oh gosh...

Well, its been awhile but I don't need to tell any of you that. I will just fill you in on the latest events of the Miller's.

Its holiday season and of course I stress out about ALL the details of Christmas! the decorating, all the parties, the $$, the whole "santa" thing, gift giving, family and friends and on and on. The last two weeks I have been a BIG BALL of stress!

I'm getting impatient with the whole house completion thing... just really thought we would be done for Christmas this year and well... we're NOT! so that is a BIG damper on Christmas for me :( and considering the fact that I'm usually all done Christmas shopping by now for kids and close to everyone including family and friends... and frankly I haven't even begun!! just getting worried that if I don't get started everything will be picked over and there will be nothing :( I know Christmas will still go on but it is a drag that I'm SO SO far behind!

I am also stressing out because this year I decided to have the "adult Christmas" party for my side of the family... and well its this weekend, Saturday night! I finally put the last of the decorations for Christmas up today on our main floor and cleaned like each room from trim to walls to floors completely... all washed and smelling fresh until the dust stirs up again... main floor is ready besides cleaning it once more before Saturday... tonight and tomorrow I will work on tidying upstairs... and getting a tree up in the attic and maybe widow's peak... we'll see how much time is left after I have the house the way I want it before then... and not to mention getting food and beverages and all that jazz ready too... SO MUCH TO DO! I also have like 10 loads of laundry to do ... so far behind on that!

Ok so enough whinning! good things? the snow, I like snow and seeing the kids play in it. Issac is totally clearing a jump they made... by like 4-5ft in the air, has no fear! Blade loves to go outside in the snow, he's so cute when he's bundled up. Hey Mel... can I get you to make a few scarves for him? The older boys have been to Sundown a few times already and loving that too of course!

How many trees did I get up? well i'll have close to 14 when I'm done... thats if I get a tree up in the Widows peak, the kids have been begging and would like to get it done just not sure how to do it so you can actually go up there too... I love all the trees and the lights, its just a happy warmth feeling to me, but each tree has its own look and feel. Really stumpted this year on which is my MOST favorite, they all turned out for the most part how I visioned. No tree in the addition yet and not sure there will be one.

SO I best get back to being productive, lots to do! Hope you are all well.

LONG TIME

Hello out there!

I know I know its been forever!!!!!!!!! I didn't even look to seen when my last blog was... oh well, life goes on.

Now that I had another birthday pass, and on to 33 I go... WOW!! I'm getting old! The birthday was good and celebrated it with close friends a week later, a good time! Thank you all for joining us for the night!

What's new in Lis Lis's world. Well this week Jer is off to San Fran until Saturday am. Boys are well!! Growing but well! I've been BUSY BUSY working at Tammy's when I can, decorating at home for Christmas now, I helped a lot with the family that lost their home due to a fire, trying to get Christmas shopping done here and there... I'm not even close to being done :( but its ok... maybe Jer will just do it all this year :)

This week though I have been batting a head cold... very bad sore throat. I should probably see a doctor if I'm not feeling better by the end of the week... we'll see.

Blade officially knows his ABC's now, he said the whole thing tonight I was SO proud of him! He can also count to 20.
He is still not a morning person... so its a struggle to get him to school on time, but thats o.k. since he has his whole life of school coming for awhile. Mitchel and Issac are dying to get to sundown this weekend... maybe there will be snow and maybe not...

Tis the season!! Got your trees up? Oh I'm on a good path... got all the trees up in the bedrooms and done :) working on main floor right now, think I have 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, still working on 8... so by the time I am done I may have 13-15 trees up both big and small throughout the house. Much more than last year and I am excited for it... but ghad... lots of WORK and thinking :) but its worth it! If the addition gets done soon... maybe there will be a tree out there... who knows at this point. Its the time to be festi', right??? Need to work on getting the kids tree up in the with all their ornaments that they have collected over the years... just need to figure out where that tree will go???

Well, its time for me to close, I will post again soon...

My Heart Seriously Aches!

Well first and for most, I'm feeling very sad, hurt and completely lost of words for a family today.

This particular family is fairly close to our family through my neice and through our 1st Cascade soccer league this past fall. They lost their home this a.m. due to a fire, gone and nothing left except for the clothing on their backs. For all of my readers please PRAY for them, if you have anything you would like to contribute wether it be a peice of furniture, toiletries, kitchen items, groceries, a cash donation, gift cards, ANYTHING! would be helpful for this family to get back on their feet.

I'm not going to blog a whole lot in this entry because I am just lost for words, I just seriously ache for this family.
I will never forget calling my sister and the feeling I got when she told me and I am still sick to my stomach. Truely awakes your whole perspective on everyday living and those you are surrounded by each day.

Make sure you are telling your children, loved ones everyday how much you love them!

Love you all!!

A Good Nite ;-)

Ok so I must say last night was incredibly fun!!!! It was a night where I completely unwind'd and was carefree, its been a LONG time since I've done that!

The evening started off with me getting Mitchel and Issac ready for their Halloween party and it was FUN getting those two ready but geesh there are reasons they are not girls... completely whined about the whole makeup part and looking perfect :) but I was happy how they both came together and placing in the top 3 :) considering I busted my ass all day on Thursday and Friday to find everything they would need...

Then Jer and I were off for the night with some great friends, and kids were gone for the entire night ... two were staying at my sister's house and the other was staying with Quinton.

We started off with a "tour of our house" so Tammy's friend Kristi could see it... then we loaded up and headed into Houlihans for a bite, then a drink at Gin Rickies... then back to "home base" of the Bent Rim for their Halloween Karakoee night. SUPER FUN we had!!! Infact crazy night!!!!!! WOW!!!! Wish more of you could of came out to join us for the fun, but completely understand!!!
We were at the bar until closing and then had the "after party" at our house for a few drinks and some mac n cheese :) since some of us were dying hungry.

Thanks for all the fun guys!! Maybe we'll get a bus for my birthday and go out... who's in??

"Revenge of the Nerd"

Just too funny is all I have to say about this!

Issac seems to be able to pull any costume or anything he wears off... he is such a HOOT!!!

This weekend is the Fireman's Halloween dance in Cascade and I'm trying convince Jer and his "geek" friends to
pull of being the "Revenge of the Nerds". It would be flippin' hilarious!!! Wouldn't it?

"I wanna be a Rock Star"

Here's our "future rock star" ... Our middle crazi Issac :) How fitting right?

Anyhow Issac came home with the trophy for the night with the "best of the show". I guess he was hilarious at the party, people got a kick out of him with his little gigs and pencil legs and tiny little butt.

One of his favorite songs is "I wanna be a Rock Star"... only time will tell :)

Michael Jackson :-)

Here we have it... our Mitchel transformed into "Michael Jackson" for their little Halloween party they
attended over the weekend. It turned out great and he got "Most Creative" win, so he was very happy considering
he almost didn't go because he wasn't feeling good.

I was very nervous about doing the make up right but with some help from a very good source we got it ok.

Funny part about all of this is... I was a HUGE Jackson fan when I was young and dumb back in the days :)

Halloween...

Halloween is coming up, well I would have to say its probably my all time FAVORITE holiday! I love to help the kids figure their costumes out after they come up with the "general" idea, and I just love this time of year period... but well the rain completely SUCKS this year... that can go away anytime!

So anyhow what are the Miller boys going to be this year?!?! Our oldest one, Mitchel wasn't going to dress up at all BUT now that he was invited to a Halloween party ... he's going to. So he wants to be Michael Jackson... un huh crazy right? But I think its kinda funny... and since geez back in the day I was a huge fan of his. Mitchel does not care for the guy at all which I think makes it all the more funnier :) ... so yes I will be trying to put this together today... ideas?

As for Issac, the simple kid (well kinda) He wants to be a 1980's ROCKSTAR, he came up with the picture and all and well I mocked it and its gonna be great. I got most of the things he needed ... even the leggins with the baggy shirt, boots and BIG hair, the big jewels. I have to get a few more little things and he'll be set. Its fitting for him since he is really into the 80's music right now.

