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, 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.