Moving On....

About 2 years ago we made the decision to sell our house. It was a great house, on a quite street, in a lovely neighborhood, with a great back yard. It wasn't that we didn't like it there, we loved it! But Garry's work had been less then steady for the previous year or more and we just felt like we were pressed too tight. We decided it would be best to try to sell before we got ourselves into a hole we couldn't climb out of. So we put that little sign out in the front yard and I spent the next two weeks cleaning like a crazy woman and trying to think of places to go so that strangers could browse and snoop through my house. Oh and in our spare time we went searching for another suitable place for our little family.

And then in what seemed to be perfect divine timing we found a place we thought would work and got an offer on our house the same week. We even waited until the offer we made (which was a little far fetched) was accepted before we took the offer being made to us. We were convinced. This is what we were supposed to do. The house we decided to buy was not in the area we would've preferred but it seemed that  that's where God wanted us and it was a great property so we started packing boxes.

  (No children were stored in boxes for a harmful length of time at any point during this process!)

Perhaps you noticed that I used the word 'seemed' several times in this paragraph. Here's why. Just two, yes, ONE, TWO! weeks before settlement the agreement fell through for the place we thought we were buying. Talk about scrambling!!! We felt sure that we should go through with the sale of our place but 2 weeks is not enough time to find another and get paperwork done.

 We decided to look for a rental but we wanted to stay within our school district. We figured renting would be less than ideal and quite temporary so we didn't want to put our kids through multiple school changes. I spent about 10 minutes online searching for rentals till I figured out our mission was IMPOSSIBLE. We were looking at 1 bedroom apartments for rent for almost as much as the mortgage we were trying to get out from under. A kind friend heard about our situation and offered to send and e-mail to spread the word with some friends (she's one of those people who knows everyone :o) to see if anyone knew of anything. Through that email we found this house.

There were several divine interventions going on with this deal too! This house was empty and had not been advertised to the public yet. (Typically it would be advertised for 2 months before it was empty.) Within a week of our deal falling through we had looked at this one (the only one we looked at) and put a down payment on it. It was never even advertised to the public. The only catch was that we needed to commit to staying here a year or paying a early termination fee. We decided it was worth it.

So in November of 2009 we moved in. It's certainly not the perfect house. It's over a hundred years old and it wouldn't take you long to figure that out if you stopped in. The kitchen boasts cabinets from the 1950's (I'm guessing) and a monstrous u.g.l.y. propane heater. We lived here less than one day before I decided that the kitchen light simply had to be replaced with one that actually shed some light. The front door has a window pain held "securely" in place by duct tape. The bedroom that 3 of my children share is about 7" x 12". And I tell people we have 4 seasons here, Mice, Spiders, Ants and Stinkbugs! Not to mention the centipedes, ladybugs, mildew and other miscellaneous critters. But all in all it has worked out amazingly well. The kids have a great yard to play in. Garry can park his truck here. And we've got a great "easy access" location. And with a good supply of purging and decluttering (and a bit of storage in the in laws basement) we've squeezed in here rather comfortably.

(The one thing this place does have is l.o.t.s of great photo shoot opps!)

Sorry, that got pretty long winded but that brings us to just few months ago, April 2011. Garry and I were discussing the fact that we had planned to only be here a few months and here we were, still here after almost a year and a half. Of course part of that conversation was the fact that we had not been able to save like we had hoped in that time to buy another place. During that conversation I said these words to my husband, "I think we need to just stay here, be content, be thankful that it's working as well as it is and try to keep saving until God makes it clear that he wants us somewhere else."

Not 2 weeks later we got a call. Not just any call, a call from our land lord. Our place is an estate, owned by many siblings together, and apparently someone from the family wants to live here. They were kind enough to give us double the required notice of 2 months. But 4 months to find a place for a family of 7 (allowing time in that for paperwork) didn't seem all that generous at the time. We're back to spending 'free time' searching real estate websites and date nights looking at houses. Yeah! (please hear the sarcasm!) Being able to stay here just one more year would have had so many advantages but there is no way we could say that God didn't make it clear!!