For little Blade... well he changes everyday on his idea but lately he's been on the kick of being a PUPPY, and he wants to be a black puppy with a red collar. Pretty cute but not sure if its an idea to stay or not... but I guess I best start looking... and working harder on this with him. On our next day we have as "Mommy and Blade" I will take him out to look to get his head stirring :)

Yesterday was a pretty good day, I got out of the house with my sister Madonna. She had a partial hystercomy (spelling??) done last week so I wanted to check on her and get her out of the house for a bit yesterday. It was a nice short trip to DBQ for her to get her out for awhile. She looks good and seems to be recovering great! I'll be her driver for a few weeks yet but thats ok ... I no longer got home for 3O minutes or so to answer a few things with Dustin and then I was off again to DBQ, Tammy was having a rough week too so we opt' to run to DBQ to do the "boring" shit of WalMart, Hobby Lobby ... but we did go to the mall for a bit... I have to say this... this year of clothes again SUCK!!!! I tried a pair of jeans on last night ... WHOWHO I'm down a size! I'm happy!!!!! The mall in DBQ is actually looking nice... they are doing a bunch of remodeling and WOW its updated immensely. Go check it out :)


Ok back to real stuff going on here. By now I am sure some of you heard about the "small ocean" we had in our basement Wednesday night and Jer catching water with a 9x12 pan and contined to a bucket... It was HORID!! I didn't see it when it was bad bad and the water was just gushing in but when I did get down there it looked bad :( So now we have to deal with this issue! If it seriously isn't one thing... its another! Really beginning to wonder if this house was meant to be done for us ... SERIOUSLY! other events at this house this week... well 'curb and gutter' is going in and GEESH if it ever stops raining maybe they will get it done! but completely annoyed by it all! Not fun to carry a load of groceries in the POURING down rain from the street to the frick'n house :(

Weekend I hope will be a time for Lis Lis to unwind a bit... God knows I need it. I've been doing well with the no pop... all week so far... but the coffee helps a TON! I only have one of those in the am though and that is enough.

Hope all of you are well... no pictures yet :( can't get camera to upload my new pictures... need Jer's help.

Howdy

Hello Friends~

Not a whole lot to blog about but just thought I should post something to say in the "loop" with all of you.

Last weekend we attended a double header soccer game in DBQ for Mitchel's DBQ team, barely missing the rain :) They sure did play hard but still lost... althought our little soccer player is now the MAIN man... he's goalie on the team now, and he is kicking butt :) Hard work pays off and I really think he is believing it now :)

Jer and I got away on Saturday night and picked it up a notch and headed the CR way, a total different night for us. No Houlihans last wekend for us... yep so now I'm missing the place... Crazy or what? It was a nice time though, didn't do a whole lot ... ate at Olive Garden and did a little shopping.

This week for me consist of catch up from last week of what I didn't get accomplished. Dustin did finish things up in the attic and got our 'secret bookshelf/door" in to close off the furnace unit in attic, it sure turned out nice! Today we had the carpet put back in place by the banisters in the attic... so yes its finally coming together... just need to do the final coat of paint and get handrail and banister all sealed... then its a check off the list.. YEAH!!!! Then yes I will finally decorate it and I can't wait!!!
I have some ideas but just not sure on them all yet.

Ok so I've been in "Bikini Bootcamp" for 3 weeks... and tonight's class was TOUGH! we focused on legs... and OUCH I'm hurting! but overall it was a really good workout, I can't keep up like the "rookies of the 1st class" but I am happy with how I'm doing. Life is all about changes right? well I am really working hard what I eat and put into my body... no more snacking and junk!! I've really cut back on the DP... and well hate to say it but its showing!!! Just ask my hubby? I've been a crazy beeach :( Sorry honey!!!!!!!! No caffeine is killing me!!! Hopefully next week I can get back to the gym 1-2 or even 3 days a week in Monti. Mel, you interested?

The boys are great of course. Today was good ol' picture day at school. They all looked so nice but weren't excited about it at all... figures right? For Blade he was more concerned about his "lunch" and wanting to take it to school this am... and well we were running late the way it was because he's NOT a morning person... like his father... ARGH! but it was all ok we sweat it off and got there just in time!

Weekend... not a whole lot planned! Hoping to get Jer to do a few things around the house... well since its supposed to rain and all this weekend... but we'll see how that goes. Are we in Seattle? Gosh I don't mind the temp changing but gosh I hate this COLD rain!!!! especially now that we can't even park close to our side door... damn city is working on the "curb and gutter" and I swear if it keeps raining it will NEVER get done :( annoyed!


Until I blog again hope you are all well. Stay dry :)

Hi Again :)

Yeh Yeh I know I haven't posted in like FOREVER!!! When does life ever slow down?

Been super busy here at the house and with my boys and helping Tammy when I can in the mist of all that.
Gosh I must just say this... as hurtful as it was to let the shop go myself... I seriously wonder how I managed my store and my family both... really!!!! Tonite was a reality check for me again... and WOW so happy with the decision I made.

To sum up my days event today... woke up 7am, breakfast for Issac, kids off to school, Blade out to Grandma's for the day,
run some errands, then to Tammy's until 3pm, came home checked in with the boys and then back to Tammy's for "Ladies night out" until 8pm then off to exercise class from 8-9. Jeesh what a day!!!! Felt like I was living my "old days of the store" again. Thankfully Molly was able to come help with the boys this evening, Jer is off in Califorina until Sat. Not to mention I was up the night before until like 2ish watching tv and cleaning off and on... and well my work looks like it cut out for me again tonite with cleaning since I am back to a full day again tomorrow. Its all good but jeesh stressful and hectic!!!!!!

Ok so what else is new? Hrm... I no longer have LONG hair... its SHORT! Like really short!!! maybe to my chin if I'm lucky.
What can I honestly say about hair extentions?? That I probably will NEVER do it again! It was very painful getting them out and my head still throbs from it. So yes now my hair is short, its ok but not really the look I was hoping for after "it was all said and done"... but what'a do? Life goes on.

Things with the house are progressing well. Attic is nearly completed with what Dustin needed to finish, so that is a great feeling. Then we can finally get the carpet back down where its temporary up and the black iron peices into the banister and a final coat of paint on the walls. SOON it'll be done. In the addition the beams on the ceilings were sealed and they look really nice, it made a HUGE difference. The flooring is all laid and paint will be touched up and wood work will be sealed... and within a week the floor will be getting sanded and sealed :) I can't wait!!! Then we will offically have our floors all done on the main floor and decorating and actual living can be normal again! All the rooms on the main floor should be done by the end of the month, makes Lis very happy :) What's next? well the basement is next on the agenda if we get bodies here to help us move this along, I'm hoping the whole house is complete by the end of November or early December. All materials are finalized and ordered and just ready to go with the flow of D's fancy work.

How are my men of the house? They are well! Mitchel and Issac ended their soccer season thru Dyersville last weekend.
Issac's team came in 3rd, Mitchel's team came in 4th. Makes me a little sad that this league is over since it is Mitchel's last year to play in this league. He's been playing in Dyersville since Kindergarten! WOW where did the time go?? Anyhow the soccer team was a "Cascade League" this year and it ended with a very very nice potluck and a soccer game with kids vs. parents, it was SUPER fun and I really enjoyed playing with the kids even though I hurt muscles I didn't know I had :( but it was all worth it.
Mitchel is gearing up for the last few games on his DBQ team and then Basketball will start up very soon. Issac is not riding much but its getting tons of "bike riding" in while its still nice out. Little Blade is a ham as ever and smarter than a whip... he doesn't forget anything these days!!! He is absolutely loving school and that makes me feel really good about switching him over to the 3 day program. As for Jer, he is keeping busy. He is in California this week and I believe he has travel plans again for next week... destination?? I'm not sure but I believe its Boston... I haven't seen "offical plans" yet.

Ok I blabbed enough and really should go get something productive done, my house is falling apart and well... I don't like seeing that :( I feel better when I stay on top it of it and well this week I've been on the GO GO all week so adios to all of you for now, I will blog soon... and hey even post pictures now that I got a new camera :) YEH!!!!!!!! Guess what color my camera is??????

Have a super weekend readers!!!!!!

Got Nutin

Not a whole lot to post about, another weekend flew by with soccer and well here we are at Wednesday already.

