Happy Birthday Kennedy



God blessed Brian and I with Kennedy 4 years ago.  She entered this world at 9 lbs. 1 oz. and 21" long, and has grown to 37 lbs. & 41 1/2".  She has grown both in size and knowledge.  Everyday I am amazed at the things she learns.  

Here's a little bit about K on her 4th birthday...

*Her favorite color: Blue
*favorite toys: dinosaurs, puppies, and littlest pet shops
*best friends: schoolmate-Alyssa, family friend-Jacob
*favorite saying: You're a silly
*current activities: 3 mornings a week of preschool, dance twice a week, and gymnastics
*favorite song: I like to move it move it-from Madagascar 
*Everyday we talk about how she misses her Daddy, and then some random question.  Before she turned 4, I have had to explain how doctors get babies out, who Hitler is, the civil war (thanks AFN), why boys have different parts, and other just as shocking questions.  She also knows how to get from our house to several locations and tells me when I'm going too fast/slow and questions when I go a different way.  Believe me, I have been taken aback by every question.  I honestly thought we'd avoid some of these until at least 9 or 10.  

I'm looking forward to another year of growth!  Oh, I love my sweet Kenners = ) 




Forever Away


I have not blogged in so long. Mostly because I don't feel like I'm doing anything significant other than living.  Life isn't the same without Brian home.  It feels like he is "forever away" and that we are so far from family.  Honestly, these few months have been so hard. I am ready for my husband and K's dad to walk through the door to our house and just be present.  Love is what is sustaining us through this time.  So, as we journey through the next few months I cling to the love of God, Brian, Kennedy, family, and friends. 

On a more uplifting note, we are staying super busy with our awesome friends here in Italy.  It is amazing how you can enter a foreign country knowing not a single soul other than your spouse and child, and walk away with some of the greatest friendships.  We have been welcomed into friends homes, and are rarely home between our gatherings and other everyday commitments.  

Kennedy is doing so well in school, dance, & gymnastics.  We are learning everyday how to adjust to this new "attitude" she has acquired; it seems to be contagious with the girls her age.  She is still 90% sweet, and consistently amazes me with her knowledge and understanding of God and Love.  She is also very big on letter sounds right now, so we talk funny (ex:"thththe dddddog is bbbbbig"). We are about to embark on her 4th year of life...4 years, where is my baby?!  Oh, she has changed so much.  We will have more Kennedy updates as we celebrate her birthday in a few weeks.

This weekend is filled with K's friend's birthday party, dinner at Bierengel with friends, teaching children's church, and shopping for my Bible study group.  I'm hoping that I can fit some house cleaning and hairbow making in the schedule somewhere.  Off to bed I go....