Relaxin' to the Max!
Brian has now been home 4 weeks, and its has been GREAT! He had mandatory re-integration for the first 7 days, a 4 day weekend, work for a few days, and now he is on leave until Oct. 21st. Our original plan was to take a trip to the States, but since we will be living in the USA in a few months we decided to enjoy a few more trips in Europe.
One of the "in the know" places to visit is Cinque Terre, Italy. It is really 5 separate towns on the Italian Riviera connected by hiking trails or train for the weary. The towns are just beautiful. Its amazing how everything is built into the cliffs. The people of Cinque try to preserve the towns as much as possible. No cars are allowed to drive through them nor will you find any chains stores or restaurants. There isn't site after site to see, this place is all about relaxation & magnificent views.
We had the best experience swimming in crystal clear waters, dining on fresh pesto, drinking the local wine, and hiking the trail. Amazingly, none of us ate fresh fish or anchovies. I love fish, but I just can't manage to eat it when the heads attached & the eyes are still open. We did have some of the freshest, most delicious food we've ever eaten. Kennedy hiked the trails like a champ & ate dinner like she'd never eaten before...we wore her out! We spent our evenings on the balcony of our apartment chatting with our friends & playing the addicting game of Fill or Bust. Our Saturday was spent moseying around Monterosso (one of the 5 towns) & swimming in the ocean.
On our walks through the towns, we were always surrounded by Americans. We found out that late Sept. is peak season for Americans. I'd say 50% of our fellow countrymen were the courteous traveller, but the other half were college kids or interesting people who help give Americans a bad name. If you don't know, most Europeans dislike American travelers due to their obnoxious behaviors. We saw a groups of girls/women walking around in their Victoria's Secret Pink pj bottoms & t-shirts, another groups with their t-shirts tucked up into their bras with their stomachs hanging out, girls just laying on the ground at the train station...Kennedy will not being going to Europe for her Senior trip! There were other Americans who met the stereotype, but these are the ones that stood out the most. Regardless of the hundreds of Americans always surrounding us, we still throughly enjoyed our visit.
Here's a little blurb from Rick Steve's about Cinque Terre:
The most fantasy-fulfilling stretch of the fabled Riviera lies not in France, but just across the border in Italy between Genoa and Pisa.
The Cinque Terre (CHINK-weh TAY-reh, which means "five lands") is a series of villages clinging to a remote stretch of the Riviera coastline. Each town is a variation on the same theme: a pastel jumble of homes crouching in a gully like crusty sea creatures in a tide pool, undisturbed by traffic or modern development.
The rugged villages of the Cinque Terre, founded by Dark Age locals hiding out from marauding pirates, were long cut off from the modern world. Today the villages, linked by a milk-run train, a ferry, and a spectacular trail, draw hordes of hikers. To preserve the character of the towns and the area's natural beauty, the government declared the Cinque Terre a national park a few years ago. Visitors pay a small entrance fee, which stokes a park maintenance fund and helps to maintain the trails.
Travelers who are content to rent a room in a small hotel, pension, or private home enjoy a land where the villagers have almost no choice but to go about their business as if the surrounding vineyards are the very edges of the earth.
Summer's officially over!
Our busy summer has come to an end. Last week Kennedy began pre-school, again. Two weeks ago, all our summer activities ended & the fall schedule began. We filled up our summer days with a whole list of activities to help pass the time until Brian got home, but now he's home!
We are ready for the journey ahead of us as we settle into our fall schedule with Brian. Kennedy will keep busy with pre-school 3 mornings a week, gymnastics, & TaeKwondo (TKD). Brian has just finished his re-integration period and will be getting some well deserved vacation time starting next week. I'm starting a Bible study & trying to go to the gym as much as possible while being the best wife, mom, and friend as possible.
