Family Time in Dallas

This weekend we went to Dallas for the kickoff of Tracy's active duty life. The unit hosted a Dining Out on Saturday, then family briefings and some fun stuff on Sunday. The transition is strange. It's like I woke up this morning and ta-da, I'm an army wife. Excuse me? Military service is an integral part of our life history, but it hasn't been part of our daily life in a looong time. Especially since Tracy's unit is in Dallas, the military stuff is very separate from our "real" day-to-day life. Or it has been!

The Dining Out - complete with childcare - was a nice event. Dining Out is a semi-formal dinner for the unit members and their spouses or significant others. The members present their guests to the commanding officers and dignitaries, there is a program which includes a telling of the unit's history and involvement in conflict, and there is a tribute to members who have died in combat. There is also a special table which features certain items - empty plate and glass, lemon slice, and salt - to symbolize the fallen soldiers' absence and our resulting sadness. Considering that Tracy's unit lost a soldier in Afghanistan last year, this tribute was particularly somber. Tracy read the Airborne Toast:

I have ridden the skies in great machines, hooked up and jumped with the best of men.

I have fought long and hard, and when I felt I had no energy left,

I have been fired by the fear that if I stopped fighting, my comrades would die.

And when I was in danger, enemy all around,

I heard the thunder from my left and my right, as my life was defended.

I have never been alone.

I live, jump, fight and battle to victory with the greatest assemblage of men on earth.

Gentlemen - and ladies - to the BROTHERHOOD of the AIRBORNE.

To the AIRBORNE !

All in all, it was a very emotional weekend.

Beanie, Tracy, and me, all dressed up for the Dining Out (photo courtesy of Pook!)

On Sunday, the adjacent Knights of Columbus chapter, who had given the unit space for the Dining Out, invited us to attend their incredible brunch and swim in their pool free of charge. It was just such a generous gift, and really let us all relax together. The kiddos had a blast going down the slide into the pool! They swam and jumped and slid in their floaties for at least two hours. When it was finally time for us to head back to Austin, there were lots of tears all around. I didn't think poor Pook would ever stop crying. We miss our Daddy.

Daddy and kiddos at the KC pool

Family circle photo!