It's not delivery

Speaking of good deals and saving the almighty dollar. I was at Al's the other day and they had Digiorno's 4 for $20. And for every $20 you spend you get $5 off. (We buy them at Costco 3 for $13). Okay, that's alright...but, that's normal savings. So the manager tells me about the secret manufacturer coupons that he has stuck up on the very top shelf, that I am too short, (and everyone else) to see. For every 2 pizzas you buy you get $5 off. WHAT? That doesn't make sense! 4 pizzas for $5...8 pizzas for $10-instead of $30?!? I felt like I was doing something wrong. I wasn't, it just felt funny.

My goal is always save more than I spend at Albertson's and that day was my all time best. I spent $89 and saved $119-I love it when the cashiers are excited for my savings! I also love that they take all competitor coupons.

If you haven't tried the garlic bread pepperoni-my boys highly recommend it!

Put breakfast on the blog, Mama!

Lila was very happy with her requested breakfast this morning. So much in fact, she wanted to share it with all of you. Silly rabbit!

I thought the honeydew was a little different, but everything else was scrump!

Lila woke me up this morning with her "agenda" according to her.

It's comical that she has added sleep to every time slot since she hasn't napped or taken a nap since she was 3!

Maturity in a teenager, what?

I have broke down and I am weak. I let Evan start a blog. Follow it if you dare...bwaaaahaaahaaa-that's a sinister laugh with me rubbing my hands together. And totally fair warning-either have some major earplugs or have that mute button ready. Don't say I didn't warn you ;)

http://evandanielmillerlikespie.blogspot.com/

Who's Mama's biggest boy? That's right Evan Wevin, yes you are. And why in the world is your tongue out in EVERY picture of you alone? You whipper snapper!

Oh, you're washing dishes, ha ha ha! Good job.

Time for a break

As my tax web site froze on me I am drawn back to my blog. My friend Liese concurred... too much computer time CAN be tiring. I have a bad habit of checking blogs, Craigslist, Facebook and MySpace too many times throughout the day and it is totally ridiculous how much time it eats up. So, now when I am drawn to the computer because I'm bored I will play a game with the kids or read a book. Novel concept, huh? But, I will keep A day in the life alive.

Different topic:
I'm so tired of the way people are so consumed with, more, more, more and faster, faster, faster. My favorite is when the guy passes me because I'm going the speed limit, then is right beside be at the light and doesn't dare look in my direction. You know what he would get if he did? A great big smile and a wave...because I'm glad to see him!

Much different topic:
I think my kids will have learned a valuable lesson having not got the latest gadget or video system or cell phones, or keeping up with the Jones' if you will. I want them to grow up in the notion that I am happy because of who I am not because of what I have.

This year we are going to go above and beyond, I hope, and do more selfless acts. Donate more, volunteer more, conserve more. And definitely PRAY more. God has different plans for us than I thought. That's what I get for thinking!

PS-My tax page is thawed-finally. See ya!

Blog burn out

So, I have been contemplating...am I doing the blog for my own satisfaction? I think most of the people I know just aren't that interested anymore. I have quite a few friends who I got to start a blog and there posts have become few and far between. I don't really hear from anyone anymore. So, is it time to quit? I'm leaning towards the yes :(

I don't think there would be that much disappointment.

Everybody can be great

I love this quote:

Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to have your subject and verb agree to serve...You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.

3 generations

Happy Birthday wishes to Auntie Holly, Lila Grace and Grandpa!

Cole and Uncle James-they really know how to have a good time.

Lila doing what she loves. Calle, (AKA-Prince Eric, courtesy of Lila) showed up later and gave Lila an authentic Minnie Mouse. She loves it.

Go Home!!! We couldn't get Grandma Carol to leave. All she wanted to do was play the guitar. You never can tell with these Grandma types!

Thank you for a fun day. I hope everyone had as good a time as we did. Lila was exhausted by 4:30pm. Being the birthday girl sure takes a lot out of a kid.

PS-Lila can't wait for it to rain/snow so she can wear her new rain boots! :0)

Hands of God

Girliest of girls, good grief!

Lila, with desperation in her voice: "Mom, please write me a note so I don't have to go play at recess today."

Mom, quite concerned: "Why?"

Lila, sad puppy dog eyes: "I have a nail hanging off to the side."

Mom: "That's called a hangnail, honey. You'll be okay to play today."

Lila: "I really don't think I will be."

So, is this the epitome/cliche of a girlie girl?

If it is...not in our house. We nipped that in the bud real quick! Silly Cuckoo.

Do you have 6 minutes? Wait until 1:40 then enjoy

Evolution of Wedding Dance

4 more days 'till Papa is at our house!

