Live in Living Color

We finally fixed our google video problem and now have our 2008 family video running at the bottom of our blog. It was a lot of work, but well worth it. Let us know if you run into any technical difficulties getting it to work for you.

The Basement

When we moved to this house 3 years ago, we remodeled the main and upper floor, but didn't do anything to the basement. We talked about one day updating the basement, but we left it at that. Monday morning we woke up and decided to transform the basement. We had done absolutely zero prep work. Not moved the furniture, taped anything off, of even checked on what painting supplies we had, but when we set our minds to something, we do it. After only 1 trip to Home Depot, we got to work. As you can see, all of the girls helped paint the primer coat (we had it tinted very similar to the final color- good trick). Aubrey brought down some tunes, and we painted, taped, and spackled holes (the previous owner hung every picture with an anchor and a screw, no wimpy nails for him). It was a long day, but we were happy to be together and it's always gratifying to see the final project. We started in the family room and worked our way back towards the stairs. We've probably got another days work to go to finish the painting. Then on to new carpet and decorating. The girls are really excited to decorate, and I'm fine with it, but I hate shopping for all the stuff. It's not spending the money, it's the actually shopping for the stuff. I give in - I really do not enjoy shopping. I know it's a necessity, but I don't enjoy it. I would pay more if I could just go to one store and purchase everything I need there. I guess we'll try Target, but I don't know if I can get a black full size microfiber futon cover there. If anyone wants to shop for that item, let me know, and I'll send you a check.

The Day of Love

It's Valentine's Day. Share the love, buy flowers, do nice things for others... but shouldn't we do those things ANY day, EVERY day, not just on Valentine's Day? I'm one who loves life and the people I share it with, and I hope that my life illustrates that in the way I live each day.

It was cold and windy this morning, so Robert and I skipped our usual run and went straight to breakfast at Kneaders, a bakery that serves my favorite french toast. It was right there at Kneaders that I received a marriage proposal from my true love. When I accepted, he placed my wedding ring back on my finger after picking it up from the jewelers early where it was getting the prongs replaced on it. I love Robert very much. I love everything about him and love spending my life and eternity with him.

After our carb-fest we headed to a friends house to lift weights in the gym above his garage. We don't often get to lift together, so it was fun. I'm telling you, everything is better with him.

All the girls helped make one of our favorite dinners - Chicken tacos, and we exchanged cards and small presents. I had gotten each of the girls Smarties dispensers that look like Wii remotes, and Emi was stoked that we all now had our own Wii remotes. Luckily, she likes Smarties too, so she wasn't too disappointed.

P.S. We have a tradition on Valentine's Day of releasing our 'Miller Memories' video. We have run into some technical difficulties in uploading it, but are working on getting it online. We'll let you know when we do.

Draper Temple Open House

This morning Robert, the girls, and I were able to go through the new Draper temple. Each temple that is constructed is open to the public for several weeks before it is dedicated. This is the first time our girls have had the opportunity to go through a temple.

When I talk about temples, people often ask, why can't everyone go into the temple. There is often a misconception that what takes place inside the temple is secret and that only certain people can have access to it. Please know that temples are built throughout the world so that everyone can have access to a temple. The rites and ordinances that take place within the temple require knowledge about God and His plan for us, faith in our Savior Jesus Christ, and spiritual understanding and preparation. I often think of it as a spiritual University. You could never be admitted into a PhD program without first completing your undergraduate studies. Entrance into a graduate program requires you to meet certain criteria and have training and knowledge in that area. The University does not set that standard to keep people out or keep PhD programs secret, but rather to ensure that those who desire to be a part of the PhD program have the necessary knowledge and preparation to be successful in their graduate program. The gate to the temple is always open, everyone is welcome. The temple is The House of the Lord and He desires All his children to come and enjoy the blessings that are there.