Brian will be taking almost a month of leave, and we'll be taking a few vacations. First stop will be Cinque Terre (5 lands), Italy which is one of the "in the know" beach spots in Italy. Its a little difficult to reach since there is no major airports and no direct trains to these little towns. We'll be making the 5 hour drive, parking the car, and walking or taking public transportation the rest of our stay. Cars aren't allowed in the the towns. I'm so excited to be hiking along the coast of the Italian Riviera during the day, and lounging on our balcony with a glass a wine in the evenings. Our second trip with be to Germany. We'll be staying at the military resort, enjoying the fall weather, doing some biking, & spending some time in Munich! In the midst of our major trips, we'll be taking some day trips around Italy. Our time here is coming to an end, and we'll be enjoying as much of Italy as possible.
We are anxiously awaiting our PCS orders. We are ready to get onto our next journey in NC. We'll keep y'all up to date on our move. We can't wait to be closer to family & the American comforts!
Enjoy a few pics from our summer:
Welcome Home B!
The happiest day in 2009!
In a FUNK!
Warning: I'm totally using this blog to vent!
I have been blessed abundantly! I have a husband that loves me unconditionally, a daughter who just amazes me, family, friends, a church congregation, a house, food, cars to drive, books to read, dogs to play with, beautiful scenery, and I could go on and on. On these blessings I dwell. God has provided abundantly for my family!
This mornings sermon was about Saturn luring us in. The Chaplain used a fishing analogy. While I don't fish, he painted the picture of Satan's tactics very clearly. He is patient and determined. Satan goes back to that lake time after time hoping to catch something. Sometimes he changes up his lures, but sometimes he sticks to the ones he knows works. Well, Satan found a "lure" that worked on me this week. I've been dwelling on all the negativity around me for the past week, and it has honestly been affecting me. I have been short and irritable with Kennedy. The smallest things annoy me. The sermon instantly made me think that Satan's trying to get me to throw my own pity party. To drift from the joy of the Lord! I refuse to do that!
Today begins a new week!
"From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another."- John 1:16
HI-YAH!!!
"I promise to use TaeKwonDo in the classroom & to escape from strangers.
I will not use it to cause trouble." ~Tiger Cub Promise
Kennedy started Tae kwon do about a month ago. She loves attending classes! This past Saturday, she tested for her first belt and today was her belting ceremony. We now have a Tiger Cub Yellow belt. She will be able to test for her green belt at the end of Sept., and she's already talking about it. I would like her to just have fun since she's only 4 years old, but her competitive spirit is already coming out.
(Saturday Testing)
(The Kennedy Pose...you'll see it again)
Kennedy will get to choose 2 activities to participate in once we move to NC. Brian wants to her stay with Taekwondo since she'll most likely leave Aviano as a blue belt. I was just thinking about her being a teenager & still doing Taekwondo. I can't even imagine. We will have a daughter with a Black belt.
(getting belted)
(toss those belts! Out with the old & in with the new)
(all smiles for Daddy)
6 weeks
We are almost finished with this current separation! With approximately 6 weeks left plans are being made for the big HOMECOMING! K & I ordered a special sign for B. I also found some ACU fabric, and had my friend Lexi (www.alexiajean.blogspot.com) make some cute dresses for a few of the little girls in B's unit. She made Kennedy an extra special outfit that I just have to share with y'all.
Of course, Brian will be happy to see us no matter what, but I want this day to be extra special for him.
Some of you many have seen on Facebook, but just in case you didn't, we are 90% sure that we will be at Ft. Bragg come Jan. 2010. 90% sure b/c we don't have orders in hand, but Brian decided to take a position that should be very beneficial to our family. Ft. Bragg isn't a place we were even considering or wanting to negotiate for, so I feel God must be leading us there. More details will follow as we get them. For right now, we are just getting excited for one magical day in September!
Miss & Love all our family & friends back in the States. See y'all soon!
Back in Time
Brian's time at home was just perfect! The first day was spent hanging out at home and then enjoying an outdoor concert with some friends. Kennedy loved having her dad home. He gave her a fossil kit where they spent hours hours digging for dino bones. We spent the next few days just enjoying our time together before our big Dublin trip. Dublin was amazing, and will be explained in a separate blog. After Dublin we celebrated B's birthday, enjoyed dinners out with friends, visited our local lake, visited Venice & then the 4th of July. Much of this time wasn't photo worthy to most people, but we enjoyed every moment.
