RBC Family Camp, 2006

Well, we "survived" family camp for our first time. D and Kates came along as well and we stayed Friday night into Sat. It was a good time of chillin with the church peeps and steppin up to the survivor challenges. Okay...so maybe we only did 1 of the challenges, but we didn't want to outshine everyone else! he he! We had plans of staying in our tent, but were offered this lovely "A-Frame" cabin instead. Basically, it's a wooden tent...with spiders and creepy sounding mysterious creatures. But we decided that it was better than messing with a tent- especially with the possibility of rain. It wasn't so bad though. We got a good night's sleep- and didn't have to dry out a tent when we packed up! That's always nice.

Here we are sitting around the campfire on Friday night.


We also had to make a flag that would represent our tribe. We merged our tribes into the "M & M's" (Mika-Miller....really creative...we know...). Not to mention, we were the "DARK M & M's"...the DARK being an acronym for Dana, Amy, Russ, Katie (even more creative...we know...)

Oh, and yes, those are tribal "buffs" we are wearing...the guys took their's off already....they must have been embarrassed....I can't imagine why....

Molly's in the House!!!

Yes, yes, it's true, Molly-PA-TAYZAK, was in MI for a couple of days, and yes, yes, it's true- she visited US!!!!!! Sweet!!! We felt so blessed to have her near us again and to get the famous Molly hug (seriously a world record hugger). Anyways, thanks Mol for stopping by during your very busy visit. We all love you and miss you!

And here we all are...sitting around talking and eating...it's what we do best!

Shower Time

A couple of weeks ago, our Sunday School class got together to celebrate the marriage of Dana and Katie. Everyone was there! It was a great time! Here is a pix of them opening a gift...

Private Lake Resort

What a fabulous time we had on vacation last week! The weather was beautiful and hot which gave us plenty of water time. If you ever plan a vacation again, try to find a private lake that you can have all to yourself. There is nothing better, in my book. We spent a lot of time fishing (mostly caught bass), and a lot of time swimming/floating around the lake on our air mattresses or on the water trampoline. Ahhhh, sweet bliss! In the picture above, my Dad and my sister Becky are taking the 2 little ones, Kristy and Nathan, out on the lake for a little fishing.

What appears to be a tipped over canoe is actually a "brilliant idea" from the masterminds of my Dad and my husband. Apparently, they thought it would be fun to try to canoe around the lake...UNDER WATER!!!!

After several attempts, they finally made it to the trampoline and back. We are all so proud of you two!!!

This is a picture of one of my nephews, Bradley. If you look closely, he is holding a snake that I caught. He loved that snake so much!! Too bad his mommy wouldn't let him take it home.

All in all, it was so nice to spend some relaxing time with the family. Usually are visits are so crammed in and a bit stressfull, but nice. This week though was just what I needed. Lots of games, swimming, eating, laying out, fishing, and best of all- FAMILY!!! In the picture above, I caught the newest member of our family, Emma, sleeping in the hammock....so precious!!!

-am

Congrats

Well it's official you are out of michigan! Congradulations, and see you guys in a couple weeks,

nice picture bye the way. I found this in a box of garbage in your garage. Ha ha ha ha.

rm

IKEA

Well, here's the pictures from last weekends excursion...

thank you Adam for driving...













Good thing we took the bus...










And here's everyone but the person w/ the camera (amy)...

Pursuit of Holiness ch 1-2

What's the point, especially for "once saved, always saved" believers? People that trust in Jesus for Salvation and cleansing of sin are already considered holy by position. So, what's the BIG deal with little sin? What's even the BIG deal with BIG sin? Is there a percieved moral distinction between the two based upon consequence? i.e. the bigger effect the sin has upon the people around me, the worse the sin? OR if that sin has no percieved effect on anyone around me, is it still a sin (i.e. the fleeting heart/bitterness/ inward unholy thoughts?) OR is it because the Lawgiver is BIG and HOLY that we're to respect even the percieved small sins?

