For the last two years, Brett has worked a very demanding job that involved lots of travel. I haven't talked about it too much here because whenever I did I always felt afterwards that I was just complaining. However, it was difficult having him frequently gone in the evenings and overnight, sometimes (though not recently) gone for two weeks at a time. He would work so hard that when he was home he was either sick, exhausted, or had more work that needed to be done on his computer. I was a bit concerned about how I would handle all of this and a newborn but figured the best plan was to take it one day at a time.
Then a few weeks ago he was talking to an old friend at church and the end result of that conversation was that he was offered a job! He will be working with security systems at the CDC, which is about a 40 min. commute. The best part is....he will be home every night!! Of course, the old job with all its difficulties had its definite perks which we are sad to be losing. The challenging situations and travel which exhausted us was also frequently exciting for Brett and he will certainly miss it. The next couple weeks will probably involve something of a withdrawal and be a big adjustment for all of us, but we are excited about the change!
I am so thankful to have a husband who is willing to sacrifice for the good of his family. Because I know this is a sacrifice for him. Instead of sitting in the Delta lounge getting free drinks, getting patted on the back by customers who adore him, having the opportunity to travel around the Southeast, facing challenging problems that change on a daily basis and eating at really nice restaurants with co-workers that have become his friends, he will be working in the same building every day, driving his old truck, and coming home at the same time every day to hungry children and a tired wife. He came to this decision entirely on his own (of course we talked about it but I didn't pressure him one way or the other) and I respect him for it.
Now we will have more moments like these...just playing together in the back yard.
Yesterday morning was off to a blah start. Everyone, definitely including me, was feeling droopy and whiny. Brett left for the airport around 5 am, flying to south FL where is was 78 degrees and sunny to install a scientific instrument on a gigantic yacht. They are taking it out on a test spin today. No, I'm not in the least bit jealous.
We also were down to one solitary diaper, which is never good, so I decided that an adventure was in order. We frequently call "going out" an adventure around here. We all were dressed and arrived at Target pretty early for us...a little after 9. I think that was big part of the reason this was a successful venture. Usually I want to get the house cleaned before we go out, then by the time we are out it is getting closer to lunch time and everyone is grumpy. *Note to future self*
Long (fairly uneventful) story short, I was able to browse in Target for nearly two hours with very few complaints from Nate and Evelyn. Tons of children's clothes were being clearanced so I was able to get some needed spring clothes for them marked way down!!
The success and pleasure of this venture has filled me with hope that I may possibly survive going out with 3 children in the near future and renewed zeal for training my children to listen cheerfully when we are at home.
It felt like God understood that I needed some encouragement and sent it to me when I didn't even know I needed it. We prayed on the way home, thanking Him for giving us all self-control and the ability to have a nice time together. I've been thinking recently about how to teach the children that. So often I correct them and tell them to pray for grace, but then when they are good I just praise them without reminding them that their "goodness" is only by grace and not in their own strength. I suppose this is difficult for me because I so rarely thank God for when He gives me grace!! Child training has a special way of making me face my own sin, for which I am thankful (in retrospect, usually not in the precise moment it is happening=).
Anyway, I wanted to remember this good time that we had together, which means it must be solemnly recorded. Otherwise I will most surely forget it, as I consistently forget essential facts like my children's birthdates and the names of commonplace household items...."Please bring me that...red thing...the one by your feet...oh yes, the spatula!" I am not sure that my brain will ever be the same again, but at least my forgetfulness makes for some good laughs!!
A couple weeks ago, we were all royally sick. It started with Brett the day after Christmas, then the children came down with it the next week, and finally I succumbed a couple days after. We don't know if it was the flu or a terrible cold, but it was pretty awful. Whatever it was sucks all the energy from your body...for a long time.
That entire week we did not leave the house, actually rarely left the sofa. This is what we looked like most of the time...
Brett was able to take sick days all week so he was home and I was able to stay in bed for two days when it hit me!! We have been pretty well all winter, but there is just something about the holidays that gets us every time. =) I am so glad to be done with that bug! As bad as it is be sick when pregnant, I'd take that over having a sick little baby anytime. I am thankful we had it when we did! And I am thankful for Netflix.
Or is it "gray"? I've never been quite sure of the difference.
I just looked and apparently other people have wondered this too because there is an entire website named... http://www.greyorgray.com/ It explains everything!!!
I suppose, even though I most definitely do not live in the UK, that I will continue to use "grey", just because I like it better. Now that conundrum is settled...
I've noticed in the last week or two, mostly after Brett pointed it out to me, that I have become slightly obsessed with grey recently. "Getting ready for Emma", which of course includes organizing all closets and painting various rooms, among many other projects, has become a sudden need. I haven't been able to nap, even when I felt very tired initially, because as soon as I lay down I am stuck by the insatiable desire to clean or organize or paint or, at the very least, plan all of these things. I don't remember nesting being this...violent and compelling...with my other children.
Something about grey is also important in my current psyche. Maybe it's the cleanness and crispness and newness of it that is appealing. Whatever it is, I am suddenly in love with grey. My kitchen is currently reveling in a new coat of soft grey paint and, after literally years of indecision, I have come to the conclusion that I want to paint the kitchen cabinets a medium grey, with white counter tops, and a grey-black-brown swirl tile floor (that we had already picked out). I don't know if I will have the energy to make all of that happen in the next month, but I am remaining hopeful.
I had picked out a lovely color called "coral mist" for Evelyn's room, but after painting one wall have decided that I don't like it. It is too orange with the wood trim that is everywhere in my house; lovely on the paint chip, in the can, but not on the wall. Brett says it looks fine and it is just because I am pregnant and hormonal and obsessive and weird that I don't like it. However, I cannot bring myself to continue with this color and have decided that, of course, a beautiful soft grey, the color of the elves, is a much better option. =)
In addition to paint, I prefer grey yarn and grey baby clothing, or colors which complement the perfect one.
I comfort myself that I have not gone totally off the deep end (into a pool of grey) because at least I am restraining myself to painting rooms grey which do in fact need to be painted. If I suddenly announce that I am re-painting rooms which are already painted a perfectly decent color, then intervention may be required.
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