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.

This Birthday Brought To You By Instagram and The Number 33

 You can't see the clock, but it says 6:42. 

That would be A.M.

On spring break. 

He had actually woke me up at 6:15 with a hug and told me his tummy was rumbly. 

That's cute, but still way too early.

 I've never received breakfast in bed and I didn't think it would start today,

so I made my family pancakes.

Bonus is my pancake looks like Pac-man!

 It's a happier happy birthday when time is spent at Target

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My favorites!  We had a lovely lunch at Bread Co.

Got a free cookie because it's my birthday!

Me and T.  If we were 12 we would sit around making friendship bracelets
and watching Animaniacs.

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My birthday drink of choice: A cranberry lime-ade with vanilla.

Birthday mail!

What was in the birthday mail.

Sometimes you get a celebrity to visit you on your birthday.

I got three! Batman, Superman and the Lone Ranger.

Dinner.  BEST pizza in Orange County!

My theme song.  We sang it loud today!

My most awesome husband surprised me with this gift.

It's way better than the Foreman Grill he gifted me a few years back.

I have so enjoyed reading all my Facebook birthday greetings!

Thank you all!

Thirty-three has already started out being a fabulous year!

( I kinda felt like an American Idol-er doing the whole number

finger bit)

I Won't Lie To You

I don’t believe people who tell me they LOVE! running.  I’m not going to call them liars, but their pants might be on fire.  Last year, I let my runner of a husband convince me that running a half marathon would be “fun.”  His pants were smoking.  So I practiced.  I even ran a 5k in July.  Did you read that?  I said, I ran IN JULY!  It’s hot then.  I did pretty good for my first time.  There was a sense of accomplishment that does not come with cleaning the house or fixing dinner.  Plus you get a t-shirt.  However, I still did not love running

My first 5k.  I look like I loved it.  Don't let that smile fool you.

Along came October.  Half-marathon time.  I was feeling pretty good.  My dad was running this half with me.  Miles 1-5 we were doing great.  Miles 6-13.1 I got very, very sick.  (That’s another story that someday I’ll blog about.)  I persevered through the sickness and we finished in 2:50!  After I came out of the fog of illness, I looked at my awesome new shirt I got for running and thought well that wasn’t too bad.  I can tolerate running, but I still do not love it.

Me and my Dad after the ING half marathon.

A few months ago I read about a local 5k and I texted my friend Tamara and said, hey this might be fun.  Oh, boy!  My britches were burning!  A few days after we agreed to do this 5k, I thought, what am I thinking?  I don’t love running.  Tamara and I continued to encourage each other through the not fun training.  Last weekend, on a very cold and very wet Saturday morning, Tamara and I ran up hill both ways.  You would think I’m exaggerating, but I’m not.  We finished and with a pretty good time.  We also got  awesome shirts.

This was the Finish. Our time was actually better than this.

Me and Tamara

So why put yourself through all the not-fun of running you ask.

I run because of this cutie, my nephew, Brock

 and others with Muscular Dystrophy.  You can read more about Duchane Muscular Dystrophy here.

There are several of us who joined up and formed a team of runners and we call ourselves The Brock-tober Runners.  You will see more about Brock-tober in the up-coming months.  So while the weather is beautiful and before it gets too hot to complain, strap on some running or walking shoes.  Don’t do this for you, do it for someone else.  Do it for someone who would love to run or walk in a race, but may not be able to.  Start looking for races in October and join team Brock-tober Runners.  I’m not going to lie to you, it may not be fun, but it sure is worth it.

Keep up with team Brocktober here

Oh The Place You'll Go

My mom used to read the Dr. Seuss book Oh The Places You’ll Go when I was little.  Now, many years after those readings, Steven and I could rewrite it and call it Oh, The Places the Army Will Send You.  So, you ask me where is the Army sending you next?  Well, I’ll give you a few hints:  Speed limits are 75 mph, Blue Bell ice cream is sold at every grocery store, and we’ve been stationed there twice before.  Have you guessed?  If you said Fort Hood, Texas, you are exactly right!!  The Millers will be returning to Texas for a little while. 

While Fort Hood was not at the top of choice list since we’ve been there twice before – we were hoping to go out west this time – there are far worse place to be stationed.  Like, Fort Polk, LA (The Army’s armpit), Fort Bliss, TX (a suburb of Mexico and they be killing folks down there) or Korea (not to found of having nukes pointed at me).  Did I mention that those were our other choices?  You can see why we are quite happy with Fort Hood.

There are other reasons to be happy with Fort Hood.  Blue Bell ice cream!  Need I say more?  Killeen has a Chik-Fil-A! Once again, need I say more?  It’s also the home of Dr. Pepper.  That makes Steven very happy.  We probably won’t get 6 feet of snow like we had here in NY.  Also, we will be living near family.  Steven’s brother and his family are also stationed at Fort Hood.  Madelynn is beyond thrilled to live so close to her only girl cousin.  Not to mention all of our friends that live in Killeen, Harker Heights and Copperas Cove and other parts of Texas.

While this wasn’t where we thought we would be again, we realize God’s ways are bigger and better than ours.  Even though the Army thinks this is what they gave us, we know this is all God’s doing.  While we don’t see that what His plan is yet, we trust Him fully

So follow our blog and roam along with us on this next adventure in our lives.