New normal

Justin has been gone for about a month now. He left January 2nd and needed to run a meeting in Utah the next weekend so he came home January 8-10. He then planned to leave for an entire month but was able to come home again for a few days on January 20-24 because he didn't have as much work to do. I was fortunate because Mikey and I had strep throat and I did not feel well at all. On Thursday the 19th I woke up with strep symptoms and Mikey had had fevers for 5 days in a row so I took him in. He ended up testing positive for strep and so I called my doc and explained what was going on and he nicely just called in a prescription for me :) I also had my good friend Sarah take my kids all afternoon (a huge thanks!) and another friend brought me dinner, thanks Cara!

Then on Friday Justin came home and was able to help, yay! He was around but still very busy with work so it was nice to have him home, but I am still looking forward to him being around more when he is home and done with this work.

Well, he has been gone again for almost 2 weeks now and he is surprised at how well I am handling everything. You know what, I have just discovered a new norm and it's okay. I am independent and I can do this although I choose to have my husband if I can. I can help the kids in the night, sleep in a little if needed (by turning on a baby show and giving the baby cheerios) and then get them ready, feed them, care for them all day and get them to bed without too much trouble.

I have been able to lose weight because we have had lighter dinners and it's been nice not having to cook so much although I do enjoy cooking and have some new recipes I'd like to try when he gets home. I have also enjoyed not feeling annoyed with him. Because he is not here, I never feel bothered when he doesn't respond in a timely fashion to me (usually when he's on the computer) or doesn't help do something I've asked him to do, hee hee.

It's a nice feeling to know I could do this without a husband but that in no way implies I'd rather be a single mom. I am very much looking forward to having him around more and doing fun things with him and our family.

He is going to try and come home for good this next weekend especially since Friday is his birthday and the next week is Valentine's Day but I feel a little torn. I wanted him to come home when he was good and done and ready to be around full time again. However, the proposal was changed by the government from a 30 day turn around time to a 45 day turn around time. That means instead of having to be turned in on the 9th it is now due February 23rd so if he does come home this weekend, he will still be extremely busy working long hours and weekends. I just don't know what to feel at this point. Anyway, we'll see what really happens this week and my guess is that he'll come home because I think he wants to.

Here's to Justin starting a new job when this proposal is done with hopefully less crazy hours and traveling!