Year in Review

Well, 2009 is over and it is time for 201o. Although 2009 wasn't an "awful" year by any means, it could have been better. One thing is true, my kids grew substantially and there is nothing better than watching them come in to their own.


When I sit back and look at the big picture, Josh and I are truly blessed. These two munchkins have changed our lives. Because of them, we are better people. We are better drivers, better eaters, better at not cursing (at least when they are around), better husband and wife, better teachers....just plain better!

So, as I write this final blog of 2009...I reflect on the growth of the two little people that without them, I would be fractional.


January 2009






February 2009





March 2009






April 2009



May 2009





June 2009




July 2009

August 2009

September 2009

October 2009

November 2009

December 2009

Till Next Year Blog Family!

XOXO,

Ten on Tuesday

Ten Things I would like to do this year....

1. Weekly meal menus. I'm not very good at planning dinner. In fact, I'm very guilty of running by the grocery store on my way home from work and picking up groceries to cook that night. I would love to start planning the week ahead of time.

2. Take a tropical vacation with just Josh and I.

3. Have the kids baptized.

4. Accept my dirty 30's with a bang. After all, 30 is the new 20.

5. Become a part of a monthly girls meet-up. Whether it be bunco, a book club, a wine club etc. Something I can look forward to each month and spending quality time with the ladies.

6. Go on a Scrapbooking weekend retreat.

7. Find more time for Josh to play golf. This is one thing he loves to do and hardly got to do at all this past year.

8. Focus on friendships, and being a better friend.

9. Hire a cleaning lady. Now that we are pretty much settled in, it's time!

10. Continue to grow my relationship with God.

XOXO,

Ten on Tuesday!

How happy am I to be back online?! My access at work is minimal...will I ever catch up on what everyone has been up to??!! Here is my attempt to catch you all up on us :)

1. Birthdays, Birthdays, Birthdays! The first weekend of December we had 3 birthday parties to attend!! As most of you know, Josh is pretty much non-existent this time of year, so these parties were braved with both kids in tote, by myself. By the time the third rolled around (a pool party) I knew Leila was NOT going to make it! Thank goodness my mom could come over so I could drop her off in between and lay her down for a nap! This also meant, no pool for me, which was VERY exciting!!

2. The following weekend we had Malakai's big FIFTH birthday party! It was held at Bounce U! I am ALL about not having 20 5 year olds messing up my house!! This was an awesome location and the kids had a ball!! I can't believe he is 5!! Don't worry, there will be a future post about my baby :)

3. My Dad, Lisa, and Kiera always come in town for Malakai's party. It is so great to have them around! They helped SO much with preparation for the move!! My dad took several loads over to the new house and Lisa managed the kiddos as well as making sure that EVERY single piece of clothing/bedding/towels were clean. It was AMAZING! We couldn't have done it without them!!

4. Lisa also did a great craft with the kids. So creative and they just loved it. I don't have a picture of the final project (an ornament) but they are SO cute!!

5. Moving day was a HUGE success. Josh and I are so blessed with the friends in our lives! Autumn and Toro were there bright and early, eager to do whatever was needed. Also, one of the girls that works for Josh (Kelly) sent her husband (Adam) and his trailer over to help. SO FABULOUS! Thank you everyone for making that day a HUGE success!! Kelly also showed up at the house TWO nights with dinner and Autumn and Jimmy came over with amazing home-made cookies and wine! We LOVE all of you guys!!

6. We are finally starting to settle in! At least we are no longer living completely out of boxes! This is a huge part to Carrie and Sarah who helped out by organizing the kids' playroom, bedrooms, and kitchen! Thank you girls!!

7. Christmas shopping is Dun-zo! The tree is up, as well as the trees in Malakai and Leila's room. However, they have yet to see Santa!! This is on the agenda for tomorrow night. I am keeping my fingers crossed that Malakai's two items don't change since one of the items was next to impossible to get! Not because it was a Zhu Zhu pet, or something along those lines. It is a DS game that he saw a little boy playing that happens to be from 2006 and not in any stores!! Oh the things we do for our babies!

8. I got a promotion at work!! The prayers I asked you for awhile ago worked!! I applied for it months ago, and just found out two weeks ago that it is mine!! It is a bitter/sweet feeling because I absolutely LOVE the office I am at right now. The girls are amazing, and I have really have acquired some amazing friendships. However, it is a great career move and I am confident that those friendships will still be there when I leave.

9. Josh and I registered for the St. Louis half marathon in April!

10. Malakai had his Christmas Program at school and it was so, stinking, cute! The pre-school class only sang three songs, but it was adorable! He sang his little heart out! Wonder where he gets that from :)

XOXO,

Blog Family? Are you out there?!