The Draper Temple is located very close to Roberts office. The girls all wore their Sunday best and we picked up Dad on our way. We entered the temple through the basement entrance and soon came upon the baptismal font. Aubrey was especially excited to see this area, because she will be able to receive a temple recommend when she turns 12 (in 14 weeks and counting) to do baptisms for the dead in the temple baptismal font. From there we went upstairs to the various Ordinance Rooms. In one of the rooms, the walls were covered with murals of the Garden of Eden. We also went through a Sealing Room where couples are sealed together for time and all eternity. The couple that was in this room had the girls look into the enormous (like 10 x 15 feet) mirrors so they could see how marriage can be everlasting and families can be together forever. The temple is all about families and families returning together back to our Father in Heaven. The first time we go to the temple, we participate in all of the ordinances and covenants for ourselves. Each subsequent time we go to the temple, we perform those ordinances for those that have passed through this life without an opportunity to receive them for themselves. We know unequivocally that God is a God of choice and not force, so those individuals are able to decide for themselves if they accept or reject the work that is done for them. There are so many people that have lived on this Earth at times when the Gospel of Jesus Christ was not available in it's fullness or when they did not know about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and this work is done for their behalf. Deceased husbands are sealed to their wives, and they are then sealed to their children. We believe that families are eternal and the temple provides the way to link each generation of families. Our final destination was the Celestial Room. This is the room that represents Heaven or Everlasting Life. It was sooo incredible to be there with our five girls. This is where we hope there will be No Empty Chairs, that the eternal chains of our families will be united and linked together. This pictures was taken at a reception after we had been through the temple and reminds us of the importance of Coming Unto Christ.

There is currently another temple being built in South Jordan (about a 3 mile run from our house). It will be completed in late May and will be open to the public from June 1st - August 1st.

Nienie Benefit Concert

Tonight Robert and I went to a concert in Provo to benefit Christian and Stephanie Nielsen who were badly burned in an airplane crash back in August. Christian and Stephanie lived in Barb's ward in Mesa when the accident occurred, and then my sister-in-law Katherine gave me Stephanie's sister Courtney's book of Blogs for Christmas, so I have been following the experience from several different angles and was glad to be able to show and express our support for the wonderful family.

Robert and I arrived early (you never know how long it will take to get to Provo). We initially ordered our tickets online and chose our seats at that time. We later received a phone call that the seats we chose had actually already been purchased and they were moving us across the aisle and back a row. No big deal. So we get there, find our seats, and are enjoying the quiet theater. More and more people begin to file in and we learn that we are sitting in the 'family' section of the theater. Stephanie's parents are in front of us and to the left, with her siblings, nieces, nephews, etc all around. Now the reason I mention this is because this is a very large, close, and social family (we like that type of family). Robert and I stood up about 50 times to let people in and out and to pass. It was quite amusing. But I did take this opportunity to talk to Courtney, who writes a blog that so many of us now follow. I thanked her for all she's done to unite and strengthen people and also that I had been to Christan and Steph's ward just the day before. She quickly got one of the many children sitting around her, and told her I had been to her church and even gone into her old Primary. It was nice to connect with her face to face after connecting so many times online.

The concert was a performance by Mindy Gledhill, with guest appearances by Ryan Shupe and David Osmond. We really enjoy Mindy Gledhill's music and would have liked to hear more of her songs that she is famous for. It was a good night and we later learned was the last fundraising event for the Nielson Family. We wish them the very best and will continue to pray for them.

Friends Forever

Marissa and I have been friends forever, or atleast for the past 15 years. We met when we were in college at The University of Arizona . We both studied Elementary Education, our husbands both loved playing basketball, our first babies were about the same age, and we served in the Lindon Ward Primary Presidency together. We were destined to be friends.

