This too shall pass

My Husband is Leaving Me.
Abandonment Issues.
I Will Survive.

All are alternative titles that I tried out for this post. After I decided to stop throwing crazy amounts of guilt at my husband I came up with the current title. This too shall pass.

Sometimes that is the hardest concept to own. The idea that - yeah this isn't going to be fun, but it will be okay and in the end we will be together again. That might sound melodramatic from a woman who's husband has deployed twice to Iraq and has dealt with the raising of 3 and 4 kids all by her lonesome. I'm living with 3 other adults for pity sake! I know I am so blessed and I know it will be alright.

I just like my husband. I like to be with him. I'm pretty sure he likes to be with me. The kids seem to like him too. Who knew?

God had His hand in this. The time off from work fell into place. The decent airplane fair just fell into place.

He is also leaving for a good reason. He is heading back to Tennessee to help his Dad and Mom out (hi guys!). Jon's parents are working on the Clarksville house, getting it up to snuff to put on the market. Kind of cool that Jon's summer of construction work is going to be of use (again!). We are glad to share him but we will miss him and are in no way jealous. Really.

So for those of you in Tennessee and Kentucky:

Jon will be flying in this Wednesday and returning to us on Monday. If you want to get together with him leave a comment, send him an email or give him a call on his cell.

Of Baseball, Poppies and Other Things

We decided to make use of our Saturday.

We awoke bright and early (what? 9am is early!) ready to tackle the world. Jon lovingly stroked my face and said "lets go to C-2's baseball game". I was, of course, overjoyed at the thought of rolling out of bed and heading out of the house with our 4 munchkins in tow. To a place with wide open spaces, with room for Liam to be free (I believe we may have already discussed his desire to be free as a wild monkey bird). Well, once again in the interest of honesty, the word donuts might have been whispered in my ear a time or two - maybe even three.

So we got ourselves out of the house, liberated some donuts and hit the ballgame. All in time to watch the last inning of the game. Out of respect for the families who are there to support their kids we try not to attend whole games. Total change of subject or direction or whatever... Especially when they are held inside! D-2 plays volleyball and we attended a number of games last season - if there wasn't an amazing array of snacks and treats for the whole game - well, we spent a lot of time apologizing to the people on the bleachers in front of us. And in back of us. Quite possibly to the sides of us too.

So yeah... back to baseball. They lost. And then my sister-in-law had snack bar duty - the time and energy it takes to have kids in sports! I really don't know how they deal with it all!

So after a quick lunch we made the decision to make the trek to see the poppies. Or if you are Luc - "poppy flowers"! For those of you who don't know - there is only one place left where you can go and see fields of poppy flowers. Located in the Antelope Valley is the California Poppy Reserve. From the middle of March to May(ish) the hillsides bloom with orange flowers. From a distance it looks like someone spray painted the hills with orange paint. My children might disagree if you ask them though. I was thoroughly rebuffed when I shared that thought with them. Anyway. It was a little windy, but beautiful to see up close.

They're everywhere!

We finished up our day with a wonderful evening at Family "C's" house. (Jon's sister and family) We had a great dinner, watched the Dodgers on T.V. and got to visit with our Sadie. Sadie has gotten fat. I think she is enjoying her new living arrangement - even Bandit the energetic puppy. At least that's what we're telling her. Not sure if she agrees about Bandit or not.

Pondering and Other Things

I am seriously considering writing a review on the book I'm reading right now. I am on a reading binge at the moment and I can't be too picky about what comes my way (free is free, baby!). The book is titled Dark Tort. That's right - it combines both lawyers AND cooking. Two of my favorite things! Well, I honestly don't have anything against lawyers (Hi Sara!) but I... um.. there is a reason I'm not one. Mostly legalese just confuses me.

So... yeah. Anyway. Liam is much improved. He has actually allowed us to sleep uninterrupted for 2 nights now!

My sister and her family were out most of the day yesterday so all 3 families (-2 dads and 1 Grandma) went to the dollar theater to see National Treasure: Book of Secrets (again! in the same week! most people wouldn't enjoy that - but the kids* were thrilled.). After that my brother-in-law and I took about 9 kids back to the house while my sisters enjoyed the goodness that is Trader Joe's for a while. We all (-1 dad) then met up at the bestest new food place that we have discovered upon our return to the Food Promised Land California, Pick Up Stix! (If you live nearby one and haven't tried it out - just go! Seriously.) A good time was had by all and I think most everyone was stuffed - even the more picky of eaters were happy.

*I once again must disclose that Liam was less than impressed with the movie. With the exception of the Disney Short that the movie started with. Although in all honesty he wasn't really that impressed with that either. He just wanted to be free. Free to be himself. Free to roam the theater. (If you were at that 12:50 showing - I'm totally sorry) There were cousins to visit with. There was an Aunt who's (2/3 Diet) Coke needed to be shared. There was his mother's Jr. Mints to steal. Don't worry about his mom though, she's not bitter.

Falling off the wagon

Yep, thats right, Liam has fallen off the potty training band wagon.

He started treating his underwear like pull-ups 2 weeks ago. He started treating his pull-ups like diapers a week ago. We are officially starting potty training over.

"They" always say that you shouldn't potty train in the midst of big changes. Well in this case "They" were right. We knew it, but how do you stop a kid that's ready to potty train from potty training? I have initiated a return of the canny. That's right, bribery has once again reared it's ugly head.

The good news is that he is doing better about making it to the toilet.

The bad news is- well at this point I'm starting to imagine his wife having to give him canny...

That was so wrong.

In even better news - We are on night 2 of Liam keeping us up until all hours. He is having some serious breathing issues again. The first night was almost ER worthy. He's doing breathing treatments every 2 hours. So on top of him not being able to breathe he's all hopped up on albuterol.

To end on a happy note though, we took the kids to the dollar theater (love it!) to see National Treasure: Book of Secrets. Kids* loved it. Jon and I loved it. Friend E. loved it. (After watching the beginning of Enchanted with us last week she wasn't so sure of our movie picking capabilities.)

*In the interest of honesty - Liam wasn't that impressed. After he had spent most of the movie downing red vines and climbing from lap to lap he fell asleep. He whole heartedly endorses red vines though.

The best part...

Our family made the short trek to Family "A"s house this weekend. We went with them to church Saturday night at High Desert Church. Pastor Tom was amazing and they did a song that I hadn't ever heard - but loved. When I find it I'll share it with you all. It's been a few years since I've had the opportunity to visit - and it has only gotten better. (I have to admit though, that we really missed Grace.)

My sister and her family attend the Saturday night service - so our Easter morning was pretty laid back - even the Easter Bunny was slow on delivery. Jon smoked tri-tip and it was delicious! I know - not that big of a surprise. He has definitely developed a new passion for smoking stuff. (That sounds so bad upon re-reading. I'm totally leaving it though.) I can't really complain though, since I will most assuredly benefit.

We had the prerequisite Easter egg hunt in the back yard. We had a number system in place considering we had 7 kids hunting. Liam was supposed to be looking for eggs with a smiley face on them. Emphasis on supposed. He pretty much snagged any egg he could find. Uncle "A" had his job cut out for him trying to help Liam head in the right direction.

The kids had a great day and we enjoyed being with our family. My niece, A-3, prayed for our Easter lunch. After thanking God for a number of things and saying Amen with a flourish her daddy reminded her Jesus had risen. She said "Jesus has risen - that's the best part".

That truly is the best part.

Mark 16:1-8
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?"

But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, 'He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.' "

Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. (NIV)