The 4th of July was a day filled with good friends, BBQing, margaritas, kids laughing, & hot weather. It was probably the hottest day we had all year, and the kids were running around in their swimsuits, jumping on the trampoline with the water hose. The parents were just hanging out enjoying each others company. It was so nice to be a "couple" again. Brian enjoyed being with other families and experiencing an American 4th of July in Italy. Around 6PM we headed to the base to wait for the fireworks and check out the activities there, but at 8:30 we packed up & pretty much ran to our cars. The dark clouds were rolling in fast off the mountains. We made it back to our cars just as it started raining. It was still raining at 10PM when the fireworks were supposed to start, but the base went on with the show. We kind of watched the fireworks from Maggie's house; we were mostly chatting & trying to stay dry.
Brian had to leave on the 6th. It was too quick! Having him home brought back so much joy to our lives. Everything from watching movies together, playing with Kennedy, grilling, etc. brought so much life to our house. I didn't realize the rut I had gotten into; I was just going through the motions trying to get the 365 days over with. Well, here we are with around 6 weeks left in this journey. 6 weeks until our family is whole again!
"I prayed for this child.."
"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him over to the Lord." - 1 Sam 1:28
Brian & I used this verse during Kennedy's baby dedication, & four years later I still think about it daily. Everyday I pray with Kennedy & for her. While the mistakes I make in parenting disappoint me it is those moments in her bed every night praying & reading that I know God is with our family. She is one AWESOME child! Her smile brings me delight, her hugs a warmth the fills my body, and her sweet kisses a brightness to my face. After all that, the little moments that drive me crazy are just challenges that fade into the background at the end of the day. The days that go by too quickly these days.
Brian asked her to stop growing up. She giggled her little 4 year old giggle & said, "Daddy, I can't be a baby forever." Kennedy is far from a baby, but still needs our guidance & help daily. She is one busy girl this summer with swim lessons, jazz class, & Taekwondo. The activities are fun for her, but to see her with her friends is amazing. She has a best friend, Alyssa, and they hug & say they miss each other. She is growing physically, emotionally, socially, & spiritually. All of this is happening so fast that we need God to be with her & our family.
Bravo!
Last night a transformation took place. Kennedy wore powder, blush, lip gloss, & glitter eyeshadow. The hair was in a bun & the costume was on. The princess became a BEE! The recital had a Wizard of Oz theme, but I don't really know how the bees fit in. Nevertheless, Kennedy performed. She looked nervous up on the stage, but she did her dance! I was so excited that she didn't freeze up. Kennedy had several friends who came to watch her debut; we are so thankful for their support! Ms. Maggie & I brought her congratulatory flowers, and she received a medal from her ballet teacher, Ms. Tina. The performance was finally over at 9PM, and she was exhausted. Here are a few pics, and video will follow once I get it from one of our friends.
Where has May Gone
WOW!!! This past month has flown by & I can't believe it. I love it when times flies these days; bring on June 20th (when Brian may be home). Summer is in full swing here in Italy, & the beach has been visited! Kennedy and I will be super busy with our friends & activities until June 12th when school is over.
Can you believe Kennedy has almost completed her first year of pre-school? It honestly seems like just yesterday she was born. I think the school experience has changed her in so many ways; most noticeably her openness. Kennedy is still very shy around strangers, but she is so excited to see her friends & gives them hugs. While she has learned a lot academically the socialization has been most important thing for her. I'm now the "boring" mom & she always wants to have friends over. She even asked for a pool party the other day. I think I have a teenager already!
This weekend is her first dance recital and she's so excited. She had dress rehearsal today, but came out saying she didn't do too well. I know the actual dance will be interesting to say the least, but I'm so proud of her. She looks so cute in her bee tutu costume. She says she's been practicing her dance at home, but I haven't seen any official ballet or jazz moves. I'm glad she's just enjoying herself. Pics will be posted ASAP.
