Rhythm

Hubby has been home for 3 weeks already. Isn't that crazy? He had 2 weeks off in which we were able to go visit both sets of parents. Hubby had some sad family news which put a damper on our time together.

We were able to go on a date though. Like a real one. My parents watched The Bear while Hubby and I went to a wedding on Valentine's Day. It involved dressing up, dinner, dancing and my first time drinking in 2 years. It was weird to be away from The Bear, but I know Hubby and I need time alone.

We've been back to our house for a week now. Hubby has some yucky work hours (on 24 hours, off 24 hours) which makes it really hard to get into a groove. Hubby's truck also bit the dust so we're a one car family now.

Normal work hours resume next week which should help a lot. I'm ready for our "normal" life to return even if it will be all messed up in a few weeks when they leave again. Honestly, Hubby and I have had some issues getting back into our rhythm. It's hard for him to know what to do, and it's hard for me to know what to let him do or expect him to do. I know he needs vacation and time to decompress, but I also have been longing for a teammate. I am blessed enough to stay home with The Bear which complicates things in my mind. I know it is my duty to run the house and do the cleaning and such. I don't get an income, so those responsibilities should be mine. But, sometimes it would be nice for me to get a break. I wish there was a way to explain this to Hubby without making it look like I don't like staying home or I don't value all the hard work he does.

I'm vowing that once March roles around, I'm going to get myself back on a schedule I can handle. That allows for me time for me to write or read of just sit. I know those 30 minutes make me a better wife and a better mom. Most importantly, it makes me a better me.

Time

I totally just realized how long 6 months is.

It's been less than that, and I'm amazed at what Hubby has missed already. Not the small family stuff (big to me, but not majorly exciting to someone who lives outside a world of diapers and sippy cups).

Obama has been inaugurated.
Blagojevich got into some trouble.
Obama was the President Elect, and Bush took a "vacation". (I'm not blaming Bush for that one. He's had 8 years of being yelled at with no one to pass the buck to. After 5 months of diapers, I'm ready to pass The Bear off for a few hours. Besides, there are enough other things to remember him by.)
Obama was elected.
The economy went ca-put.
The Cubs went to the postseason (This is a major event for us)
Republican convention.
McCain picked Palin for VP (That was fun to explain in an email to Hubby who was obsessed with McCain. Who is she? He picked a girl? From Alaska?)
Democratic convention.
Obama picked Biden for VP.

Doesn't that seem so very long ago? Add into that mix, all our birthdays, our anniversary, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Not too much longer to wait!

44th Reflections

Here are some random thoughts about the little shin dig that happened today.

-Obama and I have the same carafe! It was next to him by his seat. I wish I cold feel special, but it's from Crate & Barrel. I'm guessing there are million other people who are just like me and O.

-In every military building, there are pictures of the chain of command at the front. Of course, the President is at the top. Do you think all the pictures have been replaced yet? When will they be? The constitution dictates the offical change over at noon regardless of the time of the oath. WhiteHouse.gov was updated at 12:01 PM.

-I know Michelle was seated in the row behind Barack so they could do that awesome shot of the top of them. But seriously, if Hubby was elected President I would want to be sitting next to him.

-People were moving all about during the National Anthem. Obama has been well trained. He snapped to attention. He really is groomed for the position and ready for photographs. He is an amazing public speaker, too.

-When The Bear saw the Navy choir, he said DaDa. I'm not sure if it was random or if he recognized the uniform.

-Michelle and Laura need to button their coats. I know they want to show off their coats, but be practical! Both boys are all buttoned up (Obama is showing a bit more shirt than George is though). I love that no matter what you have your stereotypical red tie and blue tie.

-It really reminds me of a wedding. SO much planning for less than an hour.

-I am glad that so many people care. Yes, this is history being made. But doesn't that happen with every inaguration? Actually - doesn't it happen every day? Every day is a chance to build our own history. Regardless of who is President.

Absence

Makes the heart grow fonder?

Well, sometimes it does. The past week I have been traveling to IL to hang out with my parents over the holidays. Due to the crazy business that ensues at their house, I never have 2 seconds.

Once we get back home and on a schedule, I can start writing again. Until then, I'll be hanging out with my family and missing hubby extra much.

Lesson Learned

When something says
"Some Assembly Required"

it really should say
"All Assembly Required"

Perhaps followed up by a "Plan to devote your entire evening to putting this together. Despite the fact that it is a child's chair, it will perplex you for hours."

Time flies . . .

Time flies . . . or at least it passes.

Things have been crazy hectic around here and I've been a crank pot. No one wants to listen to me whine so I'll keep those thoughts to myself.

The bear has gotten 3 teeth in the last week which makes him grumpy and me grumpier. How does that work?

I ordered Hubby's homecoming sign today. Yes, it is still months away. We're over halfway done though. After doing some research, I've found the cheapest shipping and such if you order 8 weeks out. I'm so excited to even be thinking of homecoming. We're really getting there.

I also wanted to share with you a promotion I found online.
www.buildasign.com/Troops
They have FREE banners (2x3 or 4x6) for military families. They are giving away 20,000, but I have no idea how long that will actually last in time. You do have to pay for shipping. By ordering so far in advance, mine was $12.50. You can personalize it with names and photos. It's actually really cool.

It's amazing how such a small thing can totally lift your spirits. Soon hubby will be home.

Wasting time

So I'm sitting here trying to stay up as late as possible watching awful TV and waiting for an email from hubby.

I'm running out of procrastination to entertain myself. On the plus side, the house is now clean.

How many other wives are sitting out there by the computers wishing some love to pop into their inbox? Saturday nights are still the worst.

2 Down, Forever to go!

Happy anniversary, Hubby!

In two years, we've:
Honeymooned in Jamaica
Hosted Thanksgiving at our first apartment for both families the day after we got back from the honeymoon (not my brightest idea, but I'm glad we did it)
Hubby graduated
Hubby was commissioned as an Officer
Drove the entire length of Illinois (that's 6 hours folks) on Christmas to be with both families
Moved to South Carolina
Got our puppy
Had the most romantic Valentine's Day ever
Survived power school and shift work at prototype
Took a cruise to the Bahamas
Had a baby (sort of big one)
Moved to Connecticut via Illinois with a baptism and Easter along the way
Lived in a hotel for 3 weeks
Got almost halfway through deployment #1

I'm sure his list would be more like: 2 Cubbie games, 1 Yankee game, 1 Mets game
which is why this picture is so us. He's pretty lovable.

2 years down, forever to go! I love you!

PS. I know it's not technically the 28th yet here, but I'm guessing it is where ever you're out swimming.