Meema turns 90!

Meema celebrated 90 years two days after Josh's birthday. We were able to get together for lunch and then have a small family party afterwards. What a wonderful example of aging with grace she is to us!

Meema & the other guests enjoyed looking at old family pictures.

Josh Turns 30!

Josh had his 30th birthday last week. We celebrated several times with friends and family. How blessed we are to have him in our lives.

Sam & Troy helped open gifts.

Sam showed Josh how to blow out the candles on his cake. We had a great party with friends David, Jeff, Lindsey, Jacob, Michael, Heidi, Hunter, Jeremy, & Amber.

The next day we went to Pops & Nana's house to celebrate again. Sam again helps blow out the candles. We had a great supper with Pops, Nana, Aunt Meg, & Uncle John.

Abbie Kneece

This has been a tough weekend for me. My grandmother passed away on Tuesday morning. Grandmama was my mom's mother and if you know anything about my family you might remember that my mom is one of 6 children. Grandmama and Granddaddy had 6 children in 7 years & 7 months...no twins.

Both of them were educators. Grandmama taught biology, chemistry, and I think physics. Grandmama taught me how to water ski when I was 5 years old. My grandparents have a house on Lake Murray (very cool story about how 2 teachers with 6 kids could afford a lake house but that's not the point here) and the summer that I was 5 and Elizabeth was 7 they taught us how to ski. Granddaddy or my dad would drive the boat and Grandmama would be in the water with us coaching us on what to do. It took all summer for me to learn but I have never forgotten.

Grandmama was my "outdoor" grandmother. She could tell you all kinds of information about nature. She knew about plants and trees, animals and animal tracks, and although loving and patient did not let me get away with being a squealy girl. If I didn't want to get dirty well then I would miss out on the fun. She showed me that getting dirty was part of the deal and that everything could be washed. One time when we had come to visit we had brought with us some of those big bubble wands and were outside making these huge bubbles. Grandmama commented that they looked like amoebas. I didn't know what an amoeba was and right there she gave us a little biology lesson.

She had the perfect southern accent. She was ALWAYS kind. I always felt comfortable around Grandmama. She was a good listener. My mom has a picture of her holding one of the grandchildren (there are 13 of us) and she is looking down at the baby in her arms and her face and countenance are so sweet and gentle...I will always remember that picture. She was such an example of easy grace and natural elegance...not fancy but comfortable.

Grandmama was always the one that would swim with us at the lake long after everyone else was ready to go in. She did the side-stroke. She was also willing to get up early with us and go fishing off the dock and watch the sun rise. I don't remember catching fish but I do remember spending that time with her. We used hotdogs as bait.

Grandmama and Granddaddy were a team. Granddaddy made sure that we all knew how they met and how he "threw his hat in the ring" for her. Granddaddy called Grandmama his Cinderella when they were dating and it got shortened to Cindy...that's how my mom got her name. Their's was a love that was romantic yet practical and comfortable enough for everyday use. They were a cord of 3 with their faith and love of Jesus. What an example.

So this weekend was her funeral. The service was wonderful...I cried and laughed and was able to say good-bye. It has made me think about lots of things. I am sad that Grandmama is not here but I am joyful because I know she is in heaven. I don't know what heaven is going to be like but I do know that Grandmama is there because of her faith in Jesus as her Lord and Savior. She lived her faith out everyday with everyone.

Let us hope that our legacy in this world is a love story.

Race For The Grassshopper

On Saturday Josh & I ran in another 5K. This was the first time Josh had run since high school and the first time we had entered one together. (If you follow this blog at all you should remember that I am a veteren of only 1 previous 5K back in December.) The race was put on by the Spartanburg Running Club and was held at Cowpens Battlefield. According to race information the reason they call it "Race For The Grasshopper" is because at the close of the Battle of Cowpens in 1781, two American officers, confident in victory raced for the ultimate prize, a British
three-pounder cannon, called the “Grasshopper”.

It was a beautiful, although cold, day and both of us really enjoyed the course. Josh was pleased with his performance and I once again met my two goals - running the entire race and not being last. After the race was over we stayed around to hear the official times of everyone and boy did I get a shock. I won third in my age group! In the spirit of full disclosure this was not a huge race but I was faster than all but 2 of the 25-29 year old females...and received a nice little cannon to prove it!

The boys went with us but did not participate in the race since Aunt Bet was there to watch them for us. All in all it was a very nice family day.

Here Josh gets Sam & Troy loaded into the double stroller.

Here we are before the race...did I mention it was cold? I think Josh is holding his breath.

Josh & Sam cheered me on at the finish line.

The fam sharing cool-down drinks & snacks.

My own little "Grasshopper"!

Christmas in Fort Mill Day 2

For "Christmas morning" in Fort Mill Josh made waffles.

Troy thoughtfully watched.

Sam was already enjoying the portable DVD player from Pappa & Mimi.

Pappa, Troy, & Uncle Jonathan wait while gifts are being opened.

Meema & Mimi opening gifts.

Christmas in Fort Mill

After spending Christmas day & night in Anderson we headed on over to Fort Mill for the weekend. Here is the whole gang...Pappa, Josh, Troy, Aunt Bet, Uncle Jonathan, Mimi, Meema, Rebecca, & Sam.

We upheld the Malphrus tradition of opening one present on Christmas Eve...even though it was technically the day after Christmas. Troy was really intent on this gift from Aunt Bet...can you tell what it is?

Uncle Jonathan helps Meema with her gift.

Sam was with Mimi (of course) playing with his Christmas Eve gift, a Clemson football from Aunt Bet!

Aunt Bet "tries on" her sweater.

Christmas in Anderson

After we enjoyed Christmas morning at home we packed up and headed to Anderson for brunch & the rest of Christmas day. We had a great visit with Nana, Pops, Uncle John, Aunt Stacy, Aunt Meg, Uncle Matt, & Ace.

Aunt Meg wrestles Troy while Nana (no she's not asleep) watches the fun.

Pops was really stylin' in his brown fur trimmed Santa hat...not sure why it was brown but he really liked it. Uncle Matt enjoys the first of many Miller Christmases.

Aunt Stacy & Uncle John

Nana takes over with Troy. Check out all the handmade stockings...Nana is one crafty lady!

Sam got a spiderman big-wheel and immediately got to riding on the driveway. I love that he is concentrating so hard that his tongue is sticking out...how early do we learn that?

Christmas in Seneca

After the four of us survived the stomach bug the week before Christmas we were ready for some fun. We went to our church for Christmas Eve service on Christmas Eve (duh) and then came home for a yummy supper of Shrimp & Grits joined by Aunt Bet. Then everyone got tucked into bed for a "long winter's nap" and to rest up before the Christmas journey.

Sam got a sleeping bag...lots of camping trips to come.

Here are all three boys checking out Josh's new tool box for the garage.

Troy thought the wrapping paper was gift enough...can't tell you how many pieces we fished out of his mouth.

Here he is with a "real" toy...it did take some effort to convince him to play with the gifts instead of the wrapping.

I'm bundled up in my new down vest and Troy is again playing with wrapping paper.

No Dust Bunnies Here...

Troy's favorite thing to do now that he is mobil is to wiggle backwards until he gets most of his body under the sofa. Next step is learning how to get back out!