1 week down...

Last Sunday morning Kyle left for Northern Virginia to spend the majority of his summer. This has been our life since we met, so it's nothing new. Each summer brings new challenges while trying to parent our little ones on my own. While the days can sometimes get long and we miss him dearly, I try to look at the bright side. I came up with a list of perks to take my mind off feeling sorry for myself. Here's a short list:

• Less laundry. And I hate laundry. With Kyle gone, the amount I have to do decreases exponentially. This is good!
• Simple meals. Without a husband around to appreciate a good meal, the amount of time I spend in the kitchen preparing meals drops dramatically in the summers. Less time in the kitchen means more time doing the other things I love, whether that is curling up with a good book, organizing Savvy's sock and underwear drawer, or passing the soccer ball in the yard with Cade.
• No more hiding shopping spree purchases in random places throughout the house. I can purchase and wear the next day without getting the third degree.  Okay, I'm totally kidding on that one. Though Kyle swears I hide new clothes I buy and break them out after a month so I can say, "This? No, it's not new. I've had it for a while, sweetie."  The reality is, he's the shopper and can now do so without getting the third degree from me. Unfortunately for him, I watch our bank account like a hawk so he can't hide much.  Sweetie, your recent GNC purchase better have been vitamins that will to last the next 20 years.
• Paint! I don't think Kyle likes change. Or messes. Painting walls in our home causes a lot of both so when he leaves, I get excited to continue to transform our home with new hues without fussing over the stuff that has to be ignored while working on a home improvement project.
• Control over the fridge, freezer and pantry. I'm learning I like control. I don't think I'm quite a control freak (yet), but there are certain areas in my world that I prefer having control over, and one is what I feed myself and my children.  When Kyle goes grocery shopping, I feel that control slipping through my fingers. What he buys and what I buy are very different. {i.e. Toaster Streudles vs. organic granola and greek yogurt}. I'm by no means a health nut and definitely have my weaknesses when it comes to certain foods.{when he buys those toaster streudels I eat them} However, I really want my children to have good eating habits and I feel that what you buy (and don't buy) can heavily influence their palates, toleration for new foods and overall health.   I felt liberated today to finally use up the rest of these babies at an impromptu picnic my friend hosted down the street. We joked later that we held a cafeteria-style picnic with these on the menu:

Yes, the kids ate them right up. For some reason, I've just never been a corn dog fan. Or hot dog fan. But I did eat one. All in the name of celebrating my newly reclaimed space in the freezer. Yeahhh!

We miss you, Kyle!

xoxo