Community Based Services part 1

Community Based Services is an organization that basically adopts an area of your neighborhood and is run by the citizens. Tim and Evan volunteered to help. (It didn't hurt that Tim needed 4 hours community service time for his Environmental Science Class). Today was the big once a year clean out your garages and houses and bring it down to the Elementary school where the city has multiple dumpsters and recycling containers set up. Here Tim is finding out what his "job" will be.


Alright! Official position...checking in neighbors,
making sure they live within the limits, telling them which direction to go and giving them re-usable grocery shopping bags. AKA-Clipboard Man!

"I'm going to need to see your ID Ma'am. Looks good. Here's your bags. I'll let you off with a warning this time." :o)

Whew...time for a much deserved Krispy Kreme break.



Yummmm-O.

Laughin' it up with all the lovely ladies of our neighborhood.

This is such a great thing to be involved in. We have garbage cans on the corners of our streets, signs letting people know to slow down, a great rapport with city officials and the police department. We can even volunteer to sit at a corner with a radar gun and report speeders. FUN! Tacoma gets a bad rap...not from us-we love our city!

CBS part 2

This little old lady, probably in her 70's, walked with her cane-pushing a lawnmower with tires stacked on top of it to drop off for the dump (bless her heart!). Evan saw her coming and ran to help her.
Because it wouldn't be cool to have a real smile for a picture when you're a teenager would it?

We're proud of you Evan! Way to take pride in your community!!!

Uncle Dan is home!

After over 2 weeks in ICU and therapy @ Good Sam's Hospital he is finally home. He said he's glad to be home and he is eager to start doing his routine daily activities on his own. I'm so happy. Pleased as punch, one might say. I love you Uncle Dan!!!

Now, let's keep everyone out of the hospital for a while :o)

Favorite part of the Spring garden

6 or so years ago Tim's dad gave me 3 bare root flowering currant trees and one lived. Thank goodness it did!












Now the hummingbirds have an early treat and we get to watch these little winged wonders do their thing.


So after driving down our ugly alley we get to pull into our parking spot and see this beautiful tree.

Say a little prayer

I went to the doctor yesterday...long story short, I am going back to St. Joe's for another surgery today. Insert sad face here. I have a tear that needs to be repaired. A muscle cramped during the 1st surgery and as I am healing it is trying to relax and can't on it's own so it tore.

Just an update. I can't wait to not hurt anymore. That will be a happy day!

My little brother

Baby Kyler, Michelle & Kristopher

I don't think I could be any prouder of the life my brother, Kris, has made for himself. A beautiful wife, a healthy baby, their own home and a totally awesome big sister. Way to go, bro!

Pretty pink princess & a parade

Grandpa, Daddy and

Lila Grace at their yearly
tradition-

The Daffodil Parade 2008










What a beautiful day !


Hi to everyone that passes by.

Post-op news

I went to the doctor Friday. He basically told me I was crazy for thinking I could go back to work in 2 weeks. I found out that my operation was much more complex than anticipated and that basically my insides were "unrecognizable" (his words). Apparently my last surgery left me with adhesions and scar tissue on top of scar tissue. So, the doctor did his thing and an hour and 1/2 long surgery turned into 3 hours and I wondered why I'm so sore? I get a new medicine tomorrow to help me with pain and sleep. I'm looking forward to sleep. Who knew certain pain pills can cause hyperactivity of your brain? I do now! So, 2 more weeks of "resting". I'm not a fan. Are you watching any cool shows on TV? Tell me what they are. Or maybe a great book that you can't put down...help me!

Slow and steady wins the race

I've been home for 4 days now from my surgery. I wish I could say it has been peaceful and pain free. The one great thing we're not lacking is help. Help with meals, watching Lila, http://miller-trek.blogspot.com/ , check the link when you're done here. Tim has been my knight in shining armor. No matter what I've needed there he is. I've only rang my little bell 3 times for assistance. Today is the 1st that I can move and I don't feel like my belly is ripping open. HOORAY!

