No, really I can't believe its raining. I'm sure its because I washed my car yesterday. Isn't that how it works?
Friday is one of our pool days, and as soon as we got there it starts thundering. Now I didn't just drive 20 min to the base for K to be in the water for 5 minutes. To somewhat satisfy my disappointed child, we headed to the park until the rain actually began. We ended up leaving before the rain started, but I'm consistently amazed at the weather patterns in this region.
My drive home began without rain, then light rain, sunshine, pouring down rain with hail, sunshine, & then drizzle. We live exactly 11 miles from base; it is so crazy that I can experience so many weather patterns in such a short period of time. This has happened to me numerous times. I have this thought that the weather is so unpredictable because we are at the base of the mountains and only an hour from the beach. I'm no meteorologist, but I'm pretty sure that the mountain air and the humid ocean air makes for some crazy weather. Anyways, I get pretty annoyed when the rain thoroughly messes up my day.
Most of y'all know that Kennedy has had a schedule since the day she was born. I/we thrive on schedules. Actually, yesterday morning we sat down and filled out her calendar for the next few weeks with all of her activities. This afternoon of rain means a lazy day in the house. I usually would fill up the time cleaning or with some other project, but I'm going to take this opportunity to sit and watch Willie Wonka with Ms. K. So, I will be relaxing and eating popcorn with my girl for the next 2 hours.
Raining on my parade
On the Coast of Somewhere Beautiful
Italian beauty...relaxing on the beach with great friends, laughing children, sun, and sand!
Caorle Beach is where our day took us. We start these adventures and don't always know where they will lead us. We found our way to the beach and used our meager Italian language skills to rent umbrellas and chairs for our crew. Once the bags were set down and the towels laid out, out came the sunscreen. We applied and applied, but some of us still ended up with a little burn. Us ladies chatted while the kids dug in the sand. Well, Kennedy, my neat freak child, decided to roll in the sand. I don't know what got into that girl, but she had sand from head to toe.
(Kennedy & Jacob...family)
The water was perfect! The temperature was great; it was the perfect depth for the kids to play in.
I can't say anything other than GREAT things about our day. Sometimes you can't believe the blessing you are given. I haven't been feeling too chipper since Brian left, so this is just what I needed.
Caorle has so much history and character. It is definitely more than a beach town. I'm looking forward to our next trip and more time to wander around. As we looked out into the water this church was in our view. The story behind it is below.
The church of Blessed Virgin of the Angel is built on a little promontory on the sea. In ancient times, the church had three naves, but the sea repeatedly destroyed one of them. So in eighteenth century the church was rebuilt, with the structure that it has today. The legend says that one day a number of fishermen saw a light on the sea; when they approached it, they found a statue of the Virgin Mary with Child, and they carried it to the shore. The bishop and the townspeople tried to carry the statue to the cathedral but it was very heavy; so the bishop called a group of children (because of their innocence) and they succeeded in carrying it to the nearby church of the Archangel Michael (for this "Virgin of the Angel").
Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
or Gone today, here tomorrow...this is the story of our lives. Brian has once again gone for more training. Now, I'm glad that they want my husband to have tons of knowledge, but I absolutely despise the time it takes away from our family. This is just a short trip, and he will be home for 2 weeks before having to head out again.
Brian had day one full day at home before he had to leave this weekend. We spent the day outside as a family, and finally ended up at the base pool. Kennedy had a marvelous time in the BIG pool with her Daddy.
Kennedy has gotten so attached to her Daddy. Every absence makes the upcoming "adventure" more real and more dreaded. After church on Sunday Kennedy says, "My Daddy went to Heaven." I was so sad that she said that. Now I'm sure she doesn't fully understand the terms, but I just told her that he was in Germany. I guess she just got confused for a moment.
Check back tomorrow for updates on our beach trip...
Father's Day
Kennedy's response: "He's Brian Jay Darling"
"No, what kind of person is he, silly, happy, crazy, grumpy?"
"He's a fun person!"
So, as I write about our day, I think about a three year olds opinion. Father's are fun!
These past few years have been full of blessings and struggles. Four years ago on Father's Day, we found out that Brian would be a father. We have spent a year with Brian in the desert, and the past year trying to recover from the year in the desert. Most people will never know what it feels like to see your child run to their father after he's been gone for a year. It was very bittersweet. While I wish everyday that he'd never have to go away, I cherish every moment when he returns. Kennedy has struggled with Brian being her parent, but she LOVES him. She now chooses him over me, sometimes. She asks him to wrestle, play animals, color, etc. He is her Dad. Sometimes I sit upstairs and just listen to them; it makes me smile! Fathers are so important!
Father's Day began at church where we heard an excellent sermon calling all men to be fathers to the children around them. Every man has an influence to the children he interacts with. Brian's choice activities for the day were mowing the grass, washing the cars, and attending the Maniago festival. Now, I wouldn't choose to do those things, but it was his day. The bad weather interfered with the car washing and the festival, but we still had a wonderful day that ended with a good Italian dinner.
Oh, if you haven't heard Stephen Curtis Chapman's Cinderella song then you must listen to it. (http://www.stevencurtischapman.com/cinderella.htm) Brian sent me the sweetest e-card that included this song while we were apart in May. I loved the song then, and I love it even more now. Our friend from church sang this song on Father's Day to his 2 princesses and our congregation. We love our little girls!
Here are the lyrics:
"Cinderella" by Stephen Curtis Chapman
She spins and she sways to whatever song plays,
Without a care in the world.
And I'm sittin' here wearin' the weight of the world on my shoulders.
It's been a long day and there's still work to do,
She's pulling at me saying "Dad I need you!
There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited and I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy, please!"
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
Cuz all to soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says "Dad, the prom is just one week away,
And I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy, please!"
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Ohh-oh ohh-oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
Cuz all to soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
She will be gone.
Well, she came home today
With a ring on her hand
Just glowin' and tellin' us all they had planned
She says "Dad, the wedding's still six months away
but I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy please!"
So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Ohh-oh ohh-oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
(even one song)
Cuz all to soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
