Fievel goes...............in Leah's bedroom

This is me all covered in pillows on the couch talking to you about Fievel. There is no way I was walking around on the floor until that thing was caught.

Mema doing her mouse poses. She is really insane. She was talking about how the mouse was having a birthday party or picnic in Leah's bedroom and how she wanted to boil it when it came out. "Come to Grandmother you MFing mouse" HAHAHA.

This is Mallory standing guard ready to push it out with a mop when Mema catches it. She's a brave girl. Made Leah and I look like fools. Haha...oh well!
Fievel........what can I say. There's never a dull moment at the Miller household. This tiny little creature turned out to be about 48 hours of entertainment for us. I was trying to check my email in the office when all the sudden "Fievel" comes running right at my feet. I jumped up in my chair as fast as I could and all I could do was scream like a little girl. It stared at me for a second and then ran out into the den. At this point, Leah still has no idea why I'm screaming. So it gets away for a while...We rush out and buy traps. Wait until the kids go to sleep to set them. Still nothing in the morning. So then Mema comes over to help us....because apparently she is an expert with these sort of adventures. Well, about 3 hours after she has comes we catch Fievel. Leah and I have an absolute screaming match at each other over who is going to sweep up the little pet and dispose of him. I got up all the courage I could to hold the box while she swept him in. Sounds like no big deal.....but it was awful. Never want to go through that again.

Swimming with the Cousins

This is Madison, Ballenger, and Cori's first swimming adventure together this summer. They had a blast. Cori love following her cousins around. By the time we left she was swimming with just her swimmies. I am so proud of her and know you are too! We love you!

'Corona" goes bowling and to "Roosters"

"Hey mommy, that coke bottle has my name on it." I told you about that right???

So, what exactly do we do with this big ball? Roll it at people right?!?!?!?

No explanation needed.
Have to do everything just like Mallory. Notice the clothes???
Ice Cream at "Roosters" aka Brusters. Think she could have been any messier???

Orange, orange, or......orange?
Lovin' the shoes. She didn't want to take them off.
hmmm....that's right Mrs. Leah. Mommy did beat you!!!!
Ready, Set, GO BALL!

Looks like a strike to me!!!

No More Sugars for Tyler

Cori was just cracking up when you were telling her no more sugars for Tyler. I've NEVER heard her laugh like she did then. Leah snapped a quick picture so you could see her. Will she still laugh like that when she's 35 and the only guy she's allowed to kiss is you???

Yaya, Baby Jesus and John the Baptist

Opening a present from Yaya.....
How do I look in this???
Baby Jesus.......and John the Baptist....Thanks yaya and boo.

Game Day Central....

Okay, so I know you weren't thrilled with the whole Baptist Bible School situation....but they really did have a lot of fun!!! Cori and Mallory chowing down on friend chicken, pasta salad, and baked beans.
Are you ready for some Bible School? They had a sports themed week. The whole sanctuary was decorated like a football stadium. It was so cute. Never went to anything like it at Trinity. haha.
Cori shouting her cheers..."Run, Run, Run the Race. Keep, Keep, Keep the Pace. Keep your eyes on JESUS!!!"
This picture is really hard to see, but this is there little commencement at the end of the week.

Game Day Central....Where Heroes are Made

Lunch at Ashley's and Jesse's...

Look's like two little girls are up to no good.
Cori and Madison tackling each other. WWF better watch out!!!
Cori with Nana. They are two peas in a pod. Double Trouble.
Ballenger posing for her picture for "Cousin Zach". She even had to go change clothes and put on this shirt for you. Remember me and the girls making them for your birthday party last year? She has been wearing it a lot!
Cori teaching my grandmother all about Thomas and all the trains. Tyler's rubbing off on her.

Union...

We love you!!!!

Leah taking Cori down the inflatible slide. She wouldn't go with me.

Eating with our "Army Friends"

Mema

Sierra's Birthday

What Keeps Me Going...

Every night I go to bed dreaming of the moment i get to see you again; the moment when months without you are erased by a single kiss. The moment when all my tears are dried by a single smile, the moment when hearing the sound of your voice means seeing you at the same time. Knowing that the moment I dream of will eventually become reality is what keeps me going."

Looking backwards and forwards at the same time...

I spent tonight looking back through a lot of our emails from the beginning....


You wrote this to me in an email on Dec. 6, 2005...

"You are the love of my life, and the place that i was meant to me is with you. Wherever that takes us is no problem. Hand in hand we can walk across the world. I will do everything in my power to give to you everything that is good and beautiful, and to protect you from all that is bad."

...never heard more sincere and comforting words than these. I loved you then, but love you even more than that now. There's a lot more I want to say....but I think I'll save it for a letter.


I leave tonight with a quote I found....

"When you miss me...just look at your hand. See the spaces in between your fingers? That's where I belong."

All my love,

Sarah

Gaga...

...will finish this soon! Don't be scared Zach....I won't post her pics of her in the Hillary '08 shirt or quote her on Cuba or Wars or Ozone or anything. haha. The world is not read to read that.

Baby Jesus....

Cori has been going to Vacation Bible School...aka "Bubble School" since Sunday. She absolutely loves it. She's constantly singing the songs and doing the little hand motions and everything. Every time we get in the car she asks if its time to go to Bible School. When I pick her up and ask the usual, "What'd you learn today?" she usually replies we learned that we have to be nice to other people and we learned about Baby Jesus. I'll ask her what did you learn about baby Jesus....and she just screams BABY JESUS! BABY JESUS! BABY JESUS!!! It's so funny....

