Ten on Tuesday

I am SO jumping on the train! Colleen and Claire have been posting Ten on Tuesday for the past couple of weeks and I LOVE to read them!! So, I thought I would give it a try. I'm not exactly sure of the rules, all I know is that is is supposed to be 10 things going on with The Miller's. So, here it goes!

1. Bella got spade last week! Everyone thought we should breed her and make more cute little English Bulldog puppies, but I don't care how much we could sell them for, that DOES NOT sound like fun for me!

2. I LOVE our Nannies!! Carrie and Sarah watch Leila three days a week and I love them! Leila also absolutely adores them as well. While I am super proud of them for graduating and getting their degrees in Criminal Justice, it makes me sad that I will be losing them some day.

3. Malakai has a slight obsession with Monster Trucks! They seem to be the only things he every plays with (unless he is playing outside) and it is VERY entertaining to watch. He also ALWAYS leaves them as you see below...just a slight case of OCD?

4. I'm having a really hard time balancing things lately. I go to bed every night wishing there were just a few more hours in a day. What didn't get tended to? What do I need to focus on tomorrow?

5. I have worn the same Hard Candy Eyeshadow for MANY years and just recently I found it in the check out line at TJ Max for $3.99!! I was so excited you would have thought I won the lottery!

6. I HATE that Josh works weekends!! It's good for the fact that he is home two days during the week to be home with the kids, but the other 60 hours that he fits into five days is brutal! So much goes on during the weekend and I feel he gets the raw end of the deal.

7. Lots of vacation planning going on! Nothing huge, just a few small ones. We are headed to Chicago in April, Bennett Springs for a weekend in June for fishing and camping (well, not really camping, I insisted on a cabin), Lake of the Ozarks in August for the Annual Rader Reunion, and Virginia Beach for a week in September to visit my fabulous sister-in-law and her husband!

8. I started tanning! I know it is so bad for my skin and I don't plan to do it for a long period, but I'm not gonna lie, I love the way it makes me feel! I swear it takes away like 10lbs and if you have seen how fair skinned I am, I think it is pretty much impossible for me to get "Too" tan!

9. I haven't talked to my mom a whole lot in the past couple of weeks. It makes me sad that things have happened beyond my control and our relationship has changed.

10. Leila isn't walking and it is driving me crazy!! I feel like she can do it, she just isn't interested in doing it.

Well, there it goes! This was a lot harder than I thought and not near as interesting as the ones I read. Sorry guys and gals!

XOXO,

Miller

My Angel

Many ask me about the reason of naming our son Malakai. It's simple really, it obviously comes from the bible (Malachi) and means "My Angel" in Hebrew. That is exactly what Malakai is...our angel.

I feel like with Leila turning one and the entire month of March being dedicated to her birthday, that Malakai has gotten a little shafted when it comes to blog time :)

Many of my friends and readers have four (or close t0) year olds and there really is no explanation for them. Four is a whole new world!! It's a world of attitude, independence, opinions, and much more. I look at Malakai everyday and I think to myself that he is so special. So special because the day he was born, I became a mother. He changed the way I look at the world!

So hear is a little bit of what Malakai has been up to lately:

*He loves art! This is sort of a new thing. He has never been interested in coloring, drawing, writing, etc. However, he has found this new love for it and it makes me very excited! His writing is fabulous, and he is always asking to sign his own name on things.

*He sleep walks! While Josh and I were downstairs the other night, we heard Malakai's door open and didn't hear anything else. Josh went up and he was standing at the foot of our bed ASLEEP! He then proceeded to wet his pants. Josh put some clean underwear on him and put him back to bed...the whole time Malakai does not wake up! The next morning he told Josh that the bed ate his pants because he woke up in just his underwear. There have been numerous sleep walking occasions in the past few months. I'm thinking I may need a gate at the top of the stairs!!

*He loves playing soccer, boxing, and being the first at everything. EVERYTHING is a race...getting dressed, getting buckled in his car seat, up the stairs, etc.

*He talks continuously about how he wants to be an astronaut when he grows up so he can study the planets.

*He used an outhouse for the very first time over the weekend and has not stopped talking about it! Obsessed and amazed and says he always wanted one of those.

