Summer: Part 1 -- Europe

Summer is winding down. Can you feel it? Fall is in there air around here, and we're loving it! Cool evenings, windows open, perfect football weather. We've had a busy summer, so it's about time I start recapping some of the fun things we've did. We've had visitors from Florida and trips to Europe and active children in swim lessons and speech. We continue to explore local events and love on our city. We'll miss the long daylight and spontaneous backyard baseball games with the neighbors, walks around our home, or simple backyard play.

But in my attempt to keep things posted here chronologically, I'll start with that trip to Europe I mentioned. This was the ultimate girls' trip with just my mom and sisters. And I would be remiss if I didn't publicly thank and appreciate my Mom for this wonderful gift to us, made possible by my Aunt Barbara. I'm going to take a moment and give her a proper tribute...

My Aunt B was one of the most genuine people I knew. 

She cared deeply for animals and adopted pets from shelters and humanely trapped and released rodents in her house. 

She cared deeply for nature, was an avid hiker and camper, had a compost pile, and picked up litter along the side of the road. 

She was a pioneer for women's sports, joined the Title Nine fight, and is in the New Jersey Coaches Hall of Fame. 

She volunteered with Meals on Wheels and county beautification projects. 

But most of all, she cared for her family deeply. I still remember how she once lovingly reproached me for not acknowledging family birthdays because it is important to tell and show people you care -- Family is #1. But I don't think I honestly knew how much family meant to her until she was gone. 

She was a fighter, fighting her way through a 13-mile half marathon to honor my mom's battle with breast cancer, unaware that the same disease was also attacking her body. She'd fight the cancer herself, but we'd lose her the next year. She has been gone four years now. 

Aside from a wonderful legacy, she also bestowed generously on her family. I remember being awe-struck when I learned of the sum she left me. I don't say this to boast. I say this to revere. Because of her incredible gift, we were able to purchase the home we love. Because of her gift, my sister and her husband were able to start TurningPoint church. Because of her gift, my mom (her sister) was able to take her daughters on this 10-day, unforgettable, European vacation. The trip appropriately spanned over her birthday and we kept running into Barbaras along the way.

We left our hearts at home with our husbands and kiddos, flew out to Rome overnight on a Thursday, arrived in Rome Friday morning, survived the crazy Italian traffic, dropped our luggage and hit the pavement immediately to see all we could.

We'd spend the day and the next in Rome and Vatican City before boarding an Oceania cruise throughout the Mediterranean to Barcelona, where we got to spend a very full day with dear friends of ours from Florida who live there now. My favorite places were Vatican City, Florence, Santa Marguerita/Portofino, and St Tropez. Such a fantastic trip, and I fell in love with Italy all over again.

Click here to view the highlights!

After 10 days I was happy to get back home to my family, but I still love looking through pictures. My breath still catches on the beauty we saw and captured, and if Michael will let me, many of these will be enlarged and plastered all over our house. Thank you, Mom, for the most incredible gift! It was unbelievably special to share it with you and my favorite ladies!