I love you! I miss you! I will have Internet in the new house on Tuesday!! I have so much to say and update you on!

Thank you for the prayers for Baby Alex, he was released from the hospital yesterday!

The move went well. It is just a lot of chaos right now! Since Josh and I are both putting in long hours at work, it has been a whirlwind.

Can't wait to catch up! I hope everyone is enjoying this fabulous holiday season!

Dear God,

I just turned the page in my calendar. What happened to this month? There is too much to do in too little time. Help me not to waste the coming days. Help me to savor each one in spite of the "busyness."

Amen

XOXO,

Miller

Life Changes Things

Awhile ago Colleen and I had a discussion about being a Surrogate Mother. I don't even remember if this was a private conversation, or a discussion on a blog or some other social networking site. The one thing I do remember, is that Colleen and I, like in many other aspects of our lives, disagreed with one another. Part of the many beauties of our friendship.

She would do it in heartbeat...no questions asked...even for a total stranger. I on the other hand, said that I could never see myself doing it. In fact, who even knows if I could carry another baby, but the thought of putting my body through that experience and not being able to reap the benefits did not sound appealing to me at all. As I look back on this conversation, I think....wow! That sounds really selfish. On many different moral issues, I feel I have a strong opinion on how I would handle the situation, or how I would act. But honestly, does anyone really, truly know how they would handle things until they are put in that very specific position?

Take the subject of abortion. As a 29 year old woman, I can 100% say I would never have an abortion and I think it is a horrible act that is taken way to lightly in this world. Please, this is not meant to spark a pro choice/pro life debate. All I'm saying is, Yes, I can easily say that now. But guess what? I never got pregnant in high school. I was never impregnated by a family member or a rapist. I was never put in the situation to have to make that decision. Are you understanding my point?

When Josh and I got pregnant with Malakai – I was 23. This pregnancy was unplanned, yet we fell in love with him from the moment we found out. I felt so incredibly blessed to have been able to conceive and carry such a wonderful little baby, without complications. I really took my fertility for granted and as I go through life I come across so many people not as lucky.

I could do it. I could do it for those that I love. For those that want nothing more than to experience the amazing gift of being a parent. I can't say that I could do it for a stranger, but if someone that special in my life, truly wanted the unbelievable feeling and love that only a parent can posses, I could do it. I would do it.

Would you? Could you? Do you think it would take being put in that specific situation before you could truly decide?

XOXO,

I'm still Karissa from the block...

Title has absolutely no relevance, just couldn't really think of one for this random blog. That's how I roll though :)

We had a fabulous Thanksgiving filled with Family, Family, and more Family. With the exception of Denny + Family and Heather + Family...we miss them terribly. My Grandpa Dick out-did his self again with a fabulous turkey, not to leave out Judy Rudy who helped make the feast complete.

I won't even go into details the nightmare we endured while arriving at Toys R Us at midnight on black Friday. Let's just say this was Josh's first...and last black Friday experience.

These next few weeks are jam packed! Josh and I have stuck with our plan of packing a room a day since we got back from KC. Slowly but surely, it's coming along. With all this talk of a new house, I have gotten this sudden interest in decorating. I'm not sure what quite sparked it. Maybe the fact that when we bought this house, I was so young and fresh out of college, that I didn't really care much about (or have the income for) decorating. Then babies came and next thing I knew my house was taken over by high chairs, pack-n-plays, excersaucers, train tables, and more CRAP. So, the idea of a blank canvas is very inspiring! An accumulation of all these things have motivated me to start a couple DIY projects that I'm uber-excited about!! That's a whole nother blog....

I'm rambling...this is because I don't really have a lot of time as Josh is yelling at me to bring the packing tape upstairs. Wonder how long I've actually been missing?! Oh yes, the next few weeks....there are Christmas Concerts, Work Parties, 3 Birthday parties (Malakai and two of his besties), Mother's Club Dinners, and I'm sure many other things that I will probably forget!!

So, I just wanted to drop in and share a few pics of the kiddos. Leila is in her tutu stage where she refuses to take it off. In fact, she wore it to dinner the other night with sweatpants underneath, tucked in to her furry boots. I think she looked very....independent.

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Also took them to Zoo Lights at the St. Louis zoo. I had to include these pictures of the crazy lady who insisted on plopping down pretty much ON TOP OF Malakai during the CHILDREN'S STORYTIME!! Look at all that room next to her!! Really?!

Till next time!

XOXO,