I needed a Quaker Chewy Granola Bar Today...

Have you ever seen the commercials for Quaker Chewy Granola Bars that used to be on t.v.?

Which one you ask?

You know....the one where kids are saying REALLY embarrassing things about people in front of complete strangers. So, to get the kid to quit talking the mom or dad quickly gives them a granola bar.

Today, I definitely needed one of these in my bag. (Strangely, I usually always have one in there but of course...not today!)

Anyways....

I was at my local grocery store and remembered I needed to get a few cans of tomato sauce. Kaysen, my little boy that I previously mentioned is such a big helper, decides that he wants to help me get a few cans. I let him help me, even though it takes about 5 minutes to grab 4 cans because he has to stack all the cans that fell over up. No, he didn't knock them over, they are in the bottom shelf in a bin all thrown in together. He wanted them "all stood up mom!"

An older gentleman walks by me, as I'm asking Kaysen to please hurry, then tells me I'm going to miss my little boys help when he no longer wants to help me or when he's 18 and moves out of the house. The poor guy even had tears in his eyes as he said this...so I'm guessing he really misses his children. (And by the way, yes I know I will miss this kid oh so much. Many times I want to freeze time but alas I can't!)

Kaysen turns around to this guy and says,"My daddy has big pants like that...but not THAT big!"

Did I mention that this guy was a large gentlemen???

I just blabbed something like, "Yep. Daddy has big pockets like those on his work pants huh?" Trying to sidetrack Kaysen but instead Kaysen says again, "Yep Mom. But not as HUGE as that big guys."

Oh gosh...where is my chewy granola bar when I need it???

Before this, a man was putting chips in the aisle and Kaysen stood in his way so the man asked if Kaysen was going to help him. Kaysen looks at the man, rolls his eyes and says,"NO. I only help my mom" then stomped off.

5 minutes after the HUGE pocket guy incident, Kaysen has to go to the bathroom. (Like always when I have a basket full of groceries and a germ infested public bathroom to contain 2 boys in.)

Anyways, we pass a pregnant woman on the way in and Kaysen says, "Hey mommy. She has a HUGE belly like the other guy!"

Seriously, I wanted to die from laughing once I got in the car and then when I got home and was able to replay the story for Jerry. But at those moments, in the store I really wished I had something to stick in his mouth to keep it shut.

Moral of the story...keep Quacker Chewy Granola Bars in my purse at ALL times.

All about Kaysen...

Where do I start when talking about my eldest son who just so happens to be a ball full of energy???

First off...he is my BIGGEST helper. No matter what I am doing, he wants to be right there helping. Sometimes I say no because I just want to hurry up and get whatever I am doing, done. Then I step back and think...I always want him to want to help people. If I discourage it now, he'll eventually quit asking and then think he doesn't need to do it. I love that he loves to help, this I'm sure is why he was sent to our family as the eldest. He knew that I would need some help, and with Kaysen around I always have it.

(This picture of him is really while he is at school making pumpkin cookies but it shows just one of the things he LOVES to help with.)

Second, he is a deep thinker. I love this picture of him at school. It looks like he is really thinking about the letter "P" to me. He loves to point out all of his letters. Anytime he sees words he says, "Mom, look! A "t"! (or whatever letter it is.) ALL day long I listen to this, but I get so proud when I read a book with him and he can show me all of his letters. He is getting so smart.

He is also so smart that he can tell us how to get from our new house to our old house in Show Low. As he says," You know Mom. You pass daddys work. Then you turn this way (and points right) and pass the dinosaurs then drive for a LONG time. Then pass the gas station (Maverick in SL) and turn this way (right). I can't believe that at 3 years old he can remember how to get to our house. His memory amazes me.

Along with this memory he can remember songs after singing them just a couple times. His favorites are The Wise Man & The Foolish Man, I Am a Child of God, I Love to see the Temple and If You Chance to Meet a Frown. (this one we always sing when he is grouchy and it immediately puts a big ol' smile on his face.)

