40 Days and Nights
That's how long it's been since Hans has been with us. Forty seems a very paltry number, but these have been some of the longest days I can recall. The worst part is knowing that we still have more than sixty days left.
I feel like a total wuss, anyway, whining about 40 days. I mean, really. I know more than a few women who have endured year-long deployments downrange. Just the other day, I read a story about a guy who has been deployed four times since 2003...! I have nothing to complain about. Honestly...but for some reason, this one has been tough for me. I'm talking at least a couple of nights per week I end up in tears. I used to be tougher than this. What's wrong with me? Actually, don't answer that question. I'm not sure I want to know!
Must be hormones. That and I swear the kids know...well, probably if I'm shuffling around sniffling into a Kleenex every three nights, they realize that mother is in a weakened state. Like my mother said, she pictures hyenas circling the kill. And laughing all the while. Obviously, I'm the wounded hippopotamus. I would have said gazelle, but I hardly feel lean and fleet at this moment!
The weather is gorgeous today, so we were outside for over two hours. That helps a lot...it may be that the hyenas were just tired of being cooped up inside over these endless rainy, miserable days. Maybe that has been the hippo's problem too, come to think of it. We played in the sun, migrating from the sandbox to the jungle gym and back. Then we came in and spent an hour doing our Kumon, coloring Easter pictures and composing a new Thomas book--penned by the illustrious author Josiah Snelling.
He's very busy right now making illustrations to go with his little story, which was fairly good, albeit a bit convoluted and involving a few too many characters in my opinion. Which opinion I tried to keep to myself so as not to stifle his budding creativity. Look for "Sodor's Accidents" in all fine bookstores near you soon. For a low cost, the author would be happy to autograph a copy for you.
I've got to go...Annika's taken off her clothes again and I am working hard at immediately cracking down on her, otherwise we may as well convert to Catholicism and start looking into suitable convents...
Sigh. One more day almost done.
I feel like a total wuss, anyway, whining about 40 days. I mean, really. I know more than a few women who have endured year-long deployments downrange. Just the other day, I read a story about a guy who has been deployed four times since 2003...! I have nothing to complain about. Honestly...but for some reason, this one has been tough for me. I'm talking at least a couple of nights per week I end up in tears. I used to be tougher than this. What's wrong with me? Actually, don't answer that question. I'm not sure I want to know!
Must be hormones. That and I swear the kids know...well, probably if I'm shuffling around sniffling into a Kleenex every three nights, they realize that mother is in a weakened state. Like my mother said, she pictures hyenas circling the kill. And laughing all the while. Obviously, I'm the wounded hippopotamus. I would have said gazelle, but I hardly feel lean and fleet at this moment!
The weather is gorgeous today, so we were outside for over two hours. That helps a lot...it may be that the hyenas were just tired of being cooped up inside over these endless rainy, miserable days. Maybe that has been the hippo's problem too, come to think of it. We played in the sun, migrating from the sandbox to the jungle gym and back. Then we came in and spent an hour doing our Kumon, coloring Easter pictures and composing a new Thomas book--penned by the illustrious author Josiah Snelling.
He's very busy right now making illustrations to go with his little story, which was fairly good, albeit a bit convoluted and involving a few too many characters in my opinion. Which opinion I tried to keep to myself so as not to stifle his budding creativity. Look for "Sodor's Accidents" in all fine bookstores near you soon. For a low cost, the author would be happy to autograph a copy for you.
I've got to go...Annika's taken off her clothes again and I am working hard at immediately cracking down on her, otherwise we may as well convert to Catholicism and start looking into suitable convents...
Sigh. One more day almost done.
