On the Home Front

It's been just over one week and the good news is we are surviving. The first few days were horrible...I'll be honest. I couldn't sleep or stop missing him. I'd cry at anything and my boys were struggling...strep throat, ear infection, cough and just missing dad. Jace is the only one that really understood what was happening. Here is his sad little face as he said his final good-bye to dad. We ate In-N-Out before he left...tried to make the day seem like a party, but we weren't fooling anyone. I'd already cried in his shoulder as we danced in our bedroom to one of our favorite songs as he was getting packed. Mike tried to be tough, like it was no big deal, but he was feeling the weight of what was going to happen.

Last Friday evening, Rick and Marci arrived. My boys ran to tackle them, and I was next. I don't know who was more excited to see them, my boys or me! It was such a relief to have reinforcements. I was shaky and hadn't slept much in 2 nights. They took us to dinner, let me sleep in on Saturday morning, and seemed to just take care of everything. It was such a nice little break. I feel so blessed to have in-laws that I love so much. They are so good to me and my family.

They also came to catch Jace's basketball game.

And Parker's soccer game, where he scored our team's first goal!!! Go Fighting Sharks!

On Saturday afternoon they took the kids bowling and to an arcade so I could get some work done. I so enjoyed those few hours of quiet. On Sunday we went to church, took a walk, played at the park, and just spent time together reading, playing charades and eating. I'm one of those people who loves my life full of people, and it was so nice to cook for someone besides my kiddos who would always rather just have a quesadilla.
Before they left on Monday, there was a lot of crazy play going on, they came to my workout, and then we picked up Jace early from school and headed to the dollar store where they got to spend $2 on anything they wanted. I loved watching their little minds go back and forth between buying candy or junk. They thought they were so cool. Then we all got a little frozen yogurt and said our good-byes. I was so sad to see them go.

Both Rick and Marci are just really GREAT people. Where can you find in-laws that are so supportive, kind and complimentary? Everytime they come to stay with us, they gush about how they love the way I mother and the way we raise our kids and way we discipline and the way we cook and the way we love each other and how beautiful we all look and how great it feels to be in our home. Even on weekends like this one where my kids were unusually hard and I was less patient than normal and my house was more messy than ever, they couldn't stop saying how much they admired Mike, me and our children. How in the world did I get so lucky? I was teary when they left, not because I was sad, but just because I was so grateful for them and their love and support.

This week has been good. We've all gotten back in our groove and my boys are helpful and kind and feeling better. They love it when I ask them to be "the dad," and they are instantly wonderful and mature. I found some patience again and more smiles and energy and have even slept okay a few nights here and there. We still miss Mike...my garbage can sat on the curb for 2 extra days, our scripture reading is a bit rushed, our dinners are pretty sub par, my phone batteries are all dead because I'm never the one that puts them back on the charger, and my garage and car are a mess and Mike will not be cleaning them out on Saturday. I'm lonely at night and stay up too late and read too much, but I'm so glad Mike is in Haiti with people that really need him. I love hearing from him and am so glad I married a man who can truly forget himself. Haiti is where he is supposed to be, but we can't wait to get him back with us.