Understanding

Do you often find yourself asking why?  I know we are to never question God but somethings I can't help but wonder why do good things happen to bad people?, why do bad things happen to good people?, why do daddys & mommys go away?, why can't people who would love to be a daddy & a mommy never get that opportunity? and the list goes on and on and on...

The events of the last week have left me asking again WHY?  As most of you know 1 year ago we got that dreaded knock that everyone fears. A Crittenden County policy office stood at our door & delivered news no one could prepare us for. For a long time it left me asking God why? What did we do? What didn't we do? I just don't understand.  It left me with a fear of car accidents, accidents period, the unknown.  As I look back on the week of the accident & the week after I see so many glipses of God that at the time I didn't see before.  It amazes me to think of God's goodness & grace to us who don't deserve it at all. Who am I to deserve what he has blessed me with.

This week a very dear friend to me lost someone she loves so much. Again I caught myself asking Why? Why her? Why now? Why so young? I think a lot of us were left with this question. Though we may never know the answer of why on this Earth we do know that God's timing, HIS plan, HIS will for our lives is PERFECT!!! At times I find myself struggling with this more than ever.

I started noticing as just young children we start asking this question of WHY? My kids are often asking why do we have to eat that? Why does so and so get so and so? Why do we have to go to the grocery store. I often find myself answering because I am the Mommy & I said so just do it. WOW how this struck me. Maybe I should stop asking why & learn to realize because my Father said so.  I need to just do it. HE is the MASTER he KNOWS the plans HE has for ME. He plans to give me a hope & future that today I can't see but HE can.

I know to some of you this post may not make sense but I pray that some day it will. If you don't know the love & grace of our Father Jesus Christ reach out to someone because your days are numbered. God knows the plans He has crafted for our lives but we don't. Life is precious & it is time that we start writing our very our memorial service!! What do you want to be said about you when you leave this Earth? Do you want it to be said that you loved the Lord with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might? Or do you want it to be said that you cared about yourself more than the work of the Lord? We need to start NOW with writing our life song.

Weekend with my loves!!!

So I always look forward to the weekends.. Well most of the time I do when we don't have a big cleaning party planned. LOL

So Friday night we decided to go to the Youth Mission Auction at our church. I had decided we weren't going because we didn't need to spend the money but a couple of our friends talked us into it. I left with the 1 thing I really wanted and needless to say got in trouble when I got in the car because we both agreed no money was to be spent... BUT I am super excited about having Zoom done!!!  I have always been so self conscience about my appearance so I am really excited to have brighter white teeth! Maybe since I have been tanning too that will help. YAY!!!

Saturday morning I was pumped when I got out of the bed because we were planning a trip to the zoo that day. Well I was quickly defeated when the 3 kids got up & immediately messed up the kitchen I had just spend 30 minutes cleaning so it would be clean when we returned home. And my sweet darling little Maycen Kate woke up acting like her Mommy in the mornings. NOT GOOD!!!  She was really trying my patience because she wanted nothing I tried to feed her (I went from scrambled eggs, to coco puff cereal, to toast, and finally even tried M&Ms) you know it isn't going to be a great day from the start when she keeps throwing everything at you or on the floor. Lord help me survive the terrible 2s...  So we pack up our stuff & head to the zoo. It was a beautiful day outside & I think everyone from Texas to Mississippi thought it would be a great day to enjoy the Memphis Zoo. We enjoyed our time as a family (minus the few fits that were thrown because we didn't do face painting, icees, or the String Ray Bay).. After leaving the zoo I decided I really needed some new tennis shoes! After all it has been almost 8 years since I bought ME a pair of tennis shoes. So we headed off to the Nike Outlet where I got me some super cute stylin kicks for super cheap :-) Saturday night we had Bible study with our good friends & enjoyed some fellowship time. This is something we typically do every Friday night & I must say I look forward to it & so do the kids!!!

Sunday we of course had church that morning. I went to the gym and put about an hour into my workout. Nothing too major but hey I went on a weekend that has to count for something right?! I am determined to have that super hot body by the summer (if that super hot body is possible because I never had it to begin with. LOL)... We spent the rest of the day folding clothes, cleaning, and just hanging out... 

We are on the countdown to the BIG reveal surprise for the kids.. 8 more days & we are ST LOUIS BOUND with my sister & sweet nieces. I can't wait to see the kids faces when they find out I haven't exactly been telling the truth about Spring Break :-)

I know it is going to seem like all the pictures are of me but Coach just isn't a camera person & we have to have something for the kids later on... Right?!!

 Me and my baby girl (Growing up)

 Cheetos are a girl's best friend (if you are Maycen Kate)

She was stylin & profilin in her giraffe pants

1st zoo trip she knew what was going on

Mommy &  her girls!

 My Little Man love him!

 Worn out!

Loving the animals & her new pink car!!!

