My children have never known a world without war and probably never will.

They will never know of a time when you could get on an airplane without pat downs and screenings.

In our town a majority of the kids have one or both parents in the military.  They worry about whether their parents will come home from Iraq/Afghanistan.

They live in a world where we look over our shoulders wondering if someone around us is a terrorist.

This is just the normalcy in the world they live in. 

It should not be the norm. 

My heart breaks for the town of Newtown, CT.  I cannot even imagine the nightmares those children, parents and teachers/administrators will face because of that terrorist.

When I saw the videos of those little kids, the same age as my own, with tears streaming down their faces it made my heart hurt.  Looks of confusion and disbelief that veiled the innocence.  The pictures of teachers trying to keep calm and get everyone out, it made my stomach turn.  This could be my kid's school.  It could be the schools my sister and sister in law teaches at.

I was working at my children’s school when I heard the news of the school shooting.  As a parent, I immediately wanted to find my kids.  I knew they were okay, but I just wanted to see them.  I wanted to give a hug to every child that I came across.  I wanted to assure them that they are safe.

But that’s not the world we live in.

My only assurance is in Christ.

Every morning, I place them in His hands because that's all I can do. 

Each morning before they leave for school, we hold hands and pray.  We pray for their safety.  We pray for their bus driver.  We pray for their teachers and we ask that angels are all around their school.

While today’s events would make many of us want to keep our children home or if we had to let them out, bubble wrap them and have them wear Kevlar, I’m reminded of the scripture that gives me strength,  2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 

My prayers are with the families, school, and people of Newtown, CT. 

 

This is the song that came to my mind when I heard the news today.  I hope this every one's prayer.

 

 

 

 

 

The One In The ACU Is Mine

*It's muliti-cam uniforms they are wearing.  Not ACUs. I stand corrected* 

 

I'm pretty sure the one second from the left is mine. 

Sometimes it's hard to tell.  Once, Wesley went running up to who he thought was his daddy.  It was not.  Thankfully, it was our friend, Bob.   

 

I'm hoping Steven sends me more pictures so I can share with you all.

 

I have had so many people ask me for Steven's address and I thought this may be the easiest way to get it out to those who want it.

 

HHC, 4BCT, 1CD

Task Force, Longknife

FOB Gamberi

APO AE 09310

 

Don't forget that you have to fill out a customs form when mailing any packages overseas.  It's a real pain to have to do that at the post office.  People send you looks of great disdain and hate.  Also, you can use the one rate boxes.  Let me tell you, his Shakespeare book weighs as much as a toddler, and those boxes save me some serious dollars.

 

Again, we are so grateful to all of our friends and family who take the time to send emails, text, facebook messages to check up or check in with us. 

 

 

Also, if you want to keep up with his unit connect with them on Facebook

LongKnife 4BCT

Stationery card

Wreathed Monogram Wishes Christmas Card

Send Christmas cards personalized with your family photos.

View the entire collection of cards.

The Countdown

 We are only a week and a half into this deployment so saying "the countdown" might seem a bit premature.

How do you help a 9 and 4 year old "see" how much longer until Daddy comes back?

Slash marks?  No.  Too prison like.

Paper chains? 270 of them.   Oh, the time it would take to make those. And then just to tear down all that work.  So that's out.

  I saw this adorable  "Days Until" sign. 

 

I purchased it from My Treehouse Treasures.  They have all kinds of adorable signs.

Then my friend Tiffany shared with me what she is doing with her kids. 


Kisses From Daddy

Our Kisses From Daddy jar.

Every night before they brush their teeth, the kids get to eat a kiss from daddy.  Not only are they counting down on the board, but they can also see how long until Daddy gets home as the kisses get lower.

Good night, Daddy!
 

 

What do you do help your kids countdown until a special event?

Rock The Vote (Is It Still Cool To Say That)

  It's the small things in life that can make you happy. 

  We do our voting absentee style.

  That means I do not get an "I voted" sticker.

  I'm a little unhappy that I don't get to sport that today. 


Every other post on Facebook today has been about voting and I think that is awesome!  I can't imagine living in a country where I didn't have that freedom. 

