Day 73

Well I guess the good thing about my recent blog-slacking is that we've jumped right into the 70s on my day-counter.
Yep, jumping at the speed of molasses. It feels like Josh has been gone a long time, and we're not even nearing the halfway point.
But the good news is that he's doing well and we're doing well, and we have lots of fun things to look forward to in the next couple of years to make up for this time we're apart.

I suspect that most of you have been keeping busy with the Thanksgiving holiday and preparations for Christmas, and haven't even noticed that I've been a little light on posting lately.

Except for one of you, who keeps giving me grief about it.

He knows who he is.
And he is very handsome despite the furry creature on his upper lip.

We spent the holiday weekend hanging out, letting the cousins play together, gaming, eating, and watching Michigan finally, finally beat Ohio State.
I'm not going to lie.
The food was good-- but the victory was even more satisfying.

However, I may have washed the satisfying victory down with some homemade pumpkin cheesecake.
Can't rightly say.

Over the weekend, I was the butt of quite a few jokes about the way I live in the "dark ages."
There were five adults here, and 4 of them were surfing the 'net on their iPads.
Then there was me and my laptop that can't be unplugged because it wont hold a charge, has a broken backspace key, and gives my lap third degree burns.
They all got a good kick out of that.

And then they noticed my cell phone.

I'm sure I'm not the only one without a smart phone, right?

Or texting.

Right?

(I think I just lost the rest of you there.)

Some of you who harass me about my lack of technology (ahem, Betsy), might be pleased to know that Josh and I were just discussing today that I might upgrade my phone situation.
But the problem is that we'd want to find a phone that can be used in Spain, and Josh wants me to make a few calls and figure that out.

Problemo numero uno-- Erin doesn't like making phone calls. Hello? I'm the one with the pre-paid cell phone that burns my ear if I talk over 15 minutes. Obviously not much of a talker.

Problemo numero dos-- I'm supposed to be asking about things like 3G or 4G and sim cards and...I'm already lost.

So if any of you have the answers to all that, save me the trouble, will ya?

Now that my sister and her crew are back to their home, it's been a little quieter around here.
The kids seem to be adjusting well to all the moving around and changes. They just take each day as it comes, and enjoy the extra attention.
Meanwhile, I enjoy some adult conversation throughout the day, and having someone else able to fix the kids a meal or get them a drink, or help with bath-time. I've definitely been more relaxed.

At home for the last couple of months, by the time bedtime rolls around I am just so done with being the sole caregiver, that I try to get through it as quickly as I can to get some time to decompress.
Here I've been enjoying getting a few extra minutes with Alex to read a book or to snuggle with my little guy. It's been nice.

I do feel a little lazy though, as there just isn't as much that I have to do during the day. I'm going to try not to feel too guilty and store up all the relaxing for the last few months when I'm back to doing it on my own.

Overall, I'm feeling especially thankful this Thanksgiving season for all of the blessings in my life. I have a marriage that can withstand, and even thrive during, a long separation. I have a sweet daughter who is growing into such a precious little girl, a son who brings a smile to my face every day, and a family who is happy to let us disrupt their lives to make ours easier. We have an exciting overseas adventure to look forward to, and most importantly, we rest in the knowledge that we have a hope and a future beyond what this world offers.

I am blessed beyond measure.

And so very thankful.