So our list of criteria looked something like this:

*room for a family of 7
*a lot big enough for 4 boys with lots of energy and a place to park a truck and trailer
*somewhere where there are not noise/ parking restriction against the truck (this eliminates developments)
* preferably something not leaning obviously to one side or missing pertinent parts
*something  within our limited budget

Should be No problem right?? (sarcasm sneaking in there again!) So I wavered back and forth between knowing in my heart that God had this under control and he was going to do something amazing for us and the there-is-no-way-in-the-world-this-could-possibly-workout-worry. Most of the time I really was in the first category though. I was even kind of excited deep down inside to see how God was gonna "Work all things together for good!" on this one!

I've kept you long enough for today...stay tuned for the next exciting episode of "The Miller's Moving Mayhem?"

Savoring Summer!

There are countless reasons to love summer.

We could talk about the sunny skies.....the relaxed schedules....the chance to sleep in (or at least stay in bed a few extra minutes and answer pressing questions like "Is it Tuesday now?" with at least one eye still closed.).....rosy sun-kissed cheeks.....no Homework (yup, Mom's enjoy the break from that as much or more than the kids!) rainbows of flowers.....family vacations....it's a long list!! But one of the best things about summer is the

 F.O.O.D.

We start with juicy, red Strawberries

 

And then we get fabulous Salads  (made fabulous of course by the garden fresh abundance!)

 

 And Corn on the  Cob!! (mmm! the simple perfect addition to every meal)

Not to mention Watermelon. Blueberries. Fresh Tomatoes for those BLT's. Peaches. Green Beans. (they really do taste different when you pick them yourself then they do from those little plastic bags in the freezer section) O Yumminess! 

 Plus we get to break out the grill (ok, so really we do this all year round but it's a lot more pleasant in flip flops than with gloves and scarves :o)

And the best part is it all comes almost completely Guilt Free!!! 

(Well at least until I added a generous helping of those homemade croutons. Blasted things!! I don't care for the store bought ones so I never had to worry about throwing useless calories on my salad until I met these. I've made croutons before with less then stellar results but these babies are my downfall.)

And of course we have to save a few calories for some of these now and then! :o)

What's your favorite summer treat?? 

(I'm thinkin' a Yogurt Parfait with Fresh Blueberries right about now. :o)

Just Like You!

(I'm a bit on behind with this post but on behind is a place I spend a lot of my time so why not??)

On Sunday we celebrated Father's Day. I've noticed that typically on Mother's Day we hear sermons at church on how wonderful mothers are. We hear about all the amazing things they do. We hear how their influence changes world. But on Father's Day the sermon usually goes more like this....."This" is what you need to do better, "this" is where you need to be stronger, "this" is what you're gonna be held accountable for, etc. Now I'm not against either of these things (although I can't say I always buy all that "your amazing" stuff, I have plenty of "you need to do better" areas too) I just think Daddy's could use a pat on the back occasionally too. I suppose it stems mostly from the fact that when it's  a Father preaching it would be a bit awkward to sing his own praises, but it still bugs me. Anyway, enough of my soap box.

At my house there are 4 little boys who really truly do want to be JUST LIKE DADDY! Here's the proof......

Lots of Baseball games going on around here. (In fact, we were so busy with games and tournaments we really didn't even have time to adequately celebrate the great Daddy he is.)

Learning how to make that truck sparkle and shine!

We did surprise him with a pair of golf shoes. (In support of another habit that seems to be seeping down through.)

So together we will work to teach these little men how to be just that MEN. Of course there is a lot more to that job than things like baseball and trucks. (It's just really hard to take pictures of Honesty, Integrity, Patience, Forgiveness and Generosity.) It's something we will only accomplish together. Because Mommy's are not perfect, no matter what it sounds like on Mother's Day. And Daddy's need some affirmation, perhaps from, say somebody like Mommy (ouch, my own toes are getting a bit sore even as I write.)

Because someday, someone will likely turn there sweet little girl over to the love and care of our son. Will he be equipped for the job?? If he is JUST LIKE HIS DADDY the answer will be YES!

One of THOSE days....

