Big News

 We have some big news... Hubby is taking a new job in Rangely, Colorado as a school Principal.

Rangely is about 100 miles North west of Rifle, and ... WE ARE MOVING!

Click here to read the full newspaper article announcing Hubby as the new principal.

Here's The News

 In an effort to keep everyone in the loop so to speak, here are some updates on changes in our lives at the moment.

And without going into the very long stories of how they all transpired, just allow me to say, Hubby and I spent much of the Spring and the ENTIRE Summer wondering and praying about what this fall would look like for our family.

We even thought we had made some decisions a few times, and then something else would come to light or another factor would present itself and he and I would come back to the discussion table, and the PRO/CON lists and consider other options.

As of today... here is the news.

Hubby will be teaching 5th grade this coming year at a school very near our home.

  Tracey will be attending 1st grade at the same school.

Our Twins will be attending half day preschool at the same school.

Lee Lee and Hunter will be home with me full time.

I will be working part-time providing distance learning services to my students.

While with the turmoil and uncertainty of the world right now, I don't know that I can say we are thrilled or overjoyed with the plan... I can say given ALL the factors, and the uncertainty of COVID, Hubby and I feel about as good as we possibly could given the information we have.

Tracey and the twins are INCREDIBLY excited to be attending the same school, the school where Daddy teaches, AND a school so close to our house.

Maybe you remember, all our children have been attending school an hour away from where we live.  We loved their years at those schools and we still strongly value the Montessori education they were receiving... times have changed, and now other priorities have become factors and everyone will be switching schools.

Hubby has taught elementary school before but is has been a number of years, so this year will look different for all of us, but we know God has opened these doors for a reason, and we really are thrilled with the school they all will be.

We also feel, perhaps foolishly, like we are limiting our exposure with COVID a little by having everyone in the same building and my providing distance instruction.  Last year, Hubby was in one district an hour away, Tracey was in one school an hour away, the twins and Lee Lee were in another school an hour away, I was serving students across three districts, and Hunter was looked after by a friend of ours about 20 minutes away.

Even though Hubby, Tracey, Howard, and Caroline will still have some exposure to peers and colleagues and the germs they carry, it will be on a much smaller scale than we were exposed last school year.

Thank you for your prayers as we all prepare for these changes and prepare for a safe and healthy year.

New Year Changes

I used to do New Year's Resolutions... then I became a mother and realized that any changes I want to make have to factor in my child's developmental level... not necessarily a flip of the calendar.

That being said, the fact that Howard and Caroline are now one year old (I'm still having a hard time believing that), there are a few New Year changes in our house.

Naps --

 Howard and Caroline have been ushered into the one-nap-a-day routine.  They sleep until between 7-8am, and then I try to keep them awake until 11:00am... sometimes its a tad earlier, but the goal is 11:00am naptime.  Then they each sleep for between two and three hours... Howard usually closer to two or two-and-a-half hours, and Caroline closer to three or three-and-a-half hours... then no more napping until bedtime.

When the twins go down for a nice long nap at 11:00, Tracey gets to help me with some chores, and have lunch before her naptime at noon... and I usually get at LEAST an hour, sometimes more of all three children napping at the same time.  This is the holy grail of having three children under three, and I am loving it!

Bedtime --

With that change to one nap/day, bedtime was drastically moved up to 7:00pm.  That means, dinner around 5, baths around 6, twins in pajamas nursing for the last time at 7:00pm.  And then, sleeping through the night if AT ALL possible.  That means, attempting to let them settle themselves down if they wake up during the night.  Currently, once Howard is down for the night, he is sleeping like a champ all night... Caroline is in the habit of awakening around 4:00am and not settling herself back down.

Also, with both twins in bed at 7:00pm, that allows for a little special time with Tracey during the seven'o'clock hour, including relaxing drawn out bedtime stories, and then she is in bed for the night at 8:00pm.

This routine is AMAZING!  This is after a year... yes, a FULL YEAR of one or more, sometimes three babies still awake at 9 and 10 and 11 o'clock at night.  We would go through different phases, but never have Hubby and I been consistently free of children as early as 8:00pm since before the twins were born.  We still need all three sleeping through the night on a regular basis, but 2017 is off to an AMAZING start with our new bedtime routine.

Teatime --

With our new one-nap schedule for all the little ones, they are usually all awake by 2:30pm, so we have more time in the afternoon than we used to before Daddy comes home, and we start dinner and bathtime.  That created a little window for moodiness, chaos, and too little structure.  That was when I remember a friend who has afternoon teatime with her children and that idea sounded perfect.