Life is good here at the Miller's, boys staying busy with soccer and school. Jer has been working more and more at home out of his office lately so thats been nice. I have been trying to do "fall clean up" around the house and trying to stay on top of things aorund here... including the laundry... but then I get called away to help here and there so it piles up on me... but thats ok life goes on.

Updates at the Miller pad, Dustin is working on finishing things in the addition, and attic, and then will add our backsplash in kitchen... before he travels down to the basement... tons to be done there but electrical has to happen as well as some plumbing before he can really tackle anymore down there. Billy please please come back soon!

The new color is done in the entry/foyer area. Its exactly the color I was going for down there so its all awesome now :) Kitchen will be repainted very soon... after trimming gets done between addition and dining room area.

Today I got asked again if we would put our house in "The Christmas Walk" for the season... I just can't bring myself to doing it this year yet and making that HUGE commitment since I don't know what the future really holds if we don't keep things progressing... part of me would love to do it... but then a part of me is very held back... do I really want all those people/strangers coming thru my house????? Not to mention that is IF the house is just barely done by Dec.... that means furniture and all the 'extra' decorating that comes with it. I really think NO, just not ready for all of that yet. A HUGE maybe for next year.

The thought of Christmas... just gets my stomach turning! ARGH! Will we ever be done with this house?? I'm just ready for it to be done VERY soon! Then life can be somewhat normal again for all of us here.

ALright, enough of me nagging... but I got a post off my "to do" list for the day so that is something said :)

Happy Birthday JERRY!!!!

What's In Your Purse?

Ok so a good friend of mine (Mel) did a recent blog on 'whats in her purse' after she cleaned her belongings out of her purse.
Well today I decided I would do upon her request :) a blog post about it too. If any of my readers decide to do one that would be fun :) ... go ahead it really is fun.

So today, after 'moving' my crap from one purse to another... change of color. This is what I found in my purse.

wallet
checkbook
my calendar
my makeup bag
'notebook' with just 'house' stuff in it
tape measure
my 'to buy and do' notebook
cell phone
calculator
'brag book' of photos
reciept/coupon binder thingy
envelope of scrip cards
bank deposit
my special brush for my hair extensions
small regular brush
chapstick
soft lips
bandaid first aid kit
4 pens
few crayons
sm mirror
my meds
gum
a hotwheel car
sticky note for reminders of the day
keys for truck
keys for shop
loose change
clinque lipstick
sunglasses
fingernail clippers
loose receipts

WOW that is a lot of crap! I need to down size!!!! Dig through your purse today and find all your goodies :)

Mid Week...

Wow where does time go anymore... here we are at mid- week... as Abby would say... HUMP day, nice post there Abby! Too cute!

Quiet house today well besides the construction noises and D's singing, all kids were off to school today so it was pretty quiet here this a.m. and my hubby is off in Boston until tomorrow. I did get a few things accomplished before I took off for the day to help Tammy at the store. Yeh I had a TON of crap to get done here at the house but I set it aside until this evening... now I'll probably be up all night catching up, but thats ok since I don't sleep well when Jer is gone.

Tammy got all her Christmas decor in at the store so its time to get it all marked and inventoried... then we will start throwing it together for "pretty". She got some pretty cool stuff in for the season, I'm excited!

Tonight I 'decorated' the main bathroom on the main floor... well started anyway. It turned out o.k. I didn't hang anything, I just moved a few things and decorated the funky shelf I had D make for me... nothing is 'simple and ordinary' in this house... its all got LIS LIS written over it as I've been told. I like to have my own ideas and be different :)



Posting pictures of it again... but not the best! Someday I will get that new camera... (hint hint Jer :) ... I found a pink little camera recently that I would like to get... since ours is on the fritz and needs to be sent in under our warranty.


Ok so what else is new? Hrm... no current steps in the addition, they were tore out... since the orginal contractor screwed them up... designed them for carpet! IDIOTS!!! So D is working hard at getting that all straightened out this week. He finished laying the hardwood out there yesterday. LUV LUV IT! We got the new color on the walls out in the foyer... same LUV LUV it!!! I can't wait for Jer to see it! Huge difference!! No more icky gold... hello terra cotta... clay color :) Yep that is the color I went with, SO HAPPY WITH IT! I can't wait to get it all cleaned up and finally decorate out there, it will be awhile since it connects with the basement and there will be lots of dust yet... so no point until that is all done... yeh gotta wait.

Oh for those who are dying to know if my hair is long or short... its still long! I did get it fixed and all straightened out with the gal, so its good for now, We'll see how "round two" goes.

Ok, got a little Blade stories to tell. On Sunday he learned how to ride his bike without training wheels with the help of Daddy.
Well now our little boy... is not little anymore... he's a big boy and he informs and shows everyone how he can ride his bike like his older brothers. Everyone who came to the house this week he has showed his new proud talent... thank you all for sharing that with him :) He can't wait to show his little friend, Max. He was very proud when he showed D and Janet, we laughed and applauded him all at once. He's just TOO cute! Also the other cute store this week with Blade was... On Monday they went to the Library at school, he got to bring a book home in his 'special bag' and just how he thought it was so COOL to go to the 'new library' at school since his classroom is now in the "old library" things he comes up with on his own is amazing sometimes!

I best close for now and get things done... laundry is calling my name bad! Hope tomorrow is a nice day like today was!

Mudroom :)

Well, I got curtains now in the Mudroom... waited awhile for them but it sure did turn out pretty cute if I must say so myself, then today I got busy before we hung them and cleaned cleaned and cleaned! the downstairs is clean and I love it... tomorrow it will be covered in dust again :( but oh well life goes on!

Then tonight I got brave and started hanging things up myself, using a level, drill and Mitchel... we got a few things accomplished. We brought in some twig branches from outside and incorporated them in the the decor, and it looks cool, I think... we'll see what others have to say about it.

Up on the lockers, I got the COOL lanterns... (3 different size and 2 sets) from Tammy's store and put those up there with 'fake candles' inside them, then put my JACK O' LANTERN light up there too... but there is no outlet yet so he's not plugged in yet, then filled in the empty spots with branches. I'm pretty happy with how it came together, its looks SO homey now... YEH!!!!!!!!

I did post some pictures... but they were taken with my laptop so they kinda suck :( but it gives a general idea...

Tomorrow I hope to put the finishing touches in there and move into the bathroom... now that I have some ideas for in there now :)

Can't blog much tonight... my computer is ready to die... and it has to last until Thursday since Jer is gone and has the power supply... YIKES! Hope I make it!!

Have a great week!!

FLIES... ICK

Oh boy! The flies around here are SICKING!!!!! We have literally hundreds of them!!!!!! They are disgusting!

Yes, so we look like a 'farmers barn' with fly tape everywhere its pretty bad. How did we manage to get all these little creatures?
Well our front door and patio door were open for like an entire day while moving wood out of the house and shuffling tools around... yeh stupid but what do you do? The job has to get done, right? So everyone knows how I absolutely hate bugs of any kind right? Well this is getting the best of me. Last night I had weird dreams... since Jer like killed 50 of them before going to bed in our room.... just GROSS!!!!! I HATE ALL BUGS!!!! yes even flies!!!!!!

I got a lot done this week I am pretty happy with my progress but yes a ton to do yet. This week I am changing the entry color... not sure what color yet for sure but leaning towards a "terra cotta" color, the only thing that throws me off is the red from the Mudroom... so we'll see but hope to have it all picked out tomorrow and painted fresh by the end of the day. We'll see how that goes.

Ok so awhile ago I got hair extentions, right? Like my hair was once mid length and then in a few hours it was long... I got this done three weeks ago today. Totally regretting it!!!!!!! This week I probably have lost one every other day! YES!!! Lis is not happy!!!! When well I got the 'fused extensions' (THE EXPENSIVE ONES) and they should last up to 3-5 months. Well I have an appointment tomorrow either to get them 'fixed' or taken out. Not sure at this point what to do... the frustration out weighs the look of happy long hair... make me sad and disappointed but I also paid BIG bucks for this and well just not happy with the product :( I mean come on... I've had them only 3 weeks and they are coming unattached... when they should last for months!
I've been baby'ing them too... using a special brush, washing it with 'their' shampoo and conditioner... braiding at night! ARGH just frustrating! Tomorrow either I will have my 'orginal' hair back or new extensions. The debate is still on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Isn't this weather wonderful? I LOVE IT! But I believe I posted that already in a earlier blog but thats ok.

