I'm stalling...

I've hit one of those points where I'm feeling SO overwhelmed that I don't want to do anything! So...I figured I would "kind of" do something and write a post. It's not on my to do list so I'm doing it! That makes sense...right? Nope.

I don't really feel very Christmas-y this year. I've tried! I've made the sugar cookies, decorated, wrapped gifts, blasted Christmas music, gone to parties...and still nothing. Christmas just feels like one more deadline that I've set to get a bunch of stuff done by. Isn't that sad? Right now I'm supposed to be typing up my grandma's personal history to be bound and given to her for Christmas. It's actually been an amazing experience, but I feel so bogged down by everything else going on I can't concentrate. Does anyone know a good way for me to focus?

This is kind of a downer of a post isn't it!? Here, I'll type some good stuff. Life is actually pretty good! I have a wonderful home and family who I love dearly. I have a new baby girl who is healthy and beautiful. I was in charge of putting family pictures together (for my family of 45!) and everything went great yesterday. Our photographer was Meredith Carlson, big fan of hers, and it was so nice to have pictures taken and not feel anxious about what's going to come out. She's very good. (We did not have a great experience with a different photographer last year.)

I've been doing a lot of crafty projects lately and I'm looking forward to having more time to do it more. I'll have to post some pictures when I get a chance.

I know this is a weird thing to post but I love my visiting teaching companion. She's fabulous and has been a great example to me. Pushes me. And that's good!

I have the best parents in the world! I will leave it at that for you people and I will give them a detailed explanation later. (: They are amazing.

Okay, this post is random but I do want to end with this....

Dear Blends---(blog friends...just in case you don't know what a blend is)

Please look up the questions or outlines to write your personal history and then do it. My grandma didn't, we did a bunch of recorded interviews. Still good, but you forget things by the age of 90. It's been eye-opening to work on my grandma's history and I feel 10x closer to her....seriously awesome. Her sister wrote her own personal history a few times over her lifetime and what I love about reading through hers is that the day-to-day life is fascinating! I love reading it! That's why I'm going to tell anyone and everyone to get started on this.

Well, that's it from me! Have a very merry Christmas! (And I will too)

I'm leaving you with some pictures of my adorable daughter Abby. (:

Abigail Nancy Millar

She's here! Wahoooooo! Abby came on Monday at about 2pm. 8 lbs 2 oz and 19 1/2 inches long. She fits right in with our little family and we love her lots. James is really good with her and gives her lots of kisses. I'll post more later.

Dear Santa...

I would like these for my baby girl. Thanks!




gap.com

James is almost two!

So when did this little chubby-bubby...

Turn into a little boy?!

James is doing so much and still makes me laugh all the time! Although trying to take picture of him is infuriating, I'm so grateful to be his mom and I know he'll be a great older brother. We're very ready and excited for little Abby to come!

The Ol' Front Porch

I've been thinking about my childhood home a lot this week and decided to post a little something about it. Maybe it will be therapeutic. (: After the initial "oh bummer" of my parents moving into a new home, I really haven't had much of a problem with the whole thing. But this last week it's been on my mind and I've been thinking about what I will miss about that house. Pretty much everything. But I have to say that I will most likely miss the front porch the very most! Yes, that little carpet-covered slab of cement means a lot to me!

Growing up, it was the meeting place for me and my cul-de-sac friends. We used to sit there and talk and make our plans. Lindsey and I could talk for hours there! We (well, maybe just me) used to pull the leaves off my mom's potted flowers and crunch them up as we talked. (sorry mom) It was on the porch that I convinced Brian to eat a spoonful of strawberry shampoo...poor kid. When Sharee and I would come in from biking or rollerblading, you'd get going fast on the driveway hill, down the walk and then we'd stop ourselves on the porch and run into the door. Probably why the carpet needed to be replaced so often.

Oftentimes, I would just sit on that porch and look at Timpanogos. Just to be outside and think. Sometimes, I was secretly hoping that the Means would see me and come out to play. Or it was fun to sit and watch nieces and nephews play in the yard.

The porch played a huge part in my dating experiences...well, and my older sibling's too. My brother Jeff and I used to watch out the window and one time even climbed on the roof with the hose in order to spray the unsuspecting canoodlers. As for me, I had everything from handshakes to first and last kisses. Lots of hellos...lots of goodbyes. (The nice thing is when you don't have to say goodbye anymore...I love you Teejay!) Serious talks (dtr anyone?) and hilarious happenings. One of my favorite dating stories (aka "mr poopy pants") began while sitting and talking on that porch. Good stuff.

I can recount so many memories that revolve around that porch, but if you're anything like me you would zone out pretty quick reading them since blog posts are really only fun to read if there are lots of pictures! (:

I do need to mention that the new owners cut down the two trees in the front yard. Which is probably good, but do they realize that they cut down first base? Kickball just got a lot harder for them.

Yay for Halloween!

We carved pumpkins...it was delightful.

Busy

It has been so crazy! Since my last post we've been to Bear Lake, Flaming Gorge, the zoo and other fun little trips. We also found out that we are having a GIRL and we are so excited! I'm 30 weeks now and things are great. Let's see...my parents moved from my childhood home which was a little crazy, but it's a good move.

This is the outfit of choice for most of July. James loved the life vest.


Love this picture, it is now in a frame on the wall of our front room.






A couple weeks ago Teejay and I tried to take some cute new pictures of James, but he would not cooperate. As long as you have a camera in your hands, James will do everything but look at you. We had fun trying though! He's a wonderful, incredibly silly boy. Here's a couple outtakes...since they have George in them. George is James' favorite thing ever...and has to be washed regularly since he goes with us everywhere.

James' dinosaur face




Well, I just wanted to put something up for those who might actually still check this blog. Have a fabulous day!