An "assignment"

I received a phone call yesterday from a counselor in our Bishopric. He asked me if I would be willing to take on an assignment (of course before telling me what it was). He asked me to be the assistant in our ward to help with the efforts towards Proposition 8. I was very excited because I have wanted to be involved. After thinking about it later, I realized that I might also be able to apply my education. I have a Bachelor's in Communications and specifically in Public Relations. I am excited about the opportunity. Protecting marriage is important to me and I hope everyone will get involved in some way.

Sleeping Mayhem

Deceiving, that's what these pictures are. Parker looks like a good sleeper, but he is not. With Josh we used the 5, 10, 15 minute approach and it worked. He would also give in if you let him cry it out. Not our little Parker. We have tried both and neither worked. The YW's president that I work with, Monique, had a video she used for her twins. It is kind of like what we did with Josh, but slightly different. Each night you change the increments of time you go in to check on the baby. So, last night we went in at 2 minutes, 4 minutes, then every 8 minutes after that. Surprisingly, he fell asleep in about 45 minutes. We didn't touch him, just opened the door and calmly told him it was okay, it was night, we sleep at night and that we love him. He slept for about 4 hours and then we went the rounds the rest of the night/ morning. Even though it was tedious, it was great to see that he actually could fall asleep. So, tonight we went in at 4, 6, and then 12 minutes. It took him a bit longer and he has woken up, but he fell asleep before I had to go back in for the second time. I am sure it will be a battle through the week, but Dave is home through Wednesday and this was a good opportunity to start. A problem I was also worried about is our upstairs neighbor. Yesterday I went up and introduced myself (& Parker the culprit). I explained what we were trying to do and brought her some treats with earplugs attached. (Kind of as a joke, but not.) She was nice and turns out she lives alone. She is a Grandma and understands. It took some burden off of me to know that she was aware of what we were trying to accomplish. I hope that we can get this mastered so we can all move on. I would like a kid free bed again and a reasonable sleep situation for us all. If anyone had any more advice in this department, I'm always open. We do have a routine too before we put him down. I am think that will also help.

Just a Blurb

Guess what I learned today thanks to my good friend Ruth, you can have your blog printed and bound into a book. Isn't that fantastic. I have loved posting pictures and keeping an online journal, but didn't want to loose all of it. Now I won't. Ruth's sister in-law had her blog printed and was very happy with the finished product. You can visit Blurb to get more information. This will be a great way to insure I have my blog for years to come.

Our Ninja Turtle

Josh has discovered a new love besides sports, Ninja Turtles. Oh it was love at first sight. Just one Saturday morning episode and he was sold. For his birthday he received a few items. At Target we found a set he just couldn't live without. Watch out bad guys!

Circus Circus!

We had a fantastic mini vacation with the Mannion family this week. We went to Circus Circus for a night. Right now the hotel is celebrating 30 years, so their rooms are $30. We headed up Monday morning. Once we checked into our rooms (juggling two double strollers, 4 kids, luggage, and elevators) we made it to our rooms that had a shared door between the two. It was awesome. Then we headed for a delicious lunch at a bbq/ pizza place. Then we were off to the Midway. We got down to the games and quickly understood why Ruth and Bracken have had so much fun there. When you win a game you get a stuffed animal. If you win again at the same game you can trade up in prizes. Pretty cool idea. Then we caught a Circus show. After that we headed to the room for a little R and R. Josh and Chloe enjoyed running around bouncing on beds and hiding their new animals. That afternoon we took a walk and discovered a beautiful river area in downtown Reno. Then we were off to the buffet... my favorite! We met up with James and Suzanne Wohlford and James, Candice, and Briley Biddle. It was fun to catch up with everyone.

Then on Tuesday we went by James Biddle's to let the kids check out his fireman equipment. Chloe got right into the action, not Josh. He was just happy with the kid's fire boots. (He is not very adventurous lately!) It was nice of James to have us over. After we went to James and Suzanne's for some fantastic homemade ice cream. It was delicious. We enjoyed our visits with both families.

We had a great time with the Mannion's. We all work as a team to herd each other's children. We put Parker and Addie in one double stroller, then Chlo and Josh in another. It confused a lot of people, they thought they were all twins. (No thanks!) What fun though for a night away. Thanks Mannions!

Twilight Preview

If you are an LDS woman, then you are familiar with the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. I am still on the third book, (I know, I know, I'm a bit behind, but perfect timing for the 4th book). My friend Amy (who would smile if I said she is slightly obsessed), sent me this preview for the movie. It is interesting to put actors to characters in any book, especially this one because the readers seem to be quite involved in these characters. Well, take a look for yourself.



I think the person they picked for Edward could have been a little better looking and a bit taller, of course that's my opinion, but I think by the end of the movie we'll think he is perfect.

Oh Nerf!

We love Nerf products except, when there is a teething 11 month old in our household. These are just the recent causalities (three in the last 24 hour period!).

Grandma and Grandpa Mills

This week I have been working on a family history project with Gramma Jean. I couldn't help, but scan some additional pictures that she had out.


What a beautiful couple. Grandma spent $20 on her dress. It was beautiful and classic. I think the same style could be worn again today.


Here is the wedding party. In the picture are Rex and Thora Jensen and on the right are Grandpa DeVerl's mother and brother. His dad passed away when they were young.


This was my favorite picture. This is the Jensen family (Grandma's family). In the picture are her parents, siblings and their spouses, plus all the children. It was their families first plane ride. DeVerl was unable to be there for this family event.

We have another baby!