*I love watching him in action. However, I have to do this in secrecy in order to observe him for any length of time. He seems to have an irrational fear of being watched, and when he catches me, he shrieks “Ma-ma!!! DON’T LOOK AT ME!!” STOP LOOKING AT ME!!!"

*He can be a bossy fit-throwing Godzilla at times

*He hates being woke up! Most of the time we don't have to worry about this, but on the occasion he's a sleepy head and we have to wake him up for school, he screams at us to get out of his room and he will come to our room when he is ready. Luckily, I'm usually walking out the door on my way to work, so Josh gets to handle these episodes :)

*He is getting an opinion about what he wears! I flat out tell him that he is Four and a Boy and he doesn't get an opinion on what he wears. At least not for now, give me a few more years!!

*He is so much fun!!

*Amazingly smart and witty! The wheels are always turning and sometimes I have to remind myself I'm talking to a four year old and not an adult!

*I love spending time with him!

*He is SO funny!

*Last but not least, he is a wonderful big brother! He is SO patient with Leila! Even when she is pulling his hair or trying to take his toy, he is so gentle and calm with her.

I am so in love with my babies! Head over Heals!!

XOXO,

Miller

Best thing since I last blogged: I'm BLONDE again!!

Worst thing since I last blogged: Bella ate a pair of my favorite shoes!

Counting down the days...

Till this!! (Click the link, the trailor totally gives me chill-bumps)

Even though the movies don't even compare to the books themselves, I am still very excited!! I got Josh to watch Twilight with me. I think he was so willing because he wanted to see what all the hype was about. He still says he doesn't understand...he is such a man!

Every morning I ask him if he enjoyed watching me sleep! He think's I'm crazy :)

XOXO,

Miller

Best thing since I last blogged: The kids' Easter outfits came and I love them even more in person!

Worst thing since I last blogged: Spring Cleaning!

It's time for another...

PHOTO BLOG! I swear things have been C.R.A.Z.Y lately!! I have been letting entirely too much time go between blogs and then I become completely overwhelmed with the mere thought of having to write about ALL of it! So your gonna get a few paragraphs and the rest will be pictures. However, I pledge to write a blog every other day! You heard me folks! Every...Other...Day!! I know what your thinking! "No way is she going to do that!" I didn't say they were going to be amazing, prize-winning blogs, but there will be a blog. I started this blog mostly for a journal that my kids can look back on, and I feel like I am shorting them by not documenting things enough. Does that make any sense?

So, here we go!

It seems like we have been celebrating Leila's birthday for the entire month of March! Thank you to our friends who joined us at Buffalo Wild Wings for a small celebration here in St. Louis on her actual birthday. Our kids are so lucky to have such wonderful people who care about them. We truly are blessed!

Next, on March 14th at 12:32am my Great-Grandmother began her journey to Heaven. She was greeted by my Great-Grandfather Robert Young and her son Forrest Clay. Even though she didn't get to actually meet her youngest great-great grandson Alex, we all truly believe their paths crossed. My brother's flight did not get in till 2:00pm on the 14th, however, he and Alex were on United flight 1232! Coincidence?! I think not! She definitely passed them on her way!

While we were up in Kansas City, we had some fabulous quality time with family! I was sad that my sister-in-law Rebecca was unable to make the trip with my brother and Alex. It just didn't feel complete without her! Alex and Leila absolutely adore each other, I got to hang out with my brother and sister, and Josh got to chill with his BFF! It was good times had by all! Of course, Lisa wasn't sure when my dad would have all his kids and grandkids together at the same time, so she was quick to grab her camera and catch some fabulous shots!

After coming home for a few days, we were headed BACK up to KC for Leila's birthday party with family and friends in KC. Again, thank you to those that came and showered Leila with your love. For those of you who know me, know my obsession with hair bows! Well my Grandma found the mother of all hair bows!! OMG! Just take a look! It looks like Leilicious is wearing a Loofah on her head and I LOVE IT!!

XOXO,

Miller

Best thing since I last blogged: We have one week left of the biggest loser at work! I have reached my goal of 25lbs and I'm neck to neck with one of the Dr.'s for the 1st place prize! It will come down to that final weigh in!!

