Today was a tough one. Pretty much everything I did was flawed. Just one of those days I guess. The good news is that Colin only has a sprained foot and not a broken one. Halleluah!
At the same time, I have to say it truly is interesting how many people feel they are a better parent of my kids than I am. I don't feel like getting into it but I am just really sick of it. I never mind suggestions, in fact, I welcome any and all...I am a really 'open' person and will listen to any and all hints to surviving the tantrums and the hitting etc. BUT when it becomes critisism or saracasm about how I do something, I get sensitive. I know I shouldn't but why do perfect strangers feel the need to inject their opinions with sarcasm when I had never mentioned wanting their feedback on how to parent my kids??! This really bothers me as you can tell...
Maggie is still here and has been a total lifesaver every step of the way today.
Emma put one knee in front of the other today and moved forward...yep...I am so excited. Lately, I honestly would selfishly never leave her on the floor when I even leave the room for a second...because I didn't want to miss the big moment. Lisa and Marlon saw it too...so awesome to share it! I called Chris almost immediately and shared the news. Goodness, I miss him.
My dad and I were talking and he told me he saw something on the news about FOB Shank and his 'outfit'. How they are adding numbers in Afghanistan etc..
This deployment is tough.
I am exhausted but I will write more tomorrow...I leave this with an I LOVE YOU CHRIS!! WE MISS YOU!! xoox
Tonight I got lucky. Todd and Heidi allowed Miss Maggie (pictured above) to stay with us until Saturday late afternoon. She has been here less than two hours (and has been sleeping for over an hour of it) and has already straightened up two rooms in my house, helped me console Colin and his 25 min tantrum (I will get to that in a minute) read Colin two stories, stood on binky duty for Miss Emma, and reminded me of the things we need to send Uncle Chris in Afghanistan. Seneca Falls Egans really know how to train their litter...man, I need tips. The girl is a straight A student, knows how to do a million things (like sew just about anything) that MOST women don't know how to do at 40 or ever. She is an asset and I am lucky...let's not forget she makes great conversation. We discussed the government and Lewis and Clark on the way home.
Ok so about Colin...he was jumping with cousin Ruthie (she is the 2 yr old blonde (duh) a couple posts down - with Maggie) and Colin jumped and fell completely wrong...his foot is really sore and he is definitly favoring the foot. So, Doctor for us tomorrow morning...hmmph. His tantrum is his little mind going ape over how much pain he is feeling ( I gave him motrin since ) and also being over-tired...he really went out of control tonight but what can a mother do?? I just talked softly and hoped that eventually something I would say would work. What ended up working after 25 min was leaving to get him a warm cloth to wash his face ( with sleepy time soap ), a little cup of warm apple juice and also some for me...he then wanted mine...then I saw some smiles...whew. Thank goodness Emma is so patient. I am glad we made it through that...when having kids...patience and patience and more patience is the key...
I got my phone back today (after leaving it at T&H) and it felt so good to call Chris! I missed him so much...his yummy voice and kind words...love it.
Ok I am super tired so I have to go get some homework done...xoxo
For those who lie awake at night without their soldier
Word. Egan Ninjas Labels: Andrea, Colin, deployment, Dicky, Seneca Falls clan
Rich went back to Iraq today and my heart breaks knowing this. Rich is a good person. He picked an even better wife. Andrea is enchanting. Her heart is miles wide and her personality is as sarcastic or as sweet. She is confident, yet loving and kind. I am so happy she decided to marry my brother. The girl can hold her own. Thank you Andrea, you are lovely.
On another note, I miss you terribly today, Chris. I had 'a moment' in the car today. I wanted you sitting next to me so badly. Sometimes I lie in bed and refuse to open my eyes and just pretend you are still there. If I lie there long enough, I start dreaming about you...I love that part.
Tomorrow we are off to "Heidi's house" as Colin puts it. I am excited to make Emma her very own "supergirl" blanket. Get this, it is PINK with a bright pink Supergirl emblem and black flowery designs...it is adorable. I will take a photo when it is done. Here I go, trying to sew again. 
Oh and Dax is home!! We missed him so much. He has been such a good boy for us!!
He loses his cajones next week though. Sorry Dax. I do not fancy puppies at the moment. Ha...he just fell off the couch in his sleep!!!
I hope this finds you all well...xoxo
One of the weirdest things about growing up is realizing the brother that you knew inside and out as a kid is this whole other person now. I think that realization hit me just recently. Maybe I knew before and just ignored it or maybe the birth of his daughter did it to him. Whatever and whenever, I am lucky to be his sister.
