Kelsey's growing up

Well, my oldest niece Kelsey, is graduating from high school. I have NO IDEA where the time has gone, and I am just in complete shock. Just yesterday, she was in love with Nate... that's right, she had a crush on her uncle (well he wasn't at the time) Nate when she was little! Who could blame her :) And it was not but yesterday that she was the flower girl in my wedding.

Now, she's all ready to face the world! Head off to college, and fulfill her dreams! I pray for her often, but especially now, during this time of transition in her life. That she will realize the decisions she makes now will effect the rest of her life. It's not as easy as "which cereal do I eat" or "which socks do I wear?". It's now "how will this decision change the rest of my life." It's a fun time, but also a very challenging time, and I pray she will stay strong in who she knows she can be and will continue to grow into the beautiful woman she has become!

Here she is with her certificate!

And here, getting ready to sing the National Anthem at the program.

I missed the beginning, UGH, but I got most of it. They did a BEAUTIFUL job!



Love you Kelsey, and God Bless You at Johnson and Wales University!!!!

God is Good!

Our Busy Taylor

Well, as usual, Taylor has kept us hopping!

She had a double header soccer game last Saturday. They tied the first game, and the second game was very close, but they lost. Here are a few shots of Tay in action.



And Taylor also had her first Orchestra recital. She did very well and we were very proud!


If you can stand it, here is a video clip of one of the songs!

It was very strange for me, sitting and watching her perform in orchestra. I am a proud band geek alum, and to sit and watch my daughter out there, just brought back so many memories. As I watched her director step up and raise her arms, I could just picture and hear Mr. Moss doing the same thing so many years ago. I could picture the silly faces he would make, to help us all relax. I could remember that feeling, as I raised my flute, full of anticipation and excitement. It just made me hope and pray that her experience in Orchestra will be as wonderful as mine was in band. I have so many wonderful memories of that time, and I hope she can say the same in a few years! Almost makes me want to dust off my flute and my music (don't think the neighbors would like us to add to our band of instruments that they already get to hear now that the windows are thrown up!)

God is Good!

Happy 5th Birthday Kaleb

Well, Happy Mother's Day to all of you Mom's out there. While I am so blessed to have three beautiful children that I love dearly celebrate with me on Mother's Day, it will never be a joyous Holiday. It was five years ago that I was carrying my precious Kaleb in my womb, knowing that any day, he would be born, and would be the worst day of my life. Yes, I prayed that the doctors were wrong, I wished that he would be born, and have a fighting chance. Babies survive at 24 weeks all the time, right? Well, that wasn't the case for my Kaleb.

So while I celebrate my mom on Mother's Day, and I celebrate my Mother-In-Law on Mother's Day, and I celebrate all my Grandmothers on Mother's Day, I also suffer through this day. Remembering the last moments I had with my baby here on earth. Tomorrow will be 5 years since the day that Kaleb was in my arms. I think that being the milestone birthday that it is is making it much harder this year.

So I will get through the day tomorrow. We will go to the cemetery and release balloons into the sky. Balloons that I know you will see as you celebrate your birthday with Jesus beside you. What more could a mother ask for? To have Jesus at your son's every birthday celebration. I know we all think of eternity, but having lost a child (or four) you tend to look at eternity in a whole new light. Not with fear, but with hope and excitement beyond that of meeting your creator. One of feeling whole again, after years of having part of your heart missing.

Until then, I think of you every day Kaleb. I wonder often "what if" and "what now". But I know one day you will be in my arms again, and my heart will be whole.



God IS Good!

National Day of Prayer

Today is the National Day of Prayer. Here are a few things I am praying for...

- Our Country
- Our Economy
- Our President

(would you pray with me for the following children/families?)
- Baby Sayla Geiser
- Kaylie Hostetler
- Brian Ricer
- The Miyashita Family

Coworkers
- Lola who is recovering from surgery
- Regina recovering from a broken leg

- My Sr High Small Group - Caitlin, Jenea, Naomi, Hope, Micaela, Erika and Jenessa
- My Adult Small Group - Carters, Artrips, Clevelands

My Family
- Salvation for many, and boldness on my part to share the gospel with them
- Nate's cousin Sara and her mom and dad, making a long trip today to see her boyfriend graduate from boot camp (you two mean so much to us!)

My Children
- Taylor - that you would continue to become a woman of God, as you grow and mature. That you would be strong in your faith as the temptations around you increase. That God would carry you when you need Him and that I would know how to be a Godly example to you!
- Drew - That your loving heart would continue to grow! That God will use you and challenge you in life and that you will grow to serve God.
- Toby - That as you grow, you will grow closer to God and have a desire to serve him and have Him as your Savior! I pray for continued health and healing for your Kidneys and physical growth as well.

