California McMillans

I would just like to say that while Tyler got mutliple time-outs at his joy school, we went to the park afterwards and he was perfectly content just sitting on the blanket and watching and in a much better mood. I had a realization. It is ok to send him to his little joy school with his blanket so he can rest. It is ok that he can't or shouldn't go like other kids. He has done GREAT GREAT GREAT for so long that I have forgotten about his heart. He has this lingering cough that is either the reason for his tiredness or he is just getting bigger and in need of the Fontan. Do you just know when you kid needs the Fontan heart moms? We were hoping he would make it to Feb before his next Cath, but maybe it will need to be sooner. Kind of scary to even think about that. Yesterday instead of going to the park, we stayed home as a family and played in the sandbox and sprinklers and it was really nice and enjoyable. The boys played so nicely outside which is why I got to catch u

I am in a non-denominational bible study which I LOVE. Christians of all different faiths come together to learn and talk of Christ. I learn so much from the woman. We are studying Isaiah and the latter-days. That is what the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is all about. The fulfillment of the restoration in the latter-days that it talks about in Isaiah. The temples, priesthood, missionary work. It is all being fulfilled. One of the questions from Ephesians was to interpret the scripture, "and he gave some apostles, and some prophets and some evangetists and some pastors and teachers: for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ." I believe in a prophet and apostles and ranks of the priesthood. How else would the church be directed by God? It has always been that way when his church has been on earth. We talked about scriptures that talked about going to the mountain of the Lords house in the Latter-da

This is my first child who LOVES her excersaucer and mommy does too. When we are on the trampoline, Kira is hanging out in her excersaucer. Not only does she sit in it, grabbing and playing with all the toys, but she bounces and bounces and bounces when she is in the mood. Who needs a johnny jumper when you think your excersaucer is also a jumper. Here is a video of her rockin out. She took a little spit up break after all the motion just to jump more. Love it!!

In my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the members each have different callings that we are called and released from. I have been in the Young Woman organization for the past year. I just got released from being the 1st councilor which means I was mostly with the MiaMades, Freshman and Sophomores in High School. It was my first calling in young womans and I really enjoyed it. The girls of course taught me way more than I could ever teach them. It was the perfect calling to have as I welcomed our first girl into our family. We say a young woman theme each Sunday that reminds us that we are daughters of God who loves us and we love him. We are reminded to live the young woman values of faith, divine nature, individual worth, knowledge, choice and accountability, good works, integrity and virtue. I did a lot of pondering and thinking about those values this past year because of this calling. I realized areas of my life where I could improve on all these valu

These pictures sum up Tyler. All in one haircut he can be sweet, cute and lovable, growl like a cheetah, be silly and and think he is the boss. He is a 3 year old creature of his own. I have been doing a lot of thinking about Tyler, his personality and how to parent him better. For me, those times come when my child is doing something I don't like. Parenting is quite an adventure. The second child is easier because of you are a mommy expert and at the same time harder because all expertise needs to be thrown out the window for #2. Scott and Tyler are similar in so many ways and polar opposites in others. They are typical boys....cars, trains and GOGOGO without spaces in the middle. They love each other, have each others backs and of course can be naughty together and get really mad and frustrated when the other isn't cooperating, stealing toys or wrecking trains. Scott is way more emotional. He is a pleaser and wants you to be proud of him. The easiest way to change his

Grammy and Grampy came to visit for Tyler's birthday and we went FISHING!! I have never been fishing before and it was actually really fun. We went to three different locations in three days. I realized we live in a pretty good place to fish. #1 Lafayette Reservoir, 15 minutes from home Can you believe that we have such a beautiful little resevoir so close to home? I used to walk around this (about 2.5 miles) when Scott was little with other moms. Now we just go to drive RC cars, play on the playground and now fish. Scott caught 2-3 tiny little fish which was so fun for him. Danny, Kira and I like to watch and enjoy the excitement of the boys. #2 The Delta We went to visit Danny at work in Antioch and went to a fishing pier afterwards that was about 5 minutes from his home. Scott caught 6 fish small/medium fish in about 1.5 hours. He was loving it and so excited everytime he caught a fish. Tyler loves cars. He is entertained wherever we go because of his cars which is so nice. It w

We went to the Oakland Temple for the "I believe Fireside" which is always awesome. Every month new converts share their stories and testimonies of the gospel which is so uplifting and humbling. A new family in our ward, the Urrutia Family go to share their amazing testimonies of the gospel. I can't believe I spoke at this same fireside 11 years ago. We love them and so excited for them. Elder Campbell, on the right, left our area after 6 months. It is sad and we miss him. He was such a great missionary so full of love for the people he served in our ward and area.

Danny served his Mission in Madrid Spain. His mission president came to the Oakland Temple to speak so President Shallenberger and President Clark (the president after him) came to visit with any missionaries in the area. It is so fun putting a name and personality to stories. I also enjoyed getting to know the Clark family because they were in Madrid the same time I was in Barcelona. Of course we talked about the Bowens (my mission president) whom I LOVE!!! Good time. It is so neat to see the different paths people take after their mission and the good that they are doing. All in different professions, experiences, stages of life, with unique ups and downs. What an incredible group of people. I really want to make it to my mission reunion to see all the elders and sisters who I love. Hopefully next year!!

Scott's pants developed a hole in the knee. I asked him when it happened and then planned on sewing a patch over it. He said, "Some people pay good money to get pants like that." I laughed and laughed, and Scott said, "Stop it!" "Scott, we have to tell that to Mommy." He goes, "No! Don't tell Mommy!" Ha ha ha, that's my boy.

I have no idea what happened to the past six months!! Kira has been the easiest addition to our family and we love our little girl so much. She radiates love and joy and is the center of her daddy's world. She has made me a better person in so many ways. I simply couldn't imagine life without Kira. Having boys and girls is so different. Little girls bring a difference spirit into your home. They are sweet and pure. Kira brings calmness into my crazy life. She relaxes me and brings peace into my life. I love her so much. Scott thinks she is, "soooo cute," and asks to hold her. The boys are good brothers. Tyler likes having baby Kira and hangs out around her but not with her. At six months she screams these high pitched squeals to let people know she is around. She loves when Danny plays the piano or sings. She is our most verbal child. She is also our first child that sucks her thumb. Unlike the boys who loved their pacifiers. She sleeps the short way in her bassinet,