My Friday Night

It's Friday night.  When you are a homeschooling Momma, Friday nights are just about as exciting at 36 as they were when you were 13.  I like to joke with my Momma and say, "Yeah! It's Friday!!  No homework:)!" I have a little more "time" on Friday nights ... especially when Richard is away.  I usually get an early start on my weekend cleaning.  But sometimes I am just not in the mood.  (imagine that!)  

I had a pretty good week.  I accomplished so much and survived!  And then there's my running ... I started it off with a quick "fun" 2 mile/8 minute pace run on Sunday.  Then Monday I went for a 8.3 mile run.  I followed up with a very fast and challenging 4 mile run Wednesday and then a 10.5 mile run today.  I used to think I was a short distance runner.  Now that I've been training for the Army Ten Miler, I'm starting to think that I am a distance runner.  After about mile 4 I just sort of feel like I'm flying.  It is the greatest feeling to just be free like that. I enjoy the time to just let my mind go from one thought to another and not be interrupted by little ones or things that need to be done.

While this week was good, I still find myself with an ache and an emptiness with Richard being gone.  

When the girls go to bed and all's quiet, all the thoughts I keep pushed back come up.  Our life is insanely busy and filled with separation.  I live in pretty much a civilian world right now.  Thus my life is completely different than those that live around me.  So many remark, "I don't know how you do it." Honestly, I don't know how I do sometimes.  

All I know is that I've got to wake up and do it again tomorrow:). 

So what's a girl to do when she starts to feel discouraged?  I put my ipod on, pull up iphoto and start scrolling through our life.  I came across the above image tonight.  I had totally forgotten about this photo.  I took it the last day we were in KS before we loaded up and moved here. My! Patterson has grown so much in the 21 months since this was taken.  All the girls have.  I had forgotten about taking this, but I remember the day like it was yesterday.  We were only in KS for 11 months, but we have a lifetime of memories from our time in the middle of the country.  I wonder if we'll ever return ... 

back side of our housing units in KS

front side of our housing units in KS (our movers packing us up here)

neighborhood friends

main post chapel where we went to church and it was right across the street from where we lived

parker and patterson in the hotel new year's eve en-route to GA

a quick stop in TN to visit our neighbors from NC

two families, one house, nine kids

it wasn't quiet, but it was fun

:):):):):):):):)

setting up the playground at our new home

fun on all the broken down boxes:)

sweet little kate :)

All the girls.  All so little. Time is flying...

It is Friday night and I am enjoying seeing the reminders of all the smiles our family has had during the journeys we've had as a military family.

Yes, it is hard and I don't know how we (I) do it.  We are tired.  I am tired.  

But we are thankful for the honor of living this life.

Wow. Looking at this photo ... these girls ... they are my life.

I love them so much.

And my wonderful ... 

thank you for choosing me to live this crazy life with you.

 I'm so blessed.