Sayonara Helen and Grace!

We knew that with the military you would have to say goodbye a lot, but that never makes it easy. This past weekend, we celebrated the retirement of our good friend and Harry's Godmother to the Caholic Church. Captain Helen Smith retired after 34 years in the Navy and the navy's first certified nurse midwife. In her career she moved all over the world, took care of many moms in need, and delivered over 2000 babies. I am sure being a nurse midwife is difficult anywhere, but in the military, where moms, sisters and many times husbands are not around for the delivery, she was the shining star in many people's lives. We only wish that she would have been around to deliver our little one, but we know that she needs to move on for herself and her family. This was my first retirement ceremony and it is definitely the best I think I could see. She timed everything to happen outside at sunset with a beautiful view of the pier and a crane, unfortuately, since they are doing construction for the George Washington to arrive next year. Saturday night we where invited to dinner at Captain and Kathy Krentz's house and had a wonderful time. Sydney played with the big girls and was sad when we finally left the party at 9 pm. This was a more intimate affair, and we were honored to be part of it.