I usually like the month of June alot!

A Father's Day ice cream break at DQ with my Dad. Love you Dad!

The month of June comes real close to being my very favorite month of the year. Our anniversary is in June, summer is just beginning and of course father's day as well. With my hubby being gone on two business trips this month and studying every night of the month for his final CLU exam, it was a bit stressful at times. My role of mommy doubled to meet the needs of the family. Father's Day weekend was spent at home so he could spend hours studying for the exam he took the following Monday. He PASSED the test last Monday and I was thrilled and very proud of him, but sad because he would be leaving again that night for the next two days in Chicago. So while he was gone, we planned some fun things to do to pass the time. On Monday my mom came and helped with strawberry jam. Monday night was a "girls & Caedmon slumber party". My three nieces and my mom spent the night and we had a ball pampering ourselves and doing girly things. By the end of the evening, Caedmon was saying "I wish I was a girl". Poor guy...Maci came to the rescue and painted lines on his face so he could dress up like a football player. Kaiya just soaked it all in...she's such a girly girl!Loved having all the girls here! They even gave me this sweet thank you card.

Daddy coming home from Chicago! It is so good to have him home again and even sweeter to have the help again now that the studying is finished.

Daddy's Home Again...for a few days anyway

Kevin was out of town again last Thursday & Friday in Iowa for a business trip. His flight to Iowa was delayed several times because of weather and I have to admit, I was praying that it would cancel and he'd have to come home. It didn't take me long to fill up his day on Friday if he wasn't able to go to Iowa. A family trip to the zoo or the pool sounded really good to me, but that didn't happen since it didn't cancel.

I invited my parents over for supper on Thursday night to pass the time and asked my dad to bring along his mower and mow our grass. Our mower hasn't been working since Memorial Day weekend and the grass was starting to flower. I thought it would be a nice surprise for Kevin when he got home. My mom helped weed my flower beds too. What a blessing and great way to pass the time. Here are some pictures of the kids falling asleep in front of the TV(Caedmon hadn't taken a nap that day and so it didn't take long for him that afternoon)...pitiful isn't it? I feel like a guilty parent even posting these. Yes that is what I resorted to for a short time while Kevin was gone. I don't let them watch much TV at all, but I needed some quiet time..!! My mom convinced us to spend the night and the kids were very excited about sleeping at Grandmas. Kevin's flight was supposed to come in on Friday evening at 6:15...more delays because of weather. I was so disappointed and bummed because he was still in Iowa when I talked to him at 9:00 pm and there was a chance he would not make it home until the morning. We had a very full day planned on Saturday and this would have really messed up the day. God did answer my prayers and at 3 am on Saturday morning he finally crawled into bed with me...very tired to say the least.

When he woke up on Saturday morning he talked about how he really needed to mow and I agreed saying that it's really getting tall...chuckling to myself all along. He was pretty surprised and very thankful when he saw the freshly mowed grass. Thanks again, Dad!

Caedmon had his final soccer game on Saturday morning with an awards ceremony and picnic.

After lunch we went home for naps and when the kids woke up they were dropped off at Grandma & Grandpas. AHHHHHHH! We were in desperate need of a date and what an AWESOME time we had! The past week has been a bit stressful with Kevin being gone and all the study time he has needed for his CLU course. His test is next Monday (the final one of eight...YEAH!), so another difficult week lies ahead and on top of that another business trip to Chicago this time on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday...like I said we were in desperate need of a date.

We went to a beautiful park with a rose garden and took pictures for our anniversary coming up. So much fun! Here is a sample. There are a lot more to come! There was a wedding at the park that day and it was so fun to get a peek. We had dinner downtown at Tuscani's Pizza then went to Jefferson Pointe Mall and saw another wedding party taking pictures in the courtyard. I found a formal dress at Old Navy for $2.99. Lovin' that price! We also used a discount coupon for ice cream at the Cold Stone Creamery. We watched Narnia after that which was free with a gift certificate we had. Loved the movie! There are so many parallels to the Bible and I was really encouraged and inspired after watching it.

And on Sunday we attended a first birthday party for our sweet little nephew, Lincoln. So hard to believe that the little man is one already. He was the little guy I requested prayer for several months ago about a cyst growing on the back of his head. He had surgery to remove it and is doing great.I don't think I've ever seen a one-year-old dig into a cake as much as he did. And as you can see our son was helping too.

There are usually moments of crying at a one-year-olds birthday party. So much going on with presents, cake and aunts wanting to hold...but the memories are priceless! Notice my sons hand again getting a big scoop of frosting.
It was nice to be at the park for the party...a hot day, but the river helped everyone cool off a bit.

My lovely sister-in-laws...Sarah & Krista (who just found out she is having a BOY at the end of October!).

Missing Daddy

This picture was taken a couple of Sundays ago at Daddy's request with his two favorite kids. It is very common for him, after dressing Caedmon on a Sunday morning, to pick something out for himself that looks just like what Caedmon is wearing.

Kevin has been on a business trip since yesterday morning and will be returning late tonight. I know it's only one night, but I started missing him the moment he left yesterday knowing that he wouldn't be coming home that evening. I missed hearing the kids squeal with excitement saying "Daddy's Home!" and running to the garage when they hear the garage door opening in the evenings. I missed his kisses of "It's good to home" that are passed around for everyone. I missed the relief of having someone step in and take over with the kids in the evenings...playing with them on the floor, giving them a bath and helping with bedtime prayers. And most of all, I missed the companion last night that I share my bed with that keeps me warm & feeling safe.

I was thankful for the countless phone conversations we had together yesterday throughout the day that came just at the right times and for my mom that stopped by in the evening after work bringing food and just sitting to chat.

Absence certainly makes the heart grow fonder and reminds me of how much I truely love the man that makes my heart flutter everytime he walks in a room. It also causes me to draw closer to Christ and trust that He can meet all my needs and help me through. Miss you honey!