Last Spring Sterling went on a TDY to Spain. I don't recall if it was a 4, 5 or 6 week trip. A few days ago Sterling left on another TDY to Spain. This time he knew what to expect and was able to better pack and prepare.
Last Friday he had the day off of work.... a family day before his trip. We went shopping together as a family and played at the park on base too. We cleaned the car out and Sterling packed. We got a lot accomplished and had fun too. Saturday we went to a car wash and enjoyed a relaxing day at home. Sunday we went to church, of course, then relaxed. We watched half of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang together Sunday and finished it Monday. Monday we went bowling which both boys LOVE. We ate at the bowling alley while we played. Then Monday evening Sterling had to report on base at 5pm, two hours before his flight out. We had just spent a wonderful 4 day weekend as a family. Now it was time to say "I love you. Goodbye. See you in three weeks."
But after a four day weekend with my family I was ready for some Me time and back to the normal cleaning etc schedule.
When Sterling goes away on these trips (not very often though) I make sure I have a huge list of things to do so I can't get bored and miss him too much.
I need to organize/clean the laundry room and the upstairs spare room/storage room. I need to touch the with paint, all the walls in the house.
Plus I have a bunch of church events to attend. And side projects/jobs.
Next week; Thursday I have Book Club to attend at the Elliott's home. I'm getting a babysitter for that. Friday I have Faith in God girls at my house. We are going to learn about what's in the Faith in God book, what's expected of them, and just talk about it. Plus we are doing a fun easter craft that afternoon. Then Saturday I'm getting a sitter because I have to deliver a baby shower cake I will have decorated that week.
The week after that I am making cupcakes for the relief society activity which is Thursday...babysitting is provided. Then Saturday is our ward Easter activity (a spiritual program followed by a potluck and then easter egg hunt!). I'm taking my camera to that event!
That Sunday (the 24th) is a Linger Longer potluck after church. Then the 28th Sterling comes home! Then it's Easter right after that so I will have the easter baskets ready before Ster comes home.
Not to mentions my boys and I are making St Patrick's day decorations for the front yard. And I want to do Easter fun portraits for my boys and hopefully one other family.
My best friend Nelli Mangle moves to England with her family this month. :(
OH, and my sweet amazing husband surprised me just before he left with a special book. The latest in my favorit series of Princess books by Jessica Day George. The first book was Princess of the Midnight Ball was the first and the one Ster just gave me is Princess of the Silver Wood. I've just started reading it and I know I'm going to love it.
He also made and laminated two book marks for me that had love quotes on them! He is the best!
Along with all this and my boys to take care of....I have a dog. I need to take her on a walk every day. I want to take her to the dog park on base every Saturday so she can run and socialize with other dogs.
Sterling is leaning towards getting rid of Cora when he leave Italy. It will be a hassle to have a dog when we are homeless...staying with family for 4 months. Sterling will be at school (for the Military) from August-December so it'll be me, the boys and the dog without a home to call our own. And I'm going to be pregnant (that's the plan).
But I love Cora. I can't imagine giving her away. 1)We've spent so much money on her already. 2)We take amazing care of her and love her. Would it be best for her to be with us or another family? I think us! 3) We'd have to find a family who will be dedicated to keeping her trained and fit. We've put a lot of work into teaching her to obey and be good.
She's been an indoors dog. Beagles hate being alone. They want to be with other dogs or people all the time. But we are starting to transition her to a mostly outdoor dog now. When she gets in trouble,for stealing food, we lock her in the backyard for hours! It really is making her use to being out there and she is transitioning.
The only problem with that is when I stay at my parents' house I won't want to keep her outside. They dont' have a fence to their yard! Unless he get a kind of fence for her.
I only have three weeks without Sterling this month and I look at all I have planned. It's insane. I doubt I'll be able to get it all done in time.
I bet I'll be more busy than Sterling this month. We'll talk on the phone every day and we email too. He is my prince! He makes me love him every day! We are so happy and so in love. And three weeks apart just strengthens us. When he returns it will be heaven.
Love, Tiffany
