Excess Baggage

So, I was thinking about life today while I was working.

My house is full of things, life things, kids things and CLOTHES.

Kids clothes.

I have A LOT of  kids clothes. 

Mostly clothes for little miss M.

40 pairs of pants for her. 

yep, she is 2.5 years old.

And 40 is all I will admit to.

(And while some may think, "How much does she spend on clothes, 95% of all my kids clothes are 2nd hand)

She has plenty of shirts tons of dresses.

more than she needs.

I have talked about it a bit on my facebook and in my private conversations with others.

I know I have to get rid of some, well, lots of them.

To be honest, I get nervous when I think about getting rid of their clothes. 

Mr. Miller thinks I have lots of stuff that is valuable that I just don't use because I have so much. 

I have thought about how all my extra clothes clothes relate to all the extra baggage I have in my life.

Extra clothes, extra weight, extra canning jars (1000!), in my food storage, I have extra of the basics than the calculation for our family.

I am comfortable with "excess" I actually think I love it. 

Not necessarily the weight part of it but obviously no concerned with it enough to have lost it yet.

Our house cannot handle all the excess we have, so I have to purge. 

I am hoping that as I become comfortable with getting rid of my excess clothing, which is NOT an easy thing for me to do, I will be comfortable with getting rid of the other excess stuff's I have kicking around. 

wish.me.luck.

9/11or should it be 11/9

Not sure what to name it.

Maybe it should be 11/9 since the 11 happened first. 

And 9/11 is a moment in history that will FOREVER be in my mind.

SO, what is the #'s about you may ask. 

11 happened first. 

September 23, 1999 is my anniversary. 

WE MADE IT TO 11 YEARS!

So, here are 11 random things about my wedding day/marriage.

1. We got married on a Thursday. A THURSDAY you may ask, WHO gets married on a Thursday? Well, we did! There are several reasons. Mr. Miller was in school and it was workable around his schedule. Easiest to boot it down to Cardston  for the wedding, UP to Fort Mac for a reception and back to Edmonton to live. I have a brother who came home from his mission 5 days before I got married and we had family that could come out for either my wedding or his homecoming, so we were trying to make it as easy as possible for travelers. My Aunt was working in the Brides room only on Thursday, I wanted to share that day with her. Plus, we were SO NOT rushed! We could enjoy the day. 

2. We have 3 FANTASTIC kids! Seriously, love them to bits. They really make my day everyday. Most days I feel like I am going to go nuts, but I really love them. I really want just one more. I had a miscarriage just after we moved here and had our Little Miss M after that, but I still just feel that pull to one more

3. We have lived in 4 apartments, 1 duplex, spent sometime at each of our parents house and finally bought our first house almost 4 years ago.

. 4. Mr. Miller was doing his bachelor degree when we got married, he just finished his Master's (no, he has not been working on it that long!) He promised no doctorate. If so, he can find another wife. 

5. I still DETEST cooking. Never have liked it but really, I just don't like it. I used to feel guilty.

6. I hate cleaning. I know, people are probably wondering "Why does this woman stay home?" I love to be with my kids but honestly, if I had the money, I would hire someone to cook and clean so I could spend all the time with the kids. 

7. I work. I know, not the "typical" SAHM, but I have a job that is flexible and I can bring my daughter with me and I like that. I like to work and have my home monotony broken up. 

8. We drive each other crazy. We really are polar opposites and so working together can make it difficult, but somehow, we do it.

9. This is more of a funny story. Poor Mr. Miller was so nervous on our wedding night we spent it in the hotel parking lot! He locked his keys in the car. I know, romantic!

10. We don't really travel much but we have gone to Victoria, BC for under 36 hours, but then he went back there for 2 summers for his masters degree. I traveled out there one summer, me and 3 KIDS (one 5 months old!) to pick him up. We have been to Alaska and LOVED it. We WILL go back. We love it there. W have been to Southern Utah. He wants to go to England and tour his mission. Valium for the plane ride please!

11. He delivered our 2nd child. We were in the Hospital and knew the Doctor. The doc turned the shoulders and that was pretty much it. He said "I want to be a Doctor!" After. Nope, he'd have to get a different wife.

What is the 9? L is the lucky child in our family that shares his birthday with our anniversary! (All our kids share a birthday, pressure if we have another one!) 9 random facts about L

1. He was by FAR my longest labour, (29.5 hours labour! OUCH!!!) I went in and really didn't want to have an epidural. Got induced, nothing. bummer. Got induced again and finally started labour. Laboured for 17 hours before dilating. I know, you are jealous! I begged for a epidural and fell asleep when I got it. Loved it! He had and still has the BIGGEST head I have ever seen on a child! 