The first full day I was home I got a phone call from the fire dept. telling me they found my phone # in Dan's wallet. Dan is my uncle he is 52 years old. He had suffered a stroke while driving from his home and they couldn't get a hold of any one but me. So after many phone calls and prayers I was able to get my Aunt Annmarie & Uncle Pat from Puyallup to Tacoma General to take care of everything. This was very difficult for me not being able to hop in the car and head straight there. As of today, my Uncle is in ICU with a blocked carotid artery in his neck that we are all praying does not bleed into his brain. I did talk to him yesterday and he was not the same guy I know. I'm scared for him...he has always been my father figure. I wish I was with him. I know my and your prayers are! The picture is Uncle Pat & Uncle Dan with me when I was 2 yrs. old (1976)

Thank you

As I sit here home alone, getting ready for surgery tomorrow, I am overwhelmed by how thoughtful and loving so many of you have been. From offers to make meals, watching Lila, picking things up @ the store, and best of all prayers. I didn't really have time during my last surgery to get everything in order and to touch base with too many. This time is different. And at first I was hesitant knowing I had to wait a week before going in. All that time to think about the what if's...which as you all know is no way to live your life. But, it's hard and the what if's creep into your head, even when you don't want them to. Then, when you least expect it, and it's a particularly tough time, someone who cares about you sends you the perfect Bible verse and you are put as ease. (1Peter 5:7)



I know that this is all part of the plan (Jeremiah 29:11). I thank you and love you for being a part of it.

U2 anniversary present

Tim's anniversary present from his lovely wife!!

Timmy LOVES Jenny!!! 14 years!!!!

Into your arms

I know a place

where I can go

when I'm alone

Into your arms

whoa into your arms

I can go

I know a place

thats safe and warm

from the crowd

Into your arms

whoa into your arms

I can go

And if I should fall

I know that I

won't be alone

be alone anymore

As performed by EVAN DANDO and the Lemonheads-1993

This song came out when Jen and I started dating way back when.

And yes, this is where the inspiration for our firstborns name came from.

"I love you like I have loved no other"

Better late than never

Yes, it was Tuesday, but it didn't matter. There was so much going on last weekend we let the fun spill into this week. Who knew coloring eggs could be so girly and so cute wearing Daddy's shirt?
Let them soak a long time...while cheesing hard!
Let's dip 1/2 & 1/2 and put on princess stickers.
In the end we were most proud of the purple egg. See, look up top, we didn't have purple dye. Lila said we should dip pink and blue...too cool!

Easter Sunday

Who are the cuter twins?
Evan & Timmy?

Or...

Abby & Lila?

Hmm...tricky question, I know.

Many Easter treats and the winner is...the Etch-a-sketch!!! Hooray! What a hit. Thanks, Auntie Holly. (Thanks for the quiet car ride home).

Sidebar-We love our extended family. We love time spent together laughing and talking. We love that there are now 3 teenage boys. Not too much longer Mark and Gwen! I had to call Grandpa and tell him the boys booby trapped the fan by lining the top of the blades with chocolate. We wondered where all Evan's chocolate went! I was called a "snitch", it wasn't by Grandpa either.

We hope your Easter was great and that the true meaning of the holiday filled your heart!

Say cheese!

Paul, Luke & Lila

We had a very busy and fun weekend.

An Easter party Saturday and a birthday party Sunday. The b-day party was for Lila's friend Brett who turned 6. Brett's mom is the older sister of my dear friend Amanda. I have known Amanda's family since 1982...holy smokes, 1982! Amanda now has a loving husband and 2 scrumptious little boys. Paul who is 3 and Luke who was born November 24th. Lila is so incredibly in love with both of them. She almost cried when we had to leave and couldn't take Luke with us. Lila likes to remind me, when she is 33 years old she will go to the baby store with her husband Brett, (whom she is marrying December 25th by the way-invitations to follow), and get her own baby.