My friend has a few children older than I do, so her teatime probably lasts longer than ours does, but teatime gives us a few minutes of quiet and calm to just settle down in the middle of the afternoon.  Tracey helps me make hot chocolate (which she gets to drink in a mug with a few marshmallows) and the twins get bottles with milk, and we sit on the floor and read a few stories while we drink tea.

... and yes, Caroline is wearing one of Howard's sleepers in this picture... it happens from time to time...

These changes are making 2017 off to a great start in our home.

Different Kind...

This year I am trying to prepare myself for a different kind of Spring Break.

Hubby and I are SOOO excited for our Spring Break this week, and we are not going anywhere.  We are staying home and loving life with our little family.

It will be wonderful, but it will be different from Spring Breaks in the past.

In the past, the things I loved about Spring Break included:

• Sleeping in
• Skiing
• Time in Vail
• Extra workouts and runs
• Eating junk food guilt-free because of all the skiing, extra workouts and runs
• Movies and Netflix shows
• Dinners out with Hubby -- or dinners in with Hubby
• Reading books in front of a fire with my feet up
• Basically, relaxing in order to recharge for the last 9 weeks of school.

This year, I don't think any of the above events will take place.  I'm not entirely sure what to expect, but I think this Spring Break will involve:

• Not really sleeping in -- but Hubby and I will probably trade off a few naps throughout the day
• More of our same routine -- have to keep Tracey Ann on her schedule
• More cleaning that past years
• Less relaxing time with my feet up
• Hopefully a few more jogs with a baby jogger and puppy dog
• More time chasing a toddler around the house
• Dinners in with Tracey Ann
• Reading toddler books in front of Lexie and Lloyd with my feet sitting cross-legged

I know it is going to be a great week... but very different from past years, and I am trying to focus on the joy of what this, different kind, of Spring Break will bring.

Unfair

This year, I was incredibly unfair to my husband on Valentine's day.

I did not mean to be, and it took me the majority of the day to figure it out... but my wonderful Hubs definitely was unfairly blindsided this Valentine's day.

Our little lovebug hardly sits still long enough for me to get pictures of her these days... but I managed to snap a couple.

This is the sixth Valentine's day Hubby and I have been together -- the fourth since we've been married.  We always do something romantic and small for Valentine's day.  In the past we've gone out to dinner, or cooked dinner together, we've gone to a movie, or we've seen a play... just something fun and out of the ordinary, and we exchange Valentine's card, but nothing major.

Getting in Mama's makeup to be ready for her Valentine's date (Mama and Daddy)

So, to review, our Valentine's day of have been fun and out of the ordinary, but nothing major.  Well, this year, due to many demands on his time and energy, Hubby focused more on the "nothing major" instead of the "fun and out of the ordinary" part of Valentine's Day.  He knew that we had never made a really big deal, and always tried to be wise with our money, so this year he was pretty content to just go along with whatever I wanted to do that day, and not really make any plans of his own.

What I learned this Valentine's Day, and what my poor Hubby, was told very unfairly, apparently, now that I am 4 years into marriage, 1 year into motherhood, keeper of the home, and working a full time job... I want him to make some kind of Valentine's Day plans.

Here we are waiting for a table, while Tracey Ann eats a pretzle

As Hubby was content to do whatever I wanted that day... as the day progressed, I couldn't figure out why he didn't have anything planned.  He couldn't figure out why I was upset.  He's never really planned anything before -- I made our plans, and he would do what I wanted, and bring a Valentine's Day card along.

This year I had a few surprises for him, and I was crushed when he didn't return the effort.

Tracey Ann is very into sharing these days... here she is sharing her pretzel with Daddy

Finally by mid-afternoon, I realized that I had, very unfairly, changed the game on him.  I didn't know, until this year, that I want a Valentine's Day celebration.  It doesn't have to be major, or expensive... but I want my Hubby to plan SOMETHING special and out-of-the-ordinary as a way for him to let me know that I am his love, and his Valentine.

What a CUTIE!

Our days are so full of chores, life, responsibilities, plenty of joy... but lots of routine.  I want Valentine's Day to be a break in the routine.  I don't care if its a simple and inexpensive as Hubby telling me he's doing the laundry that week, or he's giving me a 30-minute back massage after Tracey Ann goes to sleep, or he's letting me sleep in that morning and he will get up with Tracey Ann... I want a break in the routine, and a demonstration of love.

I love this outfit!