It made me think about the first time Steven was deployed to Iraq and how he was helping the Iraq government set up and conduct their voting system.  His story about their elections was published in the Field Artillery Journal.  You can go here to read about it.   Steven's article

I remember seeing the pictures of Iraqi men and women holding up their inked purple thumb or finger to show they had voted.  They were so excited!

So wear that "I voted" sticker proudly today!  Be glad you live in a land that you can vote for who ever you want.  Even in Illinois, where you can vote for the 'Nard Dog.  (Yes, this is a real ballot from Kendall County, IL)

If Absence Makes The Heart Grow Fonder....

The Millers November 2012

... then fonder has begun.  Words penned by my husband on his way to Afghanistan.

I really debated on blogging or even taking pictures of our farewell this morning because they can be kind of a private thing.   The more I thought about it, I thought the world needs to be reminded that there is still a war.  There are still Soldiers deploying.  There are still families waving good-bye until the buses are out of sight.

This is our third go around with deployments.  It's been different each time.  The first time, Steven signed in and was told he had 15 days and he was leaving for Iraq.  We had a 5 month old baby at the time.  Communications were very limited.  A few emails.  Rarely a phone call, but never a good connection when we did receive one.

The second deployment Steven commanded and it was a complete whirl wind.  We had more notice than 15 days and our baby was now 3.  Communications were better.  More frequent emails and the phone system seemed to have less of a delay. 

Our third deployment has been interesting.  We stood on a field not far from the where we stood 6 years ago.  This time our baby is 9 and we've added a Dude, 4.  Emails will probably be multiple times a day.  There may even be Skype!  But there is still that strange emotion between sadness and missing, but this is now old hat because it's away of life. 

I watched newly weds say tearful good-byes, other kids hold on to their mom or dad for one last hug (we had about 4 one last hugs), parents from far away coming to see their sons or daughters off.  So many of these Soldiers are now on the third, forth or even fifth combat tour.

The war has now been put in the back of people's mind because it's gone on so long.  It was barely mentioned in the presidential debates.  The homecomings aren't quite what they used to be.   My husband is a writer and during this deployment he is going to do his best to remind America of the men and women who are deployed.    And as a blogger, I'm going to share my story, as well as my fellow Army families. 

 

It's not the easiest life, but I wouldn't have chosen any other

.

We love you!!

Lucky Me

Welcome to the Army Mrs. Miller.

… with those words spoken and sword across my bum, I was welcomed into this crazy military world.

13 years (13 ½ for those who know the whole story) have gone by so quickly and here we are getting ready to go back to the place where it all started for us.

In 13 years we have:

Moved six times

Had two children (me, not him)

Two Iraq deployments and an upcoming deployment (him, not me)

One trip firefighting in Idaho (him, again)

NTC (all him)

Bought 6 Ford vehicles (I think.  The number gets fuzzy around 2007) 


I would say countless adventures, but honestly, our everday life is an adventure.

The list could go on and on of what we’ve done over the last 13 years.

I could not imagine doing any of this with anyone but my very best friend.   Through the good and the not so great, I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Once again, the Army has foiled our plans to spend an anniversary on a beach somewhere, but some day we will get there. 

I’m lucky I’m in love with my best friend.  "Our" song.

Thirteen years ago with my best friend.

Thirteen years later and I still like him a whole lot!

Where's The Good in Goodbye? Part III

Most anyone reading this blog knows that the following is true about the Millers:

God

Family

Country

We have always put God as the first priority in our lives and with that church is also something that is very important to us.

We have been so fortunate to have the greatest churches to attend every time we move.  And like with every move comes the saying good bye to a church and church family we have grown to love.

We literally drove over the river and through the woods an hour both ways to go to this fantastic church.  You may think that’s crazy, but we don’t regret a single mile that we drove to get there.  We have had the best leadership in Pastor Steve and Lorrie Smith and Pastor Josh and Heather Wood.  Not to mention the friends who became family to us.  We love you all and will miss you so much. 

We are looking forward to hearing about the great things that are happening at Westchester and are already looking forward to our next visit.

Thank you for allowing us to be a part of the family.

Vern gets a Wesley work out every Sunday.

Wesley and Vern

Madelynn and her favorite baby, Tessa

Joe also gets a Wesley workout

Me and the lovely Matthias ladies.

A few good men...

and their better halves.

Wesley and his pal Carmine

Pastor Smith and his favorite red head.

