So much to be thankful for...

Look at his face. He was so excited about the lights!

Thanksgiving is such a wonderful holiday. It is a time that we can refocus our minds on all the wonderful things we have to be thankful for and puts my mind on the right track for a meaningful Christmas.
Our Thanksgiving was full of food, friends and family. Leon had two days of work which meant we had a 4 day weekend with him. It was so heavenly.
Since my parents were out of town we spent Thanksgiving around Casper. On Thursday we went out to a family's home in our ward. They have 8 kids that are ages 12 and under. What a fun time we had. All the food was homemade (including the butter) and delicious. I even made my first successful pie crust.
After lunch Leon, Onyx and I took Leon's nieces Christmas tree hunting. We got a bit of a late start and had to drive quite awhile so by the time we got there it was very cold, windy and dark but we made it home with a beautiful tree.
Friday we tried out Black Friday shopping, but must have not been in the spirit because we were home by 9am without a single deal. We spent the rest of the day decorating and taking Onyx swimming.
Saturday we had Thanksgiving dinner again with Leon's family. Sunday we got to enjoy more time with family when my parents and Brad, Mary Ann, Aimee and Hyrum stopped for dinner.
By the time Sunday night rolled around our hearts were full of love and gratitude for each other and all we had.

Adventures in Cloth Diapering

When Onyx was born I looked into using cloth diapers. There were several reasons they appealed to me. First, I'm a bit frugal and didn't want to have to be buying diapers all of the time. Second, I had read that they were less likely to give your little ones diaper rash. I really had no idea how to cloth diaper or what to expect so it has been a bit of an adventure but I've really grown to like them. There are several different types of cloth out there now, nothing like what past mommas have had to deal with, the cloth and rubber covers. The diapers I found I like the best have a cloth pad the goes into an outer shell. The outer shell is made from fabric that whisks the moisture away from the skin into the pad to keep little bums dry. I have to admit I still use disposables whenever we are going places because they truly are convenient, but I've found that we sure do love cloth at home.

Swimming with Daddy

Today Leon, Onyx and I went swimming at the recreation center here in town. They have slides, a lazy river with sprayers and a little splash park in the shallow part of the pool. I've taken Onyx swimming a couple of times before but it has always been during the adult open swim so none of the sprayers or slides are going and so it is pretty calm. He really enjoyed those times so I wanted to go today when Leon could come too. Today it was family swim though so the place was busy with excitement. Leon took Onyx through all of the sprayers and splashers and he actually liked it. I was surprised because I hate those things. I decided it's good Onyx has Leon because he lets him do far more adventurous things then I do.
On a side note, Onyx really does enjoy playing with his daddy. I play pretty gently with Onyx. We read stories, play with toys and cuddle. When Leon gets home Onyx gets to play all rough and tough. They play airplane, rocket ship and growl at each other. I think Onyx really likes the different dynamic and sure does think his dad is funny.

Halloween

For Halloween we decided to be the Rubbles off of the Flintstones. Leon got me started early working on our costumes but like usual I procrastinated until the very last minute to finish them up (and I swore I was never sewing another costume again!) Onyx made an adorable little Bamm-Bamm and I suppose Leon and I were pretty cute too. We went to our ward Halloween party Friday night which was good because I ended up with strep throat Sunday so I missed out on the trick-or-treaters. Leon still dressed up and handed out all of our candy as well as whatever he could scrummage out of the cupboards.

What We've Learned

I have been wanting to write this post for weeks, but time just seems to slip away. There are dishes that need done, laundry that needs folded and floors that need scrubbed (you know how it is.) But, Onyx is tucked snug in bed and I'm not going to delay this post for another moment!
God sends us children to teach us many things, but mostly how to love. He sends us our own little ones so that we can better understand His love for us. Onyx has sure filled my heart with love. His every grin, grunt and giggle just sends my heart overflowing. He really is a sweet little guy.
As Onyx has been teaching me more about God's love for His children, Onyx has also been learning so much himself. He is so fascinated with the world and watches everything with such awe until he is so tired he just can't stand it. He has become quite the little chatter box. If you talk to him he will coo and laugh back. Sometimes while he is helping me with chores it sounds as if he is singing. Slowly he is gaining more and more control of his body. He tries so hard to grab toys, hair, ect with his cute little hands. He also sucks on everything, especially his lips and hands. His spit has become rather entertaining and he will gargle it and blow bubbles with it all day long. Onyx has not quite mastered rolling completely over but he goes from his back to his side in a hurry and I have to be careful now where I set him down because he can wiggles off the couch or out of his bouncer in no time.
I just love this little guy!

The Preisthood Blesses Our Home

Last Sunday Leon received the Melchizedek preisthood. My father was able to come down to do the ordination. It was such a beautiful and happy day. I am so excited to have the priesthood within our home and I know Leon will be a very aware and giving preisthood holder.

God Gave Us Weakness...

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." Ether 12: 27
Lately I have decided to focus my scripture study on overcoming weakness. Living the gospel is pretty easy for me. I'm lucky that I do not have to deal with many temptations. I have a supportive family that helps me live the gospel standards. I like being good. Though, those who know me best know that I struggle with two main weaknesses on a daily basis. One, I am quick to anger. I suppose that is the fiery redheadedness coming out in me. Two, I struggle with my body image.
I guess in my niaveness I thought that when I became a mother that I would miraculously overcome the later of these weaknesses. That I would have so many other things to worry about that it would just disappear. However, Satan is still holding on tight, so once again I must turn to the Lord and hopefully, one day this weaknesses will become my strength and I can move on to fighting different battles.