Today Blade was home from school, the older boys were back to school. He sure misses them when they are gone, and is not sure what to do without them, its pretty darn cute when he ask like every 15-20 mins if they are coming home soon.

Today Blade was exploring outside... he came upon the big dirt pile we have along side the house by the basement door. He's thinking "jackpot" and has been having a ball playing there for hours at a time and well is FILTHY when he's done, but that is my little boy being a boy, right?

Ok tonight Jer made this AWESOME lasagna!!!!!! Everything was made from scratch, it was absolutely wonderful!!!!! Of course I helped in the preparation... dicing, sliching, cutting, etc.... and I found the MAGIC recipe on the internet :) but he gets hands down credit for it because he did all the hard work :) Its been so great cooking in our new kitchen. WE LOVE IT!!!!!!! just need to get our fan hooked up and electrical done, that would help immensely!!!!

Ok enough is enough, I best get looking at the paint colors again and get that hashed over with Jer! and get my boys off to bed. Hope you all have a great weekend ahead! Enjoy!!!!

Oh my...

Here we are on Wed. wow days fly by! No school for our boys today... I thought I was going to pull my hair out this morning with them screaming, fighting and well not listening... I know I just need to have more patience at times but ... today was not a day for Lis :( There was much to be done and I was on a mission... point blank! I know there is more to life than cleaning but ya know when you're in the mood... you don't want interference... well at least that is the way I am.

So now that I am somewhat caught up with housecleaning, thought I would move down the 'list of mine' and blog a little post.

Not a whole lot new here at the Miller house. Soccer seems to be the highlight lately and much of it. Issac had his 2nd race at Hawkeye Downs this last weekend. He did much better riding the track this time, he placed in 9th and 8th. All he wanted was to be in the top 10 and well he did it! He's very proud and we are too.

Things at house are moving along. Dustin cleaned out his tools from the addition and is moving to the basement. The flooring in the addition will be laid tomorrow and Friday. Today he put the walls up in the bathroom in the basement so we can get the plumber and electrican here soon so the tile can go down and then Dustin can move to that room after the addition is complete.
We are finally getting to the basement!!!! Yeah! It was such a good feeling to see the addition being cleared out for the flooring and null post to be added in. Hopefully it will go fast in the basement and then we will be done for awhile... until the garage or fireplace goes in. Just really hoping we can get Billy back in the action at the Millers soon... hint hint if he is reading :)

Well that is my post for today, I know boring but its a post... hope this finds you all well and enjoying the mist of fall :)
Its my favorite time of year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brazil

I'm not going to post a lot about the trip... but to sum the trip up it was TRULY AMAZING!!!!!

The wedding was GORGEOUS and no words to really describe it but that!!!! It was such an honor to be a part of a beautiful event!!! Its definately a memory that will be forever within.

The island we stayed at was BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

I met a lot of wonderful people and Jeremie is so fortunate to be working with all of them, what a fun bunch!!!!

LisNJer in Brazil

We had a wonderful time!!!!!! It was truly amazing, the wedding was AWESOME!!!!! We have many pictures to share.
Me with my husband, my very best friend!!

School Resumes

My boys are back to school, kinda bittersweet... but I know its all good! just feel like the summer flew by us and didn't get much 'vacation time' with them.

Blade was so excited to go, it was cute! but then once we got there and he realized he was there for the day... tears started to shed, I felt bad :( The older boys, Mitchel was roaring to go... Issac was a little hesitant since he was "unsure" of his new teacher since he heard 'some things' cute, heh? Anyhow the first day for all of them went very well.

Sorry I am just posting this... it was in my 'drafts' and just realized it... whoops!

Brazil

36 hours later and we are now in Brazil :) It's amazingly beautiful!!!!!! So different here but its truely is fabulous!
All of the people we came with seem to be awesome, Jer's boss Quinn is SUPER nice and so much like us, its funny.

I am looking forward to the wedding we have on Saturday here, we saw the church last night where they will get married, its BEAUTIFUL on the outside, very old country here and so I'm into all of that :)

The food... not bad... but not all good either but we'll see how supper is tonight:)

Just wanted to update all of you back at home. I do miss the boys ALOT!!! hope they are having fun with Abby and Janet as well as behaving :)

Love you all!!!

Busy Busy...

What a week, whew! Its already Thursday! WOW!!

Lets see, I don't have that much new and exciting to write about but I will just fill you in on the latest events at the Millers :)

This week Mitchel has had a full week... 3 nights of soccer with Cascade and DBQ league as well as working out at Staners from
3-5 every other day. He REALLY likes having a JOB, it makes him feel important and good about himself :) Its good for him and Jason both. Oh, and he is now visiting the ORTHODONIST every other week for awhile... he is getting "prepped" beginning of his future braces. Hello checkbook... WOW since our dental ins. does not have ortho... and we didn't know that until recently... YIKES but it will be o.k.

Issac, well he's been a little pistol this week... 11 going on 12... (six months away) and has just been "SASSY" lately, ARGH!
Is puberty starting to hit him? Not sure what it is but he's always been my 'sweet one' and it just kinda hurts to see him act the way he does lately :( It'll pass right?

Blade, oh Blade! His imagination runs WILD!! He's such a doll lately and says the absolutely cutest things! The other day we were drving home from DBQ and we were listening to the CARS CD, he new each song by 'part of the movie' and knew most of the words in ALOT of them. Also the other night, this is too cute and I have to share it... he was upstairs in his room and well looked out the window and 'apparently saw a monkey' un huh!! So he comes running down the stairs saying "mommy, mommy I have something VERY important to tell you" and then he tells me he saw a monkey out his window in the tree. So of course I take him back upstairs and look out the window with him and reassure him there is no monkey... and then he says, "no I'm serious" I died laughing... I could not help it!!! Because he like grabbed my face so I was looking at him and his eyes got really big. It was priceless!!!!!! He can also now write 'MOM' its so CUTE!!!!! We are working on "DAD" yet but he will get it soon I believe. Also he told me this week while we were waiting for the older boys in the waiting room at the ortho,
" I want to read soon"... so so CUTE!! He's not little anymore either... makes that VERY clear!

Oh my boys keep me full of life! I love that they are all active and keep me active, it won't be long and they will all be grown up on me... time flies! I enjoy every moment being a mom!! even on the days I want to strangle them at times... but that is life of parenting.

Ok... on to Jer, he was in Boston from Monday to Wednesday. A nice short trip but seemed like eternity... since he was just gong the all week the week before and then the weekend was crazy for us... but now he is home until we go to Brazil, so that will be NICE! Hoping to get a few things in with the kids before they go back to school... which starts in 3 weeks... YIKES!

I've been running all week, if not with the kids. I've been helping Tam Tam at the store, she is getting ready for FALL. Lots and lots to mark and her 'preview' is this weekend, so she needed to get a few things out and ready for that. I enjoy helping her when I can, its nice to get out of the house when its sawing after sawing and chaos here during the day. I've been down there the last few days helping her so my house is falling apart :( I got the main floor vac and wiped down today since it was SICK from all the dust.... hopefully I can get a few things done tomorrow before I am off...

My little friend, Chipper (Tammy's male weiner dog) hurt his back sometime last week and Tammy took him to the vet yesterday. The poor little thing is on steriods to help him repair his 'hurt disc'. It truely frightens me! I am hoping and praying he can pull thru this, he and his sister Annie are EVERYTHING to Tammy! He's a tough little guy and I hope he recovers from this!!! Please keep Tammy and Chippy in your thoughts! I've been there when you feel terrified about a pet, I remember when Buzz wasn't himself one evening and we thought he was on his 'death bed'... I was attached and very much scared and would of done anything at that point to make him better! Pets are a big part of people's life... whether some think that or not. Anyhow before I have a tear jerker... I best close.

Weekend... Mitchel has a BIG 6x6 Soccer tourney on Saturday in Burlington,
Jer's cousin is getting married on Saturday... not sure what direction we are going yet...Tomorrow kids going to farm to enjoy the day, I will be off to help Tam Tam and hope to get a few things done here as well. Sunday... hoping its a day where we can DO NOTHING but sit at home and watch a movie and veg out for once.

