The holiday season is upon us. We will be busy with all the festivities for the next month. This week began with Brian heading to Vicenza to re-enlist, and it is ending with him heading to Germany for a TDY...some training.

Kennedy and I have kept busy this week with our normal routine, and Brian has been working a lot. Last night, we went to the base Christmas tree lighting. Kennedy had a great time running around in the cold, winter weather with her friends. The night turned interesting when my potty trained child proceeded to squat down and start going to the bathroom on the ground; no, she didn't have her pants off. Ever since we went to TX and she potty on the grass, she keeps asking to potty on the grass. Of course we don't let her, but I guess she tried to pull a fast one in the field area that we were on. I stopped her and ran to the building across the street where there were bathrooms, but I was not happy. This is her 2nd major potty incident in the past 2 weeks. A few weeks ago, she just peed on her babysitter's floor. I think she's starting to realize that none of the other kids her age are potty trained. I know she asks Kim, her sitter, about why the other girls wear diapers. I'm just praying that we don't have a full blown regression on the pottying issue. I am not buying diapers, so she better keep using the toilet.

Our other eventful news is that Kennedy fell about 4 feet today. I thought for sure that we were going to end up in the Italian ER, but everything seems ok. She was playing with kids at a basketball game today, and she says the little boy pushed her. That's what is nice about this years fall is that she can tell me what's wrong and hurts. She has a few bruises, but that's it. Praise God that He kept my sweet girl safe.

Please view our photo site (http://picasaweb.google.com/Texasdrlng) for our latest pics taken for Christmas.

Brian and I have so much to be thankful for. Recent tragedies have brought a shocking reality that God gives us so much...mostly we are thankful for each day we have together. We have endured so many changes over the past few years, but we know that God was with us every step of the way. Brian made it home to us! To even express how thankful I am to have him back in our lives is impossible. This holiday season has and will continue to allow us to be reflective on all our blessings.

This song has been in my head for several weeks. It is an older Chris Tomlin song, but I've just been loving it.