Yesterday was...POTTY DAY!

We've been trying to get Ceana to use her potty ever since we got it. She's been perfectly happy to sit on it, but only with her diaper ON....which, of course, completely defeats to purpose. However, we're not pushing - she'll decide when she's ready.

Well, yesterday, completely out of the blue, she asked to sit on her potty without her diaper. And she actually used it! Boy, she got high-fives and a treat and all kinds of kudos. Daddy came home and told her how good she did too. And today? She has sat on the potty 4 times, and actually used it 3 of those 4. She's not coming to me and asking (except for once, and nothing happened), but if I ask when I'm changing her diaper, then she sits on it until something happens.

So - while we're still not officially "potty training", she's doing pretty well at the moment. We're going to continue letting her call the shots, and...if we're lucky...it won't be much longer!

YEAH, CEANA!!

Here you go!

Well, summer vacation has officially begun, and Liam started talking about how "bored" he was THE DAY school ended. He's so used to being busy ALL day long at school that to be home is just killing him. Or so he would have you believe, anyway...I didn't register him for anything during the time he's home for a couple of reasons: 1. He's not home that much, between his annual visit east, his OMSI camp, mom's wedding, etc. that it certainly will not hurt him to actually have some down time, and 2. Because he wouldn't have been able to do much with all the scheduling anyway - he fell right in the middle of just about everything. Good news is that Hunter is typically home and out at least part of the day, and Helen is out during the evening...so he's really not lacking for stuff to do - it's more that mom is just not nearly as cool as other previous options.

He's also in the middle of a transition - he's getting to go to sleep an hour later every night (though he only goes to bed half-an-hour early and spends the last 30 minutes reading). However, we (read: Phil) are no longer laying down with him to put him to bed (which means no falling asleep with him) - we go in at 9, tuck him in, say good-night, give him hugs and kisses, and then leave. I'm a bit better at it than Phil, simply because I'm a bit better at realizing when Liam is deploying his stalling tactics. Liam's not so sure he likes this plan, but he's doing pretty well with it.

We have a morning schedule set - at 10AM, EVERYONE works for 1 1/2 hours. Chores, cleaning, helping mom...whatever needs to be done gets done during that time. Obviously, I continue to have stuff I need to get done during the day, but the thought is that Liam won't feel so upset about having to get his chores done if he sees that everyone else is working too. So, on the weekends, Phil will join in - then we have the rest of the day to (mostly) relax without stressing about stuff that hasn't gotten done yet. It seems to be working pretty well - though we haven't tried it with Phil yet ;)

Speaking of Phil - he's now back to work. It's a relief to both of us, knowing that the horrible waiting is over. This month is a no-paycheck month, but after that we'll be on a regular schedule. In fact, an even better schedule - every two weeks, rather than the 1st and 15th. He's feeling much better - he didn't talk about it much, but I know he was very stressed and anxious.

I *finally* got my Oregon teacher certification. It's kind of funny, really - in Florida, where my original teaching certification is from, I can teach K-6. Here in Oregon, for whatever reason, I can teach Pre-K all the way up to 8th grade. Bad thing is that, like in many other parts of the country, budgets have taken huge hits - Portland Public Schools system is looking at laying off over 200 teachers or shortening the school year by 15 days (I don't know how THAT works...). And that is in addition to the teachers who have already lost their jobs from previous budget shortfalls. It's not a good time to be a teacher in the state of Oregon...or to be looking for a job. There are so many people who have more experience than I do, and they will automatically climb to the top of the list. So...we'll see. Liam's school is hiring, but I won't work there...that is HIS place, where he can go and be goofy and grow without us there, and I won't take that away from him.

Ceana is...Ceana. Talking more and more, and sticking to her brother like velcro. I think she's going to have a hard time when he leaves this summer - she absolutely adores him. And he has been absolutely terrific with her. She's growing like a weed, and LOVES to be outside (preferably with no shoes - regardless of the weather). She is incredibly finicky with her eating at the moment - I'm hoping that she will outgrow that, but at the moment it's driving us crazy. And her new thing, having watched brother ask to go play with his friends, is to come running to me and asking to play with Helen (Liam's friend a couple of doors down). It's pretty funny, really...I don't think Helen realizes how much Ceana likes her!

Ok, well...I've babbled enough. I'll post some pics for all to enjoy - notice the beard Phil is growing! Hope this finds you all doing well!

Hugs to all

He Stands Relieved.

Well, I finally got the pictures downloaded so I can do the post properly. Sorry about the delay - Phil, Ceana and I have been off gallivanting around while Liam has been in school...running errands, and just enjoying his "vacation". Oh, and before I go any further with the retirement ceremony stuff, Phil has still not heard anything back from anyone. As of this moment, unless something happens in the next 2 days, he will not be starting work on Monday. Keep your fingers crossed that something DOES happen in the next 2 days - and it's what we're hoping for!!

