The next SUPER-SOCCER-STAR!!!!

Our girl had her first soccer practice and "game" this weekend! We are so proud of her as this represents quite a big step for her. Our very shy and sometimes timid sweet girl was awesome on the field and developed a great relationship with Coach Cheryl (the one in the pink shirt + purple shorts) who was very encouraging and kind with Alexandra.

We know she'll grow more confident with each practice and she said she had a really great time! We are so proud of our girl! (We're even wondering if we should signed Keith up for soccer as well...he seems to really like playing with her...maybe for the fall season, we'll do soccer X's TWO!).

Just to make all our southern family a little jealous...our temps here in NE Ohio have been between 70-90's during the day and dipping into the 50's at night! Our hostas and flowers are growing beautifully and it's FUN and ENJOYABLE to play outside and have dinner on our screened in porch. It's LOVELY here and we are reminded in small ways why we love living in Ohio so much...which is good, because it's this time of year, when our schedule slows some, that we miss our family very much.

Love you all! Have a great week!

SUMMER FUN!

It's been a while since I've updated the blog - life has been busy! The kids are getting bigger, the days are getting longer, and there is more fun to be had away from the computer! Still, there is lots going on here in the Milam corner of the world.

Another long semester has drawn to a close and we were excited to celebrate the end of the year with a visit from Memaw and Papaw! We had a lot of fun and did a lot of projects around the house! The kids love the time when they are here...you can see it in their faces.

Keith started T-BALL a couple of weeks ago and is QUITE the player! He is a proud member of the RED SOX team and looks stunning in his cap and team shirt (yes, this mommy is a bit biased)! He was really in his element on the field with all the other kids. Just before his first game, Memaw and Papaw came for a visit and we practiced swinging the bat, hitting the ball, and running the bases..."all the way around"! Well, Keith learned well...so well, that when he was to hit the ball and run to first, he just kept running..."all the way around"! Clearly, he thought the hit was a HOME RUN!

A short video of his great first game!

We are super excited that Alex has decided to play soccer this year and she'll begin her season next weekend! She has been outfitted in the cutest little cleats, shin-guards, sox and even a new soccer ball (all in coordinating pink, of course) by Memaw...who knows that whatever a girl decides to do, she must look good doing it!

AND, even more BIG news for our big girl - SHE LOST HER FIRST TOOTH!!!!! This is HUGE milestone for our "baby" and she was beside herself when she awoke to the Tooth Fairy's gift of $2! There is another "wiggler" not far behind...

FINALLY, our biggest news of all! John has been offered and accepted a GREAT new position at John Carroll University (Cleveland, OH) as the Associate Director of the Center for Mathematics and Science Education, Teaching and Technology! This is a TREMENDOUS honor for him and will allow him to explore great new avenues for his career working with teachers and children to improve science education in NE Ohio - it really is an amazing accomplishment for him and we are all very proud of him for following his dreams to get back involve in schools!

WAY TO GO, JOHN!!!!

So, there it is - a little update from our corner of the world! More to come...as always.

Thanks for sharing in our great adventure,



MaRcH mAdNeSs!!!

It's been a busy month for us...the days are speeding by which is great because that means that spring is nearly upon us!

A few magical moments from this month...

I captured this one of Alex when I went in to turn off her light...she is clutching a magnet of Miss Jessica, one of our favorite sitters and family friends, and her new hubby, Adam. Adam and Jess were over for dinner that evening and sat for the kids while I had to run out and John was teaching...she LOVES Jess! 

These are the sweetest tulips from my amazing hubby...because he loves me! 

A totally wonderful surprise "just because"... 

 Saturday out with mom - haircut, lunch at Panera, and a quick errand to Target!

We always have a blast!

HAPPY St. PATTY's DAY!
A small parade in downtown Akron the Saturday prior...we had fun! It was sunny, warmer (notice, I did not say warm!), and a good reason to be outside!

Keith, Aiden, and Alexandra...Aiden is one of Alex's friends from school.

She tells me she loves Aiden and that they are going to get married one day! She does look smitten! :)

This is a day I will remember forever...lunch with my special girl before Kindergarten orientation at what we hope will be her school in the fall! She is thrilled about going to school "like the big kids" and can't wait to start...mommy, on the other hand, isn't ready just yet. Maybe by August...

And finally, who doesn't love a game of CANDYLAND!?!?!

The crocuses have started to bloom, the air is warmer, and we were able to play outside most of the weekend! It's the second most wonderful time in Northeast Ohio (only to fall, that is)!

We hope you and yours are enjoying the rebirth of the planet. Until next time...be well and hug each other!

It's been a while...

