Highlights

We are finally home from our three plus weeks traveling. It was so much fun, but to be honest, was not super relaxing. We will remember this trip forever.  We went to Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and England. We did not stay in one hotel room for more than two nights. We lived out of our backpacks. My backpack varied from 29-35lbs. I carried it everywhere. I am so used to wearing very wrinkly clothing. I am used to very baggy jeans. I am good friends with the ponytail holder and not very great friends with the straightening iron. We went from 80degrees F. to 20 degress F.  Have fun packing for that... I cannot wait to workout and have time to "get ready" for a day. I am in my home today. I will sleep in my own bed tonight. I can't tell you how AWESOME that feels!

But I am SO GLAD we decided to do that. I think the Lord lined up that timeline perfectly for Brandon to have that time off. We were able to "GET AWAY" from normal life. From the routines.  We were able to talk about our memories with Briar. Not all the time, but since we had no other focus, it came up more often.  It was great. And perfect.  Was every moment of the trip perfect? No! In fact, traveling can bring out the worst in you...did you know? Tired, irritated, hot (or cold), worn out, confused, irritated, etc.  Those feeling make for some interesting words that come out :)  Let's just call them good learning experiences in marriage. :)

I saw some great friends along the way, and even met some new friends. We made our way over on military "hops"...and so we met some great military retirees and spouses.
We left the dogs with the grandparents while we were away...and my parents drove down today to bring the dogs back to us. I am so happy to see them (by them, I mean my parents and DEFINITELY the dogs too!!!!). I hate to tell you who I hugged first...it might have been the four legged family...

I will leave you some photo highlights from the trip..
Unedited.
These are not highlights because of the photo quality but because of the memories.
Warning: I do not prefer 'landscape' photos...so you will notice people in most pictures.
I have not even emptied my D80 yet, only my point and shoot.
All for today. More to come.
Germany:

Train with Krista in Stuttgart

Volksfest, the second largest Oktoberfest in Germany.  Playing beatles.."Yellow Submarine" when we walked in :)

Switzerland:

Pretty much the only picture of all of us, as the girls prepared to Paraglide.

At the top of the mountain above Murren, Switzerland....

Italy:

Beautiful town of Riomaggiore,  where we stayed in Cinque De Terre Italy.

Roma :)

The really cool Colosseum, just as cool the second time!

England:

Our sweet friend "Nic the Brit" who we met when she studied at the University of Kentucky. She is so SMART, getting her PHD at Cambridge University ...

Please don't judge me...

but we're going to take a trip.
It's much needed.
Necessary.
Something to get away.

I think I told you that Brandon isn't working right now. Neither am I. It's a first in our marriage. It is GREAT for our marriage, especially considering what we are going through. I would say that I am healing really well. But some days are sad. Not weepy sad, but just lonely sad. I'm not lonely because I'm alone. My hubby is home with me. But I am without my child. And sometimes that is just lonely.
We are going to get away for a couple weeks.
We're going to try to catch a military hop to Europe. But if we can't, we're going to go somewhere.  The dogs are staying with grandparents.  But if you want to break into my house, someone will be here, so don't get excited.  Valuables won't be here. Well, most of our stuff is from thrift stores anyway, so you won't find too many fancy things here :)
I guess I'm asking you not to judge me because I do have kids. 19 of them. They are in a classroom on Fort Benning. Sometimes I feel like I"m letting them down by being away. Doing something wrong, almost. I have calculated it, and even if I come back at the latest possible time (which I'm not planning on), my class and I will still have six months together, plus the month plus more that I was already there. So I shouldn't worry. But I do. I don't want the parents of my kids in my class to stress. I don't want my kids to struggle in reading and writing. But I know they won't. I will get them where they need to be. And who made me in control all of a sudden?
All this time I have chosen to trust the Lord. To trust in his perfect timing.
So why do I try to control this part?
Maybe because it feels like something I can control and manipulate. Silly me.
I have NEVER been in control.
I'll be posting, but it might be more sporadic :)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah. Psalm 46:1-3,7

‘Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. 2 Tim 1:7 (AMP)

So, I'm going to have some scheduled posts going up while I'm gone. Could be two weeks. Could be three. I'll try to check in from there. But no promises. It's a vacation, after all.