Summer is Here

Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer. First and foremost, Memorial Day calls to mind the sacrifices that  too many brave Service Members have made so that we can enjoy the freedoms we often take for granted. With Aaron deployed, Memorial Day touches a particularly tender place in my heart. To date, five soldiers from Aaron's brigade have selflessly given their lives for our country. On this Memorial Day I remember those five, in particular, and pray that no more names are added to the list. I pray that their families find peace and comfort.

Memorial Day also means a long weekend. Most people welcome a long weekend. Honestly, during deployment, a long weekend is the last thing I look forward to. The absence of the daily routine of work and play can tend to make the days go slow. So when there are four of them in a row I actually kind of dread it. In an effort to speed up the day and get this darn holiday weekend over we made big plans to enjoy the beautiful weather. Naturally we never pass up the opportunity to spend time with our friends (who also kind-of-sort-of dislike the long weekends for the same reason...) so we invited some over and picnicked, splished, splashed and had a grand time in the sun!

Colton, clearly enjoying his first time in a pool!

Clara, all wet and loving it!

Copy cats!

Tomorrow I will welcome the return of our regular routine. Back to work, back to daycare, and continuing to wait and count down the months until our Soldier comes home.