Until I blog again, have a great weekend!!!

Jason's Birthday!! Happy 30th Birthday Jason!!!

Today is my longest and dearest, and one of my best friend's birthday! Mr. Jason Staner is now in his 30's like the rest of us!!!
Its About time!!!

With that being said... we lived the fact that it was Jason's birthday today... over the weekend! WHAT A GREAT TIME WE ALL HAD! A group of us got together, went on a bus and were on our way to DBQ. First stop was eating a yummy dinner at Taiko.
Which was wonderful!!! I really enjoyed my first Japense Cruisine meal!! Very good choice Jason!!! Then we were off to The Busted Lift for a few drinks, and then we were onto the bus drinking it up a bit before we hit " The Town and Country Days" in Epworth.

The trip to Epworth was a absolute riot!! It will never be forgotten! Abby doing a little jig for us, Jen blowing up 'balloons', Dustin making the IPOD work, Jason making his turkey go wild, Tory rubbing his nipples, Billy sitting in the back... doing his hand waving thing, and Jer drinking beer :) ... and for me well I was laughing at all of us fools and living it up too:) WE HAD SO MUCH FUN!!!! We got to Epworth and all piled out, got a few drinks and everyone of us headed to the 'dancing floor' ... on main street in Epworth! (Now this is a TRUE street dance, they have it on their MAIN street and live it up with a good band)... maybe next year we can hope for this in Cascade... hrm Tammy can you PLEASE help us with this??

After the music came to a end in Epworth, the group got some good ol' grub and headed back towards the bus... we played tag until the bus arrived... yes we may have acted like children but it was still fun! Bus arrives and we head back to Cascade... we make a stop at our local bar (Jer and my favorite in town... THE BENT RIM) ... just so happens its Karaoke night... so our main D takes the stage, HE is AWESOME!!!! He can sing anything I swear! If you have not heard him sing yet... you need to!!! Bill and Joanie (bar owners) were happy to see our group... but they did ask where my 'partner in crime... Cucumber Hollow' was... yep everyone missed her tonight!!! Now that is when you know you are a "regular" there... how pathetic are we sometimes?

So its time... bar closes we pile back on the bus and head towards Billy's house to TP Tammy's house!! Cuz if anyone has toilet paper its going to be Billy! Thanks for the supply Billy!! Well Chipper heard us and barked us out... and woke Tam Tam up and well we didn't get her as good as we wanted but we tried... we rolled home about 2:45ish and well off the bus drunk.
Jer was not in good shape... I could tell when he got off the bus... he had a LONG night or should I say morning ahead of him... I was feeling it but was ok, I hurt a little on Sunday but was good to go.

This brings us to Sunday, everyone at the Miller's slept in. The boys slept in til 10:30-11ish, as I did too then awoke for awhile and then dosed back off after I checked in with Mitchel. I begged him to let us sleep awhile... we were DRAINED!
Finally we got up and did a few things here around the house and then took the boys to CR so we could get issac's bike back at Dick Sporting Goods... well turns out it wasn't ready... go figure! So we take the boys to the SK8 park, Mitchel did somethings on his bike, Issac sk8'd... they had a good time, Blade played at the park near by until the "smell" of CR got to him, he was SO funny!

We met up with Jerry and Mel at Zoey's Pizzera in Marion. FABULOUS pizza! It was a nice time catching up with those two.
I know we saw them the night before but it was hard to talk to them... since we were at a sushi bar watching the chef:)
Anyhow its always nice seeing them. Yes my little Blade was disappointed when his little friend Gary wasn't there. Maybe they can get together soon :) SOON our house will be done and we have have 'play dates' again!

Oh and for our Sunday night all exclusive event... we got TP'd, our lawn looked like snow SERIOUSLY... Tammy and her gang got us back and well out did us and got us damn good... they tore up square by square and covered the yard, UN HUH!! Then to top it off... her mom knocked on the door... but we thought we 'just heard something... didn't think much of it until Mitchel came running saying "we just got TP'd BAD" the look on his face and him and Issac laughing was hilarious! So needless to say I spent close to 2 hours cleaning it up, I was laughing when I started and cussing Tam out by the end... We have a huge yard... enough said! They got every little peice they could think of, my flower baskets, arrangements on the doors, the girl, chairs, our vehicles, EVERYTHING!!!!!!! Oh the things friends do to each other :) I seriously was laughing when I walked outside this am. Did I take a picture? NO! can you believe that? I sure the heck can't!!!! anyhow a HUGE memory for memory lane :)

Ok, its late and I have a crap load to do yet... I've been working on this off and on all day so if its lonnnnnnng I apologize!
Just informing all of you :) Hope you are off to a great week ahead.

I'm back:)

Greetings to you all, hope you are keeping cool somewhere! Hasn't it been hot lately... geesh!

Things have been quite busy here at the Miller front. We had a fabulous weekend that flew by us. We had a wedding to attend on Saturday and then we were off to see the "BIG" concert in DBQ with Papa Roach and Hinder. IT WAS AMAZING! I would have to say I thought Papa Roach RULED the place! It was the best!!!! He even brought out his little 4 year old boy and let him rock it up a bit... he got on the drums and blew us out of the water :) It was pretty darn cute!!! Late night since when we got back to town we met up with Tam and Wolfe and had a few drinks at the Rim. Whoa what a night that was... site for all... really next time you see me I have a GOOD story line for you all :) Still get sick and laugh about it all in the same breath... geesh!

Anyhow onto Sunday we took the kids to see the movie, The Simpson's. TOO CUTE!!! The best part is the 'doodle', I laughed alot! We tried out Buffalo Wild Wings for a little snack, it was good so we will go back to eat a meal... just now that we have a kitchen its nice to go home and cook. Yes we cook now and ALOT!

Monday... was 'catch up' from the weekend. I did laundry and ran some errands and well even took a nap after I got groceries.
The day flew by me WOW! just feels good to have a kitchen and things starting to actually have a place in this home. Still much to be done but its coming. We finally have a hand railing at the top of our main steps, it turned out nice! Maybe the attic railing will be next... I can only hope!

The older boys started the town soccer league this week... MItchel thinks its going to be 'hokey' since there are 18 kids out of it... and he won't get to play much... I hope that doesn't happen... since this will be his last year to get to play in the Dyersville league.... he's played in this league since he's been in Kindergarten... and now he's going into 8th grade. SERIOUSLY where does time go?

Tuesday and today Jer and I were in Chicago. We had to go take care of getting our VISAS for Brazil, since we will be traveling there at the end of the month :) I can't wait!!!! Why are we going to Brazil? Jer's boss is getting married and invited us to come out for the event, which I think is a true honor. The only down falls of all of this is ... we are missing the kids 1st FULL week of back to school :( ... but I will be here on Blade's first day back to school so that comforts me some. I will miss the boys ALOT!!!! but this will be a good vacation for me. The other fall is we are going to miss Jer's cousin's wedding in Chicago (the cousin he played with a lot when he was growing up and was probably the closest to on the Miller side)

Well I have to get some laundry going before I call it a night, I just wanted to get a blog post up so everyone knows Lis Lis is still ticking the clock :) Hope all is well with all of you!

Missing my Hubby...

Here I sit quietly in my house for once... missing my hubby and my kids! Big house when its just me here...

Jer is gone until late Friday night and the boys are off with their grandma today having fun at the Jones County Park doing all kinds of things I am sure.

Not much exciting to report today, just still plugging away at things here at the house, I did get a lot done in the kitchen yesterday, started to actually put things in the cupboards and organize the pantry. Still lots to get and do yet before the kitchen is truely complete. Dust dust go away!!! I did my 1st run to get REAL groceries last night and that felt pretty good!! I LOVE having a kitchen again and believe it or not I am REALLY using it alot too!!! and that's no kiddin'!!! Absolutely love the granite countertops, its such a great addition to the kitchen, WELL worth every $$ we spent in this room!!! It would be nice to have a computer in the kitchen:) hint hint Jer :) ... since we have the desk and all. Still awaiting our cooked meal from the Tigges... but we will wait probably now until the dining room is complete.

Since the kids were gone today I decided to run to Dubuque to get a few errands done since its much easier with NO kids.