My wonderful Hubby was so loving and understanding when I finally shared my thoughts.  He also lovingly forgave me changing the Valentine's game and being so unfair with my expectations for a Holiday that's never really been a big deal.

Just another change that motherhood brings.

A Few Years...

A few days ago I came upon some of the engagement pictures Hubby and I had taken a little over three years ago.  One picture immediately reminded me of a picture we had taken recently for Tracey Ann's six month pictures... and no, we didn't plan this...

Oh, what a difference a few years makes...

Mr. Rose

The first day of 9th grade, my history teacher, Mr. Rose, had a quote written on the board when we walked in the room.

 

"It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine." - 

He had a different quote on the board for every day thereafter, all the rest of which I've forgotten, but the quote from that first day of high school, I have always remembered.

Mr. Rose specifically called our attention to that quote and told us that today we were starting high school and that our worlds were changing forever, but that we would be just fine.

He was right.  I loved high school... not that it was the highlight of my life or anything, but I really had a great time in high school.  I loved Mr. Rose's history class, and he was right... although my world had changed forever, I was just fine.

 I do not remember all the history that Mr. Rose taught me, but without fail, EVERY major change in my life has the same phrase ringing in my ears...
"It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine."

 When I graduated high school, started college, finished college, studied abroad, started graduate school, moved, started jobs, ended relationships, through weddings, funerals, births... the same phrase, and Mr. Rose's assurance always comes to mind.

For me it is comforting to acknowledge that yes, it really is the end of the world as I've known it... but I am prepared, I am equipped for what is next, and I will be fine.

This is what I am trying to tell myself tonight as I treasure my last night in my little home in Rifle, with my wonderful husband.  We leave tomorrow to move me to Greeley for June and I will be living with a lovely couple, attending a whirlwind Orientation and Mobility class, I will be blindfolded much of the month and learning to use a white cane, and I will be living away from my husband.

It is the end of the world as I know it... and I do not feel fine, but I do have faith that I can do this.  The Lord measures my strength for each day, and is my comforter and my protector.  I do not want to do this... but I will be fine.

Mr. Rose, I am sorry I cannot still recite the 4 or 5 factors that caused WWI, but thank you for equipping me so well at such a young age with words that would serve me for life.

Treasuring the Present: Our Growing Family

This is a unique season in our family in that it is growing.  Hubby and I are not growing the family at the moment... but others in our family are expanding it, and we are happy for them and preparing for a changing, larger family.

As I shared a few months ago, Chris' sister and her husband (Becky and Daniel) are expecting a baby in July.  This is the first grandchild on that side of the family and everyone is OVER THE MOON excited for them.  They have been married seven years (if memory serves... almost eight?) and they love children.  Becky is almost finished with her medical residency (she's scheduled to finish three days before her due date... we'll see how that goes), and Daniel is a firefighter.

Hubby and I bought them this ornament last Christmas

They live in St. Louis and recently bought their first home.  They don't know if they're having a boy or a girl... but everyone in the family seems to think it will be a boy.  She is due in early July and I'm sure the highlight of our summer will be meeting, loving, and getting to know our newest little family member.

Sister Becky as she literally grows the family

Here's the little peanut ETA: July 2013

Chris' brother, Nick, decided to expand the family this year as well.  Nick met Mandy this past February and proposed less than two months later.  They have set a wedding date for December 2013 and we are really happy for them.  They both live in St. Louis, so while we're getting to know the new baby this summer, we also hope to get to know Mandy.

Nick proposed a few weeks ago

Soon-to-be-Sister Mandy and Brother Nick

What a wonderful season in our family full of such joy. 
Because I have experienced seasons of sorrow -- years of sorrow in the past with my family, I especially treasure this season of such joy, blessing, and happiness.

Chris and I are the only Miller children not expanding the family this year... maybe we should think about a plant?

1000 Words

1000 Words -- and the changes a year can bring

Top left: July 2011 Honeymoon, Bottom left and right: July 2012

Word-Filled Wednesday: Matthew 6:25

Here is my first attempt at adding text to a picture:

I will be leaning on this verse very much in the coming days as today marks the start of the Lenten season.  I will be abstaining from all desserts/sweets and alcohol until Easter at least.

Since Chris and my wedding, we have been in such a love-bubble... but the truth is, that love-bubble has included a lot of food, and some struggle to establish our cooking/eating/restaurant habits.  I have grown into a pleasingly plump little wife and, with the Lord's help, I am hoping to shrink back to the size I was just a few months ago.

Lent is going to be a wonderful season to lean on the Lord, become very aware of all that I am eating, and re-establish some control and normalcy in healthy eating habits in our life.

