I'm learning about the important things......

I feel this is something that needs to be written and recorded........  And I don't know if Chad would agree or even say that he's noticed a real difference, but he doesn't matter because I still think he needs to agree to letting me have someone come clean our house once a month...... But, I have finally come to terms with the fact that our house, our home, the same home that Chad and I pay for each month, the same home that has OUR names on the deed, has become nothing more than an oversized playhouse for my 3 kids.  Somewhere under all the cars, trucks, trains, blocks, baby gear, crayons, and dirty socks and underwear that I find in random places, lies expensive furniture, matching decor, beautiful keepsakes and pictures, and surfaces that I have not seen in quite some time.  Living in a house with 3 children, two of whom are BOYS----in every aspect----is chaos.  Absolute chaos.  Nothing productive ever gets accomplished.  I can scrub the toilets and within 3 minutes someone announces they have to go poop.  I can scrub the tubs and later in the same afternoon, I have 2 sandy, dirty, muddy boys coming in from playing in the sandbox and running through the mud under their swing set.  The beautiful wood floors I waited patiently for for years until we had the money to put them in are not as practical as I thought they would be.  They stay smudged and dirty 90% of the time.  My living room right this very second is no longer covered with the beautiful, expensive, wool rug I payed GOOD money for a few months ago.  It is currently housing a play mat for Mary Grace and play mat for the boys that they like to  play with their toy cars on.  There is also a huge train table in the living room.  We have four bedrooms, but the only thing my kids use them for is to sleep in.  The rest of the house is fair game to whoever can lay claim to an area first.  Even the couch no longer belongs to us.  The dog seems to have taken over that.  Right now there is also a stack of boxes in the middle of our hallway full of clothes to take to the attic.  They have been there for about 5 or 6 weeks.  For some reason they haven't bothered Chad enough to take the time to place them in the attic.  For some reason, I have become blind to them myself.  Sort of.  They bother me.  But, whatever.  It's just another day in the Miller house.  I have learned not to be so consumed with having a clean house 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Let's face it, I will NEVER be June Cleaver.  Not even CLOSE.  She was once someone I idolized in a 50's sitcom, fictional character sort of way.  Now I just consider her my nemesis.  Although I wish she was more of my altar ego. Someone I could become most days.  But I'm just way too tired to even think about keeping my house in order for a couple of hours a day.  Much less every minute of every day.  I work outside of my home because I have to.  But even if I didn't have to, I would NEED to.  Sometimes I need to mentally escape the mess and the toys, and Dora the Explorer, and baby talk.

 I said not too long ago that my favorite part of the day is my children's bedtime.  While that is true in one aspect (because that is my ONLY quiet time of the day), it is also true in another aspect:  After we drink our milk, brush our teeth, and take baths (not necessarily in that order), our whole family piles on our bed and we have a bedtime story (this is a new routine brought to us courtesy of Ethan, who LOVES to read), devotion time and prayer time.  It's usually still chaos, with at least one of the kids still trying to wind down from the day.  But it is the best time of the day.  It is time that I have LEARNED to cherish.  And learning to cherish and treasure the simpler things have not come easy.  It is in my nature to worry about my house being a wreck and the laundry piling up and the dirty dishes in the sink.  But I am doing better.  Much better.  I have found that I am so tired at night (cure for insomnia: have three kids!) that I can still sleep with dirty dishes in the sink and a pile of unfolded laundry (or 2 or 3) in laundry baskets.  (And along with all my housekeeping imperfections, I am not ashamed to admit that I have a mom who is not only a lifesaver by being my children's caretaker during the week, she is also my laundry fairy!!!!!)  But, I have learned that when I wake up in the mornings, those dishes will still be there, and so will the laundry.  But my kids will be grown in a blink, and the same smiles that I wake up to today, will be grown and gone tomorrow.  So, just for the record:  I am learning to adjust to the mess and the chaos that has consumed my house.  There are socks thrown around in random places, toy cars that I stump my toes on DAILY, a pile of laundry that needs to be folded, and smudged floors, but I'm okay with it.  My children are happy.  They don't care that the laundry won't do itself, or that floors are dirty with their footprints.  Those aren't the things they will remember 20 years from now.  So for now, I'm doing okay.  I'm taking this mess one day at a time and learning that the more important things in life are just that:  The important things in life.