Our Day:

Before we left, the radio station I listen to (99.5 the Wolf) read an email that I sent the night before:

Dear Mike & Amy (and Jolynn in spirit!),

I was wondering if you could play a song and dedication for me today? My husband is retiring after 25 years in the service – today is his official ceremony. We have been married for 10 years, and known each other for 18 – we met when I was enlisted also. We now have two beautiful children, both of whom will also be honored today as a thank you for all the moving we have done (5 times in 10 years) and for all the times that daddy was not home for days and weeks on end. Coming as it does on the heels of Memorial Day, I realize that we are so blessed that he was always able to come home to us, and is able to retire healthy and whole.

The song that I would love to dedicate is Sleeping With the Telephone, the duet with Reba McEntire and Faith Hill. I can’t begin to count how many nights in the last 10 years I have done that – particularly after 9/11, when his ship was called out unexpectedly, leaving me at home in a strange city with a newborn. While I am incredibly thankful that the ever-present anxiety will no longer be a part of our lives, I am also aware of the many who will still be waiting for phone calls, letters and emails from their loved ones.

I’m very proud of my husband and his years of service, and of all the other service-members out there who continue to serve our country. I can only hope and pray that other families are as blessed as we have been.

Thank you,

Beth Cummings

They weren't able to find the song I had asked for, but made up for it with American Soldier by Toby Keith. It was a nice way to start the day, and a surprise for Phil - I wanted to share my pride in him and how grateful I am that we have the opportunity for him to retire healthy, particularly in these times. Misty eyes all around...


OK, so...the ceremony. It was pretty much as Phil wished - very mellow, informal and low-key. The guests that were able to make it were: Tracy (Mike had to work), Curt and Sue, and Chris, Jen and Keegan. And of course, Phil's office crew. It started a bit late (and it wasn't our fault!), then everyone gathered in the testing room of the REC. In addition to his retirement plaque (fancier than we thought), he also got a Certificate of Appreciation from the Commander-in-Chief (can I say how GLAD I am it wasn't still Bush?!?), and a really cool certificate from the National Maritime Center that was printed on the old-style licenses (that they have formally quit using). But the best one, the most important, was the Coast Guard Commendation Medal. He is pretty darn proud of that - and rightfully so. To see that pinned on his shirt was awesome...

Liam and Ceana were both honored with Certificates of Appreciation, and I received a plaque similar to Phil's, also with a Certificate of Appreciation. When all the official stuff was said and done, Phil got up to speak. In true man-fashion, he began to tear up and so changed the subject to talk sea stories from during his years of service. Nothing like a good sea story to dry the eyes right up! ;)




There were a few gifts given as well - the REC pitched in together and got him a beautiful Weems & Plath wood and brass combo clock, barometer and "comfort meter" (gives temperature and humidity). Plus, Tony has been working on a shadow box for Phil - it just wasn't done in time for the ceremony. A few smaller gifts were given from our friends as well.



Then it was time to cut the cake - I had surprised Phil and had a specialty cake made in the shape of his combo cover with the chief's insignia on it. Let me just say - Beaverton Bakery ROCKS! It was delicious, and it looked terrific too.


After the ceremony, we headed to Fire in the Mountain for wings - Chris, Jen, Keegan, the office, and our crew. That is where we exchanged our more personal gifts...Chris and Jen had gifts for Phil and I, I gave Phil his gift from me (a gift certificate to have a tattoo designed and done - he's been wanting one for years, and just hasn't done it), and he gave me his gift to me...a beautiful silver heart necklace from Tiffany & Co. I've always wanted something in that little blue box...even a key chain would have been good! Then we gave the kids their gifts from us for putting up with the military life (Liam's gifts were much larger, since he actually had to deal with it significantly more). I couldn't get a good picture of Liam when he saw his - they were too blurry because he wouldn't stop bouncing! Liam got a brand new Nintendo DSi (we traded his old DS in the day before while he was at school), a nerf case for it and a couple of new games. Ceana got a Leapfrog (VTech?) Teaching Turtle and a gift certificate to Build-A-Bear.


Anyway - it was nice. Mellow, with some close friends and his kids - not much more he could have wished for. By the time we got home we were exhausted, but it was good. Liam refused to let go of his Certificate most of the day, and walked around in Phil's hat for a good part of it. He's been begging Phil for one of his medals...


And so the story ends, with us driving off into the Portland heat-wave after saying goodbye to a 25-year career serving our country.

God Bless America.

Today, it's official...

As of 12:01 this morning, Phil is a civilian. Funny thing - I don't remember any fireworks or anything...;) He is off this week, but will hopefully be starting work on the 8th. That's the last we heard, anyway. Keep your fingers crossed, otherwise the soonest is the 21st.

I haven't uploaded the photos from the retirement ceremony yet, so I'll probably post about that tomorrow. However, to whet your appetite, here are some photos of Phil and Liam on their white-water rafting trip from this weekend. They were invited by a friend of Liam's and his dad, and went up to Washington. They were gone all day on Saturday, and they had a BLAST.

So - here are a few pictures for you to enjoy!