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.

Some News

 We have some news...

Baby Mountain Miller #6 is on the way and expected in late May 2021!

Tracey and Howard hope the baby is a boy to complete our Brady Bunch square with three boys and three girls.  Lee Lee and Caroline happily announce that the baby is going to be -- a boy or a girl, and Hunter has kept his opinion to himself.  We will find out the baby's gender when he or she arrives.

We are incredibly excited and feel immeasurably blessed to have another precious baby on the way.  We know that God has perfectly knit this baby together and we cannot wait to get to know this new baby brother or sister and watch how he or she fits perfectly into our family.

Good Friday

So often we are happy it is Friday and we tell each other to "Have a good Friday."

But the truth is, there has only been one GOOD Friday.

Stay Tuned

I have something really big in the works that involves this picture...

So for now, I'm just going to say,

"Stay Tuned!" 

 

Such a Gift

Something amazing happened on Monday.  

Tracey asked Jesus into her heart.

I have been trying to make a point to read more Bible stories with the kids -- especially the staples I want them to know as best as a child can.  So David and Goliath, Daniel and the Lion's Den,  Noah's Arc, and the Christmas story... but I realized the other day that I've never read them the story of Moses or many stories about the miracles that Jesus performed.

So Monday I sat down on our family room floor in the afternoon and started reading about the story of baby Moses -- how Pharaoh ordered all the baby boys to be killed but Moses' mother hid him, and then put him in a basket down the river.  That led to talking about how God saved Moses because God had a plan for his life.

Then, Tracey was really excited to learn about the plan God had for Moses' life -- so we read about the Burning Bush (which she called the Fire Plant).  Then we talked about Moses' message to Pharaoh -- "Let my people go!"  And her Sunday school has been singing the song "Pharaoh, Pharaoh" lately so we were able to build on those lyrics a little.

Then we talked about how Pharaoh disobeyed God and wouldn't let the Hebrews go and so there were consequences.  We talked about that Pharaoh said, "No" to God 10 times and there were 10 punishments for disobeying God.

By the time we talked about the last and worst punishment when God killed the oldest child in every family, Tracey's eyes were so wide and she said, "What happened next?"

Then we read about the Hebrews' leaving Egypt and Pharaoh chasing them and the parting of the Red Sea.

She was enthralled by the stories... and the only reason we had to stop was because the twins and Lee Lee were requiring more of my attention.

As we had dinner a little later, she was still talking about Moses.  She mentioned that she didn't like the sad parts of the story... but that its going to be okay to die someday when she's really old because she'll see Jesus.

That's what opened the door to asking her if she has invited Jesus into her heart.  She said she knew he lived in her heart... but when we talked about it she realized she hadn't specifically asked him.  So she and I prayed together and she asked Jesus into her heart.

Then we called Grammie and Memaw and Daddy to tell them the great news!

Then, later that night, she kept talking about Moses and how he was saved.  I reminded her that God had a plan for Moses' life.

She thought about that... then looked at me so intensely and asked, "Does God have a plan for my life?"

It was such a beautiful night and such a gift to experience with my daughter.

As the night when on and Howard and Caroline realized what a big deal this was, they each said they wanted Jesus in their hearts, and I prayed with each of them.  I certainly hope they had an understand of what they were asking... but I have an assurance that Tracey is truly understanding the magnitude of what she has asked.

Thank you, God for this child, and for writing Your name on her heart and recording her name in the book of life!  

 

Baby Number 4

We are so excited to announce that we are expecting Mountain Miller Baby Number 4.  She is a baby girl coming in October.

 

Masters Complete

We have some big news... some really big news.

Hubby has completed all the requirements to earn his Masters Degree in Educational Administration.

This is a huge accomplishment and something that he (and we) have been working toward for over two-and-a-half years.  I don't mean to detract from his accomplishment by saying that we have been working toward it... but he began this degree when Tracey was ten months old and so WE worked toward this degree.  Every moment he was working on graduate school, I was manning the home front by myself -- first with one child, then with one child and pregnant with two, then with three children... etc.

Not only is it a huge accomplishment that Hubby has earned this Masters Degree, I just want to put this entire process in perspective for you... again not in any way to lesson Hubby's accomplishment, but to show you really, how huge of an accomplishment this is that he has earned this degree.

Hubby has been working toward his Masters in Educational Administration for 2 years, 6 months, 3 days... that's 915 days.

But what those numbers do not tell is that Hubby actually started work on a Masters Degree before we were married.  In fairness to him, there were a lot of teacher cuts happening around the state year after year at the time, and he was looking for job security, so he began a program about which he wasn't particularly passionate, but was usually in high demand -- Special Education.  He spent 1 year, 8 months, 14 days in that program... 623 days toward a masters.

