It's Muller Time

This year the Muller’s hit the road. Grandpa and Grandma Parker called and asked for us to open gifts in Denver Christmas morning with them. We were excited to say the least to do so. We haven’t done that since 2006. As part of their gift to us, we flew up  to Denver. We boarded a “Propeller” Airplane. I don’t know if you have seen Tim these days, but he was pretty nervous to say the least about flying on this tiny little vessel. Mainly, because his size and not the size of the plane. He’s Chunky……. We made it just fine. Only to find 13 inches of snow on the ground. It was a white Christmas to say the least. We spent four wonderful days with them playing Wii Sports. They are both former “Curlers” [read about it here].  Wii just so happens to have a Curling game on it. It was supposed to be in fun, but Nancy comes from a highly competitive family. And since no one kept count, Tim and Grandma kicked BUTT! The kids had a great time in the snow, building forts and sledding. But in all, we had a wonderful time with our family. Thank you Grandpa and Grandma! You’re the best!

What a year!

The Muller’s, like many of our family and friends have experienced, have had an interesting budget this year with all that has gone on with our country’s economy. We have had our fair share of trials and tribulations, but have found many blessings along the way. God has shown us a great deal this year both personally and as a family about perseverance, faith and trust. The LORD sat as King at the flood; Yes, the LORD sits as King forever. The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace. Psa 29:10-11 We are looking forward to 2010 to begin using what we have learned in 2009.

This year, our youngest Sarah turned 5 years old. [See below] She is 100% girlie girl. She loves to dress up, even without “playing dress-up”. Mom seems to think that she is going to test dad’s desire for modesty. But she always seems to look REDONKULOUS! At the beginning of 2009 Sarah and Dad signed up for soccer. Dad got suckered into the coach position. [Thanks mom!] The team was aptly named the Bumble Bees. [jersey color; neon yellow] They were not a very successful team, really just a bunch of bumble bees surrounding the hive…… Only if we were playing another game that had to do with bees and honey, it would have been a really good season for us. It wasn’t though. It was fun for Sarah and frustrating for Dad. Surprisingly, Sarah wants to sign up for soccer again, making sure to encourage Dad that this time around she and her team are going to WIN! We might be looking into dance or possibly gymnastics though.( Not because dad can coach better in those things). Really, because she has a ton of energy. We think the “dress-up” thing goes a little better with dance or gymnastics. Whatever we choose, we know she will do well with it. She loves an audience and we like being it.

Ashlea turned 10 years old this year. She has grown up way too fast. Those gorgeous baby blues are taking boys by storm. [One thing those boys don't understand is that storm is El Nino with a dad like Tim.] She is excelling in school. She didn’t have any of her good friends  in her class this year, so starting new with others in the class was a little hurdle for her to overcome.  We think it was the best for her  because she has blossomed into a little talker. We are not looking forward to the future cell phone bills. As you read before, our next “Mia Hamm” has also taken her game indoors for the winter. She is learning to take a different look at the game of soccer. It is a much faster game with quick passing and all the passes being very low to the ground. She loves the game and WE all love to watch her play. She also is playing basketball with some of the girls from her soccer team. As you can imagine, she has gotten a little bit taller this year, coming in at 5.1″. Her team is playing up this year, meaning that all of their opponents are about a half foot taller than our girls. It has been a tough and challenging season, but the girls seem to be getting better with each passing game. She is doing well with it too. But at the end of the day, she says, “it’s not soccer”. We definitely know where her heart is.

Josh is [in his words] FINALLY a teenager. He for some reason is talking about driving. Like, okay that’s where we go next with life. Problem is, THAT’S not where mom and dad were headed. Tim took Josh out though for a spin, [Definitely against Nancy's will.]  He did very well, but we are FAR from considering that the next part of “life”. He has a bit of a lead foot. Something Tim knows nothing about….. Nancy on the other hand….well you know the real story.      Josh is amping up for another go at National History Day. He again is going to be doing a web site for the topic pertaining to Innovations in History: Impact and Change.  He selected Chartography as his focus. With his past efforts, he has done real well with the amount of competition and we know he will once again rise to the occassion. Whether thats here locally or at the National level. He too is playing Basketball this year for Albuquerque Christian School and is excelling at it with his size 13′s. Oh yah, and with the extra 4 inches he has grown. He is now a GIANT 5.11″, but according to him it is 6.0 even. Dad doesn’t care how tall he is, he just has to sit on him, just in case he gets a little excited. He picked up tennis this year as wel. We weren’t sure where the allure came from, but he did really well this year. He made the School team and ended his season as the “go to” guy for the team. We were so proud of him.

