My Marine Monday - Graduation and ...what's this?

LCpl Catmull's diploma and a surprise award - The Mertiorious Mast  Award

It reads:

"For superior performance of duty while enrolled in the Small Arms Repair Course, Class #19-11 at Marine Corps Detachment, Fort Lee, Virginia from 17 March 2011 to 20 May 2011. During this period Lance Corporal Catmull distinguished himself in a highly exemplary manner by serving as the class leader. On a daily basis, he consistently demonstrated his superior leadership, initiative, motivation, and military skills. These qualities set him apart from his peers and contributed greatly to the success of his fellow classmates and the Marine Corps Detachment. Lance Corporal Catmull's professional attitude and loyal devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself, the United States Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."

Is it a big deal?  I guess so...... read below (from a fellow Marine who also garnered this award in 2009):

A Mertiorious Mast has to be approved through the Marines entire chain of command, and it has to be unanimous. I didn't know anything about mine that I received while standing at attention for an awards ceremony. I thought my heart was going to explode. To a Marine there is very few honors that can compete with such an honor.

g. Meritorious Mast. Whenever the performance of an enlisted Marine is considered noteworthy or commendable beyond the usual requirements of duty or the Marine demonstrates exceptional industry, judgment, or initiative, the senior person who has observed the Marine’s performance shall make a report of this to the Marine’s Commander (battalion or equivalent echelon). These reports shall be given careful consideration and, if appropriate, a Meritorious Mast held.
(1) A Meritorious Mast shall not be conducted when the service or performance of the Marine is recognized through the awarding of a Letter of Appreciation, Certificate of Commendation, or a personal decoration.
(2) Commanders will use the Meritorious Mast (NAVMC 10935) form as a uniform means of recognizing efforts that warrant recognition. The form, which is a two-part set, is available through the normal supply channels (NSN 0109 LF-064-6500). Do not forward copies of approved Meritorious Mast’s to CMC (MMMA). A copy, however, should be forwarded to CMC (MMSB) for inclusion into
the Marines OMPF.

So proud of our son!  He admitted he got a little choked up when they presented the award, he didn't know it was coming. 

He was a born leader, and so far he is showing it.  He has garnered a leadership billet or position in every post or assignment given.  I am wondering if he shouldn't start thinking about Officer school and seeing if it would make a good career.

Either way, we are so proud of him and happy for him!

He is now back in California at Camp Pendleton and getting processed.  In 3 weeks, we'll be headed there and I can't wait to give him a big old Momma hug!

Semper Fi

My Marine Monday

I have two flags hanging outside next to my front door.

The American flag and a Marine corp flag.  Both are beautiful to me. 
Because of how our porch light sits, we can leave them out 24/7 because they stay lit up in the dark.  And even though they are heavy duty, all weather material, Splenda will bring them in if the weather is particularly nasty.

When the wind blows they are usually flapping and waving and I love to hear the snaps outside the window.

However, the last couple of days this week, I paid particular attention to what happened to them when the wind blew and the symbolism hit me.

They become all wrapped together.  And in every case that I have witnessed, the Marine corp flag is wrapped around the American flag.

Yesterday was particularly blustery and I noticed it more than I ever have before. 

 How symbolic. 

 The Marine corp LITERALLY protects America.    A Marine embraces his/her country and will withstand the elements to ensure it's safety.  A Marine answers the call no matter where it is to defend and protect our country and our citizens from those who would cause us harm.

The sight of this warms my soul and causes my heart to swell with pride that we belong to an amazing USMC family.

LCpl Catmull will be graduating MOS training school on Friday.  He will leave that night and fly directly to Camp Pendleton.

He'll get processed and begin looking for housing.

We get to see him next month. 

And while, I think his excitement will be for his wedding and his beautiful bride, I hope he'll be at least a little excited to see his Ma.

I know that I will be more than a little giddy to see him!

My Marine Monday

I know the picture is old, and blurry - but for some reason I love it

I took Karate for some years, eventually earning my brown belt, and so I look at his fighting stance and the position of his hands, and I am just digging it!

The latest is that LCpl Catmull has received his duty station assignment!

Camp Pendleton, CA

We couldn't be happier!!!  It was the best case scenario that we have been praying for!  And, to make things better, he is assigned to a non-deployable unit!  What does that mean?  That for now, he will not be deployed.  With the military, that means very little since they can do whatever they want with their people, and once he is married, it kind of takes away his single parent status and then makes deployment more reasonable so that is always out there as a possible, but for now - we will rejoice in the fact that he will be close to home, and will be sticking around for awhile.

He and his darling Karalee are getting married June 17th, so we will all be heading out to San Diego for the beach wedding.  They are then working on being sealed in the LDS temple a year later.  Great goals for them.