39.5 cm's around! He had to be vacuumed out. Try explaining THAT to your child. 

2. He is my most creative child! He LOVES art and it really is his outlet. His drawings are so intricate and detailed. I love looking at his drawings. 

3. I am so happy he is the oldest. He is so stinkin responsible. He is always doing what he can to help with his younger siblings, and I so appreciate that.

4. He never really talked until he was 4.5 years old. He could, just didn't. Drove me crazy then, now I go crazy cause he talks FOREVER. Gives me a run for my money! Sometimes I have to literally have to remind myself, "YOU wanted HIM to talk!) But he loves to talk, especially at night, when he wants a snuggle. He will talk about everything and anything. 

5. If he loves you, he is not afraid to tell you! He does not just love anyone. Usually, it's humor that gets him. 

6. He is a great friend! He comes home from school and gets all defensive of the kids who bother his friends. I have a feeling that he could go to the Principal's office a few times, but he is never physical. 

7. Still does not know what he wants to be when he grows up. I'm ok with that.

8. Plays soccer but hates it. We have a family rule that at least 1 sport must be played. That is to try and prevent him just sitting in front of the TV or doing nothing. He picked the "easiest" sport. I am just glad it's not hockey where it's ridiculous hours!

9. He loves to go to Church! He loves to go, listen to his teachers, talk with his friends, learn more. He got complimented on his singing a while ago. Oh my, now he is practicing ALL the time! I love it!!! I love to see him confident! 

Posting of comments

PLEASE NOTE!

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME PEOPLE COMMENTING ON MY POSTS THAT HAVE ASIAN TEXT.

I will not EVER post them as comments.

Yep, that crap you post, it's porn. 

I will not EVER support that, so go find someone else to annoy.

Or better yet, go and give up your nasty addiction. 

Yes, we all have addictions, my main one is food.

See, i'm willing to be honest.

And in my honesty, I will tell you I will NEVER post that filth, so don't ever expect to see your comment posted. 

Later

In love with my kids

Some days I love my kids so much, I cannot express it.

Wait, that is almost every day.

Lately, I have been falling in love with them more and more.

They are all to a stage where they are a bit more independent and so I think they don't always need me.

But they do.

Take today for an example.

L had something in his eye, what, I have no clue. 

Probably an eyelash.

It kinda freaked him out a bit.

He started crying and I told him that was a good thing.

That gave him permission to bawl.

What a funny kid.

He looked at me and said, "Mom, I know why it still hurts, I have not prayed."

So, he said the most sincere little prayer uttered from his lips.

After a few more minutes of him crying to get it out, he was o.k and whatever it was came out.

He then prayed to say Thanks for helping it to not hurt.

Then, we were out and about and I asked him if he knew I loved him. 

He said Yes.

I asked how he knew.

He said he knew because I was nice and kind to him.

And that I was wonderful to him as well.

And that he would not change a thing about me.

THAT is true love, on his part and mine.

B keeps coming up to me and letting me know how much he loves me. 

Tells me I am the best snuggler around.

I like that title.

He is becoming such a confident young man.

He will be 7 in a few days and I wonder where did the time go?

He went from this little being of a person, to a little tub of lard.

Oh, how I loved those rolls!

Then he was the little toddler who went and followed his brother around everywhere.

Now, he is still very close to both his siblings but is just more mature in his choices.

If you want to hear him say the word mature, just ask him. 

It's so cute how he says it.

Little Miss M is known as the Destroying Angel, Chatterbox, Tornado.

Think of the busiest kid you know, times it by 100, then times it again by 100, and you might have her.

Most days I fight a loosing battle with her. 

I can clean 1 room, turn around and 3 are destroyed.

Sure, she looks charming enough, this cute little 2 year old who does not look her age but her language is deceiving as to how old she is.

Spend some time with her.

She's busy.

I just love being their mom.

I am proud to be their mom.

I think they are wonderful.

my kids and going private

Yes, this blog will be going private.

It might be a permanent thing, it might be temporary.

If you want to follow, send me your email and I will open it to you.

Even if you are a stranger but like reading my blog, lemme know.

Thanks

So, I have been thinking about how much I love, love, LOVE my kids.

They inspire me every day.

I think they are wonderful.

Of course, I am their mother.

It's my responsibility, in the mother hand book.

You know, the one that gets planted in our hearts the minute we get pregnant.

And how it continues to grow. 

I remember when we had L.

Even before he was born I was worried if I could love him enough.

Then when I was pregnant with B.

I loved L so much, surely there was not enough room in my heart.

My heart grew many sized that day.

