Now, extend your inner ankle bones

If that leaves you confused, that makes two of us! I've been going to yoga this year, and I must say, I really look forward to it and enjoy it very much. Way more than I ever thought I would. Sometimes it cracks me up a little...like the phrase above. Inner ankle bones? Oh, here's another one...now, hug your ears a little WITH YOUR KNEES. Or, how about, really open the back of your heart. I'm feeling much more relaxed just by typing these phrases. They sure are wacky, though!

The in-laws had Baby for a few days, and I managed to get a few things complete off of my "to do" list. Those chairs are still hanging around, but I'm down to the last one. Progress!

So, you know I talk to God quite a bit, and seldom do I listen. I was quiet for a change and realized how God truly has answered some of my specific prayers. For instance, I have a friend! Not that I don't have quite a few friends, but one in particular who I met last fall whose husband is in the Iraq! And she has a 2 year old daughter! Who goes to Baby's school! Duh...of course that was an answer to prayer...someone who is in my exact same situation. What a source of support. I'm ashamed it took me so long to realize what a blessing this is. And it is astounding to me to realize how "successful" this time has been. Only 80 some odd days left, and while there have been some low times, overall, I'd say we've done quite well. We've managed to manage! I guess I'm feeling sorta proud. But I do know that the ONLY reason it works is because of prayer. So, we're hangin' on, and I'll admit I'm starting to get excited about Hubby's homecoming.

I love my iphone!

Ok, I really didn't know how much I needed this thing until I had it, and today just solidified it for me. It entertained Baby for nearly half an hour while we waited for food. NOTHING entertains Baby for that long, not even TV or food itself. This thing is great. Well, aside from actually making phone calls, but who cares. And easy enough for a 2 year old. I've only got one game on it for her so far, but that seems to be enough! No more toting half a truckload of toys along for any given task (like grocery shopping or waiting for an oil change, etc...). Iphone it is!

Cute things Baby has said/done: She said I need Jesus! Much better than No Jesus. She was actually referring to the Bible because I was reading it to her this morning. From the book of Mark, full of short parables. Mmm...not sure if it's appropriate to move from that straight to the potty. Buuuutttt...she was sitting on the potty (unsuccessfully, but still sitting on it), and looked straight at me and said, "Go to kitchen, Mommy," and then pointed toward the door! Crazy girl. Guess I often tell her that I need to go to the kitchen.

I've been keeping her up a little later in the hopes that she'll sleep past 6:30. We'll see. I told her as I was putting her to bed to sleep late, past 7. When did that become late?!

Legos

Baby was cute today (surprised, huh?). She was playing with her legos and she would put one down and say, "Baby." Then another and say, "Mommy," and so forth naming Daddy, Grandpa, Grandma, Big Ben, Grams, and someone named Dada. I'm not sure who this Dada person is, but I sorta think it is Daddy. Although she gave Daddy one too. And lately she has been praying for Dada in addition to Daddy, which is confusing to me. Ah, the logic of a 2 year old. Who gets it?

The weekend was nice. Baby and I just scooted down the road to visit my parents. The visit was nice, the actual trip was not. It was a lot easier when the pacifier was around! I even had a DVD player this time, which in retrospect, I should have plugged it in and played it the whole darn trip, yet I stuck to my 2 hours or less of screen time. What was I thinking?! Next time the thing is running the entire 5 hours.

The chain says 92 days, and Hubby says 80! The chain started out as "more or less" correct, and I guess we still don't know for sure, so I'll just average it. Nonetheless, we're getting close!

Blah

Not that's it been a bad day or anything. It hasn't. And it's fun to listen to Baby singing Old McDonald (a new favorite). The end of the day sure is tough, though. About 10 minutes to go until the vet closed, I noticed a huge giant hot spot on Dixie, the golden. Who is of course, already on ear infection medication. I swear. I hope no one else goes to the vet as often as I do. We'll be there at 8 AM in the morning on the way to work. Of course it just wouldn't be practical for me to have seen the hot spot earlier today when it would have been no problem for me to get her to the vet. Ah, but so it will be, me schleping the dirty hairy golden and Baby in the big 'ole honkin' truck while I prance around in heels and a business suit. Nice. Not to mention that she'll have to make it through an uncomfortable night. The vet said I could give her children's benedryl, and as luck would have it, I had some on hand. Poor girl, I hope it helps.

