Farewell Friends

Summertime is often a big time for military moves, and this summer is no exception. Nearly everyone we know here has already moved, or will soon. Since we decided to stay here an extra year, that means most everyone that came in at the same with us is due to leave. Even our next door neighbors who are not military decided to move! Needless to say, this has been a big adjustment for Benny. He doesn't remember our other moves, so this is new to him. He doesn't understand why all of his friends (and ours) are leaving. So, we wanted to bid a fond farewell, to some of our favorite friends!

Jordan and Anna from next door were Benny's first friends here in Kansas. Jordan is three years older, and Anna one year older than Ben, but they always played so well together. We will miss them terribly, and our summer days have not been the same since they left. The kids could usually be found outside riding bikes, playing baseball or pretending to be pirates. Poor Anna is the only girl on the block (besides Sophie), as there are 11 boys within 5 houses. However, she was the closest in age to Benny, so they were great friends. Have I mentioned that we will miss them? (We miss you too, John and Wendy!)

Ella is an Army friend. Her Daddy worked with Nick, and our families were in the same big group of friends. Benny and Ella survived the deployment together, and both became older siblings while their Daddy's were gone. Lately, we have enjoyed meeting Ella at the pool, and attending General's baseball games together. And there have also been all of those Army parties together! Ben misses Ella already, and she just left yesterday!

Benny starts school in three weeks, and I am anxious for him to go so he can meet some new friends. I believe he is the only returning student. All of the other kids either moved away, or have moved on to kindergarten. He should be just fine though, he is a really outgoing little boy!