Our New Life....

Well I've almost made it through one whole week....with who knows how many more to go! Some of you already know that Joe took a new job as an over-the-road truck driver....which means that as I write this he's somewhere between Texas and North Carolina....which in turn leaves me a single parent, so to speak. There's no denying that this was one of the toughest decisions we've had to make in our lives, and yes, there were a lot of tears the days leading up to him leaving. But I've quickly realized that our situation could be much worse. I know that Joe will be coming home soon, but there are many single parents whose spouse will never be coming home again. So I'm staying positive for our kids, myself and Joe.

I depend on Joe for SO much, that when we made this decision, I didn't know how I was going to function. We are by every sense of the word a team when it comes to raising Evan and Ella, and I just lost half of my team. This past week I had to rearrange my whole routine to figure out the best way to survive while Joe's gone. He's been laid off since basically November, so I got pretty used to him dealing with the kids in the morning, getting them to the sitter and picking them up (on the days he had other things to do), taking care of them when they're sick, etc. etc. etc. Now I've gotta do all that and work a full time job and a part time job.......

Thankfully the kids and I have gotten along just great this past week. I'm very diligent about getting them to bed at a descent hour, which then leaves a little 'me' time at the end of the day.

Then there's the other side of the fence......I know without a doubt in my mind that Joe is missing these kids more that words could ever express. Our decision for him to take this new job was so so tough because he didn't want to leave Evan and Ella. Evan will turn 4 this month, and at this point it's looking like Joe won't be home for his birthday. :( Then at the end of the month Evan will start pre-school, and Joe won't be around to watch his little boy get on the bus in the morning or get off in the afternoon......and I know it just breaks his heart, because it breaks mine. There are just so many milestones we take for granted until we realize the ones we'll miss.

I text Joe what I've called flf's (fun little facts) about the kids everyday.....just something one of the kids said or did. Yesterday it was: 'Ella was stung by a bee (again) at the ballpark. And 'according to evan' Brutus is barking right now because he wants daddy to come home.' Today my flf was: Evan is now singing 'got my toes in the water, ass in the sand.' While Ella only has down the 'ass in sand' part!!' Ahhh yes, my kids are funny......some of the things they say and do just crack me up and I don't want to forget them, and I know Joe is missing out on them. So I do my best to keep him informed. Plus we talk every night, when he's not driving, and it's good to hear his voice.

Pray for Joe if you will to keep him safe while he's traveling and far away from the ones he loves. And pray that the kids and I will stay positive while he's gone. I'm doing my best. :) Because everyday I get to see these smiling faces.........

Golf Outing Fun!!

What a weekend......we helped host our third annual golf outing (see links on side for more info on the outing) and it was a great success!! It was soooo hot, but with a slight ;) breeze the day was actually bearable. Amanda was in town to visit, so she got to drive me around the golf course. Thankfully Joe prefers to walk, so he was fine with walking the course and letting Amanda ride with me. Thanks Honey!! Afterwards a few of us headed to the bar for a 'few' more drinks, which turned into a 'friendly' game of volleyball (of course the girls won!!). Then we headed home and Ross and Alyssa came out, then pizza was ordered, and more drinks were consumed.....which lead to swimming in the rain!! Yes, we were all pretty exhausted!! Can't wait for next year!! :)

Our team....plus driver :)
The outing Committee (minus Kay)....Will, Trina, me and Joe.
Mady (Mindy's daughter) and Joe
Pre boys getting their butts kicked in Volleyball!!
It's on now....
Post boys getting their butts kicked in Volleyball!! p.s. this is Johnny, one of Wendy and Frank's friends that played in Frank's place since he was not able to be here.
It was a love/hate relationship. ;)
Looking fabulous after our victory
Kiss it boys
The ride home....a little chaos....
We made a pit-stop at John and Kay's because there was a promise of fire-works....none were to be found, so we drank a few beers and headed out to meet Ross and Alyssa at our place.

Skinny butt....poor sponge bob
Ross brought over these goggles....not sure why yet. But we thought it would be funny to take everyone's pictures wearing the goggles......hey, there was a lot of beer consumed, don't judge!!






Then there was swimming....I have 'proof' but didn't think the ladies would appreciate their pictures posted here in their underware, so you'll have to take my word for it with this picture of the splash off the end of the dock.
We were supposed to be 'voguing' here while 'camera ross' rocked it.....apparently Wendy didn't get the memo!! :)
Ahhhh.....Good Times!! Perhaps we'll have to 'plan' on this for next year after the outing.

Old Man

This summer we've been visiting the Old Man quite a bit.....he's got a garden the size of my house, so we've been taking full advantage!! And the kids enjoy going out and pulling the veggies we want and running through the corn. :)