Random all over the place

Ok just a word of warning this blog is going to be random all over the place so if you don't want to read I understand! LOL

So it has been a week or 2 since I have posted anything on our blog.. this is mostly because our life has been rather boring this days.. I said boring not unbusy! lol

Not a lot has been going to that is really blog worthy but I do have a couple thoughts to share..

#1: My husband is looking SMOKIN HOT (Dawson's fav term these days).. He has lost so much weight I am so proud of him!

#2: Brooklyn and Dawson have both been signed up for machine pitch ball this Spring. I am so excited I can't wait!!!!  I absolutely love baseball (when my kiddos play).. I don't so much like the CRAZY schedule though. LOl

#3: Spring Break trip has been planned & I can't wait to surprise the kids. We aren't doing anything major like Disney or anything but my sister & my beautiful nieces will be joining us for a couple days in St. Louis, MO which means a trip to LAMBERTS!!! Can we say fat jeans & lots of thermoplus?! LOL

And just a random thought.. Seeing everyone posting their sweet new babies on Facebook makes me a little sad.. My last baby is now a sassy, talkative 20 month old!!! Kind of sad that time of our lives is over but excited for what lies ahead for us too!!!

Silly Goose

 Just Me. So ready for Summer days!

My Baby boy sleeping!!

Brooklyn hasn't been home enough for me to capture any pictures of her this week :-(

Life in Pictures

Little Buddy

 Brooklyn at the dance with friends

Brooklyn & Her Daddy

Fort Worth

Handsome Little Dude

We got the Vision

This place in TX was too cool

Brooklyn cookin up some eggs

 Me & Coach almost 11 years later

Maycen Kate has discovered cupcakes!

 Love my snuggle nap buddy

Special Day!

Let me 1st say  #1 I am SOOOO PROUD OF BROOKLYN and her decision to follow Christ!!! The feeling I experienced yesterday was like no other. I was nervous (crazy I know) and so happy all rolled into 1.

In the Bible, baptism is first introduced in Matthew 3:2-12 when John the Baptist began his ministry as the forerunner of Jesus Christ. John preached a simple message to the Jews that they were to repent of their sins in preperation for the coming of the Messiah. In Matthew 3:13-17 Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist in the Jordan River.  Baptism is a "Picture" of the Gospel that pictures the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Being immersed in water pictures the death of Jesus Christ dying for our sins. Being raised from the water is a portrayal of Jesus' resurrection in which he conquered sing & death. Baptism emphasizes to the new believer and to those who witness the baptism that as a Christian and child of God the Christian now is to live a godly life, resisting in sin, and not giving it place in their lives. (Bible Truth).

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new 2 Corinthians 5:17

Brooklyn accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior December 2011 while attending a play at Marion 1st Baptist Church in Marion, AR.  We were blessed enough to get to share this experience with a very special lady, Mama Shirley. Mama Shirley has been a part of our family since we 1st moved to Marion in 2005. She is 1 of the 1st people we met when we moved & 1 of the few who has been there through everything with us!  She has been able to share the most happy times & the saddest of times with our family! She is truly a God sent & I don't think she will ever know how much she means to us. So anyway Brooklyn has been asking about baptism for quite some time now. She understands exactly what it means to be a Christian without a shadow of a doubt & wanted to follow up that decision with the decision of baptism.  As a Christian in our home we do not believe that baptism saves you! We do not believe if you are not baptized you are not saved. We do however believe that baptism is done out of an act of obedience.  As a parent you always want what is best for your child. The feeling of knowing that I will spend eternity with my child is 1 like no other. Dawson too has accepted the Lord as his Savior & when the time comes & he is ready he will be baptized as well. As a parent all I can do is pray for my children & pray that they will follow Christ!

Changes in the Miller House

So we have some changes in the Miller house that we are super excited about!!! We are praying that God has given us a "vehicle" to help others & to share our story!!!  For a long time I wasn't sure my purpose but God is giving me a purpose.

Last football season I started hearing about this business called Advocare.. I just kind of shrugged it off & was like yeah not for me. So then in December I ran into a friend of mine who looks just amazing. So I got to asking her what she was doing. That is when she shared her story of Advocare and what it has done for her. She had lost approximately 50 pounds since she started taking products from Advocare  (August 2012)& I thought wow maybe this stuff does work. So I decided at the end of Decemeber I was sick & tired of looking at myself in the mirror & feeling just disguist for what I looked like.  We decided in the Miller Family it was time for a New Year and a new us!!

Jan 2nd I took the plunge into the 24 day challenge.  I started feeling better than I have in years. My energy level was at an all time high & I was seeing results!!!  I have never stuck to a weight loss program or healthy eating but this time I was determined!! At the end of my 24 day challenge I had lost 7 pounds and 11 3/4 inches total body.  I dropped from a 12/14 down to a 6/8 in a matter of 24 days. 