But just for the record:  CHAD IF YOU ARE READING THIS, WHICH I KNOW YOU ARE, YOU STILL NEED TO LET ME HAVE SOME HELP ONCE A MONTH.  REMEMBER WHEN SOMEONE CAME A FEW WEEKS AGO AND CLEANED AND I WAS SOOOOOOO HAPPY??????  SO IT IS TRUE THAT MONEY CAN BUY HAPPINESS.  MONEY THAT HIRES SOMEONE TO CLEAN OUR HOUSE.

Too cute for words...

Is this not the cutest thing EVER?! This is her expensive outfit her Daddy bought in Natchez for her this past summer. And she is already about to outgrow it before summer gets here!!!! She's got a closet full of beautiful clothes for the summer that she's probably going to be too big for before she can even wear them. Time to play dress up and take lots of pics!!!!

Dear Kirk Cameron........

So it seems that Kirk Cameron has ruffled quite a few feathers this week. I was eager to see his interview on the Today show Tuesday morning. In between getting kids and myself ready for some morning errands I found myself stunned as I watched him being interviewed. Then I started, very audibly, shouting at the television. It made my blood boil!

Here is the statement that Kirk Cameron is being bashed for: "homosexuality is unnatural, detrimental and ultimately destructive to foundations of civilization", which he said on Piers Morgan Tonight. Here's the problem I have: EVERYONE in the WORLD knows that Kirk is an evangelical Christian. He's starred in the movie "Fireproof", among other Christian-based films, and he and his wife have founded a Christian organization and camp for terminally ill children called Firefly. Kirk never uttered one word about HATING homosexuals. He said it was UNNATURAL. It is DETRIMENTAL. And it is DESTRUCTIVE. To which I unashamedly, wholeheartedly, 110% agree. I am so SICK of the mainstream media blasting over and over again people who try to live the way that God instructs us. In the interview they tried to put words in his mouth that he never even said. Or even tried to insinuate.


Here's another problem I have: Homosexuality, atheism, celebrities who have multi-million dollar weddings and divorce a month later, drug rehab stints, and Jersey Shore stupidity has become the mindset of America. American minds are filled with nothing but TRASH. The things we obsess about and follow on Twitter and read in the trashy entertainment news are beyond my understanding. But when a Hollywood celebrity vocally speaks out that he does not believe that homosexuality is natural, he becomes a hot topic. And not in a good way. As I heard Ann Curry ask him if he was implying that people should HATE gay people my jaw hit the floor. WHAT? Where in the world did she get that from??!! His response was classy and to the point and he didn't even break a sweat. I was screaming at the television in his defense. If only all of Hollywood had just a few of the values that Kirk Cameron has, and stuck by them when under pressure, then maybe America's mind would not be filled with so much junk all the time.

So, Dear Kirk Cameron,

Keep your head up, keep your heart pure, and keep talking the talk, but most importantly walking the walk!!!!!!

Our Spring Break in pictures......

Most people's Spring Break pictures will include fun trips to the beach, or Disney World. Or somewhere else fun. Our Spring Break pictures consist of sick kids being stuck at home having to take medicine every single day, multiple times a day. And a couple of pictures of Mary Grace eating her first solid food. Mrs. Piggy LOVED her bananas last night. Weighing in at 17 pounds at 4 months of age and already busting out of 6 to 9 month clothing, I have a feeling this little girl will not be a picky eater!

YUMMY!

Mary Grace and the breathing machine. Fun times, fun times.

E-Man showing Sissy how he does it.

E-Man has learned to deal with it and he has also become an iPhone expert in the process (as if he wasn't an expert already). And yes, my phone cover says "I Love Elvis" (with a guitar for the "l" in Elvis) and yes, those are teeth on my blanket.

Brennan, who also hasn't felt well the past few days.

Giving MG her medicine. I'm telling you, this week has been a bummer. I'm getting ready to take MG BACK to the doctor today. We're not even worth taking out back and shooting!

Week from H-E-double-hockey-sticks

Ethan is on 2 steroids. One steroid = bad. Two steroids = SATAN. My sweet, sweet , quiet Ethan has turned into Lucifer. I'm thinking it's time to call in a priest and exorcise the demons. I keep waiting for his head to spin around and pea soup to go flying across the room!!!! And God bless my friend, Kelly, who took my boys to the park today while I had to work. I told her she has a special place in Heaven. And God bless my mom who has to keep my 3 kids tomorrow. Maybe if you read this you can WHISPER A PRAYER REALLY LOUD FOR HER!!!!! And now I am aftaid Mary Grace is getting RSV. I know there are worse things, but really, it's been a week from hell. My demon child is proof. What a Spring Break!!!!!

