We are getting into a routine since Cliff left. Morning routine is pretty much down pat but then we had a good one going before. The evening routine is a bit more tricky but we're getting there.
After I pick Caleb up from school, I do my best to put my own work away and focus on him. This means snack, a quick tv break, and then sitting down at the kitchen table to work on homework. Did I mention that kindergarteners in their second semester are expected to learn like first graders? We just got a note today saying that there will be a whole lot more homework coming home starting next week. Oh joy.
After we do homework, I get dinner ready and then we sit down to eat. Cooking for two people, namely an adult and a 5-year-old is a bit of a trapeze act. You never know if the smaller one is going to grab on or push away. So far, the score has been in favor of the kindergartener. Mom apparently can't cook if she doesn't cook pizza, cheeseburgers or Taco Bell. But Mom is headed to the grocery store this weekend to see if I can find some things that will be more appetizing without junk food becoming our extra food group.
Once dinner and dishes are done, which Caleb is usually pretty good at helping with, it's a little free time while I try to remember to set stuff out for the following day; clothes, snack in the backpack, water bottle ready to fill, lunch box ready to fill. By 7:30 I try to get his bath ready and story time and bed time after that.
The routine could be good but it usually doesn't work out that perfectly because the person we love hearing from most usually calls and then the routine gets thrown out the window. We never know when Cliff will be able to call so when he does, of course we want to talk! We've gotten to do the video phone several times and we've all liked that. We've also been able to send videos via email which has been fun. I'll try and post one of Caleb's soon, if it's possible to do it here or on the website. (And yes, photos are forthcoming as well.)
Routine is also hitting my work processes. I am continuing to juggle passions and projects with Wives of Faith, AGF, ghostwriting/editing and my own book proposals I'm still trying to finish. We're getting there!
Time to run - it's Friday night so - you guessed it - no routine and we're heading out to eat dinner with my mom.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, January 19, 2007
How would you say I'm doing?
The question I have heard the most since Cliff left for mobilization has been "how are you doing?" This is not necessarily a bad question in itself. It's meant well, it's offered usually in friendship, concern, and a little nosiness thrown in for good measure.
The question however isn't the most interesting part of the conversation though, and neither is my answer. It's the reaction of the questioner to whatever it is I say.
If I say I'm doing good, I'm looked at like "sure you are; your husband just left for almost a year for war, you can't be doing good."If I say I'm OK, I'm met with the eyes that say "aw, you're trying to be strong, good for you you poor husband-less woman."If I say I'm making it, it's been tough but we're hanging in there, I'm looked at like "WHOA! She's not doing well now, how in the world will she make it when he actually heads overseas!"
I can't win. So I have come up with a new response to "how are you doing?"
I just start hitting people with my shoe.
The question however isn't the most interesting part of the conversation though, and neither is my answer. It's the reaction of the questioner to whatever it is I say.
If I say I'm doing good, I'm looked at like "sure you are; your husband just left for almost a year for war, you can't be doing good."If I say I'm OK, I'm met with the eyes that say "aw, you're trying to be strong, good for you you poor husband-less woman."If I say I'm making it, it's been tough but we're hanging in there, I'm looked at like "WHOA! She's not doing well now, how in the world will she make it when he actually heads overseas!"
I can't win. So I have come up with a new response to "how are you doing?"
I just start hitting people with my shoe.
Monday, January 15, 2007
A New Year, A New Experience
This entry will be short but I promise to post more in the next day or so.
Cliff made it off fine for his mobilization and deployment. The goodbye was the hardest thing either of us have ever had to do, but God helped us get through it and we are now settling into our second week with Cliff starting his classes, and Caleb and I getting back into the swing of things here at the house. We have been able to talk to Cliff every day, and even have gotten to do video calls using our nifty webcams - Caleb and Cliff actually got to play tic tac toe and checkers last night online with each other! That was great, especially for Caleb who has been missing his daddy.
I think if there's anything this deployment has done up to this point, it has reinforced how we can't take each other for granted. We missed Cliff starting the day he left, and I know he is missing us as well. We are grateful for our family and we know God is going to grow and help all of us during this year apart. Something I try to remind people and now I will remind myself: God is in control - here at home, and even in Iraq!I will write more later and Cliff hopes to send some pics of his new "digs" for me to post this week as well. Maybe we'll even get Caleb involved.
Cliff made it off fine for his mobilization and deployment. The goodbye was the hardest thing either of us have ever had to do, but God helped us get through it and we are now settling into our second week with Cliff starting his classes, and Caleb and I getting back into the swing of things here at the house. We have been able to talk to Cliff every day, and even have gotten to do video calls using our nifty webcams - Caleb and Cliff actually got to play tic tac toe and checkers last night online with each other! That was great, especially for Caleb who has been missing his daddy.
I think if there's anything this deployment has done up to this point, it has reinforced how we can't take each other for granted. We missed Cliff starting the day he left, and I know he is missing us as well. We are grateful for our family and we know God is going to grow and help all of us during this year apart. Something I try to remind people and now I will remind myself: God is in control - here at home, and even in Iraq!I will write more later and Cliff hopes to send some pics of his new "digs" for me to post this week as well. Maybe we'll even get Caleb involved.
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