Hair Bows and Do-Dads...

So the hair style I always ask for at the salon is "Whatever I don't have to spend time on".

 

I don't like having to fix hair, mess with it, etc.

 

I am just fine with bobby pins and hair ties to keep it off my face and out of my way.

 

But. now that I have a little girl......with curls!!!.....I am having a grand old time playing with her hair!

Look at those curls!

 

And if anyone has ever played with a 15 month old's hair, you know it is not a quick stick-it-up-and-be-done thing!

 

You have to comb out the rat's nest from the night before, grab the 10-12 strands of hair to put in a configuration, wrap a hair tie around at least 23 times, clip a bow in the right place, then keep her hands off of it for the hour you need her to look presentable (and not eat said hair do-dads), just to repeat the whole thing every couple hours when the 10-12 strands of hair fall out of the appropriate outfit-matching do-dad.

 

Whew!

 

Good thing it looks so cute!  Sort of makes the whole ordeal worth while....

 

The "Pebbles" look is one of my favorites! 

 

But the side bow is definitely a top contender....  

 

Good thing Landon's hair is so easy.....buzz it and be done!

 

 



Fantasy vs. Reality

This is a fantasy:

 

This is reality:

 

The good news is that we are making progress to bridge the gap!

 

This was my present today:

 

We have pallets of sod!!

 

The kids were so excited to see the truck and the really big trailer deliver it....with a Bobcat!

The Bobcat was Landon's favorite part.....

 

 

Even with these awesome rolls, we probably will never achieve the exact look of a fantasy yard, especially since gardening and growing things is completely out of my area of expertise, but we can get close!

 

After the sod is rolled out, the fence will come.  We are also surrounding the playset with cedar chips and a border.  Then we get to put pave stones out from the back door, add a storm door, and extend and add stairs to the deck. 

 

Whew!!  Sounds like a LOT of work to come, but I have high hopes that we can get it done! 

 

Now all we need is some green on the trees......

 

 



Approaching my Soapbox....

I have never used this blog as a political standpoint or as a means to gripe and just blow my opinion on the world's issues all over the place.

I have always offered that if you care to know my opinion, just ask.  I promise to not hold anything back! 

 

But I am noticing a trend in the past few months that has made me sick with emotion and honestly a little scared for the future of my children and grandchildren.

 

The straw that finally broke the camel's back, so to say, is the latest decision from the Boy Scout Organization. 

 

Adam grew up an avid member of the scouts, he earned his Eagle Award at 15 years old, and was involved in several groups within the Boy Scouts.  We have always wanted our children involved in scouts and find the organization to be meaningful and purposeful on several levels. 

But this new decision has me really saddened for the group and our children's involvement in the future. 

 

I am sure you all have heard by now that the scouts have changed their rules to allow homosexual boys to participate in the group.

That means all the camp outs, overnight adventures, and life changing events will be shared in company with people who are gay.

 

Now, let the uproar calm for a minute......I do not have a problem with homosexual people being a part of society, being out and open, or participating in whatever athletic, social, etc. group they so choose.

I am not, however, in agreement with the lifestyle of being gay.  I am a Christian, for starters, and I just don't believe that someone is born with this "desire" for such immoral and unnatural acts.

With that being said, I have known several homosexual people and call several my friends.  Like I said before, I am not saying to banish gay people, but for the safety and well being of the people involved in this particular issue, I do not agree.  I think separation is required.

 

For example, look at public restrooms, locker rooms, dressing rooms, and most dorm rooms.  How are they separated??  By GENDER.  Why?? Basic rights of privacy, safety and comfort, and overall decency. 

 

Why are camps, sleepovers, etc. separated by gender??  Well, do you want to mix hormonal kids when the opportunity for inappropriate behavior is there??  NO.

 

Here is how I feel.....I do not want my child to be at a sleepover or overnight activity where the people he/she is surrounded with could be having inappropriate thoughts towards them, just as I would not send my daughter to a sleepover at a male friend's house or my son to a female's house for overnight.  Not OK. 

I do not want my children sharing co-ed locker rooms or bathrooms.  There is a vulnerability and feeling of exposure that they do not need to worry about among people of the same sex. 

 

I am just not comfortable with the idea of the mixing of homosexual and non homosexual with CHILDREN for events and activities that involve overnight and away-from-home circumstances. 

 

When they are older, and adults, I know I cannot protect them from everything.  But while they are still children, I think it is my duty and responsibility to protect their basic needs for privacy and instill in them the traditional values of right and wrong.

 

I know one day, this issue will be old news and it will be viewed as one of those "historic moments" that define our way of life.  My grandparents dealt with segregation and racism just as we are dealing with homosexuality.  By the time I am a grandparent, there will be a whole other can of worms for that generation to deal with.  It is just the evolution of the times. 