As for me, I'm keeping myself busy with the gym, housework, friends, & my Bible study. The gym time will be non-existent once school is over since our gym doesn't have childcare, so I'll have to get creative in the fitness area. Friends & housework will never stop! My Thursday morning Bible study will be over with school. Summer will be wide open for opportunities to explore life with Kennedy.
Last but not least, we got a horrible storm here last weekend. We will now be paying $500 to USAA thanks to the golfball to tennis ball size hail that damage Brian's car. The car was even parked under a carport, but the hail broke through the plexiglass. This was by far one of the craziest storms I've ever seen.
In our little house..
life has been full of busyness which is why I've been so horrible at updating this blog. Kennedy & I have quite the schedule with activities every day of the week. Someone told me this week that "idle minds are the devil's workshop." It made me think (which I rarely have time to do). I don't consciously say to myself "find things to do so you don't have time to be lonely," but I know that is what is going on. I know that if I sit at home all the time I will begin to conjure up ideas that are false & will only cause me anxiety. What I do know is that God has provided me with friends who truly care, a sweet girl who looks just like her daddy, & a wonderful husband who can't wait to get back to me. So, until September I will keep being busy.
This past weekend Kennedy & I took a trip to Verona with some friends. We liked Verona enough, but the best part was our dinner at Medieval Times. Kennedy had a blast rooting for yellow knight. She was jumping up and down, screaming, & banging our metal dishes together. It was so fun to see her full of excitement.
We finished out our weekend with a bonfire at Lake Barcis. We gathered with about 50 other friends; we enjoyed roasting hotdogs and making smores. I failed to take pictures, but if you are on facebook you'll see a few.
This week is in full swing. Monday was a busy day, but super exciting. We had a conference call with B's Commander, and were given an arrival date. We are looking at a little less 4 months left on this journey. Homecoming celebrations are in the works. I'll be placing an order for our red, white, & blue decorations very soon. We will also be getting B's vacation dates this week. We are all ready for this short break from this tiring time. We'll keep on our schedule of the gym, pre-school, Bible study, lunch dates, & get togethers until Brian comes home.
Parco Zoo
During Kennedy's spring break we visited the zoo that's about an hour from our house. Everyone that knows Kennedy knows she love ANIMALS! So here's pics of her day trip.
I yearn for the day that I get to see this:
I anticipate the day we can do this:
I anxiously await for us to be whole again...
And I'm so thankful for blessed friendships of these ladies and many more....
I'm grateful for every family member who supports us with prayer and love.
"For when I am weak, then I am strong."- 2 Cor 12:10
Spring has sprung!
It is Spring Break in Aviano, Italy, and the weather has been gorgeous! We have spent so much time outside this past week. Kennedy and I planted flowers, gathered rocks from the riverbed for our flower beds, played at the park, and generally just relaxed. I can't believe the week is almost over. Tomorrow we'll be going to the zoo...Kennedy's favorite place. 
(notice her little tongue sticking out...just like Daddy does when he's concentrating)
This spring weather makes me miss Brian even more. Envision grilling, cold beverages, and just spending time together. That's Brian's favorite thing to do. We are past the halfway mark in this journey, and just a few weeks until we get his dates for his leave. We so so so can't wait to be together again.
Chunky
So, Kennedy received Madagascar 2 for her birthday, and has been obsessed with it ever since. The sound track has been bought, dances have been danced, and video has been taken. Here is Kennedy's latest craziness....
She was being so cute and shaking it until I got the camera out. I was laughing so hard. I love love love my girl!
Puppies, puppies everywhere
Kennedy's 4th birthday included a party with 15 children, a jumping castle, and tons of puppy stuff. We played a few games, but getting transformed into a pup and jumping seemed to be the highlights. I think Kennedy was overwhelmed a few times, but it was nice to give her such a special treat. We are so grateful for all of our friends here!
(In the dog house)
(Mama and her girl wishing Daddy could be here)
(my attempt at making a cake from scratch)
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