J + 8

Thanking God for a husband who's not in the military.

While I think this week's been long, I am reminded tonight, I am not trying to pass the next 10 mo. by. I am grateful for the men and women who serve our country faithfully and sacrificially. More so, I know God has a plan for those wives who's husbands are deployed (or vice versa) months at a time..and I believe He is their strength. Him alone.

Tonight I am watching my friend's boys while she is in town for her sister's graduation. She needed a mommy break. Their mother passed away last Spring, yet despite the loss and grief her sister persevered to go on and attain Valedictorian and state champion for pole vault. No small feat. So my friend flew up with 2 under two...no match for a graduation ceremony ;) and her husband's been deployed for several months and has several more to go..not really getting to see his sweet little baby until he is 14 mo old already.

I can't imagine. But she is strong...in Him. And it encourages me deep.

Somehow before those plans were ever finalized though I promised a play date for both my girls following Fun Day at school...where the boys and I spent the day volunteering at the Kanga Hop station! When all the plans came together and I started to wonder how it would all work out...God reminded me in an instant...all the moms are single parents for various reasons right now. I am not. I have someone to share the load. I am grateful for that. Some days it's to share in the fun and games, lots of days it's to share in the work, but we even share each others burdens. So my husband will return soon, and life will resume to a better balance, therefore instead of backing out on anyone, I welcomed God to show me His strength and help me single parent 8. If Kate can do it, I can right ;)

He started by providing. I just happened to have picnic food on hand easy and available for dinner....watermelon, hot dogs and chips... and lots of popsicles! Some days I can't even make a meal out of what's in my pantry...but that was not today...it was go-food...ready and right there. And the kids all played wonderful together. It's not just written in story books, tonight everyone had a buddy and it worked out very well. The weather was gorgeous, so even better, we spent the entire evening outside..and not messing up the house - yay! God showed me - He can. Even when I feel like I can't. Some times we all need a break. I think mine's coming on Monday ;)

One more day to get through...and very happy to have a hubby returning home.