My Husband
- As you seek to follow God's Will, I pray for clarity and peace. I pray for schooling to continue to go well, and for your desire to finish strong will not diminish but only intensify as you take a break this summer. I look forward to the wonderful summer God has planned for our family!

What are you praying for?

God is Good

Very Hungry Caterpillar

On Thursday, we attended Toby's first preschool program. How exciting. The week before, I had been to his IEP meeting, and the teachers explained to me that he is still about a year behind in speech and communication. While we are aware of his situation, and have seen great progress, seeing him in his classroom with his peers does make it more obvious. It just means I have more work to do! He is very smart, and I know he will do well in life, but the idea of Kindergarten now only a year away, we need to do all that we can to help him be ready!

So, he was the one that didn't sing a single note to the songs, but he was still a very handsome caterpillar! He did march right in and preceeded to "eat" all the food as the story went. One of his teachers commented on how he was the best at eating the food. He was very clearly munching on everything and even had sound effects. So A+ for that big guy!

Here he is dressed as a caterpillar. You can't see the big green circles that they had on their bellies! Theyre were adorable!

And here he is showing off is butterfly. He did a wonderful job on all the craft projects they had hanging around the room!

And a photo by one of his "favorite" foods in the story, Pie!

So as Nate and I were watching, it became clear rather quickly what Toby's nervous habit is... finger in the nose! Luckily he was on the end, so I don't think many people noticed. Once they were done, his finger didn't return to his nose the rest of the time. We'll have to work on that!

God is Good!

Blogging

So, I'm guessing if you are reading this, you are a blogger. I don't think many people "stumble" upon a blog. I have no idea who my readers are. I know I have friends that occasionally pop in, other adoptive families that pop in, etc. Who is reading isn't really all that important. I'm not sure if I care if anyone is reading (though it is fun to see the counter going up). I have no time in my life for scrapbooking right now... I JUST DON'T!! Blogging takes me about 10 minutes, and I can do it quickly after the kids are in bed, without any stickers, scissors, glue, paper and mess!! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Scrapbooking, I just can't do it right now. So Blogging gives me a chance to talk about the things I love (adoption and my family) and in a sense, Pre-Scrapbook! When the day comes that I have free time (I know it will happen), I can simply sit down to millsfamily5 and go back and recall all that was going on, all the wonderful outings and excursions we go on, and scrapbook them for the children much easier.

Why am I babbling about this you may ask? Well, I was away this past weekend at Women of Faith. Yes, that is a women's Christian conference. I was in a room after the conference with one of my girlfriends and she had several family/friends with her that I had not met before. They did not know much about me. I think they knew I had an adopted son, but that was about it. So we are eating and chatting about all sorts of things... life, travel, kids, (husbands leaving their wives behind when she steps off the motorcycle and they dont' realize and go racing away!)... when the subject of Blogging and Facebook came up. It became pretty clear that they were not fans of either. I sat quietly, observing these ladies reactions and comments. I was not hurt by what they were saying, but I was shocked that women of faith would be so harsh and judgemental. Their opinion was that people that blog and are on facebook are only on there trying to create an image of their perfect family, in other words FAKE. And if they were being honest about their lives (some people blog about EVERYTHING, and I mean EVERYTHING) that it was just inappropriate. "Who cares about them doing laundry" they said. So there's a double standard :) Don't be fake, but don't be honest.

I am not sure what the real issue was with these ladies. Why they felt it their place to "call out" people who blog as not being worthy. Why they felt that it was really a problem. I don't think anyone forces them to go out and read them? It just amazes me that people see it necessary to put down others at all.

I did not say anything while I was there. However, at one point my girlfriend mentioned something about my blog, and the look on some of the girls faces was priceless. The one girl ran out of the room laughing (I'm not positive that is why, but I think she had some egg on her face). I am just hoping that they got a glimpse of the judgement and immaturity they were showing.

So if you think blogging is stupid, why have you read this far?

God is Good

First Grade Field Trip

Today I got to go to Rolling Ridge Ranch with Drew and his first grade class. We had to drive ourselves, so I took Toby with us as well! It was a beautiful day here in Ohio. I think Spring has Finally Sprung!! Here are some photos of our day!

We had 3 wagons full of first graders and their parents. This was the wagon in front of us. We were some of the first people there, and the animals were HUNGRY!!