RSV

RSV has hit our house!!!! Would anyone like a steroid-induced 3 year old for the rest of this RAINY Spring Break?! It's going to be A. Long. Week.

Oh, you know..... it's just another day.......

To say that there is NEVER a dull moment in the Miller household would still be a huge understatement. Can I just run you through the course of a few hours in hour house? I will make this as brief as I can. By the way, I never thought of it exactly in this way, but I had TWO people say the same thing to me the other day: Having 3 kids can be overwhelming because they outnumber you. It never dawned on me to think of it in that way, but that is the truest statement I have heard in quite some time.

At Brennan's school yesterday they had a special event for all the kids who have had good behavior this past semester. They had bounce houses and slides and snacks that the students could buy. The smallest dollar bill my husband had in his wallet to swipe was a five. Snacks were being sold for $1 each. So, I instructed him carefully that he was not to spend the $5 all on himself. That he could get a couple of things and then either bring his change home, or share with someone in case they had forgotten their money. Knowing my oldest, I then wrote a note to his teacher to make sure he shared his money if anyone had come empty handed. So after school as I was asking him about his day, I asked if he brought change home or if he had to share. Very puffed up he replied that he had to share 2 of his dollars. Now Brennan is my tenderhearted, caring, compassionate child. But he has NEVER been one to share. But we're working on it..... nearly eight years, but we're working on it. So then he says, "The teacher made me share with _____ and _____ and they didn't even give me anything back!!!!" (as he crossed his arms and huffed loudly). I knew we had an important lesson on our hands and to tread carefully. He then told me that one of the boys he shared with was sometimes mean and a bully. YES! Here was our lesson. I explained to him that he was showing the love of Jesus by sharing. Even with someone who may not always be nice. He was doing exactly as God instructs us to do. And that MOST times when we share, we don't get anything in return but a simple thank you. And sometimes we don't even get that in return. Then I asked, "Doesn't it make you feel GOOD to share with others who might have missed out on a treat today?" He then responded, "It may have made THEM feel good, but I don't understand what you mean about it making ME feel good. I didn't even get anything back". Needless to say, at bedtime I found a devotion specifically for this subject and told him the more he shared and the older he got he would learn exactly what it means to feel good inside by giving to others. SIGH. We still have a lot of work to do yet.

I've posted before how around 5 p.m. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. some sort of invisible switch gets flipped on in our house and every breathing being within our walls goes crazy for the next hour or two. All except the adults who have to scream and holler just to be heard over all the craziness. So yesterday, after a few meltdowns between getting the boys in from outside, keeping the dog from scaring one of the three little neighbor girls going door to door selling cookbooks for their church, and Mary Grace falling in out out of fussiness and sleep from her immunizations yesterday, and me having to spank my oldest for his back-talking and arguing, we were finally able to sit down and eat dinner. The boys had finished and were excused from the table. As Chad and I were still sitting at the table finishing our conversation, Ethan walks in the dining room with nothing on from the waist down, underwear in hand, and throws them on the dining room table. And it was full of poop. He never, EVER has accidents. But apparently he didn't make it to the bathroom on time and didn't see anything wrong with throwing his dirty undies on our table. See what I mean? These kids live to keep us on our toes.

Then as I was cleaning the kitchen Brennan was down on the floor talking to Mary Grace. I was washing dishes when Brennan says, "Hey Mama, you know what?....... Sissy is a virrrrrr................. no, wait.........Sissy is a noun". Yes, my mind is obviously way down deep in the dirty gutter because I swear to you I thought he was going to say the other "v" word that starts off pronounced just like the VERB word. If you don't know what I mean here, then stay innocent. I feel like I'm on guard for anything my son will overhear or be told at school and then I will have to explain certain things to him that I'm just not ready for! These days children hear and see a lot from television and older siblings, so I'm dreading the day that he comes home and repeats something that I'm just not ready to explain as to why he shouldn't repeat that.

