Fun few days

I haven't posted in a few days. Just been super busy! I Finally talked to Daniel on the phone. I can't even begin to express the relief and happiness I felt hearing his voice. He is ok, not very happy with how things are going right now but, there are so many people that its hard to get any contact with home and he is on 12 hours shifts. Poor guy. I tried to help him feel better but, I dont know what he is going through so its hard for me to find the right thing to say. Sometimes, maybe its just better to listen but I don't want him to think that Im not trying.  He sounded good and made me really miss him even more than I already do. I miss his jokes, his annoying habits, and odd little things he does.  I miss everything and its hard to think of this house as an actual home with him not here in it.

 I have handled the already random situations that always seem to pop us just after he has deployed. Issues with the van, paperwork for things, and illness.  Dont get me wrong, Im no stranger to having to get things done and continuing on with daily life. Before Daniel and I, I already had 2 children and was a single mom and had been for about 2 years. 2 years isn't as long as some single mom's out there but my boys were 2 and 3.  That, that was tough. Especially because I really had nobody at all there to help. But, I survived and I did it all on my own. I guess you just get in a pattern and comfort zone of having someone not only that you love around you and sharing in that joy but, someone that helps out and takes the full load off of you. Its completely manageable to go from that to single parent again but definitely adds is a sense of being ooverwhelmed and stressed out. Solely from the pressure of doing it all alone once again. Anway, its getting done and taken care of and feels nice to once again feel as though I am contributing to the household.

Gracie girl had her very first sleep over with her adorable friend Kloe. She is 4 and Gracie is almost 3. They had a little ice cream party. They were allowed to add in anything they wanted and really enjoyed creating their own sundaes. At bedtime, you could hear them chatting to one another and once they woke up, they were off together downstairs, hand in hand, to play. They were treated to choco-chip pancakes with fresh cut strawberries, a slice of bacon and a yummy glass of cold milk. There was more playing and an art project later on and then a strawberry shortcake movie before lunch. Kloe had to go and Gracie said goodbye with hugs. It was a great 1st over night experience!

                                                                             

                                                                              

Today, after being spolied with another phone call from Daniel ( YAY YAY YAY!!!)  Gracie and I were treated to a lovely BBQ with my closest friend (whose hubby is also overseas)  and her parents at their home. They are such wonderful and sweet people. My friend had her 3 kids (which are all the exact same age and gender as mine. Like within days, same.) and they played, we ate and looked at old pictures, had icecream and sat outside in the gorgeous 79 degree warm sun. Her mother made a beautiful stain glass piece as a wedding gift for Daniel and I. It was such a wonderful time and I had a blast.

Home now and taking in the events of the weekend. It was full of things to do which is just what I need to keep me busy and help these days to start going by faster and faster. The boys are out of school tomorrow for Labor Day and we will get things ready for the upcoming school week and just kinda hang out. Its days like these that I feel so blessed and grateful to have what I do. Even though aspects aren't what I would necessarily like, Im grateful for what I do have and what Im given each day.