when life gives you peaches...

can them
make peach pit jelly with the left over pits and skins
Then, when you are given more peaches...make this yummy cake! Wesley helped me make this cake that I saw on my friends blog
(thanks Mandy)
and as soon as Chase woke up from his nap, he helped me clean up! every beater, spoon and even the bowl! The kids all enjoyed it even though every one of them picked the peach off of their piece!Happy Sunday!!

miller (family) time...

We went back to Wheeler Farm, but this time with some Arizona cousins!!! Wesley and Chase were so excited to spend every minute possible with Braden and Grace while they were here! They played so good together the whole trip - Wesley was even nice enough to show Braden some of his best tricks (I hope his dad can appreciate his new burping skills)!Chase loved hanging out with cute little Grace - he has asked about her nonstop since they left!Annie was a good sport about going out in our heat (which is nothing compared to her heat) - she was also a good sport about climbing the tree, so she could take a picture of me and Cameron at a more flattering angle - it is not nice to make someone who is about to have a baby climb a tree, but it is somewhat entertaining - thanks Annie!!I decided I better have Cameron be the next kid to take a picture with before he is home much longer! 4 weeks is a long time to hang out with your 11 year old (and I am pretty sure the feeling is mutual)! So, once again I am grateful to have this picture...to be able to see his curious eyes rather than the rolling ones that pass me as he walks by
to see his sweet smile rather than his smart mouth
to see how much he loves being loved by me
to see how much respect and kindness he deserves
to see what a good kid he is becoming as he grows up so fast...I can see all that every time I look at these!

enjoy...

After a nice rejuvenating morning with a friend, I decided to take my boys to the park for a picnic! My goal...to not yell at them even once while we were there! We are on day 4 of a 4 week off-track and "patient & loving" is NOT how my boys would describe me right now! I yelled at them to get ready (on our next outing, I will have a goal to not yell before or during - baby steps), grabbed my camera and book and started loading the car. Then I decided to put the book back - we were going to have some quality time! We went to their favorite place(McDonald's - see how nice I was being!) to pick up food and headed to the park. When we arrived, we were surprised to see another friend was already there - so the kids all ran off to play and I got to spend quality time with her (perfect!)! The only time I had to yell (a nice kind of not screaming yell) was when they all went into the bathroom together, when they were trying to get the bird nest out of the tree they were climbing, when they were trying to eat some strangers McDonald's and when we were trying to leave - pretty good, huh?! I had a purpose for bringing my camera - this morning I decided to pick a kid a day to take some pictures of. I also wanted to get a picture of me with them - enjoying them (as kind of a reminder, in a couple weeks, that I really do enjoy them!)! I figured I better start with the easiest! Whats not to enjoy (besides the pink marker that has stained his face and hands - but his brother did that to him - his naughty enjoyable brother)!! I am already grateful to have these pictures - I was even more grateful after I asked him where my ipod was tonight and he responded, "it disappeared from our house when it flew out the window" (which reminds me, I need to turn off the sprinklers until this is verified)! and when I went to his room to discover he had not only taken out every toy he owned, but he did it while eating a really juicy plum! and I am grateful now, as he is sitting by my side, reading me his Cinderella book, showing me his dancing moves, playing me a song on his really LOUD guitar, asking me question after question (and demanding real answers) with the cutest little smile and the sweetest little voice - so, at this very late hour, we are off, to go enjoy one more book and one more hug and one last story...
enjoy this moment, for this moment is your life!!

a camping we will go...

A couple of weekends ago, we headed to our Ward Campout! A few days before, the much anticipated activity, Bill informed me that he would have to work and in the same breath told the boys that I would take them! The day arrived - and it was CRAZY - there were a few times I thought we wouldn't be able to make it! Luckily, the boys all chipped in, helped clean and pack and we made it (just barely before dark!). We, with the help of some fellas, were able to get the tent up and filled before it got dark and had an enjoyable, relaxing night, with good company, around the campfire. The boys slept well, as they always do while camping, while I (who never sleeps too good outside, in the cold) listened to my ipod most of the night. We woke up with the sun and had the tent emptied out before breakfast (advantages of not having a husband, who can sleep in anywhere, there)! The activities committee had a fun filled day planned, starting with some yummy breakfast! The kids participated in some fun games, that had everyone laughing
(I was very content to just take pictures and cheer them on!)! I was so glad we were able to make it - Wesley has asked to go camping again everyday since and Chase is still so proud of himself for "watering the grass with my pee"!
Thanks to all who worked so hard to plan such an event, as well as everyone who helped us!!

already one...

Parabéns pra você

Nesta data querida

Muitas felicidades

Muitos anos de vida!

Happy 1st Birthday sweet girl!
Have fun in Brazil!
Hurry home, we miss you already!

once upon a time...

there was a little boy,
who didn't have any clean underwear!
So, his thoughtful *mommy gave him a swimsuit (with built in support) to wear.
Because he drank too much kool-aid and wasn't hungry for dinner, his swimsuit was too big and he had to hold it up as he walked!And really hold it when he ran!Occasionally, he would give a hand a rest before tackling his next adventure! When both hands got tired, he would find a nice place to relax! With a chocolate cookie peace offering
and pinky-promise of a bath and clean underwear tomorrow,
I think he (who is ever so fashion conscious) isn't bitter!*For the protection of the mommy, this child shall remain anonymous!