Ten on Tuesday....one day late

1. We had a fabulous weekend with our family that was visiting from KC! Thank you to Cindi, Mallory, Baby Liam, Michael, Bobby Joe, and Riley for coming to Miller Town for the weekend! It was a full house and I loved it. There is nothing better than having family around. You definitely learn to appreciate it more when you don't have it all the time. That is for sure!!

2. I'm not putting any pictures in this TonT! I think that is a first!!

3. We will miss going to KC for Easter this year. We usually do, but there are just too many things going on in April and May that will involve us going to KC and we just can't do it every weekend. As much as we love it, it is exhausting!! I haven't decided if we are going to go to a brunch somewhere or if we should just bbq at home. What are you doing for Easter?

4. I'm addicted to Brain Buddies on Facebook! Don't ever play, it will consume your entire life!!

5. What is the average price for school lunch? I have not had to pay before because Malakai's school was re-doing their cafeteria and kitchen all year so he had to bring his every day. However, the construction is done and they are offering a new program. Even though he is so picky, there are days I think he would enjoy it. I find it kind of annoying that we have to go online, pick what days we want (at least 48 hrs in advance) and pay with paypal, anywhere from $3.00 - 4.50. Is that average? Just curious...

6. We are going to lunch at the Boathouse on Friday!! I am very excited to have Miller Family Funday! As long as we have been in St. Louis, we have never eaten here! That's pretty bad! It's almost like living here and never going to the Arch!! Yay for beautiful weather and much needed quality family time!!

7. I LOVED Usher on American Idol!! I love him!! I really think him and Justin Timberlake need to do a song together! That would be H.O.T!!

8. Opening day is just around the corner! Eeeeekkk!!! As much as I love KC, NOTHING beats Cardinals Baseball! Can't wait to see my boy Skip tear it up this season! I'm feeling some definite post-season play!!

9. Embarrassing moment of the week: I was running on my treadmill in the basement, ipod cranked, and singing/screaming my workout playlist at the top of my lungs. Mind you, I'm out of breath so the singing was next to awful!! We are talking Big Girls Don't Cry, Spice Girls, Bossy, a great mixture. When I got off, I realized the screen door was open and my neighbors were on their back deck!! Seriously?! I could have died!!

10. Anyone have any good April Fools Day tricks they are pulling on their fam? I was looking for harmless ideas to do to Malakai and Leila. Among one of my favorites was to put a Crayola bath tablet in the sink faucet, so when they turn it on in the morning to brush their teeth the water will be blue/red/yellow etc. I thought that was really cute. One suggestion was to swap your children in their bed at night so they wake up in their siblings bed. I seriously think Malakai would FREAK out if he woke up in Leila's crib! OMG!

XOXO,

Menu Plan Monday

Last week was a CRAZY week, but we managed to stick to our menu pretty well! For those of you who missed last weeks, go here. The Creamy Black-Bean Chicken and the French dip sandwiches were A-Mazing!!

So, here we go for this week…

Monday: Since we had a little change of plans we didn’t get to the Sloppy Joes and Tator tot night, so that will be dinner this evening.

Tuesday: It’s that time of the year. Grilling will be on the menu probably every week starting now. We have some Salmon that he is going to do for us and hotdogs for the kids. Gonna throw in some Macaroni Salad, Mac and Cheese (for the kids) and some grilled mixed vegetables.

Wednesday: Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas Verde
Black Beans
Spanish Rice

Thursday: Pepperoni Pizza Quiche! I’m not quite sure about this, but I wanted to try something different and it got Fabulous reviews! Has anyone out there tried this? What did you think?

Friday: Eat Out Night/Volleyball

Saturday: Baked Chicken Penne

Salad

Bread Sticks

Sunday: We are going out for a family Easter Brunch, so probably won't be SUPER hungry. Perfect day for a Leftover Buffet :)

XOXO,

Miller

Outside Fun!

In this generation of computers and video games (which, I'm not going to lie, my son is obsessed with) I am thankful that my children still prefer to be outside when the opportunity arises. We have been blessed with a slight look at Spring and we have taken FULL advantage.

I love that I can open up the back side of the house, hang out on the deck, and the kids can just PLAY! I swear, Malakai would be out there for HOURS if allowed. I had a chance to shoot a few pics the other day...

