Tomorrow...

Our summer apart will finally come to an end TOMORROW!!! We haven't seen John for 2 weeks, which for us is starting to feel like "the norm" since we've been doing this now since May 23rd. We couldn't be more thrilled to have our daddy back. Tomorrow, tomorrow, it's only a day away! We all miss you Daddy. Here's just a few examples how I can tell!!...


JONAH
Last night I was putting Jonah (16 months) to sleep and I asked him "Where's Jack?" he smiled really big and pointed down the hall to where Jack was playing happily with his cousins Ella and Sabrina and said "Ja". Then I asked, "Where's Mommy" He gave me his sweet smile, lied his head on my shoulder and gave me a sweet pat on the back and said, "Mama". Then I asked, "Where's Daddy" and he immediately put his hand to his ear as if he was talking on the phone and raised his eyebrows and said, "Dada!!" We miss you daddy! We can't wait to talk to your face instead of my phone.



JACK
We often play this game in our family (snowballed by this Noggin video) where we describe each person in our family with whatever word we feel in the moment and then making it an adjective by throwing an "IEST" at the end. For example, some of our favorites include "Daddy is the bestiest, Mommy is the sweetiest, Jonah is the babiest, Jack is the hungriest"... another time it was "Daddy is the eatiest, Mommy is the cookiest, Jack is the play with cariest, Jonah is the sleepiest". The other day when we were driving to Texas Jack pretty much summed it up when he said, "Daddy is the goniest, Jonah is the drooliest, Jack is the take careiest and Momma is the driviest".

For those who need further explanation to these silly adjectives: "John is the goniest" refers to the fact that Daddy has come home to sleep at our house less than 30 out of the past 80 days consecutive days... "Jonah is the drooiest" because he's getting his bottom molars in and has hence added to his already over salivated glands... "Jack is the take cariest" is because he has followed John's strict orders to take care of Jonah and Mom while Daddy is gone, and "Momma is the driviest" because I just drove 1340 miles (just under 20 hrs) by myself!! Go me.

He also told me the other night while I was putting him to sleep, "Mom, my heart is sad and I asked the Holy Ghost to help me feel happy but it isn't working. I think I'm just missing my Daddy".


MELANIE
I know we were only apart for 3 months, but must say that this was one of the hardest things I've had to do in our marriage so far. But, being away from John this summer has really changed me in a lot of ways.
1) I realized that I took for granted the moments we did have together. I hope to never do that again. He bring so much joy to our home. A joy that only a husband and daddy can fill. The boys miss him. I miss him.
2) I learned to rely even more on the Savior as a companion in my daily conversation, my daily inquiries, and my daily struggles.
3) My testimony of prayer was also strengthened. I learned that on the days that I prayed for patience I really was less frustrated and more loving towards my boys... imagine that?!? Ask and ye shall receive.
4) I have a new deeper understanding of "endure to the end". I can do anything as long as I take things one day at a time.
5) I love my boys. I am more in love with my kids than I ever have been. They are my laughter, my joy, my life. Since I didn't get to look forward to a husband coming home at the end of the day, I found other things to look forward to. I really looked forward to the little daily thing such as: swimming with my boys, trips to the library, play dates with friends and lots an lots of snuggle time!!
6) I realized the great power of friends. I have been blessed with so many amazing friends in NC and I will forever be grateful for the love, concern, and friendship they gave me the past 3 months.
7) I've been able to do things I never thought I could do alone. Such as, road trips 1/2 way across the country, or fixing the dishwasher, or bed time again and again and again...
8) There is always someone in a worse situation than me and that always helped my perspective.
9) Lately, I have tried to live according to my Great Grandma's motto which was "I spend half of my time counting my blessings and the other half thanking the Lord for them. That leaves me no time to complain." That quote has changed my life. We really are blessed to even have a job, in a place John has always dreamt of living, doing work he finds fascinating!! Not much to complain about there!!
10) At the end of all this, I can honestly say that I know I was truly never "alone". I am so grateful for that knowledge and the assurance that I can have that feeling every single day if I seek it.

We're so excited to have a whole month with John until he starts work in PHX on September 27th. Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho... here we come :) Pictures coming soon. But for now, peace out from Texas!!