Miller Family Blog

  It's that time of the year, people....time for Connor's Books!  Since before Audrey was born, I have talked about and solicited books from all of you; for both of Audrey's birthday parties she collected books instead of gifts.  This year I'm asking for you to help in another way...Please read the following from Connor's Mommy's blog.

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HELP US BECOME A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION!!

Who knew that way back in Kindergarten when we received a flyer about girl scouts and I asked Emma if she was interested we would end up here?!! The response from the girl scouts has been INCREDIBLE. We don't have a final number yet and hopefully this darn flu won't ruin everything but we are looking at close to 3,000 books.  Yep, 3,000 BOOKS !!!!   The response has been so wonderful.  The girls have been so excited and some are doing their very own book drives at their schools.  Outstanding!!  We had our own book drive with our troop and there I was with the girl scouts holding up signs that read Connor's Books as they chanted Connor's Books, Connor's Books.  How could I have ever imagined that? 

 

It's so very amazing that my little boy, who lived such a short amount of time is making a difference.  He is inspiring others to do great things and is bringing such joy to so many children.  As always, I just don't have the words to describe what this means to me.  As Connor's mother I was so fearful that since he lived only 14 hours that he would be forgotten, that the world would simply go on without him.  But now, because of so many wonderful people, I know that will not happen.  I know that his star really will forever shine brightly.

 

From the day we started Connor's Books, my dream has been that we would be able to become a non-profit organization.  Each year, I think about asking for money instead of books but I just can't.  I hate the idea of not having books to deliver to Scottish Rite Hospital on his birthday.  But...this year... because of the wonderfulness of the Girl Scouts we have so many books to deliver....I'd like to ask for your help. Next year will be Connor's Tenth Birthday and becoming a non-profit would be a perfect way to celebrate!  There is so much more we want to do.

 

Please consider donating money to Connor's Books to help us become a non-profit organization.  You can do this on the website through PayPal or by mailing us a check (payable to Connor's Books).  Email me at connorsbooks@hotmail.com for the address.  You can even donate in memory or in honor of a loved one - just click on Donation Stars at www.connorsbooks.org to do this. 

 

Thank you.

 

Nearly half way over but thought I'd put some effort into CDH Awareness.  I've been a little lame this year; after our big start (billboard, radio, newspaper, magazine, and finally full-feature magazine article), I've done just about nothing this year to educate anyone on Audrey's birth defect.  Sure I've shared her story to a handful of people who didn't know it, but nothing else.  Haven't signed up for the March of Dimes walk again either.  I'm not sure what my deal is.  What I do know though is that 3 years ago on this day, the first 2 boys I "knew" with the defect were here and fighting, Jackson was a week old, and Drew was 4 days old.  5 days later sweet Avery would arrive and a month after that, came Sofia.  Audrey was last but somewhere in there we "met" Jessica too and her darling Parker would come just 3 days after Audrey.  Six women brought together by this crazy defect.  We emailed, blogged, called, stood by each other through cyberspace and now, 3 years later only 3 babies are here.  I miss Drew, Avery, and Parker.  I'm sad we didn't beat the odds, our six were supposed to be the ones.  Babies keep dying from Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia.  You can read about them over and over and over, it sucks.  I wish I had direction on what I’m supposed to do, I just haven’t felt called to anything specific.  Some of my friends are doing great things, I’ll continue to support them.  To all the amazing people I’ve met in the CDH world, thanks for all you’ve given us during our journey.  To all the parents of babies lost to this defect, my heart aches for you.  I promise they will never be forgotten.   Hopefully someday CDH will be a defect of the past.

For now, here’s my favorite CDH Warrior…

   You've come a long way, baby! 

I’ll explain the color change later, too deep to write right now.  New pictures, funny stuff as always at the Miller house.  Not much of interest to share…Ethan’s huge project got finished and poor kiddo missed one point because he didn’t bring his main resource book in with the project (as it clearly stated on the project sheet).  OOPS!  “Ethan, I’m taking it back to the library, you won’t need it”  “Mom, I think I do”  “You don’t, don’t worry about it”             I’m such a stellar mom!

Jason has traded Superman for Princess garb.  Today was the first day and I think it had more to do with me not helping with costuming more than choice.  He can get both he and AJ dressed in the Princess outfits but requires help with everything else.  I said they could play dress up while I folded laundry but then we were going to Wal-Mart. They wanted to go dressed up!  I can’t wait for daddy to see the pictures! 

We’re headed to San Antonio and Austin for Spring Break. Nate has traded OKC for Austin and we haven’t been to SA since Thanksgiving.  The kids ask everyday how much longer until they get to go to Grandma and Papa’s, please Friday, get here!  It’s only Monday, right? Help! 

The Miller's Friday the 13th...whatever you think is the better title!

The call from Jason's school to come immediately was actually my third call of the day.  Ethan's school nurse was first with "Mrs. Miller, Ethan is in here with an earache and his ear looks pretty bad, please come and get him".  I was at the gym when that call came in and as soon as I hung up, I heard "Attention members, Jennifer Miller please report to the fun club...".  I was on my way anyway!  I expected to see a sad Audrey but instead she just needed help getting on the potty.  Once I had Ethan and Audrey home, Ethan medicated and Dr. appt made, my phone rings again.  "Mrs. Miller, Jason's had an accident and we think he needs medical attention..."  Poor Jason, last but definately the winner!  What are the chances of 3 calls within an hour and a half?  I tell you what, Miller chances!  We've been so chill lately that I guess we needed a little reminder of what Miller crazy is!  He's fine, but the entrance the ER was not pretty.  Apparently he remembered the last admit when they did stitches.  Kicking, screaming and eventually punching me out of sheer terror.  He got away once and ran out the door but I got him just as he reached the parking lot.  It was quite the scene!  I finally calmed him down enough to get him back to the room.  Once there and assured that they could do glue instead of stitches, his superman skills kicked in--he was a perfect patient. 

Oh yeah, what did he do?  Tripped while carrying a plastic dinosaur--pterodactyl in the forehead, greatness! 

Happy Valentine's Day!  I may or may not have received yummy, perfect diamond stud earrings!!  We'll see if a picture surfaces soon.

Jason is SO into dressing up, he changes several times daily and we've been many places in character.  Right now he's really into Superman.  Last week he came into our room WAYYY after bedtime to tell us he "has the BEST idea ever".  He went on to explain in detail how he could be Clark Kent/Superman and could we please do it right away in the morning.  Nate and I won't soon forget the light in his face as he was telling us his idea, he literally skipped out of the room with excitment.   The next morning after breakfast we found clothes that would work over his bulky costume and he spent the day transforming.  I love my Superman!