California McMillans

The best part of being a coach is that it incorporates into my life as a mom.  Sometimes that is a difficult balance.  I remember a couple of years ago when I was at Aquabears and Scott and Tyler were toddlers and my summer became booked with lessons.  It was hard to say no.  No to the kids, the parents and the money.  With time saying no became easier as I found balance between my kids and my job.  I have loved the last 3 years at Dana Hills.  I truly know it was where I was supposed to be.  It was where my kids were supposed to be.  They grew to love swimming. And it wasn't the laps, times or awards that they grew to love.  It was the experience of summer rec swimming that I wanted to give them.  Snow cones, cheers, dances, fancy county dinners, playing games on the grass all summer long.  That is what rec swimming is about. Probably more so than the actual swimming.  That is what has kids in this area swimming so incredibly fast for only being in the water for a couple of month

Kira did great at her gymnastics showcase at Black Diamond.  She's been stressing going since the coach isn't nice (she claims), but she still did well.   Hanna turned one on the 22nd!  She's been an easy baby.  She just entertains herself. A shot of all the kids together, even if they had cake all over their faces.   We went to Del Valle on the 24th and went camping without the camping part.  First we went to the lake and the kids played in the water.   Self timer shot with the iphone:  fair quality but good expressions and good lighting. Next we went to the campground area and hung out with the Olsons, McCauleys, Nielsens, and Becks.  When it was time to go to bed, we went home!  Camping without camping!  Okay, time to update my blog.

Heidi Barbara Lietz                                           STATEMENT OF INTENT             I struggled to keep tears from streaming down my face as I watched my Grandmother fight for every breath.  Her frail hands clung to Noel, my childhood doll, as she listened to the doctor’s diagnosis.  “Patients in your stage of emphysema have approximately six months to live.  There is nothing more I can do for you, and from talking to you I know you are anxious to get home.”  It made me angry how easy the words came out of his mouth.  I wanted the doctor to show empathy, but instead he hurried to the next patient and directed us to the hospice nurse. Understanding of Social Work and reasons for wanting to be a social worker       The following day, I hurried to answer a gentle knock at the hospital room’s door. Clara, a social worker sent from Hospice, came to help my grandmother.  She was different from the doctors;  her eyes expressed love and her soft spoken words brough

Advice From the McMillan Family Shower A ppreciate all the little things in your beautiful life. B e ready to go when Danny is ready. C are for the other more than yourself, Concern for the little things. D ream big and work hard to fulfill your dreams and goals. E xercise regularly - alone and as a couple. F ighting is not permissible at any time. G ive lots of hugs. H ave fun! I t is a 2 way street - Marriage is giving and taking. J oin a choir, club, or sports team together. K eep putting all your stuff away so that you can find it when you need it. L ive it up.  You only get one life here, so make the best of it. M uchos besos! N ever hold a grudge. O ften share kisses and only have eyes for the other. P lan dates every weekend that keep the romance alive. Q uit talking about past boyfriends. R espect each other. S how forth greater love if you have a disagreement. T ell him you love him every day. U p’s and down’s will happen.  Enjoy the

I am grateful to speak today.  I decided to speak on how to ensure our new years resolutions can add joy and happiness to our lives. As I have come to know our Savior, I have come to know that he wants and has prepared a way for us to be happy and enjoy the journey of life.    Much of my talk is from Elder Wirthlins article "lessons learned in the journey of life".  He recalled a Christmas Eve on his mission in Germany saying, "That year as Christmas Day approached, my companion and I decided to take a walk and talked of our hopes and dreams. We talked of our goals and what we wanted to have happen in our lives. I committed that night that I would not waste my time. I would renew my efforts to serve the Lord. I made up my mind that I would magnify any callings I received in the Lord’s kingdom.  That was also the evening I made up my mind about the type of person whom I would marry. Six decades have intervened since that Christmas Eve in Oberndorf when I