Another year end has arrived. As I knew it would be, it has been a year of some transitions. Overall though, I think it has been a good year.
We still have all of this week off school. Lots going on though. Catherine works tomorrow, the kids have double swim practices on Wednesday and Thursday, and Andrew has to work on Friday. We have an all-day swim invitational on Saturday, and Catherine works again on Sunday. Not entirely getting to sleep in, but still better than 5AM wake-ups.
We are planning to be at some friends' house to ring in the new year tonight. Honestly though, I would much rather be home. We might compromise and go for a few hours before coming home to ring in the New Year, but that is still several hours off.
I'm looking forward to another wonderful year in 2019. Prayers for safety and good health for all!
Monday, December 31, 2018
Sunday, December 30, 2018
The emotions of the past week
As we got into Friday evening, the emotions of everything began to weigh on me. Robert knew it, and I tried very hard to be strong. I couldn't however, ignore the meaning of everything happening around me.
For one thing, Robert will be leaving the middle of January for a pacific island. His orders are for three years there. Us visiting him is extremely cost prohibitive. Even him visiting us is super expensive. We are hoping he might be able to come back in 17 months for Catherine's high school graduation. However, that is not a sure thing, either from the timing or from a financial standpoint. Knowing my son was leaving and it could be more than year (or even years) before I see him again was a tough reality to face. Add to it the fact that my father-in-law may not know who he is next time, or even be around, and those were some serious emotions.
There is also the fact that Robert brought a dog with him. Turns out this dog is only a four-month-old puppy. Our sweet Abby is less than thrilled, although she is very tolerant. Of course Catherine and Thomas adore this puppy and are doing a very good job of being helpful and caring for the dog. It was tough for Robert to say goodbye to the dog yesterday, and when the dog realized Robert wasn't here, he was sad as well. It hurt my heart. I'm also concerned about the kids being attached to the dog. He is supposed to go to my mom's house to live for a couple of months on Thursday, but I don't want her getting too attached either, and I'm not entirely certain she is going to put up with him. I could handle him being here for a while, but it isn't what I want for us. I feel guilt that part of me is irritated with Robert for adopting a puppy right before going overseas, but I understand how it happened since Robert is incredibly impulsive and this is a sweet puppy.
I am so very, very grateful for the amount of time we all had together last week. I was a little caught off guard that I was so emotional at the end (although lack of sleep played a part as well). It was hard knowing Robert would be so far away, but him being a functioning member of society is certainly what we had been going for, and I'm proud of him. I'm so grateful he loves the Navy, and I love what the Navy has done for him.
We still have a week until school begins again. I am looking forward to a bit of quiet time before it all gets crazy again.
For one thing, Robert will be leaving the middle of January for a pacific island. His orders are for three years there. Us visiting him is extremely cost prohibitive. Even him visiting us is super expensive. We are hoping he might be able to come back in 17 months for Catherine's high school graduation. However, that is not a sure thing, either from the timing or from a financial standpoint. Knowing my son was leaving and it could be more than year (or even years) before I see him again was a tough reality to face. Add to it the fact that my father-in-law may not know who he is next time, or even be around, and those were some serious emotions.
There is also the fact that Robert brought a dog with him. Turns out this dog is only a four-month-old puppy. Our sweet Abby is less than thrilled, although she is very tolerant. Of course Catherine and Thomas adore this puppy and are doing a very good job of being helpful and caring for the dog. It was tough for Robert to say goodbye to the dog yesterday, and when the dog realized Robert wasn't here, he was sad as well. It hurt my heart. I'm also concerned about the kids being attached to the dog. He is supposed to go to my mom's house to live for a couple of months on Thursday, but I don't want her getting too attached either, and I'm not entirely certain she is going to put up with him. I could handle him being here for a while, but it isn't what I want for us. I feel guilt that part of me is irritated with Robert for adopting a puppy right before going overseas, but I understand how it happened since Robert is incredibly impulsive and this is a sweet puppy.
