Introducing...

Introducing (properly) my newest nephew...

Gavin Tristan Miller

Proud Parents: Daryn and Stacey

Proud Big Brother: DJ

I am pretty sure he is #26 but I don't want to make a list and figure it out for sure.

Washington Moments...

The reason we went to WA was for my precious nephew, Tristan's, services. Although it was a heartbreaking experience it was also filled with an odd amount of joy in knowing how truly in love with the Lord T was and how happy he must be to be with Him. My brother gave the eulogy for his son and ended with such a sweet tribute to T who is a super huge fan of super heroes and a super big mommy's boy. Jr. said (as best as I can remember) "Tristan is my hero and I will spend the rest of my life trying to be more like him. Loving his mom and loving his God." I thought that was super sweet and I too feel like Tristan is a real hero. He wanted to live his life in ministry to the Lord and never wavered through this whole battle... if his cancer and even death would bring people to know and love Jesus he said over and over again he was willing and wanted to do it! What an amazing boy! What a privelage to have known him and had the special title of being his Aunt!

Here is the beautiful baby of Tristan's family... at least for a few more months until J'onn arrives. This is Presley and she was so funny and so not in love with me... whatever! She avoided me at all costs until I would pull out my camera and then she would come close and start posing.

Here is Adrian III (Tristan's best friend and big brother), Austin (my cousin OJ's oldest son), Clara (T's sister), Hailey (T's oldest sister) and my goofy Adia.

This is Adia and Clara. Avery was so jealous when she saw this picture! BTW... Clara is truly a Howell and never ever runs out of things to say. She is so funny and so noisy!

Here is our families first experience with Miracles... Madeline (Goosey... because she is a silly goose) wasn't supposed to make it past a few days and now she is a beautiful 7 year old MONSTER. She looks so cute with her short hair cut and so much older. For some reason her favorite thing to do is fight (ummm.... maybe having 2 big brothers caused that problem) and so if you want her to like you all you have to do is be really dramatic and make her feel like she is truly beating you up. Adia being such a drama queen did a great job!

Here is my skinny sister Tammy and I loving on our teddy bear for a nephew (kind of) Austin. He has turned into the sweetest, handsomest and funnest 16 year old ever! Rumor has it he get's into a bit of trouble at home but we don't believe it! I'm so glad I was able to spend some time with him and his dad.

Here's DJ the new big brother! Can I please have those big blue eyes?

And here is the sweet baby brother Gavin Tristan Miller! He is such a sweet baby and Tammy and I had several spats over who should get to hold him and who he seemed to like the most.

Then he pooped on her and let her know in no uncertain terms that his devotion is to his Aunt Amy! BTW... 5 kids later I have never seen projectile poo. What a talent! And if that was his way of picking Tammy as the favorite then she can have him.

Kaden seems to think he is as cute as I think. This mirror was a highlight of the trip for him.

The circumstances of our trip were obviously not what we wanted but I am glad I was able to see my family and be with them as we all lost a special relationship to an amazing little boy and were able to lean on each other through the pain of saying good bye. Tristan wouldn't have wanted us to all sit around being sad and I think he would love to know that we tried our best to bring some giggles to his siblings who miss him so dearly already!

Thank you again to all of you who have been lifting us all up in prayer. I'm sure for his family the healing process will be a long one and your continued prayers for all of them are so appreciated!

Crazy Kaden

How is it possible for my little baby to already want to be like his big brother. It's not fair to me and considering this is my last time having a baby you would think Kaden would try to act like one. While we were in WA the little guy even took a step and landed... I have witnesses to prove it. I don't think he will walk anytime soon but I still think he is a freak! It's funny because Kenyon was big for his age when he stood so young and walked so early but Kaden isn't so he is constantly drawing a crowd when people realize he is only 6 months and trying to walk. Kenyon is clearly getting excited as this little baby is more and more capable of rough housing with him. We have to keep a close watch on them because Kaden is pretty tough and seems to giggle when he gets hurt so Kenyon innocently might end his life if we aren't careful! Oh and today Kaden found the stairs and got up one...

Our baby bath tub was recently retired as Kaden has decided sitting or laying down in a tub is such a newborn thing to do. His first real bath was so funny. He kept standing and falling. Then he started slipping and once he even rolled over in the water. When he got up and was done choking from the roll he totally started to laugh. I was shocked! Obviously I had to drain some water and now he gets to bathe in about 2 inches of water... I just can't trust a baby who thinks it's funny when he can't breathe.
After a long day of playing he just couldn't wait until I was ready to put him to bed!