Then, after we were married and we had settled in Rifle, and he had grown to love his school and community, he decided to stop the masters program in special education, and begin one in a subject that he did really like and that would further benefit his school -- Educational Technology.  He spent 1 year, 10 months, 3 days in that program... 679 days toward a masters.

Then, after Tracey was born, an opportunity was presented to him to move into the administrative realm of education.  Hubby was thrilled at the opportunity to make this change and decided that the administrative side of education was, in fact, where he wanted to devote the rest of his career.  He decided to stop the masters program in educational technology and begin a program that would let him pursue the administrative aspects of education -- Educational Administration.  He spent 2 years, 6 months, 3 days in that program... 915 days toward a masters.

I had to do these calculations last week because I was starting to unravel pretty fast, and Hubby and I were getting pretty snippy with one another.  By looking at these numbers I can admit that this has been a really long road, and it makes perfect sense that Hubby and I are completely whipped.

I need to point out in the below picture, that Hubby completed four classes before I created this check-list board.  I wrote it a year ago when I felt like there was no end in sight... it helped me to imagine that someday this graduate degree endeavor would conclude... and yesterday it did!

We have finished this marathon (maybe I should say triathlon since he enrolled in three schools toward three masters) not smiling and running with our hands in the air telling tales of our great race.  No, we finished this race limping, bleeding, barely still moving and vowing never to do anything like that again.

But, you know what... we finished this frickin race.

Hubby has devoted 6 years, 8 months, 11 days (2446 days) to earning a masters degree.  We've only been married for 5 years, 10 months, 9 days (2140 days) and we've only been parents for a measly 3 years, 3 months, 10 days (1196 days).

Pretty much the only thing that pre-dates his working toward a masters degree is that we have been in a relationship for 7 years, 4 months, 16 days (2695 days).

We almost don't even know how to process this relief and what we're going to do with this abundance of family time.

This is a huge deal.

Hubby's Master's Degree - COMPLETE!

Enough Kids

So, I was going to delay making this announcement for awhile, but something happened yesterday that I am still trying to process, so I want to share our news now and write in an attempt to process what happened yesterday.

Hubby and I are in the process of becoming certified to take in Foster Children.

This is something we have talked about doing for years, we bought our current home with this in mind, and we even started the process a few years ago before we found out we were having twins.  We are taking the certification process slowly (relatively speaking) because we have a lot on our plate currently, and we know that it will have to be a very specific child in order to be a good fit with our young family, but it is something we are committed to doing.

Hubby came in our marriage with a heart for foster children, and we have always talked about this as a possibility.  In his work at the middle school, he works with foster children, Child Protective Services, and broken families on a regular basis, and sees the great need for good foster homes in our community on a regular basis.

While we are carefully and slowly moving forward with this process, we both know that we don't know where it could lead.  We both acknowledge that once we really begin to see the need in our community, and meet the children first-hand who are in need of loving homes, we can't un-see it and we have no idea what could lie ahead on this road.

All that being said, Hubby and I attended a training workshop last weekend to further continue this process of becoming a foster family.

Apparently Hubby shared with some of his colleagues some insights that he had while at the training, and several of them (like four or more of them) had the same response to him when they heard we were becoming a foster family, which was,

"Don't you already have enough kids?"

 I guess I've been pretty sheltered in that we have shared with some friends and family that we are beginning to process, and we usually get a very positive feedback.  Sure, our family especially reminds us how busy we are right now and ask if we really think we can handle this... but in the same breath they tell us it is a very noble thing to do, and they know we aren't going to enter into this commitment without a lot of prayer and faith.

I've never thought of our having "enough" kids.  When I think about our family down the road, and imagine a few more children, I never think a certain number is "enough" kids.

Hubby and I love children.

Hubby and I are a good match for each other because we love children.  We love our own, absolutely -- above anything on Earth.  But we love children in general.  We cannot ignore children in need.  We cannot deny how incredibly fortunate we are -- with space, food, heat, and love to spare.

The Bible tells us to care for the orphans and the fatherless, and that children are a blessing for God.  Hubby and I cling to both of those scriptures very dearly and trust that whatever we are called to do, with God's strength and Jesus' love we will be able to do.

 Psalm 127:3-4

"Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.  Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth."

James 1:27

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
 

 

Preggers II -- Twins: 32 Weeks

How far along?  32 weeks

How I am feeling?  I'm feeling pretty well although it is incredibly difficult to lean over a pick something up off the ground.  Every time I do, I am afraid my water is going to break.

