Darren's second quarter has begun, and I have been reminded that we are living a crazy, unsustainable schedule! Last week was his fall break, and it was so easy to get back into the pattern of having him around. We had real conversations, he would watch the girls some in the afternoons... <sigh>
Alas, the warm fuzzies have been obliterated this week.
Darren is back to studying 10-12 hours a day, having dinner with us when possible. I sure do miss his scruffy face around here :(
Last quarter we sort of put our lives on hold, but I realize that these quarter things are recurring somewhat frequently (that's sarcasm, y'all). I am re-thinking doing things only when Darren is available. Thus, I have started forging out alone with the girls a little more. We do quite a few activities without him, now. It feels weird, but I suppose it's a necessary thing. For Tallie and Kaia's socializing, and my sanity, if for nothing else. We have play dates scheduled a few times a month, story hour twice a week, we are making dinner plans with other families with or without him, and I am planning on taking the girls on excursions on the wknds, even if he has to stay home and study.
It's a bummer, but I don't think it's all bad. And some of these things are perfectly normal to do without a husband, I just haven't done them before because we were busy working residential! Darren is working towards our future, and his future calling. He spends time with the girls each day, and of course we now look forward to drinking in heavily the days he has off from school! (If you thought I said "drinking heavily" you read that last sentence too fast.) This is going to make our Christmas vacation to FL and having Luke here during Darren's break even sweeter :)
So bring it on, crazy unsustainable schedule! We are locked in and ready for whatever you throw at us.
David chose 5 smooth stones, as he walked towards fulfilling God's purpose. Join the Eisenmanns, as we gather smooth stones of our own, to use as we walk through God's calling for our little family.
What an adjustment. Working 24/7 with Darren to not seeing him hardly at all! Sounds like you have a good plan going.
ReplyDeleteHang in there, Britni! It was not that long ago that I was in a similar situation - Brent was in school full time and farming full time and commuting one hour each way to class, we had two preschool children and I was working 2-3 days per week, and, this may seem strange to you - but it was before the days of internet and we lived out in the country and I felt very isolated. Many days I felt like I was drowning, and struggled to keep it all together. I knew it was going to be hard, but that it would not be forever, just 3 years (extended to 4 with an MBA but that's ok) and I kept looking towards the light at the end of that tunnel while trying to enjoy the day to day. I also had to learn to be independent and often the kids and I did activities on our own. I remember driving down to Lafayette on Saturday mornings for swimming lessons at the YWCA, and then we would stop at Steak & Shake for lunch (Table service! Yeah for a waitress!). This will not last forever, and maybe it will help a little to hear that from someone who understands and has been there, too. Love ya!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the encouragement, Marti. It DOES help to hear about other women that have made it to the other side :D I remember that house out in the county you guys lived at...and I think I remember going down a hill behind it on a big block of ice??? Maybe I'm making that up... Anyway, thanks!
ReplyDeleteYou have a good memory! Yes, for a summer picnic we froze big blocks of ice in tubs and then used them to "sled" down the hill! Weird but fun!
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