Since my last post and it seems like a lifetime has passed...it's been a trying couple of weeks. For those who don't know, my father was in a terrible car accident a week ago yesterday...the miracle of it all is that he literally walked away from the crash. After a life-flighted to and a short stay at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville, TN, he returned home to Madisonville, Kentucky a couple of days ago. His road to recovery will be long. Prayers, thoughts and positive healing energies his way are most appreciated.

Here is the news story (click on title below):

Hopkins Man Hurt in Crash


When you see the pictures, you'll know that it was grace alone that saved my daddy...and I have rarely in my life known and truly felt the existance of a higher power  more than this (my marriage to John and the birth of my children among the other times...).

Upon receiving the news of his accident and his serious condition, Alexandra and I traveled to Nashville to be with him and the family...my sister, Jessica, and her new baby boy Jackson also met us there along with my step-mom's children, Branden and his family, and Jordan. Visiting hours were limited so there were a few hours when we took some time out in Nashville with the kids - below are a few pictures from our difficult but really uplifting trip.

Alex + me + baby Jackson enjoying the beautiful sunshine.

It was amazing holding my new nephew for the first time! He is an amazing baby!

Beverly + Branden and their two children, Briana + Austin and baby Jax and me in the hospital cafe - we spent a great deal of our time here switching back and forth during visiting hours. The kids were real troopers!

Same group as above minus Branden + my sister, Jess (Jax's mommy)!

Alexandra and her "pink cow hat"

Alexandra with her new love - a horse!

This was right inside a dance hall off the strip!



Alexandra + baby Jackson...we couldn't get him to look at the camera...he was too smitten with the purple and yellow impatiens in the garden!

Thank you all for your continued love and prayers...I just spoke with my daddy and he is healing well at home and will return to Vanderbilt to have his nose reconstructed and another scan of his brain and next early this next week.

Always,

MoNsTeR jAm...and more SNOW!

On Saturday afternoon, we took Uncle Matt + Aunt Lisa to Cleveland! We had a great lunch, toured the city, and then went to MONSTER JAM!

TURN IT UP (your volume, that is)!!!!

When we got home, everyone was pooped! We grilled out, sat by the fire, and enjoyed some time together. Keith was OUT by 6:00 and slept the whole night through...dreaming of monster trucks and other great big boy adventures, we're sure!

On Sunday John and Alex took our best guests to Amish Country. Just a short drive away, they had lunch, toured a quaint little downtown Millersburg, and saw some horse-drawn carriages! It started to snow a little on Sunday, which made for great scenery to our big pot of homemade chili and fire in the fireplace...and a chilly walk to our favorite ice cream shoppe!

The weekend passed too quickly and Matt and Lisa flew out Monday morning...we were sad to see them go and VERY happy for the memories we made this weekend! THANK YOU UNCLE MATT + AUNT LISA for coming to visit us - you made our year so far! :)





And...then the snow began to fall...and fall...and fall some more. Today the University is closed and the local school district as well...we're sorry you missed the major snow, guys!



We'll look forward to catching the snow again next year! Love you both passed the sky!



TUBING!!!!!!!

We are SOOOO lucky to have Aunt Lisa + Uncle Matt visiting us this weekend! They arrived on Thursday afternoon and we haven't stopped since!

Last night was the first big adventure of our weekend - TUBING at BRANDYWINE! BIG snow covered hills, tubes, and S-P-E-E-D! It was really awesome - kids kept going, and going, and going...and by the end, were taking the smaller hills "by myself"!

Without further adieu...

And this is a picture of Keith the morning after...clearly, those bumpy tubing rides might have knocked a few screws loose! :)

TODAY we are waking up and getting ready to head to MONSTER JAM - yes, that is monster trucks! We are looking forward to seeing GRAVE DIGGER, MONSTER MUTT, and BATMAN - those are the most popular of the monster trucks!

HAPPY SATURDAY, everyone!

VaLeNtInE's DaY!!!

The kids celebrated the DaY of LoVe with their friends at school last Friday! It was so much fun! They both made Valentine's for their friends and it was so sweet to get to visit them at school (I heart being a room-mom!).

Keith made BATMAN valentine's for his friends and Alexandra chose HELLO KITTY! 

She's really growing up! 

 My sweet boy!

Alex with her best friends at school - Allie is hugging her and Shea is in the foreground! 

These girls are like teenagers together - chatty, sassy, and silly!  

Another of Alexandra...just had to include because she is so beautiful.

(...and by the way, she has asked to be called Alexandra like she is at school - she likes her "whole name" now!)

Tomorrow is mommy's favorite holiday of the year - one day set aside to tell all those you love you do, all those you appreciate "thank you", and all those who have made a difference in your life that you are grateful. Who is on your Valentine list?