How big are babies?  The size of squashes... which is funny to me because they probably are squashing each other by this point HAHA!  The internet says the babies are between 2.5 to 3.8 pounds and 15.2 to 16.7 inches long, but at the appointment I had last week, the doctor said the babies are about 4 pounds a piece, which is wonderful!  That is how large they would expect a single baby to weigh at 32 weeks, and twins often are not as large because of how cramped they are by 32 weeks.  This was great news to receive.

Sleep:  Pretty well although Tracey Ann has learned how to open her bedroom door and so that has impacted my sleep this week.

Boy/Girl, Boy/Boy, Girl/Girl Predictions: Two babies

Babies Nicknames:  Babies, Twins or Twinsies

  Best moment this week:  I had my last appointment with the high-risk specialist from Denver this past week, and she gave us great news at that appointment.  She was thrilled with how long I've carried the babies and that we're not detecting any further complications anymore.  She gave us the green light to deliver the babies at our local hospital, assuming no unforeseen issues arise and the plan is not to see her again.

Food cravings:  Nothing specific.

Missing:  The ability to bend over and pick things up off the floor -- I had no idea how many toys and items Tracey Ann just leaves on the floor until I have had to stop picking them up... there are toys EVERYWHERE!

 

Movements:  Yes, and this week they seem to have increased.  I can now see the twins moving on the outside of my stomach regularly, and it is awesome!  I love watching them move even though I can also feel them moving.  When they are moving now, it feels more like full-baby squirms as opposed to a little kick here, or an arm there.  Two whole babies are beginning to squirm.

Labor Signs:  Nothing real yet

Comparison:  Here I am carrying Tracey Ann at 32 weeks

and here I am 32 weeks with the twins...

 

General Attitude: I think I am starting to realize that life, as I know it, will never be the same.  This is a wonderful thing, but it is also a hard concept to wrap my mind around.  My physical limitations are frustrating to me with all the Christmas decorating and unpacking I want to accomplish before the twins arrive... but the truth is, my time will not be my own when the twins are born.  It is not like I have my arms in slings, and as soon as I get these slings off, I can go back to my usual productive self.  Yes, physically, I will be more capable after the twins are born... but that does not mean life is back to normal.  Life will be getting a new normal.

 What I am looking forward to this week:  Once I have administered my final exam for the college class I teach, I am getting a hair cut and my nails done.  It will just be a trim, but it will be the last trim I get before the twins arrive, and it is a little celebration for myself for making it through this incredibly, busy and crazy pregnant fall.

Milestones: With my reaching 32 weeks, I am allowed to deliver the babies at our local hospital instead of being flown to Denver.  Also I taught my last college lecture for the semester (all that is left is to administer the final), and my parents have arrived, so we now have in-home help indefinitely.

Terrifying

Hubby and I have some news that I have delayed sharing for weeks.  We have had an offer accepted on a house in Rifle.  We are now under contract and have a closing date set for the middle of October.

This is not only big news, but a tremendous answer to prayer, and a very big life milestone for both Hubby and myself... and yet I have waited weeks to share the news here on my blog for one simple reason -- I was still processing this life changing event.

Not only did I delay sharing the news on my blog, but I have told none of my close friends.  Sure, I told a few acquaintances in town but I did not tell any of my friends who would ask me how I was doing or would be able to read in my voice how thoughtful and not-fully-excited I was about our situation.

It wasn't until last week when I was on the phone with a friend -- not a close, old friend of mine who knows me well, but a mutual friend of Hubby and mine whom we've known a few years and whom Hubby had told we were in the process of buying this house.  She and I were talking and the subject of our new home came up and, of the process and major event she said, "Isn't it terrifying?"

...

...

... And from the moment she said those words, I felt like I could take a deep breath and admit that "YES!  This process is absolutely terrifying!"

I had been feeling so guilty that I was not more excited about buying a home, and I had been an absolute wheel-barrel of emotions for over a week, ready to burst into tears any moment as we learned more and more about the process involved in buying a home.

To hear a friend and peer state aloud how truly scary it was for her husband and her to buy their first home allowed me to exhale and admit that this really is a tremendous responsibility, and a completely new process for Hubby and me, and it is okay to be... well, terrified.

Not only is this a larger purchase than I've ever made, I have never borrowed money like this before, and I have never made a commitment to a location in my life.  After my 18 years in my parents' home in Michigan, I spent some time and RENTED places in Virginia, Nashville, Eagle, and Rifle, Colorado... but nothing has kept me in those places.  I have always known I could up and leave any of those places at the drop of a hat with minimal consequences.

