3 in one week!

What is this? Like three blogs in a week!! Wow! I am on a roll!! Nothing too exciting going on. Just had a few pictures to share. Malakai had a pool/movie party at Grandma's on Saturday night. He was the only boy, but he seemed to enjoy himself immensely. The movie of choice was the premiere of The Best of Both Worlds/Hannah Montana movie on Disney. It held his attention for about 15 minutes. Only because he seems to currently be obsessed with The Jonas Brothers.

Brieanna, Cayley, Carlie, and Malakai

Coloring with Sarah...he is concentrating SO hard!

One of Leila, just because she is cute...that slobber on her chin is a permanent fixture these days :)

We hit up Monkey Joes last night. For those of you local, 5:00pm on a weeknight is the PERFECT time to go. All the SAHM's have went home and the birthday parties don't start till 7.

Waiting to leave...check out Leila in the background, she stares at Kai ALL day! I just noticed CMT on the TV...Ever watched My Big Redneck Wedding?! Hilarious!

Big Slide!

Cayley Ann

Last but not least...a dance video of Malakai. I think my dreams of him becoming the next Wade Robson are going down the drain. However, we went to Incredible Pizza the other night and played some glow in the dark golf. Josh was very impressed with Malakai's "slap shot." He thinks he is a natural for Hockey. Let's hope so, he starts Ice Hockey in October! However, I don't think anyone else appreciated it when his golf ball was bouncing off of walls and hitting people!! Oh, what the hell, here are some pictures of that also :)

Malakai and Daddy

Cayley, Me, and Carlie

Malakai playing hockey, I mean golfing

Best thing since I last blogged: I have lost 6lbs!! Thank you Metabolife! I know, it's not the healthiest thing, but I'm desperate! It's not JUST Metabolife, I have been making better choices also :)





Worst thing since I last blogged: Josh's work schedule

Trip Down Memory Lane

10 years!! It has almost been 10 years since I was a know-it-all 17 year old who walked through the gates of the Sonora Center Dorm at Arizona State University. I can't believe it has been 10 years!

When I think of all that has happened in my life in the past 10 years I am flabbergasted! Wow how life has changed! I remember walking to my room on the the 4th floor and thinking "It doesn't get much better than this!" Yes, it was 115 degrees, but there were palm trees, other Freshman, some just as far from home as I was and some not so far, but all of us starting a new chapter in our lives. The friendships and experiences I had are absolutely priceless. The palm trees, pool, sense of independence, and did I mention co-ed? Was it always easy? No way! Would I trade it for anything in the world? Absolutely not! I am who I am today because of the great times and struggles I had from my time at ASU.

If you had told me then that in 10 years I would be married to Josh and have two amazing, beautiful children, I would have laughed in your face :) Josh was my brother's best friend, the one who would make fun of me right along side my brother, the one I used to try to set up on dates with my friends. Now look at us. It truly is amazing how God works in such mysterious ways. There is nothing I want more than for my children to be able to have the same experiences I had. Whether they choose to go to college, or choose an alternate route.

The wonderful life of roommates....I love them all, of course there were times where it didn't seem like I loved them, but the friendships we have today I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. Colleen, Vanessa, Morgan, Kristy, even Laurel, and occasionally Patrick :) they each saw me grow into a adult, find myself, and become the mother, wife, and friend I am today. What's the famous saying? You have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your prince....So true! I thank the lord everyday for what I have with Josh and I thank those friends for seeing me through a lot of frogs and never judging me in the process.

Everyone has moved on, graduated, some have started families, some still on their way. Some I talk to everyday and some just with the annual Christmas card. However, every experience in those years will never be forgotten and I am forever grateful to be able to have them. Thank you Mrs. Kerwin for adopting me and allowing me to spend holidays with your family when I wasn't able to fly home for them and treating me just like one of your own children. Thank you Dillards for continuing to re-hire me every time I quit just so I could go home for a few days. Thank you to my dad for supporting me financially and emotionally even when you were going through difficult times and even when I got my tongue pierced against your wishes. LOL! Thank you to my mom for making it out there every October so I wouldn't be alone on parents weekend. And thank you to those friendships, where with out you, I never would have survived. Last but not least, thank you Josh! For sticking by me for that LONG year and a half we did long distance. UGH! We both said we would NEVER do a long distance relationship, and look at us now. I think my dad was especially happy when he could stop sending me a dozen roses on Valentines Day because it officially became your job :)

So, here is to 10 more years. To Malakai being a teenager, and Leila being 10 in this crazy and wild world. All I can do is be the best parent I know how and love them for who they are, unconditionally and then some.

I HATE bathtime!

I absolutely DESPISE giving my children baths!! I would rather hold them down while they get a shot then give them a bath. Okay, not that I ever have to do that, but hypothetically speaking :) This is something that I seriously think I need help for! It's not like I used to like it and had a bad experience. I have never liked it!

What brings this up you ask? I have had to give my children baths lately. Usually this is totally Josh's doing. Malakai gets a bath every night, and Leila about every other. Josh's work schedule has been really wild lately so Kai has not been getting his nightly bath. I swear I think of every excuse in the book. Oh, he had swim lessons tonight....close enough to a bath for me! I can't let him go longer than a night though or I start to feel bad. If I know that Josh is closing two nights in a row and won't be home for bath time, I'll throw Malakai in the shower with him that morning! Last night is the first time that I have ever had to give BOTH my kids a bath in the same night :) I'm sure you are thinking how the hell have I managed to work my schedule to where I have never had to give both my kids a bath in the same night?! Let me reiterate here, I DON'T GIVE BATHS! So here is a pat on the back to me....I gave both my kids a bath! MOTHER OF THE FREAKING YEAR!

