Todd's been in Texas for almost all of April. He comes home this Friday, May 1st, and I think his plane lands at 11:30 pm or something. Slumber party in the car! I better make sure we're stocked up on Spongebob movies and juice for Jack. Todd's been doing some training for his new job with the Air Force Reserves as the Operations Officer for the 419th AMXS here on Hill AFB. I think if we lined up all the training Todd has had for jobs with the Air Force, it would be taller than 18 semi trucks stacked on top of each other. He's worth millions to them at this point. I would think...
Being a single mom isn't all it's cracked up to be. I have no idea how "they" do it! I truly deliver my respect. I have thought a little bit about this and I know that, to some degree, it's about bucking up, not giving up, taking things one day at a time, and realizing that failure is not an option. I've definitely been applying all of those principals this last month. Even when I wanted to cry "UNCLE!" because yard work was inevitable, I made it happen. I also think my kids have "two parent syndrome". This is a good syndrome to have. Don't get me wrong. They deserve to have "two parent syndrome". I'm grateful I could give it to them. "Two parent syndrome" is a syndrome that is derived from a child having an "intact family" where they can take for granted that all things adult (and even some things not) will always be handled by one parent or the other at any given time. This is because both parents are regularly on the spot and have their "personal" stuff handled to the degree that they are "on top of" the family as a unit. Now, just because a family is "intact" doesn't mean that their children will end up with this syndrome. I think it only happens when both parents are actively involved with the children, the household, and all other family dynamics on a regular basis. Who knows? Maybe my kids have an especially "severe" case because their dad has been around a lot more than the average dad this past year plus? It's just a theory people. Ultimately, my point is, that my children do not behave like the children of a single parent. My children are a little bit "spoiled" because they just spend most of their time being kids. They don't worry about helping unless they are asked to. Unless something has become drilled into them as a habit (i.e. my kids make their beds every morning right after breakfast because they've been hounded so much about it, it has become routine) they don't think to help or assist unless they are asked. If you combine this with my ridiculous lack of talent in asking for assistance you have one wiped out mom and three confused and helpless kids. So, what we've been working on this month is helping them learn to be aware of their environment. I've been working with Jeff to realize when something "extra" needs to happen. He's learning to look up and realize that the baby needs juice or the dogs need to eat and I can't be expected to ask him to handle it because I don't know about it or because I'm otherwise occupied. I think that children of single parents are a bit more independent. They tend to realize that their one parent can only do so much at one time and so they either develop extreme patience (not a trait of my kids) or they develop the ability to take care of themselves (to a degree). As I said, it's just a theory. But I realize that if we were this way (sans Todd) for the long term, my kids would get to shift. They would get immediate occupational therapy for their "two parent syndrome" and they would become more mobile, more self-starter-y, more independent. The thought, while comforting, is also terrifying. Anyone who knows Jeffrey knows that he would be hell on wheels were he more independent.
Other activities this past month plus are that Logan has developed, along with the ability to run and climb, an extensive vocabulary. He's now saying the following: "mommy", "daddy", "monkey", "dog", "Jack", "Je-ree", "kitty", "more", "yum yum", "bird", "horse", "bye bye", "night night", says "gook!" for drink and food, and makes monkey and kitty noises. He's also giving kisses with a "smack!" and blowing kisses when he says bye bye. He's wonderful! What can I say? His "Crazy Larry" hair is back and I need to cut it. I'll get around to it before Todd comes home. Maybe this afternoon?
Jeffrey tested in the top 10 percent in the NATION in Social Studies on the IOWA test. What a smart cookie! I'm so proud of him. He's unstoppable. Jackson just got an award for reading 200 books this year at school(and we've still got a month of school left). He's one of the top 3 readers in his class and we're so proud of how hard he's worked to learn and grow this year in Kindergarten. It seems that, considering their performance at school, my method of less television and video games is working. Hmmm, good to know.My yard is rockin'. As soon as Todd's insurance settlement comes in, I can complete the project and fin
ish the easement and rubber mulching but it's nearly there! I planted 250+ bulbs last fall and they are coming up so cute! My cherry trees are rocking and so beautiful with their flowers. The Forsythia are gorgeous this year and my flowering crabapple tree popped blooms this morning. My perennial garden is going to be amazing this year because everything is mature now. The little Killdeer family is back t
his spring, making their nest in my burm and raising their brood. I love them so much! I am loving all of it! It reminds me how much God loves us. If He didn't, we wouldn't have such rocking biology!Easter was short and sweet. We participated in the Easter Egg hunt at Hooper Park. It started at 9:00 am and ended at 9:05 am. Jeff and Jack got tons of loot, of course. Logan was hilarious. He took off to "hunt" and just sort of wandered around. At some point, after passing many pieces of
candy and a few colored eggs, he found "it" because he stooped down and picked up a tiny green tootsie roll fruit roll. He dropped his basket and took off. It was if that is what he had been searching for his whole life. At that point, the hunt was over. He did, later, pick up a small leaf and put that in his basket. He didn't "need" anything else. What a man.Todd's parents came up for a few days and we had lots of fun with them. They took the boys golfing and spoiled us with some dinners out and "Monsters Versus Aliens". It was very helpful and a lot of fun! I am grateful for their support.
This next week will be my last as a "single" mom for a while. I'm glad. I'm tired. While we've all survived, there is no reason to believe that we need to continue to do it and I'm certainly clear on the reason for the Lord's plan with regard to family. I love Todd. I am grateful he is such a great husband and father and I wouldn't trade him. Not for the single life and not for anyone else. He's mine, I'll keep him. I am grateful for the work he has with the Air Force. I know he loves it and that he feels like he's completing some of his purpose by being able to serve our country. I am grateful for the income and the stability the Air Force provides. I am willing to pay the price of being an occasional single mom so that we can have those things. I just don't want to do it anymore RIGHT NOW. Give me a few months to get my feet back under me again, then we'll talk.
I love you all and hope you're well!
HUGS.
1 comment:
I'm glad you are back to blogging. I haven't talked with you for a month, but I guess we can catch up tonight. I love reading your words. You really have a talent!!
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