Veteran's Day

I was listening to NPR this morning and heard a panel of people talking about Veterans and all that goes with that, current and present servicemen and women. The discussions ranged from Veteran's current problems seeking physical and mental treatment to the sacrifices veteran's families experience. I heard about some amazing organizations and I came home and look them up on the Internet. I am listing the names, websites and a little info on each below.

Ali Al-Saadi/AFP/Getty Images

Veterans for America (http://www.veteransforamerica.org) is an advocacy and humanitarian organization. VFA focuses specifically on the signature wounds these conflicts: psychological traumas and traumatic brain injuries. VFA concentrates much of its attention on the needs of those who are currently serving in the military since the majority of those who have seen combat in Iraq and Afghanistan are still in the military and under the care of the Department of Defense. Veterans for America unites the current generation of servicemembers and veterans with veterans from previous wars to address the needs of our men and women in uniform—both active-duty and Guard/Reserve—and their families. VFA’s mission is to ensure that the voices of those who have sacrificed immeasurably on behalf our country in recent years are heard and that support commensurate with their sacrifice is provided.

National Military Family Association (http://www.nmfa.org) their goals are to educate military families concerning their rights, benefits and services available to them and to inform them regarding the issues that affect their lives and...

To promote and protect the interests of military families by influencing the development and implementation of legislation and policies affecting them.

National Journal's Oral History of Iraq & Afghanistan (http://www.nationaljournal.com/njmagazine/nj_20080805_8304.php) Since 2004, National Journal reporter Sydney Freedberg has conducted in-depth interviews with more than 90 military service members about their experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq. The resulting series of articles has covered subjects ranging from rules of engagement to National Guard call-ups to the role of armored vehicles in urban combat. For National Journal's influential audience -- members of Congress, their staffs, lobbyists, analysts, activists and other Washington insiders -- this series helps provide an infusion of "ground truth" into often abstract policy debates. At the same time, it puts individual experiences into the wider context of the high-level decisions being made about how to equip, organize and employ the U.S. military.

Since this blog is private I know (almost) for a fact that no one who is currently in the military or has served is going to read this post (though my friend Saundra's husband did serve in Vietnam but she rarely looks at this blog). But I wanted to post, for my own peace of mind, this info and say a big THANK YOU for all the SACRIFICES and SERVICE the many men and women of this country have given in years past and currently giving. Selflessly these people are serving in the military and more recently in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. I know a 'thank you' isn't much and it seems very insignificant compared to all service that has been done for us as US citizens and for people of other nations. But I didn't want this day to go by and not do or say anything!

Jake is for sure the father!

Josh and his bride-to-be Amy were looking through family photos the other day wanting to get some pictures of Josh to use for a video to play at their up coming wedding. While looking through, Donna came across some of Jake when he was little. As soon as I saw them I thought, "Wow, except for Brody having lighter hair when Jake was little he looks exactly like Brody". So not that there were any doubts about who Brody's father was and not that it is strange to have a son look like his father but these pictures really illustrates the saying, "Like father like son"!!

A lot of the facial expressions Jake made when he was little are the same that Brody makes but as I was looking through photos of Brody to put along side Jake's to show a comparison I realized that many of the photos I have taken of Brody don't always capture his wonderful facial expressions. I guess you still get the idea...

This is the only photo out of all the ones in this post where Jake is two. All the rest he is around 3 almost 4. So this picture in particular is appropriate because Jake is closer to Brody's curent age in this picture and I think this picture really shows, more than the others, how similar they look.

Happy Birthday Evan

Last week was Evan's birthday but I got busy and didn't post anything about it. I know it seems silly and with such a big family that Jake and I come from we just aren't able to show much recognition for each person's birthday. But Evan has a special place in my heart and he is so close to Brody's age and we are hoping as they grow up around each other that they are buds. I just had to post something to commemorate Evan's 2nd birthday!

Here is a picture from the day we went and visited Evan and Sarah at the hospital after he was born.

Here is another picture from that same visit. This is the introduction of Brody (about 5 months at the time) to Evan.

When Evan was about 5 months old (or so) his Mom, Sarah, went back to work and I was lucky enough to watch him for just a few weeks.


It was a fun experience to bond with Evan at such a young age. Not many people have the luxury of spending that much time with their nephew!

Brody and Evan started bonding...sort of!


This is Evan now, I am back to watching him and he brings lots of joy to me and to our home when he is here! He has a fun personality and I love hearing him talk.

He has a head full of blond curls and is always smiles - except when the trains do something to make him mad

Thursday of last week Sarah, Grandma Donna, Evan, Brody and myself all went to the zoo to celebrate the birthday. It was lots of fun but tiring for the boys...more for Brody as you can tell!

President Elect Barack Obama!

I know many in the country were divided over which candidate was best suited to be the next president. There was lots of opinions and in many cases emotions that went along with this Presidential election. No matter who won I would like to say (though I am an Obama voter) I really hope the country joins together Republicans and Democrats and those independent voters to put disagreements aside and, as President Elect Obama asked on Tuesday night, work together to bring needed changes to some of the problems the US is facing. During tough times bickering, arguing and fighting does not help.

