Our Crestfallen Balloon

Well, in case you were waiting with bated breath, it finally happened. The freebie, shiny heart-shaped balloon taken home from a birthday party in January finally took a turn for the worse just before Easter. Shortly after this photo was taken, it deflated completely and sank to the table like the head of a person with a heavy heart.

But no worries, I don't know what that's like. At least not completely. Though, I do have my moments with Brian gone. But when Sydney shares her own moments of missing Daddy, after the initial pang of empathy passes, I am at least able to appreciate what sensitive, bright girls we share and that--plus knowing this separation is relatively temporary--helps me deal.

Of course Sydney often says, "I miss Daddy," or calls him on her play phone. But there have been several times when she's said things that make me skip a beat. They've been increasing in frequency--probably not a coincidence since lately it has been feeling like a lifetime's passed. Yet we are at least approaching the half-way point of the deployment this week!

There's the time early on when she was roughhousing with her friend Ella's daddy, and she said she really missed her Daddy, because he always plays with her after dinner and flips her upside down.

Then on the plane coming home from visiting Sydney and Julia this past Saturday, she was actually wondering if Daddy would be at home waiting for us. And even when I told her he wouldn't be, she wanted to wait and see...her faith nearly broke my heart. Then when he wasn't there, she sounded sad and said, "Well, I just wish he would come home soon."

Even Sunday, when we had scrambled eggs she said, "Daddy thinks I don't like eggs. But I like them now. I can't wait till Daddy's home so we can have eggs for 'breastfast' (what she's always called breakfast and we can't bring ourselves to correct her) with him again."

And just today after explaining the difference between summer camp and camping, as much as she liked the idea of swimming every day at camp, she was more excited about the idea of camping on the beach when Daddy comes home at the end of summer. Roasted marshmallows would only sweeten the deal.

So, during this deployment if my head sinks to the table, it'd be because my head, not my heart, is heavy (and full of things to do/remember). And my heart? I'd say it's light, yet full.

I'm Finished With My Labor of Love!

Lately, it feels like I've done all I can for Sydney--she's been very defiant lately, especially when out in public. But I realize I'm not anywhere near finished with her. Just the bedspread she's laying on.

It only took me 3 months to finish it, but as of late last night, I am done!

I started thinking it through just after Brian left. Took a couple weeks to pick out the fabric online, except the cherry blossoms print, which I bought in Japan. Nearly a month of research and online window shopping to figure out how I wanted the bedspread to look (and to abandon the quilt idea and opt for a duvet cover instead). Then another month, little by little, to figure out how to get it that way without a pattern (remember, I only bought a sewing machine a year ago.)

Then of course, I didn't find time to work on it every day. And when I did, it was between 8 and 10pm--time usually spent with Brian. It's been a small consolation while he's away to do something new I enjoy that happens to be productive and creative to fill the the time we usually spend together.

So, next, I need to make a pillow cover and valences and maybe buy/spruce up a bedskirt to finish the girls' room, hopefully before it's time to move again!

And yes, of course Miranda will be getting a matching bedspread, but she won't even be getting the big girl bed till she's potty trained (her incentive)...I'm hoping I have another three months, but I think I better get started just in case 1) she's a quick learner, or 2) Sydney kicks her out of their shared room, thereby eliminating the need for matching bedspreads...

Easter

The girls and I had a great time at Nana and Grandpa's house in NC for Easter. First time in three years we've spent it with family! Second time in two years we've spent it without Brian!

And we got to stay most of the week since it was spring break from preschool, too.

We colored Easter eggs just after we arrived.

We were glad the Easter bunny found us in NC (although Miranda wouldn't pose with her basket or wear her bunny ears from last year!) And they wore Easter dresses and we went to church (although Miranda wouldn't wear her Easter bonnet! Are you seeing a tend here?)

The girls enjoyed pretending to be musicians--first the piano (singing "Hosannah in the Highest" over and over because they forgot the rest of the words)...

Then playing their new "guitar" also brought much entertainment during spring break!

We had a few outtings, like to the park for a picnic and the awesome Children's Museum, where the girls really had fun playing tea party on a train. And Sydney enjoyed playing post office, uniform and all!

Then, it was time to come home. And as always after several days of having fun, company, and help with the kids, it took me a down day to pout and get back into our usual routine. Which will be thrown out the window when we leave for "Sydney Watts and Julia's house" in four days, which is definitely a good thing!