Had to run and get a few things for Dustin so it was a good 'excuse' to not be at the house today, don't get me wrong I love to be at home without the kids... but the constant sawing noise gets LOUD after awhile... I technically should of stayed hom and did catch up on laundry but... oh well there's tomorrow for that.

Janet completed all the finishing touches on the mudroom, so YES we have one room that is COMPLETE! only 6 more to go with the entire basement... will we ever get there? The 'little things' in the dining room, bathroom and kitchen will be done very soon. The good news is now my curtains for the mudroom are being worked on so they will be up probably next week... I am hoping, then I can start decorating it:) YEAH!!! I'm excited to see things go on the walls!

Tonight was Tammy's boyfriend, Wolfe's birthday so I joined them for supper at the Bent Rim. It was a nice little get together for him, then we went to Tammy's mom's house for 'rice crispies' since that is Wolfe's favorite ... funny I thought but cute.
Yep we all missed Jer tonight!!!!! By the time I got home my boys were home so it was good timing :)

Well thats what Lis Lis has for today ... nothing exciting but it keeps the readers reading ;) Until next time... hope you are all well!

FAIR...

Ok so here we are, the Monti fair passes us and we go into the Dubuque fair this week. Before I know it the boys will be back school... a month from today, YIKES!

We did a day at the fair in Monti on Sunday, it started off with the demo derby. Jer's brother Eric had a car in it. Lots of preparation to get that car ready but he did a nice job putting it together and well... wrecking it up :) the back was completely smashed in and done for. My boys were pretty proud watching their uncle out there, he did place in the final heat which was COOL! Way to go Eric!

After the demo, we got some good ol' fair food, and then got bracelets for the kids to go a few rides, the lines were terrible they said. Jer and I left the boys at the fair with his mom while we came home with Blade for awhile since the sun rays were hitting him pretty hard... and that was going to lead into a 'melt down'. About 4:30 we packed up and back to the fair we went... we got tickets for the boys and my neice and a friend to the concert "Drake Bell and Corbin Bleu with the opening act of Bianca Ryan". Completely interesting show, not my kind of thing but the kids LOVED it! so thats what was important to me.

However I did feel bad... Issac wanted to see Drake Bell terribly bad... and well some RUDE girls in front of us did not care about the people around them and STOOD the entire time... they were the only ones standing in the WHOLE section! I was pretty PO'd when I asked them to sit down kindly and another lady asked them to sit down...then my neice asked them nicely... its like they didn't even hear us, and then to top it off... the one girl stood talking on her phone to someone that was UP in the bleachers way behind us... not even watching the show... kept looking back. ARGH I was really upset!!! So then adventually Issac and his friend snuck out into the aisle to watch but you know how that is... still ruined for them, right?

The good thing of it all was my kids that were with me learned from that experience and RESPECT goes along way!

So that is the fair for us this year... we are taking the boys to the concert at the DBQ fair Saturday night, it will be a REAL concert... Buck Cherry, Hinder, and Papa Roach. The boys are SO looking forward to it as well as Jer and I. It should be a good time!!! Then Fair time is offically over for us this year! Thank GOD!!!

Things going well at house, finally got plumbing! YES Lis has a sink FINALLY! It is the thing I missed most!! So kitchen is complete with the exception of the electrical, hopefully Mr. Billy can come soon!!! Looks like Dustin will be working on the null post next, YEAH!!!! that will be a great thing done!

Jer is in Portland, OR. this week until Friday, yes LONG week! I helped Tammy out yesterday she is off to market until tomorrow. Doesn't look like the week will be hectic at all with the boys this week... just LOTS of catching up to do on the cleaning side :( does it ever end?

Best run, kids are yelling at each other.... BOYS will be BOYS!!!

Hawkeye Downs

Big night at Hawkeye Downs (Cedar Rapids Iowa) on Saturday night. A whole new level of MX racing for Issac. He was SO excited to be going down the the races 'finally' as he would say :)

Another night of VERY NERVOUS parents!!!!! Like very nervous!!!! Jeremie drove Issac and the bike down. Mitchel and I followed but we stopped to fill a cooler of food and beverages. Issac is officially a member of the CVTR association, and the National association too :) so its all official now!

These are where the "pros" of Eastern/Central Iowa ride! Seriously!!!! there were some pretty damn talented riders there!!!! It was frightening for me to watch some of them! I tried to stay in the stands as much as I could and just let Jer be with Issac... it was just REALLY hard for me to be sitting in the pit with Issac and if I would of stayed there... I would of said... lets pack it up and come back for a practice... I was beyond scared!!! Nothing like the 'fair nites' we had earlier in the week!

Ok so Issac is up to practice. YIKES!!! He did make it around the track up until like close to the finish line... he thought what he was coming up to was a "table top"... well it wasn't... so he gunned it and lost the bike... flew over the handlebars and nearly got run over by the upcoming bike. I immediately SCREAM and take off running. The officals standing guard help him get off the track and checked him over and well... he was back up on the bike running before I even got down to the gate to get in. I was FREAKING out though!!! Scared all of us even Issac! For once Jer was more confident that he was ok than either Issac nor I thought. So practice is over... I take off running to the pit to check him all out to make sure he is ok, and he is but he was shaken up and shaking, which even more freaked me out! His front brake handle broke off, his sheild on his helmet cracked, he said his leg hurt a little.... ARGH! all this in the 'practice run'...

Ok so he raced 2x's both races he did have fairly good control of bike and looked well formed. He really did do a GREAT job for being on the track this only time without any practice time prior to this evening. He did place in 13th and he was very disappointed on with his preformance, it was TOUGH seeing him hurt!!!! From going from a BIG win to not placing was very very HARD on him, but we assured him that things will get better at Hawkeye each time he comes back, and the other boys that were out there had WAY MORE experience riding the track than he did. It was a tough night for Issac, Lis and Jer and even all of his fans cheering him on. He will get there just will take some time! He's got lots of talent and riding that bike is a true 'natural' for him! He's got what it takes to go all the way and that is TRUE DEDICATION!!!

It is really hard seeing your child be go from being SO SO HAPPY to being really disappointed. My heart ached a lot on the way home and still today I hurt for him but all I can do is keep hugging him and telling him its ok and jump on that bike love to ride and never give up! Hopefully he will get out to ride his bike at the farm soon!

Next race at Hawkeye is August 4, 2007. He is planning on going :)

First Place MX Race no. 2

Issac raced in Washington Iowa on Thursday, June 19, 2007. This will be his 2nd race and he came in 1st PLACE!!!!!!
The track was a tough one since it was mainly hill after hill... and a little muddy but he looked very controlled and good out there riding.

It was the first race I had to take him alone, YIKES!!! I was so worried!!! Jer was in San Fran until Sat. so Mitchel, I and Janet, Quinton and Logan packed Issac and his bike up and drove to Washington Iowa. It wasn't a bad drive but I really didn't want to tackle it alone so I was very happy when Janet said she would go too :) Thank you all for coming along!!!!!!

I can't even begin to express the feeling of completely being scared, happy, and full of joy when he drove out onto the track for race #1, and when he took off he... he took off and came in 1st! The expression on Issac's face and amount of happiness he had inside him was such a WONDERFUL feeling!!! It's priceless!!!! Ok, so he is glowing right? So while he awaits to go out to the final heat... he made a few calls and he kept talking to himself and would say "remember remember what Eric told me" and would repeat it over and over to give him confidence for the next ride.

So in the final heat, its time for Issac to go out. I completely lost it! Crying inside and tears running... I felt bad because I couldn't stand next to him in 'starts' because I didn't want him knowing I was crying... but off he was in full force and literally smoked the kid behind him not even giving him a chance. HE HAD IT, had 1st place, bringing the trophy home tonight!!!! It was incredible!!!! He drove his bike off the course down to where we were parked and was just amazed that he just WON! It was WONDERFUL, I've never seen Issac so happy like that ever!! He was truely a 'rockstar' tonight and I was SO SO proud of him!!!!!! The coolest thing was when Mitchel picked his little brother up and said "YOU DID AWESOME" and hugged him, a moment for the Miller brothers forever!! When Issac went to go get his trophy the emotions were just flying high!!!!!
I do have pictures but... yes its FILM pictures... it was the best I could do but this proud mom is carrying them in her purse for awhile, it was just amazing!!!!

