Tonight I am going to appreciate what I have, even though my mind is on what I am missing. I want to be back in California to celebrate my sister’s graduation from college. I am sad that I’m not going to be there to see her cross the stage and receive her diploma. I want to be with my family this weekend for the BIG party to recognize her HUGE accomplishment. But we are living overseas and getting there is just not possible (as the Dutch would say!)

Kimmy is a single mom, raising two beautiful young daughters, and has worked day and night to accomplish her goal. She is so incredibly artistic and loving and funny and smart! I am proud of her for sticking with it and finishing the work and can’t wait to see where she goes next on her journey. I’m proud of my parents for being so supportive of her and my nieces, picking up the kids from school and helping out to make life a little easier for them. I want to be there too! But I’ll have to wait until August to see her and we’ll have our own private party then. Congratulations, Kimmy Joy! I hope you enjoy every minute!

Tonight I enjoyed my family, all snuggled on a little couch upstairs watching Band of Brothers. Not exactly the feel good movie, nor one you really want your kids seeing, but one we wanted to see together before heading to Normandy this weekend. Our kids are getting hands on history lessons and are making connections between their family and friends who have experienced war first hand. Charlie’s classmate’s grandfather was killed by the Nazis. Our house repair guy used to hide from the Nazi’s out in the Dutch fields, wearing wooden clogs and pretending he wasn’t Jewish. Jeff’s Grandfather, and a couple great uncles fought in World War Two, and survived. Our kids have been listening to their stories and asking questions about what it was like and did they get shot. I’m hoping that by them going to visit the battle grounds, they’ll feel and experience a bit more of our history and make it more tangible and real. Hopefully they will find an appreciation for history and it will help them to study and learn about it in their classes as they grow up. Tonight we snuggled them a bit longer and answered their questions.

Late night sunset

We are thankful for our freedom and opportunity to live in Europe; to see and feel and experience as much as we can before moving back home. Kimmy, cheers to you from across the sea! I love you, girl!

Namaste.