Saying Goodbye

I don't talk too much about being a military wife on here, because it's just a part of my life. Not something I really think about on a daily basis. But lately it seems like it's been on my mind more. When Ben graduated pilot training, he was chosen as a FAIP (First Assignment Instructor Pilot). So we stayed here while almost everyone else moved on to other aircraft in new locations. That was hard, but Lucas was a baby so he didn't know what was going on and we went to San Antonio for a few months so that was a nice break. But recently, people that we met after we came back from San Antonio have been moving away. This isn't the first time someone has moved, I've honestly lost count of how many families we have said "see you later" to. But the biggest difference is that now Lucas is aware of what's happening. He misses people. Wants to know where they are and why we can't go see them anymore. And this is just a small taste of what his life is going to be like for as long as we are in the military. People will move, we will move. It's just part of the package. It just breaks my heart when he tells me he is sad because his best friend isn't here anymore. It's also hard for him to find a replacement because this particular friend was just such a great match with Lucas. They would have conversations, play without arguing, crack each other up, they just got along great. And he lived next door. Perfect. But his dad finished training, and they moved. It's just a fact of our lives, and even families that aren't in the military have to deal with friends moving.

I am thankful for technology. We Skype and FaceTime people every day. Lucas knows our friends,that moved away when he was a baby, because he talks to them on the iPad. Ten years ago, he would just have had pictures and maybe talked on the phone a few times. He talks to grandparents, his aunt and uncles, and my friends from home. Even Juliana likes face timing now. She gets a big smile on her face when people talk to her on the iPad and will even get upset if she is taken away from the conversation! So anyone that wants to see us, FaceTime me! My kids love it. :) 

I know that Lucas is going to miss his friends, but he will also make new ones. He has met and played with so many fun little kids in the time we have been here, and I know that we will continue to keep on touch with many of the families after we move on. And Lucas will have a network of friends across the country! Maybe one day he will end up going to college with his buddy he played with when they were two :)