The heat is on here at the Miller's and we will be doing a lot of MX racing in the future, its truely Issac's world!!!!

MX Race no. 1

Ok so many of you already know that our Issac raced his first race at the Monticello Fair on Tuesday, June 19, 2007. He placed 3rd and rode very well for his first time racing :) I was so nervous, shaking!!! and tears filled my eyes when he drove out onto the track just for his "practice run". Its not that I didn't think he could pull it off because I knew he could, its just the total fear of putting him on his BIG bike and letting him loose on the track was is frightening! Jer and I both were SO nervous the entire night but he did really well for his first race, we were SO SO proud of him!

This picture was taken by his Aunt Lisa, our camera is currently on the fritz! I just wanted to thank all of you who made it special for Issac and made the event for him, it meant so much to him seeing all of you sitting in the stands for him!! Thank You!!!

Funny:)

Came across this picture of Jer... well had to post it :) Love you babe!
He is out in Boston until tomorrow.

Mitchel

Here is my oldest son, who is all over soccer! He has a big weekend ahead of him this weekend, playing in the Dubuque Blow Out Tournament, starting tomorrow night. I am a BIG soccer mom and love to watch them play :)

Blade

I took this picture awhile ago and thought it was adorable and wanted to share it with my readers :)
This is my baby, who is such a HAPPY boy, who says many many cute things!

(yes! Finally I got pictures posted... its not malfunctioning anymore... I'm happy!)

Crazy Izzie

Ok here is my middle child, my dare devil! He is our MX superstar. Just updating our readers... he will be at Monticello on Tuesday night, practice begins at 5pm and races start at 6:30 sharp.

More details coming later.... yes mom is very nervous about all of this.

Granite

Well today our granite countertops arrived, YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was thrilled seeing them pull into our drive, and well its everything I expected but better :) We are very happy with it! I had to leave to take Mitchel to soccer practice this afternoon and they were still here so I am thinking that they are going to finish the minor things tomorrow. We have scheduled the refrigerator and stovetop to be installed tomorrow. What's left? The plumbing and our ostemosis (spelling I'm unsure of...)water system to be installed and some electrical to be finished up. YES then its finally DONE! Hard to believe its been 3 LONG years since we had our 'own' kitchen, yes 3 years!!!! So it feels really good to finally have it here in our home, but also a little sad since Dustin didn't build cabinets for us but overall we are very happy with how it came together and Dustin did DO ALOT to help us get it here, he is a TRUE saint!!!

Ok weekend here and gone again. Friday the boys went to the farm for the day and ended up spending the night. Friday during the day I kept busy since the boys were gone, got lots of things done that I anticipated, so I was happy! Later in the afternoon I got my hair trimmed and highlighted... well I am offically a 'golden yellow head' seriously! It was a complete shock at first, like total shock but its a good summery change, may tone it done yet I'm still undecided.

Firday evening, Jer and I were off with friends for supper at Houli's and music at the Yardarm since our good friends (my cousin) Marty and Kris Casey were back home and they will be home for a few weeks. It was great seeing them again and spending the night with them and several others. Always a good time with that group!!! Thanks for inviting us in.

Saturday, lets see what went on? Boys were at farm until about 12pm, Jer went to pick them up and well Little Blade decided stay and play with Samantha (our neice), he loves his cousin and looks forward to seeing her so they can play. I ran into Dubuque in the am. since I wanted to get a few errands done and was hoping to get back on time for Jer's cousin's shower but time flew and I didn't make it back. I got home about 1ish and started my day here cleaning things up... dust dust and more dust, hoping we are to the end of it all very soon, I can only hope right?

Saturday evening a group of us, The Nadeau's, Tammy and Wolfe, and Jer and myself headed into the Busted Lift to listen to Luke Mescher's band, "HUNAB" They were good, different style of music then what we are used to but they were talented!
It was a good time! We did leave early and went to a few other bars, and then Dustin got his karaoke' ing for the evening too, he has some TRUE talent, we enjoyed him singing for Tammy :) It was hilarious... since he was totally singing a song he didn't know but he sure pulled it off! Good time!!! Then the evening was to an end and time to go home... I drove everyone home, we got to see Wolfe's house, its amazing!!! The best view of Dubuque I've ever seen from a backyard... totally cool!!!
The house is fabulous on the outside and has a awesome rod iron fence in front, I was totally blown away! I think we shall have a party there soon :)

On to Sunday, we attended a Potluck for Marty and Kris at the Casey's homefront. It was a really nice time seeing everyone again and just relaxing. It really made Jer and I both realize how much we do miss not having Marty and Kris here, they are just two of a kind and wonderful people. I hope we get to see more of them while they are back, really hoping I can put somekind of cookout together here for them if the timing all works out. Sunday evening Jer and I packed the kids up and took them out to supper at Red Robin and hit the movie "TRANSFORMERS". We hit the later movie since we were running late after the potluck and after Mitchel getting the lawn mowed here. Blade enjoyed it and really followed along well, He is SO smart! He knew who was 'bad' and who was 'good', but he did crash about a 1/2 hour before it ended, so he didn't see the end but he talked about it alot today, it was pretty cute! The movie was awesome, the boys loved it! Highly recommend it to all my readers :) but was a late night for all of us... oh well it was fun!

Well best close this blog, its late and I have a full day ahead of me tomorrow. Hoping to get things put in the cabinets now and getitng thing organized :) If everything goes to plan in the am. We are very excited about the kitchen, its a HUGE deal for our whole family, even the boys are thrilled its here. Good things are worth waiting for!!!!

Big week for Mitchel, we go to the Orthodonist this week and talk braces, we know he is getting them its just a matter of when and how the process will go for him. He is very nervous. He has a BIG weekend planned as well too, The Dubuque "BLOW OUT" tourney is this weekend. What's up with the other boys? Blade continues to become a "PRO" with the WII. He loves to play it, its really adorable to watch him play. Issac, he is still growing his hair out and has no desire to cut it, he got irritated over the weekend when several people told him he should cut it. Jer and I believe it fits his character and if that is what he wants then we are happy for him. Many have asked if Issac is going to do his 1st race at the Jones Co. Fair this summer. Well it was definately in the plans for him this summer but he didn't get a enough practice riding time in so as of right now he is going to pass this year and hopefully we can find a private track in the area for him to ride on since at the track isn't at the farm anymore. Jer is going to work on getting him some riding time and we will take it from there. But regardless we will be there and it would mean the world to Issac if any of you readers come to watch with us or if he does end up riding to be there in his behalf. I will keep you all posted. This is his TRUE passion and he is good at it but you know the mother in me still worries alot him pursuing it but I know deep in my heart this is his 'thing' and just have to let go a little and just cry watching him. It's his life!

Until I blog again, if any of you want to stop by to see the newest creation at the house, please do! Until next time take care!!!

4th here and gone...

Seriously where does time go anymore? The older I get it just seems to pass more and more.

Had a great 4th of July holiday with friends and family. The 'eve' of the 4th we joined friends and went to the 'street dance' in town but well we got rained out... so the party moved to Dagwoods. WOW what a night for Lis! I've been on a diet since last Wednesday... and well eating much less and just can't handle my intake of alcohol very well now... bad! I drank nearly a whole bottle of Amaretto to myself before going to the festivities at Dagwoods... I was very 'shitfaced' so I turned to water real quickly!
It was a good time but geesh no more for awhile!

The fourth of July was good. Didn't do a whole lot, just went to mom and dad's for dinner with the boys. We all managed to sleep in and missed the town parade. Jer went kayaking with the guys, we came home and I took a LONG nap in the late afternoon :) Went to Michelle's birthday party for awhile and then joined the Pasker's for the Monticello fireworks. They were really bright and colorful.

No real big plans for the weekend, just going into the Busted Lift on Saturday night to hear our tentant's son's band play. If any of you want to join us please feel free to stop in! I need to get a lot of cleaning done, I'm going to be busy tomorrow and Saturday.