I am so very, very grateful for the amount of time we all had together last week. I was a little caught off guard that I was so emotional at the end (although lack of sleep played a part as well). It was hard knowing Robert would be so far away, but him being a functioning member of society is certainly what we had been going for, and I'm proud of him. I'm so grateful he loves the Navy, and I love what the Navy has done for him.
We still have a week until school begins again. I am looking forward to a bit of quiet time before it all gets crazy again.
Saturday, December 29, 2018
The second half of our week
This was the first time my in-laws were here for more than three days. I think, without saying anything, that all of us had some concerns that it was too much togetherness. The first few days felt as though they moved very slowly, but that was fine. I enjoyed each aspect of our Christmas celebrations and rejoiced that we still had so much time to go until school is underway again! One of my favorite things we did was our church service on Christmas Eve. Everyone was especially happy to see Robert, and I'm glad he was able to be there. The church has been extraordinarily supportive and prayerful regarding his naval service. My in-laws didn't join us because they needed to attend Mass in order for it to "count" as attending church. I felt badly because I do wish for us to attend as a family, but felt it was important Robert have an opportunity to see our church family. Andrew pointed out it was his parents' decision not to attend with us.
Wednesday evening some friends came over for dinner and so most of the family was preparing for that. Thursday Robert wanted to purchase a computer (a joint gift via cash from nearly the entire family), and Andrew, Robert, and my father-in-law spent the afternoon doing that before my mother came down for a very nice dinner out. Friday was the 55th wedding anniversary of my in-laws, and we celebrated a day early. After dinner was one of my favorite parts of the entire week. My mother headed home, and our family settled in to watch a movie. We had purchased a new TV for our living room because it is the larger of the rooms, and I loved watching our family sit and laugh and laugh. My heart was incredibly full as I sat and watched everyone share those moments and laughter. I know that memory will always be vivid.
Last evening the swim team holds an alumni meet against current swimmers. In two races, Robert and Thomas swam right next to each other. My in-laws enjoyed watching the kids swim. It made for a later dinner of leftovers, but we all sat around our table and ate together.
Because of Robert's early flight, it was a time for good-byes last night. I will write about that in another post though, because it was very emotional, and I want this post to be one of the many happy memories of the week!
Wednesday evening some friends came over for dinner and so most of the family was preparing for that. Thursday Robert wanted to purchase a computer (a joint gift via cash from nearly the entire family), and Andrew, Robert, and my father-in-law spent the afternoon doing that before my mother came down for a very nice dinner out. Friday was the 55th wedding anniversary of my in-laws, and we celebrated a day early. After dinner was one of my favorite parts of the entire week. My mother headed home, and our family settled in to watch a movie. We had purchased a new TV for our living room because it is the larger of the rooms, and I loved watching our family sit and laugh and laugh. My heart was incredibly full as I sat and watched everyone share those moments and laughter. I know that memory will always be vivid.
Last evening the swim team holds an alumni meet against current swimmers. In two races, Robert and Thomas swam right next to each other. My in-laws enjoyed watching the kids swim. It made for a later dinner of leftovers, but we all sat around our table and ate together.
Because of Robert's early flight, it was a time for good-byes last night. I will write about that in another post though, because it was very emotional, and I want this post to be one of the many happy memories of the week!
It suddenly got very quiet around here
For the past seven nights, there have been seven people sleeping in this house. Robert has already landed back in Texas, and Andrew is on the road taking his parents back. That leaves only three of us sleeping in this house tonight. Right now Catherine is at work so it is incredibly quiet. I had to be up at 3AM to take Robert to the airport, and it's been an emotional few hours, so I'm grateful for the quiet. I will definitely write another post soon about the rest of our week after Christmas, but right now I'm just too tired. I am so incredibly grateful for the past week!
Tuesday, December 25, 2018
Merry Christmas 2018
We are all pretty tired around here, but it has been an absolutely wonderful day. We enjoyed our morning around the Christmas tree, and it was extra special having my in-laws here. After we opened all of our presents, Andrew made some pancakes for breakfast and we began to get ready to head north to be with my mom, sister, and grandmother. I really enjoyed our morning. I especially love watching the kids enjoy the morning.
