Getting a Handle On Things

When I took over as the schools NCO for 4BSTB the job was quite over whelming. There systems and procedures to get to know and I have had to do it all without a computer. Most of the systems are computer based, which makes not having one dedicated to myself difficult to do my job right. Bringing my own laptop to work relieved some of the stress, but I cannot connect it to the net and there is no way to print. I have had to stay up late and work some weekends to get up to speed on the work, but I think that I am getting over the learning curve now. In a few days I will have a brand new computer all to myself.

I can go back to being at home when I am at home. It was difficult to come home only to know I would not have time to play with Jeffrey or help Tricia make dinner since I would have to use my own computer and printer to get work done.

Game Time

Jeffrey has discovered "Hi-Ho Cherrie-O" and "Cootie" in the last few weeks. He LOVES to play both games and is always asking if we can play one of them. He gets excited for every spin or roll and cheers even if he doesn't win. He's so funny. He's at such a fun age right now. Last night he won Cootie, so that's his winning bug on the top.

The Best of Times

So I wrote about the worst of times, here is the best of times. Twice before I have been to the Special Events Center at Fort Carson to welcome Cory home. The first time was three months after we had been married. It was the first time I had ever been on post and I was just so excited to get there. I can remember what I wore, what shoes I was wearing, and the anticipation of waiting to see them walk through the doors. (Think Christmas times 10). The first time there was also the anticipation of finally starting a life with my husband, we had only spent a handful of days together before that day and I was excited to be on the same continent with my husband!

Memorial for SSG Haney

On Friday a memorial was held for SSG Haney. The BN conference room was filled with the members of his MP platoon awaiting to meet his wife and brother. I happened to come out of my office just before Mrs. Haney went into the room. She recognized me immediately and we talked for a few minutes while she prepared herself go in where she would see so many people that worked and played with her husband.

At the ceremony we watched two video that featured photos of SSG Haney. I had never seen these before and so learned a little bit more about the man that sat across from me on the night of the RPG strike.

The movie Saving Private Ryan begin and ends with scenes of an old war veteran searching for and finding the grave of the man that saved his life in battle. In the ending scene this old Private Ryan wants to know that he was a good man and lived a worthy life. SSG Haney did not take that seat to prevent me from sitting in it, but knowing that many subtle changes in circumstance could have put me there, I feel a connection to him that reminds me of him nearly every day.

I live a different and better life knowing that I could have been in that seat. At least by living well, being a good father and husband I can make the best of what was taken from us that night.

New Phone Number

For as long as I have been alive Grandma MacNeil has had the same phone number. I was able to dial her number from memory in Texas, Korea, Iraq, Colorado, Afghanistan, or anywhere else in the world I was near a phone. It was hard to have to write down a new phone number to reach her once I heard that she was no longer living in her own home.

Congradulations to Chris and Brian

We are excited about the announcement of the birth of your son, Adian. Congratulations to you both and we hope for a quick recovery for Chris.

Looking Back

It hasn't been a year yet since Cory's injury, but I finally feel like I am in a place where I can talk about it. Sept. 6, 2009 is a day I won't ever be able to forget, it was the day I realized what mortality meant. It was a Sunday and at about 2 in the morning my phone rang. I picked it up to hear Cory's voice on the other end of the phone. I asked him what he was doing and he said "I'm just here in bed," I thought it was a little strange, but he had mentioned that they were possibly going to be getting cell phones for the NCO's and maybe that's what it was. So I jokingly said, "oh just hanging out in your sleeping bag huh?" Then he said the words that changed my life, "No, I'm in a hospital bed." I said, "Cory MacNeil, you tell me what happened right now." He told me what he could which wasn't much since he was barely coming out of the sedation after his surgery. I was in such shock I didn't even ask him what arm he had hurt. He didn't tell me too much of what happened, because he didn't know what he could say, but I wouldn't have heard much of it anyway. It was a short conversation, but he assured me he was alive, he was whole, and he was going to recover.

In Search of the Best Parks

Jeffrey and I are still in search of the best parks in the Denver area. Every Wednesday and Thursday while Mommy is at dance we go out in search of the best places to play.

Toy Story

Tricia noticed that Jeffrey has been watching the same television shows and movies over and over. He loves Mickey Mouse, Little Einsteins, Special Agent OSO, Finneus and Ferb, Pingu, and Shawn Sheep. We have decided to avoid those television shows for a while and I have taken those movies off of his shelf. We will also be more diligent in watching along with him.

I had to fast forward a few parts of Toy Story this morning. Jeffrey gets scared at the most unlikely things. He had to sit in my lap during a few scenes as well. Jeffrey is funny about putting his hands over his ears during scary parts so that he will not hear what is happening. At one time he had my place my hands over his ears and then he put his on top for extra noise blockage.

Jeffrey also earned his first sticker for his Big Boy Night Time Activity Chart.