This upcoming week will be busy, countertops coming in on Monday... YEAH!!! Hopefully the refrigerator can come on Tuesday if the plans go well. Jer will be going a short trip, and then his brother, Randy is getting married on Saturday. Busy Busy! I finally have all the boys clothes put together... still need to get Mitchel a tie, and all the boys shoes yet. I got my dress in Chicago while were there. I totally went off of all the colors my mom inlaw told me so hope we look ok. As long as we match Jer we are good to go :) Just want to look some what cordinated with the wedding since I'm sure there will be pictures involved. That will be here before I know it... YIKES!

Well I better get off my duff and get some crap done today, wow the day is gone already... much to do! Mel!!!! CALL ME lets get walkin and do this 'biggest looser' thing going. I weighed in today and lost close to 3lbs.... its ok but want to do much better next week!

Hope you are all well!!

Six Flags

Hello out there...

Here we are in Gruney, IL. We took the boys to Six Flags today. Had a fabulous day!! Blade and I are just chilling at the hotel for awhile so the boys can go back to the park with Jer. The day was perfect... not hot, not cold, just right! Way to go Jer with pulling off the surprise for the boys! They had no idea we were coming here until we arrived at the hotel... it was great!
Many many pictures were taken and hope to post some soon.

We came into Chicago on Saturday, stopping at Schaumburg on the way in to do a little shopping. We then headed downtown Chicago for the evening. We took the boys out for pizza at Gino's East, its absolutely the best pizza!!! The kids liked it too, so we were happy :) Then we were off to Navy Pier to see the firework display... it was COOL! All the boys slept good for the night, the hotel was nice! I loved the view!!!! could see Lake Michigan clearly from our windows. Then we were off on Sunday to Shedd Aquarium for the day, a LONG day but the boys loved it!!! Take your kids there if you haven't yet, Blade really liked it there as well as the older boys.

Life with 3 boys can be a handful but surely is rewarding! They can be pistols at given times too but I do enjoy them all very much and this was a great little get away for us. Issac is a real treat, he just makes me laugh all the time... he told me before we got on the roller coaster today "please mom don't scream so loud... people look at me funny". I died laughing! Mitchel sure is growing up on me... WOW!!! very independent and very smart!! Blade, he is full of piss and vinegar... jeesh! never gets tired... keeps going like the energizer bunny. He says some pretty cute things too... "beetuful" (beautiful) its priceless!

Its just nice to leave home for awhile especially with the chaos going on there... just makes me appreciate it more when I go home :)

No definate plans for the 4th of July yet. Hoping to just chill for the day with the kids and Jer and maybe just watch fireworks from our house :) we'll see.

Well better run, Blade is yelling. Hope you are all well!

Blood Pressure....

Hello Friends...
Yes, its been quite some time since I last posted... what can I say besides I'm sorry friends! I'm a slacker maybe? No its just been super crazy!!

So to update you all on the current events of the Millers :) Jer had his boss (from Switzerland) and a co-worker (from Texas) come to Iowa last week. So that was eventful :) My hubby was home but he wasn't... if you know what I mean?

As far as the boys are... they are NEEDY this summer... want want and want, jeesh somedays I'm ready to ship them back to school. Blade has been a true pill the last few days ... MOODY Blade, he needs to sleep more instead of getting up early to get outside to play otherwise he needs to do the nap thing again :) Can you tell I am a bit stressed with my kids lately??? They are truely wonderful kids and love of my life but somedays WOW!!!

Ok so Monday I had my routine physical ... and well they checked my blood pressure. Usually its LOW ... it was kinda on the HIGH side... freaked me out so I just need to chill a little bit and accept things the way they are going with life in general and the usual house crap... just want my life to be NORMAL again!

Yes LIS LIS is stressed OUT!!! It will get better soon, right?

Typical week at the Millers lately, just really wanting to get things done at the house as soon as possible, I am seriously to my MAX level with it all - just want it to speed up so I can have my house. Getting tired of constant decisions and planning and bodies... I'm still waiting for my countertops! The guy we are dealing with is a COMPLETE IDIOT!!!! Giving me the complete run around, ARGH! Just tired of all the drama that goes on that gets things accomplished at our house.

So weekend was here and it passed us by again. Mitchel went on his annual summer trip with his grandpa to Tomah. He had a great time. Issac and Blade joined a birthday party for Mitchel T. in DBQ Sat. afternoon and spent the night with the Tigges, they had a great time. Thank you Ron and Jenn!!!! It meant more than you will ever know!!!!! Saturday am Jer and Issac were off to paint ball in Bankston for a 'part' of his brother's bachelor party, they had a good time. Saturday evening Jer was at Randy's party at Miller Flats... he was hurting on Sunday :)

Saturday was a busy day for me as well :) what other way would it be for Lis??? SERIOUSLY? I helped Tammy in the morning, rushed home to do some laundry and a few things before it was time to take Blade to the bday party, then I was off to a friend's wedding til about 530ish then I rushed home to get changed for the night to go to my 'future sister in-laws' bachelorette party. The evening was interesting... details in person :) Biggest pet peeve of mine is "unorganization" and well I felt like this night fell into that category. I know I know don't pass judgement but just irritated me a little... judgement was passed on me that evening and pissed me off!... so here is the story ...

Ok so for the night ending I stopped drinking like at 12ish something... and probably only had 4-5 drinks (diet pepsi and amaretto and one beer) total for the night and did not get back to my vehicle until 2ish ... and I was completely FINE and together and was able to drive. For some to question me about not being able to drive myself home was offensively taken, I mean seriously! I am 32, a mom of 3 boys and to question my capability... was WRONG! And for the matter that I am TOTALLY against drinking and driving! I wouldn't of drove home if I thought I had too much!!!! ARGH! People just should not pass judgement on me when they weren't doing to good themselves... ya know?

Anyhow enough bitching about my life stories! Hope this finds you all well! I'm off to a new me starting tomorrow! Joining a weight loss group in town... I've gotta do something since I hate how I look :( Things will be ok just need to let go sometimes. Thanks for all your concerns of my whereabouts since I haven't posted in like FOREVER! I know pictures... but for some reason I can't get them to post :( techincally difficulties...need my hubby's help :)

Have a great weekend since I won't blog before that again ;)

Its finally here :)

Hi Everyone ~

My (well our) kitchen is finally here, real cupboards! We waited 9 very long months for it to get here and well its here! YAY!!!!
We had a few minor problems with it but its all better now that its day 3 of kitchen building ... and well its BEAUTIFUL if I must say myself, its exactly what I was 'visioning' but its not complete just yet. Billy finished wiring tonite so the appliances come in tomorrow and then hopefully the templating of our granite will be done on Friday. I also found the refrigerator today finally... just too many options I was looking for ... so this is all GOOD! We will have to wait for that to get in, but piece by piece it will be done soon and it will be great! Just have to keep thinking the positive thoughts and not dwell on the negative... Its just I wanted one thing to go absolutely right with no problems for once... well that was shot to hell :( but its ok.

Ok busy week here as you can see with the kitchen coming in and making little decisions, I just don't like the 'pressure' of making the 'final' decision without Jer being here. Wish we could of planned his trip for this week a little better is all.
I got a LOT of things done this week, stayed up most of Monday night just doing laundry and cleaning out my closet... think I did like 8 loads and then the next day washed all the beds, good jobs done! I got 2 out of 3 boys closets accomplished today and will finish up the last one tomorrow... Never ending here! I hate messy closets and messy rooms... cracking down on my boys to keep things picked up this summer, I just feel like they can pitch in and help everyday this summer do a few things before they go out to play... mean mom I know but responsibility is so important for them to learn more of for everyday living.

Today was the boys last day of school. They could not wait to be done! So now they are 'free' as Issac would say for 12 weeks. It will go so fast so we need to start planning our summer out soon! Not really sure what we will do but hope to do a lot of small trips with them. This afternoon I had to run into DBQ. so we all went in and got the two older boys some shorts and shirts for the summer. WOW they are growing up into their own person FAST!!! Mitchel is getting just as picky as Issac is.
Which is just as bad as me :( Yep they got that trait from me!!! Mitchel really wanted a few new pairs of 'jean shorts' ... well no where had them seriously! Must be out for this season...

Well its close to 10pm and I want to finish up what I started today... organizing the attic cubbies, and I am only at 1/2 way point so I best get movin'...


Hope you are all well, if you are out this weekend... stop in the Millers if we are home to see our newest creation!