We're reading the book the Pursuit of Holiness in our small group through our church, and these seem to be the major questions I encountered in reading the first 2 chapters. I am curious to know your observations as well. These questions aren't namely the biggest points of the book, however they stood out to me the most, for whatever reason... possibly that I justify WAY to many little things.
There's a quote on pg. 20 that says "it is the comprimise on the little issues that lead to the great downfalls". So a dogmatic/skeptic question (if there's such a thing) I would raise is this: Is it the avoidance of the great downfalls that we abstain from sin? OR is it pro-active... i.e. Out of thanksgiving for our salvation and desire to imitate (not take the place) of God that we try with all our hearts to be Holy? "but just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do: for it is written: "Be Holy because I am Holy". 1 Peter 1:15-16.

Solved Mysteries, Case Number 3987479303

WRONGLY ACCUSED
warning - to the extreme graphic nature, some of these photos may not be suitable for all audiences.

It was a hot July day, when Mr. Miller came home to be greeted by his dog Frodo. Where was Mrs. Miller, but upstairs sleeping the hot monday afternoon away. Mr. Miller proceeded to repair the vacume, setting up his tools on the coffee table next to an empty candy dish. This bowl, to his knowledge had been empty for a couple of days, so he took no notice of it.

Little did he know, earlier that day Mrs. Miller had allegedly filled it with starburst and werther's original candy. He finished repairing the vacume and his wife came into the room, sleepy eyed and looking to finish off her afternoon relaxment with a game of yahoo trivia on her laptop. She set up her laptop right next to this mysteriously empty bowl. After about a game or so of trivia, her sweet tooth began to beckon her to the dish, only for her to realize it was empty. Mr. Miller was hastily finishing his work on his computer, when Mrs. Miller shouted "What did you do with the Candy? This isn't Funny!"

Unable to keep a straight face, for whatever reason besides a guilty conscience, he claimed his innocence. Mrs. Miller did not believe him for a second, for her nap was only about an hour, and Mr. Miller had come home at the half hour. This led investigators to believe the candy was unattended for about a half an hour, with NO evidence to be found. The couple resumed thier search for the missing candy, with the allegations of deceit darting about. Moments later (close to 10min), an allegation turned to the only other possible suspect. After Mr. Miller had taken Frodo (the family dog) for an afternoon poop, to see if there was any evidence of candy, thier hopes of finding the missing candy was growing dimmer by the second, as the scat revealed no clues.

Finally in desperation the couple accused the dog with a harsh tone, and out of guilt and a full stomach the evidence was spewed forth in an instantly grotesque fashion... on the floor.

Case Number 398747303....closed.

-rm

Mika Wedding

What a great time we had at Katie and Dana's wedding!! There were so many friends that came from out of town that made the day even more special. We couldn't be happier for them!

Sandy, Jen, me, Katie, Tara, Megan, Katie, Jenny

This one goes out to Chase: "You can dance if you want to..." Love you guys!

Meredith, Angela, Jason, Matt, and Russ.

Welcome Home!

My time in Wisconsin was absolutely fabulous! Although I missed Russ terribly, it was great to be "home" and nice to see everyone. It was especially nice to see Rene' (who is home on a 3 week leave from Kuwait) and Emma- our newest member of the family.

Welcome home Rene' and Emma!

Here are a few other pictures of the fam...

Bradley, Zachary, Dad, and Emma

One of our nieces, Kayla

Nathan, Dad ("Grandpa"), Kristy, and Austin

Kayla and Kristy at the parade.

That's all the pictures for now! If you want to see more, let me know! -am

Miller Mania '06

Miller Mania '06 as it is called was great. I, unfortunately, had to go alone because Amy is still visiting the fam in Wisconsin, but i had fun none the less... plus some great food. Well, i didn't go alone, i just didn't bring Amy. Rachel Chase and Whitney came with me and Frodo stayed on my parents porch. Bye the way, if any of you ever see whitney tell her to put the frosted flakes back in the box!

Anyway, It was great to see all of the cousins, aunts, uncles, 2nd cousins, and of course Grandma. (who was able to spend some time away from the hospital to see us all) Love you Gram.! Anyway there was a bit of a controversy over which was the accurate count, but we're all pretty sure it was between 48 and 52 people. We had people there from San Diego, Houston, Chicago, Indianapolis and a whole slew of michiganders/locals. Great to see you all again!

On the activity list was food, a slip and slide, food, soccer, bocce ball, food, cards, and the biggest hit - volleyball (which lasted until 11:00 pm thanks to the glow in the dark ball which is the coolest thing ever... well, at least when you want to play volleyball after dark it is).

