New Years Eve

It’s crazy how your idea of a “fun” New Years Eve can change over the years!  Rather than spending weeks trying to find the perfect sequenced ensemble around, these days we spend our NYE with kiddos in the most comfy (but still cute;) clothes we can find!  I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!!! 

This year we went to an early/kid friendly/low-key dinner with the Fergus’, the Chastains, and the Ritchies.  It was perfect!  Oh, and the highlight of the night was stopping by Braum’s on the way home for an ice cream cone:)

Happy New Year to all of our family and friends!  New and old, we love you ALL!!!

Happy Birthday Kenadee

I had the pleasure of meeting Kenadee yesterday.  She turns 2 years old today:).  Kenadee was born with Mitochondrial Disease and has recently been referred to Circle of Life Hospice.  Her mom, Lacie, knew of Miller’s story, so she reached out to me with questions.  It was so good to meet Kenadee and her family, but my heart just breaks for them.  Please keep them in your prayers, as they take each day one at a time.  The decisions you have to make as a parent of a special needs child are so unfair and so challenging.  Pray that Lacie and Dennis have peace with the decisions they make about Kenadee’s future care, and that Kenadee is content and comfortable in all of her days ahead.  She is a beautiful little girl with two wonderful parents that love her very, very much!

Block-A-Palooza has been founded by Lacie, in Kenadee’s honor to help fund her special medicines and start and savings fund for a stroller-chair and seat that will support her body.  Visit their Facebook page and check it out: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Block-A-Palooza/163808730343244.

Hog Basketball

This boy LOVES going to the Razorback Basketball games!

Calling the Hogs………and then hiding from them!  He is SO scared of the mascots!  He keeps one eye on each of them ALL.NIGHT.LONG!!!  Big Red, Boss Hog, Sooie, and Pork Chop.  Sooie and Pork Chop are definitely his favorites though.  I guess because Sooie is a girl and Pork Chop is little?  It’s hilarious!!!

9 Months Old

Today would have been Miller’s 9 month birthday.  That is SO hard to believe!

Here is a video of Miller with Papa:)…..

FLASHBACK:  Just because I like to envision what Miller would be getting into at 9 months, here are some of my favorite pictures of Cole at 9 months:)…..

Happy Birthday Meagan

Arkansas Catholic

Arkansas Catholic featured our family on the front page of their December issue.  I know you can’t read the story through these pictures, but it was the best I could do.  Thank you to Marilyn Lanford for taking an interest in Miller’s story…..

Christmas Day

We had a very Merry Christmas at the Woodruff house!  Nana and Papa came over to our house bright and early so they could see Cole’s reaction to Santa.  We told them to come over at 7:30am.  I was a little nervous that he would wake up earlier than normal since he was so excited about Santa coming, but we ended up having to wake our sleepy head up!

Santa definitely stopped by out house:)….. 

The basketball goal is now raised to 6 feet tall and lives in our den.  I don’t know who has more fun with it, Cole or his daddy…...

The train table he so desperately “needed”…..

Dreaming of Santa…..

He has just recently gotten interested in Little People……

This Radio Flyer ramp thing is so fun!  He played with one at his friend Noah’s birthday party and loved it!  He seemed so long for the little car, but the box says for up to 5 years?  He just sticks his legs out in front of him.

Lots of dinosaurs in his stocking…..

And, a peppermint…..it’s the little things!

Digging for more…..

Singing Happy Birthday to Baby Jesus…..

After we got the mess cleaned up at our house, we loaded up and went to Nana and Papa’s for lunch and our exchange with Patrick’s family…..

Playing with his airplane that the girls at Catfish John’s gave to him

Patrick and Uncle Kyle with their Ina May Pummill books, full of pictures from Artex at different seasons.  Beautiful book!

Razorback football from the Doss’.  His face says it all…..

His ball cap that goes with his uniform Nana and Papa got him.  I’m sad I didn’t get a picture of the uniform.  I’ll post one when he has it on sometime.  It is SO precious!!!

New glove and ball…..

He was so good at opening his presents this year!  He took turns with everyone and acted excited about everything.  Such a fun year!!!

Laying on his new towel and loving on Suzy…..

Bicycle helmet for the new bike Nana and Papa got him…..

Nana with her “Miller” Razorback ornament…..

Papa with his North Face we got him…..

His very own cup, plate and bowl….

Tee Ball gloves from Uncle Kyle….

Nana with her “Miller” wine…..

So excited about the Uggs we got her…..

A present from the birds.  His very own bird feeder!

Uncle Kyle with the North Face we got him…..

Anything with a ball and this boy is happy…..

Our family…..

Opening Chutes and Ladders from Aunt Monica…..

Aunt Monica with the Hog frame we got her…..

Uncle Tom with the framed picture of him and Duchess that we gave him…..

The very first gift I opened on Christmas morning was a surprise from some of my very best friends.  This BEAUTIFUL Jane Basch necklace with Miller’s monogram and the sweetest card and poem.

I’m Spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this Year

I see the countless Christmas trees,

Around the world below.

With tiny lights, like heaven’s stars,

Reflecting on the snow.

-----

The sight is so spectacular,

Please wipe away that tear.

For I’m spending Christmas,

With Jesus Christ this year.

-----  

I hear the many Christmas songs,

That people hold so dear.

But the sounds of music can’t compare,

With the Christmas choir up here.

-----

For I have no words to tell you,

The joy their voices bring.

For it is beyond description,

To hear the angels sing.

-----

I know how much you miss me,

I see the pain inside your heart,

But I am not so far away,

we are really not apart.

-----

So be happy for me, dear ones,

you know I hold you dear,

And be glad I’m spending Christmas,

with Jesus Christ this year.

-----

I send you each a special gift,

from my heavenly home above,

I send you each a memory,

of my undying love.

-----

For after all “Love” is the gift,

more precious than pure gold,

It was always most important,

in the stories Jesus told.

-----

So please love and help each other.

as my Father said to do,

For I cannot count the blessings,

or the love He has for you.

-----

so have a Merry Christmas,

and wipe away that tear,

For I am spending Christmas,

with Jesus Christ this year.

-----

I can’t tell you of the splendor,

Or the peace here in this place.

Can you just imagine Christmas,

With our Savior, face to face?

-----

I’ll ask Him to light your spirit,

As I tell Him of your love.

So then pray one for another,

As you lift your eyes above.

-----

Please let your hearts be joyful,

And let your spirit sing.

For I’m Spending Christmas in Heaven,

And I’m walking with the King.

Needless to say, I was a mess after reading this, but it felt good to have a moment and let it all out.  We had a WONDERFUL Christmas with MANY blessings, but that didn’t keep us from missing our baby boy like crazy!  Thank you SO much to Victoria, Jayme, Amber, Jayna, Kate and Kim for this special gift, and to the countless number of people who sent us texts, emails, voicemails and Facebook messages.  It really meant a lot to know that so many of you were remembering Miller as you were celebrating Christmas with your own families.  I have a feeling there were a lot more people remembering the REAL reason for the season this year.  I know we sure did!