We were just about five miles from home when the check engine light came on in the van. We decided to turn around and take two cars. It was less than ideal, but it was what needed to happen. Ironically, when I picked up Andrew's parents last weekend, a warning light came on in Andrew's car also, so our 2001 Honda is currently the only vehicle working at peak performance. Ugh.
Anyway, it was a very nice afternoon at my mom's house. Two aunts, an uncle, two cousins, a husband, and their four children joined us in addition to my aunt's brother. After we all ate and enjoyed visiting for a while, I took Catherine and Thomas to visit my paternal grandmother, and Andrew, Robert and my in-laws came home. Fortunately, they were only half hour ahead of us because when they got here they realized they didn't have a house key since they were driving my in-laws' vehicle. Oops!
Honestly, I will remember this Christmas for many good reasons. It's a transitional year. We are no longer trying to get together with all of extended family, although we are extremely blessed and that still happened. We are now entering the phase of life where we are hoping our children spend some time with us for the holiday. I am so grateful for this opportunity to spend some of the day with so many loved ones!
We were just about five miles from home when the check engine light came on in the van. We decided to turn around and take two cars. It was less than ideal, but it was what needed to happen. Ironically, when I picked up Andrew's parents last weekend, a warning light came on in Andrew's car also, so our 2001 Honda is currently the only vehicle working at peak performance. Ugh.
Anyway, it was a very nice afternoon at my mom's house. Two aunts, an uncle, two cousins, a husband, and their four children joined us in addition to my aunt's brother. After we all ate and enjoyed visiting for a while, I took Catherine and Thomas to visit my paternal grandmother, and Andrew, Robert and my in-laws came home. Fortunately, they were only half hour ahead of us because when they got here they realized they didn't have a house key since they were driving my in-laws' vehicle. Oops!
Honestly, I will remember this Christmas for many good reasons. It's a transitional year. We are no longer trying to get together with all of extended family, although we are extremely blessed and that still happened. We are now entering the phase of life where we are hoping our children spend some time with us for the holiday. I am so grateful for this opportunity to spend some of the day with so many loved ones!
Monday, December 24, 2018
Christmas Eve 2018
We are having a pretty quiet day here right now. Robert had to take his new dog to the vet for a check-up early this morning, then we will have lunch a little after Noon. We are having a big ham lunch because my in-laws are going to church late afternoon and we are going in the evening. Normally we would all just go with my in-laws (because them coming with us wouldn't "count" for them...don't get me started), but we want Robert to be able to see our church friends who have been so supportive and prayerful of him. We should all be home by 8:30, and plan to enjoy a quiet evening.
Unfortunately, I have a bad cold and am not feeling well at all. Fortunately, Andrew usually does the cooking in our family anyway, and his mother is here to help. Honestly, I would prefer to just lay in bed and sleep, but that isn't really an option. However, I am grateful that I am able to enjoy the holiday, and am looking forward to tomorrow.
Unfortunately, I have a bad cold and am not feeling well at all. Fortunately, Andrew usually does the cooking in our family anyway, and his mother is here to help. Honestly, I would prefer to just lay in bed and sleep, but that isn't really an option. However, I am grateful that I am able to enjoy the holiday, and am looking forward to tomorrow.
Sunday, December 23, 2018
Our house is very full, and our hearts are even more so
We are all here, and for the next 72+ hours we will pretty much be together every waking moment. There are seven humans and four pets. That is a lot of breathing creatures, and a lot of personality. Both Robert and my in-laws leave next Saturday. I know it is going to be crazy, and I'm particularly praying for patience and kindness for us all.
As full as our house is, my heart is even more full. Robert will be at his next assignment for three years. Because of the cost of transportation, it will be only once he can come for a visit, if that. My in-laws are older, and my father-in-law especially is failing. This is the year to make memories. I'm so grateful for the opportunity.
As full as our house is, my heart is even more full. Robert will be at his next assignment for three years. Because of the cost of transportation, it will be only once he can come for a visit, if that. My in-laws are older, and my father-in-law especially is failing. This is the year to make memories. I'm so grateful for the opportunity.
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