Dad's birthday party

Yesterday we celebrated my Dad's birthday and I took some pictures of the event.

We celebrated by partaking in some delicious Mexican food!

Though Eva looks serious, she is happy to party for Grandpa's birthday

Since Thad is limited in showing his enthusiastism to celebrate the birthday instead Grandpa was able to play with him

After some whining and crying Brody finally realized he loves Mexican food and chowed down

Though the candle was placed in a non-traditional way (as you can see in the picture it was next to the cake and it was a scented candle) we sang happy birthday and had some hummy cake

HAPPY 53 DAD!

Remembering President Hinckley

This is most of an article from Yahoo news. I like the perspective it takes on the life of President Hinckley (as opposed to a publication released by the LDS church).

“Gordon B. Hinckley, the Mormon Church’s oldest president who presided over one of the greatest periods of expansion in its history, died Sunday. He was 97. Hinckley, the 15th president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died of complications arising from old age, church spokesman Mike Otterson said.

"His life was a true testament of service, and he had an abiding love for others," said U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, a Utah Republican and fellow Mormon. "His wit, wisdom, and exemplary leadership will be missed by not only members of our faith, but by people of all faiths throughout the world."

Hinckley had been diagnosed with diabetes and was hospitalized in January 2006 for the removal of a cancerous growth in his large intestine. In April 2006, he told a church conference he was in the "sunset of my life" and "totally in the hands of the Lord."

Hinckley, a grandson of Mormon pioneers, was president for nearly 13 years. He took over as president and prophet on March 12, 1995 and oversaw one of the greatest periods of expansion in church history. The number of temples worldwide more than doubled, from 49 to more than 120 and church membership grew from about 9 million to more than 12 million.

Like his contemporary, Pope John Paul II, he became by far his church's most traveled leader in history. And the number of Mormons outside the United States surpassed that of American Mormons for the first time since the church, the most successful faith born in the United States, was founded in 1830.

"His leadership in humanitarian efforts around the world was matched only by his efforts in his own beloved state and community as a committed citizen," said Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, a Mormon. "He has stood as a remarkable example of selflessness, charity and humility and he will be greatly missed by all."

Hinckley began his leadership role in 1995 by holding a rare news conference, citing growth and spreading the Mormon message as the church's main challenge heading into the 21st century.

"We are dedicated ... to teaching the gospel of peace, to the promotion of civility and mutual respect among people everywhere, to bearing witness to the living reality of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the practice of his teachings in our daily lives," Hinckley said.

Over the years, Hinckley labored long to burnish the faith's image as a world religion far removed from its peculiar and polygamous roots. Still, during his tenure the Roman Catholic Church, Southern Baptist Convention and United Methodist Church — the three largest U.S. denominations — each declared that Mormon doctrines depart from mainstream Christianity. "We are not a weird people," Hinckley told Mike Wallace on "60 Minutes" in 1996.

"The more people come to know us, the better they will understand us," Hinckley said in an interview with The Associated Press in late 2005. "We're a little different. We don't smoke. We don't drink. We do things in a little different way. That's not dishonorable. I believe that's to our credit."

He often spoke of the Mormon heritage of pioneer sacrifice and its importance as a model for the modern church. "I think as long as history lasts there will be an interest in the roots of this work, a very deep interest," Hinckley said in a 1994 interview with the AP.

"Because insofar as the people of the church are concerned, without a knowledge of those roots and faith in the validity of those roots, we don't have anything," he said. In 1997, Hinckley seemed to drive that point home in his orchestration of the lavish sesquicentennial celebration of the Mormons' arrival in the Salt Lake Valley. The yearlong festivities featured a TV-friendly reenactment of the dramatic Mormon exodus from the Midwest by handcart and covered wagon.

Born June 23, 1910, in Salt Lake City, Hinckley graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in arts and planned to attend graduate school in journalism. Instead, a church mission took him to the British Isles. Upon his return, he became executive director of the newly formed Church Radio, Publicity, and Mission Literature Committee at $60 a month. Hinckley always worked for the church, except for a brief stint during World War II as a railroad agent. Hinckley was preceded in death by his wife, Marjorie Pay Hinckley, whom he married in 1937. She died April 6, 2004."

President Gordon B. Hinckley died today

I know that some who read this blog are not members of my own faith but an event has happened that affects me deeply. The President and Prophet of my church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, passed away this evening.

