Our 3rd, 4th, and 5th!

This week, we've had the craziest weather EVER!  It's 4th of July week...the week you're supposed to have cookouts in 102 degree weather.  You're supposed to sweat buckets and sit around like old people talking about how HOT it is this summer.  Instead, we wore jackets to watch the firework shows.  JACKETS, people!!  Come'on!  {Secretly, I am elated.}

The evening before the 4th, we headed out to a concert down at the riverfront.  The Louisville Crashers were playing and we love us some Crashers!!  There's not much better in life than singing songs as loud as you can and embarrassing your son!  Ha!
   

We were meeting our neighbors there, but also ran into Travis and Jenny, so we sat with them.  First on the agenda?  FREE balloons!  Yes, please.  

Second?  Ice cream from Uncle Travis.  Again, yes, please!

There was even a little cuddle time before the firework show.  Presh indeed.

The next morning, we woke up to more RAIN.  We had some pretty disappointed kids on our hands.  Eric had a suggestion and I have to admit...this was my favorite part of the weekend.  Family cleaning morning!!  Everyone pitched in and helped clean the house.  I was really thankful that the rain moved away and around dark, we were able to let off some neighborhood fireworks.  :-)  Happy kids again!  I think the adults were pretty happy, too!  

Our party kept rolling into last night!  We headed out for some much needed adult time. :)  Great friends + great food = a fantastic time!

I'm so blessed.  Blessed to have lifelong friends who encourage me, challenge me, strengthen me, and just make me laugh!

Our view on the way home -- God is good! :)

Motivational Monday

I LOVE THIS QUOTE:

That is SO true for me!  Today I am 19 pounds lighter than what I was at the end of February and I'm so proud of myself!  I have had to make a lot of changes in the choices I make, but, it is so very worth it!  This is weird, but I have started looking forward to working out.  I KNOW.  But, I really ENJOY that post-workout feeling!!  And, I really miss it on the days that I don't exercise.  

Over the summer, I have felt myself get a little more lax.  I haven't been as strict on my food choices and I have only been exercising twice in a week.  I've been frustrated with myself, but kind of have been blocking it out.  This weekend, I did some shopping with Jami and Gretchen and I was able to try on some smaller sizes THAT FIT!  It was such a great feeling and made me more determined.  I want to get into a disciplined state of mind.  This week, I made a new goal...

Get my exercise done in the morning - before my brain knows what I'm doing.  ;)

On the days that I exercise, I physically feel how hard it is to burn 200 or 300 calories, so I tend to make wiser choices about my food options.  So, by working out in the morning, I hope it will get me in the right mindset...everyday!

This made me think of Alicia:

I totally agree that exercise affects your mood!  For me, when I exercise, I feel less stressed and happier!  I feel a sense of accomplishment.  It is something that I do for myself that no one can take away from me.

So, there is my motivation for the week!  KEEP GOING.  GET BETTER at making BETTER DECISIONS.  EXERCISE.  WORK HARDER so that for our next shopping trip, I am even happier with myself! ;-)

I love being American :)

This morning was the God & Country service at our church and it was really a beautiful service!  I always get so teary eyed when we recognize all of the men and women who have served our country.  It is so humbling!  I love being an American!!!  

Today was Levi's first time singing with the children's choir.  He did a great job!  Such a proud Momma!!

I seriously had the BEST weekend!  Gretchen is in and we spent some great quality time together.  {Post to follow later this week when I can get more organized!!}  Looking forward to posting my MM post for tomorrow!  Feeling so blessed today.  :-)

Miller Amusement Park

I'm all about grandparents spoiling their kids.  Giving the kids candy and junk food while they babysit, letting them stay up late because "they just didn't want to go to bed yet"...but sometimes I think my parents are insane.  

Growing up, we had a pool.  We lived in that pool.  When I was in 8th grade, we moved to their current house and there was NO POOL.  We begged for years, but it just didn't happen.  Once we all got married, my parents said when they had grandbabies, they would put a pool in.  ON IT.  My sister had Bailey, Travis had Griffin and voila!  A pool.  

A couple of years later, dad thought the kids needed something new.  That's when this ride appeared.  

The barrels have been a blast for the kids!  When dad starts walking to the barn to get the tractor, there are squeals of delight!  "Papa's taking us on a barrel ride!"  "Papa's getting the tractor!"  It's quite adorable.

Then there was talk about something new.  And, one afternoon, we got a group text with this picture.