My first impression of Barack Obama was formed back in 2004 when he spoke at the Democratic Convention. I remember sitting on our couch with Jake and just being blown away by his speech. The way he delivered the speech, the speech itself, the inspiration both Jake and I were left with was amazing. We felt empowered. I remember thinking at that time, "I wish this guy was running for president instead of Kerry!" I know words are just that, words, but words have a power and they play an important role. If you think about it, as voters, we really just have the words of the candidate - do we believe them or not? 4 years later Barack Obama is our president and his words are, to me more motivating, encouraging and arouse in me a spirit of optimism and hope for the future and increase the pride I have for my country. I know very few of you will care to read the following but I include it for my own record.

Parts of Obama's speech from Tuesday night

On the future

"The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America - I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you - we as a people will get there. There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can't solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it's been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand."

On bipartisanship
"Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House - a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, "We are not enemies, but friends...though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection." And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn - I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too."

On the genius of America

"To all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright - tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope. For that is the true genius of America - that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow."

On the moment
"America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves - if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made? This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes We Can."

A picture tag

Amber tagged me. Its sort of a fun "tag". Post the fourth picture from the fourth folder where your pictures are saved on your computer. Mine of course (since I have SO many pictures of Brody) was of Brody being exceptionally adorable and smiley being held by his Grandma. I love this picture of him! Thinking of him now, he looks so small in this picture, oh how times flies :)

I tag Sarah and Lindsey

Is Brody going to have a brother or sister...

Today was the big day of the ultrasound!

Both Grandma's came along, as they did when I was pregnant with Brody. Jake and the Grandma's surrounded the technician's screen (it was a very late appointment and the technician was pretty annoyed that our baby was not more cooperative). We first recieved what looked like a wave from the baby. Then the baby went on to, what it looked to us, like the baby was trying to suck its thumb. Yes, the ultrasound makes the baby look very alien like but was sort of cute!

Firstly was the wonderful news that I feel can be overlooked because sometimes there is so much excitement on finding out the gender - everything looked very healthy with this baby! Heart, bones, stomach, kidney's, brain and all. I really am still constantly amazed how many healthy babies are born because really there are so many things that could happen or be wrong with the baby. Jake and I were very grateful to not receive any bad news.

Not sure how well these imagines might look to everyone but I thought they came out pretty clear (I used to never be able to see where the baby was in these pictures)

Here is the profile of the baby's face

Here is the baby all curled up (it almost gives me a headache just looking at the position of the neck)!

So after all the images and measurements were taken the very reluctant baby started to move into a better position to find out if we are having a Phoebe or Phoebo (only Friends fans will appreciate that quote)!

October events and pics of the Brodster

October is a big month for our family, especially this year. We have a bunch of birthdays - on the Miller side its Sarah, Hannah, Jackson, Melissa and then my sister Jericho. This last week there were two marriage proposals in Jake's family. Also there is October break when the Parker family is going to Disneyland. A Bridal shower for Becky this weekend and then on October 24th Becky is getting married!!

I have included some recent pictures of Brody because he has been so cute and funny lately. He is becoming such a big boy and growing up so much (in size and personality). Sometimes I feel like, as a mother, I am so wrapped up into my child. There is so much I could say about Brody in vivid detail about his days, his personality, little funny things he does but because day after day these things really add up I don't share much. Perhaps its a subconscious decision to not post more about Brody and I feel like I can only post so much and after a while people would want a variety of what I post about other than about my kid. But I read other people's blogs and see stuff about their children and I love the pictures and stories so perhaps my assumption that people don't want to hear much about child is false and I should show my true colors - I adore my son! So here following the family updates I included a taste of Brody stuff with pictures!

So here are the birthday kids - they turned 8 years old! I still remember when Melissa told the family they were pregnant with twins (it was when Jake and I were dating)!

Yes, this beautiful girl (I feel weird saying lady or woman not cause she isn't mature enough to call her that it just sounds weird to me) also had a birthday. Complete with a delicious cake made by her talented self.

Last Wednesday Trevor and Becky officially became engaged. A sweet (and in some parts funny) story - as with both engagements the stories are too long to share - sorry. Becky's ring is beautiful and even though it is going to be a short engagement I wanted to tell everyone the great news.

On Friday Josh proposed to Amy. Being a romantic Josh planned something that a newspaper would notice (Man I thought getting proposed to at Disneyland was a big deal)! For the full story visit this link: http://www.azcentral.com/community/tempe/articles/2008/10/06/20081006tr-proposal1008.html

I wanted to post some pictures of Brody and talk about this little trouble maker who makes me smile and brings so much happiness to my life

Brody has really become a raging toddler as of late. With it comes many adorable qualities but the biggest change has been in Brody getting into and looking for trouble!

Slamming doors, climbing on the table and dumping out classes of water, eating dirt, sucking on rocks, throwing dirt, messing with the oil button on the lawnmower and turning off and on lights in as many rooms as he can reach and the many other toddler troubles he gets into

Some of the time its tough to get mad enough to discipline Brody because he always makes this mischievous grin and will also giggle when he gets into something he shouldn't. BUT there are still plenty of times the discipline will come more easily because Brody can also possess the toddler attitude. You can kind of see it in this picture - the look that says, "I see no problem with what I am doing" or anger when his mischievous plans are thwarted!

We were lucky enough to have gotten these cute hand-me-down shoes from my friend Shannon. I am in love with them. They look so cute on Brody, though he hates when I put them on him because they take a little more time than his other shoes.

Here are my two favorite guys in the world

Watching sports and enjoying one of their favorite things - popcorn!! (That is not a weird face Brody is making, he has a mouth full of popcorn)