After the whole hot spot discovery, we came inside to have the worst pot pie I have ever made. Mostly because the crust was underdone, but also because veggies were mostly just corn. Bleh. I'm hungry. Think I'll have to top the night off with some ice cream.

So, thanks for all of you who ask about Hubby and continue to pray. My recent response is that the end is in sight! Yeah, if you use high powered binoculars and sorta tilt your head to the left and squint out of your right eye. That's how I feel right now, anyway. Ah, but tomorrow is another day. I told Hubby when he was home that every day he was gone I wished it was tomorrow, and every day he was home, I wished it was yesterday. He pointed out that I was never happy. I thought it was a nice sentiment. Miss ya, love!

PS: I wish it was already tomorrow

God has made this possible

Ok, so, I'm not sure where I'm going with this, but I was compelled to write. God has made this possible. What I mean, is that this whole "thing", this whole odd life with Hubby deployed...it only works because God makes it work. I've heard from many people that they don't know how I do it, think I'm doing a great job, couldn't imagine being in this situation...on and on. Things that are flattering to hear, but make me uncomfortable and almost mad. And I want people to know...if you think I'm handling it well, if it looks like we have it all together, etc...the ONLY reason is because of God. God has put into place an outstanding support system for me: family, friends, church, work, new friends. God hears our prayers. And I know there are many, many, many people across the state praying specifically for our family. I KNOW it. And guess what, prayer works. It just does. So there. Please continue to keep us in your prayers. God hears you.

Hilarious

Ok, so with a 2 year old there are many moments of hilarity. But I think the biggest moment happened last night at a friend's house. We were there for dinner, and after dinner Baby was just sorta hangin' out at the non-baby proofed house getting into all sorts of things. Then she climbed up on the couch and started doing sit ups while counting! And her little croaky voice was so funny! It was like she was force straining her voice like you might sound when working out and pushing yourself. She did 2 sets of 10 sit ups, counting each time! HAHAHAHAHA! I wish I would have had a video camera. I did get a still pic I'll try to remember to upload later. When Hubby was home he told me that he taught her how to do push ups and sit ups. That's an Army dad for ya! Hilarious.

Alernate Reality

Yup. That's what it was for just over 2 weeks. An alternate reality. And now I'm left not really knowing what reality is. My life is sorta foggy, and it's been that way for over a year now. When will the fog lift? August perhaps?

So, anyway. We had a lot of big fun. Big fun for sure. Some highlights include a concert in the park, a family visit to the World Aquarium, 2 picnics, a trip to the Arboretum, and lots of good food and visiting with friends and family. I call this time an alternate reality because while it was a current reality, it didn't seem to be real life. I mean, normally I'd be insisting that Hubby get up every morning a go to a J-O-B, but, as our alternate reality dictated, there was no job or much of any responsibility at all. And I only went into work a few days, so again, not "real life".

I love Hubby. He is my best friend. He hasn't been gone long, and I'm already lamenting the "coulda, shoulda, wish we woulda" list. Like, I wish I would have written him a nice long letter for him to read on the plane. If I would have done that, I would have told him that all I really need in this life is our God and our family, and my life is full and happy because of him. We had some fancy dates, but I think I was happiest when we were in the backyard watching Baby play. All I want is my little family to be together. Why? Why does it have to be like this? Is anyone benefiting? A prayer I've had since almost the beginning is that this time isn't wasted. I want God to use it to the benefit of something. I don't care what, just something that He wants. I guess I just have to believe that it is. I sure don't know it, though. So, if you're benefiting from this year, could ya let me know? Maybe Hubby and I are in some way. I think that we'll have a different appreciation for what we have. Not some lame "absence makes the heart grow fonder" cliche, but just a different perspective than others have.

Sure was nice having him home. Now I'm back to rolling around like a single marble in the house. Gets lonely. I wonder how I'll sleep tonight. Ah...guess I'll just have to suck it up, though. Put on my big-girl panties and get on with it. Good news is that the chain says less that 120 days. I think it's a little less accurate than it started out. I've missed a night or two, plus since we don't know when this whole thing is over exactly, it's a little hard to count down. I think it should be about 3 months, and I can do that. 3 months is nothing, right? We've got plenty planned for the summer. So, stay tuned, folks, you'll receive your invite to the welcome home party any day now.

PS: Happy Mother's Day to all the mommas out there!