Thank you, in advance for your prayers as my mind and my body crave sweets.

Happy Ash Wednesday!

I love the Lenten Season -- in so many ways, it is more joyous than Advent because we're preparing for when Jesus willingly gives Himself for the sins of the world and, not only that... but conquering the grave and raising from the dead to promise us eternal life forever!  I'm getting excited just thinking about it!

Praise God, and Happy First Day of Lent!

Our New Family

We have a new family these days and we are all adjusting to what that means.

Lexie and Lloyd met Tuesday afternoon and Chris and I both had a non-work day on Wednesday (to recover from our hunting days -- more about the hunting experience to come) and also to make sure our animals were going to be okay.

Lexie likes to sit right by the door...
They were both surprised to be nose-to-nose
when the door opened

I see him...

Lexie has been kept a constant eye on Lloyd ever since
he walked through the door

Lexie and Lloyd are not doing too badly... they are certainly learning about each other and pulling rank.  Lexie chases Lloyd more often than he chases her... and its not really a game yet.  Chris and I go between telling them to calm down, letting then figure things out themselves and thinking the interactions are really funny.  In the below video, its very amateur filming, but it captures the interactions.  I am on the bed, and Lexie is under the bed, and Lloyd is prancing around the bed trying to "play" with Lexie.  Please ignore our overflowing laundry basket as we just returned from hunting...



Lloyd is such a joy to us and he really is a dog, hand-picked by God for us.  He is small and he hardly barks at all.  I think I list on one hand the number of times I've heard him bark since we got him.  We fell in love with him in the first few minutes of meeting him... and then we found out how completely perfect he is for us... his birthday is June 25, 2011 -- Chris and my wedding day.  Lloyd is my wedding present and he was born on our wedding day!

Lloyd Carr Miller -- cutest puppy on earth!

The frisbee is roughly 4 times as large as his head

Lloyd LOVES to retrieve.  Check out our footage of his jumping off our deck -- sort of like a dock, but without the water.  You should see all the bloopers of this shot (maybe I'll share them later this week...)

Welcome to our family, Lloyd

First meeting of big sister and little brother

I learned its kind of hard to snap a picture of
a puppy and yourself...

Welcome to the New URL

Thank you for finding us!

Please change your bookmarks/links and please re-follow us at this new blog in order to stay with Chris and me as we begin our married journey through life together.

Here's a glimpse of what we've been up to lately...

We've been moving in to this house... and I have to say, I was not expecting combining our possessions and our wedding gifts to be such a process.  We are working every day at organizing, unpacking and inventorying our belongings, and learning to love one another better in the process.

 

Here are some more pictures of the house we're renting before we unloaded all the boxes:

 Lexie is getting used to the place... she LOVES all the empty boxes as we unpack.

Please don't forget to change your bookmarks to continue to follow The Mountain Millers' new blog:  themtnmillers.blogspot.com

Rifle Bound and Wedding Events: Friday Shower

 The fun wedding events continued on Friday morning with a few friends and me getting manicures.  My parents were wonderful and opened their home to a number of my single girlfriends coming in for the wedding.  The manicures was a fun time with them along with a couple of bridesmaids as well.

 After the manicures was a bridal shower hosted by my parents' next door neighbor, who hosted a number of my out-of-town girlfriends in her lovely home.  These gals had come in from all over the country (Texas, Boston, New York, Colorado, Virginia, St. Louis... and more) and it was so special to have a shower with them and to spend more time with them while they were here.

 My good friend and bridesmaid, Meghan brought her adorable baby girl, Remington Lee, who was an absolute doll.  She was a happy little girl for all of the wedding events.

 

The gifts were lingerie themed, and it was a fun time.

 

I'm able to post these wedding events a little at a time... it will be a process as there are memories I want to share.

Meanwhile, Chris and I move into a place tomorrow.  We are moving to Rifle.  I'm practicing my red-neck voice as I say, "This summer I married a hunter and moved to Rifle!"

The Lord was so faithful to find us the perfect rental in our budget in the few days we had to look.  We are so grateful and very excited to begin the process of moving in together, unpacking and organizing our first home.  I get a little choked up just thinking about it.

Other events that have had me choked up this week:

I got to pray over husband before he left for work.

I got to pray for my husband while he was at work.

We went through the process of looking at rentals, comparing options, praying about the situation and making a decision together where we will live this next year.

I'm getting more and more used to introducing myself as Brooke Miller.

I am so in love with my husband.  I still get all giddy at that sentence... my husband!