Little Children Come from Heaven

Welcome to the world Gage Douglas Millard. I was able to go down to visit my new nephew this past week. He was about 1 week old when these pictures were taken.


When he came home and his older brother Easton (4) got to hold him, he immediately started singing Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.



Due to some illness my other nephew Xander (2) didn't get to see him until I was there. He was content to play with Easton until Gage started crying. He immediately got into Grammy's Rocking chair and held him arms out to sooth the baby in the only logical spot.


After promising Xander he could hold Gage, the baby was soothed and turned over to the two year old. Immediately Xander started rocking the chair singing "Rock-a-Bye" over and over again, not knowing the rest of the words to the song. When Gage started to fuss again, Xander refused to give him up and continued rocking, but put his finger over his mouth and softly shushed the baby.

You can't buy those types of memories. After finally relinquishing the child, Xander when back to terrorizing Easton's towers and other rambunctiousness. Children are so special! Can't wait to have a little one come to our home. Sarah (sister/mother of Xander) found out she is having a girl--expected about 4 days prior to mine. I'll wait to find out until 20 weeks--so about 2 more weeks to see!

Good things come to those who wait . . .

But better things come to those who do!

My computer with the "before's" is still out of commission until we finish the living room, but here are the afters...

Ta-Da!

One of the top doors was a quarter inch too small--back to the cabinet shop.

The crazy granite that we both absolutely loved--pictures don't do it justice.

So if you stick your hand vertical in front of your face and walk in the house looks completely finished! Then you look to the other half of the room... and realize we aren't quite there--but we have a kitchen!! No more plumbing!

Brian's hardware job.

Sorry guys, couldn't resist. Thanks for installing the appliances!

So the other part of this week included finishing the wood that will go into the house. It first needed a seal coat to be sprayed on, then we beat it with ice picks and crow bars. Next every piece had to be sanded, then have a glaze applied, wiped off, then we applied another lacquer coat--and by "we" I mean mom and dad. I helped with the beating, but resisted the urge to make the baby high. Another sanding and a coat of lacquer will need to go on before the doors, trim, base, and crown are finished.

Mom with her glazing glove.

Just the smallest portion of the miles and miles of wood that you would never expect to fit in our small house.

Happy 2010, from Hawaii...

After months of dreaming, then planning, then departing, Megan and I accompanied all of my siblings, my parents, my bro/sis in laws and three of my nephews to the island of Oahu. None of us had ever been but for my parents and my two youngest siblings. We spent just over a week there. The whole experience was memorable, from the beaches to the Polynesian Cultural Center. We snorkeled at Hanauma Bay where we swam with sea turtles among other sea creatures, hiked Manoa Falls, toured Pearl Harbor, and soaked up the Hawaiian sun. My back is still peeling a bit from a little too much sun. Sorry for the visual.

The only thing I would have changed was my seating assignment on the flight back to the mainland...the dude behind me had a sinus problem and would literally snort snot back up his nasal passages every 15 seconds.

Lesson learned: It is not advisable to attempt to boogie board on large waves when you do not know what you are doing...especially when the waves you are trying to ride are crashing on the shore of Sandy beach, known to the locals as "Breack-Neck" beach.

Have a great week in the cold and snow everyone...


Megan and I at the Polynesian Cultural Center luau...I learned I really, really like Kalua Pork. I also learned that Poi must be an acquired taste. Not a fan.
Megan and I on the dock near the home where we were staying the first morning in Hawaii. After this photo, I joined my brother Matt for a run to Diamond Head peak. We ran to the top of said peak our last morning in Hawaii. I can't explain how beautiful it is there...everything exceeded my high expectations. Sorry if you hate me for letting you know that. ;)
Sunset view from the balcony of the home we stayed at.


My eldest brother Matt and his twin sons, Jake and Zach, playing football on Kailua beach on Oahu.
My father explaining some history to my nephews at Pearl Harbor. Off his left shoulder, you can see the USS Arizona memorial, which sits atop the sunken ship, memorializing its crew who remain entombed. Dad was pointing to where the Japanese fighters approached from in their deadly attack. Pearl Harbor has a similar feeling to the feelings I experienced at Gettysburg and Normandy. My already deep respect and love for the generation of Americans that lived and fought during WWII runs deeper still.
Waimea Bay on the North Shore.
Nephews Zach and Jake.


Hiking at Manoa Falls

Large waves at Waimea Bay. The surfers were out in force that day.

It's okay to be "fat" in Hawaii . . .

And other lessons learned from being pregnant!


1. It's okay to be "fat" in Hawaii. I've never been self-conscious about my body, but going to Hawaii in the "not apparently pregnant, that girl should just suck in her gut" stage was a small challenge at first, then I looked around and realized everyone is likely more concerned about themselves than me--so I stuck my gut out with pride.

2. Never eat grapefruit before throwing up. As it goes down, so it comes up.

3. Pregnancy does weird things to your body. You'd think smooth muscle relaxation which causes heart burn and general increased stinkiness would be enough...but I'm getting spots on my face. SPOTS! Not zits, just general discoloration. Why?

4. Sometimes you have to eat your words--literally. So I've done my fair share of counseling pregnant women generally with gestational diabetes. I know the recommendations and the consequences. I've always tried to be sensitive as I reviewed some of these women's food diaries without passing overt judgment, but let's just say I've learned a lot recently.

No one need tell me about the nutritional value of Ramen Noodles, but it sure does hit the spot sometimes. Veggies--remind me again what those are. The good news is that chocolate has almost entirely lost it's luster, but I sure hope this baby likes salt, fat, and limes--let's hope my teeth survive.

I have to say, however, that this new knowlege will likely not keep me from teaching the ideal--as we all should strive for the ideal--it has just given me better perspective.

5. Pregnancy sick stinks, too. I always thought throwing up pregant would be great. I never could understand why women would complain about it, because I thought it would be the greatest thing in the world--sick=better pregnancy outcomes. Sure, when I think about it I am happy. BUT when I'm puking on the front lawn on my way to work with food lodged in my nose--it's not a pretty or happy picture. I think the terror cold just made everthing worse. Cough, puke, cough, puke....


We are so grateful for all the love and support we have from many great friends. Thank you for your notes and prayers. I am now about 14 weeks along, which means this little one should be arriving sometime after the 4th of July.