Our baby boy, Silas Jones Miller, was born June 5th. He has been a complete joy! Laura and Marcus adore him (too much sometimes!). He has been a very content, cuddly baby. We are so BLESSED!!! Here are a few of my favorite newborn pictures taken by our friend Jodi (www.littlegiftsfromgodphotography.com).

The most exciting event of the summer was the wedding of my sister, Lori, to Michael Yoder. They had a private ceremony (immediate family & grandparents only) in a beautiful garden. Merlin preached the message and Laura was the flower girl. Eric and Brenda did the music and the decorations. Tania made the cake. Tyler was the ring bearer. Mom did the food for the reception and 2 sets of aunt/uncles did the final cooking during the ceremony. It was the most laid back formal wedding I've been to, which was really nice for everyone involved. The weather was perfect. Just beautiful!

Mom had agreed to watch Tyler while Lori and Mike went to Antigua for their honeymoon. Mom didn't want Tyler to get bored so we planned a couple "fun days" during the week. On Aug 10 we (mom, Tania, Merlin and I with the 6 grandkids) went to the Fort Wayne zoo. It was quite warm that day but we had a lot of fun. I really thought all the kids would fall asleep on the way home, but only 3 did. On Aug 12 we (mom, Tania, Eric, Brenda, and I with 5 grandkids) took the train to Chicago. We went to the Lego store and American Girl. The boys LOVED the Lego store. Laura actually liked it too...she still talks about the pink legos they had.

Merlin and I went with the youth group to Cedar Point Aug 18th. We had a blast. The lines were fairly short so we got to ride quite a few coasters. The weather was great as well. My only bad part of the day was being close to the front of the line for Top Thrill Dragster and having to wait longer because the ride was being worked on.  We did get on the ride and our total wait was still less than an hour. After the ride I started to fix my hair and realized my doily had flown off during the ride. OOPS!

Aug 31-Sept 1 Merlin and I rode our motorcycle down to Indy to Beef and Boards dinner theater.  We watched "Church Basement Ladies" which was hilarious!!! They are doing a sequel next year and I hope we get to go.

We have been busy getting ready for The Haven to open and trying to get the final canning/gardening done. I am also going to start babysitting next week, which should add more excitement to the house (3 more excitement makers to be exact).  So that was our summer...and it has past...fast.

 We had a wonderful Easter this year.  We had a wonderful church service then went to my moms for lunch.  Brendas parents and brother were down from Canada and joined us on Easter.  Laura and Nathan (one of her best friends at church) happened to both be wearing green Easter morning so I took a few pics

Grandma read an Easter story to the 6 grandkids before the Easter egg hunt . Below: Tetiana (Craigs daughter) and Laura, Marucus

My sister Lori, sent me a pix text on March 28.  The picture was of a diamond ring on her finger.  I was excited right away but then thought she could have sent it as a prank so I sent her a text back to make sure it was for real. She responded that it was indeed true. She is engaged.  She and Mike will be getting married in August.  They both own houses and are remodeling their houses.  His home is in New Paris and her house is in Shipshewana.  We will be helping them finish the remodeling so they can sell both houses and together buy a house in between.  She is planning for a small wedding (immediate family only) which should minimize the stress and planning.  Merlin will be in charge of the message and Laura will be a flower girl.  We are so excited for them!

Both kids have been doing well.  Marcus is 15 months already.  He finally started walking a couple weeks ago.  He is still happy almost all the time.  He keeps busy trying to keep up with Laura and tormenting the dog.  He also loves to jabber and sing.  He's a daddy's boy.  Laura is almost 2 1/2 and is potty trained for the most part.  She almost always pees in the potty but she won't stop playing to poop on the potty, which is really frustrating!  If she is in her bedroom to take a nap she gets up and goes on the training potty in her room, which works out well. If anyone has potty training suggestions please let me know!  She has been obeying better most days which is so helpful.  I do have to watch her around Marcus.  She loves to mother him, which is sweet except for when he does something he's not supposed to and she feels the need to discipline him.  She hears me say "Laura, you are not the mom" a lot!

We will have a busy week this week.  Monday Merlin has a minister meeting.  Wednesday is church.  Tuesday night we will be getting most of the stuff together for the Mayfest Road Run and Friday night will be final prep. Saturday morning we will be there bright and early to get ready for registrants to come check in and run.  We have a 5K and a 1Mile run.  It's always a fun but tiring day. 

We decided to plant a garden this year! We built boxes for a strawberry patch and have tilled part of the yard up.  We planted strawberries, cauliflower, lettuce, carrots, peas, kohlrabi, and green beans so far.  We hope to plant potatoes, sweet corn, tomatoes, and green peppers.  If we have any room left we will plant watermelon.  We can't wait for some fresh produce!

Last night was the installation service at church. Merlin is now officially head pastor at Riverview and Glen is now retired.  This will bring about a lot of changes for our little family, some of which we are excited about and others that are quite intimidating.  Merlin has quit his job at Shipshe Casuals and will be busy with "church work". His days will be spent praying, studying, visiting, working at The Haven, and who knows what else. The thing I'm most excited about is the flexibility of his schedule.  If he knows he has evening meetings he may be able to spend a few hours at home in the afternoon.  It's been difficult to have him come home from work, only to eat supper with us, and then either leave for a meeting or retreat to his office for sermon prep.  I know it was difficult for him too!  We look forward to that change.  The most stretching thing for me is to depend on God for our finances.  The church gives a love offering once a month, which will be our income.  I know God is able and will provide but it's hard to not know how much each month will bring.  I am confident we will not be in want with God as our shepherd.  We are excited to be where God wants us and to be doing His Will!  Last nights service was so encouraging and many people have said they will be praying for us which is such an encouragement.  Please keep us in your prayers during this new step of faith.