President Gordon B. Hinckley has been the leader of the church I am a part of since I was 12 years old. His passing is such a sad event to me because he was the leader during such pivotal years in my life. Throughout my adolescence, when so many teenagers are searching for who they are and sometimes what their own beliefs and convictions are, my Prophet was Gordon B. Hinckley.

For those who don't know, twice a year the LDS church has a broadcasted conference where leaders of the church speak publicly. So for years I have been blessed to hear the guidence, counsel, stories, feelings and testimony of my prophet. That also held true so far in my adulthood during such events like marriage and becoming a mother. I have had the opportunity to hear his words of comfort through trials, encouragment, love and peace. His words over the years have helped me and inspired me. Though I have never met this man he has been a big influence in my life. I thank the Lord for blessing me and many throughout the world for the gift of President Hinckley and his amazing life.

Brody is a big boy!

Okay so far today this is my 3rd post! Its just that I have taken some great pictures of Brody lately and I know that so many who look at this blog are really just wanting to see pics of Brody anyway!

If you are like me, you just can't believe how old Brody is getting. These pictures are evidence of that - the other day Brody sat at a little table and sat in a little chair to eat his lunch. He is just such a toddler now!

Brody dressed for church

Brody trying to get as much running around out of his system before he has to go to church and try to sit still for an hour!

Daddy and Brody handsome and ready for church!

I LOVE THIS PICTURE!! I took it because I thought Brody looked really sharp in his outfit. Instead I got this hilarous picture of a child dressed really nice but with a facial expression that says, "what" or "uh" and wacky hair sticking up on both sides of his head (matching each other I might add)! Just priceless

Lady and the Tramp

I know this is silly to post about but when a couple has only one child, a lot of their lives and whats happening revolves around that child.

Many things bring a smile to Brody's face. I think of Brody, for the most part, as a very smiling and happy child.

Brody's new favorite movie is Lady and the Tramp. I am especially excited about this because I love Disney movies so any that he likes is great to me. Also at Brody's age a kid doesn't really sit through an animated movie (I am sure there are exceptions to that). So the picture I am including in this post is of Brody smiling while watching Lady when she is a puppy and she crawls into bed with Jim Dear and Darling. It is so great to see Brody find so much joy in watching this simple and cute movie about dogs.

Quote of the day

My mom has this quote hanging on a wall in her house. I read it almost every time I go over there and every time I am blown away by the words.

"I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates a climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make a life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of fortune or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal in all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated, and a persona humanized or de-humanized. If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming." -Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) German author, painter, scientist, philosopher, and statesman

Since I have read this quote I have read other amazing quotes by Goethe. They call him the German Shakespeare!

Latest pics of Brody

I know this blog is about the Miller family but right now Brody is the easiest to take pictures of and lets admit it, he looks the cutest in the pictures.

Brody all bundled up and ready to go on a walk

Brody is hanging out with his friends on a big boy chair

Brody is like his mom when he smiles or laughs hard - he squints his eyes - so in these pictures it almost looks like his eyes are closed but they aren't, he is just laughing really hard.

Brody hanging out on a Saturday night with some popcorn and his sippy cup.

Disclaimer: Now some paranoid parents might frown at this one but I am sorry Brody loves popcorn. No one should worry too much he is always supervised when eating popcorn and he takes one at a time.

Brody just being himself and cute as ever!

Brody in Blue

My awesome sister-in-law and friend Sarah is brilliant with her camera and she took these great pictures last week.

My girl Brooke on American Idol!

I am not really an American Idol fan but tonight I was because one of my oldest and best friends was on as a contestant. She wasn't the crazy star wars chick (which if you didn't catch that you should see if there is a clip of her crazy on You Tube). Brooke was the last contestant. She sang beautifully. She sounded nervous and I am sure it is tough knowing you are being watched by three big names in the music industry plus millions of TV watchers. I wish Brooke would have mentioned that she has experience in music and that brings a lot to the table other than a great voice. Brooke has been trying to "make it" in the music industry for the past 4 years. She writes her own music and she has worked with a band. Oh and she plays the piano and guitar. She has performing experience in front of an audience too. Brooke has previously tried releasing a CD so she has experience recording as well as working with back up singers. So what I am trying to say is Brooke is talented and I just hope that, if she makes it to the point when "America" votes, America doesn't screw it up and vote for someone else!