Worst thing since I last blogged: I'm pretty much exhausted and looking forward to staying home the next few weekends to get my energy back for our long weekend in Chi-town!

Other things may change us, but we start and end with a family!

I have been VERY blessed in my life with an amazing, close-knit family. Even with all the chaos and drama coming from a big family can bring, I wouldn't trade it ANY day! My dad has three sisters, all of whom have children, those children being my cousins. My brother and I are the oldest of this crazy clan and I love each and every member more than life itself. It is so nice to know that there are people out there who would do anything for you and vice-versa. They get together to celebrate every birthday (not so easy for us since we are further away, but we make it when we can) and have been doing this for as long as I can remember. We can also be a bit overwhelming at times, especially if you are not familiar with the chaos :) We always jokingly make-fun of potential significant others, hoping they have an inkling of what they are getting into with the possibility of becoming a "Rader." My aunts were there for me through many awkward and difficult times as a child, and I thank them for that tremendously.

Why this trip down memory lane? We are very close to losing one of the few that started it all. My dad called a couple of weeks ago to let me know that my Great Grandmother was not doing very good and that it could be any day. You heard me right! I said GREAT Grandmother! She is an amazing woman. 97 years young! She is beautiful, still has her amazing mind, and the time has come for her to go home. Up until recently, she lived on her own, with her twin sister living in the apartment above her, played bridge weekly, and could sit at a piano and make anyone within hearing distance stop what they were doing to listen.

So, I adjusted some schedules, left Malakai with Josh, and Leila and I headed up to KC for a visit. I am so thankful that I made it up there! Even though she was in the hospital, I sat with her everyday and her face lit up every time she caught a glimpse of Leila. She was so eager to tell the nurse that she was her Great-Great Granddaughter! Even though I was only up there for a few days, the magnificence of my family really shined. NEVER, was I at the hospital by myself. The room was always filled with people who love her and love each other! My grandparents, cousins, aunts, uncles, and everyone in between were there to show their love. When I left to head back to St. Louis, she was getting ready to get out of the hospital and was still hanging on.

I got another call last night that hospice has been brought in and grandma is ready to go. I am so glad I had the opportunity to see her one last time and show her the love that myself, Josh, and our children have for her. She is an amazing woman with an amazing heart and I hope I live half the life that she has. Here is to you Grandma! We love you always! It's okay for you to go. We know you are tired and there is a wonderful place waiting for you.

Here is Evelyn Young with her first Great-Great Grandchild, Malakai

Her face just lit up the room when she saw Leila Jane

Poor Malakai was so sick, there was no way he could come with us. He stayed home with Daddy and fought off that nasty bug that was going around :(

My little diva turns one tomorrow! Don't worry, there will be a Happy Birthday Leila post to come!

XOXO,

Miller

Best thing since I last blogged: We booked Chicago! We are going in April! Whoo Hoo!

Worst thing since I last blogged: Software upgrades at work....CHAOS!

Devastated!!

This is going to be quick because I am actually right in the middle of something, but I had to get this out. I am right in the middle of planning Leila Jane's first birthday party. I always do the first one up in KC, since they don't really have a whole lot of friends at that age and it is mostly for family anyway :) Invitations are done, The tutu birthday outfit has been ordered, I have almost perfected the huge 3D "cupcake" cake! All that was left to do was the gift. Malakai got the potterybarn anywhere chair for his first birthday which would be perfect to get for Leila, however, she got it for Christmas. So, I logged on to babystyle.com (one of my top 3 online stores, this is where I got Leila's ADORABLE peacock Halloween costume) to purchase her the pink cruiser that matches Malakai's. What happens when I get there??!!

I get this...

"We're sorry but we have suspended Internet sales from our site. babystyle is sad to announce that we have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. At this time, we will no longer accept online orders. Any pending orders that have not yet shipped have been cancelled and your credit card will not be charged."

WHAT??!! All I have to say is it is a sad, sad, day in the Miller house!

If you have ANY suggestions for a first birthday gift it would be greatly appreciated. I'm not really looking for something "commercial." While I LOVE those toys she gets, I personally like to get her something more original. Those of you that know me know I like to be "different" or "boutiquish". PLEASE!! Bring in the suggestions!

XOXO,

Miller