The spring has come and gone. Too quickly.
TJ spent his first season in T-ball. He has a lot more aptitude at this sport than he does at basketball. Of course, somewhere in the time between posts TJ turned six. Six years old?! You can certainly see the boy in his face and his features. Gone is the toddler and cute little boy he was just twenty-four to eighteen months ago. In place of that child is this good looking, easy going, funny boy that we still find so adorable.
Samantha finished her season with the Triangle Rowing Club and made a few good friends who then descended on our house every other weekend for movies, food, and a place to hang out. It really reminded me of my teenage years hanging out at the Chris Lieby's house - a bunch of teenagers with lots of opinions, deep stomachs, and a love of VHS movies. man - remember having to r-e-n-t movies at a store? Passe to be sure, but not that long ago. Sam's Crew crew has that same feel to it - a bunch of good kids needing a safe place (and a cool dad) to hang out.
I got to fly to San Luis Obispo, CA, to attend an Army school about agriculture in fragile markets like Afghanistan. It was one of the smartest courses the Army has ever presented because it connected all of the dots to the bigger picture of the things that are broken and just how difficult they are to fix. I loved California from the classroom material, to the field trips to the farms, to afternoons hikes to the top of Bishop's Peak, to walking downtown, and discovering that I might just try my hand at growing a vegetable garden some day.
Somewhere in the last six weeks I also went to a fancy-shmancy dress up dinner event with the Army in Baltimore, MD. There was my long time friend and battle buddy from CAS3, ILE, the 403rd as Company Commanders, deployment to Iraq as Commanders, and future battalion commander peer, Dennis Greco. There are few people in the Army who's opinion I respect more than his. I love this man as a fellow brother-in-arms and ALWAYS enjoy his company.
In the beginning of June I reached a milestone of my military career by taking command of the 422nd Civil Affairs Battalion. For beyond anything I ever expected for myself, this responsibility is both an honor and a privilege. I made a few comments to those assembled but among those comments was hoping to inspire those under my command to reach beyond their own personal expectations - in the military, in their careers, or in life. I hope to inspire them the way I was inspired by the people who influenced me.
After taking the battalion colors. I was joined by my family (minus Grant who would have not been able to sit still through the ceremony). Lisa looked amazing, as always, and I felt the pride of my own parents through my mother-in-law. Among the highlights of that day was seeing the pictures of Betty sitting in the front seat of a HMMWV. The day reminds me that I am truly blessed both personally and professionally.
Of course, no update is complete without a couple of pictures of Grant. He is also transitioning; from toddler to boy. In the last few weeks we took the front off of his crib, took him out of his highchair, and have given him far more freedom than his brother ever had at the same age. Grant is also becoming a lot less whiny and starting to develop a real, and really funny, personality. He's still a Ginger and prone to a real stubborn steak when he wants - or doesn't want to do something. His favorite thing is to cross his arms, turn his back on you, and pout - every once in a while raising an eyebrow and looking to see if you are still paying attention.
The summer is here.
Camp.
Fireworks.
Camp.
More Army stuff.
More Camp.
Life is good, stay tuned.
