California McMillans

We are approaching Tyler's 1st birthday which is filled with indescribable emotions. We have witnessed tender mercies of the Lord, miracles, answers to prayers, realized how many wonderful friends we have and felt so lucky to be parents to such a remarkable, special baby. Along with those feelings also came numerous days of feeling helpless, pain, sleep deprivation and heartache to see your child endure so much. Others sometimes express how Tyler reminds them to be grateful for their healthy children. Don't get me wrong, that is a great blessing, however, we feel incredibly blessed for Tyler and his heart. Today was a great example of how he has transformed me. Tyler hasn't been feeling well, had a fever last night and has just been off. The doctors fit me in at 11AM. Instead of being frustrated my little guy was sick and my Saturday plans to attend a shower and go shopping were dismissed, I was grateful! I was grateful doctors were able to see us on a 3 day weekend. Gratef

Sorry about the lack of posts. I have been on summer break from work and trying to fit in a million things. Not to mention had 6 kids and a huge house to maintain for a couple of days. Here are the kids coloring. Cute Brothers Scott Me & Ty. Yes, I am still in pajamas and unshowered. The Perry kids were great. It was actually good for Scott to become more independent & learn to share a little better. There house is BEAUTIFUL. They took a broken down, unliveable place and transformed it into a gorgeous Alamo home with a great backyard. I love their home, however, quickly realized I would not be a good home owner in a big home (I actually think I was always aware of that). A little about my future dreams. My dream home is a 1 story. I love that everyone is closer together. A nice back yard for the boys to play. And a medium size house. Not cramped, yet close together, can entertain but is manageable for me. I am just starting to figure out some of my likes and dislikes. I l

I decided to make up a tag (see below entry). It is inspired by more, recent, Heidi deep thoughts. So if you are bored, go ahead and read on, and if you are busy or uninterested in my many deep thoughts, just know I appreciate and love you. In high school I was always surrounded by friends. We traveled in packs and did everything together. When I got married and had kids that changed. Why? Several reasons. I had a husband, financial obligations, kids, was tired, only have 24 hours in a day, wanted to spend the little time I had with my family. The list can be endless. I didn't put in the effort, I was scared to entertain in a small condo, I didn't want to stop by unannounced or on short notice because I didn't want to interrupt naps, family time, etc. Is this normal? I don't know, but I did feel all of these. Well, life changes and I am just starting to figure out how to adjust from single life, to dating life, to married life. As I am learning to balance all my needs,

How this works...Choose 10 (or as many) people in your life who make you better for the following reasons. Send it to the 10 people who you chose. Than have them send it to 10 inspiring friends. . Faith Promoting Elder & Hermana Bowen (my mission president). I am grateful for your examples. You truly helped mold me into the mom, wife and friend I am today Everyday Martha Stewart Lillie. You are so talented. I love your house and photos. Kind to our Earth Christi and Amy. Infant potty training takes the cake. Ability to Always Make you Laugh (Even when you should be crying) Heather Nelson you are blessed with this gift. Remind me to wear diapers while talking to you Fills the World with Great Art Victory Nichols I love your photos, pots, view of life through art. Amazing Parents Mom & Dad. You live a life of selflessness to me and my family. Full of Patience & Kindness Krissy. You emulate kindness in all your actions Roxanne & Althea. A mother & daughter who

Congrats Tiff!! One of my high school friends has been working hard to help put together streetbeat with her boyfriend. She is the hot brunette in this trailer. I thought is was pretty cool so I wanted to show all of you. Columbia Artist Management is setting up a tour for next year so look for tickets and help support them. http://www.streetbeat.biz/Videos/CAMI%20Trailer%20Web%20size.wmv

Jason & his adorable dog Marley. You can't tell in this picture but she is one of the cutest labs I know. Heather and Jason are so good to her. It actually was Jason's birthday, not Scotts. Ditto to the above caption. Happy 29th Jason. For those of you who know Jason, you already know he is one of the nicest, selfless people who you can count on at anytime. He is a great husband to my sister, great friend to many, great son to his parents and great uncle to my kids. I feel so blessed to have them in our lives. They are true examples to me and Danny. They are so full of love and wonderful friends to so many! They have endured some tough times this year with the ongoing Lietz health issues and have been filled with faith and a positive outlook on life. Thanks for that reminder. Wishing you a great 29th year. We love you guys!

AT&T PARK + THE MCMILLANS = A great night of baseball. Dodgers vs. Giants. Tyler's carseat sat in his very own stadium seat. He loved watching the people, lights and waz a happy little man all night. I got to hold Tyler for the last 2 innings which I LOVED. He was tired, yet content, and melted in my arms watching the game. Nothing compares to a night out with my 3 boys. Danny loves his boys and so did many people sitting around us. I kept thinking back to the days at UCSF when I yearned to hold him. I couldn't believe we were actually sitting at a baseball game 1 year later in San Francisco. Danny and I have memories and a new appreciation for the city and doctors who gave our little boy a chance at life. He has come so far in 1 year. It was a great reminder of our many blessings! Leaving at the end of the game. What a beautiful ball park set on the water. This was all possible by the Pentlands who gave us tickets to a great game, great seats and chose a warm night for u

People often ask us what our plans are for the future. How do you answer that?!? I think to myself, "What plans do you want to know about?" Believe me, I am someone who loves to know what comes next in my life. Part of me would love a magic 8 ball that could show me glimpses of the future. Well, let me just tell you, that magic 8 balls doesn't exist in my life. It is good to plan, prepare and dream, however, it is impossible when you are establishing your little family, starting your professions, realizing what even brings fulfillment or what your talents are, and striving to find that perfect balance. I have learned the importance of being flexible. The importance of allowing your spouse to find fulfillment. My outlook on succes is constantly shifting from the worldly view of awards, prestige and wealth to things that bring true happiness and fulfillment. Success to me is having a stable marriage, loving your children, finding professions that are fulfilling, an atmosph

I just read The Kite Runner and loved it. It is the story of Amir, a boy from Kabal, who is haunted by the guilt of betraying his childhood friend Hassan, the son of his father's Hazara servant. The story is set against a backdrop of tumultuous events, from the fall of the monarchy in Afghanistan through the Soviet invasion, the mass exodus of refugees to Pakistan and the United States, and the rise of the Taliban regime (thanks wikipedia). I gained a greater appreciation and love for America, our liberty and opportunities. The book helped me strive to be a little kinder, a little more patient and a lot more accepting. We never know someone elses circumstance, background or desires. One of my favorite quotes from the book which becomes an underlying theme. "When you kill a man, you steal a life. You steal his wife's right to a husband, rob his children of a father. When you tell a lie, you steal someone's right to the truth. When you cheat, you steal the right to

One of my best friends from high school is getting married so all the girls got together. It was a great time. We went to Maria Maria for dinner and came back to my house for a fun night with the girls. Here are some pics from dinner. I love that we always make each other laugh. Usually because we are dorks. Laurel showing off her ring Rachel, Shawn and Laurel looking beautiful! This week I will be starting a blog for my high school friends, the Gap Girls, which is sadly going to be private. I can't follow a crazy email chain during the day and think it would be fun. We have been an extremely close group of friends since elementary or middle school. We have so many great memories, gone through the good and bad together (often associated around boys), attended colleges together, hung out at Encina and look forward to so much more. My girlfriends impress me so much. We are all in different phases of life. Some married, others engaged, some in law or business school, others in great