Proud Moments -

I feel like one of the most fortunate people ever. Every single day, I find a reason to be happy!! AND, it is so easy to be happy. I have a husband and two very precious puppies who I love and who love me. If you have ever met my doggies, you know they are the funniest little boogers. They make me laugh and giggle every day. They sleep on their backs like humans. They like to sleep under blankets and do not like to be disturbed. They are a constant source of my happiness. Cullen makes me smile every day. He, like the puppies, makes me laugh and giggle every day. On my wedding day, I remember thinking "I couldn't have hand picked a better man." God gifted me with such a perfect partner.

I also thank the good Lord for my family and friends. At any given point, I can tell you at least one thing that makes me extremely proud of each of my family members.

And, then there are my amazing friends. I have always heard that you are lucky if you can count your real friends on one hand. If I could count my friends, my true friends, I would need my fingers, toes and all of Cullen's fingers and toes! So, cheers to my friends, family and my life. I love where God has put me and what God has given me.

Baby's First Vacation.

This weekend, Cullen and I took off for a trip to DFW; It was for Cullen's birthday. - AND, it was Peanut's first vacation. The funnest part of the whole vacation: Secrets. We aren't out of the closet about our news yet. As people would ask the inevitable question, "So, when are you two going to have babies?" we would give one of two answers. If they asked me, they got: "Oh, maybe this time next year." OR if they asked Cullen, they got: "Man, I am holding out as long as I can!!" Later, we would grin at each other knowing our little itty bitty pint-sized secret!

I can't wait till we are out of the closet with our news. I can't wait to tell everyone about my sweet little Peanut.

I have a doctor's appointment on Friday. Cullen isn't going to this one... From what I have been told, they are going to make me pee in a cup, take my blood and ask me 500 questions about my past and future ailments. Hopefully, we will schedule our first ultrasound too!

The things you do for your baby....

All moms have said "I would do ANYTHING for my child". I found that hard to believe at times. Really....you would do ANYTHING for your child. riigghht..... Well, six weeks into pregnancy and I know the feeling. Due to some school situations, I told my Vice Principal at work that I am pregnant. She responded with - "Go get the flu shot." This could have been the worst news she could have given me. I hate shots. I hate needles. I hate the whole process. Literally, anxiety builds up inside me, I get sweaty, and I cry every time I need to get a shot. But, like a good mom, I will do anything for my child. I immediately went to the doctor, sat down and got a flu shot. Did I cry? Of course. Did I hate it? Did I sweat and wretch around like a two year-old? You bet. Have I been on my deathbed sick for two days - you got it! Was it worth it? Was it worth it to make Peanut safe from the flu?? It was worth every second of sickness, if it meant she/he was protected. Turns out it's true. Moms really will do anything for their child.

(You are welcome Peanut. Mommy loves you - so much she will get a shot.)

Chapter One: A Fairy Tale Story -

Once upon a time, in a far away land there lived a Princess and her darling Prince. This Princess was no ordinary Princess; she worked and went to school, she cooked, she cleaned, visited all of her royal friends, and she took care of the royal puppies.

In the summer of 2008, the Princess became worried and anxious. Her kingdom was being taken over by a troop of angry Spartan Gecko's. Being the big protector of the Kingdom, the Darling Prince tried to fight off the evil Spartan Gecko's. And, much to the Princess's dismay, the Spartan Geckos were large in number and had a strong will to take over the Mills Kingdom. The Princess became so fearful of being outside her Kingdom after nightfall. The Spartan Gecko's had her right where they wanted her... being held captive in her own Castle.

After fighting off the EVIL Spartan Gecko's for two years, the Prince and the Princess surrendered to the Spartan Gecko's and ran away from the Mills Kingdom to start anew in the unknown land of Killeen...a neighboring Kingdom.

At first, when the Princess was settling into her new castle, she was very hesitant to be outside, or alone because of the emotional scarring left by the Spartan Geckos. However, she noticed that all the Spartan Geckos stayed in the old Mills Kingdom. The Prince and the Princess (and their royal puppies) are living comfortably in the land of Killeen. The Princess feels so free to be outside after night fall, leave the doors open in the evenings without fear of being taken hostage in her new Kingdom...

So... the Prince and the Princess lived (so far) happily ever after.

Peanut - Oh how you make me Pee!

I have speculated since long before I was pregnant that I would pee a lot. If you know me at all, you know that pre-pregnancy, I pee'd a lot! Now that I am pregnant ... sheesh! that is all I do! Whether I am imagining or if it is really true... I pee 4 times an hour, MINIMUM. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE!??!? Peanut, ONLY because it is for you do I manage to deal with it...but, I am not sure that I can sanely do this for 9 whole months!

Eat, Sleep, DREAM Baby -

I had my first "baby" dream last night.

I have heard from a lot of pregnancy women that they dream about their baby; they meet their baby, their baby has a gender...so I knew this was not weird. I had a dream that I was 4 or 5 months pregnant and having a hard time sleeping. I spoke with my doctor (in my dream) and he told me that I MUST not sleep on my back, only on my side ( I think that is really true - pregnant mommas shouldn't sleep on their back???). Anyway, I woke up from my dream worried I was laying on my back... at this moment I can not recall if I was or wasn't but what I am sure of, is I when I woke up I hugged my body pillow so that I couldn't roll back over! :)

Anniversary Update -

Our Anniversary was perfect!! PERFECT! Cullen has yet again set the bar high for himself for next year. When I got home from work Tuesday, I as greeted by a clean house (yes, he came home at lunch time to pick up the house!!!) and plant in a planter box. The box had picture frames built into it for wedding photos. He also got me a gift certificate to Hobby Lobby so I can buy some decorations for our house!! Hooray! THEN, we went to dinner at a hibachi grill (which was FABULOUS), followed by ice cream at TCBY. Yes, Cullen was pampered was too. I got him a ring from James Avery.

