Well, the rumors are really flying now about when my husband and his fellow soldiers might return from deployment, especially since we got the proverbial stop mail date.  We’ll see if we hear anything official in the next few weeks, I expect we will.  I’ve made progress though, the garage is finally clean (well as far as I’m concerned anyway!!!)  The ongoing laundry crisis is kinda under contro.l  

Overall, I’m just excited that my husband may possibly be home, safe and sound, sooner rather than later. 

I have done a lot of thinking, though.  I decided that I’m not going to be telling the girls.  I know how often flight windows and returns change.  I’ve gotten a call as I was walking out the door to pick him up.  I think that would be too much for them to handle at this point.  It’s not like they can understand the concept of “crew rest” and be cool with the fact that dad won’t be home until tomorrow. 

Mallory has been sad this week.  One of the little boys in her class had his dad come home.  Mallory couldn’t understand why her dad wasn’t home.  She didn’t think it was fair that J’s dad got to come home and hers didn’t.  She cried for awhile, and no matter what I did or said, it didn’t make it any better.  I think she just needed to cry; like we all do sometimes.  Thankfully, she’s back to her normal self and she knows dad will be home sooner rather than later.  I’ll be keeping you all posted!

I’ve officially had it.  I am sick and tired of cleaning up after everyone but myself.  I ask the girls to clean up and it seems like a lifelong project lately.  I have resorted to setting a timer.  If the picking up isn’t done by the ending ding, toys get put into trash bags and placed into the garage. 

Why such an extreme course of action one might ask?  First and foremost, with only one grown up in the house, it is impossible to clean up after everybody.   Second, I think it teaches personal responsibility.  If you want things, you have to take care of them.  If you leave that Wii game laying around, it will get scratched and be useless … and NO .. you won’t get another one. 

I also think it instills a sense of family; you live under this roof so guess what?  We all have to pitch in and work together if things are going to run smoothly.  Moreover, it gives me a chance for a bit more sleep/down time.  If everyone helps, then I don’t have to stay up late cleaning up everyone’s mess or folding laundry! 

I’m also trying to teach the girls that with age comes priviledge and also responsibility.  Yes, we can stay up a little late on Friday and watch a movie but in order for that to happen, our housework has to be done. 

How do you encourage your kids to pitch in and clean up after themselves?  Any hints or ideas?  Please share your comments and ideas below. 

I got kind of bummed that Jon wasn’t able to call on Mothers’ Day.  Yeah well, I guess that’s how it is.  I’m still slightly peeved, but I will get over it; I always do.  To my delight, both the girls made it through a full week of school (it is a miracle) and let me tell you it felt great!!!  Vannah has a slight head cold, but knock on wood, no signs of an ear infection (I love tubes). 

I think this week I’m just generally thankful that my husband is still okay.  I know one out of six families has suffered some losses and my heart breaks for those mothers, wives, and children.  I can’t begin to imagine the sorrow and grief that they must be going through.  I’m just thankful that we have so much and that thus far, Jon is OK.  I do feel more “on edge” this week and when things like this happen I get really anxious.  No news is good news, though.   

Sometimes I do get frustrated and overwhelmed but quite honestly, it really truly makes the time pass by so much more quickly.  I feel like I blinked and this past week was gone!  There isn’t really even a dent in my to-do list from the past week.  I still have to mow the lawn, weed it, touch up the paint in the bedroom, clean the disaster area I call a garage, blah blah blah.  

I wouldn’t trade it for anything.  Well, off to fold another load of laundry then pass out in bed.  Not much longer and I’ll actually have to kick Oreo and Dunkin off the bed so Jon will have a spot! 

How are the rest of you holding up?

Well, things are finally heating up.  It’s absolutely wonderful as I love summer.  However, because of the heat, parents have to be aware of seasonal dangers when it comes to the sun.  First and foremost on my mind during the summer months are heat injuries.  They can be mild or can cause death.  Heat exhaustion and stroke are nothing to be scoffed at.  The symptoms include:

• Often pale with cool, moist skin
• Sweating profusely
• Muscle cramps or pains
• Feels faint or dizzy
• May complain of headache, weakness, thirst, and nausea
• Core (rectal) temperature elevated-usually more than 100°F-and the pulse rate increased

Heat stroke symptoms

• Unconscious or has a markedly abnormal mental status (dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, or coma)
• Flushed, hot, and dry skin (although it may be moist initially from previous sweating or from attempts to cool the person with water)
• May have slightly elevated blood pressure at first that falls later
• May be hyperventilating
• Rectal (core) temperature of 105°F or more

Okay, so it’s all pretty scary, but it’s VERY preventable.  Try to avoid being out when it’s ridiculously hot!  Don’t wait to mow the lawn until 1 pm on July 15th!!!  If you absolutely MUST be outside, rest frequently, drink water, and make sure that you cool off by sitting in the shade, air conditioning, or hosing yourself down.  Also, don’t forget that once you become a heat casualty, your more prone to additional heat injuries.  Other at risk groups include the young and the old.  If you suspect a heat injury, don’t mess around, don’t be proud, be paranoid and get medical assistance immediately!!!!

Do you have any tips or tricks for cooling off when it’s doggedly hot out?  Do you go to the beach, hit the pool, or just stay inside?  Please share your ideas below!

My husband Jon’s still gone on deployment, big  surprise! LOL!  However, now it is rumor time.  I’ve heard every date from now until August.  It’s actually rather ridiculous.  I think the thing that is the most horrible is I’m just so ready for him to be home that I’m looking for any glimmer of hope.  Communication through the family network has been shaky in the past, so I’ll just wait until I hear it from him.

I often think about why I miss him.  There are a lot of reasons, as you military wives know.  It’s nice to be able to be lazy and not have to do the dishes.  Jon will do them if I don’t feel like getting up off the couch.  It’s great not to have to be the bad guy all the time; there’s someone else to share disciplinary duty.  I haven’t put the Christmas tree away yet either …lol.  Moving furniture by yourself isn’t a picnic, might I add, nor is bathing Oreo, our dog.  Those are all Jon’s jobs.  I enjoy adult company; just having someone to clown around with in the evenings.  Sometimes it really hits home after the kids have gone to bed and the house is just silent.

I think the bottom line is it’s nice to not have to be completely in charge of everything all the time.  It’s nice to have the company, the help, and the backup.  When he’s home, there’s someone to pick up the slack when I decide to be lazy.  There’s someone to chill out with and to just be there.  I just have to get the kitchen tiled now before he gets back (anyone wanna help me move the fridge ?).  We really missed him today and we look forward to the day of his return.

What do you miss most about your husband/wife when they’re gone?