My Valentine’s Day looked a little different this year. While I was busy juggling children, Andy was headed to the fields for an eleven day “camp.” Where they “play a very expensive laser tag.” His smile sure is cute, but don’t let it fool you, he’s kind of miserable. There is no source of heat so he’s donning winter gear 24/7 in 30 degree weather. We’ve barely talked this week because he’s been so busy, so I’ve managed to get a lot of work done on my novel and house. The kids and I made homemade pizza last night to celebrate Valentine’s Day and our dessert was chocolate covered strawberries from Costco. Andy still managed to spoil me, even though he wasn’t here. He sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a box of chocolates. They look and smell divine (the chocolates and the flowers). I wish I could’ve sent him something, but the cut off date for sending packages to Andy was back in December. He’s just plugging along, the light at the end of the tunnel keeping him going. He heads back to Kansas middle of March, but can’t come home until April 1st, but we’re ready and excited for that day to come. I’m not a marathon runner, nor do I ever have the desire to become one, but I’ve heard the last ten miles are called the pain miles. That is what these last couple of months feel like. I know we’re in the home stretch, but we’re not there yet and I am worn out. Andy does help out with house chores from time to time, but the real toll is being the sole parent for every issue that comes up, especially now when Andy isn’t even available to talk on the phone much. When bedtime rolls around, I so desperately want to tap out, but that is like the bottom of the ninth, when you really have to keep pushing. The kids are ornery, I’m ornery. It’s a fun time. I’m trying not to be–for their sake and mine, but it’s tough! Even still, we have good times together too! Beverly had her “show and tell” at dance this week (where parents get to come and watch their progress). Bev and I did some painting together Friday night. Max and I did our mommy/me date at Diablos and Target. Maverick, Beverly, and Harvey and I made V-day boxes Thursday afternoon, and I’ve been slowly introducing the kids to some of my favorite shows from when I was a kid: Little Rascals, It takes Two, Parent Trap (those two moves are almost identical), among others. When I first started showing these movies, they’d groan at the poor quality video as it started, but slowly the characters and stories would grab their attention and I’d catch them rewatching the movie during the week. They don’t groan when I pick the movies any more, they seem to know that if they sit tight, they’ll be entertained.
Friday evening, the sister I minister to brought me flowers and a sweet note that said, “Happy Valentine’s Day to one strong, beautiful mama! While your valentine is serving our country, just know you are over here serving superhero energy at home with five little humans. That deserves flowers, and maybe a nap. You are doing an amazing job. You are loved, appreciated, and absolutely crushing it.” She has no idea how much those kind words buoy me up. I feel so grateful that she has become one of my ministering sisters, even if I’m the one supposed to be ministering to her. I guess we can just minister to each other. I have experienced many times in my life when I received a ministering assignment that ended up being just as much as a blessing to me as it (hopefully) is to them.
Happy valentine’s to all of those in my life. If you are reading this blog, then you are most definitely one of those who I adore and love and wish I could be closer to so I could serve you more often. Thank you for being a part of my life.
