Christmas Letter to Family and Friends 2010

Merry Christmas to you all!  As usual, my plan to write and mail the annual Miller’s Christmas letter early has failed once again to be done!  But I am determined to have it mailed before the 4^th Sunday in Advent is celebrated.  Therefore, I think I will have a busy morning ahead of me!!

The year 2010 was very busy, full of many adjustments and I know has been filled with both very sweet and sad memories for us all.  Our year’s story begins just a day after Christmas 2009.  Mother had another one of her “events” on December 26, 2009, so we brought her up to our home to stay until she felt better and was stronger.  Soon it became very apparent that Mother would be living with us permanently.  I know that it has been very hard for Mother to accept; but she has been so very gracious about it all.  I can only imagine how I would have felt; knowing that our daughters were moving everything out of our home, getting it ready to sell, and seeing myself getting only weaker when I so desperately want to get stronger and better!  Mother has filled her day working on a cross-stitch quilt that I started years ago and put up for a someday in the future.  She is determined to get it finished!   What a wonderful gift-thanks Mom!

Kathleen has been very busy with teaching and finishing her Masters this year.

For the past 4-trimesters, we have seen very little of her.  But yesterday, December 17^th and her b-day, she graduated from Northwestern Missouri State University with a Masters in Education (Teaching Elementary Self-Contained).  In what little free time Kathleen has had; she ran the bookstore for her church, helped family and friends by babysitting so they could go out for a well deserved “night out” and stayed connected with her friends either in person or on Facebook.   Kathleen is looking forward to her next classroom and is already preparing for it.  I am wondering just where that classroom will be?  It is enough to rest in the knowledge that the Lord knows where and it is all under His control!

Kathryn has been just about as busy as Kathleen!  She too is rarely seen here at home.  This year she became a licensed agent at OMI.  There is again “shop talk” around our family table as it used to be when Granddad was still here.  Kathryn’s goals are to get her Dad’s desk completely organized, get her license to sell health insurance, and begin her CSR and CIC.  I think she is going to be BUSY!!  When Kathryn is not at the office, she is a wonderful help around the house and keeping Grandma entertained.  Currently Dad, Kathryn, and I have had our free time occupied splitting a very large and donated woodpile that seems to be replenished before we get all of the last donation split and stacked at the back fence.   It is a “fun” job but sometimes a very COLD job.  Kathleen is great to have hot chocolate, coffee or hot tea for us as the night progresses.

Mackenzie and Brandon again were the highlight of Nana’s summer.  I look forward to their 5-week visit with us!  We had lots of fun with trips to the different libraries & their story hours, playing at the parks, swimming, long walks with LOTS of questions and lots of old fashion fun playing in the backyard and in the playhouse.  Both Mackenzie and Brandon like to help in the kitchen.  I’m betting that this coming summer there may be flour on the ceiling and sugar on the carpet; but the memories I pray will last a life time.  My Grandma always said she did not bother to really clean the kitchen until after I went home in the summer.  I think history is in the process of repeating itself—and I am thrilled!!  I have already started planning what we will be doing this coming summer-I can’t wait. Justin and Kristen are fine.  Justin continues to love his job with All State Insurance and Kristen is so blessed to be able to stay home with the children.  She is still making amazing transactions with the stacking of coupons and saving lots!  She has become very interested in organic whole foods type of cooking and is very vigilant about the about of sugar and what fats her family eats.  I am so happy that she is doing this and hope she will continue cooking this way always.

Olin continues to be active in Lion’s Club, cemetery work and the office.  The office takes most of his time.  Although this summer, Olin had a great garden that kept me busy canning for several weeks! It is always nice when he get to spend time here at home.  He is really enjoying having Kathryn at the office with him.  They are making quite a team!  

This year has flown by as I was taking care of the family, canning, moving Mother and getting her home ready to sell. But most of all I’ve tried to spend quality and cherished time with Mother.  My newest accomplishment is having my own blog and trying not to have to ask the girls too many “how-to “questions.  Please stop by for a visit anytime at, http://seeingadayfullofblessings.blogspot.com .

We all wish for you a Very Merry Christmas and a Very Blessed New Year.  Thanks for all the cards and letters we have already received; we so enjoy hearing from you!  With this letter and wishes we send all our love you and your families.