Potty training Topaz

They say potty training doesn't happen over night, and I would say that is certainly true as I have been putting Topaz in underpants for a year and half, and been washing wet and dirty ones everyday. But a few weeks ago Topaz insisted on wearing underpants to bed and I tried to talk him into wearing a diaper so I wouldn't have to wash wet sheets, but Topaz talked me into letting him wear underpants. He woke up dry and has been dry basically every day since. An overnight change! He goes potty without me asking too. He still has to be reminded for the number 2, but on the whole wonderful progress. He doesn't use diapers at all anymore!

A night with Elmo

On Wednesday night we (mom, Topaz, Emi, and me) went to go watch a Sesame Street show LIVE. It was a lot of fun. It was sponsored by the USO, a civilian company that helps support the troops and their families. So it was totally free for military families.The show was suppose to be based on helping kids who have a deployed parent or a parent who returned home because of an injury. Honestly the show although did slightly talk about those subjects, mostly it was singing and dancing. Can I just say Grover, Cookie monster, Elmo , Zoe, and Zazita have got the moves! It included my faviorite of "C is for cookie". Kids could run up and give the charecters hugs but Topaz and Emi seemed a little resistant to that idea.

They passed out free Elmo twirly lights for the kids, USO scarves, two sesame street DVDs which deal with deployment and such (I haven't watched them yet to know if they are any good), a poster, a bumper sticker, a magazine guide for military parents, and postcards. Mom was jelous of the postcards. I was hoping to get an autograph of some of them so I could do a little name waving in my brother Ben's face but alas no such luck. Dad says though if I buy a picture of Elmo I could probably get away with just writing Elmo on it.

The Big News

Sandi found out where we will be stationed when he comes home. We will be in Fort Hood ..... which is next to Kileen Texas. It will be close to family (Aunt Harmony) and close to my old stomping grounds (Austin). I am excited, Sandi is unsure. But whatever I am sure it will bring it's own adventures and besides in the army you never stay one place too long.

Proud to be an American

Today at 2pm Eastern standard time Sandi became a US citzen! My only regret is that I wasn't there to see it:( He went for his interview today, passed, and so they swore him in just a few hours later. It is good because when he joined the army he lost his Indonesian citzenship so he has been a man without a country.

updates all around

Topaz was excited to get home back to Hawaii (except he calls his best friend over here "Lincoln" now). While we were gone we had someone watching our fish but I am afraid they died while we were gone. Topaz has been faithfully feeding the bowl to my utter dismay. He's been hilarious lately. I dropped a bowl and broke it today and ever since then everything I pick up Topaz says "Don't drop it, mommy". Hilarious kid.

Emerald is walking like a pro! I will soon put a video of it up for all to see. Her and Topaz keep getting in laughing competitions over nothing. It really is hilarious. I tried to take a video of that but apparently nothing spoils the mood like a camera.

Sandi is in Virginia now. His training hasn't started yet though. No one is really sure what is going on but the training is behind schedule so he might be late coming home. So of the guys have been waiting for months to start training. It makes me think of that song dad sings, "Will he ever come home? No he'll never come home..."

As for me, I am going to go visit Sandi over labor day. I am excited except I have an 11 hr flight to get there not including layovers. I am going to be exhausted!

Sandi's Address

I finally got a letter from Sandi!! (Still no phone call however) Here is his address. I am sure if any of you have time to write he could use all the letters he can get.
SPC Jayeng, Sandi
D-Co 3/60th INF RGMT
2nd PLT MADDAWGS
Fort Jackson, SC 29207

It's official

It's official, I'm a soldier's wife. Sandi left yesterday for boot camp. He called at 4 this morning to say he got there safe. He said he felt a little out of place because all the new recruits were 18 or 19, single, and just going into the reserve. Also, his whole group he arrived with was from Alaska. They hadn't picked him up from the airport yet, but the recruiters said the yelling starts the moment your picked up. :) Should be fun.