That night we threw up tents and spent the night in Grandma's back yard... and next year I've learned to go to bed last, otherwise your tent just may happen to collapse with you in it!

Monday we took 12 canoes out to BIG BEND canoe rental (note not "river bend" canoe rental)... Yes, I did get lost in the smallest city in michigan... no really it is the smallest city in michigan... look it up, it's called Omer (it's between standish and the williams farm off 23). It has a blinking light and a real light... it also has 2 canoe places with strikingly similar names. I was supposed to turn at the real light, not the blinker... oops. Anyway, to make a long story longer everyone waited for us, we missed our bus to the drop off and a 2 hour trip turned into a 4 hour ordeal. Lucky for us Uncle Bill B. bought us ALL ice cream TWICE! He IS nice, i don't care what everyone else says about him! :) jk.

I hope to post some pictures from the weekend as soon as I can "bum" some off of someone w/ a camera. Anyway, Love you ALL, can't wait to see you again,

rm.

p.s. my shoulders are fried from the canoe trip!!!!

Meat and Potatoes

Just thought I'd let the world know what I finally decided on for din din...
yup you guessed it, or you read the title of this post... Meat and Potatoes!
(Actually chilidogs and potatoe chips). Yum. Anyone got a tums?

Home Alone

Welp, Amy took off to go see her family in Wisconsin, so it's just me, Frodo, and stupid. I know there have been some concerns out there about how I would survive w/o Amy to feed and clean up after me, and i do have to say it's been tough, but i've been able to perservere. Yes, she does do all that wonderful stuff, but I'm more domestic than you all have been lead to believe.
For instance, I will give you my food schedule since she's been gone (as has been requested)
Thurs: Breakfast: coco puffs, Lunch: a (1) corn dog, Dinner: 2 hot dogs
Fri: Breakfast: coco puffs, Lunch: a Tina's Burrito (yum) Dinner: Big Mac meal w/ Hi-C orange
Sat: Breakfast: coco puffs, Lunch: tator tots, applesauce, and garlic bread, Dinner: I don't know, i'm starving though - I ate all the "good" food in the house!!!!!

I don't know what i'm going to do for breakfast now either since the coco puffs are pretty much gone!

And anyone who would care to read this post and/or care what i eat has got to be a nut case. I say that affectionately, of course.

p.s. I feel a little lightheaded
p.p.s. Stupid is the Cat. :)


rm

Before and After

Before the surgery

After the surgery

(Look closely- there is a treat resting on his "lampshade"...he refused to eat it)

What a baby!

-am

How cute!

I am going to get in trouble for posting this...but it's just too adorable!! This is a picture of Russ and Dana...all ready for school. It doesn't get much cuter than this folks.

-am

Moving Out

Russ and I would just like to say farewell to our housemate and friend, Dana Mika. We will miss your presence in the Miller household. We are so happy for you and Katie as you start your lives together in your cute house! We can't wait to come over for our weekly dinners. Oh, and Dana- don't worry, we know how to get there- we'll just follow the "chex mix trail" you left us. He he!

Love you both.

-am

Welcome to the Family, Emma

It's official! Michael and Amy were able to get both parents to sign away their rights and had their court date. At the court (as you can see in this picture) they actually had to SERVE Emma the papers. Strange I thought, since she's not a very good reader....or grabber....hmmm.

Anyway, we are all very very very happy for Michael and Amy. So far the rest of the family got to meet Emma in person on Father's day. Russ and I (and Rene') will get to meet her in July. Can't wait!!!

Thank you to everyone for your prayers. This baby means so much to our family, and espcially to Michael and Amy.

love to all-

-am

Update on baby Emma

Here is what my mother found out from Amy yesterday (June 14):

"Yesterday they signed the papers with the adoption agency and today they have their court date, which from what Amy says is more ceremonial than anything. They told them to bring their camera because they will actually serve papers to Emma, and this will make them legal guardians of her until at 6 months the adoption is final and she is legally their child. After the court date today they have to wait for interstate paperwork to be completed and sent to each state, which they are hoping can happen tomorrow so they can go home. Michael has to go back to work on Sat., so if they don't get the paperwork, Amy and Emma will have to stay in Illinois until they get it and Joyce will go pick them up. The birthmother requested that her name be Emma Grace Cottrell on the birth certificate which is really nice- no name changing. They are all very happy and Amy says that Michael is so good with Emma."

