Go Blue!

 Here's hoping we can end the year with a sound and impressive Michigan victory in the College Football Playoff Semi-finals against TCU in the Fiesta Bowl.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

And the days of auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear

For auld lang syne

We'll drink a cup of kindness yet

For the sake of auld lang syne

GO BLUE!

Football

 This little boy watched football ALL day on Saturday, and finally conked out watching the USC-Nortre Dame game around 9:00pm.

Michigan Football

 A few weeks ago I attended a professional development seminar with a few colleagues on a Friday in October.  The speaker began the workshop by asking each of the attendees to share something for which she was grateful.  The speaker said it could be something in our classrooms, and with our students, or in our personal lives.

Each of the other attendees shared something she was grateful for in her classroom and with her students.  I, unashamed, shared that I was grateful for Michigan football.

Of course, I am grateful for hundreds of things in my life -- probably thousands of things in my life, but Michigan football has been very important to me this fall, even moreso than in past years.

I have had a long list of stressors in my life since May.  I don't mean to complain, because a lot of these things are good things... but I have worked almost nonstop for months:

• moving one hundred miles away
• preparing a house to go on the market
• living in a home while trying to sell it
• trying to buy a home for 8 people in a town WITHOUT ANY HOUSES FOR SALE
• starting a new job where the work is never done (I am filing two teaching positions that the district has never had before)
• supporting my husband as he works a new job
• being mother to our six children
• moving a second time in three months
• attending graduate school classes online

When I attended this professional development day, Michigan was going to play their in-state rivals, Michigan State the following day.  Michigan had not played the previous Saturday as they had a week off.

What I learned that previous weekend was that the only time during the week I let myself take a break and fully relax is when I'm watching a Michigan football game.  The weekend that Michigan did not play a game, I didn't put my feet up and relax at all.  I need that break each week and I really look forward to it.

I am so grateful for Michigan football.

I am also grateful that Michigan is undefeated with a 12-0 record for the first time since 1997.  That just makes those Saturday games where I relax all the more fun to watch!

Intense

 Last night I took a break from packing (more on that later) to watch the Michigan game -- hairy first half and then an AMAZING second half where Michigan blew Rutgers out of the water.  Then, we noticed that the Alabama-LSU game was shaping up to be a close ending, so we tuned in to the end of that game.

Here is a picture of Howard and me on the edge of our seats when LSU opted to go for 2-points to clinch the win in Overtime.

It is SO much fun to have Howard learning about and enjoying football.

Homecoming Game and Parade

 Homecoming game and parade!

Go Blue!

 We didn't get a terrific picture... but we got a few funny ones, and we are all very excited for the start of Michigan football again!

Go BLUE!

Keys To Victory

 If you have not yet year, Michigan WON THE BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP Saturday night.

Sunday, it was announced that they are ranked number 2 for the College Football Playoffs and they will play the Georgia Bulldogs on New Year's Eve.

Since Michigan has some big games coming up in the post season, I figured I should share some keys from their victory Saturday night:

Caroline made MICHIGAN signs for us to hold up during the game.

All Millers were clad in Michigan gear all day (including for Hometown Holiday events, and while walking in the Christmas light parade).

We had friends over to watch the game with us and celebrate the victory after.

We will try to recreate these conditions on December 31 in order to do our part for Michigan's continued success.

Big Ten Championship Today

 If you've following my blog for awhile -- like decades, you might remember when I used to post various things about Michigan football on the blog.  Not just pictures of my adorable children in Michigan gear, but also updates about the Michigan team, who they would be playing, and excitement about upcoming games.  I think it has been a long time since I've done that.

Well, Michigan beat Ohio State last Saturday for the first time since 2011 and Michigan will be playin for the BIG TEN Championship this afternoon for the first time the BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP Game was created.

So... now feels like a great time to post some hype for this game.

Here are clips from last weekend's game against Ohio State.

IT. WAS. AWESOME!

Saturdays

 Saturdays in the fall are a lot of fun...

Let's See...

 Let's see...

Dead Grass

Puddles

Wearing Layers

Soaking clothes

Sports equipment

Happy Boy

All of this can only mean one thing:

Someone is ready for Spring Training!

His Whole Life

    The other day, Howard (and Tracey and Caroline) spent much of the afternoon riding their two-wheelers around the culs-de-sac near our house.  During that time we learned that Howard doesn't really know how to use his breaks.  Whenever he wants to stop, he rides his bike unto the curb and let's it fall over -- usually taking him with it.

By the evening, the three big kids were excited to show Daddy how well they were riding, and so we went out again after dinner and before bedtime for them to ride.

After steering his bike unto a sidewalk, Howard steered his bike back down onto the road...and collided with Tracey.  They both crashed in a tangle of tires and handlebars.  They both were wearing their helmets, of course, but Howard got a black eye IMMEDIATELY after the collision.  It was already black by the time we got to him.

Through that collision, and the other crashes of the day, he was nursing some owies by the end of the day.

After we got home, and before bedtime, I asked if he wanted to soak a little in a bath to feel better and he jumped at the chance.

By that time, he had seen his eye, and he was exhausted and a little weepy.

When he was in the tub, the following conversation transpired:

"Hey Buddy.  I know you're feeling sore and pretty banged up.  But you know how you remind me of with your black eye?"

"Who?"

"A football player.  Because football players get banged up a lot on the field and they get black eyes from playing.  And when they come home, they soak in a warm tub because they're sore.  You really remind me of a football player."

Howard looked up to me, and I thought he might start to cry... but instead he said,

"I've waited my whole life to be a football player."

After that he has worn his black eye with pride, and he made sure to put on his football jersey first thing the next day.

Preggers V: 37 Weeks

How far along?  37 weeks, 4 days

Comparisons:

 37 Weeks with Tracey

35 Weeks with the Twins because they were born at 36 weeks exactly, and I never took a last picture

37 Weeks with Lee Lee

How I am feeling? Well... emotional and pretty exhausted... but we just keep chugging along.  Physically, I feel great.  I feel very grateful for all I'm able to do so far along in my pregnancy.

How big is the baby?  The size of a papaya -- 18.9 inches long, 6.17 pounds

Sleep: Sleep is glorious.  I hope this is a wonderful sleep week.

Boy/Girl Predictions: Well, after months of Tracey expressing her desire for a sister, she suddenly announced that she KNOWS we are having a boy.  So for the past week, she has told anyone and everyone who will listen that she knows we are having a boy.

Baby Nicknames:  Baby

Exercising:  I have exercised 6 of the past 8 days, and it feels really good to be in that routine again.  I definitely go easier than prior months -- very few exercises with weights.  I figure my body itself is a weight at this point.

  Best moment this week: Watching Michigan pummel Notre Dame last weekend was pretty awesome!  We spent the day a the pumpkin patch and get home in time to watch most of the Michigan game... and Michigan creamed them!  That was an awesome moment of the week.

 

 

Food cravings:  Nothing in particular.  Water!

 

 

Missing:  Nothing really.

  

 

Movements:  Yes, and I really like them.  Getting pretty strong in there.

 

 

Labor Signs:  I notice more and more contractions from time to time.  Hopefully just my body getting ready for a quicker labor and delivery when the time arrives.

General Attitude:  Just trying to be ready for the baby... but also patient because it still may be awhile.

 What I am looking forward to this week:  Halloween!  I love Halloween with my little ones!  I do wish the new baby was here and home in time for Halloween... but it looks like that is unlikely.  So, we'll just enjoy Halloween with him or her next year.

Milestones: I'm officially considered full term.