On another note...Leila had her four month check up. She is 15lbs and 26 inches long!! Thank you lord, I think she has the "Rader" height! She has started cereal and is doing great on it and she still continues to be such a joy.

Malakai graduated from Level 1 in swim lessons. Even after a very dramatic fall into the pool that his 3 teachers or the lifeguards didn't see! It set him back a few steps, but now he is fully back into the swing of things and begins Level 2 on Monday. He is having a wonderful time at Summer Camp at Goddard. They have had all sorts of cool visitors. A snow cone truck, the zoo, the science center...even Ronald McDonald came one day and brought everyone a happy meal!! Here is a picture of him holding a 7ft python! He and Zach (the kid next to him) were the only ones from the 3 year old class who offered to hold him. It was all he could talk about for days!

We have a busy month coming up in August. I am actually going on a girls getaway for FIVE days to the Smoky Mountains in Gatlinburg, TN. Just five days of relaxation and nobody to answer to or pick up after other than myself. We also have our annual family reunion in August at the Lake of the Ozarks. Baby Rader could be coming sooner than we all thought, so please keep a safe and healthy entrance into this world in your prayers.

Just a few pics for your enjoyment :)

Bowling...he loves that hat!

She is such a diva!

Playing with his favorite summer toy...the Rocket Ship Sprinkler...Thank you Uncle Toro and Miss Danielle!

Loves her Einstein Saucer!

Favorite thing since last time I blogged: Knowing that Malakai has successfully transitioned to big boy pants instead of pull ups at bedtime! I thought it would NEVER happen!

Worst thing since I last blogged: Humidity!!

Ways to my Heart!

Do you ever have random thoughts that just make you wanna laugh....or cry? Sometimes I laugh so hard internally at the most random things. This made me realize that there are many ways to randomly win over my heart. Not that there is anyone out there trying to win over my heart, my husband continues to do it daily. However, as they come to me, I will be more than happy to share them with you. Oh wow! Here is one way now....

Just admit that you would rather your toddler eat the booger than carry it on their finger, across the room, just to wipe it on your brand new pair of "seven" jeans.

XOXO,
Miller...Out

Bloggin' Ain't Easy!

Whoever said keeping up on this blog thing...Is LYING! Seriously?! There is no way that I could keep my friends, relatives, and whom ever else that decides to read this blog COMPLETELY updated on our lives. With that being said, I am going to continue doing my best and hope that it satisfies the lot of you :)

Malakai started swim lessons last week. He is going Monday and Wednesday nights. Josh usually works these nights, so getting both kids ready, out the door, and Kai in the pool by 7 can be challenging. Monday night went great and he was very excited to go back Wednesday night. We get there 5 minutes early and the pool is EMPTY! Apparently I didn't get the memo that when it is lightening outside, the inside pool is closed as well. After hiking to the front desk to complain about not getting a phone call, the receptionist proceeded to tell me that they left a message on my husbands cell phone. How the hell did they get THAT number!? I think that man checks his voicemail like once a month!! I then spent the rest of the evening explaining to Malakai why the relationship between lightening and water made it impossible for him to go swimming. The boy was not going to accept the answer of "because." Good thing I taught fourth grade or I would be going home to look it up on the computer! LOL!

For the 4th of July we headed out to the Magill's house for their Annual 4th Party. We have been attending this party for the past 6 years and it was good times had by all! It was great watching the kids play, seeing some great fireworks, and getting in some adult conversation as well. I am sorry to say that I don't have one picture of Malakai from this evening because he is going through the stage that he runs (literally) every time I point my camera at him!

The kids are doing great. Malakai is in a very whiny stage and it is like nails on a chalk board to me! I say "stage" because I hope he grows out of it very quickly! He is also quite the comedian. He thinks he is SOOOO funny! I also think he is pretty funny, but Josh just laughs because he says he gets that from me. I am my biggest fan :) Here is a pic of him doing his very own Steve Urkel impression. Look at Josh, he even got in on the fun!

Leila is changing every day!! She is really starting to enjoy her toys and has really started grabbing at things and playing along with you. She is at that stage in rolling over where she can't go from her tummy to back yet so she gets pretty pissed off when she is done being on her tummy. I can't believe how big she is getting! She has her four month check up on Friday so I will be sure to update you on her stats. She is such a happy baby! Thank you God for blessing my with an "easy" baby. We all know I was really put to the test with Malakai :)

That's pretty much it in a nutshell. We were up in KC last week for my 10 year high school reunion. It was so good to see everyone and Josh made it through like a trooper :) The kids had a great time seeing fireworks with Ma Ma and Pa Pa. We are also all waiting patiently for the newest arrival to the Rader Family to make his grand entrance in August. Malakai refers to his new-to-come cousin as Baby Arizona :)

Best thing since I last blogged: Seeing old friends

Worst thing since I last blogged: Dishing out the money for new tires on my car. UGH!

Miller...out!