Thanks for all your prayers- keep sending them their way!

-am

Concert

What a weekend! Finally i can breathe again, and blog a bit. :) We had a great time putting on the Start of Summer concert on RBC's Front lawn. This is the first ever, so we were a bit unsure how it would turn out. I'm still not sure, except I had a great time playing. Also I just want to thank all of the great help I had setting up, tearing down, and everything else that goes into it. The concert started off with Joe Kelly playing original lyrical folk style tunes, then Julie Rye (formerly Bishop) played a set of original music... you can catch her latest recording on http://www.purevolume.com/julieanne, and we finished the evening off with some worship tunes. Our band featured Jen "Diva" Dudik singin lead and harmonies, Slammin Scotty on drums and lead voc. on a few, Madie the Mother on Keyboard, Big Bass Chase on well... Bass, DJ Dana on Electric, Joe "Just Play D" Kelly on Lead Elec. and violin, and Last but not Least Big Momma Wah Wah Shaw on the Piano-Forte, Oh, and I sang and played a bit of acoustic. Very fun to play with this group of peeps. :)
So this was the first time, so i'm interested in suggestions and ideas for next year to make it better, we're considering moving it later in the evening (i.e. closer to fireworks time), earlier (after the parade), or doing it Friday night, or all 3! Post your thoughts...
Oh, and here's a few other pics...

Here's Joe:

Here's Julie

And we caught this great candid of Slammin Scotty and his Herem of beautiful women. For some reason he looks happier than they do...

-rm

Fun with friends

Here are a few more pix from last Sat.

Almost over...

Here is the latest update from Amy (my sister-in-law....not me...):

"We are still waiting on termination papers to be signed. We are hoping that a social worker will not have to go (since the dad is willing to sign after getting the letter from the mom)- and that the jail will just have him sign there. We (Emma and I) have been hanging out having some great bonding time. Emma is a great sleeper. So far she has been sleeping in 5 hr. stretches at night which is awesome!!! She is up to 3 oz. of formula at a time and eats about every 3 1/2 to 4 hours. We are very excited that Michael will be coming down after work on Sat.!! I am very anxious for him to come, but also very anxious to get home. We are hoping that we will be able to get to court early next week and be home some time next week. So please keep praying that everything will continue to go smoothly. God has answered our prayers so far!"

Love,
Michael, Amy + Emma

-am

Sooooo Cute!

Just wanted to update everyone on Emma's progress. As far as we know, the social worker from Illinois said that the birthfather is willing to sign over his rights as long as he gets a letter from the birthmother saying that this is what she wants. (Keep in mind, the birthfather is in jail so this process is even more difficult to finish).

We are all still very excited to welcome Emma into our family and we can't wait to see her. Hopefully I will be able to go to WI to see the fam at the end of June. I just can't wait!

-am

Festival of Arts

Saturday we were downtown at the Festival of Arts with Dana and Katie. We noticed it was starting to rain, so we walked over to an awning and stood under it. All of a sudden, the heavens opened up...and as rain and hail dropped down, hundreds of people came running at us hoping for a spot under OUR awning.

You would be surprised how many people can fit under an awning that is about 10 feet long and 3 feet deep. Since we were there first, we were pressed up against the building while others pushed up against us just to get out of the rain. One lady even gave us her baby to hold while she rescued her toddler from the storm.

That day, we learned that Grand Rapids is all about community. The people were friendly, funny, and not afraid to stand REALLY close to a stranger...and even hand them their baby.

-am

What a Babe!

Introducing...drum roll... Emma Grace Cottrell!! She was born May 31st, weighs 8 lbs, and is 21" long. We still ask for prayers for the adoption process to finalize, also pray that they can locate the birth father to sign away the parental rights. This whole process was only started a month ago... well not the baby part... but the adoption process, which normally takes quite a long time. Please be in prayer for Michael and Amy... (Amy's brother and sister in law). Thanks... I think this blog is just going to announce births. :) jk.


rm.