Buying my first home is a truly terrifying process... but it is very exciting... and ever since my friend spoke those words, "Isn't it terrifying?" I have been able to breath easier and admit... yes, this is terrifying... but its also very exciting... and it is okay for me to feel both terrified and really excited.

So, our big exciting news is that, Praise God, we are under contract for buying a home in Rifle, Colorado.

For us this is really big, really amazing, really scary, but fantastic news.

I will keep you posted on how things go.  Thank you for your prayers for us and specifically for God's Will during this process.

Three Days

A lot can happen in three days

It's A Girl!!!!

Welcome, Tracey Ann Miller!

The following is from an email that my wonderful husband sent out to family and friends announcing Tracey's arrival:

Brooke and I are so excited to announce the arrival of our healthy perfect daughter, Tracey Ann Miller.  She was born around 8:00 pm on January 24th weighing 6 pounds 13 ounces and 18 1/2 inches long.  

Brooke did the whole thing without pain medications.  She thought she might want the drugs through the really rough patches, but through the amazing coaching of her tearful husband, she pushed through and delivered Tracey without meds.

Tracey's name comes from Brooke's older sister, Tracey, and her middle name, Ann, is my sister and mom's middle name.  We have faith she will honor her namesakes.  

We are so overjoyed with God's perfect gift.  Thank you for all of your prayers in the days leading up to this (and please keep them coming now that we are parents).  :-)

Love To All,

Chris, Brooke, and Tracey

Our new little family, Mama, Daddy and Tracey Ann

 

The Proud Sanden Grandparents, Grammy and Papa

  

The Proud Miller Grandparents, Grandpa and Grandma

 Isaiah 12:5
Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.

The Best Dinner Ever!

Hubby and I had the BEST dinner ever last Saturday night when we first moved me to Greeley.

We were celebrating... many things... and had several gift cards to P.F. Chang's, so that is where we decided to go for our big night out.

When I find a dish I like at a restaurant, I order the same thing every time I go there.  If I haven't found a dish I love, I will try different thing, but AS SOON AS I find an item on the menu that I love, I order it EVERY TIME I go to that restaurant.

At P.F. Chang's that dish is Mu Shu Chicken.  Oh, just thinking about it makes me salivate!  Hubby and I went to P.F. Chang's and I was over-the-moon excited to have Mu Shu Chicken.  Mu Shu Chicken is this wonderful and flavorful chicken dish that you eat on these light, airy, Chinese tortillas with a DELICIOUS hoisin sauce.  Oh man!

Just imagine how crest-fallen was my face when the waiter told us that they no longer offer Mu Shu Chicken.  He said that they can still make a dish similar, but they don't have any Chinese tortillas, and they don't have the hoisin sauce.  The air just went out of my sails.  I eventually settled on ordering sesame chicken and Hubby and I continued to enjoy our dinner.

When our meal came, the waiter brought us our dinner... and then set down a dish that looked exactly like the chicken part of Mu Shu Chicken.  And then he set down a sauce that looked exactly like hoisin sauce... and then a plate covered with a napkin.  Our curiosity was perked.

The waiter then announced that the kitchen had made me the Mu Shu kitchen dish... and they had some hoisin sauce (the waiter didn't know that they use it in another dish on the menu)... and then he said, "I don't know how they will taste, but we have some Mexican tortillas from On The Boarder, the Mexican restaurant next door."

Hubby and I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT!!!  We were speechless, and completely excited!!!!  All of our food that night was delicious, but our Mexican Tortilla Mu Shu Chicken was the best thing we had!

We later found out that the manager ran next door to On The Boarder and ordered a side of tortillas just for us.

We felt like the most important people in the restaurant, and we felt like our celebration dinner was something that the whole world was celebrating with us.  Our dinner last Saturday will go down in our history as the best dinner ever!!!

A Year Away

I don't want to wish my life away AT ALL!

I have never been one of those people just waiting for my life to begin.  I was never thinking that "as soon as..."
"As soon as I go to college..."
"As soon as I'm done with college..."
"As soon as I get a job..."
"As soon as I get married..."
"As soon as we buy a house..."
"As soon as we have a baby..."

I have never thought about my life as the exciting part just around the corner.

My life is now.

When students think of their life "finally starting" when they leave home, they're mistaken.  If, Lord forbid, something happened to this kid before he left home, he still would have had a life.  His life doesn't BEGIN when he leaves home, his life enters a new chapter when he leaves home.  His live is going on NOW.