Tristan Scott Howell... A real super hero

My sweet nephew Tristan went to be with Jesus a few hours ago. I'm aching at our loss but joyful to know he is no longer in pain and is in the loving arms of Jesus. Thank you to all of you who have kept him in your prayers. Please keep them coming as I can not even begin to imagine what his parents are going through in this darkest hour. So, good bye my sweet sweet little T... I long to see you again and can not wait for you to show me around and introduce me to all the super heros you meet. Aunt Amy LOVES YOU and always will!

Below are the words to a song that is going over and over in my head as I can only imagine...

"I can only imagine what it will be like, when I walk by Your side...

I can only imagine, what my eyes will see, when Your Face is before me!

I can only imagine. I can only imagine.
Surrounded by Your Glory, what will my heart feel?

Will I dance for you, Jesus? Or in awe of You, be still?

Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?

Will I sing 'Hallelujah!'? Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine! I can only imagine!
I can only imagine, when that day comes, when I find myself standing in the Son!

I can only imagine, when all I will do, is forever, forever worship You!

I can only imagine! I can only imagine!
Surrounded by Your Glory, what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you, Jesus? Or in awe of You, be still?

Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?

Will I sing 'Hallelujah!'? Will I be able to speak at all?I can only imagine!

Yeah! I can only imagine!
Surrounded by Your Glory, what will my heart feel?
Will I dance for you, Jesus? Or in awe of You, be still?

Will I stand in Your presence, or to my knees will I fall?

Will I sing 'Hallelujah!'? Will I be able to speak at all?

I can only imagine! Yeah! I can only imagine!
I can only imagine! Yeah! I can only imagine!! Only imagine!!!I can only imagine.
I can only imagine, when all I do is forever, forever worship You!I can only imagine."

Kaden and Me

In true Middleton fashion Kaden is CRAZY! He pulls himself to standing all the time, he crawls and scoots all over, he is hyper, he is demanding and he is crazy CUTE! Can somebody get the message to him that he is barely 6 months. I think Kaden might even beat Kenyon's walking record of 8 months and a week. We shall see. Is it possible to start walking at 7 months? Today in the same place I took this picture he let go with both hands then started crying because he didn't know what to do. Soon after gravity decided for him and pulled him over... what is going on?

And this is a family picture to show that I really do exist. Several people have made comments to me about being in hiding on here and although I totally think my reasons are good... obviously it bothers everyone else and I am trying to be "not of this world" and not care that I look how I look. This is a picture we took at the pumpkin patch on Sunday about 5 minutes before my camera battery died and I cried. I'm such a dork!

Good Times!

We love the bike park! Well I wouldn't say I love it but I do love watching the kids and Kyle love it. Here is a few cute shots from our fun Sunday outing! They choose this place over The river, the movies and a nature walk.

View of Bike Park so you get a feel for what they are riding around on.

Kenyon was in trouble (of course) when we got there and this was such a cute shot of him dreaming of being one of the big boys!

Avery may just be our most talented biker... she is crazy fast out there. And LOVES it!

This was our 4th time at the park and Adia finally built up the courage to take on the big hill (followed by the big downhill) and she did great... next time she has to do a jump!

Kenyon was out of trouble and into the park... so fun. He had a flat tire for a month and when he got on his bike he asked dad "why did you shrink my bike"... Kyle explained that he grew and then he came in the house and told me "Mom I grew and so it shrunk my bike"... that is why he is on Avery's big bike.

Here is the beautiful (and fussy) cheerleader! And the most handsome boys in town!

When we got home Kaden decided it was his turn to play and had a splash attack in the tub! He is so CUTE!!!!!!!!!

Honor Him Always

Most of you know but some that see this blog may not... I have a HUGE passion for learning creative and fun ways to Honor God in all our holidays, life events and parties. It breaks my heart at times that God is left out of all the fun (even days that are supposedly all about Him) and only included in the churchy stuff. So with that in mind I am creating a resource for families to learn fun ways to incorportate the truth of God's love and his message into our special events. Let's learn together how to Honor Him Always and impress that on our children's hearts. Check out my new Holiday resource... God willing someday this will be a book and a more organized website. Be patient with me and check back in often as I will be adding regularly.

http://www.honorhimalways.com/

If you have any fun traditions your family does please share with me! Don't forget that God loves a cheerful giver, a fun family, a good host and a great party! Let's not leave Him out!