Support them... They support you.

If you are unaware - there are more than 3000 soldiers deploying very shortly from Texas. This is the largest deployment of National Guard soldiers since WWII from Texas. It is going to leave giant holes in families all across our state.

If you know someone who has a family member who is deploying, or is deployed - PLEASE contact a Oplove photographer in your area and utilize their services. These are priceless photos - and the albums sent to the deployed soldier is one of the most prized possessions while they are deployed.

The reason for this blog entry however, is that if you know someone who has a family member who is deploying or is deployed - please - reach out and support them.

It's my personal experience that the family members left behind have a harder time than the soldiers who deploy. We try to keep 'home' together, when there is a big part of what is 'home' thousands of miles away. There is no one coming home at the end of the day to lend a helping hand with the two year old... or to stop by the grocery store on his or her way home. There is not one to just give you a hug at the end of the day... when it's been a rather rotten day. The person you talk to... you tell about the things your kids did that drove you bonkers... you get to talk to once a week... if your lucky.

It's the little things that you don't always appreciate occurring, that make the biggest difference when the soldier is deployed.

So, if you know someone... if someone you know - knows someone - invite the family to dinner... invite him or her to do something with just the boys... or just the girls.... offer to take the kids to the park so they can have a couple hours of quiet time...

Support the families... so that they can support the soldiers.... so that the soldiers can do their jobs, and support our country.

www.oplove.org

Oplove: The G. Family

I had the pleasure of spending a couple hours with the G. Family last night as part of the Operation: Love Reunited group that I participate in.

I must admit to my house being entirely chaotic when they arrived. Between the office makeover, my husbands military gear, and a cardboard boat race... the house is a disaster. Quite seriously.

But they were absolutely wonderful. I grabbed my camera, and we took off for parts unknown... cause quite seriously, I usually tend to go to area parks for outdoor sessions...but we were missing a family member who was headed our way just as soon as he got done with soccer.

And wow... we had fun... and got some AMAZING photos! I love them!

These next few require a bit of explanation... Mr. Trey is a typical boy... mom and dad were trying to keep him calmed down enough... and out of the dirt enough... and... well... he's a boy, you get the point.

So he picked up acorns... and went adventuring... and told mom to see how far he jumped...

He is all boy... and mom will LOVE these photos about the time he gets to his big brother Zane's age... ;-)

Now... this next one... he told me to get one of him jumping... so I did... but didn't expect to get what I got...this kid could JUMP! Holy cow... look at the air on it?

A couple with 'just the boys'... aren't they cute???

And a sweet one of mom & dad:

New office... and a new baby! Meet Ms. Juliana

Ms. Juliana and her mom came by to help me break in my 'new' office.

My brand new french doors... that I installed myself! ;-)

And now to the important photos:

Mom swears she had NEVER been up as long as she was during her first photo shoot...guess that means she's gonna be a model! ;-)