I have always TRIED to treasure the stage of life where I am... I emphasize tried because it has not always been easy.  Sometimes I needed to be creative in order to find things to be grateful about for my current stage of life, but I always knew, and, to this day, KNOW, My Life Is NOW.

That being said, I am not looking forward to this next year, which is so ironic because 13 is my lucky number... and this year is 2013.

I am returning to grad school this year and I will be accelerating the program so as to complete all the requirements in one calendar year.  That means that by next Christmas (2013), I REALLY REALLY HOPE and PLAN to be finished.

To be honest, I am not excited to earn this degree... I am excited to HAVE this degree and FINISH this degree.  I want to HAVE EARNED the degree, not about to begin earning this degree.  Which means, I wish it was 1 year from now -- and I really DO NOT want to feel this way.

The problem is, when I think of 2013, ALL I think about is the parts of this degree.
Winter/Spring 2013, I will be juggling my regular difficult work load and traveling AND completing an on-line class.
June 2013, I will be living in Greeley, Colorado (in all likelihood, away from my husband and animals) to take an on-campus class.
July 2013, I will spend 3 weeks doing practicum work somewhere in the country (hopefully the mid-west)
August 2013, I will spend 3 weeks doing practicum work somewhere in the country (hopefully in the mid-west)
Fall 2013, I will be tying all the loose ends of the degree, working at my regular job, and spending 3 more weeks doing practicum work, having to take time away from my job, and living away from my husband and animals.

The entire program leaves me with possibly, POSSIBLY two weeks of vacation in the entire 2013 year (this, from a teacher who REALLY looks forward to, and benefits from her 8 week summer break!).  Two weeks to try to see Chris' family and my family and two weeks to somewhat recover from the year and gather the strength to keep on going.

When I look ahead at 2013, I see exhaustion, logistical head-aches, deadlines, and yes, a light at the end of the tunnel... but the light at the end of the tunnel is the end of 2013.

The ONE thing I Am REALLY REALLY looking forward to in 2013 is...

Chris and I are going to be an Aunt and Uncle on his side of the family!!!!

Chris' little sister and brother-in-law, Becky and Daniel, are expecting a baby in July and this will be the FIRST grandchild on the Miller side of the family.  Everyone is SOOO excited and we are really close to Chris' siblings so it is going to be so much fun to have a new baby in the family... and watch them handle a first-baby... before we have to handle a first-baby.

 We had so much fun shopping for Becky and Daniel for Christmas.  We bought Becky the Cardinal fan maternity shirt in the picture above, and we bought Daniel baby fireman pajamas... because Daniel is a fire-fighter, and their baby will have to be appropriately appareled!

 So, there's the truth about when I think about the year... I am not excited -- except for the new family baby.  But when I think about my year, I am not excited.  I am a little overwhelmed and very tired... and I wish it was a year from now.

Many bloggers pray about "words" for the year and they hold to that word for direction and the way they feel God is teaching them that year.  My human word for 2013 is NO, or TIRED, or STUDY, or DO I HAVE TO?... the word I keep coming back to in prayer for 2013 is FAITH.

Faith that I am meant to earn this degree.
Faith that I can do what is asked of me.

But I don't have Faith that I will enjoy it.
I don't have Faith that there are fun times ahead in 2013.
I don't have Faith that any rest will exist in 2013.
I have Faith there is work ahead in 2013.

Thanks for listening.

When you look ahead at 2013, what do you see?

Good News

I saw this news broadcast online last night and I had to share.



I hope you're enjoying your time after Christmas with friends and family and residual Christmas cheer.

Christmas 2010: Black Diamond and Diamond Ring!

December 18, 2010

Black Diamond Ski Run - Riva Ridge on Vail Mountain, Vail, Colorado
One year from our first date!
Chris proposed on the same ski run where my dad proposed to my mom almost exactly 30 years ago - and it was a complete surprise!
We are SO HAPPY!
PRAISE GOD!
Song of Solomon 3:4

We have been traveling, planning, smiling, exchanging gifts and spending time with family ever since... and we're happily exhausted!
More details about the proposal and trip to come, but now that all of our family knows, I wanted to share our exciting news with our blog friends.
Prepare for my blog to change from The Mountain Brooke to The Mountain Millers!
June 25, 2011 is our wedding date!

Flying Colors!

Just taking a quick minute to pass along my good news.

I passed my Braille Test with...I earned 92/100 on the multiple choice part and 100% on my braille transcription part! I am so happy all that hard work and studying paid off!

Thank you for all your prayers throughout that process - the WEEKS and WEEKS of studying, the pre-test anxieties and the actual test-taking. Thank you for walking with me through this process.Happy Monday!