This month we had the opportunity to go out to Oklahoma to see my brother graduate from Basic Training in the Army. A lot has happened to his little family since he left in August. The biggest thing was probably the fact that his first child was born without him being there. So, our trip was going to be very emotional for all of us, because he not only got to graduate and move one step closer to his ultimate career path, but he got to meet his daughter for the very first time! We couldn't miss that moment! So, we decided to pack up our family and drive across several states to be with him!
So, we took our sweet time getting to Oklahoma, because (1) we had a 4 year old who is still getting the hang of being potty-trained, so that worried me a lot! And (2) traveling with children is always the most fun a mother could ask for! NOT! So, we took advantage of this time to spend together and see quite a bit of things. We stayed in Colorado for the 1st night and the kids thought it was the greatest to sleep in a hotel and go swimming! So, we were off to a great start!
We arrived in Oklahoma City a day before the rest of my family was to arrive, so we planned to spend the day seeing all the sites in Oklahoma City. (Not to anyone going there: there isn't much to do!) We started our day at the Outlet Mall, more for mommy's sanity and just for some walking! It was fun! Then we decided to take the kids miniature golfing. They thought that was the greatest thing ever! More brownie points for mom and dad!!! Here are the kids having a great time playing on the greens, not much golfing going on!
Then we decided we couldn't come all this way and not go see the Oklahoma City Bombing Memorial. It was surprisingly neat. I didn't know there was so much at the memorial to see. We decided to forgo the actual museum, because of price. But, they have such a beautiful memorial garden to wander around and look at. Here is a picture of the reflecting pond.
Here we are dragging the kids around, trying with all our mite to give them a little culture! They enjoyed being outside and seeing all the water!
Mike really enjoyed the chair display. Each chair had a name of someone who was killed on it. It was quite neat to see the little chairs to represent the children. Humbling.
Then, we met up with my family and traveled another hour and a half to Lawton, Oklahoma to Fort Sill to see Kyle. We got to stay in a hotel on base, which was a renovated dorm room! Not a lot of space, but it was fun to be so close. That next day, was Family Day on base. So, we got to see Kyle!! Here is the first pictures we could capture of my brother meeting his daughter. Side note: LOTS of tears were shed. It was a very special and tender moment. One that I probably won't ever forget!
All in all our trip to see Kyle was well worth the time in the car, the 3 new tires we had to purchase, and the special moments we shared. I am so proud of my brother and all the hard work he endured. I know that being away from his wife and daughter had to be the hardest thing he has ever done, but I know it was worth it. I am so proud of my military family members. I am grateful for their sacrifice for me to desire to defend our freedoms! Thank you for putting your life at risk for mine! I love my family!!