A close up of one of the Osterich, or was it an Emu? Those things are CRAZY!

Here we are inside the gate, and the animals charged us for food!

YIKES!

Drew was having a lot of fun!

Another shot of the wagon in front of us further down the trail!

Toby having fun with the billy goats. They had lots of babies, and he wanted to hold them all! He is so sweet!

Drew holding the baby duck.

Toby holding (read Squeezing) the baby duck!

We had to get photos of the monkeys for Toby! He LOVES his monkeys!

After we left, we stopped off at Heini's Cheese for a few treats! YUM! Toby was good for a while but then he began to get tired! So we took off for home, and naps... both He and I!!

It was a lovely day, I got to spend some amazing time with my boys!

I'm off to Women of Faith tomorrow night in Columbus. It will be a wonderful refreshing weekend, but I will miss my gang!!

God is Good

Easter Fun!

A week ago, we took the kids down to the Easter Egg hunt at the local park. Taylor was "too big" this year to partake, so she helped out by taking Drew to his area while I stayed with Toby. She got her egg hunting cut short by a year. Last year, she was only 9 at the egg hunt, since it was in March. This year, she was 11 for the egg hunt because Easter was in April. She never got to be a 10 year old at the Easter Egg Hunt! I think she'll survive!

Here are the kids with the big bunny! Toby wasn't freaked out this year! He was actually very excited, and ended up blowing a kiss to the Bunny as we left! It was so cute!

After church, I forced the family to get a photo together! You would have thought I was killing the kids, but they all survived, and this, sadly, was the only decent one. Poor Toby! But everyone else looks great!

After we changed, we stopped at my parents house to visit quickly before heading out to Nate's mom's house! Here are Toby and Daw-Daw at Grandma Debbie's house. We kept finding Dawson sitting next to "Willie" (as in Hillbilly Willie!), carrying on a conversation, so we decided to snap a few photos!

The adults hid the Easter eggs, and here is what happened when we let the wild animals loose!

Drew was pretty successful in finding the eggs!

Here is Derek counting his loot!

Daddy was helping Toby find his eggs!

I think Lincoln had the advantage with this egg! Hope there was something good in it :)

Back inside, Drew is checking out all his goodies!

And here is Grandma Debbie and Graham reading the Easter Story, along with the Resurrection Eggs, to the kids! This has become a family tradition!

Hope you all enjoyed your Blessed Easter Day!

God is Good!

Toby's Four!

Well, his actual birthday isn't until Tuesday, but we had Toby's birthday party today. No matter how many people show up, it is a special day! I can't believe Toby is actually four already!! It seems like just yesterday, we were celebrating his 2nd birthday with him half way around the world, and us only wondering what his birthday party was like! Today, we celebrated with a few family members, and we made the most of his special, Curious, Day!!







We love you Toby!!!

God is Good!

Happy Easter

Remembering what my Saviour had to go through... unimaginable! And all he asks of me is to follow Him!

I love this song. We used it on one of Toby's Videos! And I love how this video is clearly showing Mary's struggles from The Passion of the Christ! As a mom, I get that in a small way! Enjoy!



God is Good!

Little Drama Queen!!

Today was a big day for the Mills' Drama Queen! Taylor's final performance of "Cricket on Grandma's Hearth" was tonight and they did a great job. The crowd was pretty thin, but I think it had a lot to do with it being so close to Easter Weekend and Spring Breaks. Taylor did a great job, and we were very proud of her... Here are some photos and a short video of the final scene...

This was before the show. The kids were dancing and having a good old time!

Was she looking at the camera? Actually, I think she was looking at Toby, who waved at her the entire time she was on the stage!

Here is "Emily" having a heart to heart with Grandma about being kind and the Easter Miracle.

A part where Taylor was off to the side, but doesn't she look so grown up?

The curtain call for "Emily's" family

Here is a brief video of "Emily" and Grandma, the final scene of the play, about their Easter Miracle.

And then, to top off the Day... we finally got a call from Ohio Light Opera this afternoon. She has been offered a part in the upcoming Fiddler On The Roof production!! She will be the youngest daughter. They are doing a split cast, so she will be in half the shows, like she was for Sound of Music. She is SO VERY EXCITED!! As are we! We should know more in the coming week, but for now, we can stop running after the mailman... He probably thinks we are stalking him!!

God is Good!

11 Years Ago!!

For some reason, this momma is having a hard time dealing with the fact that her baby girl is 11. So, we go back and look at old photos. There are so many I could post, but I don't have the time, and I'm sure you really don't care... But here are some special ones to me!

