These past few weeks have been filled with craziness.  We just got back from the States, and a few days later we took off for Rome.  Yesterday was filled with appointments; today is filled with parties and a Christmas Eve service.  While things are not the same with Brian gone, I am very glad to have friends who have extended extra love and care. We will be spending tomorrow with them.  Kennedy and I will open presents at the house tomorrow morning, and I will be sure to take video for everyone to see (especially Daddy).  Off to wrap presents for the party today, but I wanted to say MERRY CHRISTMAS!  

In the past two weeks, and we've done both nothing and everything. Kennedy has experienced her 2nd wedding, the IMAX, Chuck E Cheese, Predators exhibit museum, children's museum, a parade, and lots of family time. I have been trying to keep her busy, go the gym, and get some shopping in.  I also celebrated my 28th birthday...that sounds so much older than 27. The weather has been fluctuating between reasonable warm 50's and freezing cold 20's.  This coldness has been determining our plan of action for each day. Some days we barely make it to the gym because I just can't handle 19 degrees or whatever the temp may be for the day.   Here are a few pics of our fun.

   

    

The Quad-Cities are home to the John Deere factory.  The other day we visited the local John Deere tractor museum. While I get extremely frustrated by the tractors in Italy, Kennedy loves them. Every time we pass one on the road she comments on the color & size.  Climbing on the tractors and visiting the John Deere store was lots of fun for Ms. K.  Here are a few pics from our visit. 

           

her name was Kennedy Renee.  She had 2 days full of Halloween fun; one at a kids festival and the other trick or treating. Tons of fun was had walking around my uncles neighborhood with all the other kids.  There is something about 60 degree temps, orange & red trees, and children's laughter that just warms your heart.  After an hour & a half of trick or treating Kennedy was tired of walking.  Once we arrived back at the house, Kennedy enjoyed handing out treats to the other children that came by. 

     

 

For the first time in 3 years I am not ready to get on a plane and cross the ocean.  Do I long for good, inexpensive shopping & American food? YES!  Do I want to see our family? YES! Do I want to leave home for 5 weeks?  Hmmmm....not quite sure.  Kennedy & I are so involved in our community with school, dance, gymnastics, the gym, church, & Bible study.  It is going to be so hard to leave our military family for so long.  At this point, I feel like this trip is something I have to do.  Kennedy hasn't been doing too well since Brian left, and this is going to be a BIG distraction.  I'm hoping this trip will get the months to go by more quickly.  Nov-States & Thanksgiving, December-Christmas & Rome, January-getting our life back, February-K's birthday, March-Spring Camping, and the rest of the months will just fly by.  Goodness, I just want him to come home early!  Positive Thinking!

Unintentionally, our weekend was pretty much spent at the lake.  The Lake Barcis riverbed is our spot to take Missy & Rusty.  Kennedy and I had planned to spend Saturday morning out with the pups.  I threw the ball in the lake for Missy as Rusty ran up and down the bank barking at her. You know it would be a miracle for him to get in the water!  I did get so annoyed a few times that I threw him in.  Anyways, Kennedy spent the morning throwing rocks in the current and learning to climb trees.  I'm not really sure why I encouraged this climbing thing because my heart was pounding the whole time.  I guess she would have figured it out eventually.  We did have a good time before we had to head home to get ready for our afternoon plans.  

Once we got home, we had in invite to attend a bonfire at the lake on Sunday afternoon/night. We couldn't pass up the opportunity to hang out with our friends and enjoy the fire.  We ended up at the same exact spot as we were the day before, but this time we were there with about 30 people and 4 dogs. Friends, food, and wine what more can a girl ask for? Hmmm....maybe her husband.  Lets just say that we had a wonderful time, and can't wait to do it again.  

Great Friends!

(Jess, me, Tracy, and Amanda)

(setting up)

I figure I'll have quite a few of these over the next few months, so I'm #ing them due to my lack of creative titles.  Also, these updates may seem vague or in secret code sometimes, but this if for everyone's protection. 

and the craziness has started.

Brian and I are feeling so many things right now, but mostly sad. We know that separations are what comes with job and all the other logical thoughts. Still, can we hate them or wish them away? I know that I will soon get into the swing of single motherhood, of being a wife who gets digital hugs via webcam and kisses over the phone, and most importantly over this sadness. Brian will watch his daughter grow up in pictures and get used to feeling our love through letters & packages. Eventually, he'll get so busy at work that the time will just fly by. We are having very human feelings right now, but we know that God will take care of us. Each night we pray for peace and health and strength....even Kennedy prays. God will provide for us! I know that we will grow and learn lessons we can't even imagine right now. I hold fast to this verse:

The most important thing about this trip is that we had a GREAT time as a family and with friends!  On Labor day weekend, we headed out early on Saturday morning to get a camping spot big enough to hold 7, yes 7, tents!  There are a few things about European camping that are way different: no open fires, see our make-shift smores pit below, and the bathrooms/showers are immaculate.  There was maid service that cleaned the bathrooms every 2 hours.  It was a little cooler than anticipated, so I lived in my little hoodie for the whole weekend.  Brian said I practically smothered him the second night we were there; I was just trying to stay warm. Kennedy loved putting up the tent, riding her bike, and hanging out with all the grown ups.  She had all the women playing animals with her.