Lila is giddy about her upcoming shared birthday party with her Grandpa and Auntie Holly. She can't wait for everyone to be at her house. I can't wait either kiddo.

This picture is from August 2006. We were at the island and Papa wanted us to take a picture of Lila's dirty feet. That's what you get for wearing sandals when you go for a walk with Grandpa. He doesn't play around...He should have called this one a hike in the woods!

Although dark, this is a very sweet picture of Auntie Holly with Lila at a Mother's Day celebration May 2008.

See y'all Sunday!

United at last!

Free at last, free at last, thank GOD ALMIGHTY we are free at last!

I bet MLK is smiling down from heaven today.

Happy Inauguration Day Barack H. Obama and the United States of America!

We are ready for this historic change.

Jesus died on the cross for ME, Mama!

Lila came home from school last Wednesday and told me she needed the "hugest" piece of white paper so she could draw Jesus on the cross. This surprised me, very much. Lila takes things in very deeply and emotionally and will dwell on them. She spent a lot of her little years literally mourning for the pain Jesus went through when he died on the cross. It made for a sad little girl with little that I, or anyone else had to say, to put peace in her heart.

But now, still with apprehension when speaking of it, she is able to speak of it without such a sad heart...she is growing. Growing into a young lady that loves her Jesus and loves to talk about him to everyone. She still likes to tell me she wishes Jesus was colored in and not invisible :)

She drew this picture for our Pastor. It was 3 days in the making and I don't think she has ever been more proud of anything she has ever put on paper before. What a beautiful picture. What a wondrous cross!

Harland Clarke Holiday Party

Okay, better late than never I guess. We went to Emerald Downs for Tim's company party. They had dinner, horse racing, dancing, karaoke and lots of fancy prizes; 2 big screen TVs, video camera, digital camera, Wii, laptop, along with baskets of fun things. What did we win?


Nothing!

Oh well, nice time spent together. Look at my cute hubby's face.

Busy weekend

We started the weekend fun a little early (Thursday). We went to

Odyssey 1 for a fundraiser for my dear friend Amanda's 3 year old, Paul's school.

Lila really enjoyed this part of the play area.

But, I think she had more fun pushing the other little ones around. What a good helper!

Adios Special Services!

This was the information sent home to us this week from Lila's school:

"This is the report to dismiss Lila from speech services-and all special education. Congratulations to Lila!!

Lila is a seven year old student who has been receiving special education services for communication, academic and social skills since 2 years of age as a student with Autism. Reevaluation of Lila's academic skills are within the average to superior range. Lila has participated in structured speech/language activities with a small group of peers since kindergarten. Therapy has focused on turn taking, using words to ask/answer questions, and respond appropriately in conversation.

Lila is an enthusiastic and cooperative participant. She responds easily and appropriately with questions, comments and humor, (that's amazing!) Lila enjoys sharing ideas and opinions, stands up for herself, but also attends to a peers needs. She not only accepts not being first at a game or activity, but also shares in the excitement of her peers doing well.

Lila is an outstanding student who applies herself in all areas. She is building relationships with peers and loves to write stories.

Though Lila has a diagnosis of Autism there is no need for specially designed instruction at this time."

How cool is that?

New U2sday

The wait is over!! The new U2 debuts on The Mountain 103.7 with a sneak preview Monday morning and then listen all day Tuesday – renamed “New U2sday” – for the song “Get On Your Boots."

Like, leggings are totally awesome!

I wish Lila still had on her hot pink vest with this outfit. It was so cute.My friend Amanda got Lila a bunch of leggings and this outfit that is amazing (you'll have to wait to see that one), but we have been having fun with the leggings. These are hard to see, but they are grey and white hounds tooth. Lila has to wear a uniform to school and think we got away with these ones.

and the rest of the party

Cake time!

6 pink and 1 yellow candle.

Make a wish.

My brother, Cousin Kyler, Grandpa Jerry, Auntie Michelle, Grandma Julie and Lila.

The end of the party. Thank you Grandma Ina for cleaning up. And thank you everyone that came! Thank you Port Orchard Grandma for the loom. How exciting for Lila! Please pass on to K & M that they forgot Kyler's ornament here. We love you all so much. Happy New Year!

And so, the party begins

Friends begin to arrive and Lila, like a moth to a flame, right to the babies.

Lila said she had to sit down to hold her cousin because he is too big.Lining up to play pin the crown on the princess.

The boys weren't too thrilled with the "girl game", but they quickly got over it when they saw there were boy prizes.
Time for presents. Lila read all of her cards loud and proud. She would, ohh and ahh at all of the little animals that were on the front of them. It was so cute how she was equally excited to open her cards as she was her presents.

The rest of the party later! We're off to church and then a party for Lila's little friend Alyson.