Where has the week gone???

Is it already Friday? What happened? Holidays always do this to me. This year was Lilu's first Fourth of July celebration. We were in Germany for her real first one and didn't have a celebration like we do here. July 4th weekend we headed for the Grandparents in Kansas City. They have a park right down the street that was putting on a show. But before fireworks, Gamma and I decided to take Lilu to the Kansas City Zoo. I love zoos, so I was really excited. And to find out that military got in free that day!! Woohoo! It had been raining and was still sprinkling when we woke up. That was a hidden blessing. Hoping it would clear up we decided to still head out. When we got there and got out of the car it stopped. Talk about God's timing. It was cool with a small breeze. Without the sun beating down on us we were able to walk and be comfortable. Lilu walked the whole way!!! Her calves are so defined. We got to see the White Tiger named Silver. She was so beautiful. And Lilu loved the monkeys. She growled at some Sea Lions. And the birds!! We went into the Australian Aviary where they can fly around us. Gamma was holding Lilu and one big Strawnecked Isis flew to the railing right next to them. All you heard was this WHOOSH, WHOOSH and a big blast of air. It was pretty funny. Scary, but funny. Their beaks are huge!! We only saw half the zoo. By the halfway mark the sun showed itself and we all were getting tired. So onward home. What a great morning!! Afternoon naps for everyone involved. Yay!! When it got closer to the evening PapaGrande got out the fireworks and to the backyard we went. This was a little weird for me because I came from a city that outlawed any fireworks to be set off or even sold within the city limits. And to do it in the backyard made my skin crawl just a bit. I felt better since it rained in the morning. Lilu was startled at first and watched with great interest but then soon it became an old thing. But she loved the little poppers confetti. She would pick them up and drape herself with them until she was covered. And walk around with it all on her head. She really had a lot of fun as did I for this was my first time to have fireworks go off in the backyard. After this we went to the park to see the big ones. I was really interested to see what her reaction would be when she saw them. It was so funny. When the first three were fired, it startled her and she happened to be standing in front of me. She raised her hands in a v and fell back into my lap. Oh I laughed so hard. She ended up staying in my lap and just looking. She didn't cry once. But her little heart was beating so fast. She would repeat what her Gamma and I would say. Beautiful, aaah, and ooooh. The fireworks were so good. They were so close almost like having your own personal show. We got to the house pretty late. Lilu didn't go to bed until 11pm.

This has been a pretty hard week and half. Chris has received several viruses and spyware on his computer which has locked him out of communication. Added to the fact that the schedule is really up in the air. So with all this I have not talked to Chris until yesterday. And for only a couple of minutes. Which is better than nothing. And then I got to talk to him today for an hour. So that made up. I miss him so much and just get giddy thinking of seeing him in the flesh only eighteen days away.

Yesterday was so much fun!! We got a call from the Dennings (Jon and Cindy) to get a time to work on the projection notes. We were to meet around 5ish at the church offices and then Lilu and I were to go to their house for dinner afterward. Lilu was very cooperative and I was able to leave on time. We got their and Jon called to say they were going to be a bit late. I said no biggy. Lilu and I entertain each other quite easily. Pastor Eric was there and noticed that the computer we use happened to be gone from the office. After a few quick calls he located it and Pastor David and Katy were on their way to drop it off. Which left me with a smile. Katy is so great to be around. She has so much life and love radiating from her. I always leave her smiling. More often laughing. So I was happy to see her again. Once Jon and Cindy showed up I got to working on power point with Jon nearby to guide me and Lilu was busy playing. Running around and sometimes getting in the way. But what is a 23 month old to do? Thankfully, Cindy was there and quick to get Lilu interested into something else. This act of kindness did not go unnoticed or thanked. Cheesecake was given. The dinner was out of this world. A HOMEMADE veggie lasagna. Cindy loves to cook. And it was evident. We ate and ate. Lilu and I loved it. Then for dessert she made a Cherry Coffee Cake. I know what you are thinking. What was I going to do? I couldn't be rude and say 'no thank you, I don't eat cherries'. This was made from scratch! All that work. So I took a slice and took a bite. It was so good. I couldn't even taste the cherries. After the first bite I told Cindy my aversion to cherries. And you wouldn't believe it but she is exactly the same way. The only reason she made it was because Jon loves cherries. Wow, someone like me. And I thought I was this oddball. Okay maybe I am but just not on this point. We had such a good time. They are an awesome couple and Lilu loves them so much. And they love her. Lilu even hugged them both goodbye. Which was 1030pm. So another late night for Lilu. But a good one.

On July 1st, Friday, Lilu's favorite caretaker, and a good friend of mine, quit her job to get prepared for her calling. Mission work. Traci will be leaving for Australia in September. We are so excited for her but will miss her. The only way I could get Lilu ready for the gym is if I asked if she wanted to play with Traci and that got her movin'. Now it has been a fight. God bless you, Traci!



Oh and should not leave out the Women's Bible Study on Wednesday. We talked about longing. This was a hard one for me because I couldn't grasp the study's definition of it. To want something that is out of reach. My problem was how to tell if it was a longing or a dream. Which dreams were something that was attainable. Because I have a 'longing' to be settled, have a home, a place we can put down roots and grow. Not that we aren't growing now but there is a huge possibility that in two years we won't be in Manhattan. But I don't have a fear in this because I know God is in control and will not fail us. When we as a family have put Him first AWESOME things happen. Like putting us here. Placing people in my life. So I know that in two years whatever happens will be a new adventure. And to me that is so exciting. And that includes if we stay here. So is wanting to settle a dream or is it a longing? I thought it was a longing but according to this definition it isn't. It was a very interesting study. I like being made to think about things that normally I would put in a drawer in my head and just leave it there for later. way later. Again this group has been so good for me. Just being in a room full of women who aren't their to gossip or try to out do the other is awesome for me.

I think you are now up to date in the dailies of the Miller women. Something I have to remember to do is be grateful for the time we have with one another. It can be so hard to be grateful for those three minutes of instant messaging when you have been missing each other for a week. I easily get angry at not having more. And realize (almost too late) what a waste of time. Revel in the moment and soak it up. Be grateful that you had it. Because you could have easily had none. Those were God's words to me. And I was convicted to the point of tears. So I will always say I Love You and Thank You. And always hug when I can. This is something I remember in every aspect of my life. God bless.