This is Taylor with my Paternal Grandmother, Bonnie. Grandma Bonnie became sick when Taylor was very young, and passed away in July of 2007, so she doesn't really remember her. But this photo is absolutely precious to me...


And Taylor with my Maternal Grandmother Carol. Taylor was the first Great Grandchild, can you tell?

And here is Taylor with my Maternal Great Grandmother, making this her Great-Great Grandmother. Does it get any more precious than this???


Taylor at her first birthday party, enjoying her very own cake!

Here is Taylor and Daddy... why does he look so young?


This photo has always been a favorite of mine. This is Taylor dancing with her older cousin Lincoln at a wedding. Lincoln was always very protective of Taylor!


Taylor's first night in her Big Girl Bed!!


And the beginning of a love that is unexplainable! Taylor meeting her baby brother Drew for the first time!


Time certainly does fly by. And there have been so many wonderful times since that Monday in March, 11 years ago! I am beyond blessed to be Taylor's mother! I look forward to the joys God has in store for us in the future!



God is Good

ROCK SOLID!!!

Another wonderful performance by the Wooster Grace Brethren Church Children's Choir! Today they performed "Rock Solid" after many months of practice! Once again, we were not disappointed. There are so many talented children in our church! It is always exciting to see from one year to the next which kids have gotten to the point where they feel comfortable singing solos. Drew said he wanted to try-out this year, but ended up not doing so. Maybe he'll be ready next year! I look forward to next year with great excitement and great sadness. It will be the only year we have all three of the kids in the choir, but it will also be Taylor's last year! :'(

Here are a few photos and videos from the program!

Taylor was in the "Stomp Band". She was the only girl. There were seven boys, and Taylor! Not sure what to think of that :)

Here is Drew getting into the song!

A video of Taylor singing her Solo! I don't see how Ohio Light Opera could turn her down (yes we are still waiting... UGH) Of course I'm just the Momma! (and that is Toby in the background saying "I saw my Tay Tay")

And here is a video of Drew during the final song. He was really enjoying himself!

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post!! It's a big day in the Mills' House!

God is Good!

And We Wait!

AND STILL... NOTHING 3/26

STILL WAITING...3/24 :)

Well, Taylor had Auditions for the Ohio Light Opera tonight. She sang the song "Maybe" from Annie! I think she did a beautiful job! I felt bad for her, we hadn't really practiced with an accompaniment, but she still did well. I was out waiting in the hall, and I could hear her belting it out like a superstar!

We have been very encouraged about her audition not only by the response we received today, but by the people we have spoken to in getting information during the process. They certainly remember her from her part as Gretl in Sound of Music two years ago. (Click on the link for a few photos of her from the OLO website!)

While we are very excited and anxious to hear if she will be cast in Fiddler on the Roof this year, we are also aware that there are only a few childrens parts. While I am biased, I believe she is best for the part :) Granted, I haven't seen the competition. Getting a part means our summer belongs to The College of Wooster and the Ohio Light Opera. (Eighteen performances, and several weeks of grueling practices) But it also means that Taylor is doing what she loves, singing and being on stage.

I will be sure to post once we know the outcome!

God is Good!

Another Anniversary

In the world of adoption, it can be easy to get caught up in all the "Anniversary Dates"! There is the day you got "the call" or the referral, or saw the first photo of your baby (3/18/07). There is the day you accepted your referral (3/22/07)... there is the days when you received all the various travel approvals (didn't keep track of all this)...there is the day you got "the call" about your travel to meet your baby(6/24/07)... there is your gotcha day, or forever day or airplane day, whatever you may call it (7/26/07)! And there is your finalization day (3/10/08)! That is what our anniversary day is tomorrow! Another day to celebrate the joy of adoption.

Does that mean we have a big party? Does that mean Toby gets gifts? Does that mean the world stops for 24 hours? Not for us, but some families may celebrate differently. We acknowledge the day, maybe read an extra adoption book at bedtime or look through his photo book, or watch a video. But that's about it. Is that wrong? Not for us! We have two biological children. Does that mean we should celebrate the day the pee stick turned pink, the first ultrasound, the first movement every year? That would be a little silly I think. So while adoption is special, and it is important to celebrate what milestones you do have, considering for us we lost the first 27 months of celebrating, we also are realistic.

So tomorrow, we will remember our special day in court! We will be thankful for the blessings God has given us over the last 12 months! But to indulge you all... I thought I would post again Toby's Finalization video!

Enjoy!



God is Good!