He can also read almost word for word any book that is read to him a couple times. He loves "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" and many other sight word reader books. Any of these books he can practically "read" (he doesn't know how to make the letters into words but he knows what is said word for word on each specific page.) His memory is probably what amazes me the most. I know it is a gift that was given to him for some specific purpose.

Another thing he loves is the dentist! He had his first dentist appointment in October and LOVED it. He did so good and loved counting his teeth. He can't wait to go again.

He also has an amazing imagination. This is his rocket bike. He got his spiderman chair and covered up with his cars blankie and watched Kung Fu Panda the whole time I set up the Christmas tree.

This boy is the best big brother. If Gage gets hurt he gives him kisses then comes and tells me that I need to kiss Gage's owie better too. MOST of the time he is really good about sharing toys and he loves to read to Gage, if Gage will sit still long enough.

He is a little boy that tests me more than I ever thought I could be tested but makes me want to pass the "test" and work harder and be better.

Gage's obsession

I haven't just written a post just about my boys in quite a while and I'm so worried about forgetting how they were and what they liked at this age.


So...Gage's thing is shoes. Jerry and I really laugh about this because we hope that someday he out grows it. For now it makes me laugh and also drives me crazy. He must have a built in radar detector because when my closet door is open he knows it and beelines straight to all the shoes. Within 5 minutes I have 20 pairs of shoes scattered about the house. It is great for entertainment when I need to get something done at that moment but oh such a mess when its time to clean up.

These are all pictures first thing in the morning, as you might be able to tell from the p.j's. (and these are only 5% of the times that I was able to get pictures of him in shoes)


He is such a funny kid. I love all of his little quirks and I hope that I can remember them forever. He is my little daredevil that will climb up and jump off of anything so he definitely keeps me on my toes. He is getting so big and smart too. He puts all of his plates, spoons, cups etc. in the sink when he is done, he's already starting to want to potty train, he runs to the fridge and says muk (milk) when he wants milk, he copies everything Kaysen does (which is not always good), he kisses any picture he sees of a baby, he points to items in books and people in pictures when you ask where they are, and LOVES to point to his nose, eyes, ears etc. and especially loves if you ask him where your nose or ears are. (watch out though...he sure likes to try and get 2 knuckles deep in the nose when you're not paying attention.)

I love this little boy so much and am so glad to be his mom...even on my crazy days, which lately seems to be a lot more often. (this tells me I'm still not ready for #3 so don't even ask) I can't believe that he is almost 17 months old. It's all so crazy but so worth it.

Since I've been gone...

Many exciting things have happened in the Miller home...

On New Years Eve we finally moved into our new house. Here is a picture of the living room. Without any of my decorations in place. Since this picture was taken I have covered the walls in pictures and decorations which is a good thing because I go crazy when my walls are bare.

Here is our new kitchen. (Ignore the fact that the picture is crooked.)

That is pretty much it in the photo department for now because all other rooms are not yet complete. Maybe someday I'll get around to posting them....

Also, while I was gone we celebrated Christmas!!!

We made ginger bread houses at Grandma & Grandpa Millers house. Its pretty sad to say that this is the first one I have ever made. It turned out pretty good. Especially since Jerry and I had a company dinner to go to the night this was planned so we did ours after everyone left and 90% of the candy was used/eaten. I don't know what my boys enjoyed more, making the house or eating the candy. What I do know is that they were up until 11:30 playing because they were a bit too hyped up...Ugh that was a long night!

Here are the boys in their matching Santa jammies. Kaysen thought it was sooo cool that him and Gagers matched. Now every time one of them wears them for bed he thinks the other one has to also.

