Home away from home.

It's a curse; moving away from home. You're raised and taught to believe that to leave the nest, take that first step out into the real (big) world is an accomplishment. Don't get me wrong, I believe it is. But, then you spend the rest of your life missing something. Home. 

I realize I have a home of my own now and I share it with an amazing family. I honestly, wouldn't have it any other way. I love my home in our little apartment in Grand Haven. I enjoy sitting in my living room playing with E and talking to R about work, future plans, etc. But, right around this time every year, when the roads are dangerous to travel on, I want to return to my childhood home.

I miss it more than anything. I miss Mom's cooking, Dad walking in the door to greet us with "Ladies!!" (you all know the sound), seeing my siblings all at once, watching White Christmas with Mom, playing games and the smell of wood burning in the wood stove. 

White Christmas

I suppose it's one of those things I'll add to my bittersweet list. 

There will never be enough time in life to spend with the ones you love. 

Luckily, my parents, my siblings, R and E will all be in one place, together on Christmas day. Somehow, all of a sudden, it's easier for my parents to make the trip here this year. I am so thankful they want to and can come stay in our neighborhood to celebrate Christmas. 

Christmas morning couldn't come soon enough. I definitely feel like a kid again, looking forward, anticipating with high hopes a very Merry Christmas. 

Keep loving. 

A holiday/December/Christmas to-do list.

Happy December 1st! Now that the Christmas month is here I feel the need to make my holiday/December/Christmas to-do list! 

1. I want to take E sledding with M and R. I don't so much want to spend that much time outside but I really want to see E ride down a snow covered hill with her big sis and Daddy. 

2. Family photos. I am way way behind in this department and desperately want family photos taken while E is still little. 

3. I WILL send out Christmas cards this year and if I work extra hard at it they will include our family photos! 

4. Go on 1 date with R. Dinner at a nice restaurant, good food and wine to accompany a great conversation sounds perfect right about now. 

5. I would like to do at least 2 Christmas crafts with M. My Pinterest boards are too full of ideas waiting to be taken advantage of!

6. Watch my FAVORITE Christmas movies: White Christmas, Sound of Music and Miracle on 34th Street. + a couple more. 

7. Make Christmas candies; peanut butter balls, chocolate covered pretzels, peppermint bark…

8. Celebrate Christmas with my loves, my parents and siblings, nieces and nephew. 

I might add to my list but this morning I think that this list completed would make a pretty darn good December.

Happenings

Good Morning everyone!

There's definitely not a lack of happenings in the Miller house the passed couple days. Our weekends and work days are chalk full of events. Warm weather brings so many things to do!

My very 1st Mother's day came and went way to quickly. Ryan surprised me with beautiful purple cali lilies; one of my favorite flowers. Plus he made an amazing southwest breakfast of huevos rancheros; also one of my favorites. Lil Miss E must of known it was Mother's Day and to really show how much she needs me she decided to be fussy most of the day. Yet, when it came down to it I think she just wanted to snuggle more than usual. I didn't mind joining her for an afternoon nap either. She absolutely loves Mom and Dad's big comfy bed to snooze in.

This year, I enjoyed giving to a couple Moms celebrating their first mother's day. I made framed art with a quote about Moms and a chevron colored heart. Each one was unique to the Mom it was intended for. Then I shopped for flowers for my Mom. My siblings and I might have went overboard in the gardening department. BUT, hearing the joy in my Mom's voice the next day made it well worth it. Picking out the different colored flowers might have been the best part of my day.

Zach and Kacey came to stay for the weekend. It was another whirl wind of coming and going and chatting and so on. I always enjoy when family is in town. My sister is such a chatter box and has so much to say. Thank God she is also bubbly and funny too. She makes listening easy. Zach jumped in to help with Edee on Mother's Day. I suppose I am a little surprised by this. Only because not every guy is that interested to learn how to carry, hold and entertain a small child. I'm rather fond of the relationship forming between Edee and her Uncle Zach.


Speaking of family in town, my mother-in-law is currently making her way from Texas to Michigan. We weren't expecting her 'til July so it feels a little like Christmas for us. I can't wait for her to meet Edee and for Edee to spend some time with one of her Grandma's. Our long chats over morning coffee are alway my favorite when she comes to visit. Now I can enjoy this little occasion every morning. Ryan's Mom has a way of making you feel like you are on a permanent vacation. I am looking forward to a little bit of this bliss because who couldn't use a little more vacation time.


With all the commotion of the weekend my lil baby has gotten her first fever. Even with all the cleaning and sanitizing I've been trying my darnedest to keep up on her little immune system just isn't strong enough yet. I can't help but be hard on myself when she gets sick. She relies on me to keep her safe and healthy. When she is sick I feel I have failed this mission. I keep reminding myself I am learning, I am not perfect. I know I just need to persevere and push forward. What is life for but learning, right?
For today we are relaxing, cuddling and getting a lot of fluids.

Keep Loving.