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