Savoring Every Moment

This has been a really long week. Nathan was feeling well enough to go to school Monday morning, but I began to feel bad at work. I spent all of Monday night hugging the toilet and eating Zofran like candy. Needless to say, I spent all day Tuesday on the couch watching TV and sleeping. On the bright side, I lost 6 pounds over the course of 24 hours and that was a fun bonus.

I am feeling much better today, but the week has seemed to just ddrraagg on and on. Trevor has been preparing for his three week trip to China, and I've been trying not to think about it. He hasn't been since last fall, which has been just fine with me! Gracie was prancing around the living room, and Trevor caught her and tried to steal a kiss. She got away just in time, and ran to me. I told her that she needed to give Daddy a kiss because he was leaving and she was really going to miss him. She looked right at me and said:

But I need him. I need my family here!

I couldn't have said it better myself. She went straight back to Trevor and gave him a big "squeezy hug" and a kiss. As hard as it is on me when Trevor is gone, it's much harder on Nathan and Grace. I usually see changes in their behavior and attitude within the the first few days. It's like they can't handle the change, and the only way they know to deal with it is to act out.

After about the first week, we get back on an even keel and things return to a semi-normal state. Since he is going to be gone for three weeks this time, I am planning a trip home to Louisiana to break up the time away from him. My mom and aunt (aka "The Nannies") are more than happy to give me a hand with the kids for a few days so I can regain some sense of sanity.

Did I mention that he is going to be gone on our 11th anniversary? I think that's the worst thing about this trip, especially considering what a wonderful anniversary getaway we had last year. We'll do something when he gets back, but I'll miss him especially on that day. It times like this that I have to remind myself that God is sovereign and will work everything that happens while we are apart for our good. Even if I have the worst 3 weeks of my life, it's all for a reason and a purpose. So when I start to whine and complain, someone just remind me again that God is in control!

So, I need to get off the computer and spend the evening with Trevor and the kids. Maybe we'll play a game or just hang out on the deck, but we'll be together for these last few hours.