And Then It’s Spring

Last week we spent the first half of the week in Indianapolis for spring break.  The second half Andrew was in Dallas, TX for a conference and I was at home with the kids.  We picked him up late Saturday night.  We’ve spent the last few days catching up: on sleep, housework, grocery shopping, projects, and family time.

I held the household together well, but I also know by now I’m not two people.  It was liberating to acknowledge I was going to do our daily routines during the day and go to bed with the kids at night so that I could be up with them at night by myself.  No late night projects or TV show watching. This strategy helped me make it until the end, as Nathan was up for prolonged periods of times most nights.

And some wonderful neighbors who also have grad school husbands, one who was gone the same time as Andrew and another who left today. There was a treat exchange with one friend late at night after the kids finally settled down (for a few hours at least).  There was hanging out at houses.  Shared meals and packaged leftovers.  Conversation.  We all kept going together.

Once Andrew got home though, I’ve crashed. Physically, mentally, emotionally.  After two days I think I’m starting to climb towards the top of the hole.

The kids and I went out in a rainstorm today after the two rounds of hail had passed. I opened the back door to bring in a few pieces of hail for them to look at.  Nathan used all his strength to try and escape, so we suited up.  I didn’t realize how incredibly muddy we all would get.  Both kids loved splashing and stomping in the puddles and mud. Friends soon joined us and everyone was covered in mud before long.

After dinner we went to Dairy Queen for family home evening and got free ice cream cones.  Andrew gave a lesson about working together as a team to keep the peace in our home.  We used a napkin to keep his cell phone standing as long as we all held a corner.  If one of us let go the phone fell down, just like each of us is a vital part of keeping the peace.

Nathan was rather unsure about the ice cream. It was too cold for him.  The first time he pulled away really upset.  He tried a number of times to eat it, seeing how much we all were enjoying it.  I don’t think it grew on him.

Uplifting inspiration for the week: “If ye had known me” and “Come to Zion! Come to Zion!“