A Gift of Quiet

Our job as moms and wives can lead us to a Domestically Frantic life.  We work 24 hours a day 7 days a week and there is no pay, well no monetary pay. We get paid in hugs and kisses, humorous anecdotes, and the woo hoo's when you put pancakes on the table for supper.  As a military wife there are many times that our family is separated and I take on the tedious task of single parenthood.  Deployments are tough for everyone and if you're not careful there are days that you can become angry at your spouse.  Thoughts can become distorted thinking that they are having a great time without you, getting to see new places, trying new cuisine, and sleeping in until they want.  These are the sleep deprived, not enough coffee thoughts that can hit you.  Then you get a little coffee, a half a shower  (I say half because someone always needs something, you have to answer at least 10 questions and dress a Barbie doll while in there), and a little breakfast and your mind starts to clear.  You know that none of these things are happening, in fact your spouse is working 6-7 days a week, 12 hour shifts and possibly sleeping in less than perfect conditions.  Then guilt inevitably sets in and the next time you hear their voice or you get a (constantly dropped) computer conversation you want to apologize.  Its a roller coaster ride but one we knowingly take on when we say "I do".

There are many scenarios you think of when your spouse returns to regain your sanity; pedicures, checking into a hotel to get back lost sleep or mini vacations just for yourself.  Truth is the minute you see their face and their arms are wrapped tightly around you, all thoughts of alone time is gone.  The only place that you want to be is next to them (usually fighting for position from your children).  Days turn into weeks and weeks turn into months trying to recover lost time and then before you know it they are leaving again and you have done nothing to regain your sanity.  My husband has been home 8 months now and we have been holding our breaths that he may not have to deploy this time.  He is last on the list to be tagged for his band and we still have a few months before we can breathe a sigh of relief. 

In these 8 months I have done absolutely nothing for myself or my sanity.  He returned home in January and just getting through the rest of the school year was all I could think of.  Then, its summer.
I don't need to tell you that the summer months can add a level of insanity to our lives as moms.  Vacations, finding activities to ward off the "I'm bored" comments and keeping the TV from running non stop and turning our children's brains to total mush can be exhausting.  Our summer has encompassed all these things and with that my husband has noticed that I could use a little time to myself. Usually I take an afternoon and find a coffee shop and a book store and spend a little "me time" away.  But not this time.  My husband suggested that he take the girls and make a trip to see his dad and step mom for this last weekend before school starts.  HUH?!  I didn't know what to think. I can count on one hand how many times I have been separated from the girls and its definitely less than five.  This is a tough decision for me.  As much as I need and want some time to myself the thought of missing out on what they are doing is almost painful for me. I needed to think about it.  So I considered all the things that I get to experience with the girls when he is so far away and that made the decision very easy.  So, with an apology to my in-laws that I would not be coming, my husband and daughters hopped in the car and headed to the beach.  My in-laws live at Holden Beach, North Carolina and my girls LOVE the beach! Of course what child doesn't have a blast at their Maw Maw and Paw Paw's house!  I have received various text's that let me know that they were going to the beach for awhile, heading out to get pizza and the cute pictures sent to me that Paw Paw bought them ice cream at 8pm.  It makes me smile that they are making memories with their grandparents. That is something no one can replace. 

Even though I am surrounded by a lot of uncomfortable quiet, I am comforted that they are being loved to pieces.  So, I will pour myself another glass of wine, dive into my pizza (it is pizza night after all) and pick out my next reading adventure knowing that my children will return safe, happy and extremely loved and I will be a better mom for having this time to myself. 

Introduction

What would my Domestically Frantic life be without my family?  Well obviously not as frantic but then what fun would that be.  My husband I have been married almost 16 years, we have identical twin girls, an old, very sweet dog and an old, fluffy, happy cat.  We are a military family which means that there are many times we are separated by lots of miles and months.  We all share a love of superheroes and comic books, movies with lots of popcorn and Friday night pizza nights.  So with that brief description allow me to introduce everyone.

Jef:  My wonderful, silly, amazing husband.  He is a Master Sergeant in the Air Force and has almost 21 years under him.  He loves photography and does it on the side when he is not deployed and keeping the country safe.  He is very artistic and can see things completely outside of the box.  He is extremely patient (a requirement to be married to me :))  and has a very spontaneous and adventurous side.  He has never met a stranger and  will jump to help anyone that needs it.  I love him so.

Hannah:  My sweet, kind-hearted, artistic, very literal 8 year old child.  She can be very shy when you first meet her but once you get to know her she has so much that she wants to tell you.  She sees things very black and white and is very empathtic. She has a great sense of humor and has a variety of facial expressions.  She is a very head strong child and stands firm on what she believes in, I love that about her.  Since she was 2 years old she has said she wants to be a veternarian when she grows up.  I have no doubt she will follow her dreams.

Kaitlyn:  I saw a cute little saying one day that said, "Some girls are just born with glitter in their veins".  That is my Kaitlyn.  She is an energetic, fun-loving, artistic, social 8 year old girl.  She has a very artistic way to see everyday things.  She always has a smile on her face and can be a touch bossy.  The minute her feet touch the ground her day begins in full force and doesn't slow down until her eyes close at night.  She loves to talk and wants to know how everything works.  She wants to be a Mommy when she grows up.  I kinda love that. 

Jannette:  That's me! Well, first and foremost I am a wife and a mother.  Those two titles guide my everyday but there is so much more under that.  I have a very Type-A personality and like Hannah I tend to see things black and white.  However, the older I get I have a little more grey and I'm not just talking about my hair.  I love to learn new things but can be very timid to try them.  I love sci-fi, reading, music (all types), cooking/baking and crafting.  I love to laugh and find all opportunities to do so. I am doing the job I have always wanted to do and I couldn't be happier.









And last but certainly not least is the furry members of our family.

This is Lexi Lou.  She is a 14 year old Shih Tzu and my special puppers.  She is so sweet and loves everyone.  She loves to travel with us and until this year has made every cross country trip with us.  She is beginning to lose her hearing and her sight isn't the greatest but will gladly play ball with you any time.

This is Patches, our 15 year old kitters that has a mind all her own.  She is a very loving cat but only on her terms.  She loves to curl up behind your legs on the couch and has never missed an opportunity to dive into a warm load of laundry just pulled from the dryer. She is showing signs of age also but aren't we all.








Now you know a little more about us so come back and join us soon.

New Beginnings

Hey there! Welcome to my new blog.  This is my new place to share my adventures and misadventures of my life.  Trust me, some of them are quite funny.  What you will find here will be information about myself and my family, plenty of pictures, and many funny ha-ha's as you watch me stumble and fumble my way through each day.   You will also find fun crafts to do for yourself and with your kids, updates on the projects I'm working on, fun bento style lunches that I pack for my girls, and an occasional recipe.  So grab a cup of coffee and join me.