We woke up Christmas morning to some pretty amazing presents. At first Kaysen just stared at his 4 wheeler and wasn't too sure if he wanted to get on...simply because he was cranky. Gage was wide awake and ready to get the day going but Kaysen wanted to keep sleeping. I was too excited to let Kaysen keep sleeping so I made him come downstairs too. As soon as Kaysen saw his black helmet hanging on the handle bars he was excited. That is what he really asked Santa for. His cousins have some helmets, more specifically a black one that is a bit too big for Kaysen, but he loves to wear it. He would sleep in it if I'd let him. He thinks it makes him go faster...and "I gotta be safe mom."

Gage hopped right on his 4 wheeler, even though he didn't have a clue how to drive it at first. We had some near fatal accidents (jk) in that small living room on Christmas morning.

Kaysen and Gage have loved living here I think. Kaysen loves that he can ride his 4 wheeler all over. We have 10 acres with no fences so he just goes & goes. He also loves that he has 16 cousins, 7 of which are his age, that he can play with all the time. He constantly asks if one of them can come over or if he can go to their house. It is great to see them have fun, even if there are a few arguments while playing.

(I love that I can see Jerry's work in the background of this picture...that means that he is only 5 minutes from work. I also love that I can see Cody and Kylie's house...that means they aren't too far away if I ever need them. I think Kylie and I both love this part. Plus we get to go walking and to volleyball together a couple days a week. I'm lovin it!)

Gage is getting better at driving his 4 wheeler, he just has zero steering capabilities. He usually rides his for 5 minutes or so then moves on to better things...at least what he calls better things.

Like...raking the dirt. I really took this picture to show what the view is out my front window. No it isn't beautiful...well except in the spring when it is all covered in green with spotted yellow, white and purple flowers...then I think that it isn't too bad. Also when I watch the sunrise coming over the hills. I tease Jerry saying that this must be the Land of Desolation the Book of Mormon speaks of...jk.

I do love that I can see this far away and know that my family has plenty of room to roam. One day Jennie and Jeremy will have a little bungalow against that hillside.

Jerry and I also celebrated our 5th anniversary!!! It is oh so crazy to think that it has been that long yet seems like it has been longer on some days. Thanks to Tia & Merrick watching our boys, we were able to go out to dinner. It was great! The past 5 years have brought us some trials but it has also been the most fulfilling 5 years of my life. I can't wait to do 5 more...at least 10 more times!!!

Also, Gage is getting sooo interested in potty training. After every incident in his diaper he runs to the toilet and has to sit on it. He also wants to wear Kaysen's big boy undies, even over his clothes. If he sees a pair hes screaming, trying to pull them on. I'm all for potty training...I just think its crazy because he is only 16 months old. I'm not going to push it...just keep him interested. Then MAYBE this summer when I'm done with school I will venture on into that department.

To sum it all up I think that ALL of us love our new home & town. It really does feel like home and where we are supposed to be. I miss Show Low and my family but know that this will be so much better for us.

Jerry has this week off and I REALLY don't know what I am going to do with myself. We have no traveling that we have to do. We can just simply work on our house HERE TOGETHER, eat meals TOGETHER and sit back and relax TOGETHER!! Its going to be GREAT!!!

(p.s. Happy B-day Jennie!!)

New Year, New Town

So we have officially moved into our new house.

Sorry, I still don't have internet connected so it will be a while before I can post pictures and do my regular posting. (Although it will be sporadic. I'm taking 3 classes this semester so that I can take 2 more next semester and finally graduate. If I get on the computer, I will spend way more time browsing blogs than homework so I won't be all that diligent with posting.)

So far I am loving my new little home. I'm hating the unpacking and am realizing that going from a 4 bedroom to a 2 bedroom requires a lot of "sifting" through junk. We are planning a big trip to the local dump AND a major yard sale sometime in the near future.

I love that I see my husband before and after he goes to work now. I love that when he works on the house, my boys can play with all of thier toys or I can read my books on my couch. I love it. Love it. Love it.

If you're in my new little town, drop by and see us! We'll make room for you! :)