Rich (Dicky) goes back to Iraq tomorrow and my heart is with him and his family. I can not imagine what he must be having to deal with mentally, well, ok, I can a little since I am sure it feels like your heart is completely broken. The little pieces of your heart crash their way into the pit of your stomach and wreak havoc and then make their way back up again into your throat. The pain of the person you love going overseas on a deployment for a year (or more) is unexplainable since it is so much worse than I just attempted to put into words. The first week is the worst and the following ones, you just sort of ignore the pit in your stomach and the sadness in your heart. I am just so thankful technology has improved and talking on the phone is an option (unless you misplace yours like I did today...so yeah...hmmph), internet etc...these things don't replace the aching but it helps to feel connected...
On another note, for this deployment, I decided I would go see my sister/brother in law and their five kids (yes, you read that correctly...five) weekly. I am not working, so why not? I have to say, it really helps me. I have these amazing neices and (one) nephew who smile when they see us and help me to forget without realizing it...then, there is Heidi who is just adorable. She is an awesome sister in law and really is a good friend. I love spending time with them. Oh, and Sam, I know you are reading this at school...so, HI and make sure you pay attention and learn powerpoint (yes, he is learning powerpoint at 11...soon to be 12 yrs old)...this way you will be brilliant and you can create something new and outsmart Mr Bill Gates. :)
So today we went over to Seneca Falls (about 35 miles or so from Syracuse) and made Humma's famous fudge and went and bought awesome fabric for blankets and just joked about life...the kids fought a lot of the time but then when it was time to go, Ruthie (the youngest in their clan, 2) had her face in the couch bawling because Colin was leaving. We are back again on Thursday...Thanks to you guys though for making us feel so at home in your house. You guys are great!
xoxo
today and tomorrow, i will miss you more than yesterday
Word. Egan Ninjas Labels: Chris, Colin, tammy
One of my favorite family shots. Unfortunately, Miss Emma wasn't around for this one but she was in spirit. If you can believe it, we took this ourselves...everyone that took our photo just couldn't get it quite right...gotta love the spur of the moment decisions us egans make...they are always the best ones. :P
One Month Under Our Belts...10.5 to go...
Word. Egan Ninjas Labels: Colin, Colorado trip, emma, weeks completed
Look at this picture...these two kids...two peas in a pod now that Emma is more interactive.
I am so happy that we made it through one month without our favorite head of household...Colin often closes his phone calls with "I love you Daddy, be safe"...ugh, it just tugs at your heart. Yesterday he was saying how Daddy works on tanks and helps to save people. So sweet. Colin had school today and I tell ya, he just loves it. I'm proud of that boy.
Emma and I spent most of the day alone together and I just loved it. She is so silly and seems to love our time together as much as I do. She is sitting up so much better since this morning. So proud of her progress with crawling...it is just a matter of time. She gets so frustrated but yet so close...
Anyway, I hope this post finds all of you well...xoxox
So, 4 weeks down. Coming up in the one month mark. We're still set up at FOB Shank and doing our thing. But, since I'm in OPs now, I don't really have any crazy stories to share. Tammy always asks what I'm doing so she can tell every one, but the truth is, it's kinda like the movie Groundhog Day. Each day here is kinda the same. I spend my days going through intel reports figuring out what's going on around here. But, since it's winter and quite cold and snowy, there's not much happening. The Taliban doesn't issue out Gortex, ya know. So, all the bad guys are at home or sitting in a cave somewhere sticking it out until it warms up enough for them to come back out.
I have been trying to be productive. I hit the gym every day trying to get buff and every morning I work on my Gaelic classes. I gotta say, Gaelic is a bit tougher than I thought it would be. But, I'm getting it. At the pace I'm on, I'll be done with it in another month or so. So, I'll move on to another language. We'll see though. All and all, besides missing my lovely family, I don't really have any complaints. I have been getting the letters and packages from everybody (Thanks Matt and Beth!) and I love getting mail (hint *cough* hint). I haven't been too good about writing people so far, so there's something I have to work on. That, and posting on this blog. Ok, so I think that's it. I am busy and working through the days here. Like I said, this delpoyment so far hasn't been too bad. So, until next time.......
Chris
here are two of the cutest kids I know. 
p.s. I love being an auntie to such amazing people...all of you...
There is nothing like coloring with Daddy...
Adoring your daughter...
And wishing you were with the man of your dreams...
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