80's Music

Today has been such a fun day. I love to have dancing parties with my boys. We have them multiple times a week and sometimes even do it when the daycare kids are over. I almost always let them pick which CD they want to dance to and today Trenton picked a CD I haven't listened to in YEARS. He picked a Best of the 80's CD that came with my parents computer that they bought, oh, I don't know like in 1995 or 1996. My brother, Paul, and my cousins, Kari, Steven, and Melissa, and I used to dance to this CD for HOURS on end. We always did it when my dad was gone to work so we could use his stereo and we would take turns making sure the speaker didn't get into the "red zone". Just a side note, my dad always told us that if the speakers ever got into the said red zone, they would blow, so we took it literally and thought they would BLOW UP. We were very careful for that reason (we didn't want to be the reason we no longer would have a home to live in). We had so much fun and so when I put the CD in today and had to stand there, dancing with my boys and just laugh and laugh because of all the memories it brought back. Now, today, I got to dance with my two boys and make more fun memories with that same CD. Thanks Trenton for the unknown flashback of memories that you brought me, and thanks to my brother and my cousins for making those fun memories with me when we were little. (Thanks to my mom and my Aunt Kathi too for not wanting to kill us-I just realized how irritating that music can be when there happens to be one song that is our favorite to dance to over and over and over again one right after the other. My boys picked the same one.) :-)

My family....

I don't know what is going on in my life, maybe it is just because Derek is gone with work so much, but I have had a lot of time to think and reflect on things. My dear, sweet Aunt Kathi passed away 3 year ago this October. My amazing Uncle Craig was left to care for 5 kids, not including the 2 older ones that were not living in his house, without a wife. He had a hard time, but his daughter Kari, her husband Cori, and her (then) little girl, dropped everything they had (they lived out of state) and moved to be with him. Kari was pregnant, took over the household to help her dad. Well, now almost 3 years down the road, Kari and Cori are now in their own house, and my wonderful Uncle, yesterday afternoon, was able to re-marry to an amazing woman who makes him so very happy. Well, I was not able to get to go to the wedding, but I sat at my house and thought about their story and it made me very grateful.

I am SO very grateful for my family. As I sit and think about it, there is no other people that I could love more. I was blessed to be born into a home with amazing parents. They tried so very long to have me brought into their home (there is 9 1/2 years difference between my sister and I). I am so glad they decided to continue trying because I know how hard and depressing it can be when you cannot have a baby brought into your home. They are truly some of my heroes because of it. My mom and dad worked so very hard to make sure that we were happy and had everything we needed in life. I am grateful for them and their efforts to make sure we read scriptures, had family home evening, and said our prayers daily. Without that, I know I would not have the testimony I do today for church. I am also grateful for what wonderful grandparents they are now. I know they help shape and mold my boys into the great men they will become one day. My dad is known as "Grandpa with the flowers". I am sure that is part of the great legacy he will leave behind with my boys. He has also helped in teaching them the importance of hard work. Trenton is a slave driver now, making sure everyone works their hardest because of my dad. My dear mother, who I love, has helped teach my boys love and kindness. They know that grandma loves them no matter what. She also has helped me as a mom, remember and reflect on patience, and the importance of having our own family time, reading scriptures, and family prayers, which I learned from her example. I thank them for that, and hope that they know how incredibly much I love them and how dear they are to my heart.

I also have the most amazing blessing, that a lot of people don't get, to have wonderful in-laws that I married into. In fact, I do not count them as in-laws, they are in-loves (Derek's dad came up with it). I do not just mean my father and mother-in-love only. I love Derek's brothers and sister like they are my own. I watch them and am amazed at how lucky I am to have a family that I know would do anything for Derek, the boys, and myself. I have heard so many stories about how everyone knew not to mess with the Miller family because they would be hearing from Brandon (Derek's older brother). I am so grateful for them and the love that they show to my little family. They do so well with making sure that you know you are a part of their family and not just an outsider that happened to marry one of their kids. So for them I say this. Kim & Ann: You AMAZE me. You testimony shines through you both all the time. You are such wonderful parents and grandparents. Trenton & Kaydon love coming to visit you and when you stop by the house. You have such wonderful advice to share. You have had so many speed bumps in life and you come out on top, able to stand tall and know that Heavenly Father is so very proud of the way you handled it. Dad-thank you for being so patient with the grand kids, even when it may be hard. It is SO worth it. Mom-thank you for being so creative. I am truly envious of that talent that you have and the kids LOVE it. Now, to Brandon & Amanda: I know you two have our backs no matter what. It truly means so much to me. I am SO excited that you two have each other. I love you both dearly and cannot wait to get to spend more time with you. Off to sibling number 2: Tawni & Danny: I know things have not always been the greatest between our little families. We have had some fights and some good times, but I want you to know that I love you both more than words can express. I am SO glad that we are able to become good friends now, and that their isn't the tension all the time like there was before. You two are really amazing and I am so very grateful to be able to have you in my life and count you two as very special friends. Last, but not least is Ryan & Cassie. You two are so very special. It was a little weird for me coming in marrying Derek knowing that Ryan was just a few months younger than me, but still in high school. It made it feel awkward to me to try and get to know you because it was drastically different areas we were in life. I want you to know though that I love you. Ryan you are such a great brother and I appreciate all the times that you have helped me out, especially now that Derek is gone so much. Cassie you are such a beautiful woman!! I am so very glad to have you in the family. You have such a sweet spirit about you and everyone that meets you just falls in love with you. You put so much passion into everything you do and so many people can learn from you with that. Thank you for being such a wonderful person. I love you both.

Finally, is my husband. Words cannot express the love that I have for you and the boys. You astound me. You are so patient, kind, loving, helpful, smart, such a hard worker, the list could go on and on. You will do anything for our family and I know you will never let anything happen to us that you have any control over. You are so very loving despite my faults (which I know I have many). I know you miss being able to be with the boys everyday and it is such a sacrifice for you to be gone so much. I want you to know that I truly do appreciate it. Besides being such an amazing husband, you are also a great dad. I could not have even imagined being so lucky to have such a wonderful man to be the father of my kids. The boys adore you. They look up to you and want to be just like you. Trenton asked me everyday if he can grow up to be you. You are truly his hero and mine. I LOVE YOU!! Thank you for being you!!