Back by popular demand...

Or maybe not... at any rate... I am back.

Justin has been travelling ALOT!  Like a whole lot!  So my blogging has been seriously lacking... at the end of the day, I prefer to curl up with my book or the TV and a glass of wine, and that's if I don't pass out with the girls at bedtime!  When Justin travels, several things happen... I don't sleep well, my kids act up and wear me out, and, obviously, I am on duty 24/7... All this makes for a sometimes cranky and always very busy mom - so blogging falls to the background.  When Justin is gone, I pray for patience, do my job, count to 10 ALOT, and take a deep breath in and let it all out when both girls are asleep for the night!

Although, another really wonderful thing happens when Justin travels... my girlfriends rally to help me!  Thanks girlfriends!  We do lunches, group dinners, walks, runs, excursions, etc.... They babysit my kids, drop them off and pick them up from school - so I can go to the doctor or substitute teach.  They anticipate a need before I even know I have it!  I could NOT ask for better friends.  They still invite me to hang out on couples nights - even though I am temporarily couple-less.  They show up with pizza and beer on the night Justin was supposed to be home but got delayed another day!  I'm tellin' ya' - these people are special!

Also, I have noticed I entertain my kids a little more with activities in dad's absence.  We ventured out to Chuck E Cheese on a Saturday afternoon - boy, did I learn my lesson there!  NEVER, ever, never, ever, never, ever, go to Chuck E Cheese on a Saturday afternoon!  We ride our bikes on errands - Aubrey rode her bicycle with training wheels over 3 miles the other day - to return a movie and back.  I have a back up plan where I put her in the carrier with her bike if she gets tire, but she was amazing and rode the whole way!  We went swimming at the Y - we need to do that more often... these girls are a couple of fish!  The whole time we keep saying to each other... sure wish daddy was here... he would love this... or this ice cream is dad's favorite... only X more days till daddy gets home... 

Also, I tend to be more productive when he is gone... I accomplish things on my to do list - like, painting my dining room... check it out!  I only did the darker color for a little contrast.  It came out really well, if I do say so myself!