The Miller Family Christmas Card 2014
Our 2014 was much like our Christmas card photo shoot this year. We had a plan…a good, perfect plan for getting an awesome professional outdoor picture on a beautiful fall day with cute coordinated outfits and 4 smiling children. But as seems to happen with perfect plans, things took an undesired turn. Our picture day was a combination of snow, slippery ice, 6 degree temperatures, and 4 children whose teeth were chattering too much to give a genuine smile. The scenery was beautiful, but the disappointment of an un-ideal picture day and the discomforts of the weather, left our family blind to the beauty around us. At the end of the session, we thought, “Is it possible for anything good to come out of this?”
A few days later, when we received the photo our gifted friend was able to capture, our good and gracious God gave us a powerful reminder, “I make all things beautiful!” We were reminded that Christ can take our seemingly foiled plans, unexpected situations, and undesired struggles and work it together for good. He takes chaos and creates something more glorious then could have ever been possible, even if plans had gone as smoothly as we hoped or trials had never hindered our path. This year we were reminded that we can never bank on picture days, parenting, health, work situations, marriage, relationships, or PLANS going the way we desire or intend. But, we can always bank on the free gift of grace paid for by our loving Savior and poured out on us in every circumstance.
One area in which I have been particularly aware of God’s grace this year is in the complicated balancing act of simultaneously trying to be a good wife, mother, broker, and friend. It’s hard and impossible on my own, so I draw close to Christ. He continues to give me great joy in serving as broker of TripleCord Real Estate and in assisting wonderful friends, family, and referrals in their home buying and selling experiences. He has given Luke and me four often challenging but sweetly forgiving children, whose loving hugs in the midst of our parenting failures illuminate the power of true pardon. And He’s graciously surrounded us with a beautiful blend of family and friends who lift us up, encourage us, and support us in this short but eternally meaningful journey of life.
Speaking of life’s journey’s, I should probably update you on the journeys of the rest of the Fam =-) Although he has yet to land a station of his own, Luke is still enamored with and ever so thankful for his job on the Boise City Fire Department. He continues to be challenged by the never ending and ever changing supply of new things to learn and is eager to do his job well. On his days off, he us able to serve as a volunteer teacher with Launch Pad at Timberline High School and also finds time to serenade his family with his practice chanter (which he hopes to turn in for real bagpipes someday soon).
Hadley will turn 7 in January. She is in first grade this year and, although sporting an increasingly toothless grin, seems ever so grown up to us. Being at school all day was a harder transition than expected, but she loves it now. Her current interests include reading, gymnastics, leadership roles (mostly with her siblings), and using her creative imagination to come up with all sorts of games, shows, party ideas, and the like. Her caring heart and eagerness to help continue to be something we cherish.
Taylor will be 5 in March and is getting excited to start Kindergarten next fall. Her personality is very different from Luke’s or mine, and we have found it both a challenge and an incredible joy to discover what makes her tick and thrive. Swimming, gymnastics, pre-school, one-on-one time, and helping us around the house are all things that seem to make her light up. Her sweet nature, silly humor, and irresistible giggle continue to light us up as well.
Hutch turns 3 on the 21st of this month. He is full of words, smiles, hugs, and (unfortunately) a fair dose of toddler whining too. He enjoys equal parts wrestling and cuddle time, dancing to every tune he hears, and keeping us entertained with the constant stream of words, hums, songs, or questions (many of which are repetitive) that come free flowing from his mouth pretty much all the time. Like his dad, he’s a pretty smiley guy, which is a bonus for us because we can’t get enough of his darling dimples.
Ellie joined our family a month earlier than expected, on March 9th. The jury’s still out on what her personality will be like, but there is no doubt she looks like a Miller kid. She’s such a blend of her sisters, with precious red hair and her own special flare. She’s not too interested in crawling, but loves zooming around in her walker and greatly enjoys interacting and watching her siblings.
Thank you for your Christmas cards and updates and for staying connected. May you find rich blessings in whatever joys, sorrows, and seemingly foiled plans that meet you in the New Year.
With much love, Luke, Katie, Hadley, Taylor, Hutch, & Ellie