An Update on life and Italy!

Hi all, I know it's been a while! Life's going great right now. The kids and I just got home from Italy Saturday morning (1:30 AM). We had a scare, when Emma almost got hit by a speeding motorcycle. Monday evening we went out to eat at a Pizzeria, as with most European restaurants, there were tables outside in the garden and inside. It was a beautiful evening so we ate outside and it was a nice area for the kids to play in, except we were by a high way and the gate was left open, I looked away from her to say something to the retired (military) couple who I was talking to off and on, I looked back at her and the boys and she was heading out the gate towards the highway. Emma's at a stage where when you tell her to come to you, she runs faster. I said to the boys to grab her, FAST, and said "Emma come here, Mommy has something for you" (that sometimes works), she just turned to me, looked and smiled and headed back out. I was standing but just frozen in absolute horrifying fear. All I could think was "I'm going to have to bury her next", it just kept going through my head. I was so petrified. I still feel sick just thinking about it. Jacob grabbed her just in time, and a motorcycle swearved, he was going I'm going to guess at least 60 m/h, she would have died. I had to drive by that pizzeria every single day going to the beach and was slow way down and feel so sick to my stomach. GOD gave Emma grace and I feel like even more so, he gave me grace and forgiveness. As a Momma who's already buried one daughter, from something we fought so hard against, yet couldn't stop...to then have my other daughter go into such danger, when it was so preventable, it's just so completely terrifying. I pray that we never know this fear again, EVER.



So onto the rest of our trip. We were blessed to have a great drive. The directions called for a 8 hr 50 minute drive. It took me 12 hours, which considering stops for gas, lunch, and just needing a break, oh and of course bathroom breaks I think it was a good trip and right about what I expected. We were on the road at 4:30 AM and pulled onto post in Italy at 4:30 PM, checked in, and went to our room. Camp Darby (Army post) has what they call their "hotel" which is 6 rows of rooms attached (well each room in each row was attached), we stayed there. 4 of the rows has an enclosed patio with an Italian BBQ. The other 2 rows do not have the patio and BBQ. We did have the BBQ. It was great! The room had a kitchenette, a full size, twin bed, and a chair that pulls out into a twin bed, and of course TV, & bathroom. They also have camp grounds for tents or campers, and cabins. They have the rustic cabins which have no running water (including no bathrooms) inside the cabins, and the soon to be finished Deluxe Cabin (with water/bathroom).



Monday before dinner we went to try and find the American beach, we were unsucessful, but still went to the Sea. I guess I left out that we went to the Meditteranean Sea. The kids stuck their feet in (this was before dinner btw). We were just there for maybe 15 minutes, then headed to dinner. Tuesday we headed to the beach and the sea was at its best for swimming. It was calm and we all had so much fun. Jacob as he said "faced my fears" and he walked through the seaweed that was in the beginning of the water and walked out farther where there was none to be felt! I will say though that we were very surprised at how dirty it was. There was a ton of dead leaves washed in and just continously there, the farther out we got the less, but still was shocking. We all expected to see crystal clear seas and it was "dirty". We lived though and still had a great amount of fun!!!



Wednesday we discovered that the 2nd to last day of school for the DODDS (the Army/Military school) and they were all there (now keep in mind that the post is VERY small so although there were quite a few kids there, it wasn't overwhelming). My boys loved it and had fun playing with the other kids. The sea was not very calm that day and every other beach actually had the Red flag up, but they put the yellow flag up on ours, so the kids could still play in the water up to their knee's.



Thursday the waves were even higher than on Wednesday, but still not that bad. A lot of other families were there and my boys had so much fun. Emma had a really off day for most of the day, actually the trip just seemed to throw her completely off. She woke up grumpy every single morning, took early naps, it was just not a great week for her, yet she had times where she was thrilled with life too! LOL



Friday we checked out and headed to Pisa. I messed up on the directions and it took me about 30 minutes to get there, vs the 15 minutes it should have, but we made it and all in one piece! :) The boys loved it, Emma slept through it all!



During our trip Chad was able to call us every night, which was a special treat! As of tonight he's now living in a tent, and this week he'll be heading out of Iraq and into Kuwait! We're so excited! In just a few more weeks he'll be home!!!! He should be home before The 4th of July! I'm so excited and so ready. I have a lot to do before he gets home, but it'll get done and if not, that's ok! We're at the point of counting down the days!!! There's another unit that will be here next week, I'm so thrilled for them. It's been a long 14 1/2 months for them and it means we're that much closer to ours coming home!



Well here's the pictures from our trip! :)