Phew. Last week was a whirlwind filled with days that all blurred together. By Tuesday it felt like Monday and by Wednesday day end it felt like Friday. We were so lucky to have that three day weekend and then on Wednesday night Ryan surprised us letting us know he was off Thursday and Friday so get as much time with us before this next big season of travel came upon our family. Usually Ryan is terrible at keeping secrets like that but I was thoroughly convinced that we would be lucky if he got home a little early on Friday but instead we got so much more extra time with him that we ever planned. That, of course, meant there were crickets going on around here but good golly I would do it again in a heartbeat. This real-life-right-in-front-of-you stuff always will trump the rest.
We spent so much extra time as a family over our 4 days weekend and I could not be more grateful. We went to the National Parks IMAX and that was a great thing to go to. The kids did awesome and it made me a bit wanderlusty. Seriously, if you get the chance to go see it – do it. It’s only 40 minutes and completely worth it. The imagery is stunning.
We spent time together outside and went to the park nearly every day, got some things done around the house we needed to tackle and really just enjoyed each other. On Friday we got A and B a new-to-us little playhouse for the backyard to enjoy this summer and A was thrilled. During B’s nap, Ryan and A went into the pet store – one of A’s favorite places to go walk around – while B and I sat in the car. In the twenty minutes they were in there Little Miss talked her daddy into a new friend for Sophie…some new rocks…and a new plastic plant. She doesn’t have her daddy wrapped around her finger at all. Haha. So, we now have Jack our second Fantail Goldfish and Jack & Sophie seem to enjoy one another’s company.
Our weekend, though twice as long as a usual weekend, still didn’t feel like enough. It never does. Yesterday marked the beginning of a new, although temporary and luckily the last, season of corporate travel for our family. We’ve been through this season before last year but this one is even longer than before. Pre-kids I would have just gone along but even though we tried to coordinate taking our family for the length of time, it just wasn’t going to work out with two kids and two dogs going 1,200 miles away just didn’t have a logical way of working out. If we’re honest, a part of me was bitter that a company that can create vehicle with unbelievably smart technology can’t figure out virtual training but the reality is it’s a small blip of time in the grand scheme, and it’s the last time he will have to travel away from us for this long. So I’m focusing on all the good stuff that we are so blatantly blessed with like a career that is with a company that takes great care of our family, the opportunity that I get to stay home with our kids every day and the every day blessings. Even though the distance is no fun and we are already missing Ryan like crazy there is much more to be grateful for than to dwell on so I’m keeping that in perspective. I’m also grateful that we’ve been through this once before so we’ve been in this new routine before and knowing it’s our last stint is great for finding the light at the end of the tunnel.
So, we’re here the first week of a new month, a new season but final long travel season for us and new week. We’ve got some fun things planned this month to enjoy the first half of summer time and I’m just focusing on what it’s front of us. Life is short and we are so blessed. There’s so much more good than hardship in our life and for that I couldn’t be more grateful. So here’s to all the good stuff.