All these words still don't explain all my head and heart want to say; it is impossible to clearly articulate everything going through my head, but it is the best I can do. 

Stepping off the soapbox now........

Is There a Doctor in the House???

Well, yes there is!!

 

At least there is a new one in the family, not so much our exact house, per say.....

 

But, nonetheless, we have an official, bonafide, signed and stamped DOCTOR!

 

Congrats Dr. Lisa Miller!

 

We made a quick run down to KC this past weekend to witness the graduation to celebrate a LOT of hard work from Lisa (Adam's sister, for those who didn't know....).

 

I was happy to play the part of "paparazzi" throughout the ceremony......

 

Here she is with her class: 

 

And then I did a little sneaky maneuvers to get a little closer to the group.... 

 

I figured that since I got right up there with the class, I may as well take a quick "selfie" with the grad..... 

....forgot the zoom......

 

Good thing the grads walked right past us to get up to the stage...no sneaking required! 

 

But, when you take a while to change camera angles or get focused, somebody may get a little impatient!

"Hurry up, Diana!!" 

 

So, as self appointed special media correspondent, I thought our side view was not good enough for a good shot of the actual part where she got her hood.

So I walked (or crawled, depending on your definition) to the front row where all the professors and doctors were sitting.  One man was nice enough to smile and chuckle as I said "Excuse me, we are THAT family" and proceed to practically sit in his lap.

I think I got a pretty decent shot.... 

 

Quick hand shake and off she goes.... 

 

Proud family!  The Original Four...... 

 

....and the rest of us crazy Miller's! 

 

So our trip to KC was, obviously, for Lisa, but that doesn't mean we didn't have a little fun on the side too!

 

Our first stop was actually Home Depot so we could do a little project for my mom.

 

Avery got to help Daddy a bit! 

 

The weather was awesome, so we hung out outside a lot.....even with our snacks!

Chips and dip anyone?? 

 

Landon got some Bompa time.... 

 

....and Nana time! 

 

Mimi got to snuggle on Avery a bit too!  :) 

 

Did I mention the weather was AWESOME?!!  We just sat outside for kicks and grins, just to soak up the sun! 

 

We also saw our friends, Pat and Lori.  Landon is betrothed to their daughter, Maddy.  He just doesn't know it yet.... 

 

....good thing he likes her!  

 

And Avery has her match in Tyler....it is destiny, we will see to it! 

 

And although I did not grab a picture of the several times we had good old BBQ (mainly because I was too busy stuffing  my face with it!!), I did get a shot of the kids enjoying another KC treat.....Sheridan's frozen custard. 

Not a bad way to end a busy trip! 

 

Now, next time we see Dr. Lisa Miller, it will be to move her up to Minnesota for her residency.

Did I tell you it is with Mayo??  Like, THE Mayo??

Yep, she's a smarty pants like that!  :)



Our family is growing......

I am so excited to announce that we are adding to our family!!

 

We have been planning this for a long time and we are so happy that the time has come!

 

Now, be honest, how many of you think I am announcing a pregnancy???

 

Yeah, I thought there would be a few!

 

Our family IS expanding, but it is by 4 legs, not 2. 

 

Meet our new member, Reese:

Think Witherspoon, not the candy.....

She is a 3 month old standard poodle, just like Bailey, although she is projected to be about 65 pounds!

 

By the time she is a year old, her whole coat will be the same color as her face, but she will keep the brown nose and green eyes. 

 

As soon as she got home, we tackled the hair and she got her first haircut....much better! 

Did you see those feet??!!!

 

 

She loves to be outside, and since it is finally getting warm, we are happy to play out there! 

 

I think her and Landon have a special bond! 

 

She is never too far behind him!

 

Avery is a huge fan!!  She loves to pet her and get kisses!

 

Fast friends! 

 

Bailey is coming around.....she wasn't so sure at the beginning, but once she found out that Reese can play with her, she was sold!

 

She really is funny; her favorite spot to cool off is in the bushes in the yard...

 

Landon thinks it is really cool that she gets treats for going potty outside, so he asks to pee in the grass EVERY time he is out there with Reese.....I mean EV-ER-Y time!

 

We took her down to the park at the lake and she did really great staying close and not running off.

She is certainly not afraid of the water!

And she stayed close to Landon.....keeping an eye out! 

 

Good thing Bailey is so well-behaved!  She is the trainer! 

 

Even though the house gets loud with two little ones running around, it is so fun to have the noise of them playing and having fun!

We have a lot of these moments now: 

 

 

Now as soon as she ONLY pees outside, we will be in great shape!