Also couldn't get by without taking pics of the two cutest Leprechauns EVER! As you can tell, Malakai has gotten a haircut and he LOVES it! He has been asking for awhile to have short hair, and after Josh saw Jackson's, there was no stopping them! I feel like it makes him look so much older!

XOXO,

Wordless Wednesday

XOXO,

Ten On Tuesday...HCG Style

For the past 23 days I have been partaking in the HCG Diet. This week's TonT is going to be based on just that...my life on HCG.

1. I'm not going to go in to HUGE detail on the specifics of this diet, if you are that interested you can click on the link above.

2. Josh did A LOT of research before allowing me to spend the money on the HCG drops. I did not purchase them online, but from a very good friend who is a Chiropractor. His two requests were, 1) I don't act like I'm pregnant and 2) I don't have an increased chance of getting pregnant. Typical male!

3. I lost 17.5lbs in 23 days!

4. I did this by only eating a very specific, 500 calorie a day diet! Obviously anyone who eats 500 calories is going to lose weight, however, the HCG is supposed to keep your body from going into starvation mode, which helps you keep the weight off when you stop the drops.

5. I am now in the maintenance phase for three weeks. I have stopped the drops and increased my calories to 1500/2000 a day.

6. I was unable to work out or drink alcohol during this time. This was not easy, especially since I partaked in a trivia night and a happy hour! I can also tell I have not worked out. Yes, I've lost the pounds, but I feel my body is flabby. Where as when I lose weight while working out, I am also tone, which in my opinion, is much better.

7. I probably wouldn't do this diet again.

8. Although I'm glad I did it, and it gave me a jump start I needed, it was HARD!

9. Because of this diet, I now am a black coffee drinker (never have been in my life) and I no longer consume un-godly amounts of sugar free redbull and regular soda. For that, I am thankful.

10. Now I'm thinking of starting the P90X. This is something that Josh and I can do together. Kind of as a bonding time :) Considering the only time we can both do this together would be at about 5:00am every morning, not sure how much "bonding" would actually be going on :)

XOXO,

Menu Plan Monday

This is something that I have been doing pretty successfully since the beginning of the year. I realized I enjoy looking at other people's weekly menus for ideas, so I am going to try to be posting mine as well :) I will also be linking up with Menu Plan Monday on I'm an Organizing Junkie!

This is what I start the week with, some weeks I switch around the days depending on schedule changes :)

*disclaimer: don't judge me for lack of healthiness/vegetables/organic/originality/blah blah blah! I do what I can, the best I can do it :)

Monday: French Dip Sandwiches/Mashed Potatoes/Grilled Asparagus

Tuesday: Breakfast for Dinner/Blueberry Pancakes/Sausage Links/Sliced Apples

Wednesday: Sloppy Joes/Macaroni and Cheese

Thursday: Creamy Black Bean Salsa Chicken/Spanish Rice

Friday: Left-Over Buffet

Saturday: Eating out/Out of town guests :)

Sunday: Cheeseburgers on the grill/Grilled Corn on the Cob/Tator Tots


XOXO,

Leila Jane is Two!!

Happy Birthday to my precious Leila Jane! She has headed in to the Two's with Full Force!! I'm just going to give you a few highlights of the birthday celebrations....that seems to have lasted weeks!!

Even though her party wasn't till 4 days after her birthday, I still wanted to do something special on her "day" So the night before, I spent HOURS making THESE cupcakes for her! I had no idea what I was getting myself into! They were delicious, but I don't think anyone really appreciated the effort that went in to them! We had pizza and crazy bread (Leila's favorite) and skyped Kiera who enjoyed cupcakes and sang happy birthday with us, along with Sarah.

The party in Kansas City was a huge hit! Thank you so much to Goodness Sakes, Cakes! for providing the PERFECT Abby Cadabby cake! All the family was there and Leila was in heaven! The weekend went by way too fast, like always, but we had a great time!!

I also got to meet my new, precious baby cousin, Liam!! My kids are just as much in love with him as Josh and I are! He is so sweet and snuglly, I just want to take him home with me!

Till Next Time!

XOXO,

I love Free!!

Most have you have already seen this, but since my blog also feeds to my facebook, I wanted to spread it to those friends as well!

HELLO!!! A FREE 20 PAGE PHOTOBOOK!!!

