Sick . . .

and Tired.

Nothing seems better than cozying up on your chair during dinner when you are feeling under the weather. I sure am grateful for doctors and medicine to help nip that ear infection in the bud.

First Flakes

In honor of my parents receiving 9 inches of beautiful, white snow yesterday I cut my first snow flakes of the season. While some might look at snow as a cold, wet, horrendous thing that falls from the sky and sticks to the ground, we here in the Miller household LOVE it. The kids danced with excitement watching me cut and hang these snowflakes on the wall. I'll see how many flakes I can get on the wall this year. I didn't quite make my vision to fill the kitchen. Get out your hats and mittens (and shovels!) it's snowing in our house.

Who Says?

I would like to know, who says nothing in life is free? Because below is a picture of items I got for free. Ok, yes there was a small cost of time involved in getting these items. But essentially, monetary wise, this was all free.

This really is a small sample of the things I've gotten for free. It's probably triple this amount if I spent the time finding everything and we including all the things we have already consumed. I know people think I'm crazy about couponing but the question begs to be asked. Aren't people crazy who don't? Companies are willingly paying for the products you would in most cases be buying anyway. I have found that the time involved in clipping, organizing and remembering to use coupons, is worth the savings. And those savings then go to pay for unexpected car maintenance or worried-mommy-drag-you-to-the-doctor-appointments. Seriously people, couponing is so worth it! Not to mention incredibly fun! Maybe I should be careful of how much plugging I do. My mom might sometime read my blog and decide to keep all those valuable coupons she has been sending me.

Two months

Here's our precious little Afton. Two months old and growing like a beautiful flower.

(I always disliked the phrase with "weed").

Stats:
11 lbs 2 oz
23 3/4 inches long

Afton is sleepy and smiley. Smiley and sleepy. She's a chatter box too. Talks and talks and talks if she can get your attention. Good thing we have 3 boys to balance out the 3 chatty girls in this house.

Laundry by the Numbers

Today was my Laundry Day. Hold you breath for the forth coming excitement.

Laundry for a family of 6 . . .

takes 20 minutes to sort . . .

and 45 minutes of dedicated time to fold.

6 loads washed today . . .

and 1 more to go.

5 pairs of clothing shed before 4:30 pm today and awaiting cleaning.

9 pairs of pants washed and folded for Russell.

7 days since my last laundry day . . .

but ran 7 loads in between Laundry Days.

Jaron ran out of socks 1 day ago. Russell ran out of socks 2 days ago and underwear 1 day ago.

6 folded, clean burp cloths - 4 laying around; not sure if they are clean or dirty.

2 laundry baskets held together with duct tape.

1 very tired ME!

(Anyone want to help me put it all away??)

Beggar's Night

Because we live in the bible belt we lucked out in people being willing to hand out candy on Saturday evening. It was a bit chaotic trying to get our kids ready and out the door. Jaron wanted to ride his scooter. Russell wanted to go shoe and sockless and ride his tricycle. Eliza wanted to push her lawn mower. To add to that, there were lots of people milling about in our yard watching a certain celebrity walk up and down our street. Clark saw him and was still unimpressed. I just wish the neighbor guy standing on my lawn would have stopped puffing on his obnoxious smelling cigar. Who knew someone walking up and down our street was so exciting? I didn't see anyone else attempting to take pictures of my darling kids! Oh well.

This is one of the only pictures we have of Jaron in his costume. In true Jaron fashion he requested to be a snowman. Not surprising from a boy who always thinks it is going to snow. Just this morning as I was dropping him off for school, he jumped out of the van and declared, "I think it smells and looks like it will snow today." Nice prediction.

Eliza's costume cracked me up. She wore it almost all day on Thursday. And occasionally got grumpy or angry about something. I just couldn't take her seriously as she was melting down. I mean really, she was just any angry bumble bee! But for the most part, she was just cute. And I loved hearing her sweet little voice say, "Thank you" at each door. I wish my boys would have remembered to be so polite (maybe about half the time).

Ribbit, Ribbit, Russell.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

And again, a random photo of Afton.

Often Clark and I will be carrying Afton around while attempting to manage the chaos in our home. And you'll look down and she'll just be grinning wildly at you. It makes you feel bad that you haven't been enjoying the smiles the entire time. But it sure is fun to "catch" her smiling at you. Have I mentioned she is sweet? Well, she is!!!