One Month Later…

I know! How can it be a month since I last spoke to you? A lots happened and I'm happy to report it's all good news.  It's just been a crazy 30 days.  Crazier than I thought it would be.  I'm going to catch you up to speed as fast as I can and also post a pretty I made long ago. 

Here is a quick overview of what we've done and the ending is pretty spectacular!

*I turned 41.  No biggie. Only change I feel is the need for new glasses.  I really cannot see unless you put it way far in front of me. 

*I had a HUGE Bunco party with 21 new friends.  It was a big hit and we had a grand time. 

*I had a Water Main break that cost me $4000! That's a lot of pretty shoes that I will not be buying. Good news- it's fixed and my yard didn't suffer too much damage. 

*My kids have me running at 100mph every single day with new activities that we brought on board. The latest is their love for swimming.  We are at the pool pretty frequently but they love it and they are getting to be really good.  This makes my cheeks hurt from smiling. However, being the one man show with driving them is exhausting.

*I became a full on Girl Scout Leader.  Before I was mainly the helper.  Now I'm the go to person with two amazing Co-Leaders who rock my world. 

*Working on new badges with Brandon as he works towards his Arrow of Light in Cub Scouts.  Not much longer and my little boy will be a big Boy Scout.  Where did the time go

*Alexis asked if I had RETIRED from Stampin' Up!  Oh jeez.  "No sweetheart, I'm just taking care of you my love."

* Went to a Kansas Concert with my BFF Denise.  We didn't know all the music but we sure did have fun.  It was the first time I had been "out" in a long time.  I was excited because my neighbor was keeping my kids overnight.  At 1030pm I received a call from the kids. Both were crying and wanted to come home.  REALLY? I picked them up, pj's on and they crawled in my bed.  I went to bed early that night, too.  I kept thinking how lucky I was. While I didn't get that night alone that I had really longed for I was grateful my kids needed me.  When you are a single parent you tend to think of yourself as the bad guy all the time.  Glad to know they still loved me.

*Thanksgiving was a HUGE success. I had a pity party the night before.  Then on the morning of Thanksgiving myself and the kids went to a homeless shelter to help them serve food.  It was such a fantastic morning.  I'm  not sure if Brandon really understood.  About an hour into serving I was on the food line when he came up to tell me he was hungry.  I tried to keep my eyeballs from falling out but he kept insisting he needed to eat too.  I gently explained to him that he didn't understand what hungry really meant and the people here receiving the food were much more hungry than he was. About 10 minutes later he was sitting comfortably with a homeless man eating breakfast.  No comment, but Lord give me strength. We finished our day with military friends who invited us to dinner.  We came home and I crashed on the couch.  Very disappointing as I really wanted to go Black Friday shopping. 

*Brandon went camping in 19 degree weather.  I spent a lot of money getting this boy ready for the camping trip.  There was nothing left out, or so I thought.  He called me about 930pm from someones cell phone.  "Mama, I can only talk for a minute. I'm in the No Electronic Zone."  You can hear his teeth chattering! He says,  "Did you pack chapstick?"  No, Brandon.  Why? "My lips are really chapped."  Are you kidding me? I worried all night long knowing he was cold. He came home and his lips were AWFUL.  Next time I know what to pack first. 

*The kids had their first school dance.  The week prior was dramatic as to who they were "taking" to the dance.  I was a bit surprised at how big of a deal this was considering their ages.  Not to mention the prep involved for getting ready for the dance. I kept telling the kids I was just as excited about the dance.  They couldn't understand why.  I finally told them I would be doing the "worm" and "moon walk" across the cafeteria floor and I couldn't wait to show them other dance moves that I know.  I thought Brandon was going to pass out.  He begged me not to.  I told him he better behave at home.  Worked like a charm.   Nevertheless, they enjoyed the dance and they were BEAT when we got home.  They really danced the night away. I did shake my bootie for a few songs and laughed watching other mom's wiggle it too.  They can't keep a good dancer down.  

*I took the kids Ice Skating.  It was their first time.  I have never laughed so hard in my life.  It was hysterical. They came out without broken bones and wanting to do it again.  

*The countdown to the Prince coming home was making us giddy.  Russ left Baghdad on November 30th and arrived in Kuwait.  He stayed there for 4 days to chill out and refocus.  It was killing us knowing he was almost here.  December 5th he arrived in the United States.  Only to fly out again 3 hours later to Norfolk, VA for another Out Processing routine.  Knowing he was 3 1/2 hours from home was painful.  This process was supposed to be 4 days long.  Russ called the morning of the 6th to let me know he would be on a plane that evening and was coming home.  I couldn't believe it.  The next 6 hours was spent running around in circles.  I hurried to pick up balloons and a banner for the kids to hold when he got off the plane.  We hurried to the airport and worked a little magic to get directly to the gate so we could see him right away.  I had everything ready, even the Big Camera.  As he was coming up the escalator I was ready to shoot the pics of the kids all excited and nothing was happening.  My CARD was FULL.  I wanted to cry.  Instead I whipped out my iPhone and started shooting.  Not the pictures I wanted, but it's okay.  What's important is HE is HOME! We can't get enough of him and I am truly in a zone I haven't been in awhile.  It feels exciting to know he is not going anywhere for awhile.  The kids are completely distracted this week at school.  They just want to be near him.  The night he came home Brandon tried to catch him to speed on everything that he's done in the last 7 months.  Quite exhausting for Russ but he just smiled and let the boy do his thing.  🙂 The kids slept in our bed the first night with us.  We call that a Family Night for them and a "WE don't get SLEEP" night for us.  All in all it was exactly what they wanted and needed.  It feels so good.  LIFE IS GOOD!

Now, over the last 7 months I've learned a lot.  I've learned that FAMILY will always come before anything else.  I've learned that although my husband is home I will continue to support military families with deployed spouses and pray for their safe return home.  Another very important thing I've learned is the support I've had (and my family) from the stamping community and Stampin' Up! friends.  It's quite overwhelming.  Your cards, thoughtfulness and caring emails will always be cherished forever.  I cannot thank you enough for the things you not only did for me, but for my children and Prince.  They know they are loved by my stamping friends.  They talk about you all the time. 

I know I promised a card, and I have it but I have to edit it. I am heading out to a Brownie event.  I will upload when I get home. 

Forever Grateful,

XOXOXO