The text said: "Loaded up and headed home!"  My dad thought the kids needed 4 wheelers.  The kids thought Papa was THE BOMB DIGGITY.

After getting fit for helmets and goggles, there was no stopping them.

At first, they were all timid and stayed on flat land.  NOW?  They are back in the woods -- up and down hills -- revving the engines.  I've had about 8 mini heart attacks, but it is getting easier to watch.  The best thing about them?  Each 4 wheeler has a remote for the parent!  HA!  If they are going too fast or doing something you don't like, you push a button and sound an alarm.  If they don't stop, YOU CAN SHUT THEM DOWN.  I love it!

I'm guessing next my dad will be putting in a roller coaster.

Vacation Bible School in full swing

This year is Maggie's first VBS experience!  She is THREE and officially able to go to her own class.  My mom does a fantastic job as the VBS director at her church and the kids love going.  Maggie, unlike Levi, was okay with posing for a little picture with her friend, Addi.  { I don't love Maggie more!  Levi is just way too cool these days. :( }

You know what is weird?  That for a whole week, Eric and I have free time for TWO HOURS AND FIFTEEN MINUTES!  That's insane!  But, we are loving it.  The first night, we met friends for dinner and even got these mini milkshakes.  Love.  

Last night, Eric went on a long bike ride and I subbed for a Bunco group.  I know...party animals!  ;-)  Tonight, we are celebrating our anniversary.  Eric said he may even take me somewhere nicer than Taco Bell!  Woo hoo!  As much as I love me some alone time, there is something I love more.  My kids are learning about Jesus and having fun while doing it!  I have such fond memories of VBS as a child and it thrills me that my kids love going.  They come home with a memory verse each night and tell me about their Bible story and how much fun they had.  It's pretty awesome!  For me, a definite win-win situation. ;-)

MU, a great Daddy, and a birthday!

Our weekends seem to fly by, especially when we have fun things planned!  Friday night, we met some friends and took the kids to see Monsters University! 

It was the first time we took Maggie to the theater except for the times when she was an infant and didn't move.  ;-)  The kids loved it!  Maggie did pretty good.  Towards the end, she started to get antsy, but I gave her a big "high five" for doing so well!

Eric was out of town all last week for a work 'conference'.  I use the term conference lightly because these weeks are usually jam packed with fun, too!  One morning, the 'conference' consisted of a tee time at 7 A.M.  One evening, I got a text that said, "Just ordered a $25 ribeye!" to which I replied, "Yum! Kids and I had leftover spaghetti."  ;-)  I'm thankful for a job that he loves and gets to have a little fun time too!  So, since he'd been gone, I had a pedicure scheduled for Saturday morning.  Natalie heard I was going and joined the party!  Even more fun for me!  Eric offered to watch her kids, too, and he sent us these pictures:

He took them to the park and even to McDonald's after.  Way to go, E!! 

Saturday evening was time set aside to celebrate my dad!  His 62nd birthday was Friday.  Travis smoked some brisket, chicken and pork and it was heaven!  We got a birthday cake and the kids did what they do best - shower Papa with love!!!

Dad was pretty much mush by the end of the evening!  He even let me snap a picture of him and Mom.  Ha!

And, of course, there was swimming!  Something a Miller party wouldn't be a party without!  

I love my family and am so thankful for these times together!  

Thirteen years and counting!

Last night, I pulled out the ol' wedding album in preparation for today's post!  Thirteen years ago, I woke up in my old bed for the last time.  I remember feeling very calm, cool and collected. ;-)  I wasn't nervous, but excited!  I had a full day ahead of pampering ahead before I would walk down that aisle and say, "I do".  

I have so many wonderful memories about my wedding day.  There are funny stories and sweet memories etched in my brain that I hope I will remember forever!  I will always remember that my dad and brother were the last two people waiting with me and how they both got emotional.  

The church was PACKED FULL of people that we loved, and it was HOT.  It was the end of June and the air conditioner was trying, but couldn't keep up with the body heat of 300+ people! ;-)  I do not like being the center of attention, so the walk down the aisle was painful for me.

Before I knew it, we were 'man and wife'!  Looking back now, we were just kids! 

I remember being so happy that I was marrying my best friend!

THIRTEEN YEARS, you guys!  It seems like such a long amount of time, but it also seems like we are just getting started! :-)

 I'm so blessed to be married to this guy - I can't imagine my life without him!!!

We've had an amazing journey so far and I'm looking very forward to the next 13 years!

  Happy Anniversary, Babe!  I love you.