Hubby's plane has made it into the Smithsonian, yep, his real plane from his Navy days, name and all! We went to see it, take a walk down memory lane and get lots of pictures. It was a nice time with his parents. He shared stories. The docents (and everyone else that worked there!) wanted to meet him, shake his hand, tell him thanks for his service and hear a little about the jet. Even the Lt Gov of Florida made a point to seek him out to say hello and thanks. It was a great day. I was a little emotional as we walked away. It is hard to believe those days are gone. They are a part of our history, a time of growth together, yet separated through deployments and work ups. Life on the outside is different. As a military wife you are serving your country as well. You are making sacrifices that other women cannot imagine and who often remark about how they couldn't do it. You bond immediately with other military wives as you move from place to place, planting quick roots and then leaving a small part of your heart as you pack up to move again. On the outside, friendships are harder to make. Roots grow, but a little more slowly as you wonder if this is really where you will settle. For me it is all about where God has me and what my purpose is at that moment in time. I am here to serve Him. Each move in the military was for a purpose. God held each decision and knew the plans for us before we did. We have watched friends come to a deeper understanding of Christ and choose to walk in His will. We have left friends who we considered in some respects our peers but at the same time, our elders. It has been an exciting road. Only our eldest will remember a faint glimmer of those days. She will remember watching her Daddy do touch and go's on base. She will remember our last move, when she turned nine and her birthday present was that Daddy had to go on deployment. She will remember him coming home from his final deployment. I will remember watching my children's faces as they saw their Daddy again for the first time, in a long time. I will remember it all...
So, thank you to all of you, as you serve. I know how it feels to be separated from your husband. I am praying for you.
Enjoy the pictures...
3 comments:
Kris, This is so cool! What a privilege to have this part of your family's history preserved for everyone to enjoy! Can't wait to take the boys to see it! Loved your post on military spouses. It's encouraging! Your kids are GORGEOUS!! I'm homesick--sniffle.
Love you, Steph
PS Tell Thumper that Andy hopes to see the desk he used in Iraq at the Smithsonian someday, too--Ha!
Thanks for sharing, loved the pics.
Adam was wondering why Pete was in the back seat?
That is so cool his plane is at the Smithsonian. Is it at the Udvar-Hazy Annex or downtown?
I hope you had a wonderful Easter.
BTW, your family is adorable and you and Pete look great and sooo young. :)
-Charlotte
Thank you and your family for your service. As an Air Force wife, I know what you mean. It has been hard for us here in Louisiana, to put down roots. Friends are harder to come by in the civillian world. It takes so much longer!
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