My time at U of A was a major time of spiritual and personal growth in my life and Marissa was someone that I admired and looked up to. After college, our lives took us to different places and we tried to keep in touch with those yearly Christmas cards. It wasn't until I started our blog (which I attribute to Carrie moving to Australia) that Marissa and I reconnected through a mutual friends blog. It was as if we hadn't skipped a beat. She had 3 new children I hadn't met, I had 4 new children she hadn't met, we now lived on different continents and spoke different languages, but the love that I have for her and her family is the same.

Well, though Marissa lives in ,Peru, she was visiting her family in GilbertAZ when I was in Arizona to visit my sisters. I hurried over after church and got to spend some time with her and meet Garrett, Mazie, and Miah, as well as see Breton and Collin all grown up. I felt like it was a tender mercy from the Lord that I got to visit with her. I'm so thankful for good friends who share their lives, testimonies, talents, and love with me. I don't know if I'll make it down to Peru before Marissa and her family return to the states, but I'd sure love to.

P.S. Thanks to the kids for taking some fun pictures of us!

Laughing Sole Sisters

After a long Saturday, we showered up and decided to hit the town. Our first three attempts at restaurants in Scottsdale were denied by hour long waits, so we ended up at a hoppin' Mexican Cantina. As per the behavior of some of the other patrons, we were probably the only ones in the restaurant not enjoying the alcoholic beverages, but it provided us some good laughs. From there we headed to a local Comedy Club. It was a small, family friendly club that specializes in Improv, I believe it was call Jesters. I don't think of myself as a big fan of comedy, but this place was soooooo funny. There were 5 jesters (improv comedians) who took ideas and comments from the audience and just ran with them. During one segment, a jester would wait outisde while the audience gave the other jesters unusual phrases that he needed to get the jester outside to say. They played it out that the jester waiting outside would randomly pick up these jesters one at a time as hitchhikers and somehow they were turn the conversation in such a way to try to get him to say these phrases. Some of the phrases were "artic cyclopse" and "military intelligence". It was so crazy, and these guys were so witty and quick on their feet. We were laughing so hard we had mascara running down our faces. It was just a fun, fun night together.

I wanted to include one more photo in here, that we took after we returned home from our night on the town, which I may mention, included several jaywalking adventures across cobblestone streets. Now remember, Al and I had run a half marathon that day, and Barb had been on her feet working at a gymnastics meet much of the day, but I thought our footwear choices for the night were just very classic. Can you guess who is who? We are truly the laughing sole sisters!

Rockin' Racers

Race day. My little sister Ally and I have been training together (800 miles apart) for this race since mid November. I often say that 'The Joy is in the Journey' and we have shared many challenges, tears, triumphs, and laughter over these past few months as we embarked on this journey together. Race day is here, and we were ready to go. We picked up our packets last night at Sport Chalet and carbed up on bagels (one of our favorite foods) before heading to Nathan's gymnastic meet.

The race was held on a very large farm in Queen Creek, AZ, so we ran on dirt in between cotton fields for most of the run. It was a very quiet course (the horses and cows didn't have much to say) but Al and I tried to liven it up a bit. We were rockin out to our tunes, singing, maybe even throwing in a few dance moves here and there. We were having fun. The mile markers were large helium balloons in the shape of the number and we looked forward to each one of those. Within the miles were small posters of children and families touched by cancer. It was emotional to think about their struggles and triumphs, and the struggles and triumphs we each face in our own sojourn here on earth. I loved this time to think and reflect.

Al and I separated at about mile 7 1/2. My last few miles are consistently slower that my first few, so I was glad she went on ahead. I had a little watch mishap around mile 9, as the face of my Garmin fell off and I had to back track to find it amongst pairs of moving tennis shoes, but I did retrieve it. I had then lost all contact with my handy dandy satelite up in space, and had no real concept of my time. I could see Al ahead of me for most of the race, and could tell she was doing good. Al finished her first half marathon in 1:58, the same time as my first half. I came in at a cool 2 hours plus, and felt pretty good. It was an awesome race and I am so glad we were able to experience it together. It was so awesome!!!