Not great news but honest news

My friend Amber posted on her blog the other day about how its seems like when you look at other people's blogs they always make sure only nice and perfect things are written. That fact is probably true and its a sad one. If the point of a blog is really to share everyday occurrences and whats happening in life it can't always be wonderful and happy because life isn't like that all the time. I am not wanting to go off on depressing or unhappy subjects and I feel like I am because my previous post was about my family's dog dying. But I want my blog to be honest and be a true reflection of my family and our lives and what is going on even if it isn't always pleasant and wonderful.

Now some of my family already know what I am about to say so you don't need to read this post but for those of you who don't, feel free to read on. I wanted to give a disclaimer because I just hate being that person who repeats things all the time!

A couple weeks ago I took Brody into his pediatrician's office because he had an ear infection and I mentioned how he hasn't talked yet (not one word). I had been thinking about it just the past month or 2 because he has other cousins that are younger than him that can already say things like, "daddy, hi, bye" etc. I mentioned it just casually, I was actually thinking she would say that 18 months isn't too old for him to not be talking. But she actually said she would have someone from Arizona Early Intervention call me to set up an appointment for an evaluation. Well the evaluation was on Wednesday January 2nd. We were hoping that it was just a precaution and that they would tell us he would start talking any day now. The way the two ladies evaluated Brody were through observation, interaction with him and asking Jake and I questions. Both of them wrote things down and tallied points in a standardized test. Brody tested that he had a 50% delay in two areas, communication and social skills. He also tested 25% delay in in two other areas but a 25% delay isn't enough to merit any therapy. But since he tested a 50% delay in two areas Brody qualifies to get speech therapy (we aren't quite sure what help or therapy is given for the social delay). There is still some paper work that needs to be pushed through but they will be contacting us soon to help us get Brody started with the speech therapist.

The outcome of the evaluation of course has gotten Jake and I down a bit. It is never easy knowing that your child needs help to develop and he doesn't develop in all areas naturally. But Jake and I have prayed and fasted about the situation. We are trying to be grateful that we are finding this out now and taking the right steps to help him so that he doesn't fall behind further in those areas of development. We are very lucky that the State of Arizona have great programs like Early Intervention. The therapy Brody will get is 100% paid for by the state. Also my sisters Jada and Kinsey are very familiar with working with this system and with children experiencing problems like this because of their jobs. So I have received a lot of comfort and support from my family so far. Jake and I very much know things could be much worse and we are trying to stay optimistic.

Like I said at the beginning of this post I know this isn't an extremely positive or funny post but this is a big deal in our family right now and I wanted to share it with the people who look at this blog - family and friends we love.

Sad news

Suki died yesterday Tuesday January 8th 2008

She was 14 years old (in human years)

My family (the Lewis family) got a dog about 11 years ago. Her name was Suki - we didn't pick the name the previous owners did and with 8 people in the family wanting 8 different names a new one never stuck. Suki was a wonderful dog. She was three when we got her so the hassle of dealing with a puppy and training it was already done for us by the time we got her. Suki could stay inside up to 8 hours without having to go out to the bathroom. She was a very fun dog to play with. Suki was amazing at knowing when she needed to be more gentle because she was playing with a young child and she knew to step it up and be more rough when playing with adults. There are so many memories relating to Suki. There were times when certain people in my family would try to put a t-shirt on her or as you can see from the photo above we would have her lay in our beds and we would put our blanket on her (not very sanitary but we were young). She had so much personality for dog. Suki could show so much of her attitude or how she felt by her facial expression. I know that sounds crazy because she was a dog but it was true. I always thought she was a beautiful looking dog as well, She was half Pit bull and half black Labrador.

Now I know that some people out there don't like animals, especially household ones like cats and dogs. But personally I LOVE animals and I very much love dogs. I thought Suki was an awesome pet, even after I moved out I loved coming over to my parent's house and seeing her. I know it might be silly to some people to be so sad at the loss of a pet but my family had her for so long and we loved her as part of the family that I just cried when my Dad called last night and told me. Me and my sister Jericho kept saying to each other that we feel such a loss that we need to have some type of tribute. I guess one of the few ways I feel like I can make a tribute to Suki was to include the sad news on my blog.

Kickin' back and lookin' cute!

Brody is hanging out watching Sesame Street on Mom and Dad's bed!

Potty time!

I realize Brody is pretty young for potty training so don't look at these pictures thinking I am crazy. The other day Jake and I thought that it couldn't hurt to start having Brody getting used to sitting on the toilet. He doesn't understand what he is doing sitting up so high or that its a toilet or even what a toilet is. But Brody is having fun while I sing songs to him and he plays with his bath toys.