Update...

I thought since I have a few quiet minutes (Chayton is sleeping and Phil is working tonight), that I would update you all on what has been happening around here.

Phil has received some more information regarding his "Occupational Transfer" he put in for a few months ago. Unfortunately, it is a lengthy process, but things are acutally getting done and looking up. He had an appointment with the Lieutenant Commander of the base and she updated him. He needs to do "Titmus" eye exam (which is scheduled for the end of the month). This is for the "Geo Tech" trade. Then, on September 5th, he will have his final interview with the Lieutenant Commander and once she makes her recommendations, the paper work will then be sent off the the "Board" and we should know by mid February wether or not he has been accepted. If he is accepted to one of the trades he chose (Geo Tech and Firefighter), we will be posted next summer during posting season to wherever the course is run from. AS far as we know, the Geo Tech course is run out of Ottawa (Woo HOO) and the Firefighter course is run out of Barrie (Woo HOO). We don't have either complaints either way. So, everyone keep your fingers crossed so that it all works out the way Phil is hoping for! Petawawa is becoming an "OLD" location fast. We need something new. (And if this means Phil doens't have to go to Afghanistan...EVEN BETTER."

Phil has also heard through the grapevine at work that he is going to be doing his "JLC" (Junior Leadership Course) this fall. This is the course you complete to become a Mcpl. This is a good stepping stone for him, although we have heard that if it does happen...it is so they can have new Mcpl's to go overseas in January with "Dukes Company" from 1RCR. (Hmmm)

Onto Afghanistan, last weekend Phil was a Pall Bearer at a "Repatriation Ceremony" in Trenton for an old Battle School friend who was killed overseas. Phil served with him in 1RCR for almost 9 years, until he was posted to Shilo last year. Mcpl Jeff Walsh was killed accidently by a fellow soldier. It was a pretty sad occasion, especially since it really hit home, and leaves behind a wife and 3 very young children. It just made us realise how lucky we are to have Phil home right now. We hope that Jeff's family will overcome this loss. We also hope that the soldier that was involved is getting the help he needs to overcome this sad time. We can only imagine how hard it has been for him.

Now the majority of the people who just left on the current tour are from Petawawa, so the next 6 months are going to very challenging for our town if things in Afghanistan continue the way they have been. We hope everyone has their "Support Our Troops" ribbons and magnets.

Chayton on the other hand...REALLY DOES HAVE TEETH. I haven't been able to snap a picture of them, but soon enough I will sneak one. He has two top teeth. One front and one side. The other front tooth is going to cut anyday (we think). It is about time, poor kid is 14 months. Now he will get them all at once probably!

On September 1st, we go for an ultrasound to hopefully find out the sex of our baby. We are very excited...and yes, we know that we aren't being very old fashioned but I (Leanne) need to know these things. As far as we know, we are still due Jan 30, 2007. We already sort of have names picked out. It is so fun. Sometimes Phil gives me the look and I know that he doesn't "agree" with my choice. So onto another one...

And last but not least....A BIG GIANT CONGRATULATIONS to our neighbours on finally becoming pregnant. Ed and Jennifer expect their bundle of joy to come along at the beginning of April. It is so awesome having a pregnant friend, Right next door. Hopefully our children will be as close as we are with our neighbours!