take it for now! Everything else looked great. I was able to see him yawn a couple of times and stretch like crazy. So cute! My heart is full and I am very thankful.Jackie Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15215617709801229220noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8730088482963084025.post-20664822862127480032012-07-18T13:10:00.006-04:002012-07-18T13:39:05.346-04:00Summer Days<span style="font-family:verdana;">Hard to get motivated to do much lately. The days are just so long and so HOT! Doing anything outside is just plain miserable and cabin fever is definitely setting in. The girls are down for a nap right now, but I bet any moment Noa will burst out of her room and tell me she's not tired. Then she'll sit and talk to me for the next hour and a half. Loudly. I'm amazed at how kids just have no volume control at all. *sigh* That's just how it has been going lately. I'm getting more exhausted as my belly gets bigger. Back is hurting a lot. I've only gained 10 pounds so far (found that out on Monday - this is good!), but somehow pregnancy just rearranges everything and makes it feel like 50 pounds! Blaaah! Not to mention I'm dead set against buying any more maternity clothes, so I'm just lookin' nasty lately. Everything is all worn out and faded and not stylish in the least. I don't really care though. Right now I'm sitting here in my pj's and eating cherry pie. I keep telling myself, "3 more months. 3 more months." Then I can burn all my maternity madness and get back to looking normal! Maybe I will invite you all to the bonfire! Why didn't anyone tell me that having 4 kids in 4 years was kind of crazy? Oh well. I love them. Even if I don't get a nap anymore. ;)<br /><br />Here's a few (very few) pics from this week. Yesterday we went to Publix early in the morning and it was great. Not busy at all! And not as hot. But we had to kill some time before the reptile show started at the library. Worst show ever. I was thinking it was going to be like the zoo, where you could just walk around and look at the reptiles. Nope. The reptile guy was really into educating us about everything before he took one little turtle out to show us. Nice idea, but in a room full of about 70 toddlers, it's just not the best plan. It was even boring for me! Needless to say, my kids were all over the place. Everyone else's kids were fidgety but still sitting on their laps. Not Lydia. Not Ruthie. Noa was great, but I was chasing the other two the whole time. We left early. :)<br /><br />But anyway, back to killing time. We decided to eat a 2nd breakfast at Chick-fil-a. No kids were there, so the girls had the play area all to themselves! Awesome! (Sorry I made that seem like it was more of a story than what it actually was. Bottom line: we went to Publix, then Chick-fil-a, then the library.)<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oWNAkOT8COc/UAby7G5jxAI/AAAAAAAADRo/XczI-peRRC0/s1600/photo-35.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oWNAkOT8COc/UAby7G5jxAI/AAAAAAAADRo/XczI-peRRC0/s400/photo-35.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5766563470172734466" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />Then this morning we stayed home. I had laundry, dishes, and vacuuming to do. My poor back!!! But, I'm sitting here because it is all done! The girls wanted braids today (very surprising), so here's some shots of the braids.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WGa0bPllkKk/UAby67QAVZI/AAAAAAAADRc/hEyh9P55NPo/s1600/photo-36.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WGa0bPllkKk/UAby67QAVZI/AAAAAAAADRc/hEyh9P55NPo/s400/photo-36.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5766563467045655954" border="0" /></a><br />So happy to have braids!!!!!!!! Even if I have green smoothie all over my dress!!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BdE6PXdQa4c/UAby6rbQUAI/AAAAAAAADRQ/ZdntYTckyGc/s1600/photo-37.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BdE6PXdQa4c/UAby6rbQUAI/AAAAAAAADRQ/ZdntYTckyGc/s400/photo-37.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5766563462797873154" border="0" /></a><br />This picture was the 17th attempt to get a better picture after telling them what a real smile looks like. Obviously we are smile challenged!Jackie Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15215617709801229220noreply@blogger.com2