another first...

Well, we've made it through our first funeral at Wapella. This was the very first funeral James has officiated. He did a great job. Lots of people came and told me that they really enjoyed his message. I'm proud of my preacher hubby. He couldn't have had a greater family to work with for his first go at this part of the job. Darlene was an amazing lady and everyone knew it. Everytime she saw us she just praised God for bringing us to Wapella. We rarely saw her at church over the last few months. She was a strong woman, full of grace, love, and joy. I've never known anyone to struggle with cancer the way she did and still praise the Lord without one complaint. We will miss her dearly.

...break time...

Well, we're back home again and we're finally sitting in our chairs taking a break. We got home early on Friday, but an hour after we got home James family walked in the door and shortly after that my family walked through the door. Saturday James wrote his sermon, I went to my sisters and then we went and had family pictures taken with James fam. Today we did church, ate lunch, then went boating with his family. Finally my chair calls my name and I sit. What a crazy summer. Marranda has a dentist appointment sometime this week, but I can't remember when and I swear I wrote it down.... somewhere??? I've been doing so good at keeping appointments straight, but this one got away from me. I'll be making some phone calls first thing in the morning.
We start our Tuesday and Thursday 5-7 visits with Marrandas's Mom this week. We'll do that until Mid August. Then we'll do every Tuesday and every other Saturday. Crazy schedule, but we do what we gotta do. That's all i've got for now... Love you guys...

Go...go...go...

Seems like that's all we've done this summer. We've been going since last August. Summer has been just as busy as the school year, though James isn't nearly as stressed. I can tell cause his hair isn't falling out like it does during the school year... seriously. Oh well... tomorrow we're off again. The North American Christian Convention is in Cincinnati, OH and we're headed that direction and Marranda is coming with us. We'll see how that goes... early mornings and late nights. It'll be good. I have quite a bit of family that will be there and an Uncle I haven't seen in a couple of years. I'm really looking foward to getting there.

The downside of this "vacation" is that the dreaded phone call about a death in the congregation is just days away. James is getting his first taste of death, and very soon, a funeral. He's not been to very many at all and this will be his first to preach. I don't miss it one bit. Though I must admit, my first inclination is to tell him what to do, who to call, and what to say... but he doesn't respond to that all that well I think he thinks I'm bossy. I really just have the urge to just do it myself... but the elders would not like that to much. Oh well... so goes life... and death... It really really really sucks.

When we get back from vacation we get a break for about 3 weeks. We've got a couple of church events, but nothing too major... at least no more trips until CIY. Our pocketbook needs a break.
That's all I've got for now... have a great week.

Our First Anniversary

Yeah... We're home. We had a great trip, but it sure is good to get home. Here are a few pics. We did a whole lot of walking and eating. I'm really gonna have to go to New York sometime with my sister so I can enjoy the culture and history of it all. My preacher husband doesn't necessarily enjoy that aspect of the city. Our goal for this trip was just to see as much as we could. We saw a lot.

Our hotel was kinda scary... but at least it was clean and in a good location. I've got pictures. Monday we got to the hotel and checked in, then we went to Times Square and walked around, then saw a movie.

Tuesday we went to The Today Show, saw more of Time Square, Central Park, a few churches, The United Nations, the Letterman Show, ate at an overpriced italian place, saw the Flat Iron building, had a drink, and called it a day.

Wednesday we got up early to take the subway down to the Brooklyn Bridge and walked across it. Then we walked to the Supreme Court House, the World Trade Center, and then to the Staten Island Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty. When we got off the ferry we walked to a couple of old churches, then to china town where we had lunch... Gotta admit... First Wok has china town beat. Then we walked to little Italy and to Greenwich village and back to Little Italy for Pizza. It's very different from anything I've ever had, it was pretty good. It's so thin and floppy, I know why they fold it now... that's the only way you can eat it without it falling apart. After that we went back to the hotel for a break while we decided what to do that night. We ended up taking the subway back to the Brooklyn Bridge to see the skyline at night. On our way there we heard tons of motorcycles and when we came upon the US Supreme Courthouse we saw 2000 harleys and choppers. They have a rally every year where they raise money for some sick kids. It was really cool. Then we went to see the skyline and called it a night.

Thursday all we had time for was the Empire State building and the Yankees game. One of our elder's future sons in law scored us primo seats for the game. The owner of his company has season tickets right behind third base... he got those for us. The seats were awesome... unfortunately the game was pretty boring... Oh well... we enjoyed the seats.

Friday morning James decided to try a new route to the airport to save some money. On the way into the city we got on the NJ Transit from the airport to Penn Station and walked a few blocks to the hotel: $30. On the way back we saved about $20... but here was our route... Hotel to Subway, to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall Stop, walked to Path Train (by WTC), took train to Newark, Got on bus to airport (terminal A), took Airtran to Terminal B, to Check In...

We had a great trip, but we're pretty tired... The boat is fixed and we're headed out to pick it up and go to the Lake... Hope it goes well and I don't have to help haul it on the trailer again... Gotta go... see you all soon.

a new chapter...

Well... Menopause is officially over!!! We're about to hit our one year anniversary!!! We're also about to leave for a week in New York!!! We need a break. I'm looking foward to gettting out of podunk. We love it hear, but right now we need a break. James doesn't have to preach when we get back so all we have to do is get away and enjoy a break. When we get back we'll start our second year in marriage and in ministy. The second sunday after we got married, James started filling in out here in Wapella. It's hard to believe that we've been out hear just about every Sunday for a year. Life goes by so fast.

Marranda is doing well, she's at least sleeping through the nights. She is going to stay with James' parents next week. I hop that goes well. She's done a ood job of throwing my back out. She's pretty heavy and likes to be held. I haven't been holding her nearly as much, but my backs not feeling any relief yet. I went to Dr. Karen, but that hasn't helped much. I hope it's just knotts from stress and they will dissipate soon.

The past year and a half have brought many changes and callenges... I wonder what the next year will bring?!?!?!

New Baby

Here's the newest member of the McMillion Clan. Sarah (James' Sister) had her baby at 5:15 this morning. His name is Caleb Charles McMillion. He weighs 6lb 4oz and is 18 1/2 inches long. He's got a funny cone shapped head and is really cute. Sarah's doing great.

Stong-Willed

I've never really appreciated what parents of strong-willed children go through on a daily basis. I think I have the stubbornest kid on the planet, but only when it comes to certain things... like talking, saying her colors, and going potty. Marranda has reentered babyland and won't come out. She responds well to picking up her toys and eating (most of the time). But those other things are so irritating. I know she know her colors, but she refuses to call things by the right color. Everything is green or yellow.... i know she knows them. I know she knows how to go potty... she just won't. Marsha told me to break her from her return to babyland by not letting her get away with doing "baby" things, but man is it hard. She is such a fighter. We can put her on the pot for hours at a time.... nothing... we try the rewards system with everything imaginable.... nothing... we try withholding things.... nothing...
The talking thing is something i'm not sure how to tackle. She won't look me in the face to talk and when i try to enunciate for her to repeat she sticks her tongue out and talks. Ugghhhh!!!

HELP!!!