The hard part

In this life, we form quick,strong bonds. We're only together for a few years and in the absence of family and childhood friends, we band together because we are all in the same boat. The support is amazing and we all truly depend on each other. The downside is that we only have a few years together. Yes, we hope we might be stationed together again, but the chances are unlikely. We share births, birthdays, deaths, deployments and other ups and downs, so when it's time to go, there is a huge void. We all get through it because we know we will always share the bonds and hope that there will be other friends waiting at the next duty station.

This time was hard. This time, there were kids. Our friends are now on their way to Kodiak, Alaska. And even though Kailey climbed in their car and thinks we're going to Kodiak, chances are really good that we won't (hope) to not end up there. Krista, or Glover, as Kailey refers to her as, has become very near and dear to Kailey's heart. Sarah was Kailey's first friend as they met when Sarah was 14 months old and Kailey was only 11 months old. They kept Kailey when we had Owen, we kept their girls when they had Grady. We traded kids for doctors appointments and shared some scary, terrible times with our little boys. Jerod and Paul went through OCS together and were in flight school for a while together, but it wasn't until we got to TC that the two families merged.

I'm thankful for all that I've learned. I became an outdoor girl (sorta) who now knows how to light a fire in a chimea, pick good blueberries and isn't afraid of sparklers. I've learned how to juggle my kids because I can certainly handle two when she's got four.

Paul isn't an emotional guy, as most know, but did say that he will miss playing frisbee golf when he's in Waukegan because that's what he and Jerod would do on deployment. That's what they say...

I think TC is probably the end of the road because we like the big towns and they like the small, although, Atlantic City will probably be home for all of us at some point whether we like it or not. We just know that we are thankful for email and youtube and cheap cell phone calls.

Jerod, Krista, Laura, Emily, Sarah and Grady,

Good luck on your trip, we will miss you!