See what I mean? This all took place within a few hours yesterday. This is why not one person should ever judge me because my favorite part of the day (unashamedly) is my children's bedtime. Yes, I love them wholeheartedly and all that good stuff, but to keep my sanity I need about an hour at the end of the day to unwind and decompress from all the excitement that has happened on any given day. This is why I'm a realist and not one of these parents who think my children hung the moon. They didn't. They haven't even come close. I am a real parent. Exhausted. Frustrated. But totally full of love for them. I wouldn't change a thing about my days during this season of life, but it's true that they make me crazy. Insane. As in, if I could rent a room at the local looney bin once a week, I would pay big bucks to go and take happy pills and sleep in, and be fed meals........................ That's all I'm sayin'.

Four months......

Four months old.

Three months old.

Two months old.

One month old.

Day of birth. November 7, 2011

Growing, growing, growing. I took sweet Mary Grace in for her check-up this morning. I am such a proud Mama. She is (don't read anymore if you don't want to get caught up in my bragging!) in the 97th percentile in height AND weight and her head circumference is in the 90th percentile. She knows how to stay 2 steps ahead of all the boys that surround her. She's going to be strong AND smart. But, that's the way most females are!!! (I know Chad is rolling his eyes right now) The doctor was amazed at her weight considering she gets 95% of her nutrition through breast milk. She can also roll from back to front, and is already trying to sit up. Compared to Ethan, who was a lazy baby, he didn't sit up until he was almost 7 months old.

Okay, I am done being annoying now. Just so thrilled to be blessed with another beautiful, healthy baby. My children are gifts sent straight from Heaven.

Even though Mary Grace is very well protected by her daddy and 2 big brothers, I seriously think she is going to be able to handle her own!

So Proud of my Little Scout!

Today was the annual Blue and Gold Banquet for the little Scouts in our town. Brennan moved up in rank and his whole family was there to see it.

(Ethan and my mom above)

Brennan excited about.... well..... Brennan is excited about everything.

Chad and Brennan with Pack 85 on stage to get their rank patches.

YAY! He is now a Wolf rank!

All the den leaders where taken by surprise by being recognized for all their hard work and dedication. There is Chad receiving their certificates.

My dad and Mary Grace.

It's hard to tell from this expression, but I was very proud of my two biggest boys!

Chad's mom and Brennan.

Brennan was so proud of his Daddy. Brennan wants to hang it in his bedroom.

This is what they looked like last night during prayer/devotion time. I think everyone was tired after a long week.

Ethan during nap time the other day.

This is how we found Brennan a few nights ago. His feet are where his head is supposed to be. That kid could sleep through ANYTHING. When I tried to move him, he acted like an inebriated frat boy. Totally oblivious to anything.

Look closely and there is his face.

Random

I cannot afford my weakness for smocked dresses and cute little girl clothes. Nor can I control it.


I feel so cool to see how many "followers" I have on Pinterest. Even though I know it means nothing. And I never get on Pinterest. I only have room for so many addictions in my life right now.

It melts my heart to hear my 3 year old sing the "Blues Clues" song.

How does anyone walk in 5 inch heels? Is it like sushi or beer? You have to learn to appreciate it before you can learn to like it? (I have only learned to like one of the two: Sushi) I tried on a beautiful pair of 5 inch heels once and I am pretty sure there is a youtube video of me taking one step and landing on the floor.

People who talk excessively make me nervous. Yes, I am aware that this puts my husband and oldest son in this category.

I am on a Facebook fast and within a week I have truly come to terms with the fact that FB does not miss me, nor do I miss FB. It's mutual and it actually feels great. However, I have since discovered that 2 of my friends have announced pregnancies and I missed it! That did hurt my feelings a little.

I recently discovered that Elvis had a problem with body odor and towards the end of his life took medicine to help control it. He also did not shower very often AND he died on the toilet. Literally. As in, his pants were around his ankles. I think I knew this all along but it disturbs me. After Whitney Houston's death it makes me so sad how so many stars have been unable to deal with fame. But I'm not judging. I would probably be just that vulnerable. I'm just glad that both Elvis and Whitney unashamedly loved Jesus. But it still weirds me out that Elvis was known to smell bad. A hunka-burnin' love obviously smelled like a hunka-year-old cheese. Bleh.

And I am reading "Erasing Hell" by Francis Chan. Read it. It could save your life. Really. I have no time to read, so it has taken me almost a month to get through a short book, but I am also trying to retain it all. I highly recommend it.