The One Where He Turns 39

I’m not sure how he’s thirty-nine because I’m only twenty-five and he’s just six years older than me.  The math just doesn’t add up.  Never the less, his birth certificate says he was born in 1973.

Steven has done quite a lot in his thirty-nine years.  He would never brag on himself so allow me to do so.

He has received two Masters Degrees

He has commanded two batteries

Served twice in Iraq

Married a fabulous woman

Fought fires in Idaho

Continues to be an amazing dad to his kids

Has had articles published

Taught future Officers how to read and write at the United States Military Academy at West Point

Met many dignitaries

Jumped out of airplanes and off bridges (both willingly)

Ran a full marathon, half marathon, and 5k  (also, all willingly)

He’s also done our taxes for many years. Once, during the birth of our oldest child.

He's a man of many unspoken talents.

 He’s done much more, but those are just some of the highlights.  I’m pretty lucky that I’ve spent thirteen plus of these thirty-nine years with him.  This year we will not get to celebrate with him on his birthday, but are looking forward to doing so when he’s home.

So,

MAJ Nelson,

I hope you have a wonderful 39^th birthday.  I’m looking forward to celebrating thirty-nine more with you.  I promise to make you some Dr. Pepper bread when you're home.  
I didn't just want to sing happy birthday to you so take a listen to the lyrics of the song “A Song For You.”  I think some of the lyrics describe you/us and your thirty nine years.

I love you,

Jeannie

The birthday boy (far right)

One of my favorite pictures of  The Dude and his Daddy

After Steven's first full marathon

The Real American Idols

For those who live under a rock, American Idol 2012 ended this week.  America chose its idol - a 21-year old young man who is super talented and I hope does well with his gift of playing and singing. 

Honestly, all these young people who were on American Idol didn’t have it too hard. They were allowed to do something they loved, stay in a mansion, meet celebrities, and I’m sure much more.  The only downfall is you may not win the multi-million dollar contract in the end.

It’s interesting what we as Americans consider an idol.

Let me tell you about a few real American Idols.  They are the men and women who chose to do something that isn’t always popular.  It isn’t always fun.  There’s not a lot of money it and certainly no mansions.  They chose to do something selfless.  They chose to do something that most of us wouldn’t want to do.  They chose to leave their families to fight for a country they love, never knowing what the outcome might be.

I have walked through the cemeteries at West Point and Arlington and I’ve seen the graves of the 21 year old American Idols. 


They are more than just names written in stone. They are sons and daughters. Husbands and wives. Mommies and daddies. Mentors. Best friends. Battle buddies. Names we should never forget.

Today we honor them and the families who love them.

It’s been the Millers' great honor to know some of these American Idols personally.

MAJ Bill Hecker

CPT Christopher Petty

CPT Jason Blake

CPT Sam Luke

SFC Stephen White

SGT Johnny Peralez

PVT Robbie Mariano

So today, take a moment and remember these men and so many others who have given their all.



The Petty Family 2005



Madelynn adored Chris.

Chris playing with Madelynn and Oliver

Wesley honoring Chris at our last visit to Arlington. 

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Oliver and Madelynn placing flags at Chris' grave.

Jason and Steven were more than just battle buddies, they were best friends.

Richelle and Bill Hecker

Steven and Madelynn honoring MAJ Hecker, Steven's mentor.

Where's The Good In Goodbye? Part II

Bear with me a moment while I tell you a heart wrenching story.  It may leave you a bit farklempted.  Don’t worry, it has a happy outcome. 

Following your military husband all over can be a lonely life.  By that I mean, you leave friends and are put somewhere new to make new friends every two or three years.  Not to mention your husband is gone quite a bit or works many long hours.  I knew this was the life I was getting into when they pronounced us LT and Mrs. Miller. 

One night, shortly after we moved to New York, I was laying in bed and it hit me (this is where you may want to grab a hanky):  I have no friends here!  I had an honest to goodness panic attack thinking about this fact.  We were not living on post where friends are instantly made.  We were living in the country, not a neighborhood.  Our church was an hour away.  Steven was already settling into his job and had “friends”.  Madelynn had started school and was with her friends every day.  I had no one but my sweet little 18 month old.

A few days later I went into our library and I saw a brochure for the local MOPS (Mothers Of Preschoolers) group.  They were about to start the program for the new school year.  I decided to go.



