Celebrating our 8th

Last night we were finally able to celebrate our anniversary by going out to dinner. We got dressed and headed out to use our Outback gift card from my parents. On our way, we ran into a pretty good storm with lots of rain and lightning. Once we finally got there, we had a GREAT dinner and enjoyed spending time together. It has been a crazy year with Mike starting his new job to me ending mine on Friday...but so exciting for what is to come!

Last Day

Today is my last day of work. 8 years of my life has been poured into presentations, proposals, and client reviews. I have suffered through countless meetings, trainings, conference calls, and demos. I had dealt with people who are like me and some who are not so much like me. I have lived in a cube, only to have constant view of the life outside, forever hearing what was going on and being involved in conversations that I might otherwise would choose not to be a part of...never with the ability to close a door. I have had to work quickly under constant deadlines, juggling many projects at one time, working at home in the evenings and weekends at times...but have also had days that seemed to D.R.A.G on because there wasn't much going on.

BUT, I have made great friends, including my BWF, Best Work Friend, Shelia. I have had COUNTLESS hours of laughter. I have enjoyed numerous lunches out with others instead of eating cold ham sandwiches by myself in the lunchroom, even though we never had an idea of where we were going until we got there. I have made many memories - including going to Durham Bulls baseball games, Chick-fil-A for Valentine's Day together with our spouses (yep!), Christmas dinners, being a part of Daycare Day at Work, Birthday surprises, three 50th birthday parties, 2 retirements, a few changes in personnel, and a Carolina Panthers football game. These things are what got me through! The friendships, the laughter, the caring for others when things were tough (like through family deaths and family issues). And, these things are what will cause me to keep in touch with these crazy people that I have worked with all these years!

Somehow, the good times always outweigh the bad. The fun memories always come to mind many more times than the tough ones. I will be forever grateful that God provided this job for me and allowed me to work with such a great group of friends.

Now, I look forward to this next phase of life that Mike and I are starting. It is fun to hear how he is now working and making these friends and memories that will hopefully last a long time! I pray that he has a great experience and that he too can look back, knowing that God provided this job for him at this particular time and be thankful for the life-long friends he has made.

Family Time

While we were together this weekend, we took advantage of some girl photo time

All four of us before leaving Ridgecrest.

At lunch, Rebecca and Mom At lunch, Miriam and Deborah

The place that we stopped for lunch had a fun creek behind it so we took a few shots before we headed in opposite directions.

1st Annual Miller Ladies Retreat

This past weekend we had our 1st Annual Miller Ladies Retreat. (Yes, we hope it to be an annual event and attended by even more next year!) We had 10 lovely Miller ladies join - 2 of my dad's sisters, 1 sister-in-law, 3 cousins, my mom and my 2 sisters and me. We met together at Ridgecrest which is just outside of Asheville.

Friday night was a meet and greet. Nothing much going on but catching up which is always a good time. Saturday morning, we met together for breakfast of homemade cinnamon rolls, homemade bread, breakfast casserole, and fruit. Mom led a devotion about the majesty of God and had pictures of their past 2 years in Guate to go along with it.

After breakfast, we finished "getting ready" and headed into the big city - Asheville. On the way in, we stopped over at the Grove Park Inn to get a look at beautiful hotel and view.

We then went to grab lunch and do a little shopping at the Mast General Store.





Saturday evening was dinner by the David Miller girls (that would be my mom, sisters, and me) - we had Mom's spaghetti pie, salad, bread, and ice cream casserole. After dinner, we brought out the games and prizes! Games included Bingo, Mexican Train (which I think some people are STILL confused about!), and Uno. We all brought prizes to select from and each winner was able to choose their own gift. Some were wrapped, some were not. It was always fun to see what the winner picked as their prize!

On Sunday, we joined again for breakfast and a devotion by Aunt Lynn on leaving a legacy. We also talked about our family's heritage and the example that has been passed along to us. We were able to remember together a lot of great people who have gone before us and laugh through stories.

Sunday lunch was at a local home-cooking and seafood restaurant.

After lunch, we stopped in Black Mountain for a little more walking around and then free time in the afternoon. Sunday evening was a repeat of the night before - games and prizes! I'm not going to give many details but let's just say "It got CRAZY!"

