42

66 years ago the number 42 made its mark in the MLB. Not just because of some incredible talent, but because the first black man to ever play in the MLB stepped out to play his first major league game. Jackie Robinson, an American legend. Determination and courage.Honored still now, today is Jackie Robinson Day. Today the number 42 will be worn by hundreds of men in the majors. To show love and appreciate to a man who paved the way for so many in what used to be a "white man's" game. 

This weekend Adam and I went to the movie 42 with the Dennis and Kinser families. It was incredible. And inspiring. And even if you don't know baseball, I would recommend it to you. My friend Annette said it best, "I will NEVER understand the thought process of some people and society's acceptance of cruelty." There are so many moments in the movie that showed that. When his own teammates tried to break him, when time and time again pitchers aimed for the head rather than the strike zone, and especially when a young boy sees his father's hate towards Jackie and follows him in yelling words that were not okay. But at the end of it all, there was a  message of courage and strength. To see a man move his way up through a game when so many hated him and tried to tear him down. To watch not just a baseball player, but a family man, striving to be his best. It motivates me to be a better person, to work harder, and to support my husband even more. 

Jackie's wife is an inspiration for me now. If she could make it through all that, watching her husband be targeted, raising a child less than a year into their marriage, traveling around, missing her husband... all while going through the trails of segregation, I can be a support to my husband in the same capacity. Our lives aren't even half as hard as the Robinson's, and because of that I know I can do it. I will continue to support my husband, I will look for the good in our adventures, I will be there for Adam when he needs me and when he doesn't  and most of all, I will remember how blessed we already are. I am looking forward to this next year with full faith and support, I cannot wait! We all find inspiration in our own ways. Who do you look up to? Where do you find your inspiration?

Love,

Deidre

M is for Monday and Meme

It is another meme Monday. Mostly because I am running too late everywhere to even think of something to actually write. Let me gather my thoughts for tomorrow's actual post while you get your giggle on. Today's Monday giggles is brought to you by a little T&T. Toddles and Tiaras for those of you that didn't catch that.

 

And of course a little Honey Boo Boo for the road.

I can't be the only one that finds these kids hilarious and these parents ridiculous? What do you think about T&T? What gives you the giggles? How has your Monday been? Hopefully a little better than mine. But either way... Have a MAGNIFICENT Monday.

Love,
Deidre

8.16.12

A lot of people have been asking about Adam and I lately. In person and on the blog. Our love story is the strangest of all. Mostly because I was really difficult. But after eight months of dating he proposed, and, of course, I said yes. After three months of engagement and waiting for pageants and baseball to end we were wed. And now here we are a little over seven months later, more in love than ever. Two weeks ago Adam was gone for about a week with away baseball games so I decided to pull out our wedding flash drive full of all the edited and unedited photos and videos my Uncle Alan shot and make our wedding video as a welcome home surprise. I actually ended up making three. One of just the temple, one of just the reception, and one of everything in it's place. So, without further ado, here is our special day || 8.16.12. Enjoy.

8.16.12 from Deidre Miller on Vimeo.

One Day More Flash Mob

Remember how my bestie got married? A little background on the happy couple. They met doing a play. They were in Oliver and played the male/female counterparts. As long as I can remember Sarah has been doing plays, her whole family has for that matter. And Uriah's family is incredibly musically talented as well. So it seemed fitting for Uriah's wedding surprise to be a musical theater flashmob. I really wish you were all there, it was so moving and powerful. And I cried. More than I should have. But here is the video.

 

As more filmings appear and they piece it all together.... I will probably share it again. It was honestly amazing. It was all made up of Uriah and Sarah's family members. The one that really kicked the tears into high gear was Sarah's father. Incredible. Remember? I cry a lot. What is inspiring to you? Do you cry when something just gives you chills?

Love,

Deidre

Let's Talk Vlog || Movies

Hey everyone! Welcome to the Let's Talk Vlog series that I am so lucky to co-host this week! Hayley of Hayley's World and Maribel of Stroller Adventures were kind enough to let me join in the fun and let me pick the topic! We're all happy to have you joining in the fun! Please link up your posts at the bottom and make sure to check out the other videos, make some friends, leave them a nice comment so they know you were there.

Please place the Let's Talk button in your post too!

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You can cry about it. Or you can dance about it.

It's time we all get a little pep talk. To get you through whatever you are going through. Love, Deidre

P.S. Dont forget to enter the Datevitation giveaway for a free love coupon book!

Dear 20/20,

Alright. I really did think I was done posting Miss America items until next year. Until my facebook wall looked like this...

But I was at Miss America live, so I didn't get to see anything televised. So imagine my surprise when I started getting messages and all that halfway through the show that I was just on NATIONAL television. And not just on any show. But 20/20. The pre-show called Pageant Confidential. So... I was pretty pumped. And I wanted to share it with all of you. You can watch the whole thing if you would life, because it is pretty interesting, or you can just go to 1:36 to see me being crowned Miss Magic Valley.

Watch More News Videos at ABC | Technology News | Celebrity News

Alright. So I know it was only like 3 seconds... tops. But it is still pretty awesome, if I do say so myself. Reliving the glory days. Just as happy as can be. And now. With all that shown... besides maybe one more Las Vegas trip post, until next Miss America.

Love,
Miss Magic Valley 2012
Deidre

Tears. And Tears. And Tears.

There was that one time I cried during a work training... not once. But twice. Why am I so emotional? I usually don't cry this much. At first I thought maybe it was "hormones", but then I realized that was two weeks ago. Hormones? Nope. Then I got to thinking. It is probably the fact that I only slept for 4 hours the night before.

First we watched this video. Which I am pretty sure everyone in the world has seen. Okay. Maybe not the world. But everyone that reads blogs maybe? Well. It gets me. Every single time. Tears and tears. So powerful. If you haven't seen it. Watch it now.

   

Isn't it a great reminder to look past the looks? There is so much more to a person than their outward appearance. And Susan Boyle and her voice is a great reminder of that. Alright. This next one... let me just say, I am glad the room was dark. Tears and tears. 

Please tell me you cried too so I don't feel like a crazy!? Well. Even if you didn't. These videos were too good not to share. Loved them both. Inspirational and touching. What inspirational videos do you love?

Love,

Deidre

Dear Minions,

Three weeks ago I watched a movie that I should have seen a long time ago. It was Despicable Me. I don't know why I had never seen it but it is now a movie that I am now willing to watch at least once a week. Why would I want to watch it once a week? Well, because it has these little characters called minions. They seem to be made of the same material that rubber duckies are made of and shaped like the little gifts that come in the middle of a Kinder Egg. Even though these little balls of energy don't actually ever say a real word in the english language, they will make you smile no matter how bad your day is. For example... remember how you had to wake up at 7:00 AM this morning to go to either work or school. Got it? Ok good. Now, watch the following video.

Did you notice a difference? If you didn't, go ahead and watch it again. Well, thanks to Deidre and minions, I never have bad days. Feel free to pass on the "cheerer upper" to a coworker or fellow student who looks like they aren't enjoying themselves.

Sincerely,

Skinny