Yes Lila, to the baby store!

Easter party @ Shannon & JJ's part one...

My friend Shannon had an Easter egg hunt today. She stuffed 200 eggs for her friends kids, (her kid too), made cupcakes, 2 different kinds of croissant sandwiches, Easter bunny PB & J's that Lila said looked like Texas, (they looked nothing like Texas), fruit plates and things to nibble on. Mandy made this really yummy Jell-o salad with cottage cheese in it. And Shannon's sister made a seafood dip that was oh, so fishy good! The kiddos had the best time screaming and running around. They played a "balance the egg on a spoon" game. Everyone was the winner! Thank you Shannon for a great time with great friends!

Part two...

Lila and her good friend Rachel, who she hasn't seen in a long time. She was so excited to get to spend the afternoon together.







Always time for lightsaber action!





The man who is in charge of the floral dept. at Costco in Lacey told Lila that she was the closest to a real life princess he had ever seen and that she needed a rose. I think Lila danced the rest of the shopping trip.

Much needed rest.

Autism - Another Mom's Perspective

My favorite is ..."My daughter is full of soul!"

Movin' on up!

Monday, Lila was put in the first grade reading group. Even though her teacher wanted to keep her in her class, she told us Lila is beyond ready to go. She is the kid in class that answers all the "tricky" word questions and leads her group. Lila was very excited to go to, Mrs. Prinze's class and start her new adventure. Every night before bed she asks if she can go to school the next day. And every time I tell her she can she raises her fist and shouts, "YES!". She's not a fan of Friday night because she can't go to school the next day. If only we were so enthusiastic to go to school every day when we were younger...I hope the novelty never wears off!

Lila are you hungry?

Lila has been home sick from school the last 3 days with not much of an appetite and as we speak she is begging for McDonald's because-and I quote, "They have breakfast and lunch and dinner for everyone because everyone wants to eat there-didn't you remember Mom? You silly." This is the first she has asked for food in a while. This morning I asked her if she wanted an English muffin...she said only a "Spanish" muffin, (thank you Dora the Explorer). So she didn't eat. Fast forward 3 hours- Lila do you want lunch? "Mom, I just had a cough drop you know!" I guess that means she's full :o)

Make a donation @ Toys "R" Us during the next 9 weeks!

National Partnership With Autism Speaks In 2008, Toys"R"Us and the Toys"R"Us Children's Fund continued their partnership with Autism Speaks by awarding the organization a second $250,000 grant to help fund autism research and advocacy. Autism is a disorder that inhibits a child's ability to communicate and form relationships on different levels. Part of a group of disorders known as Autism Spectrum Disorders, autism is more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes and AIDS combined, affecting one in 150 children in the United States. As a company with a long history of advocating for all children, Toys"R"Us is united in its commitment with Autism Speaks to provide a voice for children and families affected by autism. Toys"R"Us is the national sponsor of the Autism Speaks Walk Now for Autism program, a series of fundraising walk events in communities across the country. Additionally, in conjunction with Autism Awareness Month in April, Toys"R"Us conducts a nine-week, in-store fundraising campaign, in all of its locations nationwide. The 2007 program raised more than $1.1 million to benefit Autism Speaks. To learn more about this program, click here

Something not right, but incredibly funny about this!

Where's Grandma's walker?

Ready...set........

GO!!!

That's right big boy, pedal.

The kids were playing with their cousins, Kayla and Chloe, at Nana & Ina's for Ina's 55th birthday party.

This picture looks like the cover of an album...

I can't believe it's been 2 years since this day. We were finished watching the Daffodil Parade and went for a walk over the bridge of glass with Papa...what a nice day. Lila was carrying her drum. She was playing it during the whole parade, which earned extra attention and lots of treats from the participants that day. We can't wait for April and all the spring flowers!