Well, this morning I was trying to get her out to the car to take her to preschool and she was being really difficult. (Imagine that.) So I was finally like, "CORI! IT'S TIME TO GO. HURRY UP AND GET IN THE CAR." She starts screaming holding her baby doll, saying "Mommy, I have bring Baby Jesus with me wherever I go". It was all I could do to keep from laughing hysterically in her face. So. Guess what. Baby Jesus rode to preschool with us today.

Reflections...

I keep thinking this will get easier with time. That I will get used to this.....but that is not the case. This has been the most trying week yet since all this began. But I also feel like this week has made me stronger. Everyday is an accomplishment. Everyday is one day closer to a new chapter in our lives. As much as I wish we could just fast forward through this to the next year, I am greatful for every day and every challenge we've overcome. There are days when I literally hate this to the point I feel sick to my stomach. There are days when I want to just pick up the phone and tell you something silly Cori did or just hear you laugh. There are days when I would watch Dukes of Hazard and Walker, Texas Ranger for 24 hour marathons if it meant you could be home with me. But when I have those days, I think about how much we have grown both individually and together through all of this. I've done things I never imagined I would ever do. I've met wonderful people I never would have met if we hadn't gone through this. I've learned to stand up for things I believe in and not just wait on things to change themselves. I've learned what commitment and devotion truly means on a totally different level than most people will ever experience. I've learned how to be patient (although Leah may disagree). I've always believed that everything happens in our lives for a reason. I've always believed we are faced with challenges and obstacles, so that we will learn about ourselves and truly grow from our experiences. This deployment has been the most challenging experience of my life, but has also been the most meaningful experience too. No matter how tough things become, I will keep in mind that this is a blessing. An opportunity. Our love has grown so much already, and I know tomorrow we will be even closer and stronger than today. Thank you for loving me the way you do.
Sarah

Let's see. Nothing really exciting going on this week. I've been busy getting the Fourth of July bags and boxes together. I really hope y'all enjoy them and you don't think they are too dorky. I think I'm finally getting the hang of having to prepare things ahead of time for holidays to send to you. I hope your Father's Day stuff gets there soon. Speaking of Father's Day.... I just want to take a quick moment to say what a blessing you have been to Cori and I. Our lives have changed tremendously over the past 2 years. You've gone above and beyond all my expectations and what I thought our lives would be like. You are the hardest working person I know. You are always willing to do whatever it takes to keep our family strong. Cori is so proud of you. She talks about you all the time and how she wants to be an army soldier just like her Daddy Zach. I can't thank you enough for loving her like she is your own. You are truly amazing. In my daddy's words...."A miracle." We love you very much. Happy Father's Day!

Humbled...

Our new ARMY FRIENDS at Italian Pie!

Tonight has been one of the most humbling experiences of my life. Leah and I took the kids to dinner at Italian Pie. The guy in the pic (the owner) greeted us as we walked in and asked if Cori and Tyler were cousins. They said nope, they were "army friends". Well a few minutes later he came to our table and asked if our husbands were deployed. We said yes not really thinking much else about it. After we ordered and everything he came back to our table. He said the gentlemen at another booth had overheard our conversation and bought our dinner and told us thank you. He left before we could say anything to him. However, we were both really taken back. Tears filled our eyes as we sat there and talked about what just happened.

You know there are days when I would give anything to just go back and be "normal" To have you home again. But days like today and experiences like that make me realize you are really where you need to be right now. You are there for more than just me and our family. You are there for our country and the rest of the world. It is nice to know that people really do appreciate the sacrifices you are making. Although the very kind man was not able to directly thank you for your service, it humbled me to know that complete strangers will do things like that. Although I am not a soldier and not serving our country, I am so proud to be a small part in all of this. I could not be prouder to be your wife. I will continue to do whatever I can to support you throughout your journey. Although that man could not tell you, and I don't know how to express it perfectly in words, you are appreciated.

You make us all proud and thankful to be Americans.

Love always,
Sarah

PS....anyone reading this PLEASE go to Italian Pie. They were some of the nicest and most generous people I've met in a really long time. The world needs more people like them!!

Squeeze Me

Matt said tell you hey and he misses you. Go Braves!
This is Cori trying to hide with Yaya from Boo and Matt. She is in a "I don't like boys" phase. She didn't want to give Boo any sugars because he is a boy. The only boys who can get her sugars are "Daddy Zach and Tyler". You should feel special darling! HAHA!
This is her going on the "big girl potty" at school. You have to "squeeze" her ...otherwise "it's not working". She sure is a trip. You are potty training all the rest of our future kids. A little too much fun for me.
This is what she did when I was tryin to get her dressed for school today. She wanted to go to school with her shirt like this. Haha....what do you think babe? Could she fit in over there??
Boo continuously wiping Cori's mouth eating ice cream.

Today was definitely one of the most intresting of the summer so far. Cori woke up in a crazy mood and it got progressively crazier throughout the day. We met Yaya, Boo, and "Map" for ice cream at Brusters. It was a lot of fun....but Cori really made a mess. Imagine that. She was sitting in your mom's lap and Cori's ice cream got all over your mom's pants.

I love you and your family so much. Y'all are wonderful!

S.T.

Say Cheese....Don't Run Away!!!

This picture was one of my favorites of all I took at the beach. I was trying so hard to get her to stay still and smile so I could take her picture. But, you know how much she loves being still. Haha. She kept running away from me. I think it turned out beautiful though. I will send you one that is really clear.