Before we knew it, Monday morning had arrived. We closed the weekend with a devotion from Rhonda which continued the theme of legacy. It was a great ending to a weekend with wonderful women from our family.

Before we left, we each got a gift to remind us of the weekend:

Nail files to remind us that sometimes we have to smooth off the rough edges

Gloves to remind us that sometimes we have to get dirty and pull some weeds

Bath gel to remind us to clean up and have a presentable body inside and out

And, nuts to remind us to keep a sense of humor!

Saying "Good-byes" are never easy but it's nice to know we'll see each other again at some point. I am so blessed to be a part of this family and have ladies like this that I can look up to. It is also a blessing to have a family who not only loves each other, but likes each other too.

Looking forward to the next time we can be together!

Rush Hour

A few months ago, we found a Groupon deal for Rush Hour Karting. Friends of ours had told us how great it was and that they would love to go too. Finally, after months of wanting to go, we metthis past weekend.

I really didn't know what to expect - all I knew was it was an indoor go cart place with go carts that go up to 35 mph! Sure, why not?

After signing our life away, getting our full helmet, neck brace and getting quick instructions about the course, we were off for our first race. It took a little getting used to as there were sharp turns and we were going pretty fast.

On the 2nd race, I was definitely in my zone and even beat the boys and had one of the fastest times of the day! Sign me up! I'm ready for another race!!

Notice the sign below as Mike is passing by?? Yeah, wishing I had that phone number on Sunday! I definitely hit the wall a couple of times thanks to my great friends. But, after a few days...I am finally not so sore!

Finally, the update from the 2nd weekend visit

Just getting around to putting up pictures from Mom and Dad's 2nd weekend visit. We didn't take a whole lot of pictures like I was hoping but that is a good sign right? We were just having fun!

Saturday we had lunch at a fun favorite restaurant in Wake Forest then hung out at the house that evening. Sunday, after church, some of Mom and Dad's friends came over for a cookout, full with home-made ice cream. What better end to a hot summer day?

Monday, we went up to Mike's parents lake house. And, then watched a great 4th of July fireworks show.

Another fun weekend that went by way too fast!

8 years...already??

It is hard to believe that 8 years has past since our wedding day! I don't think that either of us would have predicted our last 8 years and would have never imagined that our lives together have gone the way they have, but we are both so thankful that God knew and had it planned for us! And, that he walked with us each of those days...and will continue to in the days ahead.

I'm so thankful for a husband who has been patient and waits on the Lord for His best! I look forward to the next 8 and beyond!

First Stop

Mom and Dad have the opportunity to be back in America for a 6 month break. During this break, in addition to many fun family get togethers, they have meetings with their sending organization as well as speaking engagements with churches. Our house was close to their first speaking event and to Richmond which is where they had to go for their meetings.

On Friday, we enjoyed a home-cooked meal with ribs, fresh peas, sweet potatoes and corn bread. And for dessert, we took them to one of our favorite places, Yogurt Mountain.

Saturday began with a breakfast trip to Big Eds.

Then, we headed over to the NC Museum of History. Mike and I visited it sometime last year but didn't have a chance to be there long. The exhibits change periodically and this time we saw items from the NC Sports Hall of Fame, a military exhibit, and a wood working/cabinetry exhibit.

After resting for a little while...and realizing our air conditioning wasn't working and checking on that...we enjoyed dinner at another little favorite place of ours called.



We FILLED ourselves with Italian food at its finest! And then had more desserts than we could count! Needless to say, we left with a few bags of leftovers which we enjoyed for a few days afterwards.

On Sunday we went with them to Pine Ridge Baptist Church in Zebulon, NC. Mom and Dad shared a little about Guatemala and what they have been doing in Guatemala. They also shared with the church how they could be involved as well. Many people expressed how much they enjoyed Mom and Dad's talk and that it was one of the BEST missionary visits ever!

An added bonus of speaking at this church was that Mom and Dad got to be with a family from their church in Augusta that they knew before moving to Guatemala.

For some strange reason, we didn't take a lot of pictures of us together. I guess visiting together after not seeing each other since before Christmas does that! :) They are heading back to our house now and will spend this weekend with us too. I'm sure we'll manage to find some picture taking time this weekend! Check back later for pictures from this weekend.