Comment On A Lost Soldier From His Mom

I recieved this in my inbox tonight when I got home from showing off my little girl to one of her great grandma's tonight. I'm reminded again how precious life is and to be grateful and make the most of everyday we have with the ones we love. I can't wait to return home to NY with my baby girl and introduce her daddy to the newest love of his life.

My family prays for the soldiers deployed everyday and I hope that all of you remember that although it's not in the news so much and at the front of our minds we are still losing soldiers and their families and friends are still mourning loses like this one.

Here is the comment I found in my inbox today written by this soldiers mother. I only wish she had left an email address so that I could email her back.


"I'm the mother of Charles Dustin Parrish and I would like to tell you a little about him. He had such a big heart and quick to find humor in everything. He only had three weeks left in his tour but had re-enlisted in April. He was planning on continuing his medical training at Ft Benning, AL. He was too young to die. He had just decided what he wanted to do with the rest of his life and was putting his plan into action. He planned on making up for lost time with his son when he returned home. He had been separated for three years and rarely got to spend time with Caden. This too was a tragedy because Caden could have had more memories of his father. I will make sure Caden knows his dad through us. Dusty left behind two sisters, two brothers, and parents that all miss him dearly. I have to tell you about his other family though. His army family. Dusty was killed June 4th and his birthday was August 21, we we're all dreading that day. Everyday was a living hell for us as it was and we did not know how we were going to get through his birthday. Thirteen of his army family drove from Missouri to Alabama to celebrate Dusty's birthday. They spent the whole weekend with us and I can not tell you how much that helped us. We made it through his birthday with the help of his other family. I will never forget those soldiers and what they did for our family. I got to meet the medic that held my son the last hours of his life. I am grateful for her for being there when I couldn't. He had someone holding him as he slipped away. As Christmas approached another feeling of dread hung over our heads. We are a close family and spent holidays together. Dusty's younger brother is only six so we had to try to celebrate Christmas for him. If not for that fact we would have let the holidays slide by and pretend they did not exist. Two days before Christmas Dusty's sgt offered to come spend the holidays with us. On christmas eve Sgt Brittion, his wife and their infant daughter drove from Missouri to Alabama and spent Christmas with us. I'm not sure if they know exactly how much that meant to us but they saved us. While the void in our hearts still existed they made it a tiny bit smaller by being able to add them in our hearts. I am forever grateful to all of Dusty's Army family. There is not a day that goes by that my son is not in my thoughts. I love and miss him dearly. "

Please hug your children and your spouses tight and remember how precious each day is and say a little prayer for our troops because they are still out fighting and risking their lives everyday.

~Till They All Come Home~

Mackinley's Story

After a few false alarms and trips to the hospital Thursday night came and "Jane" called to tell me she was in labor. It was 3am. I got up and got around and went to pick her up. She and I headed for the hospital. She was in a lot of pain and I just knew it had to be the real deal this time.

We got to the hospital around 330am and got signed in and were taken upstairs to the OB floor. They hooked her all up and checked to see if she'd dilated and she was at 5cm. My mom came up and was in the delivery room the whole time. At that time I sent a message to facebook saying it was real and we'd be having a baby. I then took a phone call from one of my best friends who lives in Norway. We were on the phone for 10 minutes and then I went back in the room and she was dilated to 8cm and a few minutes later 9cm.

Mackinley was born at 4:47am. All was well with the birthmom and we got put into a recovery room together (the three of us). That choice was made by Jane and her decision alone to make. It was all just fine. Jane was discharged from the hospital Saturday morning and Mackinley and I were able to leave that evening.

She's healthy, and happy and perfect and we are all completely in love with our new little girl!! I was amazed at my bond with her so quickly! I can't wait for her to meet her daddy!

Tayton loves his baby sister!!

Korbin and Mackinley! She was born on his 7th Birthday!!

So darn sweet!

Heading home from the hospital!

In the elevator on the way home from the hospital.

Mackinley Alaine!!

Korbin teaching Mackinley about video games!

I love my baby girl!

~Till They All Come Home~

Mackinley has Arrived!

Our beautiful little girl was born at 4:47am today. The birthmom and I arrived at the hospital at 3:30 and she delivered in just over an hour.

Mackinley Alaine
7lb 14oz
20 inches long

Me and my little girl!! She was so sweet when she cried I couldn't help but giggle a little.

~Till They All Come Home~

Update and Appology

I suppose I've been missing from the blog world lately. It's been quite an interesting two months around here. We moved from MO to NY. The boys and I spent 9 whole days in NY before deciding to head to MI to await the arrival of our little girl because the birth mom (Jane) was having lots of issues.

We've been here in Michigan for 3 weeks today. Jane is dilated to 2-3 cm right now and hopefully we'll be having a baby soon. My family had a baby shower for us on the 6th and we had a wonderful time catching up since I haven't seen many of the guests in years! I had a great time and got lots of great things for Mackinley.

Her name will be Mackinley Alaine. We will call her Kinley for short. The name Alaine is after our mom's middle names Alice (Kirke's mom) and Jane (my mom and grandma's). I just squished them together and came out with Alaine.

Mackinley is due on March 23 and we're hoping she arrives soon so the boys and I can get back to NY with Kirke. We have two lawyers hired and waiting for the birth to get the ball rolling. One is here in Michigan where we will get a power of attorney so that we can take her to NY with us. She will also handle the birth parents termination of parental rights. Then we have another lawyer in NY that will handle the petition for adoption and representing us there. I'm relieved to have all of the legal stuff in the hands of lawyers and we just need to wait for her arrival.

Please pray for a healthy baby. I know that this pregnancy has been rough and Mackinley may have a rough start. Please keep her and the birth mom in your prayers. We know that if she's born with problems we'll handle them as they come and that we can handle whatever we're given but we pray she's alright!!

Thank you for every one's support and hopefully I'll be posting pictures very very soon!!

~Till They All Come Home~