When I got pregnant with M I worried, I knew it was a girl. 

Could I love a girl as much as my boys? 

Would I love her more than my boys?

Nope, I swear I am suffering from enlarged heart syndrome.

When I feel the need to feel unconditional love, I go to my kids.

They really complete me and who I am. 

They make me feel so proud to be their mom. 

(Not in a bad pride way)

I see them interact as siblings and know that they love each other.

They are great examples to each other and encourage each other to make good choice.

Not just to tattletale either.

I have listened to L and B express to the other siblings they want them to make better choices.

Did they know what they had done was wrong?

What could they make a wrong a right?

I see it in the way they treat each other.

M is a 2 year old. 

You know, the phase where a 2 year old believes she is the age of her brothers but is not.

The age where she wants to annoy all heck out of her siblings.

They are so patient, loving and kind to her.

I am so grateful they are the older siblings.

We had an issue with one of our neighbors the other week.

They had a huge bonfire and L was terrified of it. 

It was about 8 feet high, not cool in tinder dry conditions and in a town.

And they were so loud that L did not go to bed until 12:30 am.

We had to call the cops 3 times to get them to come out and deal with the drunks.

L had the idea to bake them some cookies and go over and explain to them how scared he was.

We did and they said they would be quiet.

Last night, we were woken up at 3 am to the F and S bombs.

Mr. Miller, M, B and myself were woken up.

Glad L had a good sleep. 

We had to call the cops, again.

I don't negotiate with drunks.

Today when we were talking with the kids about it, B was so disappointed they would lie to us.

He talked about how could our neighbors think so little of other people. 

He talked of us needing to be good "global citizens" and respecting other people.

I was really proud of him for having his strong convictions.

I appreciate having good kids.

I appreciate how much they are willing to do for each other and others.

I appreciate how much they Love the Saviour.

I appreciate them.

interesting conversation

So, I was out the other day.

Had all 3 kids with me.

Sometimes it goes really well.

This was a time when it was not.

Little Miss M was doing her best to escape.

L and B were fighting.

Not a common thing for them.

But a family rule is a rule, timeout. 

No matter where we are, I will put them in timeout.

It works fantastically for me.

I am not personally a fan of spanking.

There was a young man there, about 15 years old.

He said to me, 

"Ma'am, you have no clue how much I wish I had a brother to fight with.

I have way older step siblings I do not know, so I was basically the only child at home.

It was lonely."

Then he went on to tell me about when he grew up.

He has a pretty privileged life, according to him. 

Both parents work and make very good money.

Had whatever he asked for and things he didn't want, just so his parents would not feel guilty.

Guilty about them being away all the time.

Why was he working you may ask?

Working because he wanted to, not because he had to.

Working because he wanted to learn work ethic.

I admire him. 

It is SO easy for kids to get away with doing no work if they want to.

He said he could be easily at home playing his xbox or wii, but chose to get a job.

He said he was so lonely as a child. 

He always wanted to have his parents say, 

"Quit bugging your brother" 

or

"Quit pulling your sister's hair"

He wanted a brother to go running around outside in the mud with and traipse it inside. 

He wanted a sister to have a tea party with. 

Wanted to have a sibling to play in his tree fort with.

Wanted to have a sibling to go to the store with and buy bubble gum with.

Here is this young man baring his soul to me in the middle of a store.

Suddenly, I felt guilty for having put my boys in timeout.

Guilty that I was blessed with 3 wonderful children that I GET to run after.

3 children that could single handedly drive me insane on any day.

3 children that have each other and are VERY happy to have each other.

3 children that know they are a blessing to each other but also drive each other insane.

2 boys and 1 girl who love and respect each other.

3 children I am so grateful to have.

Yes, I may very well look insane by 9 am, but I am happy.

I love my children and feel so blessed to have them.

Some days I need a reminder.

I am grateful this 15 year old was a gentle reminder to me.

I am grateful for his kind words.

  

  

One thing I won't abbreviate

I like computer lingo

Sometimes it drives me crazy as I try to figure it out

Some things drive me nuts that people abbreviate

I think they are words too important to abbreviate

Love is one of them

Sometimes it's cute to add a heart

But sometimes I think it's just important to just say it

I say it to my kids as many times in a day as I possibly can

I want them to KNOW I love them

Not wonder if I do

I tell it to Mr. Miller as many times as I can

It's important to me

My husband is my husband

I don't want him to wonder

My kids are my kids

I don't want them to wonder

My extended family is my family

I don't want them to wonder

to my husband

to my kids

to my family

I LOVE YOU

(not abbreviated, never)

Love J, Mom, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin whatever I am to you