Who takes priority?

It was nearly two years ago that Nathan and I sat on our front porch with a bottle of wine discussing our future with the Marine Corps. It was a fall night and we could hear one of the local football games being held in the distance. We were settling into our new role as parents, Mackenzie was only a few months old. I remember looking at Nathan, most likely through teary eyes, asking him how he would make our family a priority if he went back in. I had no concept of military life, but it seemed miserable. He had a great answer, I just can't remember it because I was busy refuting everything he said in my mind. It was during this conversation that I began to feel that anxious, nervous feeling in the pit of my stomach because I knew this was the path we would take. So who does take priority these days? Well, most of the time we do. What I didn't understand that night sitting on the front porch is the amount of pride I would feel towards my husband, the military and our country. While this doesn't make up for the time spent apart, it does make it a little easier. Nathan gives 110% to this family, all the time. There are trips to the pool, trips to the park, trips to the aquarium, trips to the beach, trips to the grocery store. And if the trips weren't enough, there are endless refills of juice, numerous episodes of Dora, books before bed, Hello Kitty bandaids, and the list goes on. I guess he does know what he's talking about every now and then.

Someone please remind me to read this post in a few months when he's gone.

Yum

She is so sweet.

Why I love summer

Fingerpainting outside while dad grills dinner.

A weekend with good friends.

Meeting Boston Blake, he is adorable!

Watching dad make everything better when a big wave

washes in a scared toddler.

Big smiles on the boat ride out to Shackleford Island.

Enjoying a 4th of July parade with a bag of Cheetos.
Does it get any better?

How about enjoying the parade with a bag of Cheetos

and a fly swatter?

Lots of updates

It's been such a long time since I posted anything that I'm struggling to find a place to start. My family came down for a visit in May and we experienced our first air show. We had a great time and Mackenzie generated a lot of attention. She wore bright orange ear plugs, but was still bothered by the jets. Every time one flew by she would shake her finger saying, "No, no, no!" Nathan was interviewed by the local news station and I was interviewed for the local newspaper. The Miller's are famous here in Havelock! Okay, not really.

Mackenzie is changing so quickly that it's hard to keep up with all of her developments. She is talking more and more; some of it we understand, some of it only she understands. We are starting to hear her put two words together like, "doggie poo", "baby fishy", "pretty flower", "hi doggie" and "big rock". She loves to sing, play ring around the rosie and watch D-D-D-D-D-Dora. I have started talking to her about using the big girl potty, and she likes to sit on it and make the "psssssss" sound. Ha! Where did she learn that? Then I'll ask her if she has to potty and she quickly responds with a NO. We have been taking advantage of the warm weather by going to the beach. Mackenzie likes playing in the sand, but avoids going near the water.

The three of us traveled home this past weekend for a wedding. We were able to see lots of friends and family. I love seeing Mackenzie with her grandparents, aunts and uncles.

Oh, did I mention there are 6 more days of school left? Can't wait!

Girly Girl?

It's been a long time since I've seen Mac looking so girly and I love it. The headband lasted about 3 minutes, but I'll take what I can get. Nathan's parents are in town for a visit and my daughter has turned into the little entertainer. Anytime Grandpa is in the room she falls to the floor and waits for him to "check" on her to see if she is okay. She has also been eating like a grown man and mornings wouldn't be the same if she didn't ask for a hot dog before 9:00am. Her favorite person in the world right now would be her dad; they truly have a special bond. Nathan had to work this morning and you could see the disappointment on her face when she walked around the entire house looking for him. Sorry kid, you're stuck with mom.

Kind of boring, kind of cute

The video is kind of long, but I knew the grandparents would appreciate it. This is Mac playing the Wii. Nathan usually kicks my butt on about every game we play, which is why I've been secretly practicing at night when he is at work. Am I pathetic or what?

Bad Blogger

I've been such a bad blogger lately. Sorry and it's probably going to happen again....just being honest. Going back to work has been a huge adjustment for everyone. Mackenzie had a difficult time going into daycare and is still insisting on carrying around her damn blanket all day. I might let it go until this summer and work on that for next year. We told the daycare that we were thinking about not letting her bring it and they looked at us with fear in their eye.

Mackenzie and Grandma LaVine back in March

So cute, so stubborn.

We seem to have entered into a phase I like to call "toddler hell" and let's just say it isn't pretty. Sometimes we get this.....

....other times we get this....

...and every now and then this.

How long does this phase last? Can someone please tell me? Did I mention that she has also starting waking up throughout the night? This morning I walked into the kitchen to find her dumping the dog's water and food bowl onto the floor. She looked at me and said, "Uh-oh!" Last time I checked, uh-oh doesn't apply when you do something on purpose. I will admit that she quickly ran to the nearest laundry basket, found a towel and began to clean up the mess.

Work has been.....um, interesting?!? Some days are great, other days are like a never ending nightmare. I know that sounds a bit dramatic, but the school systems down here are about 10 years behind where I came from. Oh, and I was hit in the face this week. My jaw is still recovering and there was no bruising, so that's a good thing. Here are a few of my favorite quotes that I've heard since starting.....

"Mrs. Miller, I have sand in my butt."

"It's okay for boys to play with girl toys if it's just for a little bit. Like sometimes I wear girl dresses.....but just for a little bit." (Said to me by a 6 year old boy)

"Hey sweetie!"

"I WANT CHICKEN, FRIED!" (Said to the cafeteria worker by a 5 year old girl)