Lest you think we're not having any fun...

Last weekend we headed to the pumpkin patch with neighborhood friends whose daddy's are also deployed. It was great fun. We all especially liked the "Jumping Pillow" even though a few of us got yelled at by the worker guy who was supervising. He shouted at me for jumping while holding Josiah...I know it's a safety thing but he needed to lighten up a bit. It was still fun. And hard not to giggle as soon as you get on. Overall a successful field trip! :) Today we headed to the zoo, no pics of that but it was a good time. Weekend adventures are definitely a good thing!

Remember that roller coaster...

Yeah, I'm still on it. The last week and a half has felt like a really long time. I got to see my husband and it was wonderful. He surprised me at the airport and it was like a movie. I saw him and squealed and ran to him. He hugged me and lifted me up and we did the spinning kiss thing. It was fabulous. We had a great time being together again. We talked and laughed and ate our favorite foods and watched baseball together (you wouldn't expect anything less, would you?). All the things we've been missing....
But then on Sunday we received shocking news that a friend from church passed away unexpectedly. I'm glad that I was with Bob when I found out, he always knows how to put things in perspective for me.
The next day we said good bye. Seeing him was so bittersweet. To be together again but for such a short time....
It was good to come home to my babies. And I was glad to be home because I felt as though I needed to do something for my friend who had just lost her husband. But what can one do? For now we're praying and waiting to help in whatever way we can.

So here we are, trying to get back into our normal groove. But something just seems off. Maybe I'm feeling that aloneness again because of my visit with Bob. Maybe I'm just feeling sad for my friend. Maybe it's both. Put them together with the daily challenges of parenting, homeschooling and potty training and there are times when I feel I just can't do it....
But there is hope...
Psalm 91:4
"He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler."
I'm covered and I have a refuge and I am protected; and in case you're starting to wonder, I'll be okay.

Momentous Occasion

Today Abigail lost her first tooth! It's been hanging on by a thread for days and she's been too scared to wiggle it because she thought it would hurt. FINALLY she pushed it back and forth enough with her tongue that it just came right out! It didn't even hurt. It's the first of many teeth that will be carefully placed under a pillow to be "traded" for something special....My babies are growing up so quickly!

Up, up and away

Today I'm leaving to see my husband. He's back in the states for training and it worked out for me to meet up with him! It's been over 3 1/2 months since he left. We are both really excited and even though we only have a few days together it will be great! Then he's headed back to the war zone and I'm headed back to the kid zone. :) I'm looking forward to a most FABULOUS weekend!!!

My first video

I tried to put a video on my blog before and it didn't work. So here's my first successful post with a video. My mom sent this to me today and even though I've seen it before it made me laugh again.
I wonder what it would sound like if I tape recorded myself for an entire day and then sped it up and put it to music??? Actually that probably wouldn't be a good idea...I hate hearing my own voice recorded!

I've always liked roller coasters

So Praise God, we had an all around good day today! We all needed it. Not that it went entirely smoothly. At one point I had to stop Abigail's math lesson to check on the littles, and I found Josiah in the bathroom with the sink plugged and overflowing with water. He was soaked, the counter was flooded and the floor was totally wet too! But he was having fun. The good news is that I kept my cool (patience, patience, patience). I got Josiah cleaned up and all the water cleaned up and went back to schooling. We took a break from 11 am to 2 pm and ended up playing with friends at the playground and having them over for lunch...it was so nice to have an adult to talk to while the kids played! Then I had everyone but Abigail go down for quiet rest time. Abigail and I had a lovely afternoon finishing her school work. It was fun and we both enjoyed it so much. At dinner when I asked the kids what was the best part of their day Abigail said, "School, all of it!" I know the rough days won't disappear but if we have days like this mixed in I think we can make it. It's gonna be a roller coaster for sure...I just hope I don't puke!

I need grace to make it

Hebrews 4:16
Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

This is definitely my "time of need". Friday afternoon was not good for me...
I was wishing we hadn't chosen to homeschool and I was ready to start calling around, checking for openings in K4 and 1st grade....Abigail and I were both in tears. Not fun...
By Saturday I was feeling a little better about things in general but it's still been a difficult weekend. I just want my husband back! The good news on that front it is that I'll get to see him in a week and a half. He's headed back to the states for some training and I'm going to see him. Some wonderful friends from church are going to stay with the kids while I go. Now that's an example of "grace to help in time of need."