Tub Thumping

We have begun week three without this guy at home:

He did come home for a brief spell, that first weekend. However, since he was presenting all day Friday at a conference and working for half of Saturday, it was really only enough time to enjoy a little quality time (and to send him grocery shopping for us to save me a trip with the kids) and he was off again. 

We've been enjoying our last weekends by doing some classic Blacksburg stuff, like participating in public library events. 

Sleeping in (Jon took the Saturday morning shift), and waking up to green-soaked dewy morning views. I'll miss moisture.


And hitting up the playground. Jon came with us on Sunday afternoon.

Both kids showed us new feats. And then it was off on another week.

That afternoon, I rolled up my sleeves and started doing some intense and mediocre cooking. I made Sunday, Monday and Tuesday dinners, and packaged up Monday's & Tuesday's so that dance nights could be a little smoother than week one.

In all, I have to say, things are looking up. I say that cautiously, since we still don't have the result of our mortgage application. But other things, everyday things, they are improving. 

We had smooth nights and smooth mornings. Last Monday's scare because the daycare employee who picks up the kids was in the ER amounted to nothing more than one little bump in my Monday. She recovered to pick up the kids every time (twice a day) for the rest of the week.

Adele's fever that she randomly spiked Monday night (just to raise my blood pressure) disappeared Tuesday morning. 

I got my parking ticket remitted. 

And Saturday morning, I took both kids to the grocery store and there were NO major incidents to advertise to fellow shoppers the benefits of childlessness. 

We are on the up. 

In the evenings, I treat myself to some Nintendo, or (more recently) to BBC mini-serieses which I know Jon will not consent to watch. 

This is good for my self-esteem in these stressful weeks.

I'm still treasuring up the chances to drop Adele off at preschool; Jon has done this all year long, and now I get to spend more time with Adele and get to really know her morning routine at preschool. 

She proudly shows me her art...

I have watched the class tadpoles grow legs and enjoyed spotting Spicy Taco, the class hamster, every morning. 

She's my favorite magical creature to care for:

Miles loves his school. Dropping him off is a joy because he just leaps out of the car and strides in. I hope he keeps his confidence next year, at a new school. 

We attended Healthy Kids day on Saturday, in the gloomy drizzle. 

It might have been more magical than last year's. All the energy I have been trying to direct and corral and discipline all week just got to run wild. They wore themselves out at the obstacle courses and bounce house and games. Just so much joy and play all over the place. I smiled almost the whole time. 

Pretending to be firefighters.

Miles did bubble art for probably 30 minutes straight.

We're marching, climbing Jacob's ladder.

Brothers and sisters all.

Our documents are all in for the mortgage. It hurts to admit how much we are depending on this going through. Please pray. 

I like to make a contingency plan for my contingency plans, so you know I'm uncomfortable. But this week has taught me a little more about flowing and abiding and not worrying that each negative will progressively worsen. I downloaded Tub Thumping to turn on whenever I need it.

I am learning to trust that I will have what I need, when I need it. 

Pray anyway, though.