Now the rest of our story is what is so amazing!!! My husband did this right along beside me and all I can saw is WOW he looks AMAZING!!!  He has been on product as well & the results he is seeing is like no other!!! He has dropped 30 pounds and down to a size 36 jeans! I have never felt so proud to call him my husband. He is on fire & looks so good! (Did I mention he looks good? lol)

So I know you are asking yourself what is Advocare and what in the world is a 24 day challenge.  Advocare was founded 20 years ago and has been going strong ever since. It is guided by a prestigious Scientific and Medical advisory board of doctors. Advocare offers the highest quality ingredients and standarized herbal extracts for best absorption, well balanced nutrition, and consistent results. The products are regulary tested and pass the comprehensive banned substanstance certification program for dietary supplements.  Some of Advocare's unpaid endorsers include star football player Drew Brees,  Pro football star Jason Witten, and hundreds of other professional athletes, coaches, enterainers, etc..

So now you ask me what is the 24 Day Challenge?  The 24 day challenge is a nutritional program. It gives your body the jumpstart it needs to help you reach your goals.  It is done in 2 key phases. Your 1st phase is a gentle cleanse phase.  This is designed to help eliminate waste & prepare your body for optimal nutrient absorption The 2nd phase is called the Max Phase. This phase is to put those nutrients in your body that are the keys to being healthy. The challenge also has meal replacement shakes (available in a variety of flavors), omega plex (fish oils), and Spark.. If you haven't been "sparked" you are really missing out. Spark is an energy enhancer that isn't like your normal energy drink. He provides you with sustained energy all day long!

Advocare also has many other products available not just the 24 day challenge.  They have a trim line, an active line (perfect for athletes & locker rooms nationwide), well line,  and a performance elite line.  We are now maintaining & continue to lose weight with this other lines of product!!

If Advocare is something you would like to know more about please contact me via email at footballwidow84@gmail.com I would love to talk to you more about the products & what it has done for my family.  Also, they have business opportunities for those interested.

BEFORE ADVOCARE 2012

2 MONTHS INTO ADVOCARE

The Joneses are Overrated (Proverbs 31 Ministries)

Wow! I sit here right now in amazement at what God just spoke to me!!!   I can't tell you how many times I have caught myself feeling robbed of contentment.. Lately I have caught myself looking at others & thinking what have I done so wrong that I don't deserve that too..  This could range from their home, to their clothes, to their car, to their friends, and the list goes on and on. Is that not just the most ridiculous thing you have ever heard? I don't deserve anything & don't deserve what God has blessed me with. Why can't I just be happy with what I have? Because I am human, I am spoiled, and often times what I think I can't live without is just a phase. 

I heard the song yesterday and here it often on the radio by Citizen Way Should've Been Me. A part says:
I live a good life, I love a great wife (in my case husband), our kids are beautiful, we have friends down the street. If I am so thankful why do I easily forget you died for all of this? These words hold true... I have a good life!! God promised us so much but he didn't promise it would always be an easy adventure. He promised he would always be there to hold us is what he promised!!  I love a great husband.. WOW I found a man who loves me even when I don't show it in return or I push him away because I had a bad day. My kids ARE BEAUTIFUL but more important they are HEALTHY PRAISE BE TO GOD! and we have friends down the street! I often think we never get invited to anything, or we don't have as many friends as so and so, etc.. but really we have been blessed with people that will forever be in our lives.   So with this being said how do I easily forget that Jesus died for all of this?

So then I check my email & I get daily emails from Proverbs 31 Ministries.. I SO recommend subscribing to this if you don't get it already!  The title of the blog today is "The Joneses Are Overrated" and it opens with Philippians 4:11-13 "For I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content-whethere well-fed of hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me."  Wow what a promise God gave me in this verse. He promised he will always strengthen me. 

The "Joneses" invade our homes and our thoughts several times a day which robs us of contentment and why? Because of comparisons. Comparisions always deal us a blow to contentment. When we see others owning, enjoying, or experiencing what we do not have, but wish we did, it may make us discontent. (Proverbs blog).   God has already prepared a place of contentment for us when the car breaks down, the bill are hard to meet, or even something like the kids acting out again. We find that place only when we take our eyes off the situation (and off facebook) and fix them upon our Lord Jesus Christ.  Tures contentment is not merely having what you want, it is wanting nothing more than what you already have.

A perfect comparision from the sermon yesterday the wise man built his house upon the rock & the foolish man built his house upon the sand. From the outside the homes appeared the exact same. They were magnificent and beautiful from the outside. Something in modern day we would dream to live in. But their foundations where different (sand vs rock).. Same holds true today. We can look at a house, or a person, or the life we "think" someone is living because on the outside it looks appealing like something in a dream but in reality we don't know what is hiding behind those 4 walls, or that smile, or that life.. I need to learn to be content in my little 1600 square foot house because that is the house that God provided for me. The house he saw was perfect and that he wanted us to have. Behind those 4 walls may not be a mansion but there are 5 people who love each other (not always shown), who love the Lord (not always shown), and have all they could ever possibly need if we would just allow ourselves to be content!