.....when I was informed at 6:30 A.M. that a swarm of critters had taken up residence in the bedroom where my son was supposed to be sleeping. Yes, I was still in bed (it's summer vacation for crying out loud!) and No, I wasn't in the mood to play exterminator.

.....when it's cool and dreary and my energy level is about a minus 2.

....when my "fresh brewed" coffee was not so fresh by the time I got a chance to drink it (to the tune of "yuck, I don't think I'll bother!")

.....when everyone seems to be bent on tormenting everyone else.

.....when there is not a single toy in the universe (and certainly not the ones in our very own, well stocked toy room) that could keep my children busy for 10 consecutive minutes.

 

.....when I have 100 things I could do, but nothing that I  have to do. (Combined with the MIA energy, this doesn't look promising!)

....when nap time ends with a boy who is even grumpier (who knew that was even possible) than he was when he went in.

....when writing a post is interrupted by so many arguments that even though it was started early in the day it doesn't get finished until after bedtime.

Yup, it's just been one of those days. Hopefully, yours was better than mine!!

Please Note: Above pictures are posted NOT as a reflection of today's activities but as a reminder of better days and happier moments. They SHALL return (quickly, I hope!)

Teacher Appreciation Night

I invited the boys teachers and bus drivers here for a picnic to thank them for their job well done this year. Both of the boys had a really good year and we've learned along the way that most of that falls back to the teachers credit. It's one of those things that has floated randomly through my mind many times in a "that would be really nice" kind of way. But it just never made it to the "actually get on it and get it done"  list. But I had several reasons for deciding that this is the year to get it done! Because it was a little bit 'planned at the last minute because I wasn't as organized as I thought I was'  impromptu, only 3 of the six teachers/bus drivers were able to be here but we had a great evening.

Mr. Time, Zachary's wonderful bus driver who has been known to deliver Z to the front door on a rainy day or when his mommy just simply forgot to come out to meet him!

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I tried to do a little outdoor decorating to make it kinda specialish! I didn't have unlimited time or resources....surprise, surprise.....but this is what I came up with.

Couldn't keep the candles lit but that was ok, we were happy for all the breeze, it was toasty out there.

 

I probably don't need to mention that with little boys playing outside the tricycle didn't stay 'decor' for very long. It's all good though.

 Punch and appetizer.

 Summer Goodness.

 Special thanks to the hubs for helping with the kabobs (and during the Phillies game at that!)

He's sweet like that!!

 Dinner Menu: Chicken and Steak Kabobs, Roasted Potatoes, BBQ Beans, Macaroni Salad and Breadsticks.

 

Came together something like this. Mmm! Yum!

And save room for dessert! Strawberry Pie with the first fresh berries of the season!! 

Double Yum!!

 It was supposed to be all about the school boys and their guests but guess who tried to steal the show.

And she gets away with it too!

 Okay, maybe she has a little competition on that sometimes! It was in the 90's but he insisted on wearing the way too big, cocked at a silly angle, helmet! And who knew a chocolate covered pretzel could be so entertaining??

 It was a really fun evening. I especially enjoyed getting to know the teachers better. With 3 little munchkins at home I don't get to go in a volunteer in the classroom so I don't get a lot of interaction with them through the year. I wish I had done this sooner!!! Tyler's teacher has been teaching for 7 years and she told me she's never gotten an invitation like this before. 

Go ahead, feel free to steal borrow my idea, the people who are influencing our little people everyday need all the appreciation they can get!!!

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In other news, it was a great weekend for yard sales!! Gorgeous weather and bargains make a great combination!!!

Craziest Deal of the day.......

.50 cd player with headphones. Yeah, he's about 10 years on behind but he's thrilled to pieces. And I, I don't have to listen to Veggies Tales c.o.n.s.t.a.n.t.l.y. anymore! Whew! just in time!!

Best deals of the day.....an Aeropostle winter coat for me for $1 (quite possibly never worn) and Nike sneakers for the boy who's growing like C.R.A.Z.Y. for $3.

With mixed assortment of other treasures!

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And we ended our holiday weekend with a wonderful, lazy, day and some super fun pool time with the cousins!

It's gonna be a good summer, I can just feel it!!