Two Little Witches

When I was out visiting teaching this week one of the ladies had witches' potions sitting on her counter. She said during Halloween time she makes her kids naughty potions when they are bad. I thought it was a cute idea so I mixed some up today while I had some of my babysitting girls over. I took some old bottles and filled them with food coloring and water and them labeled them with spooky...but not too scary names like "melted ear wax" and "fungus." I then made some little recipe cards for Love Potions, Naughty Potions, Sleepy Potions ect. They had a blast brewing them up. I had them add vinegar and baking soda aka "Ground Goblins Teeth" and the potions would fizz and bubble. They would squeal and squeal. It was some good innocent Halloween fun.

Our Bountiful Harvest

Today we finally gave in and harvested the last of our garden for the year. It was an interesting year for growing. About February Leon got ambitious and started a bunch of plants indoors (I think it was his way of "nesting" while I was doing mine). Our kitchen served as a little green house for several months and we had quite the assortment of herbs, beans and tomatoes. When we went to transplant outside the Casper wind ripped our little plants apart. The garden then got neglected as we got busy planting grass and preparing for Onyx. In July we finally got around to replanting. We really didn't think we would get anything as the plants seemed to not thrive. In mid August Leon decided to try some weed and feed on them. Boy did they finally take off. We enjoyed tomatoes, rhubarb, peas, beans, radishes, carrots, zucchini, cucumbers, strawberries and broccoli from our little plot of land.

Adding a Little Spook to the Season

Leon and I have been wanting to decorate for Halloween. We've looked at the decorations at the store, but I'm never willing to spend money on them and they are all so yucky looking anyways. So, Leon got busy and cut out some "spooky" designs from metal. We added a little paint and hung them in our trees. Now we are officially ready for the trick-or-treaters!

How We Spend our Days

I officially consider myself a stay at home mom since I get to stay with my little boy. However, we don't actually stay at home. Onyx and I have a job tending a little two year old, Bode. We watch him at his house where he has his own toys to play with. He really is a good little boy. At first Onyx didn't really like going there because he would usually miss his morning nap. Bode didn't particularly care for Onyx at first either. At times he would get a little jealous and even tapped Onyx on the head with a plastic baseball bat to see how I would react one day. Now they are awfully fond of each other though. Onyx loves watching and laughing at Bode. Bode loves talking to Onyx and holding his hand. In fact, the only way Onyx will ride in the stroller is if Bode is riding next to him. I'm so glad they have grown to be buds.

Introducing Onyx Michael Miller

Okay, so I know this is a little past due, but I wanted to officially introduce the newest addition to our family, Onyx Michael Miller. He was born July 17th, 2010. I would have written this sooner, but I just haven't been able to put him down long enough. He was 7lbs 1oz at birth. He has already more then double that and boy do we love kissing his soft round cheeks! Onyx has the sweetest little personality. He's really quite easy going and seldom gets upset. He loves to cuddle. He's got his dad's charming blue eyes and just might end up with his mom's red hair. We our so blessed to have this little man in our life. He has already brought so much joy into our home.

To My Hunny

Leon and his nieces catching crawdads at the lake.

Leon's graduation - Mike Enzi was the guest speaker

I wanted to take a minute and brag on my hunny a bit. I feel he deserves a public thank you. Those who know me best know I can be rather cranky, demanding and down right ornery at times. I'm not always the easiest person to live with. Leon is always so patient with me. He smiles and tries harder and lets me get my gruff out.
There are several things I really admire about this man. First, he is so dedicated and excited about learning. He earned his GED in August 2009 after dropping out of school in just 6th grade to work in the rock quarries in Arizona. Can you imagine? He has now completed 3.5 semesters of college and is taking math that I can't help him with. He gives every assignment his very best. He studies for every test. He takes full advantage of his learning opportunities. I am so very proud of him.
The second thing I admire about Leon is his fun loving personality. He loves to play. Every night when he gets home from work he teases the cat mercilessly. I know Onyx is just going to love him. Just yesterday Leon sat him on the bed and then started jumping on it softly. Onyx laughed and laughed. If Leon stopped he would start to cry. Leon's always the first one in the water whenever we go swimming and will swim with the kids for hours. He really is still just a kid at heart.
There are so many other things I love about Leon, like his complete honesty and his ability to be so generous. The list goes on and on.

Happy Birthday Dad!

There's not too many truly great men in the world. Sure, there are a lot of good men, but truly great, very few. There are even fewer of us who get to be daughters of a truly great man. However, somehow I was lucky enough to have one for my father.
Today my dad turned 51. Since we were not able to all get together today, we celebrated last Saturday evening. The evening was full of laughter and little shrieks of joy as the grand kids (all 8) played. The adults managed to enjoy good conversation amidst the noise. Ramie made homemade spaghetti sauce from tomatoes out of Mom's garden. Grandma made a delicious plum cake from plums from Nona's trees. Love radiated throughout the evening and at the center of that love was my father.
Like I said, I don't know how I got lucky enough to have him as my father. He is the most loving, patient and accepting person I know. He gives of himself freely without complaint. He never raises his voice and judges no one. He radiates a sweet and cheerful spirit. I am so blessed to have him as my father.

Trip to Arizona

For spring break Leon and I took a real quick trip to Arizona to visit his dad and sisters. We didn't do anything too exciting but Leon sure did enjoy seeing his family. His sister had a baby last June and this was the first time we got to meet her. We also really enjoyed his youngest sister who is deaf and only speaks sign. She is so funny with her expressions. Leon's dad was moving so we got a bunch of old bottles who now have found a home in our kitchen. Besides all the mud and rain it was a great trip.

Digging...Bah hum bug!

This past week Leon and I have been working in the evenings on digging trench for our sprinkler system. It sure is a lot of work and talk about a back ache. My hunny is good about letting me rest so it's been a slow process but today we almost finished the backyard. YEAH!