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...

My question to Kennedy is, "What do you think about your Daddy?"

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