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.