Bitter sweet vacation.

One week form tonight we will be driving to our vacation destination. We are so ready! While this is meant to be a fun relaxing get away there is still the reality that one of the main reasons for going is for Amber and the kids to get away. There are so many blessings that surround the family but there is still a lot of pain and sorrow as well. Danny is gone yet life continues on for those he left behind. Philip is getting so big and looks like his daddy. He talks better than most kids twice his age. Hanna is making huge strides and seems to be handling most of life's issues better than before. Olivia is starting to struggle with dad being gone. She said the words "I miss my daddy" for the first time since Danny's death. That was hard to swallow for all those that know her. She is bonding with us more and more. She even asked to talk to me while she was away visiting her grandmother. This was a huge step for her since she is so close to grandma. The kids have really connected to James. It is still hard to hear Philip call James "daddy". We try not to make it a big deal and remind him that he is uncle James. Amber is taking classes and working full time. She has so much on her plate. Some days I think it helps that she is busy other times I think that it is just too much. Either way it is hard to come to terms with the fact that this is real and that it is not ever going to be the same again. Please pray for her and the kids as the Lord brings them to mind. There is still a long road ahead of them. Please pray for our trip and the 2nd anniversary of this tragic day. Remember that day is also Amber's birthday so it packs a powerful punch of emotions. Can't wait to post pics of our trip together.