What does this mean for Chloee?

Transition.  We are working closely with her therapist.  The therapist has determined that she is very bonded with us, in particular me and so the transition will need to be slow and on Chloee's terms.  Weekends with me there.  Next, weekends without me.  Then longer spans of time.  If she gets too stressed or displays signs of stress, we back off to her former comfort level and try again slower.

How long will this take?  I have no idea.  It will be up to how Chloee does.  She needs to leave behind not just the one and only stable home she's ever known, but her school, her primary friends, extended family and her other grandparents.  It is a transition from all of these things. 

The thing in her favor?  She is young and kids are resilient.

The hurdle for her?  Until Christmas, it's been documented at how unstable her life was.  Counting it all up, she moved 9 times before May of 2010.  That's a lot of moving around, different bedrooms, different people in her home.  The therapist mentioned that is whole lot of instability that can affect what the ultimate goal is.

The bottom line?  Corbin, Karalee, Splenda and I are all committed to making at smooth as possible.  Being patient and taking things on her timetable.

Back to my Marine - we are INCREDIBLY proud of him.  Beyond words proud.  It's amazing how he isn't even the same kid that left MEPS last August.  In such a short period of time, he has become and is still becoming an amazing, amazing man.

We skyped on Sunday, and spent an hour with Chloee reading him every one of her Challenger books.  Showing him her whipcream face and talking about how Daddy will be working for the Marine's in California.

I think of all the awesome things he will be doing to make sure that his 'brothers' who do get deployed have safe and well functioning arms.  His job is important, and I respect him so much for choosing a job that would enable him to do his part in the war on terror and keeping America safe.

Very much to be proud of him - our LCpl !

Semper Fi

My Marine Monday - a promotion and some time to sight see

First things first -  PFC Catmull was officially promoted today to Lance Corporal Catmull!

Congrats on your promotion son!  And since he has been class leader since the first week, he has now officially earned a leadership assignment in every post he has been assigned.  Uber, UBER proud of him!

A couple of weekends ago, Splenda's mom, who is serving an LDS mission at the Washington DC Temple, drove to Fort Lee, gathered the boy and took him back with her for the weekend.

She is a great photo-documenter!

The White House

The Lincoln Memorial

The Washington Memorial

Wait- another Lincoln shot

How awesome is this?

I'm sure he felt a great respect and reverence for this memorial

And now with the temple in the background.  It's a gorgeous one!

On Sunday, they attended church and then she had a wonderful dinner with a  belated birthday celebration for him shared with her missionary companions

They were also able to see the visitors center at the temple and get some great shots during the day

 Looks like he had a great time, and saw some amazing things.  He did text his dad that weekend and expressed appreciation for his Grandma.  He also remarked how easy it was a young kid to take advantage of things that you didn't full appreciate, but now as an adult he does.  Boy loves his Grandma and she loves him and we are thankful she could take the time out of her schedule to see him and make him feel special!

And again, congratulation LCpl Catmull!   We are so happy for you, proud of you and know that the next adventure that is heading your way fast, will be just as successful as ever.  You were born to lead.  You were born for great things.  You were born to succeed!

Semper Fi

It's official

And we couldn't be happier!

CLICK HERE to see why and then leave them a note of congrats if ya would!

Happy Birthday PFC Corbin A

I'm a little late with this post obvio, since his birthday was Thursday, and I hope he'll forgive me.  We didn't even get to skype on his big day.  In fact, his birthday at school was one of the worst days he has had so far.  Boo.  On the bright side?  He was made class leader and that is something to most def be proud of.  Another leadership billet for him!

And now, I present the top 24 reasons I dig my oldest spawn:

24.   He introduced me into my world of motherhood.

23.  He is smart.

22.  He is more driven than anyone I know.

21.  He is a natural born leader

20.  He is loyal

19.  He is tender hearted when he needs to be

18.  He is tough as nails when required to be.

17.  He can figure anything out

16.  He can read a person's heart

15.  He's extremely intuitive.

14.  He's not afraid to have tough conversations.

13.  He is rational

12.  He will never allow anyone to offend his family and those he sees as family

11.  He is a good friend

10.  He loves true and deeply

9.  He works hard at every task he is given

8.  He is respectful.

7.  He doesn't waste time on people who prove themselves untrustworthy or unhealthy.

6.  He learns from his mistakes.

5.  He is willing to sacrifice now for the better good.

4.  He sees the big picture

3.  He loves his girlfriend in a way that others envy.

2.  He loves his daughter.  He knows and wants what is best for her.  And is willing to fight for it.

1.  He was patient with me as I tried to learn how to be a mother and he loves me despite the fact that I wasn't perfect.

Happy Birthday son!

ILYPI