Friday, January 24, 2014

MillerTime Update!


What's up with the MILLER tribe?
The Nugget is growing leaps and bounds, and Lauren and I are always amazed with the developments that are taking place each week with such a ‘lil person. Caroline is nearly 16 months old. She’s communicating more and more, and she even pretends to read her books by herself, which is quite the silly and awesome sight. Of course, her favorite words lately have been, “No, No, No, No,” which can mean a lot of things she just doesn’t want to do at any given moment. She is a willful booger. We’ve also noticed that she takes after Lauren in the CAUTION department. Lauren is not a risk taker, whereas I would love to go skydiving tomorrow! Caroline processes a room, reluctantly moves forward and often gives newbies a “mean mug” and stiff-arm. Still, she has a tenderly beloved spirit once trust is built. She loves to cuddle, kiss and love on Hercules and Maggie, our 10 and 11-year-old dachshunds. She loves to see her friends in the neighborhood and at playgroup. She even says some of their names. It’s precious – beyond words – when she notices another buddy on our walks down S. Pearl St. or treks to the park. Caroline enjoys stacking blocks, putting stickers on daddy, dancing, destroying the living room like a Tasmanian Devil in 30 seconds flat; she loves Elmo, Cookie Monster and always enjoys eating, eating, eating and eating!

Dr. Lauren is doing well in her intern year at St. Josephs Hospital, which is always the most difficult year of residency. She only gets 2 elective months the first year (elective month, meaning, a  “normal” job with 5 days and weekends off!) In fact, she’s halfway finished with her 1st year. Woo Hoo! However, she is working such long and tiresome hours that her main goal for ’14 is simply to survive and enjoy time with her family when she is at home. We were able to take Caroline to the Denver stock show on Monday. If you ever see Lauren out in public and she exemplifies a Zombie, please, know her schedule is to literally “die for”… . Lauren completed her last night shift rotation of the year (brutal), and switched to a new month of daily ICU shifts today. This means that we get to see her at nights for dinner (sometimes) before Caroline goes to bed, and she gets 1 day off a week (or 4 days/month). Needless to say, we long for the day when we will have a social life with friends again. All of this being said, we knew this season was going to be difficult, and I’m really thankful that we have 12 year of marriage under our belt as this is definitely a team effort! I’m very proud of Lauren on many levels! She's an awesome doctor, excellent wife and a great mother!

I’m beginning a new season as well. As some of you know, my days consist of changing diapers, laundry, a bit of cleaning (Cleaning is relative to me. Just ask my wife or mother!), cooking and keeping Caroline on a good schedule. We try to make it to 2 play groups/week, 2 library “book baby” groups/week and have our weekly Taco Tuesday routine and now, Sexy Pizza – Hump Days (Yes, as awkward as that sounds, we DO have a $1/slice place called “Sexy Pizza” in our ‘hood that we frequent with another Stay-at-Home dad on Wednesdays/ Hump Days! 

A new hobby I am really stoked about is learning how to home-brew. I bought my first brew kit and aim to get my first batch of IPA started Wednesday night. I only wish I paid more attention in Mrs. Carrie's Chemistry class. In addition to my full time, Stay-at-Home dad gig, I’ve enrolled at my alma matter, Denver Seminary, for another degree program (6 year plan, at best! No rush...). I’m only taking 1 online class/ semester, and I thoroughly enjoyed my experience last fall. 

I’ve also finally committed to a church for this season (New Denver Church, a smaller community that values missional communities and shared leadership – See 3DM model!), which was a big decision considering the fact that I’ve never gone “church shopping” and haven’t chosen a church outside of pastoral work since college. I’ve become friends with one of the pastors and have committed to a small group with him and a few other guys; something I realized I needed. New Denver Church has, what I feel, one of the healthiest leadership structures and philosophies of ministry I’ve seen within the local church. If you are interested, I'll tell you about it on the side. Amway,  I received an email from my new friend in December, saying that their part-time youth pastor left for a full time ministry job, and they needed an interim they could trust for a season for this small youth group (literally, 8 students max). After prayer, conversations with some trusted friends and nailing out some details, I’ve committed this season working only 5 hrs./ week as a consultant-mentor-pastoral-youth guy, so to speak. My ultimate goal is to train up a young, Denver seminary student and hopefully give him the reigns at some point this year. Please, if you pray for us, be in prayer for this element of our journey and the families we will come to know as well. Also, I’ve been asked to speak again at a local Christian high school next week (It’s always a good sign when someone invites you back to speak! For those that know me and have heard my messages, what's your favorite message? They've already heard the Rabbi/ discipleship "Follow me" and the "Other Side" bit BTW. Email me.). In all honesty, there are times when I do miss local church ministry and teaching every now and then, but I have really embraced this special season for a number of reasons. Some days I get misty thinking about Caroline growing up and sending her off to school. She is my 'lil buddy, and I love her like crazy. I wouldn’t trade this season for the world!
 
Lastly, my latest crowning achievement as a parent is that I taught Caroline the beloved, “Hook “Em Horns!” Yup, she a smart one, indeed!

Peace


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