This is where it gets happy!  The Tuesday of the first MOPS meeting came and I walked into Grace Community Church not knowing a soul.  I dropped Wesley off at his class and I checked in and found my table.   There I met Amy.  She was my group leader and we started talking like we had been friends forever.  She had been in the Air Force, stationed at Scott Air Force Base which is down the road from my parents.  Small world!  Three years later, she is one of my dearest  friends.  I call her my first New York friend.  I love when we can have coffee sans children.  I love that our kids go to preschool together and I see her every other day.  I love the goofy texts that I get from her.  

Me and my first New York friend, Amy and her sweet "K".

I could go on and on about the ladies that I met at MOPS.  When I prayed/fussed to God about not having any friends here, He gave me, in abundance, the friendship with these women that have become so dear to me.  I will miss seeing them every other Tuesday, but I’m so thankful for Facebook so it doesn’t feel like they are so far away. 

I’ve already found a MOPS group at Fort Hood and I’m excited about joining and sharing with them the things that we have done here. 

So to all the Grace MOPS ladies, thank you for taking me into your Grace family and loving me and my family as if we were your own.  We will miss you all, but look forward to the updates of what God is doing in your church and MOPS group.

Just a few of  the sweetest women you will ever meet.

If I can only  have a little bit of Grace's sweet spirit and running ability I would be happy.

I will miss Lindsay so much.  Not only is she my dear friend, but my neighbor and emergency contact person for my kids.  She throws the best Cryfest for moms on the first day of school.



I'm so glad Christina was introduced to me at a Halloween party.



Kelly and I bonded while "fighting" over a pair of Old Navy mittens and hat during a dirty Santa game.



Angela is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet.  I am so thankful for all that she and Wendy do to put MOPS together.  They are fantastic leaders and I'm going to miss their quiet, gentle spirits.

Wesley and Ms Ivy, one of the many Moppet workers who loved Wesely over the last three years.

Where's The Good in Goodbye? Part 1

These next few weeks begin the hardest part of the military life.  It’s not the packing or the moving or the not having a house to live when we get to our destination.  No, those things are just inconveniences.  The hardest thing is the goodbyes. 

While living this military adventure, we develop close friendships.  And wouldn’t you know it, those people find a place in our hearts and become not only become our friends, but apart of our family. 

Our military family

This past Friday began the first of the goodbyes.  We had a little get together with some of our military family.  I can’t even begin to say how wonderful these people are.  They are more than just friends, they truly are our family.  Fortunately, we do not have to say goodbye to the Wilsons.  We are taking them with us to Texas.  Rebecca, Deb and Melissa (who is in Afghanistan) have been like aunts to the kids and they have become some of the dearest friends.  I’m truly going to miss getting together on a whim on Friday nights.  We are already making plans for their Texas visit

Wesley and "Aunt" Rebecca

I don't even know. 

My girls.  I'm going to miss them a ton.  Well, except Yvette.  I'm bringing her with me.

Our latest goodbye was this evening - Madelynn had her last piano lesson with her fantastic teacher, Ms. Chi.  Over the last three years, Ms. Chi has watched Madelynn grow and change and not just musically. Similarly, we have watched Ms. Chi’s life change. With a new house, a new husband, and a baby due in July the transformation in both Madelynn and Ms. Chi has been something to behold.

Ms. Chi-McCain and Madelynn

As Madelynn walked out of this last lesson, she tried (unsuccessfully) to hold back tears knowing she had to say goodbye. 

As hard as goodbyes are for adults living this military life, they are even more difficult for the military child.

Most have heard the cliché “Grow where you are planted.”  This can be good advice for many, but for a military child it can be painful.  These little seeds do grow where they are planted, which is wherever the Army sends their family.  They grow roots and begin to bloom in what may be wonderful soil. They are then dug up (without their entire root structure like piano teachers) and replanted in another piece of land to try and grow again. 

These military seedlings are a hardy group.  They are able to be replanted and grow again.  While it can be tough, they turn into beautiful and strong flowers, able to adapt to most of what life gives them.

This is just the beginning of our goodbye blogs, it’s not meant to be sad, but to let everyone know how much they mean to us and that our goodbyes are more of a, “See ya later.