I love these things!! I have made one for each child, every year of their life, and have even started a sibling one for each year as well. I don't think I have ever actually paid for one, and if I have, it wasn't very much. Usually it's because I go over 20 pages, but it's so hard to narrow down a years worth of pictures!!



Please take advantage of this one!!





Code: Get a Free 20-Page Large Hardcover Book AFFLGB - exp 12/31/10Coupon



Details:



• The cost of one 20-page Large Classic, Classic Leather, or Classic Custom photo book (up to $39.99) will be deducted from your order total. If your book contains more than 20 pages, you will be charged for the additional pages.



• Additional books, taxes/international surcharges, and shipping costs are excluded.• Coupon expires at 11:59 PM (PT) on December 31, 2010.• Cannot be used with any other coupon



• This coupon is for first-time customers only



• We reserve the right to change the terms and conditions of this offer without notice.



Additional pages USD $1.99 each



Max. pages: 160



If you already have Picaboo, register your husband's address or make up a new one so your considered a new customer.

Note: Shipping appears to be $8.99 (+ $3 for each additional) for a Large Hardcover book.

Link: Picaboo

Thank you PYP Blog!


XOXO,
Miller

Ten things I want to buy myself...

To add a little variety to T on T, here are ten things I want to buy myself. But probably won't for awhile due to the following reasons:

a) There are other things more important/logical, higher on the list

b) I'm waiting for Josh to buy it FOR me

c) They are just ridiculously overpriced

1. A sewing machine! With all my DIY projects, I really think I could get good use out of one. Nothing expensive, just a beginners one to get me started.

2. New Bedroom Furniture. Since I went Psycho when I was prego with Leila and took apart our HUGE 80's bedroom set, piece-by-piece, with a hammer, we have been without. Other than a dresser. Josh is totally fine with this, all he cares about is we still have the Cali King bed. But, with the new house, it's time to stop putting our room last on the list.

3. One of these necklaces from Avaeli who is an amazing Etsy seller AND a local St. Louisan!

4 and 5. A new lens for my camera. This goes along with 5 which is a photography class. I don't by any means want to be a professional, I just wanna shoot decent pictures of my babies.

6. A weekend, or week-long, getaway with Josh....hopefully that is coming soon!!

7. New Boobs! These ARE coming sooner rather than later! Those of you who have had children KNOW what having kids do to a woman's body. Looks like 2010 will be the year!

8. A Kindle!!

9. These Betsey Johnson shoes!! I don't really have anywhere to wear them, but I have been in love with them for some time now and they actually just went on sale. Hmmmm

10. Last but not least, I can't do this list without putting an outrageously expensive purse that I am just DYING for. The Villador Carpetto Bow Bag! Wouldn't it look fabulous on my arm this spring?! In my dreams, I would ever get this one...BUT the great thing about blogging about it? Lot's of eyes out there for me to look for a look-a-like :) I'm even open to other colors!!

XOXO,

My Heart Hurts...

When it hurts for myself, I can handle it! However, right now my heart is seriously aching for my children. Mainly Malakai, because he is older, but it aches for both of them. It is the worse feeling in the entire world!!

My mom said her good-bye's to the kids this evening, as she is leaving tomorrow for Phoenix where she has made the decision to reside. I, myself, am okay with this. Yes, I will miss her. But all my life I've went back and forth living in the same city as her. I'm 29 years old, I can handle it. Malakai on the other hand. Has no idea what is about to hit him. He has seen her almost every day for his entire 5 year life. They have movie nights, have spent every Valentines Day together for the past 5 years, read books, go get ice-cream, the list just goes on and on. Putting all the issues my mom and I have ever had aside, she has been an AMAZING grandparent to my two children. She was the only constant relative in their daily lives, everyone else is far away. Leila is just to young to realize what is going on, but my Malakai, he gets it, but he doesn't get it.

He told me tonight "Mommy, my heart is broken Grandma is leaving. But I will see her probably Friday or Saturday!" I try to tell him that he will not, but it just hurts my heart even more. I wish I could tell him we will see her a lot, but that would be a lie. As much as Josh and I would love to make it out to Phoenix a lot, we are averaging once every other year. I foresee her making it back here once a year. How do I explain this to him? Will it even effect him since he is only 5? I have no idea where to even begin with this issue. I would love your ideas and suggestions.








XOXO,