Gone Again

So, we have been left to our own devices yet again! Chris has been gone a full week now to train in Mississippi. He will be back just after his birthday in December. Thankfully, this time is going so much smoother than the last time he left us. I have amazing resources in both the military and in the church and we are already in "dad is gone" mode with the kids. Chris calls at least once a day to say hi and keep us posted on what he's doing and we get to share all the funny stories that have occurred that day.

You wouldn't believe how much I got done this week! With a deadline like Chris' homecoming, it has really helped to motivate me in my home-projects list. I am almost done with both of the bathroom overhauls. The kids have a frog pond in theirs and we have a more sophisticated gold/wine theme in ours. It's really exciting to finally decorate things the way I want them. I had so much fun painting. Being 8mos. pregnant wasn't one of the perks, but it went smoothly and we've gotten several compliments from our realtor. It really helped to add some life to the rooms. I'll post pix of the rooms as they get finished.

This week it looks like I'll get some help with our yard (it hasn't been mowed since we moved in. No lawnmower!) and some help setting up the new crib that Chris got for me. It's beautiful, but quite large and heavy. I'm so excited to finally have a crib. We've never had a home big enough for one! So those are two projects that will hopefully get done. I finally put child locks on our bath/kitchen cabinets so I can finish unpacking all the stuff in those boxes. I also finally broke down and hauled out the unpacked boxes so they're not sitting in our office anymore. It's been a busy week, but I took it lightly.

The first week Chris is gone is always the hardest. It's the same when he comes home. The adjustment period is interesting. The kids are in the flow now and I'm getting better at managing my time. The fact that I have the car whenever I want now helps a bit. I've also set up babysitting at least once a week so that I can schedule dr. appts, base appts, and do the shopping or research that I need to. I also try to do one fun thing during those times as well. This last week I got our finances fixed on base, met with a dr., and bought some little home improvement items to finish the small projects I'd set for myself.

This Tuesday I have a budgeting consult on base to consolidate loans, figure out our expenses and get a system that works for our family. Instead of knowing where it went, I want to know where it will go! I also have a rep from family support coming out to meet with me to address some single-parenting concerns (with Chris gone) and help prepare me for our next baby. The AF is so supportive of their service member's families!

Cute moment of the week: Evie asked me to sing her a song I didn't know at bedtime. I had heard the melody, but I didn't know the words. She looked at me with her most patient and loving face, put her hand on my cheek, and said in the most grown up way, "Just do your best mommy, it will be okay."