Now, a life update:
Life is great. I am teaching a self-contained Autism class this year at Clifton Park Elementary. I have a TON of stories from class; however for privacy reasons I can not share them. I love being a teacher - I think God really is using this time in my life as a test in will and patience. :)

Cullen is loving his job. I see that he is truly happy; that he sees his job as a career, not just a job. He has yet to come to complain about not enjoying his job... it is just a safe feeling.

Puppies are doing good. Nothing new to report...unless you need to know that they are the best dogs ever.

I promise to be a better blogger. I promise quicker updates!!

Is Shock A Normal Side Effect

...so, is it normal to be in total disbelief/shock about really being pregnant?? I have take 4 pregnancy tests, (all of which confirmed - Pregnant) and I still kinda don't believe it. We are planning how to tell everyone; I want to really surprise our parents. It will be grandbaby number 3 for my parents, and grandbaby number ONE for Carol and Billy. I am so excited to share our big news with our family and friends.

Dear Peanut -
Mommy and Daddy love you very much. I ask God to watch over you, and protect you while I carry you over the next 8 months.
Love you more than you will know,
Mommy and Daddy

...And, So It Begins!

It happened. We're pregnant. I am no longer me. I am now a "we". The Mills are not a party of two. We are a party of two plus a peanut. It happened. We're pregnant.

Around mid August, Cullen and I decided we are going to throw all precaution to the wind and leave it up to God. God is a funny man, because it took us six weeks from the time we decided to throw all precautions to the wind until I found out I was "with child".

Cullen and I celebrated our two year anniversary tonight and I gave him a James Avery ring for his gift. Along with his ring, I gave him an "I love Daddy" onesie, "What to Expect When You're Expecting (for Dad's), and an invitation to join me at the hospital around May 24th!

Peanut, even though you are only the size of a poppy seed, I love you bigger than the world is big. I have prayed for you for a very long time, and I am already excited to meet you. Peanut, me and your will think about you every day until we meet you.

Happy Anniversary

Dear Cullen -

Two years ago today, I became the happiest woman in the whole world. Two years ago today, I became Mrs. Erin MILLS. Two years ago today, you became my better half; and every day since September 15, 2007 you have made me shine brighter, want to be better, want to be stronger, and support me in doing things I never thought I could do.

This day last year, you made our one year anniversary the best anniversary. I thought there was no topping it. You went out of your way to make me feel so very special. I am going to do my very best to make this anniversary even more special... but since I can't give all my secrets away early, I will leave you with this:

In our two years together, we have come so far. I have learned that if you do not manage to put the toothpaste lid on all the way, the world will not stop (although I believed that.) You have learned to deal with the idea that I live in a toaster and I try to hard to see that you do not just pop out of bed. I hate/love that I can never be truly mad at you. I hate that you make me smile so big when I try to be mad at you. You and I became financially stable - and we bought a home. You and I decided it was time to make the big move; so we sold the house, and moved to Killeen.

I am so proud of the man you are today. God has truly blessed me more than I could ever imagine. Thank you for being my husband for these last two years, and countless years ahead.

I love you with all my heart and soul.

Erin

I've been out-rutted.

For Jillian - Can I even put into words how much I miss STARRY?? With every scratch, every bite, every tantrum (the kids, not me), I miss STARRY so much more than the day before. I miss you all. terribly.

BUT, you know what starts TONIGHT? Biggest Loser. AND....Dave is back. Can't wait. so excited.

For Julie - I am embarrassed to say - I can not think of any *appropriate* marriage stories to share. I have plenty of inappropriate stories....but, we can not share those here. However, marriage is great.... and speaking of great marriage, Please see the above blog entry!

Blog rut

HELP. I am in a blog rut. I need creative go-go juice!! Any ideas??

No Labor on Labor Day

This weekend was outstanding! Friday night, Cullen and I met Cullen's parents for dinner in Belton. We ate at this cute little steak restaurant called The Beef Barn. Saturday, after Cullen got off work, we headed to Austin to see the family, and...... meet TJ's new girlfriend. ( I love her. already.) Sunday we headed to Fredericksburg to see the extended family.

So, wanna know the best part of the weekend (besides seeing my family...) WE BOUGHT NEW LIVING ROOM FURNITURE. I am soooooo excited. Chocolate leather love seat (both seats of the loveseat are recliners/rocking chairs. HOORAY.

We get them in two weeks and I can't wait to get rid of these couches we have now. Man, they were great when we got them but, we have WORN THEM OUT.

HOORAY FOR NEW COUCHES.

U...N...T.... EAGLES!

UNT Eagles FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! Tonight is the season opener for the UNT Eagles. Bless his heart, Cullen has been counting down the months, weeks....days until UNT kicks off the 2009-2010 football season.

Want the best news.... the game is on TV. We get to watch it in Killeen. I don't know of any news I could deliver that would make his day any better!!

GO EAGLES!