Nancy is still working half time at the same elementary school as an occupational therapist for a medically fragile and developmentally delayed preschool program.  It is the perfect time to make change happen in a little persons life, before bad habits and complacency has taken hold of the child.  They call me McGuiver as I am always fabricating or modifying something to allow a child to have success in the school environment.  I have also had my own business now for over a year.  Just Right Challenge is the business.  I serve children,  primarily early intervention (0-3 years old).  I love working with families and kiddos early on in their development. It could be as busy as I want it to be which is a blessing.  I have chosen, while the kids are so busy with school and activities, that my business will continue to be my part time venture.  I have the best of both worlds with summers off  and love the flexibility of making my own hours with my business.  Although my love for my chosen career is great, my passion is for my husband and children.  We are so family oriented and do everything together.  What is a week end without a sport or two to watch…we are lost without it.  It has been two years since my hip surgery, and although I it didnt make my bionic like I hoped it would, I feel relief and stronger than I have in years.  Life is good!

Tim continues to work as a mortgage broker.  The economy wasn’t so kind to that this year however.  He also has wonderful skill on the computer and has been doing webwite design on the side.  By word of mouth, he has become much busier in that area than he imagined he would be. Hence, the skill that Josh has been following after.  Softball has been T’s playful past time, even with back issues.  Tim is an awesome dad and the kids long to be at his side.  As a husband, well, I long to be there too.

This year may have been a challenge financially, but in love…we are so rich!

We have a lot of catching up to do.

Like for starters, our son is now a TEEN! With size 13 shoes. That is a lot of leather. We are now checking if Shaq has a “hand me down” program. He’s also  on his way to being a heart breaker. He’s already got a couple under his belt. Not one of Mom and Dad’s favorite things right now. He text’s his friends like he were a court reporter. Oh my GOSH!

I think the last time we posted it was last Christmas [2008] and Josh was the one that posted our website. He was gaining some more experience for his want to follow in his dad’s footsteps with web design. His experience  has taken him to Washington D.C. twice for National History Day. We are so proud of him and his hard work. Last year, [seventh grade] he did not place, but had a great time once again visiting our Nation’s Capital. That was at the beginning of the Summer. We had a wonderful Summer time swimming, hiking and geocaching. We visited friends in Arizona and Grandma & Grandpa in Denver. Great trips! While in Denver, we had an opportunity to drive a little further to Fort Collins, CO where Nancy got a chance to visit her Alma mater. She was as excited as, well, a school girl. It was a great trip. Tim was also pleased to visit his dear friend Eric.

Then school started. UGH! Josh is really settling into the teenage thing. He wasn’t as excited to return as years past. The girls were stoked on the other hand! Ashlea started 5th grade and finally, as she puts it, was able to be upstairs for her classes at the school. Sarah started Pre-K this year and was beside herself on returning. Josh’s attitude has since changed with the start of the year. As all of his friends have matured. Keep in mind that’s a TEEN talking.

Ashlea still strives to be the next Mia Hamm in soccer and we think personally that she is well on her way. She’s great at it. And Sarah, where to begin. The kid is always learning, trying to read and be a fashionista. But we love them all and are looking forward to many more stories to tell.

Well we think this is a good start at getting back. But we can’t wait give you a little more.

Hey family and friends! We have had quite a year. Or two. We have been looking for something for our site that we can update all the time and keep you all up to date with us and all of our goings on. We are going to start trying to have more updates and posts for you all to keep up with us. Sorry for the delay and the time in between all of our posts. We are trying to be better about it with all of our family and friends that live outside New Mexico. Love you all!