Introducing this weeks newest member of our family, Alexa Gabriella Vallejo. (This one I actually got to hold, but only when Josh would give her up.) She is the daughter of George and Fallon (David's cousin). She arrived Sunday and was 7 lbs. 3 oz., 19 inches long. As you can see lots of dark hair, but not real dark skin. She is petite and darling. Mom is recovering well and had a fantastic delivery. Josh has already been telling me that we need a sister, this visit only helped his case. He brought her a stuffed animal and of course... a ball, her first. Congratulations! Welcome to the family Alexa!

Komen's Run for the Cure

Every year it has become a tradition on the Monteith side, that we attend the Walk for the Cure for Susan G. Komen Foundation. Dorene's mom survived breast cancer and we do the walk to celebrate and remember her. This year was my 5th year doing the walk. I just recently got a scanner, so I was able to scan the previous years pictures. (Enjoy the variety of hairstyles and pregnancies.)


The fifth year, we were missing a few, but still had a great time. Amber was (still is) pregnant with Cameron. We had a great breakfast at Eggies afterwards. The highlight of this year was the fantastic sign Carri made of Dorene's mom.


The fourth year was wonderful. We were all there. Cindy, Amber, and Ashley Monteith joined us. Ashley was pregnant with Jillian and I was pregnant with Parker.


This was the year of bad hair cuts. (At least for me and Dorene. Sorry Dorene. Too short for both of us). This year my mom joined the crew and Carri was able to make it too.


The second year was a little sparse, just myself, Dorene, and Diana. I was pregnant with Josh.


First year walking with the family. After we enjoyed breakfast at our duplex, cooked by David

Mills Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

Mills Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Ancestry search - Family history

Ever have one of those weeks?

You know, those weeks filled with good intentions, but you just end up feeling bad. Or even when things just don't go the way you plan. That's been my week.

It all started on Sunday when I tried to help our Relief Society Pres. with a visit to a new couple in our ward. I told her I would be happy to go with her, but I had my children. She said it would be fine to bring them. So, I did. I will never do that again. My children were terrible. The worst they have ever been anywhere. This nice couple didn't have any children, so there were breakable items all at the levels they could reach. Josh kept putting his feet on their slider window and whinning that he wanted to go home. Parker was playing the "I'm a wet noodle" game when I was trying to hold him. So after the visit was over, all I could do was apologize. I felt terrible.

Next, Monday we had our neighbors down for dessert. She is a less active sister on my VT route. They are the nicest couple and we have been wanting to get to know them as our neighbors. When it was all over I ended up saying something about VT that made it sound like that was the whole reason we had them down. I felt terrible about that! I don't even know why the comment came out. It wasn't planned.

Thursday, we had a YW presidency mtg. I had offered to bring lunch. So, I made this quiche that my sister in-law's mother in-law (kind of wordy), makes. Well, it didn't cook quite right. It got a little toasted on top and didn't cook all through the middle. I thought it tasted alright, but when I got to my parents house my mom took one look at it and turned up her nose. She asked if we really ate it. I felt terrible that I put the presidency though that! Then I got a stomachache! I hate when good intentions go awry!

Last night we had Chinese. My fortune cookie told me "COURAGE AND OPTIMISM ARE YOUR BEST TRAITS." I think the optimistic part is true, but not this week. I better rely on the courage though because the weeks not quite over yet!

A baby's laughter

There is just something about a baby's laughter that brings a smile to my face. Check out Parker. At one point he almost falls over from laughing so hard.

The Bachelorette

Yes, a sucker, that is me. I have been roped into the Bachelorette all season. It started two seasons ago, with the Bachelor. So, tonight was the finale. DeAnna, the bachelorette this season, tried to be honest and find the right man for her. I was rooting for... sorry Amber... Jesse. (Originally, I kind of wanted Jeremy.) It was obvious that Jesse and DeAnna are in love after watching the after show. What will I do with my Monday late nights now?

Birthday morning

These videos are from when Josh woke up on his birthday morning. You can tell Mom stayed up too late preparing for his birthday.

Birthday fun

It was Josh's day and man was he happy to celebrate his birthday. There have been so many family birthdays in the last few months that when his day came, he was thrilled.

We started our morning with a birthday breakfast, balloons, and a present. (A Ninja Turtle, his new favorites)


We went to Strikes to have some more fun.


Dave was home, so we went as a family. I won 118, Dave trailed by 12 pts. Unusual for me to win, but it made the day even better.


All Josh's gifts, well almost all. He got a cool new bike too. His first and it is his favorite color, orange.


If you don't know my kid, he loves every sport. I mean every sport. Sports we don't even play in America like Cricket. Well, this year he wanted a "pool ball." When I asked which one, of course... the black ball. I tried for a cute stripped one with the number 3. No way, he wanted the black ball. So, I compromised.


The aftermath of the black frosting. We brushed really well that night. We had a great time with our family and friends. Thanks for making Josh's day special!

The newest member of the Mills family

This is Reagan Jeannine Mills. She joined our family yesterday, July 4th. Isn't she just darling! She is the baby of Jerrel and Heather, my husband's cousin. They live in Kentucky where Jerrel is starting dental school. I wish we could be there to see their little bundle of joy in person. She is beautiful! Welcome to the family baby Reagan!

Happy 3rd Birthday Joshie-o!

We have been so blessed to have Josh as our son. We can't imagine our lives without him. He keeps us laughing and constantly amazed. He has brought us so much happiness. Enjoy some of my most favorite photos over the last 3 years.

Happy Birthday Chloe!

Josh and Chloe have been friends since they were in the womb. Chloe is one day older than Josh. They have shared many firsts together. Here are some of the fun they have had over the past three years.