Memorial Day Memories and More

We had a terrific 3 day weekend and took advantage of the pool being opened for the first time of the season. We have gone swimming at least 6 times since then (which means besides Sunday, we have gone every day that it has been opened). I even sat there in the rain while my kids played in the toddler pool (the big pool wasn't open during the "storm", and it just started sprinking when we got there). I didn't want to waste all the effort it took to get them there (nor disappoint the kids since they'd cleaned the whole house for the privilege of swimming). Too bad I can never seem to remember our camera until we are already in the pool. I will remember one of these days. The kids are loving the pool and even Abigail seems to enjoy learning how to swim. Lily continues to be a fish and Kaylie took no time to get to the other side of the pool and back without touching the ground. Carter still has no interest in actually being taught how to swim, he enjoys jumping in and swimming about 2 feet before his feet fly to the floor of the pool.

After a long morning of swimming, we went to our friends house, the Ercanbracks, and had a BBQ with them and 2 other family friends from our ward. It was really fun and a great break from having to make dinner myself. I always love getting out of the house and having adult conversations with others. Speaking of:

I was supposed to have a girls night out to start off the holiday weekend (on Friday night), as one of my friends in the ward was having a baby shower. I had been looking forward to it for about 3 weeks (from the time I had to miss another friends' shower because Nathan unexpectedly had to work late). I have learned from being burned 3 times in the past month, that I just need to stop getting excited about going out, because I probably won't get too! When Nathan called home (from the hospital) about an hour before the shower was supposed to start, I knew that my chances of getting to go were slim to none. I am in such desperate need of a girls night out and a LONG break from my kids, but every time I have one planned, I am tested. I have had a really hard time lately and just need to recharge, but don't seem to ever get the chance. Nathan told me earlier in the week that I'd be able to have a few hours to myself on Saturday (as he was supposed to be home all weekend), but when it came time for it, Nathan got called in and was gone most of the morning yesterday and today (Sunday). I hate to say it, but things are just going to get a lot harder and a lot worse before they get better. Nate starts his dreaded Georgetown rotation in a few weeks and will be working longer hours and having a longer commute for 3 months. After that, I imagine things will be a lot easier, but until September I need to adopt a better attitude and get used to being a single parent (which I must say I don't enjoy). I don't like complaining (although I seem to do a lot of it when I'm not feeling well), so I am going to try really hard not to be negative and upset during this last test. I feel like I have done a rather good job during the past 7 years of crazy hours and lots of missing husband-time and I can make it for another 3 months right? YES! (pardon my own personal pep-talk).

So, as my plan to survive, I am trying to scheme a plan of how much money I can dish out to have a babysitter at least once a week so I have some me time. I also need to contrive how to put our dating life back on the calendar since that seems to be lacking as well. Why does everything have to cost money and time? I know that continual dating in marriage is a must but we have only had one 2-hour date in the past 3 months! My last girls night out was in February, go figure I need some time off! Okay, enough venting. I am happy and still in love. I have beautiful kids that I love and adore and try really hard to make them happy. I have so much to learn and change and challenges like these are helping to mold me into someone that is better!