Who Are The People In YOUR Neighborhood?


Military life has it's advantages. A year ago we moved "onto post", which means that we live on the Fort Hood installation in government housing. Now, sometimes a move like this requires sacrifices; we don't have granite counters or stainless steel appliances, we don't have any control over who services the utilities either. But the clear advantage is almost immediately presented in the form of a casserole or play date invitation (a knowing spouse who sees you have 50 million boxes to unpack and too many hands helping you!). This was certainly the case when we moved to our current home and I can't say enough about the super sweet women that I have the privilege of calling "neighbors". Everyone here realizes how quickly the turnover is going to be and friendships are easily formed.

The funny thing is, sometimes you only know one half of the household. Half the street is almost always deployed! I know all of the wives but haven't met many of the so called "husbands" (chuckle). So when it comes time to welcome someone home it's a big to-do for everyone on the street. It almost turns into a comical adult "is it time yet?" similar to when your kids whine "are we there yet?" The stars really had to collide for the following photos to happen. My family was leaving for a three week trip to New York the day before my neighbor was to return home from Iraq. Now, don't anyone go accusing me of injecting my husband and The Boy with "Hand Foot and Mouth Virus" just so we could turn around before Texarkana, spend 2 hours in the Emergency Room getting a diagnosis, and then driving the four hours back home, and canceling our big trip. But I'm a firm believer that things happen for a reason and these are some pretty good reasons:









3 comments:

Anonymous said... at March 18, 2009 at 2:45 PM

Karyn,

These photos are wonderful and really capture the moment. You are truly talented and great at what you do. Thank you for spending the time with my family and helping make memories that will last forever.

Much love and appreciation,
Melissa

The Navy Wife said... at March 29, 2009 at 9:44 AM

Wow - I love your blog and what you do! I'm a new Navy wife, my husband has been in a year and is leaving for his first deployment to Afghanistan in June. I almost wish we lived on post so that I could have the same support you have for the next year he'll be away but I am blessed to be near my Mom and Dad. Great pictures! I'm going to follow your blog due to common interest!

Screwed Up Texan said... at April 12, 2009 at 9:46 AM

Thank you for posting these images...they are so moving and a great tribute to our military.