Playing catch - up

After changing my flight voluntarily and then mechanical problems, I finally arrived back in SC yesterday morning. The kids were there to greet me with Grammie and I was so excited to see them!
I had an amazing first week in Texas, complete with manicures, pedicures, spray tans, SLEEP, adult beverages, girl talks, road trips, shopping, a great steak due to Doc losing a bet (love ya!), lots of laughs, some tears and TONS of anticipation waiting for our soldiers to return!
Friday was D-day for 2 of us. All day we (Elizabeth and I) were nauseous and just trying to keep occupied. The guys' plane arrived around 1730 (5:30 for non military), but they did not make it to the gym where we had been waiting for OVER 2 hours until 1930 (7:30). But after a brief (thank GOD) "welcome home ceremony", the reunion began. Cory and I stayed in a local Hotel for the first two nights to give us some time as well as the Sheplers. I'll keep the details to myself as they may be TMI for most.
Sunday we moved Cory into his new domain (AKA the Shepler's), where he shall dwell until his contract is up... or housing realizes he is living there and kicks him out (which ever comes first). Our week was filled with a road trip to get Cory's new truck, tons of movies, a new LCDHD TV for Cory's father's day, SLEEP, eating out, tattoos, spending time with friends, making new friends, the Sheplers getting a puppy that we all loved on, cooking dinner together, Brownie Batter Blizzards, and just eating up every second we had together!
I took very little pictures, as we did very little. But that's who we are. Homebodies! I may or may not post pictures of our reunion. I haven't decided if I want to keep them for our memories only or share them with the world. We'll see.
Cory should be home on July 17 for 30 days. I'm looking at having a "Welcome Home Hero" cookout/party on the 18th (maybe) or later. The kids are SO excited that Daddy is coming home and Cory is beside himself!
I am back at work and it looks like the next 3 weeks will be crammed with work, house cleaning, unpacking, swim lessons, day camp, day care, work, party planning, work and did I say work? I'll be working tons to make up for being off the last two weeks and being off while Cory's home. Needless to say, I'll be busy! But hey, at least it will keep me occupied, right?!?!
I'm so glad to have my hubby stateside, but sometimes I think its almost worse knowing he is attainable, I just can't go to him whenever I want! Does that make sense? Anywho! Please keep praying for us all as we transition into our new "normal".

Texas bound...

I will be Texas bound in about 4 hours. I am so ready to go for MANY reasons. Please continue to pray for us as we transition out of one phase of our lives and marriage and into another!!! We expect Cory to be in Texas by the end of next week! Thank you so much for your love and support over the last year! We've ALMOST made it!! WooHoo!!

For Daddy, Love Reese

I finally figured out how to make a slide slow. This is for you, Cory! Grab your kleenex! Enjoy! Love you!
PS You have to disable to music player on the right! YOU NEED TO HEAR THIS SONG!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Breaking point

I am 4 days from flying to Texas for what will probably be my one and only vacation for the year! And lets not forget the most important reason - our hero comes home... soon. Everything is still on go, despite (in true Army fashion) some last minute changes of plans. It promises to be an emotional time for us both. The end of one journey and the beginning of another. And while I am beyond excited to see my soldier, I have to be completely honest and tell you guys why I'm REALLY looking forward to going back to the Lonestar state: I need a break!!!!!!!


I've known for months now that I am approaching "that" point - physically, mentally, emotionally. You know what I'm talking about, right? When you begin to lose sight of the "why" you are doing things. When you are in auto pilot and simply going through the motions. And this was further confirmed last night.


I work at our county's hospital (a level 1 Trauma center) in the ER. My job, while not physically demanding, requires me to think on my feet and "git r done" with very little to no resources. I also deal with ALL the calls that come into the ER - family, doctors, EMS, police, etc. I could post for days about the conversations I have had with family members... another time, I promise. Most times I am extremely courteous and try to be as compassionate as possible, as I know the frustration of the family members.


I am VERY limited, legally, as to what I can release over the phone. So this gets sticky sometimes when families demand to know more. Tonight, was no different. A lady called and asked if her daughter was a patient here. I looked in our system and politely told the lady no. End of conversation. Two minutes later, the same lady called back. Here was our conversation:


Me: Good evening. _______ ________ EC, this is Christan.


Her: Yes, I just spoke with you. You said my daughter wasn't there. I just spoke with her and she said she was. I want to know why you lied to me. Did you even look?


Me: Ma'am, I take great offense to being called a liar. Why would I lie to you about something that makes no difference to me?


Her: Well you said she wasn't there. She is there.


Me: Well you asked if she was a patient, she is NOT a patient. She may have been seen and discharged, but that's not what you asked. I don't know if she's out front, I'm not sitting out there. (I have to admit, I probably wasn't conveying the most "customer friendly" tone with that...)


Her: Well I'm coming up there and I'm gonna fix you.


Me: More capable people have tried to "fix" me, ma'am and have been unsuccessful. But you are more than welcomed to try.


Her: Well, you're just a b****. I'll be there in a minute and you'll be fixed.


Me: Be sure when you get here, you ask for Christan Trotter, T-R-O-T-T-E-R, there's four Kristen's here and I'd hate for there to be a mix up. I'll be more than happy to let you give it a shot.


Her: We'll see if you're talking all that s*** when I get there

Me: I'll be here waiting.

That was the end of the conversation. I called up to the front desk (my office is in the back, hehe) and told the security guy that if an irrate woman comes in and is asking for me, please call me. He chuckled and asked "Who have you pissed off now?" You see, this is not the first of such occurances. I told him the story and he laughed "That is classic you... I love it". She never showed... Darn it....
Now, I must say here that any of you who know me well know that I try not to have conflict but I do not back down from it either. Here lately, I've found myself instigating it. Needless to say, I need a break. And that is exactly what I will be taking starting Sunday!!!

The Road Not taken

I had to memorize the poem below in the 7th grade. It impacted my life tremendously. I know that I have given my parents more than a couple gray hairs because I am forever taking the "road less traveled". But that's me. Never take the easy way out. Just wanted to share my favorite poem. Enjoy!

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveller, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference...

Robert Frost